Philia Serios's Motto: Always Repay in Kind
Phil ia Serios. Her family motto is Always Repay in Kind.
The first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, and the instructor in charge of the training session had changed from Leila to Xenia.
Xenia stood on the elevated platform, her sky-blue bob haircut and sunny smile from her thirties instantly forgotten. Her gentle, kind demeanor had made her extremely popular among the academy students. Rai was popular too, but his stern attitude and heavy presence made him terrifying during training—too scary and exhausting. The sudden appearance of the opposite of that, Xenia, brought a warm comfort to the students' hearts.
"You've all suffered enough so far. Today's march is simple, so don't worry too much. Just follow the designated routes for your groups and pass a few checkpoints. Bonus points aren't awarded for arriving early, so move at a pace that matches the time."
The academy students who had received the maps stared at them with serious eyes.
Students who had already endured so much training didn't believe her kind words. No matter how softly she spoke, they suspected she had hidden some difficult routes on the map. The map showed only simple routes, but who knew what else she had concealed?
"It's true. There's nothing difficult. Only that some groups will share checkpoints. At those points, we'll swap one member each time to proceed to the next checkpoint. From there, we'll switch again. Don't worry—we're only marching by switching groups today. Tomorrow we'll return to the same groups for training."
The students looked up at Xenia's words.
"This training is simple. When you enter the army, you'll meet many new people. New units, new soldiers, new comrades. This training is about adapting to new environments. The groups you're swapping with will act according to the new unit, and the groups receiving new members should welcome them warmly."
Watching Xenia clasp her hands together and speak as if begging, all the students had the same thought.
'How kind.'
It was precisely because she was known for her kindness that she had been assigned this training. The previous sessions had focused on how to respond to ambushes and solve problems. This one simply observed how new people paired up.
Even though just walking would be boring, her words "please do your best" were so kind that a hint of suspicion lingered. Yet the warmth of her smile made the students' expressions relax.
"Queen to our group!!"
Aria jumped at the sudden shout and glanced to her side. Ever since the title "Queen" had been added to her name after yesterday, her group had gathered tightly in a circle, united in prayer that the title would belong to them.
"Lucky for us that our girl got her. One of the others will be eliminated anyway."
Rai casually rested his elbow on Aria's shoulder, and the group that had become one body through shoulder-to-shoulder camaraderie fell silent, exchanging cautious glances.
When the noisy atmosphere quieted and they prepared to move toward the next checkpoint, a girl who met Zeroa's eyes gave a single thumbs-up and led her group ahead first.
"Hey—nice ability. You snagged a girl already?"
"Ah, no. I don't have any such bad luck."
Zeroa, glancing anxiously at Aria's reaction, spoke again.
"That... the thing the instructor told me to give... I thanked her for giving it to me."
The "thing" Zeroa mentioned was deer meat.
Since he had boldly challenged the starving students by openly eating meat, Rai had quietly distributed one piece to the group he wanted.
Rai had given it to Aslan, and Cesset had given it to her close friend Philia.
"So you're saying you got involved because of food, huh? This kid's secretly pretty sly."
"Ah, no, really. It was repayment for a debt I owed."
"Who else? Who did you snag with food again?"
Rai, ignoring Zeroa's words, kept teasing him stubbornly. Mention of food made Aria, who had eaten street food with him once a week, look at him quietly.
This time Rai switched targets to her, resting his elbow on her shoulder again.
"Who did the girl give it to?"
"M-me, me! Why aren't you asking me?"
"You must have given it to that one. Easy answer doesn't interest me."
Cesset raised her hand to ask, but Rai waved it away with a "get lost" gesture. Then, with a flick of his head, he turned to Aria and asked the correct answer as if demanding it. She simply stared in one direction without speaking.
Where Aria's gaze reached, four academy students were kneeling in a circle around something in the center, praying.
"... ... What is that?"
"We obtained the holy relic."
Rai looked disgusted. Cesset explained.
"Victory to our goddess!!"
"Wooaaaah!!"
The four students rose with loud cheers, respectfully packed the wrapped deer meat into their bags, and shouted as they set off.
"... ... Here... is this okay?"
"The fanatics are strong, so it'll be fine."
"No, their minds are the problem."
"Faith is a great power, right? As long as there's hope of survival. But anyway, shall we go? We have to bid farewell to someone at the next checkpoint, so let's say our goodbyes early."
Aria, slightly embarrassed by the fanatics' gaze, quietly followed behind Cesset.
* * *
As they walked toward the target, Gilbard saw Philia from behind.
As always, she advanced with a clear gaze fixed solely on the goal.
Phil ia had embarrassed him by confronting Rai, and Rhon didn't care about the training. Somneri, who shrank in fear, needed no further explanation. Gilbard had always believed he was the only one among them who was truly outstanding.
If he had known this was an individual evaluation, he would have taken charge himself. He regretted assigning the leader role to Philia because she had embarrassed him by making a mistake. His kind heart had been his undoing.
She didn't hesitate to curry favor with other groups, didn't casually discard food, and constantly bickered with him over scores she received. Every action grated on Gilbard's nerves.
But now was the time to show who the leader was. Since they would start swapping members at the checkpoint, this was the only chance to demonstrate it while everyone was together.
Gilbard had secretly searched Philia's bag yesterday and taken the food. When the food disappeared, it would be recorded as her mistake. He had removed the morning portion in advance to make it easy to dispose of quickly, so the idiot still didn't realize anything was missing.
Now the unqualified must leave the stage.
Gilbard advanced with a sinister smile and called out to Philia.
"Hey, Philia."
She stopped at his call and looked back. Every time Gilbard faced her fearless eyes, his stomach twisted.
Thinking her arrogant gaze was about to fade, he opened his mouth, but Philia spoke first.
"My family's motto is Always Repay in Kind."
"What?"
"When I was young, it was too aggressive and seemed like a threat. I didn't like it. The other family mottos had many nice words like 'trust isn't earned with words' and so on."
Gilbard, and even Rhon and Somneri behind him, stared at Philia with blank expressions, unable to understand what she was saying.
But she paid no attention and continued.
"Always Repay in Kind. I still don't recognize it as my family's motto. I want to believe this isn't a world where you only survive by sharpening your fangs. But I won't be a dreamer, so I know injustice exists."
"Did you go insane?"
"And I don't forgive injustice. Not when it's close."
Ignoring Gilbard's vicious expression, Philia finished her words and glared at him directly.
"Gilbard, where's the food?"
When Philia said what she had to say, Gilbard froze, unable to speak.
A chill crawled up his spine, tightening his throat. He rolled his eyes around before speaking.
"T-the food... you're the one managing it, so why, why ask me!"
"Because you stole it."
Phil ia's words made Somneri gasp in surprise. Seeing the distant academy staff member watching curiously, Gilbard shouted loudly.
"Who stole it? Who stole! I don't know anything! You, you... ah, did you lose your food? And then you blame me?"
"Gilbard."
She called his name shortly, closing his mouth. Just as he hurriedly opened it again, Rhon stepped forward.
"Ah— I didn't think you'd snap like this."
Rhon smiled warmly as he appeared. Gilbard glared at him, but Rhon ignored him and stood beside Philia with a bright smile.
"I told you."
"You!! You rat!!"
"Who stole the food? Tsk tsk tsk!!"
Gilbard's anger erupted to the point of shouting, but Rhon imitated a mouse with both hands and mocked him instead.
Somn eri, who had been watching cautiously, quietly moved toward Philia. Alone, Gilbard felt even more furious at the eyes of the members watching him.
"You're really going to side with that bitch? We've caused you so much trouble, Somneri!! Why aren't you coming?! Those two bastards teamed up with me and trapped me! You still don't get it?!"
Losing his cool, Gilbard said anything. Rhon shook his head, pretending to be angry, but was secretly laughing.
Phil ia listened quietly to Gilbard's words. When he paused to catch his breath, she opened her mouth.
"Gilbard. You're sentenced to execution."
"... ... What?"
Even in the middle of training, the word "execution" made Gilbard stare in disbelief. The two beside him turned to her with blank expressions.
"You violated military law. Disobedience, destruction of military discipline, slander, embezzlement of military supplies. If we examine all charges, under wartime conditions, I have the authority for immediate execution."
"You bastard, what nonsense—"
"Is it possible?"
Phil ia ignored Gilbard's curses and asked the distant academy staff.
He simply shrugged as if he didn't care.
"It's possible, but immediate execution requires a lot of proof, and even if proven, suspicion can't be avoided, so it's not common. We usually use it to handle political enemies."
The last remark was a warning not to do unnecessary things. As a staff member whose job was to safely complete the training, he wasn't happy about this situation.
"Since there's a Dud ley with a higher position than us, the proof will be sufficient."
Even though he was told not to, Philia said proof was enough. Dud ley only offered a bitter smile and didn't answer. Unconcerned, she removed her gaze from him and looked at Gilbard.
To Gilbard, who had a foolish expression, unsure of how things had turned, Philia spoke.
"Gilbard. You're sentenced to death. Put down your bag and leave the training."
"You bastard! What authority do you have!!"
"The military law of the Empire you like so much. You idiot."
Gilbard's face froze at Philia's curses, which she had always spoken politely and formally before.
"You should have stopped at that, you loser. Now you'll have the label 'violated military law and was executed during training' for life. As Instructor Leila said, live by striving to the death in the academy to erase that label."
"... ..."
Gilbard's body trembled with killing intent. Philia stood right in front of him, staring back fearlessly without doing anything, while Somneri shrank and moved behind her.
"That's enough."
Dud ley had already stepped between them and looked down at Gilbard.
Many of the academy staff were temporary employees who hadn't become full instructors. They hadn't reached the level of instructors, but they had plenty of outside experience.
Especially for large-scale training, they had to protect the students, so everyone assigned this time had military experience.
When Dud ley told Gilbard to step back, he screamed in rage.
"You dare say that even after hearing such nonsense?! Execution?! You bastard, come here! I'll execute you!"
"Gilbard. Elimination."
"... ..."
Gilbard glared in fury as Dud ley changed his expression and spoke shortly.
"Under military law, execution is correct. Gilbard is eliminated for being executed during training."
"This..."
"Protest to Instructor Leila. The report will record the entire conversation word for word, so if there's anything unfair, Instructor Leila will evaluate it properly."
At the mention of Leila's name, Gilbard couldn't speak and avoided her gaze.
While Dud ley shot the elimination signal and waited for another staff member to take Gilbard away, he sat leaning against a tree, looking dazed. Ron, finding his blank eyes somehow interesting, spoke to Philia with a bright expression.
"Well, the thorn in our side is dealt with, so what now, Philia?"
"Rhon Asten."
Phil ia called his name softly, and Ron realized the atmosphere had turned serious and closed his mouth to wait for her next words.
"Why did you tell me about the betrayal?"
"I told you. Gilbard's actions have gone too far. If it was just a petty emotional fight, fine, but as you said, the Empire shouldn't break its own military law."
Phil ia nodded at the mention of the Empire speaking directly to the corner where Gilbard was, and she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I said I don't forgive injustice close by. No, not injustice. Precisely, those who don't suit me."
"... ..."
Feeling the weight of her hand on his shoulder, Ron smiled awkwardly.
Even without mana, Philia's presence was overwhelming. As Ron thought of an excuse, Philia spoke again.
"From now on, you're my guide. Take my role. You can do it—you don't have to sit alone comfortably."
"Yeah, got it."
"And stop stirring trouble for fun."
At the last words, Ron couldn't answer. Philia had already noticed his actions.
Thinking she had hidden it well, Ron felt embarrassed like he was naked when his inner thoughts were exposed, and his body trembled. Philia patted his shoulder and walked past him toward Somneri.
Somn eri, already frightened after two members had abandoned Philia, shrank and bowed her head.
Though she had trembled like a child facing bullies, Philia ignored her and went to Gilbard. Somneri, who had felt safe after living, quietly clicked her tongue when Dud ley, who had observed her since the beginning of group 8, realized Philia had no value in opposing him.
With this, group 8 was essentially eliminated except for Philia. Ron and Somneri could finish the training, but the score gap with eliminated Gilbard would be small.
On the contrary, Philia, who brought these members here, would receive high scores. However, the record book would have an ambiguous evaluation for arbitrarily executing someone during training. Whether it would poison or cure would depend on the future.
"Gilbard, where's the food?"
Phil ia asked the insane Gilbard, but he didn't answer.
"Gilbard, where's the food?"
"Shut up, you bastard. Do you think I'll tell you?"
When she asked the same question, Gilbard exploded in anger. His eyes, full of fury, soon narrowed into a laughing expression.
"You can try to endure without food. Just endure for a day! It's nothing!"
"Is there food in the bag?"
Even though she had asked and ignored his answer, Philia looked at Ron. Ron, who had been silent, was startled by her gaze and searched Gilbard's bag. Somneri fidgeted beside him, only peeking.
After pulling out many items and searching the bottom of the bag, no food was found. Seeing Ron show the empty bag, Gilbard laughed mockingly.
"You betrayed me after all. Good for you. Did you try to cling to another group and throw a tantrum like before? Maybe I should divide the food just to be sure?"
"I already received food."
Gilbard stared with a blank expression, but Philia ignored him and waited, approaching the bonfire and taking the deer meat Cesset had given her, tossing it to Ron.
When the cloth was removed and the delicious red meat appeared, the two who had been starving lit up with eyes.
Following Philia's short command "roast," they quickly prepared the meat. It was the fastest action they had done during training.
As the meat sizzled and aroma spread, Gilbard gritted his teeth and glared at Philia.
"You had the food and tried to frame me?"
"... ..."
Phil ia ignored the boasting Gilbard as if he didn't exist. Then, after wrapping the roasted meat small, she approached him.
Passing him, who couldn't resist his hunger despite cursing, she handed the meat to Dud ley.
"Please eat."
"Is this a bribe?"
"The report only records facts, right? Do you need a bribe?"
Phil ia smiled as she spoke. Dud ley thought, as always, that she was not as kind as she seemed.
Her past evaluations had a tendency to be swung too much; she was too kind and couldn't handle the malicious complaints or stubbornness of group members. This was a good opportunity for a new evaluation.
Dud ley, who had filled his portable ration with Philia and the group, was happy to receive fresh meat. But he refused, wanting to stay out of sight and uninvolved.
"I'm an invisible existence, so no need to care."
Phil ia then placed the wrapped meat on the ground.
"I see. Then someone will eat it here. Some invisible being, right? Or..."
"... ..."
"A rat."
Phil ia smiled at Gilbard.
Dud ley was considering whether to revise "not kind" to "cruel" or "upholds the family motto" after seeing her smile.