The academy graduation day had officially co to an end, closing with a grand event hosted by Headmistress Arsene, who had invited all graduates along with their families who had co to celebrate.
That lively night felt like a farewell party for all of us. I could see the students around —so were overjoyed, while others looked lancholic. Those with average grades would most likely enlist as royal knights or continue serving as knights in guilds. But one thing was certain: tonight, we would all enjoy ourselves one last ti before parting ways.
I spotted Marius having fun with Milly and the maids of my family. I had already inford them that Marius would be joining our household as a knight, and that news delighted everyone in the Blackmore family. Especially Vivin—she was particularly excited that there would be another great tank in the family besides herself.
On the other side of the hall, I noticed Julius and Termina dancing together. They looked surprisingly good as a pair. In my mind, I could hear Envi grumbling with jealousy—he also wanted to dance with the girls. However, I forbade him, considering that Lyra, Freya, and Alia were busy spending ti with their families.
"Let them enjoy their monts with their families," I reassured Envi.
"But Nao, you do realize that after tonight, we won’t see them for a long ti, right?" Envi’s voice took on a rare, somber tone. "They’ll be heading off to three months of intensive training, and after that, they’ll be assigned to their respective positions. And tomorrow, they’re already leaving for the training center. anwhile, you’ll be preparing for the Hero’s Trial. So, you... I... we’ll definitely feel lonely."
"Of course, I know that," I replied. "We’re all going to walk different paths, each of us fighting our own battles. That’s just part of growing up, Envi—it’s natural. But I understand what you’re saying. I’ll miss them too."
I let out a small sigh. "To be honest, I still can’t believe I managed to make so many friends in this world. It’s so different from my past life on Earth. Back there, I only had a couple of friends—Senior Kai, and then Mamoru, who... is gone now."
A bittersweet feeling washed over as I recalled my old life. But at the sa ti, I felt grateful for the friends I had made in this world.
Just as I was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out to from behind.
"What are you thinking about, Naoki-sama?" It was Lyra.
"Are you worrying about sothing, Naoki-dono?" Freya had arrived as well.
"Or perhaps... were you thinking about us?" Alia smirked, attempting to tease .
I was startled by their sudden presence and quickly asked why they had left their families just to co here.
Their answer was simple—they wanted to spend ti with . Since we would all be going our separate ways, they wanted to be together for just a little longer.
Lyra looked a little down, Freya had a distant look in her eyes, and even Alia—usually so full of energy—remained silent.
Seeing them like this made realize that we were all feeling the sa thing. We were all afraid of losing the fun, the beautiful days we had spent together at the academy.
I smiled at them and said, "You don’t have to be sad. We won’t be apart forever. I promise I’ll do my best to complete the Hero’s Trial as fast as possible. Maybe I’ll even show up just in ti to save you all if you’re ever in danger."
"But Naoki..." Alia’s voice was tinged with concern. "The Hero’s Trial doesn’t have a fixed duration. On average, heroes take two to four months to complete it. Nobody knows what truly happens inside the sacred chamber where the trial is held. In fact, according to the kingdom’s history, there was once a hero who took an entire year to finish it. That’s why... we’re worried about you."
Lyra and Freya both nodded, their expressions clouded with worry.
"I see..." I muttered, surprised to hear just how unpredictable the trial could be. "I didn’t know it could take that long. But co on, don’t be so gloomy. I’m sure I’ll finish it quickly. Who knows? I might just show up when you least expect it—right when you’re in trouble, haha."
"That... sounds just like you, Naoki-sama. You always co to save us," Lyra said with a soft smile. I couldn’t resist patting her head gently.
"That’s true," Freya added with determination. "But this ti, we’ll beco even stronger. One day, it’ll be us saving you, Naoki-dono."
I chuckled and nodded, ruffling her hair as well.
"Naoki... once you’ve completed your Hero’s Trial, I will be waiting for you when you step out of that chamber." Alia’s voice was soft yet filled with determination. Her warm, genuine smile carried an unspoken promise. Being the princess of this kingdom, she had the privilege to wait for without worry, but there was sothing deeper in her words—an unwavering faith that I would return.
"I see... Thank you, Alia. I’ll be happy to see you when I return." I smiled and gently patted her head, a habit I had developed whenever I wanted to comfort or appreciate soone. She closed her eyes briefly, as if savoring the mont, before looking up at with a radiant expression.
After that heartfelt conversation, I decided to et the families of Lyra and Freya. As I approached them, Lyra’s parents, the Waterfalls, and Freya’s biological family, the Flastones, greeted warmly. They introduced as their daughters’ savior, eagerly recounting stories of how we first t, our shared experiences at the academy, and the harrowing events of our recent dungeon raid.
I felt a mix of embarrassnt and pride as they spoke. It was surreal to hear myself being described as soone so important in their lives. But just as I was beginning to feel at ease, their next words completely blindsided .
They introduced not just as their daughters’ savior... but as their future partner.
My mind went blank.
I could feel the heat rushing to my face. My heartbeat quickened. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined being formally introduced to their families as a potential fiancé.
This felt exactly like the nerve-wracking experience of eting your future in-laws—except it was happening with two different families at once. And to make matters worse, their fathers were staring at with unreadable, almost intimidating expressions. I swallowed hard.
At first, I was overwheld, unsure of how to respond. But before I could panic, Lyra and Freya ca to my rescue. They spoke earnestly, reassuring their families that I was soone they cherished. Their confidence and warmth gradually eased the tension. And then, the mont they learned that I was a candidate for the Hero’s Trial, their entire attitude changed.
In an instant, their fathers’ once-stoic expressions shifted into sothing entirely different—pride and approval. Their mothers, on the other hand, looked delighted, their eyes sparkling with excitent. Suddenly, I was no longer just a young man courting their daughters—I was a future hero, soone with great potential. They accepted without hesitation, showering with encouragent and blessings.
At that mont, I realized just how fortunate I was to have been reincarnated as Naoki Blackmore, the heir of a hero’s family.
Just as I was recovering from that overwhelming situation, I turned to glance at Alia.
Her expression was unmistakable—she was pouting ever so slightly, a hint of jealousy evident in her eyes. I had already gone through this kind of introduction in front of her father, King Aslan, earlier, yet it seed that watching Lyra and Freya introduce to their families had made her feel left out.
Without hesitation, I walked over to her and extended my hand. "Co on, Alia. You should join us too."
She blinked in surprise before smiling and taking my hand. Together, we stood before Lyra and Freya’s families.
The mont Alia stepped beside , an awkward silence fell over the group. Lyra and Freya’s families exchanged glances before their eyes widened in shock.
They had just learned that I wasn’t only involved with their daughters—I was also engaged to Alia, the princess of the kingdom.
For a split second, I feared things might beco tense again, but instead, their reactions were quite the opposite. Excitent filled the air, and I could practically see them celebrating internally. To them, this wasn’t just a marriage prospect anymore—this was a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity. Their daughters’ futures were now linked not only to a hero candidate but also to the royal family itself.
I could only stand there, unable to do anything as the situation spiraled beyond my control.
Inside my mind, I heard an uncontrollable burst of laughter.
"Ahahahaha! This is priceless! Look at you, Nao, completely cornered! You’ve practically been claid in front of their entire families! And to think, this all happened because of my ’little proposal stunt’ earlier! Ahaha!" Envi was laughing so hard he could barely finish his sentence.
I clenched my teeth. "You... this is your fault! If you hadn’t pulled that ridiculous stunt, I wouldn’t be in this ss!"
"Oh, co on, you love it! Admit it! Just accept your fate and embrace the harem dream!"
"Not happening!"
While Envi cackled in my mind, I sighed in resignation. There was no way I could undo what had happened. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and by the end of it, I had sohow ended up in a far more complicated situation than I ever anticipated.
That night... was exhausting in every possible way.
....
The Next Day
That morning felt different. The air, usually filled with the chatter of students, now carried a sense of quiet anticipation. The atmosphere signaled that the ti had finally co for my friends to depart for the Braveheart Kingdom’s Knight Training Center.
Lyra, Freya, Marius, Julius, Leopold, Termina, Luna, Erin, Hendrik, and the others had all been assigned to leave imdiately. Their destination was a northern military stronghold—the heart of the kingdom’s power—where they would train and prepare themselves to beco true knights.
anwhile, I remained at the academy dormitory for another week, awaiting my departure for the Hero’s Trial.
Since Marius was my roommate, I helped him pack up his belongings. Unsurprisingly, most of his possessions consisted of heavy training equipnt—barbells, dumbbells, and other strange items that only he could probably lift.
The musclehead looked downcast. Despite having the physique of a bear, his expression resembled that of a child reluctantly leaving ho for the first ti.
"Hey, don’t look so gloomy," I said, patting his shoulder. "We’ll see each other again at my family’s mansion once you finish your training and I return from the Hero’s Trial."
Hearing that, Marius imdiately brightened up. "You’re right! By then, I’ll have mastered the ultimate defense technique and impress you all!"
His excitent made chuckle. Seeing my friend so motivated, I knew we were all stepping onto our own paths, chasing our dreams.
...
After helping Marius pack, my friends and I decided to gather one last ti in Class 3-C, even though Leopold and Julius were from Class 3-A, and Termina was from Class 3-B. They still happy to join us, making this mont even more special.
We sat in a circle, reminiscing about our ti at the academy. As if by silent agreent, we each began sharing our dreams for the future.
Marius went first, confidently declaring,"I will beco a knight whose muscles are as strong as an iron shield!"
Julius and Termina both shared similar ambitions—they wanted to beco vice-commanders in their respective knight divisions. Leopold had the sa goal, aiming to rise through the ranks quickly.
anwhile, Hendrik and Erin vowed to work hard in their divisions, hoping that one day, we could all reunite again.
Hearing their dreams, we couldn’t help but laugh together, feeling both excited.
Then, Lyra spoke up. "I want to beco a soone who can help people through knowledge and magic, just like the Saintess, and strong just like Serena-sama."
Freya clenched her fists with determination. "I will beco the strongest woman in this kingdom! One day, my strength will rival that of Hero Cain himself!"
I smiled at them both and gave them an encouraging nod, silently promising to support them no matter what.
Alia was the last to speak. She placed a hand over her heart and declared, "I want to beco as strong as my eldest sister, Aria von Braveheart, and fight alongside all of you on the battlefield. But... more than anything, I will beco this kingdom’s future queen—with Naoki as my king."
Her words sent shockwaves through the room.
A mont of stunned silence was quickly followed by uproarious laughter. Everyone burst out laughing, teasing relentlessly.
"So, our future hero is already engaged to royalty, huh?" Julius grinned.
"Guess we should start calling him ’Your Majesty’!" Marius joked.
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Can we please move on?"
Despite the playful banter, I could feel the warmth behind their words. This mont—our dreams, our promises—I wanted to hold onto it forever.
Before parting, we all made a solemn vow:
One day, no matter what happens, we will gather like this again.
...
And so, the ti finally ca.
Alia and I stood at the academy’s front gate, watching as our friends prepared to leave. They mounted their carriages, securing their bags, and turned to face us one last ti.
With bright smiles, they waved and shouted in unison, "See you! Let’s et again!"
I returned their wave, smiling despite the heaviness in my chest. "Yeah... See you."
Though we all tried to act strong, deep down, we knew the truth—this goodbye was painful. But we also understood that this was the path we had chosen.
We would et again, stronger than ever.
And now...
My Preparation for the Hero’s Trial Begins!
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