Fast forward 5 years: I turned 15 and have entered the Magic Academy of Noreth, which resides in the Ophelia Kingdom. It's also the kingdom I live in.

So much has happened that I don't even know where to start.

Rin is only a year younger than me and learnt the basics of earth magic in just 1 year and intermediate earth magic in 3 years. Isn't that a little too long?

Other than that, she got stronger and faster as well. Not only did she learn earth magic but also other useful spells like...

Rin has changed a bit. I mean, she went from being really shy and timid to loyal, obedient, and—how do I say this?—very thick-skinned. Is that a good thing?

I, myself, have also improved during the past five years. Skipping the boring parts, my water magic is already high, my earth magic is already high, and my fire magic is already high. I feel like I cheated to max out my player or like I used GameGoy cheats to catch every single Pekemon in Pekemon FireRose. Man, those were the days.

Anyways, there's not much else I could do other than maybe gain a few more members and start action on finally conquering the world's morals to put my own. Life being too harsh won't stop me from doing whatever fits best!

I do admit that right now, feeling lost will drag me down and stop me. So I just have to create a goal quick enough before that happens, right?

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The academy has two sections: magic and swordsmanship. We also have dorms, and I live in the female dorm, residing in the magic section. You see many students walking with swords around campus, and that's because magic is quite rare in this world. That's something I'll have to look into. Oh, and you might have noticed a lot of them stare at me in disgust. Well, I found out earlier that I am a low noble, and that's apparently a big deal in this society. I don't know why, but that's just how the world works.

That was a nice walk outside campus. I see the front gates; I should now head back.

"Halt!"

A tall blonde guy with a sword resting in his scabbard on his side and wearing armour pieces stopped me. A knight, maybe? Nope, that's an imperial officer. There's a difference. Yeah, shocking, and, uh, why is he staring me down? Doesn't he know that it's rude to stare at people? And I have things to do, ya know!

That look. Hm. It seems like he just wants to fulfil his lust.

"We are obliged to search you, as we think you stole something."

I would prefer not to, but there's other guards by him. It seems like I have to obey.

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I took off my scabbard and dropped it. I raised my hands in the air, showing him I had complied with his command.

Wait, we're on campus. I'm sure someone -

Everyone's face seems terrified. They all just walk by, like they haven't seen anything. I frowned.

Damn you, people! I get you are scared, but you could have at least put up the courage to help a "helpless" girl!

His hands are getting closer! Don't lean down! Stand up, you frog! Why is this the first place he's going to touch my hips?!

"I suggest you don't take this any further, Selden."

"Princess!" one of the guards said.

A purple-haired young woman with no armour pieces at all came up to us. Is she also an imperial officer? The day couldn't get any worse.

She picked up my scabbard and put it back on my side. "Selden, stop messing around and go back on duty."

The blonde dude, Selden, didn't seem to have it, though he was calm—too calm. "I was merely trying to uncover a crime."

He tried reassuring her by sugarcoating the situation and his actions, but it had no lingering effect.

"Don't even. You, girl, move along. You should have another class up ahead."

"Okay."

With that reply, I can finally go on with my business. I went on my way and 'am astonished to have an Imperial Officer help me from her fellow inimical Imperial Officer that's holding me hostage—in my eyes, he was holding me hostage, okay!

The academy also has Imperial Officers, which are arrogant dudes boasting about how good they fight and look. I had to say it to keep myself from going back and hurting them. 'Don't wanna cause any trouble without a valid reason~

Well, with that aside, I am now inside the academy. Even though there are two sections, the hallways and classes are all connected. It is said that a fight between the different sides is bound to happen because of this.

Hold on. Did Selden call her princess? A princess is helping me, huh?

"Yoo~hoo!"

I turned around, and two girls from behind came up to me. Oh, and I know them only because I was forced to do so. It's a long story for another day.

"Where were you? We waited aeons for you to come!"

She patted me on the back. Her name is Larisa. A brown-haired girl who is very amusing and energetic (also loud, like extremely loud, too much talking.). Her type is handsome dudes, just like the ones you see in Shoujo anime. This world doesn't seem to have that kind of entertainment. I wonder if creating manga or webtoons would sell in this world. Ah, maybe webtoons won't be possible without having access to phones. That's on me.

"I can confirm it did feel like that, but it's alright. All that matters is that you're in school."

Being quick-witted comes with many perks, and that's what makes us rely on her when it comes to school work. Her name is Brea. A green-haired girl with glasses. She looks serious but can be fun if you push her right buttons.

"Ah, c'mon! Is school all you care about, Brea?"

"That's not true, Larisa!"

Brea's impulsive response to Larisa's teasing really makes me glad to have them as friends.

"Have you seen the handsome guards outside? I heard they're part of the Imperial Officers. Have you talked to them? Are they easy to approach? Are they? Are they? Are they?"

Here she goes again... Even Brea looks tired of it.

"Have you seen the blonde officer from outside?! He's the most handsome of all of them. Like, he's really, really handsome!"

Her pretty looks aside, I repeat, she is very into handsome dudes.

"That blond, P-Pretty H-Handsome."

He's the one who tried touching me like a weirdo, you dimwit! And stop drooling!

"Larisa, calm down. I don't think they even know you."

I responded with no care to the world. I would rather die than glaze some "handsome" dudes who have a few screws loose.

"Ah, your mean!"

"We're almost near class; make sure you're ready for the test next week," I said.

We all chuckled and headed inside.