Serena’s POV:
"Really, Lyra? Waaah... Naoki... he’s changed so much." I was stunned by the story Lyra was telling .
She spoke softly, but I could tell how happy she was as she shared everything that had happened between her and Naoki after I left for the battlefield.
Lyra explained that after their midterms ended, their class took a study trip to the Royal Solara Magic Academy—a surprising event, as it was the first ti Braveheart Knight Academy had ever done sothing like that.
She said she was grouped with Naoki and the others. There, they learned a lot about magic and were even assigned a group project to research ancient Grimoires. That led them to explore the magic academy’s vast and famous library.
They also t a new friend who served as their guide. However, not all of the Solara students welcod them warmly. So mocked and harassed Lyra and her female friends.
But Naoki wouldn’t stand for that. He challenged the troublemakers to a duel. Lyra admitted she was shocked—she never imagined Naoki would get so upset over soone bothering his female friends.
Hearing that, I chuckled inwardly. "Haha... The old Naoki was quite the flirt. He used to throw charming lines at and other girls at the Braveheart Academy all the ti." I held back my laughter.
Lyra went on, saying that Naoki was incredible. He defeated a student who could control three elental magics and one special elent—sothing that shocked the entire academy. From that mont on, no one dared ss with the Braveheart students again.
Then ca the friendly duel between Solara Magic Academy and Braveheart Knight Academy. The battles were intense—until Naoki and his team faced a Solara student who had been possessed by a demon.
I imdiately recognized that incident. It was the sa one where a Demon Warlord infiltrated Solara and caused chaos—coinciding with another attack back at Braveheart Knight Academy. Thankfully, Headmistress Arsene was able to defeat the one on our side.
Lyra explained that Naoki was enraged upon learning a traitor from the Braveheart Academy had kidnapped his little sister, Milly, to be sacrificed to the Demon Warlord.
With Lyra and the others, Naoki pursued them, all the way to the underground altar. There, they fought desperately to save Milly.
In that mont, Naoki lost control. He unleashed an imnse burst of dark magic and managed to free her. Then, together, they fought with everything they had to defeat the Demon Warlord.
Naoki awakened his hidden power and won—but Lyra told he wasn’t himself. Sothing about him had changed. He was overco with rage. It took both Aliya and Lyra to calm him down and bring him back.
That part really caught off guard. I never knew Naoki possessed such imnse power. But what surprised more... was that Lyra and Aliya could calm him down. That ans they’ve beco important to him—so important that even in his rage, their voices could reach him.
I gave her a soft smile and told her she and her friends were incredible for surviving sothing like that. But Lyra quickly dismissed her own efforts, saying she didn’t do much.
I shook my head. "You did what you had to—supporting Naoki. That’s more than enough." Lyra blushed at my words, her smile shy but warm.
Then, she tried to continue the story—telling that a few days after the incident, she and Naoki went out together. But suddenly, she stopped.
Her cheeks turned bright red. She hesitated and skipped that part of the story entirely.
I narrowed my eyes, teasing her. "Oh? What are you hiding?" But she wouldn’t say a word.
...
Still, Lyra went on, her excitent growing. Even though it was already midnight, I was completely absorbed in her tale. Maybe I just wanted to hear more about Naoki—about his life while I’d been away.
She began talking about their final exam—the one that would determine their graduation from Braveheart Knight Academy. Their task? Conquer a dungeon.
But as they began, Cain von Flamore returned to the capital and was stationed at the academy. That ant he inevitably ran into Naoki again.
Cain declared that Naoki was still his rival and even went as far as saying he’d take Freya—Lyra and Naoki’s friend—as his fiancée.
The mont I heard Cain’s na, mories resurfaced. Cain and Naoki had always been at odds. And Naoki... usually lost. But the last ti I saw Cain, he seed different—changed.
Lyra explained that Cain’s arrogance annoyed both her and Naoki. The two made a wager: whoever conquered the Dungeon first would win—and claim Freya.
When the exam began, both teams raced to clear the dungeon. But they soon discovered it was no ordinary trial. This was an ancient dungeon—one with a boss of terrifying power.
Worse still, two Demon Warlords appeared during the mission, turning the trial into a brutal battle for survival.
Lyra described how Naoki fought valiantly, even defeating one of the Demon Warlords on his own. Cain did the sa with the other. But then... the dungeon boss awakened.
It wasn’t just strong—it had the ability to manipulate ti.
When I heard that, I couldn’t believe it. "Ti manipulation? That’s... impossible. That’s sothing only Unique Monsters can do."
Lyra nodded gravely. "It was a Unique Monster—summoned by the Demon Warlords themselves."
And with that, everything made sense.
Lyra explained that many of their comrades had fallen and even lost their lives. At that mont, Naoki made the decision to sacrifice himself by fighting the monster one-on-one.
At first, Lyra refused, but Naoki insisted and convinced everyone that he could defeat the monster.
"That’s just like Naoki... that unyielding determination and willingness to sacrifice himself are still the sa as before... even though he used to be such a fool and not nearly as sharp as he is now after losing his mory, haha," I thought to myself, stifling a chuckle.
Lyra said that eventually, Naoki sent her and the others out of the dungeon, locking himself inside with the dungeon boss.
Naoki disappeared for several days. But then, to everyone’s surprise, he returned — alive, victorious. He had defeated the dungeon boss and was awarded the title of top graduate of Braveheart Academy.
Everyone was so proud. Naoki even won his wager with Cain, earning Cain’s respect as a worthy hero — and he managed to win Freya back from him.
"Thank goodness Naoki succeeded... he really kept his word, hehe," I said to Lyra.
"That’s right... I’m relieved too that Freya is back with Naoki-sama. She was actually forced to be with Cain due to... certain circumstances," Lyra said with visible relief.
From the way she told the story, I could tell Freya had feelings for Naoki too.
Inside, I scread, "Ugh, Naoki! You already have ... yet you keep gathering girls who fall for you!"
I started picturing Naoki’s face...
"Well, he’s just being himself... and that’s what makes him so captivating. I love that part of him too, so I understand why Lyra and Freya are drawn to him," I continued to reflect.
"But based on Lyra’s story, Naoki hasn’t confessed to anyone — not Lyra, Freya, or even Alia... That ans, maybe... just maybe... he’s saving that confession for ? Maybe when we et again...?" I thought, blushing deeply.
Suddenly, Lyra spoke, "Um... Serena-sama, your face is red... are you thinking about Naoki-sama?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"Ehh, well... ehemm... yes, I really want to see him again," I replied, still flustered.
"I see... I understand. I believe Naoki-sama likes you, Serena-sama. You’re strong, a hero, beautiful, enchanting, mature, and his longti friend. You’re more suited for him than I am," Lyra said, pensive but trying to smile.
That caught off guard. I didn’t expect her to be so lacking in confidence.
I smiled and placed my hand on her shoulder. She flinched in surprise and looked at .
"Lyra... from what I see, you’re incredibly charming! You’re beautiful, adorable, sweet, feminine, loyal — and you’re strong too! You’ve always given your all when helping Naoki." Lyra’s eyes started to well up.
"Have confidence, Lyra! If I were Naoki, I’d have already made you my girlfriend, hahaha." That made Lyra laugh, though a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"That’s right, laugh! Be confident. I... love Naoki... and so do you. We could be considered rivals, but I don’t hate you, hehe." I laughed with her.
Lyra nodded and replied, "I don’t hate you either, Serena-sama... I’m happy to be here with you. It feels like I have an older sister."
That surprised , and I smiled warmly at her.
"I’m happy talking with you too, Lyra... Maybe because we’re both only children, we can support each other like sisters." An idea sparked in my mind. "That’s it! Let’s just say that I — the amazing Serena — am your big sister! And you, Lyra, I’ll consider you my little sister! How about that?" I said with a wide grin.
Lyra looked shy. "Serena-sama... that’s a bit too much for ..."
"From now on, call Serena-nee, okay?!" I insisted.
"O-okay, Serena-nee... hehe." Lyra laughed, not sad anymore.
I ruffled her hair playfully, making her laugh with joy.
We talked for hours more, then finally rested for the night.
....
The next day arrived — the day we planned to break through the defenses of Gildoria’s forces and drive them back.
My strategy worked well. With Lyra, Termina, and the other reinforcents, we struck the Gildoria army hard. Lyra’s support magic was vital on the front lines, and she even attacked from mid-range. I was impressed by the potential she showed.
In addition, Theresa, Garrion, and Tanya went wild on the battlefield. In the end, we succeeded, pushing them all the way back to Fort Drakenfort.
What puzzled was that the rcenary Queen did not appear on the battlefield. Normally, she would fight alongside the troops, but this ti, she remained in the fortress with the rcenary King. Who knows what they were planning?
That’s when I saw the rcenary King for the first ti. He and the Queen leapt from the fortress wall, landing with such force that the ground cracked beneath them.
The rcenary King looked regal and intimidating. His presence alone made even Garrion and Tanya uneasy.
Slowly, Theresa and I stepped forward to face them. This could beco a peace negotiation... or the beginning of an even more devastating war.
...
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