For the past two years, since I got reincarnated in this new world I found myself in,

I have dedicated myself to absorbing the knowledge and rigorous training I received. As an old and dying veteran reincarnated within the delicate frame of a young boy in a noble family called the Rionharts of the southern province in the Empire of Suleria, those years were filled with a myriad of lessons and experiences that helped me discover more about this world and myself.

Under the tutelage of my father, Famus Rionhart, I underwent a homeschooled comprehensive education, preparing me to uphold the honor and responsibilities under the name and preparing me for the needs and challenges of the future.

My training encompassed a wide array of subjects, ranging from swordplay, etiquette, and diplomacy to the intricacies of combat and strategy. My father, a stalwart and respected figure, passed down his wisdom and expertise to me with unwavering determination.

He spared no effort in molding me into a noble worthy of the Rionhart legacy. With each passing day, my skills sharpened, and my understanding of the complexities of the sword and mind deepened. But it was my beloved mother, Sulfiana Rionhart, a former mage, who opened my eyes to the true wonders of this world and was the reason I found my new family.

Under her guidance, I delved into the world of magic, or as it is known here, "elemental arcs." She unraveled the secrets of this world's power, teaching me how to channel and shape it to my will. I immersed myself in the arcane arts, learning the intricate spells and incantations that wove the fabric of reality itself. The study of arcs became not only a path to strength but also a testament to my mother's enduring love for me and a connection to the past life I had left behind.

As a young noble in the grandiose halls of the mansion, my days were filled with responsibilities befitting my station further down the years. I navigated the intricate web of social interactions, attending lavish events and banquets that demanded impeccable grace and composure.

I learned to don the mask of a nobleman, hiding the turmoil within and presenting myself as a pillar of confidence and poise. Behind the charming smiles and polite nods, I harbored an insatiable hunger for knowledge and a desire to carve my own destiny in this world that had given me a second chance.

However, not everything was perfect; occasionally, I continue to experience flashbacks. I still harbor sadness and guilt for the fallen and my own life at the time. In my bed at night and sometimes during the day, I had trouble with the trauma I had. The voices are still present in my head, and I will never forget the horrors of battle, yet it is simple to make plans to turn around before changing.

Now, as the year of my rebirth begins to unfold, I stand at the precipice of a new chapter in my life.

At the dinner table, Famus dropped an unexpected bombshell on me. "Garrel, you're going to move to your aunt's province," he announced.

My eyes widened in shock. "What?" I exclaimed.

"And if you're wondering why," Famus continued, "it's because you'll be attending San Arcania University." he revealed, his words hanging in the air, laden with both opportunity and uncertainty.

Famus's unexpected announcement left me anxious. I was content with staying here and being educated by them rather than attending an expensive and renowned university like San Arcania. Although my family could afford it, I couldn't shake off the guilt of being privileged. The idea of moving away from home after all these years caught me completely off guard.

(Perhaps, deep down, I feared venturing outside.)

In my past life, I grappled with my own insecurities whenever I ventured outside the nursing home. I always think to myself that the world perceives me not as a war hero but rather as a murderer, haunted by the ghosts of my past deeds.

Yet deep within, I want to change myself by seeing further inside this new world with a body that has more freedom than the old world I was in.

(I not lettin' this scars of the past define me no more, 'cause I ain't the veteran I once was!) I thought to myself after finalizing my thoughtful decision.

"Thank you, Father, with my deepest gratitude for granting me the opportunity to attend such an academy. I will promise you that I will pass the entrance exam; don't worry," I said, brimming with appreciation as I executed a bow.

Both of them were surprised by my words, as if they hadn't heard something so formal from me. Famus then gave a straightforward reply,

"Okay, glad to hear that."

Virenis 12, 1359AX, 11:00 AM (A week later)

After packing up my essentials, I stood in front of the carriage, waiting to go to my aunt's province. All of them, including the servants and the maids, also stood outside to bid me farewell. Beside me was Famus, insuring me that I really understood him last night.

"Do you remember what I said to you last night?"

Before I moved away from the province, he told me multiple things that I must keep in mind.

"Garrel, as you venture beyond these mansion walls, you shall bear witness to the harsh realities of this world," he said to me.

"Yet, my child, remember this: with unwavering humility and tireless dedication, the world's cruelty shall pale in comparison to the vastness of its beauty and the opportunities that await you," he continued as he kneeled down on the same level as me.

"I get it, father, as you taught me," I said to him.

"Good, keep it like a promise," he said before he tapped my shoulder that night.

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I put my luggage on the carriage and had a sack of 15 Sulerian gold coins as my allowance. Sul hugged me very tightly, and I almost lost my breath a bit. Then Famus patted my head and said,

"Garrel, be a good boy to Aunt, okay?"

"Yeah, sure, dad," I said in return.

I and Famus both smiled and giggled, then he put me in the carriage and closed the door for me, while my father was about to close the carriage door.

Sittia comes running up to me. The maids, who are in line, were shocked when a maid broke in line. Sittia comes up to me, and she's crying like hell, and she begs,

"Please don't go yet!"

I didn't expect she'd be very emotional to see me go like this.

Sittia POV

As I cried on his chest, I felt like I was losing something as valuable as jewelry or even more precious than that.

I've been honoring my loyalty as a maid with Mama in the Rionharts' household. Mama, who has been a maid for a long time, chose me to work with the Rionharts because she believes the Rionharts are the reason we are still surviving.

We used to stay in the farmhouse, but we got evicted because we couldn't pay our debt on what our late father left to us. We became homeless and stayed in the forest, but luckily we are near Rionhart's manor, and they help us.

I feel useless at the servants' quarters, and that's why I beg my mother to work with her and pick my passion as a maid.

The Rionharts are extremely generous and kind to us, feeding us and sheltering us. Then there was something more that made me want to work for them.

"Garrel..."

This boy's name is Garrel Rionhart, the Lord's and Lady's only heir and I felt a great connection with him. He's vigorous and smart. He also loved to read at a very young age.

I can't even read yet.

Whenever I see him, I always flatter him and lose my composure. Even until now, I couldn't get my eyes off of him for years in the household. But last night, I overheard their conversation about him moving to another province to live with Lady Lillyth, which meant I couldn't see him again.

I feel like I'm going to break apart.

"Sittia..."

I could hear him calling my name from the bottom of my heart.

"Sittia?"

My heart starts to pump so hard, as if it were uncontrollable, that I can't see him ever again, or he might not even want to see me.

"SITTIA!"

He had awoken me from my panic, and my heart calmed down when he grabbed my shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I looked away embarressed, which turned my face red as a tomato and made me feel like I was going to die as my tears came down stream.

"Sittia, no need to worry; we'll see each other again, I promise."

Those simple words he said made me feel like I was shaken, yet they made me calm in my heart. He gave me a handkerchief to wipe my tears away, but I haven't gotten over it. Until I heard about it, he had called it a promise.

(Which means I could see him again?)

I cleaned my ugly face with the hankerchief that he had given me, and I smiled at him, telling him

"A promise?"

"Yes, it's a promise," he said in return.

He raised his hand with his pinky out and tried to figure out what he meant by it.

"Oh, you don't know the pinky swear? Well, locking both of our pinkies signifies that a promise has been made between us," he said, trying to understand what it meant.

We both locked our pinkies while Lord Famus and Lady Sulfiana looked at us in amazement. He shook our hands, and he said,

"Okay, that's all, so you don't need to feel too worried now that I'm gone."

I happily nodded to him as we made this kind of vow called "Pinky Swear," which was quite weird but made me feel at home.

"Now it's time," He said as he went up to the carriage.

When Lord Famus was about to close the carriage door, I immediately said wait and said something important to him one last time.

I stutter at first and immediately say to Garrel, with my hands clasped together in my chest, "H—Have a safe trip, Lord Garrel!" He smiled as he heard what I said.

After that, all of us started waving him goodbye when the car proceeded to the gate. My tears were flowing down my cheeks, but at least he gave me three things in life:

His promise, My love for him, and his handkerchief that he gave

All of what he did gave me a great purpose: to be by his side as always.

But not as a servant but as a woman.

(No, remember, I'm a maid dummy!)

But I sure hope that someday I will be by your side, Lord Garrel.

(Someday—)

Back to Garrel's POV

Everyone was waving goodbye to me from the carriage's back window. Just seeing them gives me a bad flashback, as if nothing in my life has changed at all.

I let out a sigh of relief; I couldn't keep my composure in this kind of situation, but I couldn't pinpoint what emotions I was experiencing.

An emotion that related somewhere back then, which was unusual, but there was one thing that I could match up with the words pouring from my heart.

I feel like I'm going to miss them, and yet, so much has already happened in just a few years.

I got reincarnated into a new life with a new family, I learned many things, and now I finally get to travel the outside world.

These words and his teachings from Famus that he had dedicated to teaching me have now become my objectives, and don't forget that I'll do everything in my power to overcome this trauma I had and enjoy my new life to the fullest.

I secretly wiped my tears. I was in the carriage, looking to return home soon after graduating and fulfilling my father's words, but as soon as I was about to grab my handkerchief to wipe the tears in my pocket, it was gone.

I looked again out the window, looking at Sittia waving at me with my handkerchief, and thought to myself,

"Man, I actually liked that handkerchief."

To be continued for part 2: