"Nothing much has changed from the past so far."
Of course, Yuder's roommates and Kanna's acceptance had differed from his previous life, but the faces of his former roommates hadn't been memorable enough to matter. The addition of just Kanna did not affect the overall flow of events.
The events unfolding within the Cavalry proceeded exactly as Yuder remembered.
There were only minor incidents: the blue-haired twins engaging in verbal spats with passing knights, or brief commotions during training when someone accidentally caused a magical explosion.
"And soon, our lodging will change."
They would soon move from their temporary residence in the Imperial Knight dormitory to the newly completed building dedicated specifically to the Cavalry. That place had been Yuder's true home for a long time before his eventual downfall. Although the Emperor had gifted him several houses after his promotion, Yuder had never felt any attachment to them. His real home had always been that small room in the top corner of the Cavalry building.
However, this time he wouldn't be seeking promotion, which meant he would never stay in that particular room again. Feeling a strange sense of nostalgia for a place that hadn't even been fully inaugurated yet, Yuder exhaled softly.
"Yuder, surely you're not tired already?"
Gakane, who had been training beside him, asked with a look of disbelief. Gakane had quickly become a famous figure within the Cavalry due to his looks and sociability, yet he never left Yuder's side. He always initiated conversations, regardless of whether Yuder responded. It was both amazing and strange.
In fact, if Yuder had to name the most significant change since his return, it was his relationship with Gakane. However, the shadow of the future loomed; Gakane was destined to die in an accident during a mission about a year from now. The event Yuder had once felt indifferent to now occasionally tormented him.
'I intend to prevent the deaths of those with abilities, including Gakane Bolunwald's, but…'
Could he actually do it? He hadn't yet accomplished anything significant enough to save someone destined to die. The outcome of events that had not yet occurred remained a mystery.
"I'm fine." Yuder cleared his thoughts and stood up.
"That's right. That's more like you."
What did it mean to be "like himself"? Even though he behaved the same way as before, no one had tried to make eye contact with Yuder in the past. Yet, the Gakane in front of him looked at him with an innocent, friendly gaze. It was peculiar.
—–
A month passed, and the Cavalry members moved to their new building located right next to the Imperial Knights' grounds. The building had been designed specifically with their training in mind, which infuriated the knights. They despised the Cavalry like insects and couldn't stand that these "lowly" people had better accommodations than they did.
Yuder's roommates remained the same, but the room was much larger. When they lay in their separate beds, the space was divided enough to offer a sense of privacy.
As Yuder remembered, the harsh training continued, constantly evolving. There were no dropouts yet, though occasional injuries occurred. What surprised the others—but not Yuder—was that Commander Kishiar participated in the same training.
'For the highest-ranking person to move directly to determine the training method… it's no ordinary feat.'
Unlike the members who were busy bonding, Kishiar disappeared immediately after training sessions, but his presence was a constant encouragement to the recruits.
After three months of this routine, Kishiar finally summoned the Cavalry again. They stood before him, looking much sharper than they had on day one. The most significant change was their official black uniforms. When more than three hundred of them gathered, all wearing the black versions of Kishiar's white uniform, the atmosphere became unusually tense.
"First of all, I would like to thank you for following the unstructured training you have received so far," Kishiar began, before getting to the main point. "For the past three months, I've been testing your limits. The reason was to establish the structure of the Cavalry, and that phase is now over. Based on your experience, you must now make a choice."
"A choice?" Hinn, the elder of the blue-haired twins, asked. If the knights had been present, they would have glared at her for daring to question a Duke, but only the Cavalry was here. Kishiar simply nodded with a smile.
"That's right. You will choose your division. There are three choices: the Shin Division, the Sul Division, and the Jung Division."
Kishiar repeated the explanation Yuder had heard long ago. The Shin Division was for those who focused on physical abilities; the Sul Division was for those with magic-like, elemental abilities; and the Jung Division was for everyone else—those with utility or non-combat powers.
"I'm not asking you to choose right now. Let me know your decision within a week."
Kishiar occupied the entire top floor of the new dormitory building. Once the announcement was finished, the recruits began to filter out.
"Yuder, which division will you choose? Obviously the Sul Division, right?" Gakane asked on the way back.
"What about you?" Yuder countered, not ready to reveal his hand.
"I'll go with the Shin Division," Gakane replied immediately. "I thought about the Sul Division, but during training, I felt that my ability might not be the end of it. If I can improve more… I think the Shin Division is the right path."
Yuder looked at Gakane, genuinely surprised. It had only been three months, and Gakane already sensed that his abilities could evolve? It was a remarkably rapid progression, especially considering the academic world had not yet realized that an Awakener's powers could grow with effort. Perhaps Gakane's talent was even more exceptional than Yuder had initially realized.
'Where should I go, then?'
Yuder fell into deep thought. He was convinced he could change the future if he played his cards right. In the past, he had joined the Sul Division and quickly became the deputy commander. To repeat that would lead to the same predetermined outcome.
'Then, the only option left is the Shin Division.'
Though his greatest strength lay in manipulating natural attributes, he was also a master of weapons. He wouldn't fall behind in the Physical Division. He might not rise to the rank of deputy commander, but that was exactly what he wanted—to stay out of the spotlight while remaining effective.
'And if I go to the Shin Division… I'll see Kishiar La Orr more often.'
Yuder considered Kishiar's own abilities. Though unknown to the public, Kishiar's powers were perfectly suited for the Shin Division. He possessed absolute physical control and excelling defense.
In the past, as part of the Sul Division, Yuder had rarely interacted with Kishiar one-on-one during the early days. But in the Shin Division, Kishiar personally supervised training. Kishiar was a brilliant leader—a fact that became even more apparent to Yuder now that he was viewing the man through the lens of the past.
'But why? Why did he pass the position of leader to me back then? And so without hesitation, as if it had been planned from the start?'
Yuder decided he had to join the Shin Division to find that answer.
—–
Within three days, most members had made their choice. Those with physical enhancements went to Shin; those with elemental powers went to Sul. Little more than ten people chose the Jung Division.
"Yuder! Yuder! Wait a moment, please!"
Kanna, the girl who could read the information of objects, called out to him. She was one of those ten.