Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

We sat side by side on the bench, gazing into the distance.

The refreshing sky and the blue garden calmed my mind. As the breeze gently stirred, I could see the delicate petals fluttering. The sound of birds chirping tangled in the air like a spider’s web.

Logan, now sitting next to me, felt more comfortable since he didn’t have to meet my gaze. I appreciated it, so I didn’t point it out.

“So, what are you curious about?”

“I’m wondering how Shayden and I met and why he keeps trying to take care of me. And also whether the kids who attended my birthday banquet have their own groups.”

“…Well, actually, Roze Youngshik has always been looking out for you, hasn’t he?”

“At the birthday banquet, there were so many kids that I didn’t remember much.”

Logan hesitated for a moment, and instead of answering my question, he asked something trivial.

“Um… can I ask why parties are called banquets?”

“No.”

“…Ah, right. That never changes. Well, it’s a bit awkward to say since it’s something everyone knows, but on your fifth birthday, we were all playing in the room, and then Danbi begged to go play outside, so we went out. Do you remember?”

I was momentarily surprised that Logan Serbel also referred to Damian Philaroi as Danbi, but I figured the other children who had attended my birthday banquet probably called him that as well, so I let it pass.

I nodded when he asked if I remembered.

The garden had been so well arranged that it was something to boast about. It was rather funny to keep the children all in one room when they could be outside playing in the beautiful garden. Playing hide-and-seek outside was a yearly tradition.

“On that day, Shayden Roze Youngshik tried to hide behind a tree but fell into the pond. You, only five years old, jumped in and saved him. Even though the older kids were making a fuss about getting branches and going into the water, you just jumped right in.”

“…Did that happen?”

I didn’t remember this part.

If a child had fallen into the water, of course, it was only natural to save them. It was as routine as the sun rising and setting. There was no reason for me to have kept it in my memory.

“Back then, Roze Youngshik was crying and thanking you, and you said…”

“Hm?”

“You said there was no need for friends to say that kind of thing. After that, Roze Youngshik went around telling everyone that you were his best friend.”

“…”

Until I entered Siren Academy, I hadn’t memorized Shayden Roze’s name or face.

There were many reasons for that. There were so many red-haired boys at my birthday banquet, and the children grew so quickly each year that their faces changed constantly.

Moreover, they wore different clothes and accessories every time they came, so I couldn’t even tell them apart by their appearances. Their faces were so different from those in the central continent that it was hard to distinguish them…

Still, I felt a little guilty, so I rubbed my face with both hands.

I remembered the green-eyed boy who had been shaken and shocked when he realized I didn’t remember him on the day of the academy entrance ceremony.

Now, after becoming friends with him, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

Seeing me try to calm my emotions with a brisk face wash, Logan Serbel hesitated for a moment before gently patting my shoulder. Since it was clearly meant to comfort me, I didn’t shake him off.

“You really were amazing back then. You were such a tiny little thing, smaller than my waist now, but you didn’t hesitate at all to jump into the pond. You grabbed Roze Youngshik, who was flailing about, and draped him over your shoulder, then swam forward…”

“…”

“Roze Youngshik kept crying and clinging to me, and I sank into the water several times, but I didn’t cry or get angry. I just got out of the water and told the attendants to come and change my clothes. I gave orders, completely like a commander.”

“…Was that enough? Was there something like that again?”

“…Yes, there were a lot.”

“…Only with Shayden?”

“Of course not. The next year, there were even young ladies who purposely jumped into the pond hoping you would save them. Fortunately, the attendants were waiting nearby, so they were rescued right away, and nothing serious happened…”

Listening to Logan Serbel tell these stories as if recounting heroic deeds felt awkward and strange, almost like listening to Marieanne’s nonsense.

Most of the stories were about rescuing children who had fallen into water, helping those who climbed trees, comforting those who tripped, and reconciling those who fought… All those things seemed so insignificant.

When children were gathered in one place, it was natural and expected that an adult like me should take care of them.

I had simply done what needed to be done, but it was surprising and embarrassing that so many children regarded me as a close friend because of it.

“Did Damien Christopher and Benjamin Claudian come to my birthday every year?”

“Well, Claudian Youngshik probably didn’t. His estate is quite far away, so it would have been difficult for him to come easily. But I think Damien came every year except for one…”

“…I see. Are Shayden and Damien close?”

“Since their estates are close to each other? It’s about the same distance as between the Ernhardt and Serbel estates. They are near each other, and it only takes a few days by carriage.”

“Mm…”

It was surprising that there were so many stories that only they seemed to remember, even though I had been there as well.

When I silently fell into deep thought, Logan, who had been quietly sitting next to me, changed the topic in a friendly manner.

“I’m glad you seem to have adapted quite well to life at Siren Academy. You’re getting better at remembering people’s names. Have you become close with anyone else?”

“Well…”

I paused for a moment, thinking. There were so many faces that came to mind.

I had met so many children, gotten familiar with their faces, and walked with them, which made me realize how much had happened.

Among them, I suddenly thought of a boy who had blushed bright red and muttered during the vacation that he would miss me.

He was quite cute. I wondered if he had found a proper partner this year.

“Prince Luver and… I think we’ve become a bit close.”

“…The second prince? Wait, hold on… The second prince is in second year now, how…?”

“Hm?”

I found it strange that he was so surprised. After seeing Logan flustered, I thought I might need to explain that my growing friendship with Luver wasn’t something odd.

Logan Serbel might be afraid of getting tangled in the succession struggles because of me, but I needed to reassure him that it wouldn’t spill over into family matters, so there was no need to worry.

“I started training early and now have a skill level in Sword Expert that’s close to advanced. I’ve been taking swordsmanship classes from Professor Maelo Sanson. We met through that class, and the boy is kind, simple, and knows how to give, so we became friends.”

“…”

I looked over at him because he hadn’t responded.

Logan was staring at me with his mouth wide open, so I helped him close it by gently pushing his chin up.

He widened his eyes even more and froze for a moment before suddenly shouting right in my ear.

“What?!!”

“No, it’s not that surprising. I’ve been training early, so having a Sword Expert level of skill shouldn’t be that shocking.”

“Did you think I was surprised by that? No, who’s kind and simple? Are you talking about Luver Anti-Siren, the second prince?”

“Yes. I heard he’s the only one with black hair and black eyes.”

As Logan’s mouth dropped open again, I helped him close it once more in the same manner.

Logan Serbel looked so stunned that I wondered if I had misunderstood Luver’s nature, so I asked about his personality.

Logan hesitated several times, not wanting to sound like he was sowing discord, but eventually, after I reassured him, he told me what he knew.

According to Logan, Luver the second prince was famous for his cool demeanor.

His black hair and eyes made his pale face appear even whiter. His superior swordsmanship and cold, dignified voice commanded respect, making everyone look up to him.

It was then that I learned Logan Serbel’s exact age.

Logan was 17, four years older than me. I also found out that he was still in his third year at the academy, despite what I had thought — that he had already graduated.

Since he was supposed to know Luver, who had enrolled last year, I couldn’t help but feel a bit skeptical. I hadn’t spoken with Luver closely enough to understand him, and I wondered if I had mistaken his shyness for a cold personality.

“No, he actually acts cutely. He’s a bit shy and speaks less, so it seems like he doesn’t have many friends. I don’t know how he plans to become emperor with that temperament, but well, he’ll figure it out.”

“…”

Logan stared at me for a long while before changing the subject.

“What about other friends? Have you become close with anyone else?”

“I’m also close with Marieanne Philodendor from the Ministry of Magic. There’s a friend of hers, a girl named Jenny, and they’re both very sharp, so I learn a lot when I hang out with them.”

“Ah, the Ministry of Magic. I heard you sparred with Edwin Kiadris recently.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve decided to become close with Edwin as well.”

“…What?”

“As a bet, I asked him to introduce me to someone, and he agreed to give himself.”

“…Wait, wait. I’m having trouble keeping up with this story. He gave himself to you?”

“He seriously apologized.”

Logan Serbel, just like I did earlier, rubbed his face with both hands.

As I watched him seem to struggle with the conversation, he soon stood up, as if to move to another spot. I followed suit.

“No, I won’t ask anymore. Just… No, I’ll guide you to the open field. Let’s go. You don’t have any more questions, right?”

“Mm.”

Although I wanted to hear more about the personalities and families of the children Logan knew, he seemed very uncomfortable with the topic, so I nodded and decided to drop it.

Since we would be staying at this villa for about a month, there would be plenty of opportunities later.

We were guided to a large grassy field, which was flat, so it didn’t seem bad at all.

Here, it would be better to practice light footwork techniques rather than swordsmanship. I thanked Logan for guiding me and expressing my gratitude.

The warm breeze tousled Logan Serbel’s shining golden hair, hiding his blue eyes, so his expression was hard to read.

Logan, in a tired voice, wished me well in my training and hoped I’d reach the level I was aiming for soon. I had always thought so, but he really was a good-natured boy.