---

In a short period, many things happened.

I saved Elizabeth from the crashing airship, and at the Imperial Palace Ball Room, there was almost a surge of dark magic.

Then I met Charlotte, and just moments ago, I received the unbelievable news that Ella might still be alive.

All of this occurred within a span of 24 hours.

I boarded the tram heading to the academy. The scenery of the capital city flowed past the tram’s window.

My body swayed continuously along with the rattling tram.

“…”

My mind was in chaos.

Ruwellin’s words kept circling in my head.

What exactly did I want to do in my search for Ella?

Did I want to erase the helplessness of my childhood?

Did I want to hear directly why she left me?

Was it that I wanted to apologize for not being able to protect Ella?

I’m still not sure.

If I meet Ella directly, I think I can come to a conclusion then.

Ruwellin said it would be okay for a few months, but I couldn’t just rely on that for my peace of mind.

While Ruwellin’s abilities are certainly impressive, the Undying Legion Commander’s skills are not to be underestimated either. The place where plans go wrong first is always the battlefield, isn’t it?

Having rolled around in those places for over a decade, I have to say, any guarantee someone makes is usually not to be trusted. I’ll take his advice into account, but it’s only that—advice.

Compared to the Galatea Empire, the Ionia Kingdom is like a fraction of its size. Even so, it’s by no means small enough for one person to wander around easily.

First, I plan to look for the Ionia Royal Palace in the Capital of Karia, but if Ella isn’t there, I might end up searching the whole country.

What’s more, the land of Ionia is now a den of the undead. Even a leisurely sightseeing stroll would take ages; how much time would I need to fight off the endless waves of undead while searching for traces of Ella?

Just that alone might make the few months Ruwellin mentioned fly by in an instant.

The reason I decided to go to the academy first was for that purpose. If I leave without telling anyone I’m searching for Ella, it would inconvenience Heinkel Headmaster. I should explain my situation and request a leave, so I’ll need to stop by the academy anyway.

Once I leave, there’s no telling when I’ll return, so I might even have to quit my position as an instructor.

If I’m leaving, I ought to at least say goodbye to Instructor Rilya and the students.

Was I too lost in thought? When I regained my senses, the tram had already arrived at the academy station.

It had only been a day, but it felt strangely nostalgic to see the dormitory building again.

As I opened the front door and stepped inside the dormitory, Batar appeared almost immediately.

“Hmm? Instructor Ion, is it?”

For some reason, Batar was shirtless, and steam was visibly rising from his entire body.

I was momentarily at a loss for words before I hesitantly spoke up.

“…What on earth are you doing like that?”

“Hmm? It’s because I was just running. This training ground is perfect for running, like the plains of my hometown.”

His overwhelming appearance momentarily made me pause my judgment, but it was clear that Batar looked like someone who had just finished exercising, his body dripping with sweat.

I asked with an incredulous expression, “I’ve wanted to ask this for a while, but why do you always take your clothes off when you work out?”

“Haha! Isn’t it obvious? The warriors of the plains don’t wear armor when they fight. And training should always be done like it’s a real battle.”

Well, I wouldn’t say a shirt counts as armor…

Still, I suppose I should look at it positively that he’s not neglecting his training during his days off as an instructor… right?

“…Well, anyway, good job. Did you run alone? What about the other students?”

“Hmm, let’s see. The pointy-eared kid and the little one went to the city to buy something, the dark-skinned one is in the lounge, and the snake-eye hasn’t come out of his room since he got back last night. I’m not sure about the rest. They still might not be back.”

“……”

I briefly felt dizzy at the constant stream of racist remarks coming from Batar.

The pointy-eared kid and the little one are referring to Titania and Osnia, right? And the dark-skinned one and snake-eye must be Saladin and Elizabeth?

I sighed briefly.

“…I won’t interfere with how you call the students, but wouldn’t it be better to call them by name? And calling someone dark-skinned… You and Saladin’s skin tones aren’t that different, are they?”

Saladin, of the desert people, had skin closer to a dark brown than black. Batar, from the plains, was similar.

Batar scoffed and replied, “I only remember the names of worthy warriors. Otherwise, they’re just the little one, pointy ears, and snake-eye. And the dark-skinned one was born with that skin tone, but I’m just a healthy shade from the sun under the heavenly skies of the Holy Mother. It’s not so different.”

That was completely foreign to me. Did Batar really have such a my-way personality?

After all, unlike other students, I never had many opportunities to talk with him. Until now, he hadn’t caused any noticeable issues, nor had he ever wanted my help.

The people of the plains grow up quickly. I don’t just mean physically; they take on responsibility as warriors from a very young age, leading to quick mental growth.

In the empire, one is recognized as an adult at 18, while in the plains, one is treated as a warrior at 13 and establishes a family around 15, and by 18, they already have children…

Does Batar have kids? That’s a mystery.

If I quit being an instructor, I’ll probably never find out.

Although I’ve only spent a little over a month with the students, the relationship of instructor and students would no longer continue.

And I wouldn’t get to learn more about the students like I did today.

Thinking about that added a heaviness to my heart.

Suddenly, Batar asked earnestly, “Are you leaving this place?”

It was a sudden and sharp question.

“…Why do you think that?”

To my question, Batar suddenly started talking about something else.

“The plains are abundant, but they don’t feed everyone. Not every tribe member is a warrior, but old warriors are often not helpful to the tribe. They can’t make food or weapons and just waste resources day by day.”

Batar’s expression briefly darkened for a moment, as if recalling an unpleasant memory.

“…So, the old warriors set out on their own. Before they’re expelled from the tribe, before they age to the point of being unable to wield a weapon. They seek an honorable death by challenging the most powerful monsters they know, and meet their end that way.”

Batar nonchalantly spat that out.

“You have that kind of expression right now. The face of a warrior who has decided to leave.”

His voice was already filled with certainty. I instinctively felt that it was pointless to hide anything.

I nodded heavily.

“Yeah. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Hmm, I see…”

Batar clicked his tongue in disappointment and seemed to reflect on that.

“I feel like I was finally learning something meaningful. It can’t be helped. I hope the winds are favorable with you, wherever you go.”

“Favorable winds?”

Batar smiled and said, “It’s a greeting from the plains. Now that I want to wash up, I’ll be heading in first.”

He turned his back to me and waved goodbye while heading to his room.

Was that his way of saying goodbye? It was the first time I had heard the expression “favorable winds” in a farewell, but somehow it felt like a reflection of the freedom of those who live in the plains.

I couldn’t just stand at the entrance forever, so I headed to my room soon after.

It was a bit late to visit the Headmaster’s office. I planned to go early tomorrow morning, but leaving today completely free felt awkward.

I slowly looked around my room.

In just a month, my personal items had accumulated a bit. Most of it was stuff I wouldn’t take with me, but it would be good to organize beforehand.

I took out a box and gathered everything in my room. Most of it was teaching materials, and the only other item was a spare instructor’s uniform.

Since there weren’t many items, the organization didn’t take long. By the time I finished, the already sparse personal space felt even bleaker.

I could just throw this box away when I leave.

At that moment, I heard someone’s footsteps from outside the door.

The owner of the footsteps hesitated for a moment and then knocked on the door with a slight interval.

Knock knock—

“Instructor Ion. May I come in for a moment?”

It was Elizabeth’s voice.

I knew it was her from the footsteps, so it wasn’t surprising. However, I did ponder for a moment about what to do.

Last night, I couldn’t hold back my anger and did something I shouldn’t have done to a student.

Looking back now, it was an immature thing to do. Sending out killing intent is hardly different from direct physical harm. I had to admit that.

Even though it would be awkward for us to face each other, she mustered the courage to come see me first. It wouldn’t be right for me to turn her away as an instructor or as an adult.

“Come in.”

“Thank you, Instructor.”

Elizabeth entered the room gracefully, opening the door.

Unlike that night, which was stained with panic and fear, she seemed to have regained her usual calmness and composure now.

However, her demeanor was much more cautious than before. I still didn’t know what that implied.

“Instructor. About last night—”

As Elizabeth was about to speak politely, her gaze was drawn to the stark interior of the room and the box filled with my belongings.

A brief silence ensued.

With a voice laced with confusion and puzzlement, Elizabeth asked, “Instructor…? What’s with that luggage…?”

I had no intention of hiding it once I decided to let her in.

“I’m planning to leave the academy soon.”

“…Huh?”

Elizabeth’s eyes quivered slightly.

 

---