Turning

Chapter 9

"Yuder! Yuder! Wait a moment."

Yuder halted at her call, just as he was about to escape the tedious reading and writing class.

In the world before Yuder died, Kanna was one of the few who had adapted better to the current Cavalry unit than anyone else, even though she hadn't been part of it.

It was no ordinary feat to maintain a somewhat friendly relationship with everyone among the Cavalry unit members, who were diverse in terms of social status, age, gender, and even their places of origin.

Despite not having exceptional physical abilities in exchange for her special powers, the fact that she never complained during the grueling training was enough to win the affection of many.

As if her tense and rigid expression when they first met was a lie, Kanna as a member of the Cavalry unit was praised for being sociable and competent.

Kanna never forgot her gratitude towards Yuder, who had helped her pass the entrance exam for the Cavalry unit. Although they hardly had a chance to meet due to the different training schedules, they always exchanged warm greetings whenever they crossed paths.

Thanks to Kanna and Gakane spreading stories about Yuder's advice on the Cavalry unit test as if it were a mysterious experience, Yuder received much more friendly attention from his colleagues than before.

It was a strange experience for him, who used to be alone among the Awakeners with the same power, as he was considered to be quiet and unlucky.

"Phew. It's so difficult to catch a glimpse of your face."

Kanna, who had called Yuder, panted with a smile.

"What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing much. I was just wondering if it's true that you haven't chosen your division yet."

Yuder looked into Kanna's blue eyes and nodded slightly.

"It's true."

"Is there any reason? The commander was curious about it."

At those words, Yuder paused for a moment.

"The commander?"

Why was Kishiar La Orr's name mentioned here? Yuder's face, which tilted its head and asked back, had subtle emotions that Kanna could hardly perceive.

"I went to the commander's office earlier with Jodie to report on our division selections. He asked if I had any idea which division you might choose."

"…"

"I actually thought you would've chosen your course on the first day. Do you have any concerns? If you need advice, you can tell me anything. I'm confident in reading information, so if you need help, I'll do it for free."

Kanna occasionally used her ability to help her fellow unit members. Her ability to read the information of objects was surprisingly helpful to many people.

It was like fortune-telling, helping people find what they had forgotten or making them realize things they didn't know themselves.

It was only natural that many people wanted to see it for themselves, even if they had to pay for it. Everything was just as Yuder had expected.

"No, I'm fine."

However, Yuder had no reason to ask for her help. Not yet, anyway.

For him, the most important thing right now was not to lose the valuable human resources he had once forgotten and passed by.

'However… that man's intentions do bother me….'

Yuder hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth towards Kanna.

"Did he say anything else besides that?"

"Anything else?"

Kanna seemed to be recalling her memory for a moment, then shook her head.

"I don't remember anything in particular."

"I see."

"Maybe he thought I was the one who talked the most with you and just asked without any particular meaning. After all, you only have to decide by tomorrow, so don't feel pressured."

Although Kanna said that, Yuder didn't think so. She didn't know what kind of person Kishiar La Orr was.

Most of the members had a bottomless faith and affection for Kishiar, who underwent tough training with them and showed a fair attitude. However, that man was not as fair as they thought. Rather, if they knew...

Yuder furrowed his brow as he recalled several memories related to that man. Most memories of him weren't very pleasant.

'But the person I need to save and bring to my side first is still that man.'

Although he was the man Yuder had killed in the past, it was different this time. He was still alive and would not die in the future. Not only that, but Yuder also had to make sure that he remained alive and continued to hold the position of the commander of the Cavalry. Because Yuder would make it so.

Yuder composed himself. As he bowed his head lightly to Kanna to convey his gratitude, her face briefly showed a hint of wanting to say something more.

"Oh, speaking of which..."

"Yes?"

As he looked at her as if to ask if she had anything more to say, Kanna slightly furrowed her brow.

"The commander thinks that you and I are close, but isn't it a bit too much that you still don't speak comfortably with me? You speak comfortably with Gakane and your roommates, so why do you keep using formal language with me?"

Caught off guard by her unexpected words, Yuder momentarily froze. It was the first time someone had ever said that to him, from his previous life to the present. Why did he use casual language with some people and formal language with others? Well...

"Since you started using formal language first, I just use it too."

"Oh, so it's not a big deal then?"

Of course, it wasn't a big deal. Yuder had always been terrible at building relationships with people, perhaps due to his years of living alone in the mountains.

The reason he was able to lead a group for nearly ten years was that the Cavalry was a unique organization that promoted people based solely on the strength or weakness of their abilities.

"Actually, I was really concerned about it. I was curious about the reason. But if it's simply for that reason, I'll use informal language from now with you. Is that okay? After all, the members usually use casual language regardless of their status."

"Do as you please."

As Yuder slowly replied, Kanna's expression brightened.

"Great. I should have asked earlier. It feels refreshing. See you later, then!"

Yuder turned his head, watching Kanna's retreating figure disappear.

He couldn't have imagined that many Cavalry members who had found it difficult to talk to him properly due to their thoughts about him would, upon hearing Kanna's words, begin using informal language with him from the next day.

At that time, there was only one thought that filled Yuder's mind. As soon as the day's tasks were over, he would go to where Kishiar La Orr was staying and deliver the news of the decision he had made. That was all.

------

The training of the Cavalry ended around sunset. After finishing dinner, Yuder managed to shake off Gakane, who was clinging to him, asking to play cards together, and headed to the upper floor of the dormitory building.

After climbing the seemingly endless spiral staircase for several floors, he finally reached the fifth floor. There, a white, antique door appeared, adorned with a golden lion's head as a door knocker. It was the symbol of the imperial family - the lion that swallowed the light.

Yuder stopped for a moment as he saw the door knocker. He felt a strange emotion. Once, he could have entered his room through that door.

After Kishiar La Orr handed over the position of the leader of the Cavalry to Yuder, he used the original structure of the room without any changes.

The only difference was that, unlike Kishiar who had used an entire floor for personal purposes befitting his high status, Yuder had converted the remaining space, except for a small bedroom, into a place that could be used for public purposes.

People found it creepy that he could use the space of the former commander, rumored to have been killed by him, without any problem. But for Yuder, this was the only place where he could breathe without having to worry about others' eyes.

It felt as if the room he had used for nearly ten years would appear as soon as he opened that door. It was a familiar yet very strange feeling.

Yuder suppressed his emotions and reached for the door knocker. However, before he could knock, the door opened from the inside, revealing a tall man.

"…Hmm?"

"…"

Apparently about to go somewhere, Kishiar, dressed in simple clothes with a long coat over them, momentarily widened his eyes before his expression returned to its usual state.

Perhaps it was because they had encountered an unexpected situation, but Yuder felt his heart beating a little faster, even though he thought he had mentally prepared himself for the visit.

Since his return, this was the first time he had properly faced Kishiar, and it was also the first time they had met alone.

During the Cavalry test, Kishiar had used a transformation spell on his face, allowing Yuder to maintain an objective emotional state. Apart from that, there had been no reason to worry about him, as they had barely glimpsed each other occasionally among the 300 Cavalry members.

But now, it was different. Would this be the feeling of facing a monster waiting for him in a dead-end alley with no other place or reason to turn his gaze?

Yuder looked up at Kishiar and took a thin, deep breath. Finally, his racing heart calmed down a bit.

Despite knowing that the other party wouldn't have any thoughts about it, the constant intrusion of uncomfortable emotions and unnecessary feelings must have been due to the strong memories of the past.

Kishiar La Orr. In reality, Yuder had known him for less than two years. However, his existence had left an indelible and powerful mark on Yuder's life, whether it had been a short or long time.