Lamieli Academy Entrance Ceremony (8)
'No! You idiot! If you grab some random woman's hand like that!!!'
In truth, she wanted to hold on longer, but with her heart pounding like mad, Serena pulled her hand away.
Her face was probably red as a beet. This guy is seriously bad for my heart.
"Sorry. Must've made you uncomfortable. Eat up."
Zeke apologized to Serena.
Ah, that's not it at all!
Was this guy doing it on purpose? Or was he just clueless? Glaring at him, Serena wondered.
"So, what about the academy?"
"Ah, I got the message for you. Still, you should go see the principal. His face darkened when he heard you'd collapsed."
"Got it."
Principal Roto sighed at the news of Zeke's collapse, casually pulling out a cigarette in front of Serena before realizing and stuffing it back into his pocket with a sheepish look.
"But really, are you sure you don't need the infirmary? What if you collapse again?"
"I'm fine. I know my own body. Just fatigue buildup."
It matched what his personal physician had said after the checkup.
"You said the same thing last time."
Honestly, Serena wanted to just scoop him up and drag him to the infirmary.
But the academy's full schedule kicked off in just two days.
"Anyway, Instructor, you'll be doing demo classes for a week starting the day after tomorrow."
"Demo classes?"
"Yes. As I mentioned before, Lamieli students pick one major and one elective minor."
"Right."
Students entering Lamieli Academy chose their desired major on the application.
But sometimes it didn't fit—lack of talent, or reality clashing with expectations. Electives were the safety net.
Changing majors outright was rare; it led to opportunists jumping ship to popular ones, complicating procedures.
Hence the academy's rule.
"To attract elective students, you do a week of demos. Kids even mildly interested in swordsmanship will rotate through your classes, one day each."
"All of them?"
"No, usually two or three classes they're curious about, one day apiece."
"Hmm."
"They sit in, then decide on electives. Pretty important. Got any plans?"
Course correction period? Like orientation?
"Not exactly planned out, but I have a rough idea."
Serena nodded at Zeke's words. With skills like his, what was there to worry about? If anyone's worried, it'd be students like her. And honestly, just one flower from him would heal that right up.
But holding a flower in front of everyone else? No thanks...
Recalling him approaching with that violet, Serena's gaze went vacant again.
Zeke, with nothing more to ask, recalled the entrance ceremony.
"And Serena. At the ceremony..."
"Instructor. It's fine."
"..."
Serena cut him off firmly, face hardening.
She wasn't curious about him anymore.
When he collapsed in front of her this time...
The thought of something happening to him terrified her.
Unlike the carriage incident—just shock then—this was pure fear.
Serena realized how deeply Zeke had woven into her life.
So she decided: no more prying.
About Iriel, his past.
He was just Zeke.
Her lifesaver.
Quiet, expressionless.
But his twitching lips and eyes said plenty, even if he didn't know it.
Thought he hid it, but always watched over her subtly from behind. Grateful for that.
Always took her side. Reliable.
Rekindled her sword dreams.
That was enough.
Just chat casually like always.
Truth might just make things awkward. That scared her more.
Serena truly believed it was fine.
Zeke nodded and changed the subject.
"Gotta head out tomorrow. Need stuff for class prep."
Summoning courage, Serena spoke up.
"Yes, Instructor. If it's okay, can I come too?"
Zeke nodded.
D-date!
Serena's lips curved into a grin.
Serena slurped the cold soup like it was nothing.
They talked tomorrow's spots.
Beyond necessities, Lamieli's must-sees—all night long.
She'd planned a month of exploring post-arrival.
But Zeke's common sense lessons delayed that; most spots untouched.
Time flew in pure joy; Serena chattered obliviously.
Then, suddenly, silence fell.
Room filled with quiet.
Serena glanced at Zeke.
Then, in a meek, crawling voice:
"Um... well... Instructor... tell me anyway."
Huh? Tell you... what?
Zeke looked puzzled.
"What's your deal with Iriel Yustia...?"
Fingers tapping nervously, Serena flushed.
Said she wasn't curious—but she was dying to know.
Said ignore it—but it gnawed at her.
Zeke was Zeke, sure, but the old Zeke was still part of him.
Between us, this much is fine, right?
We're not anything yet! But still!
Rambling incoherently, Serena blurted:
"Instructor's past... I wanna know!"
Voice rising, words already out.
Uh, Serena?
"Why Iriel reacted like that at the academy—I wanna know!"
Serena. I wanna know too. I was gonna ask, but you shut it down.
Zeke was dying to know what went down between Iriel and Serena at the ceremony.
Clearly involved him, but no clue.
Tried asking, but her firm "fine" made him drop it.
But asking me? What am I supposed to do...?
Cold sweat beaded on Zeke's forehead.
"...You really can't tell me...?"
"..."
"Instructor. I really..."
Her voice trembled. Then suddenly bright:
"Ah, forget it! Instructor, I'm fine! Forget everything I said!"
"..."
"Really, it's fine. Don't worry. What was I thinking? No need to tell me! Everyone has secrets, right?"
"..."
"Ah, I wasn't even that curious! Just wondered if you'd maybe~ tell me! Totally fine, really."
"..."
Zeke's eyes twitched.
Shit. Can't stay silent—this is that pattern. But I don't know!!
"Then I'll head out! Goodnight!"
Cheerful words, but she didn't budge. Lingering glances tortured him.
Brain in overdrive.
Zeke's thoughts raced at lightspeed.
Amnesia from monster headshot?
Decent excuse, but he shook his head inwardly.
No, that'd unravel fast. And...
He knew this girl was the only one he truly trusted here.
Surface chats with others were just that.
Her pure, selfless kindness—blunt honesty. No obvious lies to her; it'd come out eventually.
Uh, but... "Actually, summoned as hero to dark fantasy world from home, slaughtered foes, saved it, returned, read romance novel, commented, got isekai'd"—think she'd buy that?!
He scratched his head.
Fuck, life's a spectacle.
Serena's blue eyes welled up.
Whoa. She's gonna cry.
Damn it.
Just tell the truth about that day—vague enough.
Too embarrassing for full honesty.
Smart girl; she'd get it.
Work, noble speech!
For once, Zeke deployed noble rhetoric.
Serena stared hard at Zeke's troubled face.
Can't tell me after all, huh.
She grabbed the tray, rising to leave.
Resigned, heading slow for her room—
Zeke spoke.
"Serena."
She turned at his call. Eyes misty.
"What I say now holds not a shred of falsehood. Mark that."
He's telling me.
"Yes... I believe you."
Serena replied earnestly.
No lies from him—if silent, fine; he wasn't the type to deceive.
"...First, I have no memories."
Her mind blanked at his opener.
"Pardon?"
"Precisely: none before the academy posting was finalized."
"...!"
"Likely from my discharge day."
So... blank slate when they met?
Unexpected, but she nodded for more.
"My superior general may have taken something precious."
My precious money.
"Lifelong treasure. All gone on discharge day."
Money I'd hoarded forever!
"Forced me into what I refused."
To teach swords at the academy.
"Then fed me lines like 'buck up.'"
No dreams of teaching kids! Wanted to slack!
"That shock wiped my memories."
Zeke met her eyes.
Get it?
"Thus, no clue on Iriel ties. How we were. Nothing."
Serena's hands shook.
"Maybe Yustia links too. But I promise: your side."
To ease her, he added.
Couldn't say possession/summoning.
His version of honest, considerate truth.
"First face post-loss: yours. You're all I recall."
Short, heavy confession. Done.
Serena's eyes and fingertips quaked like earthquakes.
Heart throbbed painfully.
In-Instructor...! How could...!
Her delusion circuits fired wildly.
His sincerity warped in her thick-skulled ears—beyond "I trust you."
Military has... whispers of it. Even straight guys forced into same-sex stuff they hate... Instructor suffered that?! His precious... there!!! Forced!!!
How much agony to confess this?
Trauma-induced amnesia.
Fresh wounds, yet spilling lifelong secret.
For her stubbornness—forcing shame upon him.
She accepted memory loss easily.
From the start, clueless on Yohayden. Odd for northern noble. Distrusted everyone.
Like a wounded beast shunning hands.
Frontline operative, loyal to orders—
Betrayed, discarded.
Of course. My fault for prying...! Stupid Serena!
Superior's betrayal explained rejecting her noble hand—defense mechanism.
Did I rip open wounds? As he tries fresh start! Idiot!
Yet grateful.
Despite Yustia/Iriel ties, he picked her side.
Relief flooded—
Guilt bit her lip.
He trusted me with this. No pity, no scorn.
Tried stoic nod—
But emotions surged uncontrollably.
Feet carried her to him.
Step.
Step.
Then dove into his arms as heart demanded.
Tray crashed with dishes—loud clatter.
Serena hugged fiercely.
Hard back under fingers; fresh woody scent tickled nose.
"S-sorry, Instructor... I didn't know!"
Tried not crying.
No pity intended.
But tears poured, soaking his collar.
Still, she stroked his back endlessly, sobbing sadly.
Meanwhile, Zeke:
Huh? Serena? What's up?
Panicking, he awkwardly patted her head.
Money stolen, forced to instruct—sad, yeah. But I'm good now. Easier to help heroine from inside academy anyway.
"Serena. No need to cry. I'm fine."
Her sobs swelled to wails at that.
Face buried, unseen.
Zeke recalled the smirking woman post-possession.
"Right. Her fault."
Serena's hiccups halted.
Huh?
"Th-that. Wom-an?"
Voice iced, clipped.
Zeke nodded.
"Yeah. That female general."
"She's a woman?"
"Yeah."
Grip! Serena's hold tightened.
Ugh. S-Serena? Can't... breathe...