Early morning.
Ray woke up as he always did. Normally, he would have woken Lydia immediately, but since today's plans weren't until the afternoon, he decided to leave her be for a while.
He prepared breakfast for one, then quickly changed his clothes and headed out. He was actually running an errand for Lydia; a certain author’s new book was being published today.
Ray didn’t know much about the details, but apparently, it had won the most prestigious novel award in the Kingdom. Predicting that the bookstore would be swamped, Ray had finished his preparations early to get a head start.
"…All right."
Shouldering a small backpack, he stepped out the front door.
The Kingdom was currently in the height of spring. The temperature was perfect, making for a pleasant season. With summer just around the corner, some people were already walking around in short sleeves.
Ray walked along the streets alone.
He had developed a solid grasp of the city's layout by now, so running errands by himself was no longer a problem. When he reached his destination, a small queue had already formed outside the bookstore.
Without a doubt, these people were here for the new release.
The author’s name was Luna Eter. The title of the book was People and Hearts. Rumor had it that it was an ensemble piece, and the psychological depth of its characters was said to be staggering for a debut author.
Ray blended into the crowd of adults and joined the line. During his education, both Lydia and Abby had emphasized the importance of reading. They didn't care what genre he chose.
"If it’s something you like or find interesting, read as much of it as you want," they had told him. Ray found himself particularly drawn to novels. Between their pages, vast, unknown worlds unfolded before him.
"We are now open! Please, no pushing!"
At the clerk’s signal, the bookstore finally opened its doors. Having arrived so early, Ray was near the front of the line.
Swept along by the crowd, he managed to grab two copies of the book. As he turned to head toward the counter, he accidentally bumped into someone and nearly lost his footing.
Since the store was packed with adults, his small stature meant he often went unnoticed by those around him.
"Whoa…!"
"Oops. Are you all right?"
A woman caught him just before he hit the floor.
Her beautiful auburn hair flowed back behind her as she firmly supported his weight.
"Thank you very much," Ray said, giving a polite bow.
"No, think nothing of it. Are you also looking forward to this book?"
Ray looked steadily at the woman’s face. He couldn't help but notice that while she was charming and lovely, there was something inorganic about her—a doll-like quality to her beauty.
"Yes. My master also told me to buy a copy for her."
"Your master?"
"Uh… I mean, the person who takes care of me."
"I see. Still, it’s a magnificent sight, isn't it? Seeing all these books lined up."
"? Is it?"
Ray didn't quite grasp what she meant, but the woman possessed a captivating aura that drew him in.
"Young man. I truly hope you enjoy that book. Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Enjoy it? Does that mean—"
Before he could ask what she meant, the woman was gone. Ray hadn't even looked away, yet she had vanished as if into thin air.
Was that some kind of sorcery? Ray wondered, but he realized that even if he knew the answer, it wouldn't change anything.
After purchasing the books, he began his walk home.
At the time, Ray did not know that the woman he had just met was the author herself, Luna Eter.
Nor did he know that her true name was Lieselotte Eden.
The next time these two would cross paths would not be for several years.
"Amelia, let’s get a move on!"
"W-Wait for me!"
On his way back, two lovely girls ran past him. One girl’s hair was a brilliant, fiery crimson that fluttered in the wind as she ran. The other girl looked particularly energetic, her beautiful platinum hair tied up in a ponytail.
For some reason, Ray stopped and looked back at them. They were laughing together as they disappeared into the distance.
Watching them, a thought crossed his mind.
—Perhaps I really am alone, after all.
The vague sense of loneliness that occasionally gripped him likely stemmed from the fact that he had no friends his own age. His environment was unique, and Ray was beginning to understand that.
He stood still for a moment.
Clutching the books to his chest, he watched the spot where the girls had been as if staring into a void.
He wondered if he would ever have someone he could truly call a friend.
◇
"Master. I’m back with the books."
Ray expected her to be awake by now, but loud snoring was still echoing from Lydia's bedroom.
"Sigh… still sleeping?"
Muttering to himself, Ray walked into the bedroom.
"Master, please wake up. You said you had plans starting at noon today."
"Mmm… five more hours…"
"That would make it evening. You have military business, don't you? It'll be bad if you're late."
"Ray… you go instead…"
Lydia showed no intention of leaving her bed. Fortunately, Ray already knew exactly how to handle her.
"Whoa…!!"
He yanked the covers off with a single, decisive pull. He spoke again to the curled-up Lydia.
"Master. Get up."
"Fine, fine… I'm up…"
She crawled out of bed and let out a massive yawn. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were loose, emphasizing her voluptuous figure.
Ray paid her appearance no mind and set about reheating breakfast.
"It’s sandwiches. Ham and egg."
"Oh! You're a lifesaver!"
When she sat at the table, the sandwiches and milk were already waiting. Even though Ray had prepared everything, Lydia accepted the service as if it were the natural order of things.
Abby had complained about this arrangement many times, but she had eventually given up, deciding it was simply a matter of "the right person for the right job."
"Mmph…! This is delicious!"
"I'm glad you like them. Also, I bought the books you wanted."
"The ones released today?"
"Yes. There was a line, but I went early enough to get them without any trouble."
"Thanks. Here, take this."
She pulled some money from her pocket and handed it over. It was significantly more than what Ray had spent.
"Master, this is too much."
"Don't worry about it. Children should just take what they're given and stay quiet."
"…Understood."
Ray nodded. He often received extra money from Lydia like this, and he funneled every bit of it into a pig-shaped savings bank. Since Abby managed the household's general living expenses, this was Ray’s personal fund.
He was carefully saving it for his future.
"Well then. Time to head to the base."
"I'll be waiting here, then."
"What are you talking about? You're coming too, Ray."
"Eh? I don't recall that being the plan."
"Ah? Did I forget to tell you? Sorry, sorry! Gahahaha!"
Lydia laughed it off while scratching her head. Ray didn't find it particularly funny, but since he didn't have anything else to do, he decided to go along with it.
"So, what exactly are we doing there?"
"I'm planning to introduce a new training program I came up with. We're implementing it next week, so I need to handle the paperwork."
"A training program?"
"Yeah."
Lydia paused for a beat, then gave a predatory grin.
"The Ainsworth-style Boot Camp."
And so, a certain kind of revolution was about to descend upon the Kingdom Army.