(Nava's POV)
It has been three months since Lan and I completed our training under Teacher Adam. He finally allowed us to travel on our own, to experience the world beyond his supervision.
During our months of traveling together, I began to realize something strange—something warm yet frightening. I have feelings for Lan. Not because of his face, though his appearance could easily charm anyone, but because of his heart.
He is kind to those who deserve kindness. I saw it during our stay in Shenzhou, the equivalent of China in this world. He helped the people who helped us, showing gratitude through quiet action rather than words. He is not loud or boastful—only sincere.
He is quiet, yet deeply caring. I remember when I was injured during one of our training sessions back at Teacher Adam's place. Instead of continuing his own training, he stopped everything to treat me first, scolding me gently for my carelessness.
He is handsome, too—his long black hair streaked with blue flows down to his waist, and his ocean-blue eyes always seem to hold an entire world within them. He looks older than his age, almost nineteen, even though he is only seventeen now.
I don't know how to confess. In my past life, I never even had a crush, much less a lover. Maybe I should just focus on something else for now—yes, that's better.
After those three months of traveling, Lan and I decided to join Schicksal. We were tested and, to our surprise, we passed—Lan became a knight, and I became an A-rank Valkyrie. They stationed me at St. Freya High as a combat instructor.
In my first month of teaching here, I have to say that most of the students are far from impressive—though there are a few exceptions: Kiana Kaslana, Raiden Mei, Fu Hua, and Bronya Zaychik.
Kiana Kaslana, the daughter of a former S-rank knight and an S-rank Valkyrie, is a walking storm. Her head may be empty, but her combat instincts are second to none.
Raiden Mei is more complicated—she was once the Third Herrscher, the one who destroyed Nagazora. She is fortunate that I, not Lan, was assigned here. Lan has a deep hatred for the Third Herrscher and once swore to defeat her.
Fu Hua is technically an A-rank Valkyrie, though she enrolled as a student due to her lack of modern academic knowledge. I spar with her often, and every match ends in a draw. Her centuries of battle experience balance out my refined technique.
Then there's Bronya Zaychick—a quiet girl whose crippled body relies on a massive robot to fight. When we sparred, I was shocked by her precision and control. Despite her condition, her skills are admirable.
Life here at St. Freya is calm compared to the battlefield. I teach, eat, talk with my students, return to my dorm, and wake early every morning to train. It's peaceful… maybe too peaceful. Sometimes I catch myself missing the road, the wind, and the quiet rhythm of Lan's steps beside me.
(Lan's POV)
It has been a while since I joined Schicksal. I was assigned to Immortal Blades, serving as their only knight. Because of this, I often spar with Miss Durandal and Miss Rita Rossweisse, the two S-rank Valkyries of this generation.
Both are extraordinary. Miss Durandal adapts frighteningly fast—each match feels like fighting someone entirely new. Still, thanks to the sword manuals Teacher Adam gave me, I have managed to keep up with her and even leave a few scratches.
Miss Rita is another matter. She fights like an assassin—swift, elegant, and almost invisible. Fortunately, my sword style counters assassins like her, allowing me to land at least one decisive strike in every spar.
Being the only male in this unit is not easy. Most of the squad either ignores me or treats me with quiet distance. The only ones I can talk to are Miss Durandal and Miss Rita, and even those conversations are often short and professional.
Sometimes, in the quiet of night, I find myself thinking of Nava.
I miss her voice, her soft laughter, her curious eyes. During our travels, I realized that I had fallen for her. Her beauty is undeniable—her long pink hair, slightly longer than mine, her bright pink eyes that always look at me with gentle warmth. Her calm yet talkative nature always soothed my heart. Even her rambling about small, trivial things—I miss every moment of it.
Focus, Lan. You are a knight now. Emotions can wait.
Still, I wonder… is she eating well? Is she resting properly? Does she still train every morning?
When Miss Rita or Miss Durandal ask about my weapons, I only tell them the truth:
"They were given to me by my teacher."
Beyond that, I speak little about Teacher Adam. All they need to know is that he is strong—stronger than anyone I've ever met.
(Omni POV)
Love can be both the most dangerous and the most powerful of emotions. For Lan Yuan and Nava Arragon, it became a source of strength. They drew from it not to weaken themselves, but to refine who they were—to surpass even the limits their teacher once set.
Perhaps that was Grisha Adam's plan all along. He understood that love, when nurtured with discipline, could push a person beyond their boundaries.
Ah, Adam. Always one step ahead. Perhaps it is the Quill of Alzuhood, that overpowering artifact of yours, that allows such foresight.
Or perhaps… you and I simply think alike.
After all, this is indeed a reasonable development.
___________________________________________________________
I made this because I'm bored and Im on chapter 400 of RToC and holy was it goated
I'm feeling like answering some things so go and the questions you wanna ask
[Questions]
