Days passed under the same rhythm of training—the heat of the sun, the dust of the field, and the sound of instructions that never truly stopped.
Rena was always there.
Among the mages practicing their magic with staves and neat formations… she stood with a simple sword in hand, without much mana to rely on.
But precisely because of that—
Rena never had any choice but to move.
Every training session, every task—
Rena always got them done.
Whether it was a simulation of holding the front line, sparring under pressure that others saw as unbalanced, or group tasks that should have required many mage students to generate enough mana—
Even when short on mage numbers,
Rena still finished them.
In a different way.
With makeshift equipment.
By relying on her physical strength!
At the edge of the field, the ponytailed teacher stood watching.
Her gaze never left Rena.
And almost every time,
The ponytailed teacher said the same thing while scratching her head.
Amazing…
Her voice was flat, but clearly heard by all the students.
…with makeshift equipment, Rena can complete the tasks.
That sentence kept repeating.
Day after day.
Training after training.
The other students grew used to hearing it.
Even every time they finished a task, they would praise Rena with the same words.
With makeshift equipment, Rena can complete the tasks…
Hearing that, Rena could only respond with a wide smile.
Even so…
At first, it felt like praise.
But over time,
it also felt like a reminder.
That Rena…
always lacked something.
Equipment.
Yet still… succeeded.
Rena herself
didn't react much.
Every time she heard it, she would just stay silent.
Take a breath.
Then return to training.
Evenings often became extra time for her.
When other students slowly started going home, Rena would still be on the field.
Swinging her sword.
Practicing her steps.
Repeating the same movements
over and over.
With a simple sword.
With a tired body.
With almost no mana.
And at the edge of the training field,
the ponytailed teacher would still watch Rena in the evening.
Not stopping her.
Not directly helping either.
Just… watching.
As if waiting for something.
Every time Rena swung, one of the ponytailed teacher's words echoed in her head.
"With makeshift equipment…"
That sentence echoed in Rena's mind again.
But this time,
she stopped for a moment.
Stared at her sword.
Then gripped it tighter. Even so, Rena's left hand, tucked inside her large robe pocket, proved that she was not okay.
Then Rena looked around… and also at the center field, still empty. No other student wanted to become a knight since her arrival. But on the other hand, she didn't feel bothered by that at all. With teary eyes, Rena exhaled slowly.
It seems this isn't about having new fellow knights.
And it's not about competition either.
And suddenly, the simple sword slipped from her right hand, leaving only the broken sword she had once used, now neatly tucked at her left waist.
Then, with her head bowed, Rena picked up the broken sword with her right hand and looked at it with teary eyes, muttering.
B-but… the reason I can be here…
Someone who can understand me…
And sure enough—
From a distance, someone finally spoke loudly in a voice Rena had known for a long time.
You're amazing, Rena!! I hope you become a great knight!!
Hearing that voice, Rena just stood still, still bowing her head while looking at her sword. But this time, her eyes weren't focused on the sword—as if, within that bowed head, she was still trying to locate the voice. Then she muttered.
Am I exhausted???
Meanwhile, the words that had just been spoken—
hung in the air as if there was no continuation.
Rena realized that, then tried to wipe her tears with her large robe, muttering.
Ah… I think I'm hallucinating…
I need to calm down…
Suddenly, the ponytailed teacher, standing at the edge of the field while scratching her head, shouted loudly at Rena.
Rena!!
Lift your head!!
Sorry!!
I should have realized it from the start.
And that voice you heard was real!!
Hearing the teacher's words, Rena was startled. She turned her gaze toward the ponytailed teacher with a confused but curious expression.
Meanwhile, the ponytailed teacher, her cheeks lifted, stared sharply at Rena's face and said loudly.
That's right!!!
That was the Headmaster's voice!!
Look behind you!!
Hearing that, Rena quickly looked behind her—
and sure enough…
Someone was slowly walking toward the mage field where Rena was training, arms crossed, looking at Rena with sparkling eyes while saying.
Knight.
Close-combat fighter.
A role that hasn't been seen in this school for a long time.
The center field used for sparring matches is proof that—
that wide space, the one that was never passed down anymore, once belonged to them.
And now, there is a successor…
Finally, the Headmaster approached Rena, held Rena's right shoulder—the one holding the broken sword—and said with a wide smile.
That's right… there is a successor…
Suddenly, the Headmaster quickly grabbed Rena's hand and released it easily before Rena could react, making the broken sword fly and fall. Then, with her cheeks lifted and sharp eyes looking at Rena, she said.
And as someone who started everything from the beginning, you deserve something better, Rena…
With that, the Headmaster summoned her great sword—which suddenly appeared in her hand—and wanted to hand it to Rena. Then she said.
And of course, this isn't just about being a successor or someone who started from scratch.
But… someone who deserves to be valued and respected as a knight…
and that's you… Rena..
Seeing the Headmaster offering her sword, Rena observed it.
Then she thought to herself.
A contract sword???
Is the Headmaster really serious about giving it to me…??
Then, after a moment of silence, Rena regulated her breathing without thinking further.
Then her eyes sparkled toward the Headmaster, and she said as her left hand came out of her large robe pocket.
Thank you, Headmaster..
B-but after thinking about it… for now, I don't think I deserve it.
Then, with sharp eyes, her right hand gripping the broken sword tightly and holding it out toward the Headmaster,
Rena said.
But when the time comes, I'll prove that I'm worthy of it!!!
Hearing that, the Headmaster just squinted her eyes happily, her cheeks lifted, and said.
Well then…
Whenever you want to take it… I promise I will always agree to you taking this sword from me.