Chapter 6

“Passed…? I thought failing meant I’d be disqualified…”

“Did you really think you could win against me? How naive.”

“This was just a test to assess your combat ability, so winning wasn’t necessary.”

“…Whaaat?!”

“But by approaching it with the intention to win, you were able to showcase your full potential, don’t you think?”

I was dumbfounded, my mouth agape. It felt like I’d been fighting a completely different kind of battle on my own.

“Sensei! Since I passed, that means both Ausel and I can move on to the next level, right?”

Kate nodded with a smile.

“Yes! We did it, Ausel!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Luke took my hand and helped me up. But even standing up took the last of my energy, and as I started to fall, my consciousness drifted away.

◇

…I feel warm. That sensation made me want to open my eyes.

I saw the wooden beams of a familiar sloped ceiling. I’d seen it every morning and night; I couldn’t mistake it. It was the orphanage’s bedroom.

A dimly lit room, with light seeping through a gap in the closed curtains.

I guess… I must have passed out and been carried back here.

Minel, who was beside me, withdrew her glowing hand as soon as she noticed I’d woken up.

(…Huh? My body feels… light…)

Sitting up, I noticed the lightness in my body. It felt like that sensation after training with weights when you finally take them off.

Using magic to supplement physical strength forces muscles to work beyond their limits, even unconsciously. After pushing myself to the brink of collapse, my body should have been battered, but… did Minel heal me?

I don’t know what skills Minel has. Actually, I doubt anyone at the orphanage does. People are curious about her abilities, but whenever anyone asks, she just says, “In my time, not everyone was able to undergo the awakening ceremony…” and leaves it at that.

“Minel?”

“Judging by how you look, you seem fine now.”

“…How long was I out?”

“About two days. Honestly, using so much magic that you collapse, just for the sake of moving up… do you have any idea how worried everyone was?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“…Oh well. Congratulations on passing. You worked hard.”

“Th-Thank you!”

I followed Minel downstairs.

Everyone who had been eating breakfast in the dining hall noticed me and gathered around.

“Ausel?! You’re up?!”

“Ausel, big brother! You passed the exam, right? Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, big brother!”

“Thanks, everyone.”

“See? I told you he’d be fine!”

“Oh, stop acting so smug!”

“Hey! Does this mean you can play with us now?”

“Yeah, for now I won’t need to train.”

“Yay!”

Seeing everyone so happy for me, the reality of my success finally sank in. I’d passed… I could move on… and I’d get to stay with everyone here for a little longer…

“Wait… why is everyone in uniform? Did summer break end while I was out?!”

“Today’s a special summer school day, big brother.”

“A school day… Oh, right. I should hurry and change then…”

“Ausel, you don’t need to go to school. You’re still recovering; you should take it easy for a bit.”

“…”

Normally, I’d be happy to get a break from school, but today, for some reason, I wanted to go with everyone. Now that I’d secured my future here, I didn’t want to miss out on a single moment with them.

“I… I want to go to school.”

“Ausel…”

“I’ve been accepted, and for now, there’s no need for extra training. I want to finally enjoy summer break, and I can’t just sit around the house.”

“Minel, please? We worked hard, so a little freedom can’t hurt, right?”

“…Fine. Just don’t overexert yourself.”

“Thank you, Minel! I’ll go change!”

Heading to school together after so long, everything around me looked brighter than usual. Was it always this beautiful here? Guess I’m a bit giddy.

But I can’t help it. Now that I’ll be moving up to middle school, I’ll get to stay at the orphanage for three more years.

I won’t have to worry about being kicked out—just that alone makes me so happy.

In the classroom, everyone greeted each other with “It’s been a while.” Not seeing each other for half a month, they all seemed a bit more grown up.

“Oh, Ausel! Morning!”

“Good morning!”

“We heard you collapsed during the recommendation test?”

“You really fought against Mr. Mortes?”

“Did you pass?”

“Yeah, I passed. And so did Luke.”

“That’s great! We’ll be seeing each other next year and the year after, too!”

Some classmates knew about the recommendation test and peppered me with questions.

So I’m going to school with everyone… I feel like I could fly.

“All right, everyone, take your seats. …Hmm? Ausel?!”

“Uh, hey…”

As soon as the teacher entered, everyone scrambled to their seats, but Kate, upon noticing me, stared in surprise.

“Are you really all right now?”

“Yes! I feel great! No problem at all!”

“You’re tough, Ausel. To think you fought like that against Mr. Mortes.”

“Sensei! Tell us about the match!”

“Oh, all right! Ausel endured Mr. Mortes’ fierce sword strikes for fifteen minutes… no, no, I can’t get into that now. Today’s special; we’ve got a treat prepared. Members of the nation’s strongest clan, Sword of Claudia, are visiting the academy!”

“‘Sword of Claudia’?!”

The classroom buzzed with excitement.

When the kingdom of Orldoll declared independence, a divine protector, the Goddess Claudia, aided us. She’s saved us from countless national crises, and the people of Orldoll hold strong faith in her, which strengthens her powers.

The Sword of Claudia clan was formed to protect the goddess, symbolizing ultimate valor. The adventurers in the clan each wield the strength of thirty royal guards, matching the nation’s military might.

Heroes protecting our goddess. I wonder what kind of people they are.

As Luke and I joined the excited crowd heading to the meeting hall, we’d nearly forgotten all about the recommendation test.