I woke up slowly in the warm sunshine.

"......, hmm?

　As my consciousness became clearer, more information came to me.

　The smell of lush grass and leaves.
　The light chirping of birds.
　A pleasant breeze.

"Where is this place, ......?

　I sat up and looked around, and saw a lot of lush trees.
　Apparently, I was asleep in the woods.

"What, yeah, ......?

　To be honest, I was confused.

"Why was I sleeping here, in ......?

　My body is light, but for some reason, my head is very heavy.

(I think .......) Yesterday, there was a thousand blade festival, and I went to a haunted house with Leah and Rose. ....... Then, I played poker with the chairman at the back of the thousand blade festival: ....... After that, Tessa made a fool of herself at the victory party: ....... Then ...... that?

　I can remember that much just fine, but ...... I can't seem to find anything beyond that.

I can't find it. ...... Let's take a walk.

　I'm sure my mind is still a bit foggy from sleep.
　I decided to brush the dirt off my body and walk a little further into the forest.

　After a couple of minutes of walking, I immediately knew where I was.

(...... long time no see)

　I'm walking in a small forest near Paula's dormitory.

　When I was a student at the Grand Academy of Swordsmanship, I used to train here whenever I had time, so I know the geography pretty well.

That means ....... I'm sure it's over here .......

　I took a short detour, relying on my old memory, and found it.

Haha ....... I've already missed it. ......

　I picked up the "100 Million Year Button" that was carelessly thrown out.

　This is where it all began.

I really wonder what the ...... thing(s) was .......

　While vaguely remembering that hellish time, I pressed the button that emitted a mysterious red color.

　But nothing happened.

　Of course nothing happened.
　It's already broken.

　If you look at the base of the button, you can see that there is a large sword wound carved into it.
　It was made when I sliced through the Prison of Time.

The Hermit of Time. I wonder where he is now. ......

　According to Dr. Leia, he's walking around the world, handing out 100 million year buttons to anyone who's clever enough to use them.
　I'm not sure what he's trying to do, but I'm sure he's doing it for a purpose.

...... Well, I guess we'll never see each other again.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

I'm going to drop by Paula's place for a visit.

　I headed to her dormitory for the first time in six months.

.

　I walked through the forest, which was as familiar to me as my own garden, and arrived at Paula's dormitory.

...... smells good.

　It seemed that she was cooking lunch right now, and the smell was reaching the outside.
　The tangy smell that stimulated my appetite was probably curry and rice.

I'm nostalgic. ......

　In front of me was a two-story wooden dormitory.

　It has only been half a year,......, but I felt very nostalgic.

　I knocked on a huge door the size of Paula, but there was no answer.

(Well, of course you did. ......)

　She is a dynamic person in everything she does.
　She was probably in the kitchen, cooking wildly, and didn't hear the knock.

Excuse me.

　I said a few words just to be sure, and went inside.
　I took off my shoes at the entrance and walked through the hall, and as I expected, Paula was cooking lunch.

　Paula Garedzaar.

　She was the matron of the dormitory I lived in.
　She is over two meters tall.
　She has a powerful face.
　She still wears the same white apron over a black shirt.
　She always wore her arms rolled up, and her arms were three and a half times the size of ...... mine.

(Oh, that's funny. ....... I'm sure I've worked out quite a bit too. ......?

　The difference in arm circumference was wider than six months ago.
　Maybe, ......, Paula has grown up a bit.

"Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!

　She was stirring the pot in a good mood, humming a peculiar tune that was both awesome and austere.

　I cleared my throat and called out to her.

Paula, it's been a while.

"......?　Oh, it's Allen!　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.



　She smiled a powerful smile and immediately stared at my head.

"Oh, what's wrong with my head, ......?

There's nothing wrong with my head!　Look at this!

　Paula said, holding out a hand mirror nearby.

Oh, thank you ...... what?

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I shouted as I picked at the changed hair.

What's this?" ....... Didn't you dye your hair?

No, I didn't!

　I'm pretty sure this kind of hair is called "mesh" in the ...... world.
　Well, whatever it is, it's not what I wanted.

So, did someone play a prank on you?

Well, ...... I don't know about that.

　Leah would never do something like this, and neither would Rose.

(So what's left, the chairman or ......?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

(But was there ever a time to dye my hair? ......?)

　After the victory party was over, I went back to the dormitory of Senba Academy.
　I have a clear memory up to that point.

(......The question is where to go from there.)

　The memory of the time between falling asleep in bed and waking up in this forest is completely missing.

(...... is a mystery)

　As I was nodding my head, Paula slapped me on the back.

I'm a little surprised, but I don't care what color your hair is!　It's been a while since I've seen your healthy face, and I'm glad to see it!

"...... Paula.

　I'm also really relieved to see that she hasn't changed at all since we first met.

Yes, Allen. You haven't had lunch yet, have you?　You haven't eaten in a while!

"Haha. Well, I'll take your word for it.

　Then I washed my hands in the bathroom and went to the dining table.

"There you go, eat up!

　I'm sure you'll agree with me.

I'm not sure what to say. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　I'm sure this is more than enough for five people.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.　You'll never grow if you don't eat well.

I'll do my best ......!

　I'll probably ...... never be bigger than Paula.
　I've never seen a human being bigger than her in the first place.

I'll take it.

"Aye, chew your food well!

Yes!

　And so I put the white rice and roux on a large spoon and threw it into my mouth in one gulp.

　Big potatoes, chunky.
　Crunchy beef cut into bite-sized pieces.
　The spices were roughly mixed in.

(This is what ...... is all about!　That's Paula's taste!

　The rice I had eaten all day, every day for three years tasted so good it was in my bones.

How do you like it?　Doesn't it give you strength?

"Yes!　It's so good!

It's so good! - Ha-ha-ha!　That's great!　Bring your friends next time!

Yes, next time you're off!

　Rose, who is a small eater, but Leah, who is a big eater, would be very excited.

　As I was shoveling in my curry and rice, I suddenly heard an unsettling siren on the radio. 　

"Hey Allen, there's an emergency alert!　That's unusual. What's going on at ......?

　As we both listened carefully, a tense woman's voice rang out.

"This is an emergency alert. Yesterday, the Thousand Blade Academy in the center of Orest was attacked by the Kuro Organization on a large scale. No casualties. Many seriously injured. One person is missing-- Allen-Rhoddle, a 15-year-old male student. The Holy Knight Association is currently conducting a large-scale search, but his whereabouts remain unknown. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts...

"......?　Keho, keho ......?

　I choked on my white rice as I heard the unbelievable news.

"Calm down, Allen. Here's some water!



"Ngggggg ....... Huh. ...... Oh, thank you.

"Oh. ...... It looks like you're in a lot of trouble, though. You've been reported as missing.　Are you okay?

Yes, ....... I think I'm fine. ......

　Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
　And if I'm the only one missing, that means Leah is safe.

　There are no major problems at the moment.

(But I'm missing ......?　What the heck is ...... going on?

　At that moment, a fierce "information storm" erupted from the depths of my brain.


I thought, "I've got ...... out. ......!


　That's right, ........
　That day, I fought the Kuro Organization.

　I destroyed the strong wards with a barrier and defeated Dodriel.
　Then, with wounds all over my body, I challenged the Thirteenth Knight of the Oracle, Hu-Ludras, and was defeated.

　Then Dodriel stabbed me in the heart after I was fully recovered with the Reishoumaru. ...... What?

　I'm sure you've been pierced in the heart.

......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. 　

(...... What do you mean?)

　There's a big discrepancy between my memory and reality.

(Could it be that I was stabbed in a dream? ......)

　--No, that's not it.
　The pain I felt when I was pierced in the chest was horrible.
　I can't believe it was a dream.

　In fact, the Thousand Blade Academy was attacked by the Kuro Organization.

If that's the case, how come there's not even a scar on my chest?

　And why was I lying there, so far away from the school?

(...... No, I don't understand.)

　I'm sure you'll be able to find someone who knows what's going on.

...... Paula, it's me.

Oh, come back quickly and reassure everyone.

　Before I could say everything, she nodded vigorously.

"Yes, thank you!

　Then I gulped down the rest of the curry and rice in one gulp.

I'm off then!

Be careful!

　I ran out of Paula's dormitory and headed for the Thousand Blade Academy.

　On the way, I felt a strange sensation.

(Hey, my body feels light. ......)

　My body was so light that I felt as if I had grown wings.
　With just one kick on the ground, I was moving forward at a brisk pace.
　With each step I took, the scenery changed in the blink of an eye.

　And before I knew it, I had arrived at Orest.

(Funny, .......) Wasn't it so (・・・・)close (・・・・)to (......?)

　While tilting my head like that, I continued through the city and arrived at the Thousand Blade Academy.

　There I opened my eyes in astonishment.

"What the heck is ...... this?

　There, I saw the collapsed Senbei Academy.

　For some reason, the main school building had turned completely black.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　There was a tremendous "trace of destruction" there, as if an inhuman monster had gone on a rampage.