3. Eliarnes Eustetia

Just as I had for the past five years.

I opened my eyes in the bed with its fluttering pink canopy, ran to the training hall, and worked up a sweat.

After removing all the sandbags and wiping myself down with the damp towel Sara handed me.

I came back to my bedroom.

And immediately hurled my body toward the bed—

thump—

I couldn't hurl myself.

"Let go."

"I cannot."

My personal maid, Sara, had both hands clamped firmly under my armpits.

And she wasn't just holding me. She had lifted me up the way you'd grab a cat by the armpits and hoist it into the air.

Sara is always like this.

She'll tolerate anything else, but she will not tolerate me lying on the bed unwashed.

Same with how she grits her teeth and ties my hair into twin tails.

"Oh, come on. I wiped down with a towel. Let go already."

I thrashed my arms and legs while dangling in midair, but the only thing that moved was my pink twin tails. Sara's arms didn't budge an inch.

"Hah... Fine. I won't lie on the bed, so let go."

"Do you mean it?"

"I mean it."

Sara, looking like she was mulling it over, carefully set me down.

At that instant, with my superb reflexes, I flung myself onto the bed!

"Hup!"

thump—

"I knew you would do that."

Failed again.

My light, scrawny body was caught in Sara's grip once more.

Seriously, how is she this fast?

And how is she this strong?

Sure, among kids my age, well...

Among girls my age, I'm on the strong and quick side.

But no matter how small and light I am, does it make sense that she can hold me in the air without the slightest tremor? I shake my body and she doesn't move at all.

No matter how I think about it, she doesn't seem like an ordinary maid. But when I ask her outright, she just says she's an ordinary human.

Is this just basic competence for servants these days?

"Fucking fast."

"Lady Eli."

"What."

"A young lady of Eustetia must not use such vulgar words. If you keep this up, I will have no choice but to report it to Lady Julie."

"Report, my ass. Fine, I get it, so let go. I really won't lie down now."

"Yes."

This time, perhaps convinced that I truly wouldn't lie down, Sara set me down right away.

If I dashed for the bed now, I'd probably succeed this time, but I didn't bother.

I'm not an actual brat. One prank is enough.

"Hwah."

So I just flopped onto the floor.

Not the actual floor—the part where the rug was laid out under the bed.

Sara's sharp eyes twitched, but she quickly returned to her usual expression.

"What would you like for breakfast?"

"Meat."

"Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, veal—"

"Just whatever."

"Understood. As for your bath—"

"Like I always say, I don't need it. Just help me dry my hair. You, Sara."

"Understood."

I watched quietly as Sara bowed her head and backed out of the room.

"Sara."

"Yes. Do you need something else?"

I have a worry, but should I say it or not?

If I tell her, can Sara come up with a solution to this worry?

But well, sometimes someone who's a total outsider to this kind of thing comes up with a fresh solution.

Like the chimpanzee did in the past.

"I have a worry."

Interest flickered in Sara's eyes.

And then, without making a sound, she walked back toward me.

"If you don't mind that I may not be able to offer an excellent solution, please tell me."

For Sara, that was an unusually proactive response. I flinched, then opened my mouth.

"I think my growth has stopped. No, it has stopped."

Right. My growth has stopped.

In my Past Life, when I was about fifteen in Ronan's body, I had strength greater than kids my age—no, greater than most adults—and stamina that never ran out.

But now, I don't even reach half of that.

I understand it to some extent, since my gender is different and my body is small and compact. But that's not the only problem.

Sword, spear, axe, hammer, shield, bow, dagger, and so on.

My proficiency with all sorts of weapons won't improve. I can't get used to them. They won't stick to my hands.

In my Past Life, I was—well, it's a little cringey, but—I was called the Weapon Master.

Ronan, who cracked Demon skulls with every kind of weapon.

And now that I've ended up in a body like this, my growth has stopped.

The memories and senses from back then.

I have the complete memories and senses of Ronan—not fifteen-year-old Ronan, but the Ronan who killed Monsters and Demons up until age ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thirty-four—and yet I'm stagnant! Fuck!

My strength is weak too.

And, what was it.

The Sword-Man Unity that Paulo talked about. I can't even feel that sensation.

Does that make sense?

That I, who ran wild like that, who possesses those memories and senses intact, can no longer do what I used to do as easily as breathing?

Well, to others, I might look outstanding.

In fact, I could probably subdue a half-decent knight.

Even so, I can't be satisfied.

Beyond that, it's uncomfortable.

It feels like wearing clothes that don't fit my body.

The one saving grace is.

That the flow and control ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Mana, and my own Mana cultivation method, are steadily growing.

In terms of speed, quality, and affinity alone, it's so outstanding that my past self can't even compare.

But that, in its own way, feels strange too.

It's like, like... my combat style is starting to resemble Arisa's.

That chimpanzee was weirdly bad with weapons. The moment she held something in her hand, she'd fumble around.

What that chimpanzee was good at was Mana control.

Her fine control was so incredible that even Paulo, the strongest of us, couldn't match it.

That's exactly what I'm like now.

Th-this... this Mana movement and control ability feels similar to Arisa's.

Of course, it's probably not.

It's definitely not.

The Eustetia family, including its branch lines, has produced plenty of decent fighters.

Sword, spear, bow, axe, shield, and so on.

In a house that has produced many family heads and knights who wielded various weapons, would I, of all people, show talent for martial arts?

No. There's no way. Absolutely not.

Enough of that creepy talk.

Well, anyway, that's how it is.

That my physical growth has stopped—that's my current worry.

And it's a pretty old worry at that.

Now then, what kind of answer will Sara give?

I turned my head slightly and looked at Sara.

Sara, with a rare tense expression, was scanning my body.

Sure. To improve physical ability, you'd look at muscle shape, flexibility, and elasticity.

As expected, Sara doesn't seem like an ordinary maid.

"Hoo."

After a stretch of silence, Sara swallowed dryly—gulp.

And then, in her usual flat, dry voice, she spoke.

"If I may be so bold... Lady Eli, you already have a wonderful figure."

"I don't like it, though?"

"That may be so, but that is how I see it."

Sara let out a breath, choosing her words, and slowly continued.

"So, rather than comparing yourself to others, I think the first thing you should do is find the good qualities you already have—your strengths, Lady Eli. If you do, I think you may be able to feel... satisfied. I once had the same concern as you, so I hope my words can be of some help."

She had the same worry as me?

So Sara did have a hidden past after all.

Then Sara's words must have some merit.

Even just hearing it, her words carried weight.

Don't compare yourself to others; find your own strengths.

Hm.

Right. That's not a bad approach.

Up until now, I'd been comparing myself to my Past Life. Leaning on the movements and sensations from back then.

Since my body has changed, trying a different path wouldn't be so bad.

Still, right now I'm far superior to my past self when it comes to Mana, so let's focus my training on that.

Then, what would be good?

I don't even need to think about it.

The best training for using Mana is.

Sparring.

Opponents? There are plenty to spare.

If I run for just ten minutes, there's the annex where the Eustetia Knight Order is stationed.

The one concern is that I've never seen them training.

Strangely, every time I go, those bastards are resting.

Still, they're called the spear of the Empire, so their skills can't be bad, right?

Feeling like I'd found a clue to solving my worry, I beamed at Sara.

"Thanks. I feel a bit better thanks to you, Sara."

At that, Sara bowed with a brighter expression than before.

"I'm glad to hear that. Then, I will go prepare your meal."

"Oh, right. Give me half of yesterday's portion today. And prepare a salad too. You pick the dressing, Sara."

Because if I eat a lot and then spar, I might throw up.

But if I eat too little, I won't have any energy.

At times like that, it's best to fill up with a light salad.

At those words, Sara withdrew silently with a small smile.

*****

Five years ago.

After Lady Eli recovered from her fever.

After that, Lady Eli completely changed.

Starting with the loss of her cuteness.

Instead of a lovely smile, she let out hearty laughter like a general who'd fought through countless battlefields.

Instead of lively dresses, she insisted on sturdy shirts and trousers.

Instead of adorable underwear, she wore extremely plain underwear, and sometimes didn't even wear a bra.

Rather than sitting and reading books or strolling through the flower garden, she swung weapons in the main estate's training hall and ran with sandbags strapped on.

Ah, and her language became a bit rough, too.

Aside from changing into someone like the adventurers who make their living ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hunting Monsters, nothing else changed.

That's not to say she changed in a bad direction.

The young lady became a bit more mature, her thoughts deepened, and she gained tremendous drive in everything she did.

She merely cast aside the image of a noble young lady.

So, I thought.

That Lady Eli admired the stories of the Hero, and wanted to become like the Hero in those stories.

That she wanted to resemble the founder of Eustetia.

And that young lady.

"I have a worry."

She said she had a worry, in such a demure voice.

Alarm bells went off madly in my head.

Immediately, I stopped my departing steps and approached the young lady.

"If you don't mind that I may not be able to offer an excellent solution, please tell me."

What could the young lady's worry be?

Just as I was hoping that her worry might be something that could bring back the old Lady Eli.

Lady Eli spoke in a dejected voice.

"I think my growth has stopped. No, it has stopped."

In that moment, a massive wave surged into my heart. That wave swept through my heart and completely churned up my mind before receding.

Her growth has stopped.

Which means.

The young lady.

Lady Eli.

Was actually having a girlish worry.

And look at that deeply melancholy expression.

It shows that this is a worry she has carried for a long time.

I must answer well.

So that the young lady won't be hurt.

So that I can wipe away that melancholy expression.

So that Lady Eli can smile that lovely smile once more.

I must give a perfect answer.

Feeling cold sweat running down my spine, I swallowed dryly.

And then, I slowly lowered my gaze and looked at my own body.

A mountain range, vastly greater than others, swelling as if to tear through my pure white apron.

Below it, nothing can be seen.

This time, I looked at the young lady.

Following her small, soft breaths—hff, hff—a mountain not even the size of a fist, no, a hill, no, a mound, no...

A very, very small.

Adorable sandcastle, rising and falling.

Above it, pitiful shoulders and a neckline.

And below that?

Thanks to training over the fairly long span of five years, a sleek waistline and hips that flared elegantly, resembling Lady Julie's.

Her soft-looking thighs are more developed than her upper body, firm and sturdy, and her calves are sleek.

At the very bottom are small, cute feet—so pretty it's hard to believe they've been trained for so long—and wriggling toes.

The full scan didn't take long.

The young lady, Lady Eli.

Was very short for a fifteen-year-old girl.

So, how on earth should I tell her?

"Hoo."

The sigh I let out internally leaked from my mouth. Hearing that sigh, expectation gathered in the young lady's eyes.

Left with no choice, I steeled myself and opened my mouth.

"If I may be so bold... Lady Eli, you are already—"

Pretty. Beautiful.

That's probably not what Lady Eli is hoping to hear.

Then, right now, as Lady Eli's loyal servant, what should I say?

It's decided.

"—you already have a wonderful figure."

"I don't like it, though?"

Kh. A counterattack I expected, but it doesn't deal much damage.

I naturally continued speaking.

"That may be so, but that is how I see it."

Here, I assert my opinion strongly.

And then, next.

It may be a bit presumptuous, but it's time for me—who has more life experience than the young lady—to step forward. Not as Sara the maid, but as Sara the person.

Sara, the senior in life who has lived ten years longer.

"So, rather than comparing yourself to others, I think the first thing you should do is find the good qualities you already have—your strengths, Lady Eli. If you do, I think you may be able to feel... satisfied. I once had the same concern as you, so I hope my words can be of some help."

Right. I was like that too.

When I was fifteen... no, when I was younger than that, I had a completely different body, similar to the young lady's.

But what about now?

I ended up with a wonderful figure.

So if Lady Eli doesn't lose heart and keeps holding onto hope, someday she'll have a wonderful figure like Lady Julie's.

Did that make for a good answer?

I cautiously looked at Lady Eli.

She was smiling more brightly than before.

Perhaps even a smile far lovelier and more charming than the ones she used to wear in the past.

"Thanks. I feel a bit better thanks to you, Sara."

I immediately relaxed and bowed my head.

I wanted to hide my expression.

Because this smile was too embarrassing to show the young lady.

"I'm glad to hear that. Then, I will go prepare your meal."

"Oh, right. Give me half of yesterday's portion today. And prepare a salad too. You pick the dressing, Sara."

Lady Eli, reducing her food?

And voluntarily eating salad, no less?

Lady Eli doesn't have any weight to lose, but still, this means she's going to care about her appearance.

I answered cheerfully and withdrew.

I wanted to share this good news with Lady Julie as soon as possible.

*****

Noon.

In the Eustetia Knight Order's training hall, a bright red warning light—one that had never once come on—blazed to life.

The warning lights, arranged in order of green, yellow, orange, and red.

The cherry blossom of House Eustetia.

They always came on whenever Eliarnes Eustetia approached.

But never before had the red light come on like today.

However, every member of the knight order knew ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exactly what that red light meant.

And they knew full well just how much of an emergency it was.

"Commander! Th-the red light is on!"

"I can see that! Quickly, quickly, put away all the weapons! Take off all the armor! And you, you, you! Use magic to patch up all the broken spots on the floor! You, heal the wounded—no, just dump Highest-Grade Potions on them! And you! Contact the Duke immediately! Lastly, Eurasia. You go out and attend Lady Eli. You have the most important role. Time remaining: ten minutes! No, five minutes!"

—Yes, understood!!

With urgent but crisp orders, the knights moved in perfect unison.

Karon, commander of the First Knight Order and their center, was drenched in cold sweat as he peered into the Magic Tool that showed the view of the annex.

There, with pink twin tails that evoked cherry blossoms fluttering behind her, was Eli, bouncing along with springy steps.

She was carrying a bundle of short wooden swords suited to her small stature, along with numerous other pieces of equipment, clutched in her arms.

Smiling brightly, she was approaching the training hall.