My Origins May Not Be Much!
Training continued even after I witnessed firsthand just how durable Charlotte really was.
We had agreed that she'd make up for the lighter routines with personal training on her own.
Or so I thought...
Mm!
*Glance*
Mm! Mmm!
*Glance*
Lately, I could feel Charlotte's gaze on me more and more during training.
Are you still not satisfied with the training volume...?
Ah, no, no, that's not it!
I was just wondering if I did that part correctly...
You did great.
Really? Hehe!
Even after that...
Would it have been better to block that last move like this? Or like this?
How was that upward strike? Did it look okay?
Oh, um... was that one okay too?
She kept checking in with me like that.
Is this your way of asking for more intense training...?
N-no! I'm sorry if that's what it looked like!
It's just... sometimes I get unsure if I'm doing well enough.
Now that I'm a Grand Master, I need to set an example.
Right? The title "Grand Master" sounds so cool and dignified and noble, right?
But I've lived a life that's... a million light years away from that!
What kind of life did you live!?
Oh, nothing special. That's the problem—it was too ordinary.
I come from a very plain, humble family in Monastir.
Ever since I was little, people always said I was sturdy...
And I admired the knights and started dreaming of becoming one myself.
When I was chosen as a knight, it felt like a dream come true...
But Grand Master? That's way too much!
I never dreamed I'd go that far!
Still, I think you're perfect for the role, Charlotte.
Thank you... That's really kind of you...
In battle, you've got everything down perfectly.
Yeah, I've trained hard when it comes to the physical stuff.
That's the top duty of a knight protecting Monastir.
But being a Grand Master?!
A Grand Master's duty is to represent the entire Knights with dignity!
Every previous Grand Master came from noble blood.
They carried themselves with grace, etiquette, and manners!
It's not just battles. I have to attend national ceremonies too. And at those, everyone watches how I sit, walk, and even eat.
If I mess up, it reflects on the whole Knights...
So! That's why! I'm doing my absolute best, every day!
You're doing more than enough, Charlotte.
Compared to the previous Grand Masters, I'm lacking in every way...
Even this outfit and hairstyle... I had it all made to order and personalized just to look more like a proper Grand Master.
Wait, seriously?
I didn't know what would suit me, so I asked Carmen and Lad—I mean, Quartermaster Frey for help.
Even now, I'm still not sure this look fits me...
I think it suits you well.
*Sniffle* You're so kind...
Thank you...!
So why were you chosen to be the Grand Master?
I'm not sure. The previous Grand Master never gave me a reason.
Just said, "You'll do well. You're the right person for it."
I've thought about it a lot, worked hard... but I still don't really know.
But...
But?
Maybe I'll figure it out once this Journey is over.
Like how becoming a knight changed everything for me...
Maybe overcoming this next hurdle will help me grow too.
Or at least that's what I believe!
That's a great mindset!
Hehe. I do worry a lot, but it usually doesn't last too long.
But um...
I think I'm getting a bit... hungry...
When's our next meal, by the way?
After training, Charlotte packed a hefty meal and headed back to her room.
She muttered something about how she can't relax and eat properly around other people.