"Master Dylan!"

  The day before the Spirit Society was to convene, Martha burst into my room in a fluster as I sat reading.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Master Claudio will be visiting the academy today."

  "My brother!?"

  I stood up reflexively.

  Claudio Belmond. My elder brother by three years and heir to the Belmond marquisate. Like Father, he was strict and placed the family's honor above all else.

  From childhood he'd been praised as accomplished in both literary and martial arts—the very model of nobility. For me, he'd always been the high wall I was measured against.

  The brothers' relationship in the original was unclear, but since I'd regained my memories and devoted myself to training, we'd at least conversed more than before. From my perspective, he was a strict but caring brother.

  Come to think of it, Claudio barely appeared in the original. His name came up only when he and Father disowned Dylan after Dylan's misdeeds damaged House Belmond's reputation.

  I still earnestly hoped that wouldn't happen.

  "Apparently the master ordered him to attend the Spirit Society as House Belmond's heir."

  "...I see."

  Just the sort of thing Father would think of. Seemed Oscar had been right after all. While nominally an information-sharing gathering, with the ducal house participating, political implications were inevitable. Perhaps it also meant the family felt more secure having my brother present rather than leaving me alone.

  If I recalled correctly, my brother had also formed a spirit contract. With an earth spirit.

  "He should arrive early this afternoon."

  "Understood. I'll prepare."

  Watching Martha hurriedly leave the room, I sighed deeply. Meeting my brother for the first time in half a year. Well, it was somewhat better than Father coming directly. Still, I couldn't avoid getting lectured about my academy life. I steeled myself and straightened my uniform collar.

  Early afternoon, in the academy's guest salon. Brother Claudio had already arrived and sat with perfectly straight posture. His amber eyes were as quietly observant as always—strict but not cold.

  "It's been a while, Dylan."

  "It has indeed, Brother."

  I bowed formally. My brother nodded slightly and continued without changing expression.

  "I received word of your contract. I heard it was a light spirit—is that correct?"

  "Yes. Her name is Lou."

  'Wow, I'm being introduced! Hello, big brother!'

  Suppressing the noisy voice in my head, I answered without breaking composure. My brother fell silent briefly, then softened his expression slightly.

  "Well done. Now you can hold your head high as House Belmond's second son."

  My brother's praise, though brief, carried weight. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Regarding tomorrow's Spirit Society, Father views this as an important meeting. Conduct yourself properly."

  "Understood."

  My spine straightened naturally. My brother's eyes were stern yet seemed to be testing me.

  "So how is academy life?" He paused, then added, "...No, before that, there's something I want to ask."

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  The air in the room grew heavier. My brother's amber eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made me hold my breath.

  "It's been five years since you changed, hasn't it?"

  "...Yes."

  My throat felt dry. I knew what was coming.

  "To be honest, back then, you weren't a brother I could place expectations in." His words were blunt, cutting. "You skipped sword practice, treated servants arrogantly, and did nothing but damage the family's reputation."

  I couldn't meet his eyes. Every word was true—at least, true of the Dylan whose body I now inhabited.

  "Father, Mother, and I... we had half given up on you."

  The weight of those words settled on my shoulders like lead. Hearing it stated so plainly was worse than I'd imagined.

  "Then suddenly, you announced you were going to seclude yourself in the mountains for training." A hint of something—surprise? confusion?—colored his voice. "I was shocked, honestly. I thought it was just another whim. That you'd give up and come back soon enough."

  I remained silent, unsure what I could say.

  My brother's expression softened slightly—the closest thing to warmth I'd seen from him today. "But when you returned, you were a different person."

  "..."

  "You studied the sword earnestly. Your attitude toward the servants improved. Your magical talent blossomed." He leaned forward slightly. "What changed you, Dylan? Even now, I don't understand."

  The question hung in the air between us. How could I answer? I'm not actually your brother—I'm someone from another world who took over his body? Impossible.

  "...I don't fully understand it myself," I said carefully. "I just knew that I couldn't continue as I was."

  My brother studied me for a long moment, those amber eyes seemingly trying to peer into my soul. I forced myself not to look away.

  "I see."

  That was all he said, but I couldn't tell if he believed me or not.

  "Seeing you change brought joy to Father and Mother. That's precisely why now you must prove that change is genuine." His voice grew firmer. "So I'll ask again—how is academy life? Has that transformation continued?"

  The real question underlying his words was clear: Are you still the reformed Dylan, or was it temporary?

  "...I'm leading a fulfilling life as a student each day."

  'Wow, heavy conversation... But Dylan, you were really terrible before, huh!'

  Shut up right now...

  My brother nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "I receive regular reports from Martha. She says you've been attending combat practicals, studying diligently." He paused. "You've even contracted a spirit—something the old you could never have achieved."

  The implication was clear: he was watching, evaluating whether this version of Dylan would last.

  Just when I thought that would be the end of it, he added more after a brief pause.

  "Dylan. Bearing the family name isn't merely about maintaining appearances. Knowledge, skill, negotiation ability—only when you've mastered all of these can you be considered fully competent."

  Those words weren't reproach but earnest advice. I unconsciously clenched my fists.

  "Yes, I understand."

  "Indeed, you're intelligent. That's probably why Father has let you do as you pleased."

  My brother looked straight into my eyes. Was that expectation, or a testing gaze?

  "That's precisely why you should consider tomorrow a touchstone."

  "Yes."

  My voice answering briefly sounded surprisingly stiff even to myself. But my brother nodded with satisfaction and stood from his chair.

  "Well then, now that I've seen your face, I'll take my leave. Tomorrow at the Spirit Society, I plan to attend as well. As Father's representative, I cannot allow our reputation to be damaged."

  When I bowed deeply, my brother nodded contentedly.

  "One more thing. It is late notice, but do you lack anything for tomorrow?"

  My brother spoke as if remembering something. After brief consideration, I made one request.

  "...I'd like you to review my attire."

  At that answer, my brother's expression softened slightly.

  "Good thinking. Prepare with Martha later."

  Saying that, Brother Claudio turned on his heel. His departing back remained as imposing and distant as ever.

  'Hmm hmm, big brother's cool! A bit scary though!'

  ...Well, I agree with that assessment.

  I exhaled deeply and leaned back against the chair to release tension. Tomorrow was finally the Spirit Society. My brother's words echoed repeatedly in my mind.

  ...Bearing the family name, huh.

  Words I'd never considered in my previous world. But hearing my brother speak them made it seem not merely a burden but also a guidepost.

  'Ooh, Dylan, making a "cool" face, aren't we?'

  What's a cool face?

  'You know, that "I'm gonna do this" look!'

  Her mocking tone made my lips twitch upward despite myself. Indeed, I had no choice but to do this.

  The Spirit Society wasn't just a meet-and-greet. House Altius, Kreis, and other influential nobles. How I related to them would change not just my academy life ahead but, to exaggerate slightly, even my position in the capital.

  "...Martha."

  "Yes."

  Martha appeared immediately from outside the door.

  "As my brother said, I want to prepare my attire. Please check my formal wear."

  "Certainly. I'll prepare it immediately."

  Martha bowed slightly and left the room to make preparations.

  Outside the window, evening was dyeing the courtyard crimson. Since coming to this academy, every day had been filled with swords, magic, and studies. Tomorrow's Spirit Society would be my first social venue in academy life, and also my first stage bearing the family name.

  ...I can't afford to fail.

  Muttering softly to myself, I lowered my gaze to the sealed letter on the desk. When Father and Mother read this, would they feel even a little of my growth?

  'Dylan, tomorrow will definitely be a good day! I'm with you after all!'

  Whether you're reliable or not aside... well, it'll certainly be lively.

  Smiling wryly, I gazed at the sunset outside the window. Tomorrow would surely be a different kind of day from my academy life so far.