I was wiping the sweat from the battle when I heard light footsteps behind me.
Turning around, I saw Rivel standing there, holding a towel, her face radiant despite having just been knocked to the floor.
He handed it to me:
"Do you want it?"
I shook my head: "Ah, I'm fine."
Rivel smiled gently—a smile like bubbles floating on the surface of a lake, very pleasant.
"Hey Deuwyn... today was a fun match. I've only trained with magic users before."
He leaned slightly towards me, his eyes shining as if waiting for an answer:
"Can we be friends?"
I blinked.
Friends...?
In my previous life, I was Mabel Phemlo—a royal knight, someone who lived for duty, for the church, for the kingdom.
True friends? Rare as fire in the snow.
But now I am Deuwyn.
I took a deep breath and nodded:
"Okay."
Rivel immediately smiled brightly, holding out his hand:
"Then… hello new friend."
I placed my hand in his.
And at that moment—
"Hmm."
A slightly… unpleasant sound rang out behind me.
I turned around—Nagoto was standing a few steps away, arms crossed, his face dark as the sky before a storm.
The entire class outside looked in and could clearly see the "unpleasant" aura emanating from him like invisible poison gas.
Nagoto glanced at my hand that was shaking Rivel's.
Then he turned to look at me.
"Don't forget you have a private practice session with me."
That was definitely not the real schedule.
I knew.
Rivel knew.
The whole class knew.
But no one dared to say it out loud.
Rivel chuckled, pulling back his hand but still remaining calm:
"Practice is practice. Friends don't matter."
Nagoto: "…"
I quickly interrupted:
"Okay, okay, I'm going to practice."
Nagoto snorted and turned away first.
Rivel looked after him, tilting her head slightly:
"Nagoto looks… cute."
"It's best if he doesn't hear," I whispered.
Rivel smiled:
"Then I'll have to play with you more. I want to know more about your counterattack ability."
I nodded.
A new friend.
A good Water user.
A person who wasn't wary of me or this new body.
I felt something burning inside me—not divine power, but… a very human warmth.
The teacher's whistle sounded again, cutting through the whispers and furtive glances that lingered in the air.
"Everyone, gather!"
Mr. Stanver's voice rang out from the assembly hall—serious but not unpleasant.
Our class quickly lined up. Some hadn't even wiped their sweat yet, and some were holding fake swords dripping onto the floor. Nagoto stood next to me, still folding her arms in an "I-don't-care-but-I-do-care" manner.
The teacher looked at each face, then nodded:
"Good. Since you're the class president of Class A, the school has an important announcement."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The group of friends behind us whispered:
"Another promotion test?"
"Not a raid test anymore..."
"Maybe a combat mission?"
Mr. Stanver said clearly:
"In three days, Axe Academy will participate in the Four Academy Exchange."
The whole class: "?!"
I didn't know much, but Rivel standing next to me sighed:
"That event? It's been a long time since we held it..."
The teacher continued:
"The four most prestigious schools in the continent: Axe of the Nazoax Kingdom, Bravuis Academy of the Rhodes Empire, Sunlorie of the Alve Alliance, and Wyelea School of Theldar will all be present."
The atmosphere became heavy again.
Mr. Stanver waved his hand:
"Don't misunderstand. This is not a normal exchange. The principals want to observe the younger generation... to prepare for the selection of participants in the Unification Conference next year."
The whole class immediately exploded as if someone had just burned a spell under their feet.
"Unification Conference?! The selection of new Holy Knights?!"
"Isn't the competition schedule only for the very high-leveled?"
"Oh my god, I can't believe we're assigned to the exchange round!"
Nagoto laughed scornfully:
"Other schools want to compete with Axe Class A? How ridiculous."
The teacher glanced at him:
"Don't be careless. All four houses have leaders. They're really 'monsters'."
I stood still, feeling my heart beat faster.
It wasn't because I was scared.
It was because… it was very similar to the mission meetings I attended when I was a royal knight.
In this life, it seemed like fate still wanted me to hold a sword.
The teacher continued:
"Tomorrow, we'll have a practice session. Prepare your magical power, physical strength, and spirit."
He put down the clipboard, his voice getting deeper:
"Especially Deuwyn Endias."
I was startled.
The whole class turned to look at me.
All eyes—curious, skeptical, and even scrutinizing.
The teacher continued:
"You're a new member, and you were recruited directly. I want to see how capable you are."
Nagoto raised her eyebrows.
Rivel pursed her lips, seemingly worried about me.
I bowed my head:
"I understand."
The teacher nodded again and waved his hand:
"Dismissed! Go take a shower and rest. From tomorrow on, Class A will no longer be idle."
The whole class had left, but three people—Nagoto, Rivel, and Velly Johnvanha (who was hiding behind a pillar)—all looked at me as if I was about to compete in the continental finals.