My hometown is the city of Syltien, clinging to the middle slopes of the sacred mountain known as Mount Lux.

Aside from the Grand Temple of Light, there's nothing particularly notable about this town, yet thanks to the blessings of the Great Spirit, it has developed reasonably well despite being located in such an inconvenient place.

"Sigh..."

I let out another weary sigh, one I can no longer count how many times I've done on this journey.

"I really did come back..."

Once I reach the foot of Mount Lux, it will take only a few hours to get to my family's home.

I've stopped many times along the way, hesitating whether I should turn back after all.

I thought I had accepted our parting, yet I feel neither regret nor even real emotion. I simply left behind the part of myself that was never meant to be separated—just as I was told to do...

Only a sense of loss remained.

"Haa..."

I thought I understood Hikaru's situation...

If I just gave it some space, maybe he'd feel lonely soon and come back to see me.

Once I pass the Saint Knight exam, I can return to him right away. It's not like it's a final goodbye after all.

"Haa..."

I knew that logically, but my heart refused to lighten.

The more distance there was, the stronger my feelings for him grew.

He's strong, but the labyrinth is dangerous.

If he goes in alone, an accident could happen at any moment.

What if something happened while I wasn't there—

"Uuuu... Ugh...!"

I was completely lost in a maze of thoughts.

It had only been four days since we'd parted, yet I was already dying to see him. I was certain

that meeting him once would completely erase this agony. Still,

I hesitated to go see him right

away. He had his own circumstances, and though he surely

didn't hate me, he had still chosen this temporary separation. I couldn't bring myself to disregard that decision. I cursed my own serious nature

. "Hikaru will surely look down on me if he

finds out I came back without taking the

Knight of the Sanctuary exam... I want to see him so badly, I could die from wanting to... but I dread being rejected even more." I muttered as I climbed the steep mountain path,

my heavy armor weighing me down. In any case, I had to

visit my family home first, then take and pass the Knight of the Sanctuary exam.

Then I'll be able to go see him with my arms wide open.

I have absolutely no intention of giving up on this first love.

◇◆◆◆◇

My family's home is right next to the Great Cathedral of Light.

The property is so close that part of it is shared with the cathedral, and just as the cathedral's dining hall was on break, I spotted a familiar face lounging on a bench beneath the trees, smoking a cigarette.

"Master! Refreia has returned!"

When I called out, my master slowly looked up, smiling as if dazzled by something bright. He extinguished the cigarette on the ground and stood up.

His hair, tied in a single braid, remained just as it was when I left home a year ago, wrapped in a cloth around his head.

"Welcome back. I'm so relieved you're safe. I was really worried. Though it's strange for me to say this, the labyrinth is a dangerous place."

"Yes, really. I came close to dying several times."

I laughed lightly, though in truth I would have surely lost my life to the mantis in that labyrinth if not for Hikaru's help.

My master checked my muscles and smiled happily.

"You've grown stronger. I doubt even the knights here have such a high rank."

"It's thanks to your teachings, master."

"I've only taught you the basics, and the labyrinth is a place where life is cheap. Simply surviving is proof that you're talented, Refreia."

She is my master.

In the labyrinth city, she was known to all—Salamander-class explorer, "Canopus of Radiance."

She is the one who taught me not only the martial arts of wielding a giant sword, but also the strength to keep living, when I was struggling with spirit magic and just swinging my sword in frustration.

To me, she is more than a sword instructor—she is a mentor in life itself.

"But you've got a good look about you, Refrea. Did you meet someone special over there?"

"Eh~? Hehe... You noticed? I knew it."

"Ah, you've got the look of a warrior now. The labyrinth must've been a great training ground. So... you've mastered the Photon Ray, then?"

"Yes. Perfectly."

"Is that so. ...You've finally redeemed yourself from that dull reputation."

"Next time someone calls me that, I'll blast them straight through with the Photon Ray."

To be honest, I wasn't just able to use the Photon Ray—I'd even mastered the fifth technique.

For me, who had always believed I lacked talent for spirit magic, the reality that three spells had manifested within just a few weeks felt almost like a dream.

Yet, the fact that this very development became one of the reasons for my separation from Hikaru is nothing short of cruel fate.

"Have you seen Flora already?"

"No, I just returned. I haven’t seen the family yet."

"Ah, today was exactly the day the doctor was coming. You should go see them. If Flora hears that Reifrea has become a Holy Knight, she’ll surely feel at ease."

My master says so, but won’t my sister just be resentful?

After all, she should have been the one to become a Holy Knight first.

　

"Then I'll go show my face. Master, can we spar later? I think I can probably land at least one hit."

"Haha, I'm not that old that I'd be overtaken in just one year."

After parting from my master, I headed toward the front gate of my family home.

Although we're considered a prestigious family that has produced Holy Knight generations for centuries, the Holy Knights' pay was good only in the past. Nowadays, our family is little more than a legacy of old lineage.

Still, my mother lived proudly as a Holy Knight, which is why I, as a failure, always felt out of place.

"Alright!"

I gathered my resolve and pushed open the front door.

"Refréa, I'm home!"

As soon as I declared that, the maid Sasha, who had been cleaning the entrance hall, looked utterly shocked and rushed over to me.

"Miss Refleia! You're still alive!?"

"Of course I'm alive. Why would you think I'm dead?"

"Well, you said you'd be back right away that time, but you never came back..."

"Ah... I see. I had a few things come up. Anyway, congratulations. Sasha, you're back as a maid again, huh?"

"I was just lucky. Apparently Patra retired."

"Patra quit?"

After being attacked by the mantis, I had already told the girls who were part of my party to go back first, explaining that I'd return immediately after thanking the 'Hero of Life (Hikaru).'

So, after nearly three weeks have passed, it's not surprising they thought I was dead.

Incidentally, my previous party members consisted of two maids who worked here and three local friends.

The two maids were let go simply because my departure would reduce the workload, and primarily because funds were needed for Flora's treatment.

That's why they came to the labyrinth district with me, seeking a quick fortune—or rather, wedding money.

When I left, only Wendy and Patra remained in the house, but as Sasha said, Patra has resigned.

Sasha has been rehired, so now there are just two maids: Wendy and Sasha.

"What about Clotilde?"

"She's currently matchmaking with Lord An and others. It seems she might be settling down soon."

"Really? Wow, she was so shy before!"

"Well, she never really liked working, did she?"

Clotilde was the other former maid who used to accompany me into the labyrinth.

The water spirit mage, who had far greater talent in magic than I did and was a dependable healer, was suddenly getting married. ...I can't afford to fall behind. My friends, including Ann, had mentioned at our farewell that they'd be using the money they'd earned to fund their wedding, and everyone was probably moving on from living in the dungeon to settling down in this town.

"Refleia."

I turned around at the sharp sound of my name, and there stood my mother.

She was formerly... no, she's still technically active as a member of the reserve force, so she's still a sworn knight in practice. Though over forty, her posture remained upright and flawless.

She'd never missed a single morning training session, at least not until I'd set out.

Her swordsmanship and magical prowess were likely no less sharp than they were when she was a full-fledged knight.

She's someone who holds herself and others to strict standards.

And I'm a bit uncomfortable around this person.

　

"Mother. Refleia, I've just returned."

"Welcome back. So, have you managed to master the technique?"

"Yes. I could show you right here if you'd like?"

"...Please don't joke around. But... good job. Go show your face to Flora as well."

"Yes."

With that, my mother turns on her heel and walks away.

Her greeting is so simple—hard to believe it's been a year since we last met.

"Madam, you're still as cold toward Refleia as ever... After all this time..."

"It's fine."

I didn't miss the slight softening of my mother's usually cold expression, one I'd never seen before.

I'm not the same person I used to be.

Because I met Hikaru, I realized that my relationship with my family was just a small part of life, and that made me want to truly talk to my mother. A year ago, I believed that no matter what I said to that mother, it would be pointless, and I even thought that if I became a Saint Knight, I’d show her. But now, none of it matters anymore.

She’s just another weak human being.

After all, truly strong people are kind—like Hikaru.

I returned to my room and set down my belongings.

My room, exactly as it was when I left, hadn’t changed at all in a year. Not even dust had gathered, so the maids must have cleaned it regularly.

I took out the items from my bag.

Carefully placing the potion bottle, nestled between clothes to keep it from breaking, on the desk.

(Medicine...?)

The medicine for the chaotic illness that Hikaru gave me when I left Meltya.

He said, "It might work." He claimed it wasn't some strange thing. I don't know if Flora will take the medicine I brought, but maybe I should try forcing her to drink it, just a little.

Still, there's almost no such thing as a cure for the chaotic illness. Even if he's someone from another world, it's unlikely he'd happen to have such a thing.

(But he gave it to me, so I might as well try bringing it tomorrow.)

The doctor is coming today, so it wouldn't be right to give her medicine on my own.

I placed the flower Hikaru gave me, which never withers, in a vase.

This flower had truly continued to emit a faint light throughout the journey, never withering away. If I hang it up, it might offer some comfort.

　

"Flora. I'm home."

"Huh? Sister!? You're alive!?!"

When I knocked and entered the room, Flora nearly jumped off the bed in surprise.

I really thought you were dead.

Thinking about it now, Mother's reaction was truly cool. After all, her own daughter had come back alive—she should have shown a bit more joy.

"Well, I'm alive, aren't I? How are you feeling?"

"Not bad, but not good either. It's been the same all along, unfortunately."

"I see."

The disorder of spirits is a sickness where the spiritual energy within the body becomes chaotic.

According to the doctor, it's not so much a disease as it is the result of overusing spirit magic since childhood, which disrupts the circulation of spiritual energy essential for physical growth—more like an injury that has become habitual and refuses to heal.

Floria can no longer walk on her own, and without help from her maid, she can't even get out of bed. Using spirit magic is completely out of the question.

"So, you managed to activate it? Photon Ray?"

"Well, barely. I just made it."

"Then you're going to take the exam? I mean, sister, you were already at passing level with swords a year ago, so this is basically just a demonstration of magic, right?"

"That's true. But I won't become a regular knight. I'll register with the reserve force, though."

"Huh?! Why?!"

There are two types of Temple Knights: regular knights who permanently serve at the temple, and reserve knights who are only called upon when needed. A newly passed knight can be immediately appointed as a regular knight, but it's also possible to register only as a reserve knight due to various circumstances.

Of course, even as a reserve knight, one remains a Temple Knight. At the very least, it preserves the family's... to be precise, my mother's pride.

And then, I can return to Hikaru's side. Perfect plan.

The only regret is leaving my younger sister here alone once again.

"Big sister, you were so eager to become a Temple Knight... and now you're just a reserve? Are you really worried about me? If so, please stop."

"Flora. This doesn't concern you. It's just my own selfishness. I haven't even told Mother yet."

"Actually... weren't you never really wanting to become a Cathedral Knight?"

"No, I always wanted to. But something even more important came up."

As soon as I said those words, a warm feeling wrapped around my heart.

I can't stop this impulse.

Even in front of my sick younger sister, I still long for a life with him.

Apparently noticing that my demeanor has changed from a year ago, Flora stared at me with wide-eyed surprise. Perhaps it was sisterly intuition—she likely understood what I meant by 'something more important.'

"Something important... huh. Sister, you were right to leave this town."

"Yeah. I guess so. Though it really felt like it was only at the very last moment..."

Meeting Hikaru was really just recently—only a few weeks ago. For the past

year, I had been living with nothing but desperation… there were moments of joy, but still, my life had been entirely focused on becoming a

Saint Knight. Meeting him completely overturned my entire worldview. "…I envy

you. I’ve never felt this way before—actually envying my older sister."

"…I’m sorry. I must be a terrible older sister

." "No, it’s me who was the worse sister. I was once called Flora of Hikari, and I let it go to my head. I guess the Spirit King was watching me

all along." Hearing those words, I had nothing to say. It’s

true—Flora was once praised as a genius, a prodigy, and I can’t deny that there was a time when I let it go to my head.

But there's no way anything like punishment could come from that.

Even if there were, she's already suffered enough.

"Ah, this. I got it from someone, but isn't it beautiful?"

I placed the glowing flower I received from Hikaru in my younger sister's room.

In the dimly lit room, the softly glowing flower was exquisite, and I couldn't help but hope it might bring some comfort to my sister's heart.

"Got it from someone? A man? You received a flower from someone?"

"Huh? Yeah."

"……I see. Really, it's beautiful. ……There are flowers like this in the outside world too, huh?"

Saying that, Florae pulled the blanket over herself.

Her muffled sobs echoed through the dim room, and I was frozen, unable to move.

I will learn spirit magic and become a Sacred Knight.

But that wouldn’t solve anything regarding my younger sister

. I couldn’t know what Floria had been thinking, or how she’d spent the past year without me. Perhaps she’d been dreaming that I’d somehow find a miraculous cure… Paralysis was a disease

that disrupted the flow of spirit energy, making it impossible to move the body as desired. My

sister couldn’t even walk without assistance, and there was no known

treatment. She would spend her entire life… confined

to a bed. I had been so excited about meeting Hikaru, thinking I’d just return briefly to pass the Saint’s Knight exam, then quickly head back to Meltya

. That decision meant abandoning my family home—and, at the same time, abandoning my sister as well.

But faced with my sister sobbing like this, I felt as though I were being condemned for my own sins.

（……I really am a terrible older sister）