A year has passed since I left the ogres’ village. It took me a year to reach their village after leaving the Barriered City. I thought the way back would be faster since I’m stronger now and have a map and a compass to guide me. But for some reason, it seems that this map is a little out-of-date. I was a little worried that it might be slightly off when I saw how old it was, and I was right.
Still better than nothing, though. It may be out-of-date, but it still serves as a useful guide. I don’t have to worry about wandering around like I did my first year, I thought. As always, I was still quite scared of death, but I never let the fear weigh me down. A bit worn-out but still plodding around, I suddenly saw something that looked like a big building, or perhaps a huge wall.
“No way no way no way no way… is that the city wall?”
It was just barely in sight, and I could only vaguely make it out. But there’s no doubt about it… that’s a Barriered City! I’m… I’m back!
“Nn… waah… I’m home… I’m home!! I’m so happy…”
The happiness overwhelmed me, choking me up. It was right in front of my eyes.
I… had to spend two years in the Twilight. And now… I’m finally back… I was abandoned by my party, unfairly made to leave the Barriered City, and had to wander around in the Twilight for two years. I’ve lived in constant fear. I may have gotten stronger, but the stronger I got, the more I realised just how different the Twilight World was. There are monsters and demons that are unbelievably strong. There were times I had to fight, but there were also times when I had to run for my life. Getting away alive was a victory in and of itself. After living like that for two years and crossing the continent twice… I’m finally back, I thought.
“Hn… It’s the Barriered City… I’m gonna cry…”
As I stood there, talking to myself and staring up at the city, a guard approached me. “Hey. No one should be outside the city right now. Who are you?”
“A human… You’re a human!!”
“Huh?”
“Whoops, sorry…”
It’s been two years since I last saw another human. I accidentally acted like the goblins from back then. Alright. Let’s talk to this guy calmly.
“I’ve, uh… been wandering around in the Twilight for two years… I just got back.”
“What?”
“Um, I’m telling the truth. I used to be a student at the Academy. You can check…”
“Your name?”
“It’s Yuria Curtis.”
“Please wait just a minute…” says the guard, going back to check. Hmm. I’d like to get inside as soon as possible, but I suppose I am pretty suspicious…
About 30 minutes later, the guard came back. “You’re Yuria Curtis, from the Third Barriered City, right? This is the Seventh, though. It took a little while to check.”
“Huh? The Seventh?”
“Yeah.”
“Really…”
Judging by the map, I was pretty sure I was in the area of the Third Barriered City. Yet somehow, I ended up at the Seventh. Hmm. I don’t really want to turn around and go back… and besides, there’s no reason for me to specifically go back to the Third City. Looks like I’m staying here.
”
”
“I checked your photo, but… the colour and length of your hair have changed. The length I understand, but what happened to your hair colour? Did you dye it?”
“This, uh… this is from stress…”
Yes, my hair had changed colour from brown to white. At first I thought it would be temporary, but as it grew I realised that even the roots were white. It’s probably from stress. Living in that cruel world, I was constantly one mistake away from dying. That’s why… probably.
As for my hair length, I haven’t cut it in two years, so it’s already grown to the bottom of my torso. I cut my bangs with a knife when they got in the way, but I haven’t cut the rest. I figured it’d be fine to leave it alone. After all, it served as proof that I was still alive.
“Hm… well, okay. In that case, I’ll have you answer a few private questions: give me your birthday, your parents’ names, and your grades at the Academy.”
“Understood.”
I felt like they were being a bit thorough, but I guess I am a pretty suspicious person. I guess it can’t be helped.
“Alright then, you can enter. First, you need to have a conversation with the Academy Headmaster. Are you interested in going back to school?”
“Yes!”
And so, I finally returned to a Barriered City.
***
The Seventh Barriered City didn’t seem all too different from home. Well, that makes sense, I thought, looking at the people around me. Ah… I felt the tension drain from my body as I realised that I was really back.
”
”
“Please take a shower here. Your clothes and belongings will be inspected. And… I’ll wash your clothes for you.”
“Thank you.”
I was at the Academy. Just like in the Third Barriered City, the Academy here was big. A teacher here… Delia, I think? That teacher told me I smelled, so I was taken to a shower. My belongings had already been inspected, actually. I’m pretty sure they just wanted me to wash my clothes.
I feel bad for them… All I could do in the Twilight was wash my body with cold water…
“You look much better now. Here are your clothes. Please get dressed.”
My clothes were already clean by the time I got out of the shower. They probably used magic.
“Thank you.”
I got dressed and gathered my belongings. Then, I was shown to the Headmaster’s office.
“I’ll be leaving now,” said Delia. She seemed kind of cool… wait, that’s not important right now. I have to go in.
I knocked on the door and heard a voice from inside. “You may enter.”
I entered the room with a polite “Excuse me.”
When I entered the room, I saw two blonde women. One of them was sitting at the desk and the other was standing in front of it. The one at the desk is probably the Headmaster, and the one standing is probably a student since she’s in uniform, I thought.
“Elza Amis. That’s my name. Nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Yuria Curtis,” I said as soon as I was inside the room. For some reason, I get the feeling the student is glaring at me… no, she’s definitely glaring.
“Mother, is this the person who survived in the Twilight for two years?”
“I’m sorry about this. Your circumstances are supposed to be top secret, but my daughter asked to meet you. Her name is…”
“Sherry. I’m Sherry Amis. Anyway, did you really survive for two whole years? In the Twilight? Are you lying? You seem pretty weak. And you look like a girl for some reason.”
“Haha… you’ve got a sharp tongue…”
Sherry Amis, huh.. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and is a little shorter than me. She’s tall for a woman, though. Beautiful, too. She gives off a bad impression, though, since she’s been glaring at me like a fox, I thought.
“Well then, Yuria. I can have you transferred here, if you’d like. Would you rather return to the Third Barriered City?”
“…No, I’ll transfer here.”
It’s not like I left anything behind there. I can aim to become an Exorcist here just as easily.
“We’ll do that, then, but… do you have any money?”
“Uh….”
Nope. Not even a little bit. I used to somehow manage to pay my tuition, but now I’ve got nothing. Wait, isn’t this bad?
“That’s good. If you can get a scholarship, you won’t have to pay the transfer fees, tuition, or even lodging fees.
“Really??”
“On one condition: you need to have a mock battle with my daughter.”
“Why?”
“For one reason: because I don’t believe you. There’s not a single human who’s ever survived in the Twilight for two years. And if you really did manage to survive in that cruel world, you’d be quite strong, no? I want to know just how powerful you are.”
“I see.”
“Why do you look so calm?” Sherry said suddenly. I was a little taken aback.
“Haha… you really are quite harsh, aren’t you…”
“Hmm. There’s no way I’m going to lose to a man this weak.”
“My daughter is actually a Rank 1 Exorcist, you know. She should be a great opponent for you.”
“Rank 1?? How old are you?”
“I just started my fourth year.”
“You’re in your fourth year and are already a Rank 1 Exorcist. That’s amazing…”
I asked someone when I was being inspected, but it’s currently May. The new school year has just begun. If she’s a fourth year, that means she’s the same age as me. Being a Rank 1 Exorcist at this age is definitely unusual.
Exorcists are ranked, and the ranks proceed as follows, from lowest to highest: Rank 5 -> Rank 4 -> Rank 3 -> Rank 2 -> Rank 1 -> Special Rank. Usually, people are Rank 3 Exorcists by the time they graduate. Particularly skilled people may even be Rank 2 when they graduate. But for Sherry to be a Rank 1 Exorcist in her fourth year… She really is incredibly strong. By the way, the Special Rank is for people who are special cases in some way, and the rank serves as a guideline for how well the student will do once they join the military. The higher your rank, the further your career as a soldier can go.
At the same time, I thought, how do I compare against other Exorcists now? I haven’t had a proper duel since I fought Chief Edgar. I’m curious. Can I become a strong Exorcist like my father?