Five minutes had passed since Chris had left the conference room.
　I didn't think it was necessary to sit in a chair and wait for him, so I got up and left the conference room.

　I've known Chris for a long time, so I understand.
　When she says "a while," the time is usually fifteen minutes to three minutes.

　I should take a walk around the castle for a while.

　I decided on a plan to pass the time, and went down the stairs to the sunny garden.
　On my way...

Finally, I found it.

　A voice called out from behind me, and I turned around.
　There was a girl with wavy blonde hair.

"...... Miss Sofia?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

　The term "heroic party" refers to the heroes and their friends.
　In the Fourth War of Heroes and Demons, the party consisted of four heroes. In addition to the heroes, there was a skilled monk (healer), a skilled wizard (mage), and a skilled warrior (warrior). Of these, the skilled monk was Master Sophia. The other two are from other countries.

　The other two are from other countries. She is a girl of great talent, but she was born into a royal family, a position that is too high for her, and she was chosen to join a party of heroes to help defeat the Demon King. She should be in high demand around the world right now. So why is she here all by herself?

I've been looking for you for a long time.

　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

You're the one who defeated the Demon King, right?

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

"...... What are you talking about?

There's no point in fooling around. I'm not sure if you've seen this before. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, and how you can use it.

Why do you think that?

It's because it's always been that way. ...... You have helped me more times than I can count.

　I let out a sigh that I didn't want to hide.

　--She knows who I am.

　It's not an exaggeration to say that this is my biggest blunder.
　It was after I'd done some tricky work. I was in the midst of getting drunk on ......'s own skills right after I had brilliantly accomplished a task that everyone around me had said was impossible.

　She was staring at me, admiring herself. At the same time, she saw the incriminating evidence of my work. I was oblivious to her gaze and muttered to myself, "I'm a genius. Am I a genius?

　Chris's shouting after I explained the situation came back to my mind.
　There was no way I could shut the princess up.
　In the end, I had no choice but to reveal my true identity to Master Sophia.

"Just so you know, you didn't tell the others about me. ......

No, I did not. I don't want to embarrass you, the person you owe .......

　It's a good idea to take a look at the web site and see what you can find.

...... I'm done with the Demon King. There's another matter at hand.

　Says Master Sophia.

"Oh, what are you going to do about ......?

　What is the purpose of that question?
　When I couldn't answer for a while, Sophia opened her mouth as if to add something.

I'm sure you're free now that the Demon King has been defeated. If you'd like to be my knight, I'd like you to be my knight.

　I understood the intent of the question.
　But the question remains.

If you're looking for a knight to protect Master Sophia, there are already knights of the Kingsguard.

It's not that. ...... I want you to be my personal knight. You, ............, are the one I trust the most, .......

　A knight in shining armor is like a bodyguard that must be attached to the person at all times.

　I see.
　So I'm being recruited by her now.
　Then the answer is...

You're kidding. I thought it was customary for a party of heroes who defeated a demon king to travel around the world to commemorate their victory. A person like me can't accompany them on that journey. Besides, the person you should trust more than anyone is the hero who has been fighting beside you all this time.

　As I answered, I spotted Chris behind Sophia.
　She seemed to be paying attention to me and was waiting for us to finish our conversation.

I'll leave you to it.

　I cut off the conversation and went to Chris.

"Wait, please!　I'm--!

　The princess is rather stubborn. When she refuses a request, it's best to be a little cold.

　To tell the truth, I've been asked for similar requests many times in the past. Each time I've rebuffed it like this.
　Master Sophia did not follow me as I walked away, but just stood there.



'That was a harsh swing.'

　Chris said, crossing his arms.
　I replied as we walked back to the conference room on the third floor.

I'm sorry. I was just trying to be reasonable.

"Hmm. Hmm. Maybe so. All the heroes of the past were bound to the monks of that time. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to use it to buy a lot of things. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to make of this. It's a good idea to have a knight who can be used for all sorts of purposes. ...... I'm sure Sophia just wants a knight who can be used for all sorts of purposes, but having a heteros*xual man by her side all the time can lead to misunderstandings.

I'm not sure if that ...... insensitivity is a result of being raised in an institution.

　Chris says something I don't understand.
　After entering the conference room and carefully locking the door, I sat down again in the chair I had been using earlier.

I've thought about it a lot, and I think the best way for you to have a normal life is to go to the school.

"School?

"Fifteen year old boys and girls are supposed to go to a school or a government institution. The main reason I suggested the ...... school is because there are many kids your age there, although some kids focus on helping their parents with their work or making a living in the adventurer's guild. If you want to experience a normal life, it's better to be surrounded by people who are also living a normal life.

"Well, yes. The larger the sample, the easier it is to blend in.

"I'm not talking about infiltration missions. ......

　Chris let out a sigh and held out a document on the table towards me.

"What's this?

The application form for the Royal Builders Academy. You've heard of the Builders Academy, right?　It's the largest educational institution in the country right here in the royal capital of Mycra. And it's where the bravest heroes of our time were raised. In anticipation of the "hero effect," the Kingdom of ...... is planning to greatly expand the enrollment quota for the Builders' Academy. You can take that spot.

I've heard that Builders Academy is a prestigious school and that the students are all very talented. ...... So, if there are more places available, it will be easier to pass the entrance exam?

I'm sure with your abilities you could easily pass the entrance exam with your hands and feet tied up. But you don't have to worry about that this time. Builders' Academy is splitting into two departments this year.

　Chris motioned for me to roll up the paperwork.
　On the third sheet of paper, there were details about the two departments.

"The Heroic Department and the Normal Department ......?

"Yes. The former follows the exact same curriculum that trained the heroes. In contrast, the latter is a department where you can receive a leisurely education as the war ends and you can go about your daily life in peace. Until last year, Builders Academy only had the Heroic Department, and the entrance exam was the only way to determine who would be accepted. But from the next year, even if you fail the Heroic Department, you can still enter the Regular Department. There is no entrance exam for the regular course, so anyone can enter as long as they pass the application screening.

The normal course is like a place for students who failed the heroic course.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. There is a disparity in the facilities available between the heroic department and the regular department. I think there will be a sense of discrimination within the school.

　Chris said in an exasperated tone.

By the way, which one are you more attracted to?

"Normal school.

I guess.

　First of all, I like the name 'normal'. Since that's what I'm looking for when I go to the school, I guess I should belong to the normal department.

　Besides, from what Chris said, the Heroic Department is a place to learn combat skills. I don't think there's anything for me to learn now, since I've already learned so much about it at the institute.

You don't need to take the exam if you're going to the regular course. Just go to the venue on the day and go straight to the orientation session without taking the exam. We'll go through the paperwork ourselves, so don't worry. By the way, here are your documents to submit.

　Chris handed me another document.
　On it, there was a fake resume and a fake family history.
　I used to help my parents with their business, but they died suddenly of an illness before I could inherit their skills, so I had no choice but to close the store and go to the academy.

For now, you must choose a name.

A name?　...... Oh, I see. So I'm being called by a number now?

　The other fields were filled with detailed information, but only the name field was blank.
　I noticed it and reacted, but Chris looked down sadly.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea. I'm still feeling guilty every time I call you. ...... Calling people by their numbers or symbols, no matter what the rules are, is crazy.

I guess it's easier to keep track of people when you don't know when they're going to die.

It's a sign that you're looking at people like they're tools. ...... Agencies are the worst.

　The name of an agency is usually a number or a symbol, except for the executive branch.
　Chris is an executive. People like her, unlike soldiers like me, are often recruited from venerable workplaces, not from orphanages. Perhaps because the initial cost of recruitment is higher than for soldiers, there are all kinds of disparities in treatment between cadres and soldiers.

　But I have never felt that it was unfair.
　I can't do a desk job using my head like Chris, and I can't blend in with the bleak human relations in the organization.


　In short, the right person for the right job.

But isn't it strange that you get to choose your own name?

That's true. I'll think of one for you. How about ...... John?

That doesn't sound right.

Okay, Mike. Or how about ...... Michale?

...... No, that's weird. I guess a name is only as good as the person calling it.

"But then, what do I do with ......?

　Chris looks puzzled, and I say the name that comes to mind.

"Two-eight. Let's do this.

...... hasn't changed at all, has it?

That's fine.

　Chris looked unhappy, but eventually he wrote "Toate" in the name field of the document.

I'll take care of the paperwork then, and you can go to the school dressed to the nines.

Oh.

　I got up and left the room.
　There was a strange atmosphere in the room, neither good nor bad, but something I had to be aware of.

　--Well.

　The agency is being dismantled.
　So this is the last time we'll be in contact as members of the same organization.

　Just because the Agency is being dismantled doesn't mean Chris and I will have no contact with each other.
　As it is the policy of the higher-ups to take responsibility for the life plans of us soldiers, I will consult with Chris whenever any inconvenience arises.

　Still, I'm deeply moved. 　

　She's right, this agency is not a great organization, but still...

"Chris.

　I say to my boss, who I've known for years, walking next to me.

"Thanks for everything you've done for me. It's all thanks to you that I've been able to survive this long, even though I'm a little kid who doesn't know much about the world.

　I thanked him sincerely.
　Then Chris turned his head away, his shoulders shaking.

"Don't say that. Oh my God, I've been holding back for so long. ...... I'm so sorry.

　A few moments. A small cry could be heard.
　Then she looked at me with red, swollen eyes.

You're like a brother to me. You're like my brother. ...... You can always count on me if you need anything.

　I nodded my head and said, "Yeah.
　From now on--Twenty-eight's life begins.