It's been two years since Yami, Kirito and Eugeo left Rulid Village and various things happened to the three boys. First, they began working for the Woldes, a family of farmers living outside Zakkaria, while waiting for their opportunity to take part in the Norlangarth North Area Swordsmanship Competition.

Thankfully, the observer of the competition came to understand the reason for its master's interest in the boys and began observing Yami, Kirito and Eugeo's daily life before registering their names in the tournament.

In Zakkaria, Yami, Kirito and Eugeo defeated every other duelist they faced in the tournament as well, earning themselves admission into Zakkaria's garrison entered the tournament in Zakkaria which they managed to win and land their spot in Swordcraft Academy.

——

[Year 17, Human Era Calendar | Underworld]

Somewhere inside a forest, two children around 10 years old were roaming through the forest as if they trying to find something.

???: Are you sure about this, Quin? I don't think is a good idea to do it.

A boy with white-colored hair and silver eyes said to the girl beside him. A girl with long silver hair and silver eyes looked at the boy beside him with a loving smile before replied to the boy. They currently walked hand in hand.

Quin: It's alright, my prince. This is just an experiment. If everything went as I expected, this can help the villager around us. Especially Auntie Ellie.

At the mention of the boy's mother, he nodded with a serious expression. With a faint blush on her cheeks, Quin smiled at the white-haired boy and assured him.

Quin: Don't worry. As the one who was tasked with learning sacred arts, I'll make sure Auntie Ellie recovers from her illness. That's the least I can do to help you, my prince!!!

[March 1, Year 380, Human Era Calendar | North Centoria Swordcraft Academy]

Somewhere in a dorm room in Swordcraft Academy, a blond-haired boy with a Dark Gray jacket and pants currently trying to wake someone two people.

???: ...Yami? Kirito?

Yami and Kirito: *snoring*

???: YAMI!! KIRITO!!

When both of them heard someone calling their names, they slowly opened their eyes and saw it was their only buddy in this world, Eugeo.

Kirito: Morning, buddy...

Eugeo: Morning! The weather is nice today, so why don't we go into town?

Kirito: I refused. Since it was my day of rest, I just wanna laze around the bed.

Eugeo: Are you sure you wanna refuse my invitation?

Kirito:...

He then grabbed the blanket and was about to go back to his dreamland if not for Eugeo's provocation.

Eugeo: Then, you don't mind I'm eating your special "Honey Pies" by myself, right~?

Immediately, Kirito and Yami get up from his bed and went to the bathroom.

Yami: I'm gonna go change my clothes first then we go into town. Wait for me, Honey Pies!

Eugeo looked in Yami and Kirito's direction and giggled at his two best friend's antics and their love for the food.

——

Time Skip

After Yami and Kirito getting dressed, the three went into town, or specifically North Centoria District Six, and went to the Preaching Deer Inn to buy Kirito's Honey Pies. Luckily, the black-haired boy managed to buy the last treats much to his happiness.

With a smile on his face, Kirito munched the pie in his hand while walking beside Eugeo and Yami through the town.

Kirito: As expected, Honey Pies is the best in the world! Delicious!

Eugeo: That's bad manners, Kirito.

Kirito: At a high temperature where the loss of heat is difficult, food intake should be low, lest by eating and assimilating food the body acquires more heat than it can dispose of.

Yami: Something about you never changes, huh, Kirito?

Kirito: Of course not! Except for my height!

Eugeo let out an annoyed sigh when Kirito mentioned height since he was shorter than him and Kirito despite being the same age while Yami is a year older. He grinned before looked at his surrounding.

Since the sixth district was for business, most of the people here either buy the food from the vendors or sell the food to the consumer. Either way, this district meant more for food markets and restaurants.

Kirito: I still can't believe how time flies. It's already been two years since we left Rulid, huh?

Eugeo: Yeah. And it had happened in that time, huh? Two years ago, we arrived in Zakkaria, and while living and working on a farm, we honed our swordsmanship skills.

Kirito: Most of the time, it's just you. I'm already a master of "Aincrad Sword Skill" so there is nothing much for me to do.

Yami: well I'm improving on my skills.

Eugeo: Either way, we then won the Sword fighting Tournament and joined the Zakkaria garrison. But who would've thought that after reaching the capital, we'd get into Swordcraft Academy? Sometimes I think I'm dreaming.

Kirito: Don't be so dramatic. It's already been a year since we moved into the dorms. Shouldn't you be used to everything by now?

Eugeo: Hahaha... I guess so.

As they reminisced about their past, suddenly, someone calling the white-haired boy's and black haired boy's names.

???: Yami? Kirito?

Them: Yes?

They looked at his right and smiled fondly when he looked at the person who called him. It was a girl—No, a woman probably a year older than them. She had very long, straight, dark brown hair tied in a ponytail with a lilac ribbon and navy blue eyes that resemble a sky fading into twilight.

Yami: Liena!

Sortiliena: What a coincidence.

The white-haired, black haired, blonde-haired boys then approached the woman named Liena or better known as Sortiliena Serlut and greet her.

Yami, Kirito and Eugeo: Good morning!

Sortiliena: Good morning. And you're... Eugeo, wasn't it?

At the sudden mention, Eugeo straighten his back and nervously replied to her.

Eugeo: Yes!

Sortiliena: No need to be so tense.

Eugeo nodded and smile sheepishly. Sortiliena giggled before looked at her apprentice.

Yami: What are you doing in town, Liena?

Sortiliena: I was at my family's home, and they asked me to pick up some things.

Kirito: Why you didn't tell us before? We can help you if you want.

Sortiliena: I appreciate the offer, but that's quite alright, Kirito. I won't be making any big purchases, so I'll be fine. This is your day of rest, after all. It's alright to forget about work. Although that work will be coming to an end soon. Since we'll be graduating.

Kirito: we wish we could've learned more from you.

Sortiliena: As your mentor, no words could make me feel more blessed.

While Sortiliena's focus was on the children on the street, Yami suddenly bowed his head at her, caught her off guard.

Yami: I look forward to another day of learning!

Then, Eugeo and Kirito followed their friend's/boyfriend's action and bowed his head at the mentor of Yami.

Eugeo: As do I!

Kirito: same with me!!

Sortiliena blinked her eyes in confusion and was surprised at the three sudden actions but smiled back at them.

Sortiliena: Right.

After their short chad, the two boys and Sortiliena parted ways. Once Sortiliena was out of their sight, Eugeo let out a relieved sigh causing Yami and Kirito to raised his eyebrow in confusion.

Yami: Why are you so nervous?

Eugeo: Well, Sortilienais so beautiful and has such presence, you know?

Yami: That's true. Sometimes when we spar, I'm a little nervous.

Eugeo: Golgorosso is a force to be reckoned with, too. I still haven't won a single point off Golgorosso yet.

Upon their admission to the Imperial Sword Mastery Academy, Yami, Kirito and Eugeo were selected by senior students to be their valets.

Eugeo was chosen by Golgorosso Balto, the academy's third-ranked senior student, while Yami and Kirito were selected by Sortiliena Serlut, the second-ranked senior to everyone's shock. She spoke about that she doesn't want other people to be left out so they allowed her.

Kirito: I'm sometimes winning against Liena but she wins more than me. With how strong Liena is, it's a wonder that she's only second seat in her class.

Yami: yeah even I'm impressed with her skills.

The two boys turned their backs and continue wandering around the town while talking about their mentor.

Eugeo: Makes you wonder just how strong First-Seat Volo is.

Yami: who knows how strong.

Eugeo: I can't even imagine beating those upperclassmen.

Kirito: Can't even imagine it, huh?

——

Time Skip

(Location: Swordcraft Academy, Primary Trainee's Dorm)

It was now nighttime in Underworld. Inside their dorm, Yami, Kirito and Eugeo were getting ready for bed. Well, it was just Eugeo and Kirito who was already on the upper bunk and lower bed while Yami sat on his table near the window.

Eugeo: Good night, Yami.

Yami: Yeah, good night, you two.

After the two boys went to sleep, Yami closed the book he was reading and switched off the lamp before gazing out at the night.

Yami: After spending 2 years here, everything is still the same that's good just near to that event.

He stood up from the chair and went to his bed. After getting into the extra bed, Yami opened his left palm and used his right hand to trace an S letter in the air before tapping it. With a bell chime, a purple window appeared in front of him.

Yami: The only 3 things visible on your status are your life, your Object Control Authority, and your System Control Authority. If your Object Control Authority is low, it hampers your ability to even hold a higher class weapon. Conversely, if your stats far surpass that class, it feels insanely light.

This was proven to be true. Two years had passed and Yami's Object Control Authority is now at 60. Since Kirito doesn't know what his mission is in this world, Yami raised his stats as high as he can for his safety sake.

Yami: Your System Control Authority is related to the Sacred Arts. If you're low-level, you can only use simple spells. But again, you can use sophisticated spells once you level up.

Currently, Yami can already the highest sacred arts that he kept secret from everyone. Even, Eugeo and Kirito, his trusted ally and boyfriend.

Yami: All of that is no different than any other game. Last and more important is a quirk that didn't exist in SAO or ALO: The ability of your mental image to affect these parameters. If you have the confidence to win or a strong belief in yourself, your power is amplified many times over.

Yami: That's exactly what makes Liena so powerful. She's received top-notch training in swordsmanship since she was a child. She believes that she can't lose. She is strong, if you can imagine yourself to be more powerful than anyone, that gives you the potential to rewrite the laws of the world.

Yami's eyelids slow grew heavier by seconds before it is completely closed as Yami drifted into his dreamland where he was surrounded by many women as he chuckles.

[March 7, Year 380, Human Era Calendar | Elite Disciples' Dorm Training Hall]

Nearly a week later, currently, Yami and Sortiliena held a sparring match in the latter's dormitory. With his wooden sword glowing blue, Yami crossed the span between the two and thrust forward a vertical slash.

Sortiliena then spun her body once before swung the wooden sword in her right hand vertically and blocked the quick strike, locking her and Yami's swords.

Yami: Liena, did I praise that you look very beautiful today?

Sortiliena slightly blushing before shook her head when she realized she almost fell for Yami's trick which work in the past.

Sortiliena: It won't work again! Argh!!

When she let out a scream, suddenly, an invisible force pushed back Yami and breaking the lock. Yami staggered to his feet for a while before balancing himself.

Yami: So this is Liena's will... It's strong. Impressive.

As Yami was distracted, Sortiliena then pulled out something from behind. Yami's eyes widen when he saw Sortiliena pulled out a whip of finely braided white leather.

Yami: Liena pulled her whip, it was when she was serious. Alright, I'll use bit of my power and beat her with it.

Since whip was a ranged weapon, Yami increased his pace and move around Sortiliena.

Sortiliena noticed what Yami was planning to do and immediately swung the whip at the white-haired boy.

Sortiliena: I won't let you!

Much to her shock and surprise, Yami caught the whip with his left hand. Yami used his strength and pulled Sortiliena to him.

Sortiliena snapped back to reality and threw away the whip but still rushed at Yami, caught the white-haired boy off guard.

Yami: What she was planning?

Holding her sword with both hands at the right of her waist, Sortiliena used the momentum from the rush and send a single upwards diagonal slash from right to left.

Before the attack hit him, Yami put the wooden sword in front of him and block the attack. However, the impact of the attack caused the sword in his right hand to be thrown away, leaving him defenseless.

Yami: Damn it!! I thought I got you with that surprise attack but as expected of you, Liena.

Sortiliena breathing heavily as she was forced to go all out in a sparring match while her opponent just used half of his power which she noticed. She decides to put the matter on hold for a while as she replied to her mentee while sheathed the sword into its scabbard.

Sortiliena: You've made some progress yourself, Yami. And it was now my 50 wins and 45 losses.

Yami: Yeah. Next time, I'm gonna beat you.

Sortiliena: I can't wait to see that. Though, I was disappointed with you in this match. I know you still hiding some of your power from me.

Yami:...

Sortiliena then walked past Yami and stood near the window of the dormitory. She looked out of the window and watched the late afternoon sun filter before continuing to speak to Yami without looking at him.

Sortiliena: When I chose you and Kirito as my pages a year ago, it was because I sensed a similarity in our sword styles. But in the last year, it's become clear how unrefined my Sword skills are.

Yami: What are you talking about Liena. You're really powerful. I mean you win more than me and that shows that you are strong.

Sortiliena: I knew but I also never have managed to beat that person in the last two years.

Yami: talking about First-Seat Volo Levantein?

Sortiliena: Yes. To be honest, whenever I face Volo, I can feel myself... falter. No matter how hard I train, I just can't convince myself that I can withstand his powerful sword.

Yami: Leina...

Sortiliena: However...

She said as she bend down and picked up Yami's wooden sword from the ground before straightened back up and looked at Yami.

Sortiliena: It's not lack of confidence that's holding you back. There's a lot more to the Aincrad style that you haven't shown me, isn't there?

Yami: How did you know that I was holding back?

Sortiliena: Anyone that been trained for years can notice it. At the tournament last year, on your final match, I saw you in a completely different stance than I've ever seen yours. That's why... I want to know everything about you as a swordsman before I graduate the day after tomorrow.

Sortiliena tossed the wooden sword to Yami which he caught it. He then gripped the handle of the practice sword and frowned when he look at the sword.

Yami: I'm sorry Senpai. It's not that I held back against you on my will but this wooden sword can't hold more than 50% of my full power...

For a year—No, for two years, Yami had to hold back his power in fear of broken every sword he held. Except for Blue Rose Sword but he can't use it anymore since it was owned by Eugeo.

Yami If I ask Eugeo or Kirito whether can I use their own swords or not, they probably happily lend it to me, but I felt a bit hesitant about their doing so. The swords belonged to them, and I believed that a sword was the swordsman's soul.

Suddenly, Yami eyes widen in the realization of tomorrow's event.

Yami: That's right! 'That' thing will finish by tomorrow. I almost forgot about it.

He then turned from his sword to Sortiliena and replied to her.

Yami: I understand. But forgive me. Could you wait for just one more day? I promise to show you tomorrow... The strongest skill I can wield.

Sortiliena: Tomorrow's a day of rest. Training is forbidden, remember?

Yami: Don't worry about that. It wasn't counted as training because it was my first graduation gift from me to my beloved!! I'm sure it's okay to give someone a present on a day of rest, right?

For a second, Yami for sure he saw Sortiliena slightly blushing before it disappears and a smile was present on her beautiful face.

Sortiliena: I've never heard of giving someone a Sword skill as a gift. But I suppose this is a good time to confess...

Yami: ...Pardon?

Sortiliena: Don't mind me. Anyway, I'll gratefully accept it.

Yami: Great! It'll be my pleasure.

Sortiliena: But... something bothers me. Based on how you brought it up, you said it was your first present to me, right? Does that mean you have other presents for me?

Yami: That's... a secret.

——

Sometime later, Yami returned to his dormitory after a lengthy practice session with Sortiliena. For some reason, the white-haired boy currently silently walking inside the dorm. He then checked on the entrance counter and found it was empty.

Yami: Safe...

After let out a relieved sigh, he continue to walk normally before coming to a stop when he heard a quiet cough from his right.

???: ...Ahem.

Instinctively, Yami put his left hand to his waist and pounded his right fist over his chest, doing what the people in this world called "knight's salute."

Yami: Primary Trainee Yami, reporting!

A woman that looked like she was in her mid-20s with blueish-grey eyes and tea-colored hair tied up properly then walking towards Yami. The woman who stood in front of Yami was none other than the dorm supervisor of the novice trainee dorm in the North Centoria's Imperial Sword Mastery Academy, Azurika.

Azurika: ...You've arrived 38 minutes after the curfew.

Yami: My mentor, Elite Disciple Sortiliena Serlut, told me to extend my training session.

Azurika: A page must receive the instruction of disciple, so I suppose there's nothing I can do. But you seem to view this as permission to break curfew, do you not?

Yami undid his salute, moved his hand behind his head, and put on an awkward smile.

Yami: O-Of course not, Azurika. My goal is to improve my sword skills as much as I can. Breaking curfew is an unintended result.

Azurika: Haa... Supper is in 17 minutes. Make sure you're not late for that.

Yami: Right!! I love you!!

He saluted again, spun around, and headed up the main stairs at the maximum allowed speed, didn't realized that his action caused a certain unmarried woman in her mid-20s slightly blushing.

Azurika: That boy...

She said under her breath in annoyance at the white-haired's way of speaking to women. If she was younger, she probably heads over heels over the boy. Well, it can't be helped. After all, Yami has a large fanbase here and was popular among female students despite not being noble man or anything like that.

Back with Yami, he arrived at the dining room and found Kirito and Eugeo at their usual table alone. After Yami went to the counter to get his meal tray, he take a seat across to Eugeo and Kirito.

Eugeo: You're late, Yami!!

Yami: Sorry! Liena gave me a special training session.

Eugeo: If I'm not your friend, I probably misinterpreted the meaning of your words.

Yami: Huh? What're you talking about? Is there something wrong with my way of speaking?

Eugeo: Haa... Nothing.

Yami just shrugged his shoulder before he looked down on tonight's dinner menu. Tonight's dinner menu was fried whitefish doused with a fragrant herb sauce, salad, root vegetable soup, and two bread rolls.

Kirito: Man, tonight's dinner looks good!

As Yami started to eat his dinner, right behind him and Eugeo, two certain assholes started to insulting the two of them.

???: I can't tell you how envious I am, Lord Raios. After we toiled so hard to clean this cafeteria, they get to waltz in and merely eat. No, seriously, I envy them!

The one behind Eugeo said to the long, wavy, blonde-haired boy known as Raios. He had slick back gray hair and a punchable face according to Yami and Kirito.

Raios: Hey, don't be like that, Humbert. I'm sure that even those page trainees have struggles of their own we can't even fathom.

Raios said to the gray-haired boy now known as Humbert.

Humbert: I suppose you have a point. The pages are at their mentors' beck and call. I hear they can't say no to anything.

Raios: They're an eccentric bunch that cherry-picks commoners to be their pages. They must issue the most outlandish orders!

Kirito started to get annoyed hearing the two of them insulted him, his boyfriend and Eugeo. If not for Eugeo, Yami had kicked their ass and shamed them in front of everyone. He was not associated with this world law, so the Taboo Index can't stop him from beat those arrogant nobles.

Eugeo: *whisper*...Don't pay any attention to them, Kirito.

Kirito: I know.

Eugeo: By the way, Yami, how's your little "garden" doing?

Eugeo said as he try to divert his friend's attention from the two arrogant nobles behind him and it works. Yami and Kirito ignored Raois and Humbert's insult and smiled at Eugeo as he happily told him about the garden he currently working with.

Yami: Heh! Better and better each day. It should be ready in time for the graduation.

Eugeo: Oh, yeah? I'm looking forward to it.

After finished their dinner, Yami and Eugeo left the mess hall and made their way to the little yard which was opposite the hall where they came from.

Once they enter the area, Yami, Kirito and Eugeo walked past the square yard that was split up into four beds, each sprouting buds of different plants and flowers. There were designated students to tend to the beds, but they weren't just for show. The four different plant species were all materials used as catalysts in sacred arts classes.

At the west down the little path that split the garden, Yami and Eugeo crouched down around a small, unassuming planter located at the side of the stand.

Eugeo: They're thriving, huh? They're already starting to bud.

Yami: Well, I did mess up a lot to get to this point. I hope they'll bloom this time.

Growing in the planter was something known as a "zephilia," which had sharply angled nearly blue leaves. It was probably unique to the Underworld.

The zephilia plants were exclusive to the empire of Wesdarath, beyond the Everlasting Wall. They did not grow in the northern empire; they were not even cultivated.

Eugeo: You surprise me this time. Giving Sortiliena flowers you raised yourself as a graduation gift?

Yami: I was also surprised at myself. This is the first time I did something like this...

Yami: I'm glad that Sachi and the othersdidn't listen to that...

Kirito: Eh~, don't tell me you like Sortiliena~?

Eugeo: do you, Yami?

When Kirito and Eugeo suddenly mentions this, Yami can't help but blush like a tomato. It's true he like Sortiliena but not in that way since he already had many women around him, he can't betray them like this.

Yami: O-Of course not! L-Liena is someone I admired, that's all! And I raised this flower is because this is her favorite flower and I owe her a lot for a year, this is the least I can do to pay!

Eugeo: Hahaha! Anyway, jokes aside. Even after spending two years together, I had no idea you enjoyed this kind of thing.

Once Yami took a deep breath, he replied to Eugeo in his usual tone.

Yami: Neither would I.

Eugeo: You never know, this could be a sign that all of your memories are coming back. Like, maybe you used to grow flowers before you showed up in Rulid? Or maybe that was your Calling?

Yami stared at him in stunned disbelief, then quickly replied to him with a deadpan expression.

Yami: no it wasn't my calling. I taken down monsters, the flowers are a remind of my family.

Eugeo: Yeah. I agree with you.

Yami: Anyway, let me get some water real quick.

He stood up and was about to walk away to get water for the plant if not for Eugeo called him. Yami then spun around and looked at Eugeo with a raised eyebrow.

Eugeo: ...Hey, Yami, Kirito. What will you do if you regain your memories?

Kirito: Um... What do you mean?

Eugeo: I mean... You're training to become an Integrity Knight to help me out, aren't you? In my quest to find Alice, who was taken by the Axiom Church. But when you get your memories back, you'll go home.

Yami:...

Yami: Yes, I want to go back home. To my family, to my friends, to my lovers... But my home was far away from here. To go back, I need to find a system console which I assumed in the Central Cathedral, the very core of power. So both Eugeo and I needed to become Integrity Knights—just for different reasons. He for the sake of Alice and I for the sake of getting us both out of here.

Although it wasn't like Yami and Kirito at all, they must lie to gain something. Yami then faking a smile and walked back towards Eugeo and crouch beside him. He then patted him on the back with his left hand and closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening it back.

Kirito: It hurt to keep a secret from our partner but there's nothing much I can do about it. I'm sorry in advance Eugeo for using you for our benefit.

Yami: No... Even if I do get my memories back, I'm not going home. I was a swordsman. That's the one thing I'm certain of. And what swordsman wouldn't strive to become an Integrity Knight?

Eugeo then hung his head low and mumble something which Yami and Kiritocan barely hear it.

Eugeo: I'm... a weak person. If I hadn't met you, I'd probably still be swinging that ax every day, even now. Using my Calling as an excuse to never really try to leave the village. The only reason I got into this academy was that you led the way. Despite all that... When you said you weren't going home even if you got your memories back... it filled me with such relief.

Yami: Listen, man. Let me say that I couldn't have made it to the capital on my own, either. I didn't know how to get here, and my memory's unreliable. And what's more, I didn't have a single shia with me.

Kirito: The reason why we had a place at this academy is that we were together. And it's going to stay that way. We've gotta stick together. We can wait to struggle on our own after we've become Integrity Knights, right?

He got to his feet and hold out his right hand at Eugeo who looked at him awestruck.

Eugeo:...

After a few seconds, Eugeo smiled and take Yami's hand and get back on his feet.

Eugeo: That's right. And to do that, first, we have to place in the top 12 on the Advancement Exam, huh? Apart from the Cryogenic Element Sacred Arts, my Thermal Element Sacred Arts skills are still shaky, you know? Mind helping me with that?

Yami: Sure. When does it take place?

Eugeo: How about tomorrow since tomorrow was our day of rest tomorrow?

Yami: Uh, tomorrow's not good.

Eugeo: Oh, that's right!

Yami: Right. It's the day it's going to be ready.

Kirito: Bet you've been looking forward to this.

Yami: I mean, I've waited a whole year! I can't wait to try it out!

What the two didn't know was both Raios and Humbert were watching Yami, Kirito and Eugeo from a distance. The two have an unreadable expression on their face before it slowly turned into a wicked grin.

Humbert: look how weak they are.

Raios: why is he still there?

"Yami" who was still standing there. As "he" looks at the window that they're at and grins as he moves his thumb across his neck.

Humbert: what the?

They opened and closed their eyes and he was gone leaving them confused.

End of Volume