I swung my sword.

Recalling the words warning me not to get too attached to Scarlet, saying it would be difficult later.

I swung my sword.

Remembering the words that said she probably wouldn’t live long, that graduating from the academy would be her limit.

I was sad, angry, and resentful.

How could the world be so cruel?

Why did she have to end up like this?

Biting my lip, I swung my sword again.

However, with a clang of metal, the sword slipped from my hand and buried itself in the ground.

I tried to retrieve the stuck sword and summon another to continue my attack, but at that moment, a voice stopped me.

[……You’re not swinging your sword, you’re swinging your emotions. It would be better to stop the training for today.]

At Lucy’s critique, who had been sparring with me until just now, I exhaled roughly and collapsed onto the ground.

Even if I became stronger, could I change her fate?

For the first time in my life, I felt powerless.

Usually, whenever I showed such weakness, Lucy would harshly scold me, questioning if I truly wanted to become stronger.

Wondering what she would say today, I watched her approach.

Contrary to my expectations, she gently embraced me while I was sitting on the ground, and I tightly shut my eyes.

[If it’s too hard, sometimes it’s okay to complain.]

Perhaps it was because she had directly taken in the sadness, indignation, and resentment I held towards the world through the sword?

Her unusually warm behavior was overwhelming.

[You are not just my contractor, but also family.]

In her embrace, I was honest, even if just for a moment.

*

The next day, with a troubled heart, I was strolling outside as usual when I spotted Scarlet sitting on a bench in the park.

Unknowingly, my steps halted.

I had no idea how to approach her.

But since I had promised to stay close to her, I put on the most nonchalant expression possible and walked towards her.

“……What are you doing?”

I tried to treat her as I normally would, but my voice betrayed me with a slight tremor.

If someone could act normally after hearing such things, they were either an exceptionally skilled actor or someone who was a bit broken.

Scarlet, who had been looking down, lifted her head, and our eyes met.

She replied that she had some concerns, and I held my breath.

She, who usually wore an impassive expression, was smiling naturally.

Had something changed in her heart?

As I pondered this, her voice rang out.

“Hey, you said you would help me if I had concerns, right? Is that offer still valid?”

I recalled saying something like that.

And even if I hadn’t, I would probably be obliged to listen to most of what she had to say.

Thinking this, I nodded my head.

“Good to hear. Let’s go somewhere without others around. It’s a bit sensitive to discuss it outside. Where could there be a place where no one could overhear?”

With that, Scarlet got up and told me to follow her.

Afterward, she popped into a clothing store and bought some clothes.

After casually picking something from the display, she asked me if it looked good on her, to which I blankly nodded.

I probably nodded regardless of what she chose.

After hearing my answer, Scarlet nodded in return and went to pay, leaving me bewildered.

Why did she ask if it suited her while picking clothes?

As various thoughts crossed my mind, a store clerk popped up with a smile, saying, “Your girlfriend is really pretty.”

At the mention of the word “girlfriend,” my face flushed, and I shook my head vigorously.

If others saw us like this, could it be that this was somewhat like a date?

Caught up in these thoughts, I didn’t catch the clerk’s next line: “So how about me as your girlfriend?”

Watching Scarlet come out after making her purchase, I thought.

I didn’t know what her concerns were, but if it could be resolved in this way, I would gladly do my best to help her.

And that thought flew out of my mind in an instant when I saw our next destination.

*

My heart was racing wildly.

When told to wait a moment, I was outside, anxiously listening to the sound of a shower coming from inside.

She had said she had a concern, so I had followed her.

But why was I waiting for Scarlet, who was taking a shower, at a motel?

My brain was overloaded, and my thoughts were in a frenzy.

Lucy whispered to me to calm down, but no guy could remain calm in such a situation.

When the sound of the shower stopped, my heart raced so violently it hurt.

Were we really okay doing this as students? Was it permissible to act on our desires?

“You can come in now.”

And those thoughts halted the moment I saw Scarlet.

Freshly emerged from the shower, her hair was still damp, and she was wearing the clothes I had said looked good on her.

As I walked into the room, she was sitting on the bed, beckoning me to sit next to her, and I felt like my heart was going to burst.

[Don’t mind me. I’m going to dull my senses for a while, so don’t worry and just enjoy it.]

Caught up in the moment, Lucy’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I shook my head, sitting on the floor.

Then Scarlet spoke.

“You said you wouldn’t let that happen, right?”

She repeated my words verbatim.

Wasn’t she unconscious at that moment? Did she hear everything?

With a mix of shame and dread, I wondered if this was why she was acting this way.

As I lowered my head, I could hear her laughter.

Now feeling lost and trembling, I awaited her, realizing she was getting off the bed.

And as I felt her touch, coupled with the words that followed, my shivers ceased.

“Thank you for saying that.”

I realized this was not the situation I had imagined.

However, it was still words that brought me great joy.

I didn’t need the holy sword to know what I did.

I understood that she was genuinely grateful to me.

When I lifted my gaze to meet hers, she continued with a faint smile.

“You knew everything but still stood by my side. That made me quite happy. Having a connection with a witch is no good for anyone. People will just think I’m a terrible and scary being. And to some extent, that is true.”

Her words told me not to worry about her.

Because she was tied to a witch and couldn’t reveal her identity, she had to avoid people.

Fortunately, Sylvia and I accepted her past, but others wouldn’t think the same.

I finally began to understand why she had been pushing me away all this time.

“Sometimes, I hear the witch’s voice telling me to burn everything. I see visions of my whole body on fire. I’m trying not to give in, but honestly, it’s terrifying. What if I can’t hold on? What if people get hurt because of me?”

She must have been fighting that difficult battle alone, unable to share it with anyone.

“I want to protect people. That’s how I, Scarlet Evande, want to live. For the next three years at least, I want to spend it that way.”

Even then, she genuinely said she wanted to protect people, despite not being acknowledged by them.

“So please, if I’m no longer Scarlet Evande.”

She smiled as if she had already made up her mind.

“Then, kill me.”

That smile resembled a brilliant flame.

I sighed.

Her worries, her request.

I thought I would be happy to solve such things, but reality seemed quite different.

However, there was no hesitation.

If she truly desired it, there was only one answer.

I nodded my head and replied.

“I will.”

I would vow to kill the girl I had sworn to protect.

And then, to Scarlet, who nodded with satisfaction, I said:

“Could you grant me a wish as well?”

Like the contract with Lucy, it seemed only fair to ask for something in return if I granted someone’s request.

So I spoke to the somewhat bewildered Scarlet.

“If, for the next three years, that doesn’t happen.”

It was not a request but a wish.

“I hope you will be happy.”

Hearing this, Scarlet looked dazed for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“What kind of request is that, you fool?”

And she answered with a slightly shy smile.

“Well, I’ll try.”

Her response made me smile in return.

Yeah, I’ll try too.

As I made that promise.

*

In storybooks, the righteous are rewarded, and the wicked are punished.

But in reality, fate had bestowed the cruelest destinies upon the kindest souls.

It layered misfortune upon those who deserved happiness.

This saddened me, made me angry, and filled me with resentment.

And that is why I swung my sword.

But the outcome was different from yesterday.

For a brief moment, my sword pushed against Lucy’s.

Joy sparkled in Lucy’s worried eyes.

[Remarkable. To think you’d grow this much in just a day… Yes, a swordmaster should not swing their emotions. You have finally gained the right to be the true master of the holy swords.]

I pondered as I swung my sword.

If the world makes her unhappy, I won’t allow it.

If fate treats her cruelly, I will slice that fate away.

That was a vow, a resolve, and a belief.

And that belief inevitably resembles the sword of a swordsman.

The heart (心) is the sword (劍), and what is contained in the sword (劍) is the heart (心).

What I fervently wished for was someone’s happiness.

“I will make it happen.”

As I swung my sword,

No longer a boy, but a person who had become a true swordsman was blessed as the holy swords radiated their light.