I glance to the two young men next to me.

On one hand there's Asher who has suddenly gotten this happy look like a satisfied Lion with a full belly.

On the other hand there is a third year sizing me up with fascination. I can't tell if I am being perceived as amazing or a source of amusement. As for his identity, by his coat of arms I know that his father is a landed knight sworn loyalty to House Celeste. That might be why he is accepting this so easily. As for the specific knight... I think it was sir Norman... no... Njord? I take a moment to face my discomfort.

"We have not been introduced, sir."

I watch him quietly for his answer. I'll need to travel with these guys for at least a few weeks, and I'll need to face... my flaws. That includes getting properly attached to them and get to know them. Though they'll never be as good as my former subordinates.

"Sir Vitis Njord, my lord. Vitis is fine." He adds an extra little focus on the lord part. I decide to ignore it.

"Very well, Vitis. It is good to meet you, as you know I am-"

"The child of Scorog. Augustus."

Vitis gave a big bright smile at me. Again, I can't tell if he is saying this out of respect or because he wants a fun reaction out of me. I don't give a polite smile back. I don't know how to deal with this kind of ambiguous behavior. I'm leaving due to mixed signals.

"Let us leave it at that then."

I head back towards the entrance along with Asher and Vitis, where Eric is already waiting for me. He glances nervously towards the school buildings, and for good reason. The bell has just rung for lunch, so all of the remaining students will be noticing us. This includes Alstair and everyone else I have to deal with regularly. To avoid further trouble I ask Lumere to take the form of his mini-knight version and have him stand on my shoulder. The little variation should be enough for a while... hopefully...

"I've prepared a horse with your gear, including a plate armor in your size with helmet."

I cannot help but to raise an eyebrow for a moment at those news.

"You sound quite... prepared for this..." I gave a slightly suspicious sounding tone, but Eric just brushed it off like water over feathers.

"We always had a set prepared after the attack on Castle Celeste. Now, I know you hate the helmet style here, but it is safer and doesn't contain straw for decorations."

...

Indeed, their helmets weren't... up to par style-wise with the ones in my previous life... you cannot compete with the charm of a kabuto that reminds you of a lion mane, and a mempo of a snarling lion.

Their armor here was pretty much plainly steel grey. The biggest sources of color were their mantles and their individual coat of arms which you could use to identify them more closely... and eventually use to know where to send their things home... I shake off the thought spreading nausea through me.

"So, I got you an early birthday present to make up for your displeasure."

Eric tossed something light and metallic to me, and as I noted the shape I was overjoyed!... for about four seconds until I noticed a rather large design flaw...

"I don't have energy for your little ritual of saying no thank you three times," Eric warned me. Still...

"We skipped the overgrown wolf type feline design and went with a wolf instead since it already fits your reputation better."

...I stare down at the wolf mempo a bit more sullenly than I wanted. Eric, you are not only a bad assassin, you are also terrible at giving gifts. Your future wife is going to be angry with you when you compromise on giving her the flowers she loves and instead give her something you think suit her.

I put the mempo to my face and then tighten it, happy that they provided support other than what would be used to fasten it to a helmet. Once on I let the mask do the growling at Eric.

"If nothing else it hides half of your cute face and even makes your eyes seem sharp rather than adorable. I'll call it a success." Eric gives a satisfied look before hopping into one of the wagons to search for something. Meanwhile I make sure that if he can sense angry eyes on his back, then he's feeling it now. I am making them look sharp, you know!

I glance back to Vitis, whose lips are trying to curl up into a wide smile... perhaps even a laugh. The only thing preventing it is how hard he is pressing his lips together.

"Do you have anything to say," I half sneer out at his attitude. He doesn't stop smiling and instead ends up grinning as he answers, "Merely that it is good to see a healthy relationship between siblings."

I glance to Asher who is merely watching with that satisfied look.

"Lily."

Eric draws my attention away from the two and presents something that blows away my irritation with the mempo.

"Father's present. Apparent the sword-smiths have had a hellish time with this because of its shape, but the hints you could provide appears to have just barely been enough. Father argued that summoning a sword was a waste of your energy, and not effective for ambushes as it takes a little while to summon. He said this was the best he could do to make up for the mistakes he made in the past."

Apology accepted. Graciously.

"...No denying three times."

He reminded me again as if I'd already forgotten.

He held out the large no-dachi horizontally with both hands, though he should have reached the blade end more towards me. Still I accept graciously. He forbid me from denying thrice, and the presentation is awkward, and yet I am overjoyed.

"Does it have a name?" I peer over the sheath and the handle, and even check the base of the sword while I check the quality.

"No," Eric answers briefly and then gives a small sigh.

"Your horse is over there."

What? Yes, of course it is. Now cease these interruption while I study and name the no-dachi.

—-*—-

By the time I get back out of my trance, everyone appears ready to go. I strap the nodachi horizontally on the side of my horse and mount it simply and plainly. It appears to be a nice and calm horse as well, which is a relief. I may be able to ride a horse, but I am very, very far from any expertise.

I glance around me and find Eric talking with a pink haired third year. Judging by the third year's glance to me I figure they're talking about me... not that such a thing would be a surprise. They're all sneaking glances at me.

A small figure darts across the cobbled courtyard towards us together with a rather big bag for her size.

It's not the Heroine though.

It's Helena. Her eyes dart around until they land on Eric, and she runs to him with bits of desperation in her eyes.

"Please, let me come along!"

I can hear her all the way over here.

Eric looks down over her and then looks to me as he speaks. In an instant Helena bows and then turns towards me... Runs up and looks up at me with pleading eyes.

"Please, let me join you!"

I leave her hanging for a moment.

Then realization and confusion.

"Augustus? No... 'Lily'... she noted the nodachi and went white like a ghost.

I put a hand to the wolf snarling half mask. I'm not going to wear it for long, for now just until we get out of the Academy.

"Why do you want to come along?" I ask her instead. I don't intend to bring along someone who just wants to act as a gossiper. Besides, wasn't she busy getting Claire and Alstair together?

"Jesmaine might get caught and hurt! I... can't do much, but I want to make sure she is safe!"

Unexpected determination shows in her eyes.

"She is an enemy, and a high standing person. You won't be able to see her on the battlefield."

I just about turn away from her when the next words catch me with my guard down.

"There will be a duel between their crown prince and Lionel."

"...and you read this in your 'game'?"

I don't recall this being a part of my book though. Why would something like that be done? Lionel wasn't worth the risk of their prince's life.

Helena hesitates for a moment.

"Yes. The crown prince's older brother died on the battlefield against House Tepet 12 years ago... so to punish Lord Tepet he wanted to kill his last son..."

I nod momentarily.

"But Lionel is not alone anymore."

She looks down at the ground and hesitates for a moment.

"Gwenore... Gwenore was his childhood nanny... Lionel's father's mistress, was their crown prince's nanny..."

What?! No, even so she was still a commoner! Still, on this point there was indeed reason for conflict. If the crown prince of Headal had been that fond of his nanny, and he found out how Lionel got rid of her... then that would definitely be reason for a duel. A bad one, but a reason none the less.

I stare at Helena for a few more moments.

"You can join, but if you whine about sore feet you'll be sent home."

I didn't intend to go easy on her... and I had more questions I wanted to ask... Helena's information appeared to be different than mine.

"We are ready for departure!"

A call sounds from behind me where the knights have formed into ranks. There's about a hundred all in all. It's pitiful against an army of 10.000, but if the terrain is proper then we should be able to cause the enemy quite a bit of losses.

Eric appears and rides up next to me.

"If nothing happens we will send some reinforcements. It won't be much, but it should help a bit. Good luck."

"May your journey be blessed," I respond and then set my horse into a walk.

When I glance behind me I note the remaining students seeing us off... and Claire being approached by Wolfram. The heir of the west most northern marquesses. She looks torn between talking with wolfram and running after us, but with an insistent movement Wolfram catches her attention properly.

Currently they need her more. The north is split apart and has grudges against each other. If Semor attacks now then they'll crumble. It's a wise move on his part.

Claire looks this way again with hints of confusion in her eyes.

I look away and instead stop at Ameline who gives me a last smile to see me off.

This will be the last time I see all of them for a while.

I spot Gil's stare aimed at me. For some reason he's showing a grim expression, and I'm not sure whether to be delighted or not.

"Celeste-sama."

Asher calls me and draws my thoughts away from the people looking like they'll never see us again.

"Will we be attempting to join up with the Tepet army that left this morning?"

I stare ahead.

"No. Their endurance lets them travel for longer time than us. It's better to keep our own pace."

Besides, we won't be able to offer much help with the defense part of the war. I'll need to look over a map of the area in the evening.