The next day, around five in the evening as usual, Damnern walked toward Eldern's room to call them for training.
"Eldern… Elyra…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the door swung open.
Eldern and Elyra stood straight in front of him, as if they had been waiting all along.
"Yes, Papa!" they answered in unison.
Damnern could only smile faintly at their behavior. Something felt different—their energy today was far higher than usual.
In the backyard, the evening air was calm and pleasant. The slanting sunlight created a peaceful atmosphere, accompanied by a gentle breeze.
"Alright, as usual… two laps of jogging," Damnern said.
He paused briefly before adding,
"…except for Elyra."
Elyra slightly lifted her face.
"You'll only do half a lap."
"Yes, Papa," they replied together.
However, deep down, Elyra felt a bit dissatisfied. Half a lap felt too easy for her—as if she was still being treated as weak.
"But… it's better than not training at all," she whispered to herself.
Without protesting, she began running alongside Eldern.
Twenty minutes later, they finished their warm-up. Elyra's breathing was slightly heavy, but far more stable than before.
"Good," Damnern said as he approached them.
In his hands was a long container filled with wooden swords.
"Elyra, try lifting this," he said, handing her a small wooden sword.
Elyra took it.
Light.
Too light.
"Wow… this feels like nothing at all…" she murmured, her eyes widening slightly.
She looked at Damnern.
"Thank you, Pa… pa…" she said hesitantly.
Her face flushed faintly—it was the first time she had ever thanked him.
Damnern fell silent for a moment.
Then, a small smile formed on his face—deeper and more genuine than usual.
That afternoon, the training continued with the basic sword techniques of the Solv family—a hereditary style that emphasized balance, precision, and energy control.
"Hold it properly. Don't be too stiff," Damnern corrected Elyra's hand position.
Every swing was carefully observed.
Eldern trained enthusiastically beside her, while Elyra… for the first time, did not feel pressured.
No shouting.
No force.
No fear.
Only guidance… and warmth.
"I… never knew training could feel this enjoyable…" Elyra whispered to herself.
In her past life, training was only about survival—running, escaping, or dying.
But here… it felt different.
It was no longer just about living—
but about growing stronger together with others.
The sun slowly sank below the horizon, painting the sky in golden orange hues.
"That's enough for today," Damnern said.
The training ended.
Elyra stared at the wooden sword in her hand for a moment before gripping it tightly.
A new feeling began to grow within her—not hatred…
but desire.
The desire to keep moving forward.
Four years had passed since that day.
Time moved quietly, bringing great changes to Elyra. Her body had grown stronger, her movements more refined, and her eyes now carried a confidence that had never existed before.
And today…
was the day six-year-old Elyra stepped into a new world.
Gabnor, now twenty-nine years old, was tasked with sending Elyra and Eldern to the academy by carriage.
An hour earlier, Damnern—now thirty—had already prepared himself, waiting outside, intending to send them personally.
"Lord Damnern, what are you doing? There's still a lot of work left unfinished!" said Vastor Grenrat, thirty-one, who had been assigned three years ago to assist with Damnern's duties.
"Vastor, just for today. It's my children's first day at the academy," Damnern replied. His tone wasn't pleading—it sounded more like an order.
"Please, Lady Elina…" Vastor turned to beg.
"Damnern!" Elina called out.
Elina, now twenty-nine, looked at him calmly.
"Dear, just for today?" Damnern tried again.
"No," Elina replied firmly without hesitation.
Damnern let out a long sigh and began muttering to himself.
"Besides… why does Elyra act like a boy? When she was younger, it was understandable… but now she's already six. I don't see any feminine traits except her clothes… maybe she's copying Eldern… or maybe I've failed as a father…"
Elina simply sighed softly.
"I'll leave them to you, Gabnor," she said briefly.
"Y-Yes, Lady Elina," Gabnor replied respectfully.
Behind them, Damnern was still muttering to himself.
"Please, Young Master… Young Lady," Gabnor said as he opened the carriage door.
"Good thing Papa isn't coming," Eldern, now nine, whispered to Elyra.
Elyra simply let out a small sigh.
After some time, they finally arrived at their destination.
The Willowess Basic Fue Academy.
Standing before the grand entrance of the academy, Elyra paused.
The building towered high, its architecture imposing, filled with children her age from various backgrounds.
The sounds of conversation, laughter, and footsteps filled the air.
For Elyra—who had never once set foot in a school in her previous life—it all felt like a dream.
"…Finally," she whispered softly.
Her heart pounded.
Not out of fear.
But excitement.
She tightened her grip on the small bag in her hand.
"In this life… I will learn everything."
End of Chapter 14