I returned to the training ground after handing Nagoto over to the head nurse. The scent of the silver medicine still lingered on my sleeve, but my chest was burning with a strange feeling. Not worry, not guilt, but something like discomfort mixed with dissatisfaction.
Nagoto Hydorya — the first person in this academy to look at me with a blunt "disapproval" look. Just like that Ijeckerl back then. Seeing me younger made me feel unconvinced.
It was so similar that it was hard to believe.
I sighed, walking across the wide field. The students had almost all dispersed, only a few people were practicing late or gathering to chat. The atmosphere after my solo match with Nagoto clearly still lingered; some people looked at me with curiosity, some others looked at me with a slightly… wary gaze.
I was used to it. In my previous life, I had seen that look more often.
But while I was looking around, I suddenly stopped.
On the stone bench at the end of the yard, behind the large tree, sat a girl curled up like a forgotten cat.
Her hair — a soft, long platinum color, falling like a thin layer of frost over her shoulders.
Her skin was white, very white.
And her eyes… black. Deep black, so black that it felt like it was attracting the gaze of others.
She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old. Her academy uniform was still brand new as if it had just been issued that morning.
But the way she sat — her hands holding her bag, her legs drawn up, her shoulders slightly hunched — seemed like she was trying to hide herself from the world.
How strange. This yard was always noisy, yet the place she sat seemed to be separated from everything, so quiet that even the wind blowing through could be heard.
I walked over.
"Are you sitting alone?" — I asked softly.
She was startled. Her black eyes looked up at me, briefly startled, then calmed down.
"Y… yes."
Her voice was small, like the sound of silver bells wrapped in cloth.
I sat down next to her, creating enough distance so as not to scare her. "Are you a new student?"
"Yes… I'm in class AL."
I frowned. "AL? After class A?"
She nodded slightly. "Today is the placement test. But… I'm not that outstanding."
Ah. Class AL — the class behind my class. But to be in the top class like that, it was definitely not a mediocre one.
"What's your name?" — I continued.
The girl hesitated, then timidly replied:
"Velly… Velly Johnvanha."
I was still for a beat.
Johnvanha.
This family name — I knew it all too well.
It was the family that had sheltered my knight order for many years. The current head was Duke Zeke Johnvanha — a serious, strict, but absolutely upright man. In my previous life, I had received his life-saving grace.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Johnvanha… the duke's granddaughter?" — I exclaimed.
The little girl's eyes widened, slightly frightened: "You… know my family?"
"Of course." — I smiled. "I had a working relationship with your family before."
I couldn't say "I am the captain of the royal knights who was saved by my brother," it sounded too strange for a little girl who only knew me as a new student.
Velly bit her lip, bowing her head slightly. "People usually… stay away from me, because they say I'm strange. Because my eyes are black."
I glanced at those eyes. They were indeed an unusual black — not natural black, but like "pits," as if magic power had gathered.
"They're beautiful." — I said honestly.
The little girl blushed all the way to her ears.
"I-I don't think so… Everyone says he looks scary."
I chuckled. "You're talking to the person who was once labeled 'the empire's most dangerous hot-tempered monk'."
She looked at me, bewildered. I was also bewildered because I had said it wrong.
"…You mean—"
"Ah, I'm joking."
I blinked, covering my mouth and laughing. Luckily, the girl was clearly relieved.
"I've been sitting here since the test?" — I asked.
"Y… yes." Velly nodded. "I don't know anyone. I'm not good at making conversation."
"Then I know someone today." — I stood up, holding out my hand to her. "Let's go for a walk? I need to relax after accidentally knocking someone unconscious."
The girl's eyes widened. "Nagoto Hydorya?"
"Huh? That's news so fast?"
"The whole school's talking about it…" — she replied timidly.
I rubbed my forehead. Great. It's already on the internal press on the first day.
"Never mind." — I smiled lightly. "Let's go."
Velly looked at my hand, hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly placed her hand in mine. Her hand was small, cold, but soft like a newly bloomed flower branch, reminding me of the little nuns who used to hold my hand when I was running away from the battlefield.
I squeezed her hand gently.
"In this school, if you need someone to stand behind you, just come to me."
Velly looked up, her black eyes sparkling as if stars had just fallen into them.
"Yes…"
In that moment, I knew — this girl was more than just a shy student. Behind those dark eyes was a deeper secret.
And just like in my previous life, fate had gently placed someone in my hands who needed to be protected.
It's okay.
Mabel Phemlo—or Deuwyn Alyane Endias—never turned her back on such creatures.
I smiled at Velly.
"Let's go, little Johnvanha."