A murmur rippled through the training ground.
"The instructor... he's down on one knee!"
"That was water magic just now, right...?"
Lene returned to my side as if nothing had happened.
"Luka-sama, how did I do?"
She closed the distance between us, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I felt a chill at the sheer contrast. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had just been pressing a blade against a man's throat. Her smile was blinding, and the gap between her two personas was frankly terrifying.
Still, there was no denying she was cute.
"...Yeah. You’re as strong as ever, Lene."
"Ehehe."
She gripped my sleeve, looking utterly satisfied. It was the kind of gesture that could kill a man with sheer cuteness.
The instructor, Gaius, slowly pulled himself to his feet. But in that same moment...
"Whew..."
He pressed a hand to his lower back, his face contorting ever so slightly. Only a few people in the front row—and me—caught the motion. He was moving like an old man.
"Instructor?" Dario asked, furrowing his brow.
Gaius tried to take a step forward but stopped abruptly.
"My apologies," he said, his voice sounding uncharacteristically weak. "I’ve thrown my back out. We’re cutting the session short here."
What?
The students stood there, mouths agape at the anti-climactic announcement. A few were even struggling to stifle their laughter.
"Those who were in the Magic Department, have those from the Sword Arts Department train you," Gaius announced flatly. "And anyone I caught laughing will stay after for a special lesson."
I certainly wasn't laughing. The battle junkie standing right in front of me was far too scary for that.
"Actual combat is even more relentless and merciless than this. That is all. Dismissed."
I couldn't believe it. He actually just walked away. So, despite all those high-speed movements, his lower back was his weak point? I’d have to keep that in mind.
Still, Lene might have gone a bit too far. The girl in question just stood there, looking puzzled.
"W-Was that my fault?"
"...Probably."
"Ehh!?"
Despite her exclamation, she looked a little pleased with herself.
Around us, the other students began forming makeshift pairs. Since close-quarters combat was paramount for a Magic Swordsman, the former Sword Arts students took the lead as instructors. In that specific field, those from the Magic Department were little more than amateurs.
Conversely, the Magic Department students taught the basics of magic to their peers. While the Sword Arts students were physically capable, they were still ignorant of the arcane and unaccustomed to manipulating magical power.
The curriculum was designed so that students specialized in one field during the Elementary School Division. Those who excelled were then permitted to enter the Magic Sword Arts Department to master both disciplines.
"Luka-sama."
Lene gave my sleeve a sharp tug.
"Will you pair up with me?"
In moments like this, I knew better than to listen to her voice—I had to look at her eyes. When she had that serious glint in her gaze, there was a very real chance she would kill me. Naturally, I had to refuse.
Her ability to switch from a "small animal" persona to full-on battle mode was far too fast. It was troubling, to say the least.
"...No, I think I'll pass. Why don't you go find someone else to play with?"
This was the optimal strategy. I wasn't ready to die quite yet.
"Eh? Please, don't hold back on my account."
"I'm going to focus on observing today."
"But—"
"No, really. I'm good."
I took three steps back. Lene took one step forward.
No! Stay back!
"Luka-sama, I promise I can hold back."
"Sorry, Lene, but that is the thing I trust the least."
I hadn't forgotten the "practice" sessions we’d had before mock battles in the past.
"The thought of the current me ever hurting you... is unthinkable!"
"I still refuse."
"Just one exchange..."
"No."
"I won't even use water magic."
"That makes it even scarier."
Several students nearby were giggling at the exchange. If you’re going to laugh, come take my place, dammit.
Kyle watched us with a mocking smirk. "Running away again, are we?"
"It's a strategic retreat."
I’d have to put that brat in his place eventually.
Cedric merely snorted. Most likely, he didn't want to fight Lene any more than I did. We shared the same trauma, after all. In fact, those two seemed to be getting along quite well lately, always hanging out together.
As I looked around, I noticed Clarice was already diligently training with another group, ignoring our drama entirely.
In the end, I didn't pair up with anyone. Lene ended up with another student, whom she proceeded to beat down ruthlessly. I admired her drive, but I truly hoped her partner survived.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. Even though the instructor had long since vanished, the call for dismissal echoed across the grounds.
The moment I let out a sigh of relief, a familiar, quiet voice spoke from behind me.
"Luka-sama."
A girl stood there, her tied-back black hair swaying slightly as she gave a composed bow. It was Yuka.
"...You're always early, Yuka."
"Yes. You tend to wander off and get lost quite easily, Luka-sama."
How rude. I just happened to go for short walks and occasionally found myself alone before I realized it.
Her gaze slowly shifted to the side, locking with Lene's.
"It has been a while, Yuka," Lene said, smiling brightly.
"Indeed it has, Lene-sama," Yuka replied with a faint smile of her own.
However, neither of their eyes was smiling.
"You seemed to be having quite a lot of fun today."
"Yes, because I'm finally in the same department as Luka-sama."
"It appeared as though you were trying to pressure Luka-sama into something."
"I was just inviting him. Though he turned me down."
"Naturally. You are far too dangerous, Lene-sama."
Exactly! Tell her more, Yuka! If I had made one wrong move, I would have been a goner!
Lene pouted. "If Luka-sama trains with me, he'll surely become strong!"
"Luka-sama is a member of a Ducal house. There is no need for him to force himself into such reckless combat."
"It's always better to be strong, isn't it?"
Smiles met smiles. Was this what people meant by having "a flower in each hand"? No, this felt like something else entirely.
Dario, one of the victims Lene had flattened earlier, whispered under his breath, "...Terrifying."
Kyle watched the scene with blatant amusement, while Cedric took the opportunity to hurry away.
I let out a heavy sigh and finally spoke. "Yuka, the day is over. Let's head home."
"Yes, Luka-sama."
"Okay!" Lene chimed in.
"Not you, Lene."
My stomach was starting to ache. I just had to pray that Lene wouldn't decide to retaliate later by beating me to a pulp.
The carriage rattled on the way back to the mansion. Outside the window, the sunset had dyed the sky a deep, vibrant orange. Inside, a beautiful girl named Yuka sat across from me.
"How was your first day in the Magic Sword Arts Department?" she asked.
"It was more dangerous than I expected."
"I see. I believe it would be for the best if you returned to the Magic Department, even now."
"I've come this far, so I'm going to stick it out. Besides, I've pretty much reached the limit of what I can do with just magic, anyway."
"..."
The corners of Yuka's mouth relaxed just a fraction.
"Lene-sama was her usual self, I take it. You weren't injured, were you?"
"No, I'm fine."
The fact that she was this worried about my safety just highlighted how abnormal Lene's intensity really was. Defeating an instructor on the very first day... what kind of protagonist was she supposed to be?
I stared out the window at the passing scenery.
"...I wonder if I'll actually survive this."
"I am certain you will be fine, Luka-sama."
I wasn't sure what she was basing that on, but the words made me feel genuinely happy.
And so, my life in the Magic Sword Arts Department began.
There was one small perk to entering the Middle School Division: my mother had finally granted me permission to go out into the Royal Capital. I was required to bring guards like Yuka or Moore, of course, but for a reincarnated soul like me, simply walking through a medieval-style city was enough to get my heart racing.
By the time I’d grown accustomed to the new routine—about two weeks later, I believe—I ended up purchasing my second slave.