I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [50]

A faint glow tinged the morning sky.

It was another day's beginning.

The dawn might look the same each day, yet each sunrise felt uniquely beautiful.

Whether the morning was clear and bright, shrouded in misty rain, graced by cloudless skies, or streaked with fiery clouds, every dawn held its own quiet wonder.

Okita Souji was still asleep in bed, her head not on the pillow but instead wrapped snugly within the blanket. Next to her pillow lay her student handbook.

Though it was called a handbook, it was basically just a rebranded smartphone—complete with internet access, calling capabilities, and all sorts of functions.

For example…

Suddenly, Okita sprang to life from beneath the blanket, twisting in one fluid motion and half-crouching on her bed like Spider-Man, her amber eyes fixed on the student handbook.

After a moment, in the split second before her alarm sounded, she pressed the button to silence it, a triumphant grin spreading across her face as the room fell silent again.

"Heh! The terrifying alarm beast has been defeated by Okita Ultraman! Victory for Miss Okita!"

Yes, the student handbook also functioned as an alarm clock.

Not that she needed it. Okita always woke up on time anyway, barely giving her alarm a chance to do its job.

With a quick tug, she drew open the curtains, then stepped out onto the balcony, greeting the rising sun with enthusiasm. "Good morning, Mister Sun!"

Some say that the difference between humans and animals lies in our sense of wonder—that we find beauty in the little moments, in our expressions of love and appreciation.

Like watching the sun rise from the eastern horizon, along that faint line of dawn.

The horizon—the boundary where sky and earth meet, and yet, the line that divides them.

There were probably many myths about that horizon, though Okita hadn't looked into it much.

She only vaguely remembered that, in Mesopotamian mythology, both the horizon and the line of dawn were weapons wielded by the god Zababa. They were named the "Verdant Horizon that Parts a Thousand Mountains" and the "Dawn Line that Burns a Thousand Seas."

Of course, she was talking about the myths of the Fate universe. What those myths were like in her own world, she didn't know.

"But I'd sure love to swing a sword like that one day…"

Okita's eyes lingered on that red-hued horizon, her gaze wistful.

To wield a blade that could split sky and earth—that would be something beyond cool!

She raised her hands, gripping an imaginary sword, and slowly slashed along the invisible line where sky met earth.

For breakfast, Okita decided on something simple—a small, sweet pastry.

She didn't particularly like sweets in the early morning, and making them always gave her the uncomfortable feeling of someone watching over her, scrutinizing her every move.

But right now, dessert-making was about all Okita knew how to do. She didn't know how to make much else, and even this skill had been drilled into her by that woman.

The woman had impossibly high standards when it came to desserts, which meant that while Okita couldn't even manage to fry an egg, her dessert-making was top-tier.

After all, if her desserts weren't world-class, that woman would never have been satisfied.

"Hmm… high-calorie food like this… hmm… I'll get fat, won't I?"

As she savored the pastry, Okita couldn't help worrying about her weight.

If she gained weight, it would be hard to keep her footwork light.

And if the fat ended up in her chest, it would just get in the way of her sword swings.

Hmm… it was such a dilemma.

The dorm room was quiet with just Okita there, so she allowed herself a bit more freedom.

Then again, she was used to this. In college, whenever her roommates had some free time, they'd head out to see their girlfriends, play mahjong, or go to karaoke. During exam season, they'd flock to the library to study, leaving her alone in the dorm, sometimes for days on end, with no one else coming back at night.

Was she lonely? Maybe a little. Her roommates had always been so lively that, when they were gone, the silence would catch her off guard. Sometimes, she'd realize that she hadn't spoken a single word all day.

But the solitude had its perks too. She could stay up late without worrying about disturbing anyone's sleep, and there was no one to fight over the bathroom with.

That sense of freedom would last until her roommate returned, just as the loneliness would.

The television was on, airing the morning news. Okita had traded her usual black haori for the school uniform of Hagun Academy.

The news currently focused on the Kingdom of Vermillion's second princess, Stella Vermillion, who had achieved the highest entrance exam score in Hagun's history.

The news anchor seemed almost starstruck, describing the young princess with words like "genius," "strongest," "top of her class," and "rising star" so often that Okita's ears were starting to itch from all the praise.

Only when the camera finally cut to the red-eyed, red-haired girl with twin pigtails did Okita glance at the screen.

"So, that's the 'tsundere heroine,' huh?"

She looked at the beautiful girl on the TV, then shrugged, glancing away.

Sure, she was pretty, but her swordsmanship… not exactly impressive.

To be honest, even the protagonist, Ikki Kurogane, didn't have the level of swordsmanship Okita found thrilling—at least, not yet. He was still too green.

But that was okay because Ikki's talent in swordsmanship was remarkable, especially his borderline inhuman ability to learn.

She may not yet see that unpolished blade honed to perfection, but just witnessing his progress could be incredibly rewarding for her.

Turning off the TV, she tossed the remote onto the couch, then triple-checked that she'd brought her keys. Her roommate wasn't back yet, so if she forgot her keys, she'd be locked out of the dorm.

Stepping out the door, she was greeted by a cool, refreshing breeze.

The perfect morning for a run.

"I'm heading out!"

The morning breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms, mingling with the cherry pink of Okita's short hair and lending it a delicate fragrance.

"A lone cherry blossom dancing by the shore… Okita Souji—takes the field!"

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T/N: Author posted an image of a smug face but that was just a tuna so I didn't add it, what I'm really thinking is when he gonna show what level he took Okita too! ANYWAYS TAX TIME YOU THOUGHT I FORGOT BUT NAH

Also you'll most likely know what world we are in now!

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!

If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]