“Awwwwn, Ibuki-chan is the cutest!”

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

“Absolutely. No one beats her!”

“Her hair. Comb it this way. Her uniform isn’t straight enough.”

My mother combed through my soft hair in a rush.

“Ouch! It hurts!”

For some weird reason, whenever it was my mother doing something, my sturdy body became weak. Mothers really are something scary.

“Oh, sorry dear. It’s just that, it’s going to be your first day at kindergarten. I want to make sure you look perfect before you go.”

“Why do I have to go to Kindergarten?”

“Because all kids have to go.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Well, kindergarten is your first step towards… It’ll help you socialize with other kids and it’s also the beginning of your educational career. It’s good for everyone.”

My father said.

“Did Daichi go?”

“Of course.”

“Then how are you sure it’s good for everyone? Just look at him!”

I pointed to my brother who was looking at his smartphone like a brainwashed dog.

“Fair point.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!?”

Daichi complained.

“Keep quiet, servant. The grown-ups are talking.”

I glared at him and he sat back down and focused on his smartphone.

“Shut it!”

BAM! BAM!

Mother knocked both Alexis and I.

“Ibuki, that’s no way to talk to your brother. Daichi is an excellent young man. He’ll become a great gentleman in future so mind your tongue.”

“You know, I don’t think punching your kid is such a good idea.” (Alexis)

“You say something?”

“Nope. Absolutely nothing.”

“Good. Now let’s go. Daichi stay in the car.”

“Have a nice day at school, Ibuki.”

Daichi waved at me as my parents dragged me towards the massive building known as the kindergarten. Apparently since the world was at peace children were being taught in facilities like this where they could meet their peers and socialize. It was just like sorcerer academy from my time as Milly, but for younger children. I wonder how the place would be like.

Just as we headed towards the building, a silver car drove by and the driver got down to open the back door for someone. A little girl with dirty blonde hair came out. She wore the same uniform I did and had leafy green eyes.

The driver then escorted her towards the building and for some strange reason, when she passed in front of me, she scoffed. I wondered what her problem was, but it wasn’t important.

We then went towards the building where a certain woman with auburn hair and deep brown eyes was waiting. She waved at us, beckoning us over.

“Ah, Madam Yellen. I take that this is Ibuki, then?”

“Yes. My daughter Ibuki. Today’s her first day here so she wants to know how this is going to go down.”

“Is that so? Well, first I’ll introduce her to her classmates, then we’ll have Arts and Crafts. Then recess. So you can come pick her up by 1pm.”

“1 pm, huh? Sounds good.”

I said.

“Ibuki.”

My mother called.

“Yes?”

Without warning, she embraced me in a hug, crushing me with motherly love.

“Have fun, ok? Mommy will come pick you up at 1, ok? Remember to make tons of friends but don’t forget mommy, ok?”

“Ugh, let. Go. Please.”

“Mommy doesn’t want to see her daughter go so soon.”

“It’s. Fine. Trust. Me.”

“No. Just a few more seconds.”

“Y-Yellen. At this rate she’s gonna die.”

“She won’t die from a hug.”

“Yeah, if it wasn’t coming from a monster.”

“What was that!?”

“Not-”

“Oh my, if it isn’t Yellen.”

A masculine voice said. I didn’t know who it was, but the person caused her to leave me be so I was eternally grateful. When I looked towards the person, it was a man with cherry red hair and a short beard, wearing a suit. His eyes were a beautiful sky-blue and he had this air of excellence surrounding him.

Standing behind him was a girl with similar features, only that she was my age and she wore the same uniform I did.

“Hey… you…”

Yellen said, showing how obvious it was that she didn’t have memories of the new comer.

“It’s Ikki.”

My mother still looked confused, like she had no idea whatsoever what this guy was saying.

“The Crimson Mage?”

She still scanned through her mind but couldn’t tell anything.

“Ah, I’m your fellow Guild Master. The leader of the Burning Brigade Guild.”

‘Burning Brigade Guild? So, this guy was also a guild master, huh? Is that an easy job to acquire?’

“Huh? I remember you. You’re that red haired weirdo from last time!”

“It’s Ikki! Ah… would it be too difficult to remember my name?”

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“Sorry about that. Anyway, what brings you here?”

“Oh, I was bringing my daughter to kindergarten. I see you are doing the same.”

“Yep. This is Ibuki.”

“My name is Ibuki Ryo Macron. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Awww, isn’t she just adorable! So mannered too!”

My mother embraced me once again.

“Yeah… it’s hard to believe she’s your daughter.”

The man said and Alexis agreed with him whole heartedly by nodding his head behind her back.

“Anyway, this is Mira. My daughter.”

“She’s such a cutie. Not cuter than Ibuki though.”

‘Of course. Who can be cuter than me?’

“Hey Ibuki. Since you two are starting your first day together, why don’t you go together and get to know each other?”

Ikki suggested and I looked at his daughter who was quietly watching the events.

“Very well. I see no problem with that.”

“Thanks a lot.”

The man moved his hand in an attempt to pat my head and Yellen slapped his hand away with lightning-fast speed and a scary smile on her face.

“Sorry, but no perverts are allowed to touch my kid.”

‘P-pervert? Woman. He’s your fellow Guild Master. How can you describe him as such!?’

“Ahh, anyway, I’m guessing you’re the teacher?”

“Yes I am. So that’s Mira-chan?”

“She’s a little shy so please be gentle with her and if she has any problems don’t hesitate to call me.”

“I understand sir. Very well then, you may be on your way.”

“Sure thing. Have a good day, Mira.”

The man patted her on the head, while I got the doting mother treatment.

“It’s fine Yellen, let’s go.”

Alexis grabbed her and pulled her up.

“But-but…”

“If we don’t hurry, Daichi will be late.”

“True. We’ve got to hurry.”

My mother left my dad and rushed towards the car.

“Is she always that disorganized?”

Ikki asked as he looked at her running figure.

“Unfortunately. Anyway, I’ll be heading off. It was nice to see you. I hope we meet you again.”

“Likewise.”

The two shook hands like men and made to part way, but before Alexis went, I called out to him.

“Alexis.”

“What’s up, kiddo?”

“Did you pack the package?”

“Fufufu… Of course. If my dear daughter asks for it, how could I forget? Also, call me dad.”

“Good. Also, don’t grin like that. It’s creepy and makes you look like a pervert.”

“Ah-”

“Anyway, bye. Have a good day.”

I went over to the teacher and Mira.

“Ok, Ibuki, Mira, let’s head to class, yea? All the other kids are already in there. Since you two are joining us late you’ll have to introduce yourselves.”

The teacher said as she dragged us towards a large door.

***

“I’m Ibuki Ryo Macron. Nice to meet you all! I hope we can get along.”

“Nicely done. Ok Ibuki, you can take a seat wherever you want to.”

I looked around the classroom and there were about seven tables with five kids on each. But there was something odd I had noticed.

‘That’s strange… My mother had told me that all races attended kindergarten, yet the only race I see are humans. No netherworlders or anything. Hmm, whatever.’

I walked to the table at the back that had no members present then sat down.

“Er… Ibuki, are you sure you want to sit there?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you try sitting with…”

“I’m ok here.”

“You sure?”

“Affirmative.”

“Ok, then. Mira, come introduce yourself.”

“A-Alright.”

The little girl stepped forward, her back hunched and her face facing the ground.

“H-Hello. M-My name’s M-M-M… ira.”

“Say it louder. We didn’t hear you.”

The dirty blonde girl from earlier said and it caused all the kids around to laugh.

“M-M-Mira.”

“Come on, louder! Like this!”

“Yeah, louder! Louder!”

The others joined in and I could only feel repulsed. The girl smiled like one of the nobles from my past and it pissed me off. I couldn’t let this bullying go on. I couldn’t believe the teacher remained silent through this.

“Hey Mira! Come take a seat next to me.”

I called out to her, silencing everyone in the class.

“Hey, you can’t do that.”

“Says who? I’m just calling a friend over. She already introduced herself. Isn’t that right, teacher?”

“Y-yes. Mira, sit wherever you want.”

“O-Ok.”

Mira walked over to my side and took a seat next to me. I could feel everyone glaring at us and it was annoying.

“Can we get on with the class? And when is recess?”

“A-ah. Ok class, we’re having ‘Show and Tell’ today. So I’m going to have to make you bring what you made over the weekend, although Ibuki and Mira are excluded since they just joined.”

‘Show and Tell, eh? Sounds interesting.’

“Teacher, can I show my work first?”

The blonde child asked with her hand raised. Everyone in the class simply observed with what I presumed to be excitement. She was basically the queen of the class.

“Oh, sure Mary. Come upfront.”

The girl walked up towards the front of the class, carrying something that was in brown wrappings. When she unwrapped it, she brought out a beautiful dagger with a golden handle that hard an artist’s touch to it and an elegant ruby at the end. There was absolutely no way a mere child could have made that.

“This is a magic dagger I made all by myself over the weekend. Since I personally made it, it is stronger than a normal sword and can cut rocks easily.”

Looking at the dagger I could feel bits of mana from it so what she said about it being better than a normal sword might have been true.

“Wow, Mary. That’s impressive.”

All the students in the class applauded and she took a bow then walked to her seat.

“Who’s next?”

All the children around came showing off items that they claim to have made by themselves. They were all pathological liars from the pits of the netherworld. Each and every single one of them brought out a somewhat powerful tool, claiming that they made them. I was certain that they had bought those items, their parents I mean.

“Wow, all of you are very creative.”

“Ah, don’t support their lies!”

I reprimanded the teacher. She looked at me with a malicious smile.

“Oh? Ibuki, why don’t you come forward. I heard you are good with magic.”

‘Did my parents tell her that I’ve been practicing at home or did she scout my strength? Ah, whatever…’

I stood up and walked next to the front of the class then I faced the children.

“What exactly should I do?”

“Come on, you can make anything you want.”

“Anything I feel like making?”

“Yes. Anything. If you need anything, call me, ok?”

“Alright. Please step back.”

Obeying me, she took a few steps backwards.

“A bit further.”

“Is this enough?”

“A bit more…. Ok that’s fine.”

She stood right next to the door and gave me the thumbs up.

‘Now… what to do?’

As I was thinking, I noticed the blonde on one of the tables talking with her friends. She noticed me staring and replied with a glare.

‘Ah, that girl brought a dagger. What if I do something similar?’

I let in a deep sigh then stretched out my right hand. I let my mana flow through my arms and I envisioned what I wanted to create. I used my ice magic and shaped it to my will. I created a short blade of ice with a very sharp edge infused with mana to make it sturdier and sharper than an average sword and for the handle I went with something simple, but easy to grip.

When I was done, I clasped the handle and held the dagger across my chest.

“So… ah, I made an ice dagger. Since it’s made of ice, holding it for too long would give you frostbite. Normally I’d have made a mechanism to keep the handle warm rather than cold while retaining the solid texture, but that’s too complicated to do in less than five minutes.”

Everyone in the class was speechless, just staring at me with blank expressions. I knew that there was nothing to be proud of, but I couldn’t help but feel happy that I shut these children up with my greatness.

“Ok, I’m going to sit down now.”

“S-sure.”

I went back to my seat and I spotted Mira looking at me.

“Go on up. It’s your turn.”

“I-I don’t want to.”

“Huh? But you are good with magic, right?”

“N-No. Not really.”

‘This girl… is she not aware of the sheer amount of mana she possesses?’

“In that case, want me to teach you?”

“I’ll just be a bother to you.”

“Don’t worry. I’m already training an idiot at home. Adding another one won’t be too difficult.”

The image of me beating Daichi up with a wooden sword Alexis made for me popped into my head and I couldn’t help but smirk.

‘Haha, run all you want Daichi. You can’t escape me!’

“Erm… is something funny?”

“No, why?”

“You were smiling weirdly.”

“Really? I don’t remember doing something like that.”

“I’m pretty sure you were.”

“No, I wasn’t. Anyway, what do you say? Become my subordinate and I’ll train you.”

‘If I get someone with such large mana reserves as my subordinate, that’ll help me a lot later down the line.’

“S-sure.”

***

As soon as it was recess, I pulled out my Zondrias lunchbox and set it on the desk.

“Kuku, these plebeians are so unfortunate. Having to consume such foods.”

“Did you say something?”

Mira asked.

“Indeed subordinate. Aren’t you sad about the kind of food you are about to eat?”

“Huh? N-no?”

I looked at her lunch which comprised of a juice box and biscuit. Such a simple lunch considering she was the daughter of a guild master.

“Humph. Very well then, I guess I have to show it to you.”

“Show what to me?”

“The greatest food in existence.”

I raised the lid of my lunchbox and was blinded by the dazzling light. The package radiated so much excellence and glamour that I just couldn’t stare at it.

“Ah, my eyes!”

“Um… those are just baby carrots.”

“Just!? Did you say ‘Just’!? Ah!”

“W-why? Should I not have said that?”

“It would seem I have to train you well as my subordinate. Very well then, I’ll have to explain-”

“Hey, new kid.”

Just as I was about to educate Mira on the importance on baby carrots, someone called out to us. When I turned around, I saw the blonde girl from earlier. Wasn’t she appearing to often?

‘What was her name again? Mary?’

“Mary, right?”

“I see you remembered my name you ‘abnormal’, but I’m not talking to you.”

“Abnormal?”

“Yeah, you non-human. Anyway, you.”

She pointed at Mira. I had noticed it earlier, but there really was no other race around. Which meant there was some sort of racism going on and I’m about to become a victim. What a bore. Even at this age, children were still vicious.

“What do you want?”

“Humph, be glad I’m talking to you. And you. Mira, right? What are you doing with this freak?”

I looked at her and albeit subtle, Mira was quaking.

“I-I-I…”

I grabbed her arm, then said.

“She’s my subordinate. Got a problem with that?”

“S-subordinate? Mira what is she talking about?”

“Um-um, huh…”

“Go on. Tell her about your promise to become my subordinate.”

“Hey, Mira. You aren’t actually this abnormal’s servant, right?”

What she said at this moment would define our relationship from here on out.

‘Now. Will you choose ranking in this mini society, or a friendship with me?’

“I-I … I-”