Chapter 282 (Regular Chapter)
How many times could it be said that the strongest knight on the continent had her life saved by someone else? Once an individual's power reached a certain level, if such an event occurred, it must have been in the distant past.
She would have lived her life as someone who saved others rather than being saved by them.
Despite the convergence of several misfortunes, in the end, I saved the life of Saviolin Turner.
Did that awaken some long-forgotten emotion within her?
Although she clearly bowed her head in gratitude, it seemed that she thought it wasn't enough.
So, she must have wanted to do something for me, thinking that watching my training while holding the title of instructor and staying in the Royal Class Dormitory would be helpful.
But it would be strange if she only taught me, leaving out the others. So, she pretended to teach the others as well, while actually focusing on me.
That's fine.
It's good.
But this...
In the end, I'm the odd one out again.
"Um, you should also pay attention to the others..."
"Ah."
Turner, who had been focusing solely on me, finally seemed to come to her senses and turned her gaze to the other students.
'Ah.'
'I completely forgot!'
I can only hope that I am the only one in the world who can subtly read her thoughts from that cold and disheveled expression.
"Hmm, alright. You seem to be doing well enough. Now, let's take a look at everyone else again."
At my request, Turner once again observed everyone's swordsmanship. Of course, she didn't put in as much effort as she had with me, but that was enough for our level.
Both Erich and Delfin eventually received various pieces of advice.
Saviolin Turner's teachings were undoubtedly helpful, but they were excessively flattering.
Even though I am clearly worse than Scarlett, hearing such high praise is rather embarrassing. It's clear that she doesn't know that excessive compliments can be burdensome.
"Hmm, everyone seems to be doing well enough."
After another round, Turner held on to me again, teaching me this and that, and finally announced that the late-night extra lessons were over.
Everyone seemed to be satisfied in their own way. They were amazed at having seen a legendary figure up close.
Of course, she wasn't actually a legendary figure.
"We don't have much time left in the winter break, but I plan to hold these lessons occasionally. I will announce them when I have decided on the schedule, so make sure you can come to the training ground at the designated time. That's all."
The lesson was over, and I left the training ground to rest.
"Reinhardt, that was incredible. You were the only one who received such high praise from Lady Turner!"
Ludwig enthusiastically patted my shoulder as if he had received the praise himself.
He was genuinely happy for someone else's success.
Every time I realize that he truly possesses a virtuous nature, I become aware of how flawed I am as a person.
"It's just something she said."
"No, Reinhardt, you really were amazing."
Scarlett, with her eyes sparkling, rarely chimed in.
How could one say such a thing, knowing full well that objectively, they were better?
Ah...
Perhaps Lady Turner knows something I don't. Is this how it feels?
Erich was visibly disheartened.
He hadn't received a scathing rebuke or been ridiculed for his incompetence.
All Lady Saviolin Turner had said was that he would not bother with him. In the end, it was a form of consideration, sparing him humiliation in front of the other students.
It wouldn't have been possible to say he was good when he wasn't.
Erich trudged despondently towards the A-class dormitory.
Scarlett watched him silently.
She, who had once been ostracized as a witch, was an exceptional student, while he had failed to make it to the examination.
It must have been a miserable feeling.
Scarlett's gaze did not convey any sense of satisfaction.
It was merely the gaze of one person observing another - neither negative nor positive, just the gaze of a stranger.
Seeing Scarlett's expression, I became certain.
Scarlett had completely escaped from the dark emotions that had once stemmed from Erich and his actions.
It would be better to move on from that situation than to wallow in it. Scarlett seemed to have experienced a positive change.
"When will the next class be? I want to take it again soon."
"…Think about the exam period for a moment, would you?"
At my words, Ludwig scratched his head.
"I really feel like I'm not cut out for studying. I prefer using my body like this."
This crazy guy's brain must be all muscle too.
Feeling as though I might be infected by his strange energy if I stayed with him any longer, I slowed my pace. Ludwig, Scarlett, and Delfin returned to the dormitory, and I felt a hand patting my shoulder.
"Ah… Lady Turner."
"Teacher."
As if to say she was now my teacher, Saviolin Turner corrected her title with a glance.
She has always been sensitive about how she's addressed. Last time, she told me to call her Lady Turner. Now, since she's a teacher, she wants me to call her that.
"Yes, Teacher."
She quickly scanned the area to make sure no one was watching.
"I have some additional things to discuss regarding today's lesson."
It's clearly an excuse.
"Let's take a walk."
"All right."
She led the way, and I followed.
Saviolin Turner and I walked outside the dormitory.
It was night, and with the increasingly cold weather, the usually quiet Royal-class dormitory area was even more desolate.
"The Royal-class is still an interesting place."
"…Still?"
"Yes."
She walked with her hands in her coat pockets.
She is a senior from the Ephinhauser Temple. A distant senior. Of course, she too was a graduate of the Temple's Royal-class.
"Nothing was different in my time. Those who relied solely on their talent and did nothing. Those who were a little less talented but worked hard. Those who clenched their teeth and worked hard, as if something was incredibly urgent…"
She exhaled a white breath.
"And those who were born with everything."
Ellen was absent today.
Does that mean that the one who was born with everything refers to me? Have I become someone who would hear such words?
A lot has changed, so I'm not the powerless Reinhardt of the past. Hence, I could no longer deny that I was the one who possessed everything.
Not the one who brought everything, but the one who continually acquires something.
That expression would be more accurate.
"Which category did you belong to, Teacher?"
"Can't you tell just by looking?"
Saviolin Turner smiles at me.
I didn't create all aspects of her character. I don't know what her time at the Temple was like or anything about her past.
What was Saviolin Turner like during her time at the Temple, during her Royal Class days?
I can imagine without seeing it. She must have been like Ellen.
"Ellen Artorius. She didn't come today."
"Yes, she has some matters to attend to..."
She must know Ellen's true identity as well as mine. If Ellen was focusing on participating in Miss Temple instead of training, what would this person think?
Would she think it's pathetic?
She walks through the dimly lit park of the dormitory.
"To be honest, I don't remember much about my time at the Temple."
"..."
"I spent six years here, but I lived only on the training grounds. I had friends, but I can't even remember what I did with them."
Turner's gaze was empty.
She spent countless hours here, but there were no memories in any place.
She must have been a fool who knew nothing but the sword.
That time must have been converted into skill, but she had no meaningful memories left.
So, it seemed that the places that should have been filled with memories were empty.
"After graduation, I joined Shanafel and fought my enemies there. As time passed, people called me the continent's greatest swordsman, then Ragan Artorius came and took the title, and now it has returned to me."
She walks absent-mindedly.
"Just having such a title can't fill one's life."
She looks at me.
"Reinhardt, don't live too diligently."
"..."
The one born with everything.
No, rather, the one who lives as if being chased by something.
Is that how she saw me? She places her hand on a tree in the park and traces the texture of the bark downwards.
"If you live too diligently, you end up missing out on too many things."
What is she thinking? I couldn't read her emotions from her expression at this moment.
"What did you miss out on, Teacher?"
In response to my question, she opens her coat and points to the sheath hanging on her left hip.
The Tempesta sword.
No, she must be referring to the 'sword' itself.
"Everything, except for this."
She had lived for the sword alone and had not acquired anything else in her life.
A person whose life is blank in every aspect except for the sword.
Saviolin Turner was that kind of person. Seeing her faint and sorrowful expression, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Can't you start filling in those gaps now?"
"What?"
"Why do you speak as if you're an old lady worrying about today and tomorrow? At a glance, you could easily pass for my junior if you enrolled now."
"…?"
‘What is he talking about?’
She looks at me with the same puzzled expression.
"Well, even if you become stronger here, it won't make much difference. So, isn't it okay to have some fun now?"
"…?"
"Don't you have any vacation time?"
"I do have some… But."
Saviolin Turner nods blankly.
"Then it's not like you don't have any time at all. Try dating, eating delicious food, and traveling. What's the point of earning if you don't spend it?"
Giving advice to someone who has experienced enough years.
In reality, this person is much older than my original self.
So what?
I'm someone who has gone as far as I can go.
"What's this? You have to have some fun to know how. Tsk."
"What on earth should I say to you?"
As if she had never heard such a thing from anyone else in the world, she looked flustered. Telling the strongest person in this world to find love if they're bored.
I must be a really strange guy.
She doesn't seem to be angry, just too astounded by the bizarre suggestion.
"You told me not to live too passionately."
"…."
"Before that, you should start living that way yourself, Teacher."
Superhumans age slowly, and once they reach a certain level, they not only stop aging but also appear eternally youthful like her.
No matter her actual age, if she wore the temple uniform, she could pass for our classmate.
Why act like you've lived a lifetime?
"… Goodness."
In the end, Saviolin Turner let out a hollow laugh, seemingly at a loss.
"I'm not sure if you're truly the future of the empire, Reinhardt."
She patted my shoulder.
"But it's clear that you're the weirdest one in the empire."
A strange guy.
That was also one of the things I heard most often.
She didn't call me just to chat without any particular reason.
"Soon, His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet you."
The Emperor.
So it has come to this.
"I'm telling you in advance, so you won't be surprised when it suddenly happens."
Is it to express gratitude for saving Charlotte and offer a reward, or does he have a task for me?
I don't know.
But ultimately, this was also one of the things I would have to face.
