Chapter 7

"Y-You must be mistaken?"

"N-No! There's no way I could be mistaken!"

Confused by suddenly being called 'teacher,' all I could do was ask if it was a case of mistaken identity. However, Resandela pressed on, rushing over to me.

What should I do? I really don't remember.

If she's calling me 'teacher,' she must have been a student of someone, but I don't recall teaching swordsmanship to such a vibrant woman. It must be a case of mistaken identity. Beryl is a fairly common name, so she must be confusing me with someone else.

Besides, the pressure of being confronted by a top-ranked Black adventurer is intense. She's so close. I might lose my composure if I'm not careful.

"I'm sorry, but I don't recall a woman like you."

"C-Could it be... you don't remember...?"

Her eyes, filled with confusion and despair, pierced through me.

I don't know what to do with that look. If I don't remember, I don't remember.

"It's been twenty years... No, but!"

Resandela's shoulders slumped as she muttered.

Twenty years... That's a long time ago. I had just started teaching at the dojo then.

So, she must have been a student of someone a long time ago. Back then, I was so focused on teaching that I didn't have much time for anything else.

As I thought about this, Resandela grabbed my shoulder firmly and, with a controlled but desperate voice, spoke to me.

"Teacher, it's me. Sirena Resandela. Do you remember picking up a destitute child and teaching her swordsmanship long ago?"

"Hmm...?"

A destitute child...? Sirena...?

"Oh!"

Could it be?

Indeed, it was nearly twenty years ago.

One day, while patrolling the village, I found a small child who had arrived at the village, dragging her injured body.

There were no adults around, just the child alone.

I knew something was wrong, so I took her in, but I couldn't find any contact information for her guardians, so I temporarily took care of her.

My dojo had a decent number of students even back then, and we managed to live comfortably, so taking care of one child wasn't a problem.

I couldn't just abandon a child, and since I didn't have any children of my own, my parents were also very kind to her.

She was probably the child of a merchant or traveler.

From the injuries, it seemed she had been attacked by a monster or wild animal, not from a fight.

In this era and in such a rural area, it wasn't that uncommon.

For a while, she was very withdrawn, so I tried to cheer her up by letting her train with the other children at the dojo. She was very quiet back then, and when I asked her name, she only replied, "Sirena."

However, she seemed interested in swordsmanship and diligently followed my instructions.

I didn't intend to train her seriously, but having lost her parents and with no one else to turn to, she threw herself into her training. Her dedication moved me deeply.

I took care of her for about three years.

When my father went to the capital, he talked to an agency about finding her a foster family, and I hoped she would live a happy life after that.

This happened long before Alyssia started coming to our dojo.

"Could it be... that Sirena?"

"! Yes! The Sirena you picked up and taught swordsmanship!"

When I said this, her expression brightened, and she replied enthusiastically.

Really? The world is full of unexpected connections.

"No, you've changed so much. Since coming here, I've met several disciples, including Alyssia, but you've changed the most."

I thought she was living a quiet life in the capital, but I never imagined she would become a world-renowned adventurer. I'm surprised.

Moreover, she used to be a quiet girl who enjoyed admiring flowers in the garden, and now she looks like a fierce lion. That's even more surprising.

"I wanted to come and tell you, but since I started my adventures, I haven't had the opportunity... This was an unexpected reunion."

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad to see you doing well."

The pressure from the woman in front of me is still there, but knowing it's Sirena gives me some mental relief.

By the way, can you let go of my shoulder now?

"However, why are you in Baltrain, Teacher?"

"Well, that's—"

"Resandela, Teacher has been appointed as a special instructor for the Reberio Knights, effective today, to assist in their training. So, let go of his hand, quickly."

Here we go again, Alyssia, always butting in!

But the explanation is correct, so I can't really complain.

"Teacher, in the Reberio Knights...?"

"That's right. There's even an appointment letter with the king's seal."

The hand on my shoulder tightened. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. No wonder she's a top-ranked Black adventurer; her strength is extraordinary. Please let go.

The souvenir shop was quickly enveloped in a tense atmosphere, thanks to Sirena. I'm really sorry to the shop owner. It's not my fault, but I feel like I should apologize.

"Damn, it has the king's seal. It doesn't seem to be a forgery."

"What do you think you'll gain by lying?"

"S-Sirena, can you let go of my shoulder?"

This is getting out of hand. Also, she's been so close the whole time. Sirena is a strong, beautiful woman, but right now, I feel like a small animal being stared down by a fierce monster.

"A-Ah, sorry, Teacher, I just—"

Finally, Sirena let go of my shoulder.

I understand that a long-awaited reunion can be shocking, but it's hard to recognize someone who has changed so much at first glance.

"Teacher, if you're in the capital, please visit the Adventurers' Guild. I can help with various things, and I can even show you around."

"No, Teacher will be touring the city with me, so there's no need for Resandela."

"What? If Teacher is going to be a special instructor for the knights, we'll be seeing each other often, so this is the perfect time for a reunion."

"No, Teacher hasn't been to the capital in a long time and isn't familiar with the area, so it's only right for the knights, who are based here, to show him around."

Alyssia and Sirena started arguing without taking a breath.

Someone, help me.