5

“From this moment, we begin the academy graduation ceremony and the knight commissioning. All rise.”

The voice echoes through the hall, and we stand.

Everyone here is a survivor—those who’ve pushed through grueling training and brutal exams. Not just us pilots.

The maintenance students, grease smeared across their skin, desperately learning how to repair machines. The brainiacs of the Sensboard unit—those who memorized thousands of configurations and patterns, learned foreign tongues from scratch, and mastered every move of the Armunale. They’re leagues ahead of us. And of course, the graduates from the Support Maid division, who’ll be cheering us on from the sidelines.

And all of us here wear something different than the academy’s gray uniform. We’re all in the pure white uniforms issued to the Armunale squad.

But here—Rayla’s not here.

“Flag Raising”

From the edge of the platform, a student slowly raised the double-lion flag and carefully set it onto the tripod.

After bowing, they stepped down from the platform. A signal came to sit.

In the slow march of the ceremony, I remember last month’s final exam.

Written test, magic, swordsmanship, practical. In every subject, the four of us were nearly neck and neck.

Rayla was first in written and swordsmanship. I came out on top in magic and practical. Batis and Leon were close—no real gap.

So we all thought for sure we’d all become full-rated pilots. That’s how it was supposed to be…

“Only three spots are available this term for full-rated pilots.”

When Gazul sensei said those words after announcing the results, a sharp tension cut through us.

That means one of us is going to fall out of this group.

We’ve trained and sharpened together for three years—so we all know just how cruel it is to kick someone out. The instructor knows that too.

The instructor’s face looked more bitter than I’d ever seen it.

“Whoever I call now is the one who passes this term as a full-rated pilot. First, Eld.”

“Yes!”

I was honestly happy when my name came first. But the mood in the room wouldn’t let anyone be truly glad.

Only my voice echoed through the cold air.

“Next, Leon.”

“Yes.”

Everyone blinked a little at the fact that Rayla—ranked just as high as me—wasn’t called.

“Finally, Batis.”

“Y-yes!”

The moment the third name came out, the two of us looked completely different.

Batis, full of fire, eyes blazing. And Rayla, frozen in place, dazed, just standing there.

When Batis noticed Rayla’s expression, his joy dimmed—like he’d just realized he’d made a mistake.

The air grew heavy. Thick.

“Those three are the official candidates for this year’s Master Pilot promotion. You’ll each receive further explanations later, so stay behind in this classroom. The rest of you may leave.”

The words, cold and merciless, made Rayla’s shoulders tremble.

“Rayla…”

“…………”

“Hey…”

We three didn’t know how to speak to her.

She didn’t look up. Just whispered a quiet congratulations, then turned and walked out. No one moved to follow.

And that moment—just like that—was the last time anyone saw Rayla at the academy.

The next day, the dorm supervisor, worried that Rayla hadn’t shown up at her usual time, checked her room—and found it completely empty, like someone had just stepped out mid-breath.

Where is she now… doing what, I wonder?

While I was thinking that, the ceremony kept rolling along. The head instructors from each department gave their speeches, and then General Maurice Levoe, head of the High Command, drove home the point: this wasn’t the finish line. No, the real fight was just beginning.

“Now, we proceed to the commissioning. Lead graduate of the Pilot Division, Eld—please come forward.”

“Yes!”

My name called, I stood up from my seat and marched up to the platform with the crisp, practiced steps we’d rehearsed.

There, General Maurice waited. This was where we three would hear where we were assigned—to which unit we’d be sent.

But it wasn’t just that. Only the top graduate students got to choose their own assignment.

Sure, we weren’t supposed to just blurt it out here and now—“Yes, I’d like that!”—but still. Since we’d known our acceptance a month ago, they’d already started asking what units we wanted, and worked out the details with the receiving squads.

The one I’d hoped for, of course—

“Now then, Eld—since you’re the top graduate, you’re granted the privilege of choosing your assigned unit. Shall you use it?”

“Yes! I’d like to be assigned to the Thirty-First Armunale Squadron!”

The Thirty-First Armunale Squadron. The one led by Captain Bodwan—the very same captain who’d listened to my hopes and recommended me to the academy.

Where else would I go?

"Very well. I hereby authorize the assignment of Pilot Officer Eld to the Thirty-First Armunale Unit."

A stamp was pressed onto my assignment paper right there, and my placement was set.

I took the paper listing Batis and Leon’s assignments as representatives of the Pilot Studies division, then stepped down from the dais.

As soon as I stepped down, Leon and Batis squirmed, trying hard to peek at the paper I held.

They still hadn’t been told where they’d be posted. Only I, the one who could choose, knew my destination in advance.

I get why they’re itching to see—just a little longer, now. There are still other departments to come.

The ceremony went smoothly. Students from the Maintenance Engineering and Mobile Computation (Senseboard) departments each raised their hands, and their assignments were confirmed according to their wishes. One by one, they returned to their respective lines to receive their paperwork.

Then, finally, the top student from the Support Maid department was called.

Support maids are all beautiful, so I’m curious—just who’s taken the top spot this year?

“Top graduate of the Support Maid department. Ange, please come forward.”

“Yes!”

“…Huh?”

I blurted it out before I could stop myself, then quickly clamped a hand over my mouth.

I glance around furtively. No one seems to have noticed.

Still, just to be sure, I confirm—there she is, stepping onto the platform.

Softly waved golden hair. Eyes so blue they look like they’ll swallow you whole.

Even after three years apart—no mistaking it. Definitely Ange.

Ange, my childhood friend from the same village, who shared fifteen years of life with me.

My head’s a mess. No, I mean—how could this even be right?! Why’s Ange here, why’s she casually enrolled in the Support Maid program, why’s she pulling off top graduate honors all in one breath!? The village? The tuition? Without Ange, the village head’s family would’ve had no heir, and the whole place would’ve fallen apart. Tuition’s waived only for top students, but the entrance fee’s not waived unless you’re recommended. There’s no way the village head—out in some backwater village—could’ve come up with that kind of money.

While I’m lost in my own head, the ceremony goes on, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Ange, as a top graduate, you may now choose the unit you’d like to be assigned to. Would you like to exercise this right?”

“Yes! I wish to be assigned to the Thirty-First Armunale Corps!”

Ange declared it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And naturally, her request was granted.

Which meant, well—here I was, assigned to the same unit as Ange.

Batis nudged my ribs from beside me, all jealous-like. If this weren’t the ceremony, I’d have kicked him in the shin already…

I glared at Ange, pretending not to notice Batis. Then, as she stepped down from the platform, our eyes met. And—*pfft*—she winked.

My heart skipped. My cheeks flushed.

How could I not react like that? After all, Ange wasn’t a girl anymore—she was a woman now. I’d better get a full explanation later, Ange. Don’t you forget it—during the celebration, I’ll be holding you to that!

After that, the ceremony ended smoothly, and we returned to the classroom while the celebration preparations got underway.

Of course, the talk around here was all about Ange.

“Being on the same squad as a girl like that? Seriously jealous, I am.”

“Ugh, cut it out already!”

I go for a roundhouse kick—only for Batis to block it cleanly with his arm. Tch…

“But you’re not exactly unrelated, are you? From the way Eld reacted, I got the feeling you two know each other.”

“Huh. So you noticed?”

“Mm.”

Leon spoke calmly, recounting what had happened during the ceremony. Apparently, my behavior started acting up around the time Ange climbed onto the dais, and after that, I was fidgeting nonstop. I thought I’d kept it under control, but apparently, I’d been broadcasting it loud and clear.

Funny thing is, everyone around us thinks I’m just excited because I’m on the same squad as someone so cute. Which, honestly, just makes me want to punch something.

"Childhood friend. Didn’t I mention it last time? The one who confessed back in the village."

"Wait—no way, you’re not talking about that girl, are you!? You turned down someone that cute?!"

"Batis, cut the theatrics already! You’ve been acting like a complete nuisance since a minute ago."

"But she was *so* gorgeous! I swear, she could’ve passed for a princess without a single hint of mismatch!"

Even Batis—someone who’s seen his fair share of beauty—called her a beauty. So I wasn’t imagining things after all. For three years, I’d been quietly doubting myself, wondering if it was just family bias. Just in time, too.

"Man, that’s so cool. I’m totally jealous."

"You’re not getting it. You’re in a squad now—some support maid’s gotta be assigned to you."

"Whatever. The thing about childhood friends is, they’re special. My childhood friend? This guy here. Getting woken up every morning by a guy? That’s brutal."

The one pointed at is Leon, head bent over a book.

Leon adjusts his glasses with a snap and glares at Batis.

“That’s my line. Why the hell do I have to wake you every morning? You could just get up yourself—problem solved!”

“Can’t wake up when you’ve got a midnight sports meet, now can you?”

“Don’t even try to act like you’re not the one stomping into that mess.”

They bicker, but honestly? They’re perfect for each other.

And so, in the middle of all that noise and laughter, a junior from the pilot course comes rushing over, breathless, to say the celebration’s ready.

Their nervousness in front of us is almost too sweet. I can’t help but smile—just like we used to, back in the day. We head toward the mess hall, where the party awaits.

The mess hall today’s got all the usual rows of tables and chairs shoved aside, replaced by big round ones piled high with food.

You know, the kind of standing buffet setup.

“Lord Eld.”

“Lady Batis.”

“Lord Leon, you’re here too?”

The moment we step inside, the eyes of the students—no, the former students—turn right toward us. Well, three of us were picked as pilots, so being popular’s only natural. I’ve had more confessions than I can count over the past three years. Not that I’m going to claim I’m not the one they’re after. Most of the girls probably just think being a pilot looks cool, like how kids dream of being F1 racers.

Yellow cheers from the women flew through the air, and Batis smiled warmly, waving back. I gave a half-hearted grin in return. Even I couldn’t pull off Leon’s stone-faced poker face—after all, I’m a former Japanese who’s spent years smoothing things over with a smile.

But something’s off today. Feels like we’re sizing each other up.

Just as I thought that, Batis leaned in and whispered.

“Hey, there’s a dance party after this, right?”

“Yeah.”

The celebration’s taking on the air of a noble’s ball. That means we’ll be dancing on a makeshift floor set up in part of the dining hall.

I’ve learned to dance, of course—part of the etiquette for pilots. But I don’t really like it. Dancing under everyone’s eyes… feels like being put on display. Like a sideshow.

“Wanna ask someone? But if I go first, I’ll get trampled.”

“Huh. Makes sense.”

The first one to move gets kicked down by everyone, all at once, right? But if no one moves, then no one else can move either... would be so much easier if we just kept stalling like this forever, huh.

Just as I thought that, I caught a shadow darting toward me from the corner of my eye.

"Eld! "

It’s Ange—straight at me, calling my name loud and clear. The other women gasp and start to move, but no way they can catch up to her, not with her sprinting full-tilt.

Ange, golden hair flying, runs straight at me, arms outstretched, and dives.

I react fast—grab her arm, pull her in, and toss her backward like a back-throw.

"Whaaat—?!"

Ange screams, soaring through the air, stunned.

Thought I was gonna hug you or something? My head’s spinning from your weird surprise!

“Not gonna lose!”

But what in the world did she think?—Ange regains her balance midair, then rockets at me again with her flare booster.

I didn’t expect her to pull out magic—caught flat-footed, and before I know it, she’s wrapped around me.

“Too slow, so I came to see you!”

“N-no, no, no, that’s not the point at all! This is crazy!”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! Hey, wanna dance together after this?”

“Uh… yeah.”

I couldn’t help it—I just nodded at her smile.

Batis, Leon, and the women around us all snapped into motion at once.

“Eld, you idiot!”

“Hey, what kind of game is this, just giving in like that?”

A sea of women surging toward us. Eld and I barely dodged the wave, snapping into magic the instant we felt it coming, breaking free from the circle.

But the one they call the support maid—stronger than any knight—wasn’t letting go. She cut in fast, trapping us from all sides, cutting off our retreat.

The hall was a mess. Pure chaos. Men pressed against the wall, trembling like deer caught in a pack of starving wolves. Not just nerves. That’s real fear.

“Eld! We’re getting out of here. We’ll end up with injuries if we stay.”

“O-oh, right. An—Ange, let go.”

“No.”

“Not ‘no’! Agh, for—”

“Kyaa! Eld-kun’s princess carry!”

Leon’s order rang out, but Ange wouldn’t let go. Clung like a barnacle.

I didn’t have time to argue, so I just hoisted up Ange’s smiling face and used magic to leap out of the hall.

The rooftop of the Academy’s storm-lashed dormitory. That’s where we’d hidden.

After fleeing the cafeteria, we’d dodged attacks from those female monsters, sprinted through the halls, and barely lost them. Then, seeking safety, we’d taken refuge here—on this forbidden rooftop.

I set Ange down and asked her straight out.

“So, why’re you even here at the Academy? What about tuition?”

“Huh? Eld-kun, you didn’t notice?”

She tilted her head. Was it something so obvious I’d missed it?

“Notice what?”

“The condition for recommended admission?”

“Three or more members of the Armunale squad—either the captain or team members.”

“So, Eld-kun—whose recommendation got you in?”

“Captain Bodwan… ah.”

“Got it?”

So that’s what you meant?

In my head, all I can picture is Ritz’s smug grin. Could it be… was Ange’s admission planned from the very beginning!?

“Recommended by Ritz and two others?”

“Yeah—Ritz, Blois, and Carine.”

“Carine too…”

Blois seems the type who wouldn’t dare cross Ritz, so I guess it makes sense she went along. But Carine? I never thought she’d be involved.

And if you think back on everything that’s happened, it goes like this.

The day I said I was leaving the village, Ritz supposedly found Ange crying near the woods.

She asked what was wrong, and from there… she hatched this whole plan.

If things kept going like this, I might end up marrying some man I don’t even like and having kids. Same as me, Kaline understood that pain—so she happily helped out, and even joined the academy late in the game.

After that, she learned that getting top marks meant she could pick her own unit. So she studied her heart out, poured everything into it, and won the top spot—no surprise there. Ange, who never once doubted I’d be first, guessed I’d want to join the Thirty-First Armunale Unit, so she asked to be assigned there too.

And she did it all without me catching on even a little…

“Love’s work, isn’t it? Speaking of which, Eld—didn’t you always keep your amulet close? Wasn’t it a gift from some childhood friend?”

Batis grinned, chiming in with some unnecessary comment. The moment I heard it, Ange’s smile lit up even brighter.

“Really kept it close all this time, didn’t you!”

“Always had it on him—never parted with it.”

“Truly! So happy!”

Thanks to Batis’s meddling, Ange clung to me again.

It’s nice being hugged, but now that she’s grown, it’s a bit awkward—everything bumping, a little too close. And even though the wind’s strong, that soft, sweet scent still drifts through, making my chest flutter.

“Love stories are fine, but we should head back soon. The panic’s probably calmed down by now. Us pilots missing the celebration? That’s not good.”

Leon spoke up, watching the scene below the school. Seems the girls’ve calmed down quite a bit now that we’re out of sight. Who knows what’ll happen if we pop back into view—but with the instructors gathering, they’ll probably settle down soon enough, even if they don’t want to.

“Alright. Gave me something fun to watch.”

“Got it. Ange, settle down a bit. Come on, breathe deep.”

Ange took a long, slow breath, just as I said. The rooftop air in late February must’ve been sharp enough to cut.

“Feel better?”

“Yeah… I’m okay. It’s been ages since I saw Eld again—got carried away. Sorry.”

“Try not to go full riot next time.”

“Hurry up. I’m leaving you behind.”

With that, Leon and Batis launched themselves off the roof, magic flaring.

We followed right after, heading back to the hall.

Our time as students is ending. Maybe it was just a single drop in the great river flowing onward.