"Coward~"
"Charlotte is a coward~"
"Coward...!"
"Sore loser."
"Will you stop it already!? My tears already dried you know!? Stop it! Please stop calling me a coward...!"
In the auditorium where new students gathered together, there were chairs for us to sit down. Unlike the gym in Earth, this place was gaudy and decorated with colorful flags. And there was a podium with a stage in front of us where the teachers already lined their selves up there.
In addition, I saw three banners which had the Courses' insignias. Brown for the dragon, blue for the phoenix and green for a... hn? What kind of creature is that? A winged serpent? It didn't seem to look like a dragon or a phoenix... However, as the time has not yet arrived for the ceremony and because we were freshmen, the seating was jumbled together.
Unfortunately for me... I was ridiculed by my friends without stopping. It's true that I ran away but... Why do I have to suffer verbal abuse for thirty minutes straight...? It's too heartrending!!
"A-hem!! Please be seated for the principal will now begin the entrance ceremony speech!!"
All sounds died down. A lone footstep was heard as a hundred of eyes were watching a person appearing and standing behind the podium. It was...
".......what.... the heck is he...!?"
My voice could not be suppressed once I saw a tanned man with rippling muscles, dark brown hair and amber eyes smiling flamboyantly! He's tall, he's big and muscly but why the hell is he wearing robes which did not fit his size!? It was a disgusting sight to see a thirty years old looking grownup man be so maniacal like this!!
"Hmh, a very good response! However, mind you that appearance is misleading when you confront enemies!!"
His voice was amplified by magic resounded in the auditorium. I even heard his laughter shaking my eardrums and diaphragm. But as soon as it died down, the man's eyes sharpened.
"First, congratulation is in order for your success in enrolling in my academy!! My name is Falkirk Falheath Filament and I welcome you all to Leimburg Academy, chosen students from many places! Know that your efforts, talents and desires are recognized for you are now known as a part of this education ground!"
With an awe inspiring introduction, the principal named Falkirk spread his arms widely. Hushed whispers spread cross the student body with some words repeated like “The Arc Wizard!” so much I ended up ignoring the speech altogether.
"Here, you will be given the power you sought. Here, you will be granted the wisdom you searched for. Here, you will learn the world and everything you needed to conquer it! Fill your chest with pride for you have grasped the stepping stone to attain your ideal!!"
None was saying anything. None did not understand the words he meant to convey. And none dared to laugh as Falkirk moved his hand. Clenching it in front of his chest, his thunderous voice once again echoed.
"However! Know that laziness is the only privilege given to geniuses! Know that you are born unrecognized! Know that you are but a mere pebble in the vast ocean where pearls shone in!"
Hey hey! That's just insulting! Don't you know that there are probably more commoners who listened to a spirited speech like yours!? Uh-oh, even Lily was at a loss!
"Therefore, all you need to do is to prove yourself! Show them who you are. Show that you have the power to back your words up! Display your ingenuity, hone your blade and rise up against challenges even if they are decreed by the gods!!"
...Ah. I uttered out a sound and there was a heavy roar coming from the audience seats which were filled with new students. Be it commoners or nobles, they were reeled up by the speech!
"Dangers may happen! Death may take your precious people away! But what is good for you to lose your heart against these trials? What good is there for you to despair without even working hard for the people who left behind unfinished dream? Carry them! Achieve you dream!! From now onward... your path to become glorious heroes will begin!!"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!
...Amidst the thunderous applause and uplifted spirits.... I was seated between insane people who probably had the will to even yell "HALLELUJAH" without fail. I could only sigh as I realized that my school life will not be as rosy as I thought it would be.
Also, principal Falkirk... I believe that your speech is already a propaganda to cover the mortality rate of your education system. I'm not going to be tricked!!
After the speech was done, there were formality events such as introduction of Courses, teachers and scholars who happened to stay in the Academy for researches. Then there were explanation of rules such as curfews, regulations, school terms etc. The third last was... the introduction of student council.
"It's the boy from earlier." Alia notified slightly louder than the usual.
"Hoo~ so his name is Felix Sanctum Raumia... wait, so he's a Prince?" Anise put a hand under her chin.
"Yes... apparently. He is... the Black Hero." Lily added.
‘Hero’... I wanted to laugh if not for the annoying glances given by the duo. But Lily was going to be enamored so I tapped her shoulder due to me sitting beside her.
"Umm.... Lily, please don't pay attention to him. Your purity will be stained."
"S-stained...?"
"Yeah. Stained. Anyway—"
I looked at the stage. The members of the student council were approximately four members. There was this president named Rolando S. A. (what the heck?) then Fei who was the vice-president... then a secretary girl named Renleina Volwhatnot... then a guy and a girl I did not remember who they were. But anyway, Fei did not seem pleased at all. He's already sandwiched between Bishoujos (pretty girls) yet he scowled?
"What's wrong, Charl? Why are you frowning?"
"That guy... Why can't he at least be proud that he's got a good status and position?"
Eh? Does he look like that? I wasn't listening to Anise's retorts nor was I aware of Alia's inquisitive gaze. I simply stared with a bit irritation and as Rolando was giving a speech, Fei's gaze wandered only to meet mine.
"...........Hmph!" Snorting, I looked away while puffing my cheeks.
That guy is a really hopeless guy! How could he not be happy of the luck gifted to him? I wasn't in the mood so I ignored whatever things he wanted to say through eye contact.
After the SC's introduction, there were attractions such as mock battles between fellow Knight Course students and magic performance. The ceremony was ended with the distribution of uniforms and handbooks allocated by seniors who volunteered to do works for credits.
When I read the handbook, there were rules and small map which displayed the whole Academy grounds.
...I see. So there's credit system as well here. You pick some lessons, you get graded, and then the whole scores are averaged as a final score of the term. Un… This smells like trouble. Once done, the students dispersed. Some went home. Some looked around the school ground. The remaining stayed behind to talk with the seniors.
"Hm... so the dorms aren't separated by Courses, but by sexes."
"Female dormitory and male dormitory are separated only by fifty feet...? And they're connected with corridors which lead to bathhouse and dining hall. How convenient."
"Ooh, I want to eat!"
"Anise, I think it's better if we set down our luggage first."
Agreed. I'm a bit uncomfortable not capable of taking off my cloak. Once the decision was made, we headed out again and as we were also given a student handbook with a small map of the Academy.
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The dormitory building was as like what I thought. A dorm... with the air of military barrack. Plain, five story tall and it looked like a rectangle soap from above.
As Leon went off to the male dormitory, only me and the girls who were going to stay in female dormitory. Once we entered however—
"Welcome to Lorelei Dormitory~"
There was a fairy behind the register!!
"So beautiful!!"
"Such smooth and silky hair!!"
"What translucent skin complexion! And the texture seems like it's very soft!!"
"Hyan...!?"
Ah, oi! That's sexual harassment—not! I think it's okay since Anise and the fairy are of the same sex... but groping those melons without permissions are definitely not proper!
"Hey! Stop what you're doing Anise!!".
"You'll set a bad example for Lily. Get off there, Anise."
"Oopsie! Sorry, I'm a tad emotional due to those..."
Ah... I kind of understood her meaning. I mean... this turquoise haired woman with droopy eyes and dozing off impression had two bouncy melons. And is she wearing yukata...? Could it be she came from the same place like Takeru?
"It's fine~ I get that a lot... so who are you all....?"
"Ah, we're new students. And my apology for the late introduction. My name is Charlotte Augmund."
"Ara, such a polite child... my name is Yukine Yuki. Well... then... Charlotte-chan, please write your name... and your course here..."
Oh. So she is a Japanese descent. But why did her name resemble a certain light novel’s character’s name…? Well since there's an open book looking like a catalog and a quill, I had no choice but to write.
"The rest of you too... Please write your name and your course......"
One by one, the party members wrote their names and Courses at the designated places. Just like that, the writing was done but when it's done—
"Then... Here we go, Kagi-kun."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Lazily clasping her hands, Yuuna-san smiled. Following after was a gust of wind and emergence of glittering light from above the catalog. The light became blinding quickly it forced us to close our eyes!!
"Wh-what... happened...?" Lily gasped.
"Relax... I'm done with it..." Yukine-san said.
What is done? What did she mean by done? As the light faded, we were confronted by... floating keys...!?
"These keys are the keys for your rooms... they already have the room numbers... so... like that."
"Eh? What do you mean by that? What do you mean with that sloppy explanation?"
The woman sighed and dozed off. Again, she looked like she was going to collapse anytime but then the floating keys flew to each of us.
"Ooh... transfiguration magic. Could it be that Ms. Yukine is an alumni from the Mage Course?"
"Yes... but my magic is not something special..."
"But this book is a grimoire right? Could it be... these keys were made by the grimoire's magic?"
"Ara... such a smart underclassman. But magic procedure is a trade secret of mine..."
"Oh... th-then, can I touch it?"
"Noo~pe."
Uh... Alia, please don't get derailed by Yukine-san. Ah, she won't listen. Let's announce where we each will stay at.
"I'm in room 131." I exclaimed.
"I'm in 130! What about you, Alia?" Anise asked.
"Oh, r-right. I am in 207. And Lily is in... room 62." Alia answered though stuttering.
The little girl nodded repeatedly as she held the key tightly. It's a warm sight and it caused me to want to pet her head. Then again, our rooms are all different for some reasons. Don't tell me that we got our own room?
"Fuwaah...... Please don't forget the curfew... lock up when you go out... and don't let boys... in your room unless permitted..."
"What's with that sloppy logic for the last part!?"
"Because... youth happens... only once...?"
"No no no. Usually, boys are definitely NOT permitted in female dorm right?! And please don't show the expression as if saying 'since its youth, making mistakes is okay~'!! This place is a place for learning!!"
Even though I complained but Yukine-san ain't listening!! Hey! You're supposed to be the dorm supervisor! After a while, I gave up and decided to move on with my friends.
"...Hm... oh right... Charlotte-chan..."
"The '-chan' part is already fixed!? ...well, what is it?"
Yukine-san smiled a thin smile and she waved her hand at me. "Careful with your study here..." Then she dozed off again.
...Ah... Right. Even though I'm a Man in the inside but it didn't seem like I can look around and breach the boundary of modesty. And I did hear the principal's hidden meaning to study in a place where the kingdom's rules could never reach.
In one way, these students do not have any noble rights but if they're capable then everything is theirs to use.
Hm... Let’s just head straight to my room. Hopefully, I get a private room and if not... at least a nice roommate to talk with.
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"...this should be the correct room, right?"
In front of me was a plain wooden door with a sign of '131' on it. As I was left behind everyone already went into their rooms to unpack their belonging. Well, girls seemed to take this kind of stuff more seriously but I did not expect anything from Anise. Now that I'm here, it's the proper way for me to use the key and—ara, it's unlocked.
"Pardon my intrusion..." Once I entered, I was met with the interior of a room befitting nobility.
There were two beds set across each other. The wall was colored with pinkish white and there was a large painting which definitely did not look second-graded. There were two wardrobes, a bookshelf, two desks and there was a soft and fluffy carpet spread over the polished wooden floor.
Ah, there's a closet installed in the wall. Still, I was curious about an opened suitcase with dresses all over one of the beds more. Wait... someone's here...
"Hmph... it is slightly uncomfortable but this will make do for the time being... oh my?"
"Eh—"
There was a long pause the moment our eyes made contact. Ones were emerald, and the others were dusk colored.
Quickly, the girl stood up. Her flowing red hair swayed as her slightly disheveled shirts with the color of white greeted my view.
Then, with a 'charming' smile, she introduced herself.
"You must be my assigned roommate. My name is Renleina Volkhausen. A part of the student council and a sophomore starting this spring. It is a pleasure to meet you."
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Ever heard of getting out from a tiger's den and going into the dragon's jaw?
In summary, the phrase meant escaping danger only to meet another danger. It was definitely not a good metaphor to use for but I could hardly care when my life was already full of troubles.
Then again... has my bad luck plagued me all along? I meant...
"........."
"........."
I was sitting on my bed with my senior who was a student council member in front of me! What did I do to deserve this staring contest which was giving me cold sweats!?
"Err... excuse me... Ms. Renleina...?"
"Please call me Renleina. There is no need for formality now that we are roommates for the year."
"Uh... alright. Then Renleina... what is the matter for you to suddenly wishing for a talk with someone like me...?"
At once, pressure was exuded for a moment which gave me a shudder but then it was replaced with a sigh.
"Hrm....... even though I wanted to know the truth regarding the top freshmen who aced the entrance exam, but I do not believe someone like you can possibly defeat Felix."
Eeehh... so it's really about that huh... she's really well-informed but maybe it's precisely because she's a noble... Hm? Wait a sec, if she wanted to check how strong I am then--
"Listen up, Charlotte Augmund." Renleina called out and she showed a piercing gaze. "I do not know from where or how you could have unimaginable power to defeat Felix, but should you dare to harm him out of ill will... then I won't forgive you."
"........"
"Felix is already busy with his work both as a student and as this kingdom's hero. To have another problem such as YOU around him will simply further burden him."
...this... this kind of conversation... Isn't this...
"Also, don't get full of yourself. Felix never raised a hand to women so it's not like he tried to lose by accident. Know that you're just nobody in this place where only the most talented among the talented people could stay in."
......Ah. So that's how it is. This girl.......
"Therefore—"
"You want me to stay away from trouble (Fei) and lie down as a commoner I am."
"...that's right. As long as you don't interfere then you won't receive any problem."
Ha ha ha. I laughed slightly. My body quivering as a strange tension was let up from my shoulders. However, instead of being bothered, Renleina glared at me. Even though it's no longer effective.
"There's no need to worry about it. I intended to live out my school life without any trouble and so I will heed your words, Renleina."
I shrugged with a bitter smile. The reason being when we fought yesterday, Fei in fact blocked my sword with his and shifted almost all the damage to it. What knocked him away was simply a shock wave.
Even though five years had passed, he was still growing stronger like no other. I knew that he's getting further away because he looked less and less like a human but who am I telling that to? Magnis seems to have the people in it beyond the norm. Even the humans were actually stronger than they thought.
To be honest, I was quite certain the standard of strength and adaptability of humanity here was out of the league. If Magnis was connected with Earth then the people here would win without a doubt in terms of violence and brute strength. Well, as long as magic and technology and wits aren't included in the equation.
Could it be that the ancient people told in legends be these super humans? Most probably because Freya-sama told me that Ragnarok actually happened.
"If you understood then there is no need for further discussion. I—"
"Ah, but... If there is one thing that I would never back down from..."
Raising a finger, I slowly grinned. Then I said to Ms. Secretary of the student council.
"That is, losing to (giving up) the strongest (Fei)."
".........."
The girl became quiet. The air tensed to the maximum and yet I was feeling overjoyed for I could see the girl in front of me shaken to the core. Hehe... looks like a psychological war against an adult such as I is a little too unfair?
Renleina finally sighed after five minutes glaring. She showed a bitter smile as if hiding her true nature and then she said.
"Is that so... well then, I guess that means I am so going to prevent (crush) your silly foolery."
"Hm hmm... I look forward to how you can stop me, Ms. Renleina Volkhausen."
"Heh heh he he......."
"Ufu fu fu fu fuu......"
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".......!!?"
"Is something wrong, Master Felix? Why the pale face?"
"...somehow, I sensed a murderous intent on a magnitude I have never felt before..."
"Nah, ain't that just a cold? This year's spring don't feel warm at all y'know?"
"Urgh... the three of you... I need a little help here..."
“ “ “No thank you to work!!” ” ”