TRWTVPS 05

Chapter 05

The moment he stepped into the training hall, Edward let out another sigh at the sharp, oppressive atmosphere.

And the instant he saw Erin, he couldn’t help but look puzzled.

She looked calm, as if she couldn’t feel the overwhelming presence of the swordsmanship students.

Was that even possible?

Like a herbivore instinctively fearing a carnivore, an ordinary person shouldn’t be able to withstand the aura of trainee knights.

‘Well, that’s strange.’

Still, Edward didn’t dwell on the discomfort. Perhaps Erin was simply unusually insensitive.

Convincing himself of that, he walked to the center of the training hall. He could feel the students’ gazes turning toward him.

“Good morning.”

He greeted them briefly.

Some of the students held higher status than him, but that meant nothing inside the academy.

The tense atmosphere eased slightly.

“You all look refreshed. Must’ve had a good rest.”

With that, he swept his gaze across the students.

The swordsmanship department of Atens Academy was filled with prodigies.

Especially for those from kingdoms outside the Empire, only the top three in their nation were granted admission.

In other words, it was a place every aspiring knight dreamed of entering.

Except for one person.

Edward’s eyes settled on Erin.

Her voluminous brown hair and pale skin—untouched by much sunlight—stood out.

‘She doesn’t even look like she can properly hold a sword.’

His evaluation was quick.

“On the first day, we’ll start with a simple swordsmanship assessment.”

With that, Edward pointed at one of the students.

The evaluation began.

Edwin Kingdom’s Philip, Riamond Kingdom’s Bianca, Russell Kingdom’s Homer…

Erin quietly waited for her turn as the others went.

She already knew the order in which Edward was calling names.

On the first day, both advanced and beginner classes attended together.

‘He’s going in order of strength.’

Ferdin and Derek from the advanced class had long since finished their evaluations and stepped down.

Ferdin’s sword was steady, Derek’s sharp.

Their unexpectedly fierce presence caused a glint of interest to appear in Erin’s eyes.

She watched every single performance without missing a detail.

Then someone approached her.

Erin already knew who it was—Philip from the Edwin Kingdom, who had just finished his test.

‘He hated me.’

He was someone who took the greatest pride in being part of the academy’s swordsmanship department.

And among all students, he despised Erin the most.

“Do you think staring like that will change anything?”

Instead of answering, she looked up at him.

Philip was so tall that Erin had to tilt her head back just to meet his eyes.

With a scowl, he continued,

“Want me to tell you what’s going to happen? How humiliating it’ll be for you?”

“Do you have the power of prophecy or something?”

“What?”

Philip was genuinely startled by her reply.

He had intended to intimidate her.

He knew very well how imposing his large, muscular frame was—even compared to seasoned knights.

Just standing there should have been enough to pressure her psychologically.

Yet she responded calmly—without even a hint of nervousness.

If anything, when their eyes met, he felt suffocated.

She was just a small, ordinary girl who hadn’t even learned swordsmanship.

Then why?

Despite his confusion, Philip couldn’t let her go.

Summoning all his willpower, he spoke again, though cold sweat began to trickle down.

“You’re not even a knight…”

Erin found those words strangely nostalgic.

They were something Philip had always said to her in the past.

Back then, she had no way to refute him.

He was right—she wasn’t even a trainee knight.

Who would recognize someone who couldn’t even hold a sword as part of the swordsmanship department?

But if her past self had been given a choice, she would have chosen to become a knight without hesitation.

So there was no longer any reason to endure his insults.

Erin began unwrapping the bandages around her hand.

Philip frowned at the strange action.

He had already assumed those bandages were fake—just a ploy to gain sympathy.

He recalled a rumor.

“Erin Risus was attacked by monsters? If it weren’t for Sir Leken, it could’ve been serious! Serves her right.”

Aside from the bandages, she didn’t seem injured at all.

‘As expected—just for show.’

But as her hand was gradually revealed, Philip fell silent.

Her hands were covered in wounds.

He couldn’t mistake what they meant.

He had seen those injuries countless times since childhood.

The torn palms, the bleeding, the formation of calluses—

They were the marks of someone who had just begun wielding a sword.

Her hands proved that she had been training.

Another rumor surfaced in his mind.

“They say Erin Risus defeated a group of monsters. What a ridiculous lie.”

The loosened bandages fell to the ground at his feet.

For some reason, that small piece of cloth felt unbearably heavy.

“Just watch from there.”

“……”

“Decide for yourself whether I’m a real knight or not.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Edward called her name.

“Erin Risus.”

In an instant, all eyes turned toward her.

Distrust, contempt, complete lack of expectation.

She walked forward, receiving all those gazes.

Erin’s arm trembled as she lifted the sword.

It was because she couldn’t handle the weight of the steel blade.

Pfft.

Someone laughed.

They couldn’t openly mock her under Edward’s watchful eyes, but they were ready to enjoy her humiliation.

In the past, Erin had cried here after hearing those laughs.

“Pathetic.”

“As expected. She should know her place and disappear.”

Those words echoed in her ears.

No one had pitied her.

Not even herself.

Only after living three lives did she realize—

Crying alone changes nothing.

If it’s unfair and frustrating, you have to become stronger.

So she worked herself to the bone.

Now, Erin knew how to wipe away her own tears.

Soon, the trembling in her arm stopped.

The faint mana within her body—so small it was almost unnoticeable—made its presence known, supporting her strength.

It was the amount of mana any ordinary person might have.

Normally, it would be useless.

But she was no ordinary person.

Erin straightened her arm.

Unlike before, there was no more shaking.

The Risus swordsmanship demanded power in every strike.

That’s why people often said it wasn’t suitable for women.

‘Nonsense.’

She dismissed that idea with a single thought.

No one could wield Risus swordsmanship more perfectly than her.

People believed that since the Marquis Risus hadn’t become a master, Caron would.

Even Erin once thought so.

But in this generation, no master would come from the Risus family.

Caron Risus never became one.

No one expected it.

But now, she knew why better than anyone.

‘I was the one chosen by the sword!’

Her mana-enhanced body moved.

The sword in her hand vibrated with a heavy hum.

From her hands flowed perfect Risus swordsmanship.

Each clean, unwavering arc carved through the air, accompanied by sharp sounds slicing the silence.

It was impossible to believe that this was the same Erin Risus everyone knew.

Who could have expected such mastery from someone who had been trembling under the sword’s weight moments ago?

When her brief demonstration ended—

Silence fell over the training hall.

Then the instructor spoke.

“…That was excellent swordsmanship.”

As soon as Edward finished speaking, Erin sheathed her sword.

He didn’t even try to hide his shock.

It seemed he had lost the ability to speak.

Sweat dripped down Erin’s forehead.

Blood seeped from her torn palms.

The once noisy training hall remained silent.

The way people looked at her had completely changed.

Her hand trembled faintly.

A small thrill crept up from her fingertips.

She had changed the past.