Weekend mornings at the Academy were usually quiet—ideal for cadets to sleep in or slack off.
But I wasn't most cadets.
I rose earlier than usual and completed my morning "mana training"—though to an outsider, it probably looked like I was just standing around, holding my breath and occasionally stabbing myself.
Afterward, I stood in front of the mirror, eyeing my reflection.
"Hmm."
Every time I saw this face, the same thought came to mind.
"I'm pretty decent, right?"
I turned my head at various angles, admiring the results. Not bad. My hair looked sharper than usual—I'd gotten it trimmed yesterday—and thanks to a bit of coercion (or, let's say, mutual negotiation), I even scored a decent outfit from a "friend."
Still, the voice of my conscience poked its head in.
"But what if you compare yourself to Yuren?"
I chose to ignore that.
After all, today was a date with Iris.
…Well, "date" might be a strong word. But we were going out together. Just the two of us.
At least, that's what I thought.
I arrived at the meeting spot with a faint smile of anticipation—only to find not just Iris, elegantly dressed in the pristine white robes of the Holy Nation, but also—
"Why are you dressed like you're about to raid a dungeon?"
Camilla stood beside her, clad in full armor like she was expecting an ambush.
"Why am I here?" Camilla shot back. "To escort the Saint, of course."
"...Sigh."
Right.
There was no way the Holy Nation would allow Iris to roam around alone, especially not to somewhere like Ant Hill—one of Valhalla City's most infamous districts. Not quite a den of criminals, but close enough to keep any sane person away.
"Hmph. You didn't actually think you'd get to go on a date with the Saint alone, did you?"
Camilla folded her arms, glaring at me like I'd insulted her ancestors. I rubbed my temple.
'Why did she have to show up today of all days…?'
Iris stood next to her with her shoulders slumped, looking as if she'd just been caught sneaking out past curfew. Which, given the context, she probably had.
"You said you'd never go out alone without an escort," Camilla scolded.
"But Dale's with me."
"Hah! As if a cadet like him could protect you—"
Camilla stopped mid-sentence, her words catching in her throat.
Right. She remembered. The duel where she couldn't even draw her sword against me.
Clearing her throat, she looked away.
"A-anyway, if anyone finds out the Saint went out unescorted, it's my neck on the line."
"It's fine, Camilla. You can come too," Iris said, smiling.
I didn't miss the amused glint in her eyes.
Camilla raised a brow. "If you're heading to Ant Hill… don't tell me you're going to that place?"
"Yep."
"Haa. Of course. You're impossible, Saint."
Camilla shook her head, but her expression softened just a little.
"You're the one who likes it the most whenever we go," Iris teased.
"Wha—No, I don't!"
"Really~? You get so fired up every time."
"I-I have never!"
They traded barbs with the ease of close friends, which made me pause.
"...Wait. Where exactly are we going?"
"Hm? Didn't the Saint tell you?" Camilla looked surprised.
"No."
"Hmm."
She glanced at Iris, who shook her head with a mischievous smile.
"Let's leave it as a surprise."
A surprise, huh?
Even with the memories of my past life, I couldn't recall any outing like this. Which only made me more curious.
'It's not like she's about to drag me into a Demonic Cult's Ant Hill hideout… right?'
Before I could ask again, Iris added, "Oh, right! We need to buy something first."
"What?"
"Ramen."
"...?"
And with that, my first date—sort of—with my past-life lover began.
Ant Hill: the continent's largest slum, nestled in the underbelly of Valhalla City. A sprawling maze of broken roads, stacked tin homes, and forgotten lives.
But not every part of Ant Hill was steeped in despair.
The place Iris had in mind lay on its outskirts, classified as the "second-worst" district—an orphanage funded by the Holy Nation.
"Kyaaah!"
"Iris noonaaaa!!"
"The noonas are here!"
"Hurry up! Get out here, the Saint's back!"
"Huff, huff... Camilla noona, can you grab my hair and spank me just once?"
As soon as we stepped past the gate, the children charged like a stampede of puppies on sugar.
"You rascals! Didn't I tell you to stay inside?"
An elderly voice cut through the air.
A priest in the robes of the Seven Stars Church stormed forward, scolding the kids with all the sternness of a drill instructor.
"Father's here! Scatter!"
The children scattered in a panic.
The old priest sighed, then turned to us with a calm smile.
"Saint. Lady Camilla. You're here."
"Have you been well, Father Antonio?"
"Hoho, of course. Despite my age, I still have the energy of a young man."
He chuckled and casually rolled up a sleeve.
...His bicep bulged like that of a seasoned warrior.
Respect.
"I'm sorry I haven't visited often," Camilla said.
"Don't be, Lady Camilla. The fact that you visit at all gives this old man great strength." Then his gaze turned to me. "But who might this young man be?"
"Dale Han," Iris introduced. "He's a cadet in our class. This year, we're forming fixed parties for practicals. Dale is part of ours."
When did that become official?
"Ah, I see."
Father Antonio studied me with interest.
"This is surprising. The Saint has never brought anyone else here before..."
"Dale is someone I can trust," Iris said plainly.
"Hoh... That so?"
Father Antonio's eyes twinkled. Then he let out a soft laugh.
"To think the little girl I've watched since childhood would grow so much… bringing along a man, no less."
"W-wait! That sounds way too misleading!"
Iris flushed furiously.
I blinked. "Since she was young...?"
"I'm Antonio," the old man said. "I knew the Saint before she was 'The Saint.'"
With a gentle dignity, he made the sign of the cross.
Father Antonio…
His name didn't ring any bells from my past life.
But then again, Iris never spoke about her childhood. Any time I brought it up, she'd give a sad smile and change the subject.
For someone who'd supposedly regressed, I sure knew very little.
And oddly enough… I didn't mind.
The more new memories I made—new moments, new truths—the more it felt like I was truly living again.
"Come, come inside. Even in spring, it's chilly," Antonio said.
We followed him into the orphanage.
"Is this where you wanted to go?" I asked Iris.
"Yes. Camilla and I visit when we can, to help out. I wanted to bring you along this time."
She glanced at me. "Are you… disappointed?"
"Huh? Why would I be?"
"Well… this isn't exactly a weekend getaway."
I paused. Then smiled.
"I like it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's familiar in a way."
"Familiar?"
"I grew up in an orphanage too. In the Republic."
"...Oh."
"It wasn't as cheerful as this, but... yeah."
She gave me a strange look.
"...Too?" I repeated.
"A-anyway! Let's go in. The kids are waiting!"
Inside, we were immediately swarmed.
"Camilla sis! Spar with me!"
"I wanna fight too!"
"Camilla, punish me with your blade!"
"...Haa. Alright. Let's go outside."
As the kids stormed out with Camilla in tow, Iris and I followed, watching from the porch.
"The kids sure love her."
"Hehe. She pretends to be strict, but she spoils them the most."
We watched Camilla spar using a tree branch, dancing around the children's attacks.
"Take that!"
"You're too fast!"
"I surrender!"
She knocked them aside with practiced ease.
"Hehe. Come back after you've had more milk, you little brats!"
…
Wait.
Did she really just say that?
"I don't have a mom!"
"Chuup~ Can I have some of your milk, sis?"
"I wonder what mommy's milk tastes like…"
"...Gasp!"
Camilla froze, bright red. "T-That's not what I meant!! I—!!"
The kids burst into laughter.
The warmth of the orphanage radiated more than any fireplace.
Then—
"Is that guy a swordsman too?" a child asked, pointing at me.
I nodded.
"Who would win? You or Camilla?"
The yard went quiet.
The children looked between us, wide-eyed.
"Camilla, obviously!"
"She's gonna be a hero!"
"But that guy looks really strong too!"
"Didn't Iris sis bring him? He must be amazing!"
I met Camilla's eyes.
'This is...'
...a challenge I couldn't avoid.