An Unexpected Encounter in the Training Grounds
"Sister, do you have time right now?"
"I have to attend swordsmanship class."
"Oh? Then I guess I can't. See you in the evening then?"
"Sure."
Adela walked away toward the opposite side of the training ground.
We headed to the training grounds for swordsmanship practice instead.
"Young Master!"
"Lady Elin, since the debutante ball is coming soon, please be gentle. Please."
"..Ahaha... When did I ever do something strange..? My memory is a bit.."
"I believe you'll do well. Then, Young Master, I'll take my leave."
"Yes."
I left them at the training ground.
I was worried that Elin might roughhouse too much with Kyle.
Muscle soreness from before the debutante can be healed, but other types of injuries can't be allowed.
"Louise is... probably wandering outside.."
Elin was currently with Kyle in the training.
What should I do with my time now?
It was ambiguous for eating lunch.
After Kyle's class, after he eats dinner, I would have time, so eat then.
"Huuu... what should I do.."
It would be good to make some hobby.
I don't know what hobby, but making any hobby sounds good.
Maybe make clothes?
No, it would obviously be too dirty hard.
More like... an easy and fun hobby.
"Hobby.. hobby..."
I didn't like the type of hobby where you move your body intensely now.
I'm definitely in my early 20s, but I wanted something comfortable and relaxing.
In my previous life, games would have fit perfectly.
But this world doesn't have that.
A hobby I can do while sitting quietly...
"Books..?"
Reading books... not a bad hobby.
The library in the castle has many books.
I moved my feet to the library to get books from the library.
There was a distance from the training ground to the library, so I had to walk for a few minutes.
The castle was too big, inconvenient in many ways.
"Huu..."
Thanks to that, sometimes when walking, my legs hurt like now..
Feeling like I should seriously do some exercise.
Just going to the library and my legs hurt...
In my adventurer days, it was something I never imagined.
"Sophia?"
"Miss?"
While walking the corridor and nearing the library, I met Adela.
Why is Adela here?
"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with your brother?"
"The Young Master is currently attending another class."
"Aha."
Adela widened her eyes and let out an exclamation.
Unlike her cold appearance, her expressions were richer than expected.
She definitely had a different feel from Kyle.
Kyle... had fewer expressions compared to his looks.
It would be good if he expressed a bit more.
"Then there's no free time?"
"Yes, that's right."
I had thoughts of going to the library to read books, but since this happened, I couldn't.
Books... I can come back next time.
"Then let's walk around the castle a bit. Since I came after 6 years, there are some changes. Can you help?"
"Yes. Of course."
So Adela and I started exploring the castle.
The castle Adela returned to after 6 years was more lively than usual.
Because she was sociable, she happily chatted with the servants she hadn't seen in 6 years.
Especially with the maids, she smiled brightly, making her cold appearance seem warm.
As I walked around, I thought... do I really need to be here?
Of course, I explain places while walking or take her to wanted spots, but it seems I don't necessarily need to do it.
"Miss, isn't this something to ask a direct attendant? May I ask why you asked me?"
"Huh? Why did you ask?"
"Yes."
"Hmm.. that was naturally decided."
Naturally decided.
What kind of talk is this.
"It's pretty. Just walking with pretty girls is fun."
"..."
I almost let out an "eh" but held it back.
I didn't cover my mouth but bit my lip slightly.
Thanks to that, it was a bit sore, but not that painful.
"I see.."
"Yes. Well, let's walk around again."
Like with Catherine, I wonder why they call me pretty.
Even if you look, the appearance of the two is better.
The appearance of 10s and early 20s is definitely different.
Is it the skin's gloss?
It was completely different.
Looking at 10-year-old girls, I felt incredibly envious.
Especially Adela in front of me.
Envious of 10s...
"Right, where is brother’s class? I want to go see."
"Yes.."
With my body slightly injured from the activity level and appearance of the 10s, I took Adela to the training ground.
It hadn't been 5 years since the appearance difference, but my mind had changed.
Back then I thought I was super pretty, but now I know I'm not, is that why?
Nobles are super pretty, so it's possible.
"Brother~"
Adela entered the training hall where Kyle and Elin were training without knocking.
Without even knocking.
Of course, since the castle is their home, it was possible.
But.. it shouldn't have been.
"...."
"...Ha?"
After opening the door, my and Adela's feelings were probably the same.
Both couldn't speak properly right after entering.
"...Brother, what is this situation?"
"....That.."
"Young Master.. what is this.."
Kyle was completely undressed from the upper body.
Elin was also without armor, wearing a sweaty shirt.
Are they perhaps in such a relationship?
"...First.. put on your clothes."
Kyle heard my words and put on the shirt he had tossed aside.
I felt a bit sorry that the wonderful muscles were hidden, but it wasn't the time to focus on that.
"Brother."
Adela looked at Kyle with sharp eyes.
"What did the two of you do? Fight?"
"Cough..! Adela, that's too much.."
"Then why are both undressed? It's not like the knight's work is over. I haven't heard of such stories?"
As per Adela's words, the knights' attendants basically live in armor except for sleeping time.
Work, morning meal, evening meal, training, almost all daily life in armor.
Also to adapt to armor, and not to do exercise with armor weight.
Anyway, knights wear armor as if it's their own body.
But Elin was not wearing armor now.
Wearing a somewhat clinging shirt inside the armor.
Not loose clothes, but clothes that stick a bit, emphasizing the cleavage.
"...."
Why wearing clothes like that?
"W..this is.. misunderstanding!"
"Be quiet."
Adela spoke to Elin in a cold voice.
Adela who was bright and warm until just now had already disappeared.
"Brother, explain quickly. What did the two of you do to take off clothes and sweat?"
"Just because it's hot, I took it off."
"What?"
"Because we were sparring, it got hot. The ventilation here isn't proper."
Kyle's words had some truth.
Except the door, there was no proper wind coming in.
"And.. I sometimes take off the outer clothes when it's too hot even normally? Elin and I are not strange, so don't look at us like that."
"Hmph.."
Wait, always take off?
Clothes?
"...."
"Hiiik!?"
When I glared at Elin, Elin started in shock.
I can't see my expression, but it was probably not good.
"Lady Elin, do you always proceed with training like this?"
"W..no that.."
"Ha... if it's hot, why not do it outside? Why always do training here? Was it to see the Young Master's body?"
"That's really not the case..."
"Lady Elin, then why did you proceed with training removing clothes like just now. Isn't armor always to be worn for knights?"
"Young Master..! Young Master took it off first! I said if it's uncomfortable, I can take it off! Really!"
"Young Master?"
Kyle took it off first?
Previously didn't take off even when hot, suddenly?
Or was he trying to show off his body to Elin?
Or show it?
"Haa.. Young Master.. let's talk later."
"...."
"Yes, brother. Need to talk."
Even if it's sword training, seeing a young man and woman in such a state is not good.
At first, both seemed to have no thoughts...
But perhaps during movement, they fell and hands touched private parts...
"Gulp...."
Anyway, that was not allowed.
After that, after the class, I roughly wiped Kyle's sweat.
Normally I would have done it enthusiastically, but today I didn't want to.
"Young Master, I'll scold you while eating. Please wash well."
From the little girl who couldn't talk properly in front of men or women, to the man removing shirt in front of a woman.
Anyway, even so, no need to remove shirt when teaching swordsmanship?
I hadn't seen the class directly, but it didn't seem right.
Originally, Kyle mostly wore comfortable clothes, so sweat absorption was good compared to other clothes.
Eristirol wasn't as hot as southern or central regions.
Even indoor, for training ground, no special measures, so it was definitely cooler than other places.
"....."
Anyway, it didn't sit well with me.