Chapter 52
The journey to the Knight Academy hadn’t been easy.
Had I ever traveled this far before?
Not once—neither in my past life nor this one.
That made it all the more thrilling.
Near the entrance to the capital, we met up with Camilla and her group, and the road became even more enjoyable with their company.
They weren’t lying when they said the trip by carriage would take a full week. Still, the path from the capital to the academy was well-maintained, lined with inns and eateries, no doubt because it was a road often traveled by noble children.
“We’re here!”
The village where the Knight Academy was located was unlike any we’d passed so far. As expected of a place where elves lived, the town was thick with trees, yet the inside was as developed as the capital.
Baldwin helped me down from the carriage.
“W–wow… Didi, have you ever seen anything like this?”
It felt almost dreamlike. A fairy could pop out of nowhere, and I wouldn’t have been surprised.
“This is my first time too.”
Camilla, Mother, and Jerod, who had gone ahead, called back to us.
“Didi, Laila! Hurry up!”
“Laila! Come here, you’ve got to see this!”
“You brats, come on already!”
Since I kept getting distracted by everything, Baldwin walked beside me and pressed my hat down with a firm hand.
“Are you going to keep lagging behind?”
“Hey! Don’t press it down, I won’t grow taller!”
I was already so much smaller than Baldwin and Camilla—it was hurting my pride.
We ate the same food, slept the same hours… so why wasn’t I growing?
I tugged at my hat and glared at Baldwin.
But he simply raised his hands, pretending innocence.
“Fine, fine. And you’re not short, Lala.”
“You can only say that because you’re tall!”
My voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
In my past life, I could accept not growing tall—I hadn’t eaten or lived well.
But this time, with plenty of food and love, why was I still so small?
Baldwin gently pulled me forward by the arm. Ever since the huge difference in our strength had shown itself, he had been careful with me.
It had started months ago, after an accident. While we were playing, my arm had broken.
Ah, but he had been so cute then—his face more frightened than I’d ever seen it.
He insisted he hadn’t cried, but those sparkling eyes had definitely been wet.
“I’m sorry, Lala. I didn’t mean to.”
He had murmured it over and over, his face pale. Even as I cried from the pain, I found myself laughing at him.
That memory still warmed me. The way he had looked then—tearful, guilty, and utterly endearing—was perfect.
“What are you thinking about again? Let’s go. If we dawdle, we’ll be the only ones late.”
The entrance ceremony was tomorrow. And after tomorrow, I would be leaving Baldwin and Camilla behind.
That was why I had begged Aldis to teach me teleportation magic.
But to use teleportation, you had to be at least twelve and receive approval from the Magic Tower. It was considered one of the most dangerous spells.
After Aldis revealed my identity on my birthday, we had moved around more freely, since magical restrictions loosened at the age of eleven.
As Camilla had said, the streets of the village were filled with marvels.
“Lala, Didi, look. Elven crafts are famous for their beauty and durability. Here, try this on.”
Mother was more excited than either of us, draping trinkets over Baldwin and me.
What caught my eye most was a pair of earrings with crimson gemstones—just like Baldwin’s eyes.
“Excellent choice! Those are our latest design! With these, you can hear each other’s voices no matter the distance! And when you draw near, the earrings will vibrate like this!”
They were meant to be split—one for each person.
If Baldwin and I shared them, we could speak even from far away.
I fiddled with the earring, tempted. But wasn’t that crossing a line?
The Knight Academy was where Baldwin and Camilla would deepen their bond. From what I remembered of the story, my meddling could only get in the way.
“Do you want it?” Baldwin asked.
Of course I did.
We had been inseparable since birth—letting him go wouldn’t be easy.
For the past month, I’d swung between laughter and tears like a moody child. Sometimes I’d sniffle into my sleeve, only to laugh again when Baldwin said something silly.
That was why Mother had brought me along—to show me I could always visit.
Yes. I could always come here. So why was I clinging so hard?
“…No. I’m fine.”
I put the earring back.
“Lala! Try this!”
Camilla, cheeks stuffed like a squirrel, came running with a red, round fruit in hand.
The scent of honey and sugar drifted from it.
I loved sweets. Entranced, I followed after her.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
“Mm! It’s really good!”
“They’ve got fresh-baked bread over there too! Let’s try that next—the smell is amazing!”
“Don’t fill up, you two! We still need to eat dinner at the inn!”
“Yes, Mother!”
“Yes!”
Camilla and I answered in unison, then darted away again. Everywhere we turned, there was something new, something delicious.
The streets bustled with visitors—many here for the first time, like us. Children our age filled the crowd.
And then—
Thunk!
Lost in the press of people, I bumped into another child, spilling what I carried.
“Ah.”
Neither of us screamed—we both had our mouths full. Our eyes met, and we fought to keep from laughing as we swallowed our food.
“You okay?” I asked first, triumphant.
“Mm. I’m fine. Who are you?”
“I’m Laila Lorovante. And you?”
“I’m Smith Rinea!”
Oh—him.
The eldest son of Baron Rinea. A vassal of Winchester’s household.
In the novel, his family was portrayed as loyal to Winchester until the very end.
I had to treat him well.
“Are you hurt?”
Just then, Jerod appeared, pulling me from the crowd as easily as uprooting a turnip. He scooped me up, and Camilla quickly latched onto him as well.
“I’m fine!” I said.
“And you, kid?” he asked Smith.
“I’m fine too.”
“Good. Both of you. Smith Rinea, was it?”
“Yes, sir!”
“A spirited one. This is Camilla—she’ll be attending the Knight Academy as well. And—”
Jerod looked around. I followed his gaze and spotted Baldwin making his way toward us.
I waved frantically.
“Didi! Hurry up!!!”
This was the perfect chance to meet Smith! My heart thumped hard.
Smith would become one of Baldwin’s most important friends at the academy.
Baldwin needed to greet him now—and hopefully, they would become close.
And just like that, the two met.
I leaned forward so eagerly I nearly toppled, and Jerod had to set me down.
“I’m Rudella,” Baldwin introduced himself.
“…I’m Smith Rinea. Nice to meet you.”
Perfect. The first button had been fastened just right.
Somehow, I felt sure Baldwin’s life at the academy would go well.
Night fell over the academy village.
Though Laila and Camilla had seemed ready to chatter until dawn, they had both fallen asleep. Jerod and Robellia, exhausted from the journey, were out cold as well.
Only Baldwin remained awake. After checking the surroundings, he slipped lightly from the inn window.
The Caliban men who had shadowed him followed.
“You two, stay here,” he ordered.
“Yes, young master.”
Two stayed behind, while one trailed after Baldwin. Of the three who had accompanied him this time, only one would remain permanently.
Or was it two?
“I hear you met Smith today.”
“Smith Rinea?”
“Yes. The eldest son of Baron Rinea.”
Outwardly, the Rinea family was known as vassals of Winchester, but in truth, they belonged to Caliban. And the baron’s heir was expected to inherit that position.
The boy Baldwin had encountered today was precisely the one they had prepared—a sworn retainer for him, arranged to coincide with his entry to the academy.
[Rinea… A familiar name. I remember them well.]
Even the Demon Sword seemed to recall them.
[And the smell of this place… it’s been a long time.]
Baldwin ignored the sword’s nostalgic muttering.
“So. What did you call me out here for?”
The truth was, Caliban had summoned him away only because of one thing: the girl who had clung to his side all month, crying and laughing in turn—Laila.
