I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Sumire was a little confused, but she still took it from Amamiya immediately.

"These are 'spoils' obtained from another world, fitness products that can enhance the effects of fitness training."

The unique charm of the otherworldly items made Sumire's eyes light up immediately, and she felt an irresistible 'love' for them.

Amamiya turned to the dozen or so millennium-old girls who seemed still somewhat uneasy and were trying to join the sports club.

"I'll give this can of fitness powder to everyone as a 'welcome gift'."

"I look forward to seeing the results of your training... and I will continue to encourage you until the day you undergo a transformation."

With the added bonus of the bond, Amamiya's voice goes straight to the heart, like a gentle caress.

After calming the girls' anxieties with a single sentence, he then looked at Jin.

"This might be a little troublesome for Violet..."

"Could you please take good care of these 'newcomers'?"

Jin's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously without hesitation.

This could be a chance for the training department to turn its reputation around and become more active.

"I understand, Coach."

I could feel the fighting spirit emanating from Sumire...

My bond with Sumire has deepened.

【Violet Erythrina (Strength) ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Putting away the fitness powder in her hand, Sumire said earnestly, "I will make the most of the fitness powder that Sensei gave me..."

"In addition, we will develop a fitness program suitable for newcomers."

"As for the final results of my fitness training... I will present them to you on the eve of the Akawa Grand Festival."

"Stay tuned."

Chapter 83 Saori's "Knight's Oath"

"Huh...huh..."

"The coach is... amazing..."

"I feel...so tired...I want to stop and rest..."

Rapid breathing, chaotic conversation, and the exhilarating feeling after intense exercise—this is the main theme of a 'sports girl' who has pushed herself to the limit.

It carries a slightly suggestive and sensual feel, but more than anything, it shows the traces left by a young girl's sweat as she exudes youth.

After taking the energy drink that Amamiya tossed to her, Sumire opened it and gulped down most of the bottle. Her eyes, which had been slightly dehydrated and somewhat unfocused, regained their sparkle.

After catching her breath, the girl took off a white towel and wiped the fine sweat from her cheeks, sincerely exclaiming, "The coach's physique is amazing..."

"Not only did he keep up with my workout pace, but after exercising, there wasn't even a trace of fatigue..."

While expressing pure longing and admiration, Sumire also took the opportunity to observe Saori's state.

"Saori is pretty good too... She's the best athletic student I know from other schools right now..."

Saori, panting with her hands on her knees, managed to squeeze out a reply: "...Thank you for the compliment..."

Sumire expressed her admiration for Saori's exaggerated physical reserves, and Saori... was secretly surprised as well.

She truly hadn't expected... that a student from a thousand years ago could actually rival her, an elite member of Arius's squad, in terms of physical stamina.

When it comes to social interactions and interpersonal relationships... Saori is really not good at it.

But when it comes to physical reserves and athletic ability... Saori is confident, even proud.

And her physical fitness... is indeed among the best in most colleges.

It surprised me that……

Saori was secretly surprised, while Sumire, who was catching her breath and stabilizing herself, had already begun to make her next move.

With an air of great enjoyment, the girl moved closer to Amamiya without any regard for distance, gazing at the sky outside the window and letting out a soft sigh: "Phew... it's getting late."

Then, she launched her 'offensive' without even realizing it.

"Thank you for the exercise plan, Coach... I feel that with you around, the exercise schedule is much more organized... Today, I felt a significant improvement in myself."

"that……"

At this point, Violet became slightly embarrassed.

"Coach, would you like to go get a nutritious meal together?"

After a pause, seemingly realizing that the invitation was too ambiguous and direct, Sumire added even more awkwardly, "...Saori-san can come along too."

"I know a few good nutritional meal restaurants. If Sensei and Saori don't have anything to do right now, we can run there..."

With wet hair, sweat-soaked clothes, and slightly rapid breathing, "the look after exercise" is probably the most "girlish" moment for a sporty girl.

Sumire, standing with her back to the window, carefully tucking her wet bangs back with a hair clip while cautiously extending an invitation, gave Amamiya that kind of feeling.

Sumire's sudden move startled Saori, who was still getting used to the rhythm of the exercise and looked a little disheveled.

As she stopped wiping her sweat, Saori naturally recalled the lesson that "no enemy, no matter what, should not be underestimated."

Slightly nervous, Saori unconsciously clenched the towel, maintaining her posture of wiping sweat, and discreetly observed Amamiya's reaction—

If there were no other arrangements, and Saori was not accompanying him... Amamiya accepted Sumire's invitation.

But now, he has other things to do.

Amamiya shook her head slowly with an apologetic look on her face: "I'm sorry, Sumire... I have other things to do and I can't get away."

"……All right."

The expectation that had risen in her heart was quickly extinguished, and Jin sighed softly.

As for Saori... she continued with her actions as if nothing had happened, while secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

The moment Amamiya 'politely declined,' Saori felt a strange sense of relief that 'thank goodness Sensei didn't agree.'

"The Grand Festival is approaching... If Sensei has any training plans, feel free to come to me anytime."

Sumire began tidying up the exercise equipment, while Amamiya put back on her non-prescription glasses, which were inconvenient to wear when exercising, and waved to Saori.

After changing out of her gym clothes, Amamiya, along with Saori, who was sweating profusely all afternoon and looked a little tired, set off on her way home... no, it should be said that she was returning to Xialai.

The night was still dark, and the moon was just beginning to rise.

As Saori walked towards the station, the evening breeze began to blow, and a sense of déjà vu arose in her heart, a feeling of being 'enjoyed with the present'.

—I don't know why I thought of the past, and then I had a feeling of "unreal".

As the students, who had finished a full day of preparations for the Akawa Grand Festival, passed by under the cover of night, their laughter and chatter reached their ears, instantly shattering the fleeting illusion with the sounds of reality.

Saori fell silent and quietly observed the ancient students passing by.

They... lived a 'normal' school life that they, and the members of Arius's squad, envied.

This kind of blissful life, where one can sweat without restraint... Saori had prayed for and longed for it under Beatrice's control before.

However, back then... all that was rewarded by Beatrice's prayers for happiness was doubled punishment.

I never imagined that I could now experience the happiness of "time flies by so fast" and "it's gone before I know it".

Noticing the change in Saori's expression, Amamiya slowed her pace, closed the distance between herself and Saori, and asked softly, "Does Saori like sports?"

The sudden question caused Saori to struggle for a moment.

After careful consideration, Saori shook her head slightly: "Compared to liking sports... I prefer a more 'practical' style."

"Before we officially contacted you, our Arios squad mostly engaged in 'passive movement.' Doing things out of necessity for survival... and doing them simply because you enjoy them... feels very different."

Amamiya knew that Saori's so-called 'pragmatic' style was actually a rather embellished way of putting it.

To be honest, "liking sports" and "being constantly on the go" are completely different things.

Amamiya raised an eyebrow slightly: "If possible, does Saori prefer a slightly more relaxed lifestyle?"

Saori hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

These "lazy daily routines" with Sensei are definitely something I want to indulge in...

Subconsciously, she wanted to agree and get approval. But she also felt that she wasn't the type to sit idle easily.

Even now that she has joined Xia Lai and no longer needs to work, she still maintains many of the habits she had before she met Amamiya and was accepted into Xia Lai.

"I should……"

After a few seconds of silence, Saori laughed self-deprecatingly: "Although I prefer a slightly more relaxed life... I just can't seem to sit still."

"The 'new life' that Sensei gave me and everyone in the Arios squad, even with the basic conditions that allow us to stay idle... whether it's to repay the treatment you gave us, Sensei, or it's just my personal character..."

"I don't plan to be idle at all."

"In order to maintain the daily routine that you passed down to us... I... will do my best and give it my all."

As she was talking, Saori stopped.

Because she was not good at speaking or expressing herself, she found it difficult to describe her state of mind and feelings.

Now, Saori can clearly sense that she shouldn't just have "the determination to overcome all obstacles for everything Sensei needs"...

There is another kind of emotion that has taken root and sprouted in one's heart without one knowing where it began.

Saori always felt that it was this more confused and indescribable emotion that was driving her, giving her the determination and motivation to move forward, and making her... undergo the changes she has today.

Yes……

For Sensei's own sake?

still is……

For everyone in Arius's squad?

Saori always felt that her 'source of motivation' seemed to be gradually becoming less and less pure.

Previously, she wanted to act for Arius's squad.

Now, she's not just acting for Arius's squad.

It's also for...

Act as an adult who redeems themselves from the fog of lies and the thorns of despair.

Compared to him, I am not mature, and my strength may even be insignificant to him... I am more like a follower who has been redeemed.

But it doesn’t matter.

Even the weakest can always do something.

Do something...

What I can do.

Amamiya stopped completely and turned to look at Saori up close.

"Is that what Saori thinks?"

Amamiya's gaze softened: "I felt Saori's gentle protection."

He then added somewhat jokingly, "Compared to the princess (Azuko) of Arius's squad, Saori is definitely more suited to be a 'Guardian Knight' type of character."

"knight……"

Saori paused for a moment, then shook her head and smiled.

I really don't know why I've suddenly become so 'sentimental'...

“Since Sensei has brought up ‘knighthood,’ I’ll just recite the ‘Knight’s Oath’ that I recently came across in a book, recorded in the Holy Trinity’s Ancient Book.”

As she composed herself, Saori's expression gradually became holy, solemn, and dignified.

Like a saint who has shed his last tear and achieved redemption at the end.

"...Tonight, I hereby swear an oath."

"Born to glory, to die with honor. My heart is like a spear... The direction Sensei points to is where my heart will be from this day forward."

"From this day forward, serve Sensei with humility;"