I woke up before the sun.
Couldn't sleep. Didn't want to.
Today was the day.
Magic day.
For five years I've waited - ever since I opened my eyes in this strange new world.
> Today I stop dreaming... and start becoming.
---
A knock at the door.
Soft. Familiar. Rhythmic.
It was Alicia.
Dressed in her usual maid outfit, white and gold - but it suited her more like a knight's uniform than a servant's.
Her silver-white hair shimmered in the morning light, and her red eyes sparkled like gems.
She smiled.
> "Good morning, Master William. Are you excited?"
I nodded so fast I almost launched off the bed.
> "Excited? I've been waiting for this since forever."
She giggled.
> "Well, then - let's not keep her waiting."
---
We walked through the Montelo estate, hallways echoing with our footsteps.
My heart pounded harder with every step.
> What kind of teacher is she? Strict? Cool? Scary? Overpowered? Please let her be overpowered.
We reached the training hall.
And standing there was...
---
A warrior.
Silver hair flowed down to her back like moonlight frozen in time.
Her armor glinted - light and elegant, yet clearly real.
Eyes blue like calm seas, yet sharp enough to cut steel.
She turned, one hand resting on her sword's hilt, and smiled softly.
> "You must be William Montelo."
Her voice was clear. Calm.
Strong - but not loud.
> "I'm Shinonome Vastaliya. From today, I'll be your teacher."
---
I froze.
This was not the old wizard or strict mage I imagined.
She looked... young. Sixteen maybe. But her presence felt ten times older.
I bowed - because I didn't trust my voice not to crack.
> "It's an honor, Master Shinonome."
Alicia bowed as well, wordless but graceful.
Behind us, my parents watched quietly.
---
Father stepped forward. His tone was deep, but respectful.
> "Miss Shinonome, your reputation precedes you.
Your mastery of sword and magic is why we chose you. I trust you with my son... and with Alicia."
She bowed.
> "I won't disappoint you."
Father nodded once and left.
Mother smiled, kissed my forehead, gave Alicia a small nod, and followed.
And then... it was just us.
---
> "Shall we walk?" she said.
We gave her a tour of the estate - the main hall, the old study, the training yard, the garden.
She observed everything.
Asked smart questions.
Listened more than she spoke.
Eventually, we reached the flower garden - my favorite spot.
She turned to face us fully.
---
> "Let me introduce myself properly," she said.
> "I'm the eldest daughter of House Vastaliya - one of the twenty noble families.
I'm sixteen.
And I specialize in the Magic Sword Technique - the fusion of mana and blade."
Alicia and I listened in silence.
Then I stepped forward, chest puffed slightly.
> "I'm William Montelo.
I've never used magic.
But I want to learn. Please... guide me."
She smiled.
> "Of course."
She placed a hand on my head - gentle, warm, grounding.
Then turned to Alicia.
---
> "And you?"
Alicia bowed gracefully.
> "My name is Alicia Wanhart."
Silence.
Shinonome blinked.
The air shifted.
> "Wanhart? That's a noble name."
Alicia didn't flinch.
> "I'm the illegitimate daughter of a noble father and a commoner mother.
I was taken in by the Montelo family.
I serve proudly - and I want to learn magic so I can protect William."
Shinonome stared for a long moment.
Then walked forward and...
hugged her.
Alicia stiffened - then slowly melted into it.
> "You're strong already," Shinonome said.
"Stronger than most I've trained."
I stepped beside Alicia and held her hand.
> "She's not just a maid.
She's my friend. My family."
---
Shinonome looked at us both.
Then said words I'll never forget.
> "Then I'll protect you.
Until you're strong enough to protect each other... I'll be your sword."
She wrapped both arms around us.
It was warm.
Reassuring.
Perfect.
Also...
> Her chest is soft.
Do not blush.
Do. Not. Blush.
She is your teacher. Control yourself, William.
---
When she pulled away, Alicia was smiling.
So was I.
And in that moment... I felt it.
> This is my world now.
My path. My team.
I don't need to fight nations anymore.
I just need to protect them.
---
Tomorrow, training begins.
And I will not waste it.
---