Leimburg Academy. As it looked like, it's a mammoth Academy where the students ranged from 5 to unknown. Because there's no restriction in ages, even an old man could enroll here as a student as long as he showed promising results.

The whole size of this Academy was a third of the Intermediate Layer of Raumia, and it possessed the necessary facilities for the students to be self-sufficient. There existed three main school buildings which differentiated the Courses in general with several smaller buildings as extension.

Each was respectively located in a fair distance between each other, and the dining hall was large enough to fill the whole student body which usually reached triple digits in numbers alone.

Other than that, an empty field wide enough to hold a large-scale martial arts tournament was placed next behind the main buildings. The purpose of it was for magic and combat training and annual school events or something similar to them.

Heck... even I had to move around while infusing a small amount of aura to reinforce my legs. Too much space and luxury were used in the making of the Academy. Well, at least I can get enough materials for me to train and I could easily fetch my medicine from an alumni that built an apothecary near the school field.

"Uhn. This actually looks nice." I said in front of the mirror.

Once I woke up and taking an early morning bath, I dried myself with a towel before I changed into the designated uniform for a Knight Course Student. It consisted of white shirts, a brown coat, a shawl and knee-length skirts with a pair of tights and boots. The quality definitely looked like no other as it was very comfortable when worn over.

Hmm...... This must be made of silk and cotton. But how did they produce such clothes so neatly and in large numbers as well? Also... did the Academy adopt this style according to another world heroes' knowledge?? If so, I really wanted to ask the designer to make myself a gakuran and P.E. clothes.

Of course... no bloomers. I don't want to humiliate myself even more so when I am already conscience of my present identity.

...Come to think of it—there's my roommate who is still fast asleep even though morning arrived for a while ago.

"Should I wake her up? But I don't really have any obligation to do it."

We did a glaring contest all night long and raising our suspicions as if ready to backstab each other should there be a slightest chance for it. In the end there was no winner because we both fell asleep due to exhaustion.

Then I heard a knock from outside of the room. I quickly went to open the door and... There was a loli standing beyond the door.

"Good morning, Ms. Charlotte Augmund." The loli presented a graceful bow.

"G-good morning. And who might you be...?" I inquired.

"Excuse me. My name is Chloe Ravensworth. I am at my second year in the Magic Course as you can see."

As you can see…? I couldn’t clearly recognize any difference other than the color of her ribbon. Ah, could it be that the color change showed the difference between grades for the Mage Course students? Well, it did look gaudy unlike the Knight Course’s which focused in versatility and freedom of movement.

"I... see....... then, what kind of business a senior such as Ms. Chloe would have to come all the way here...?"

The girl with honey brown hair and hazelnut eye color pointed at the space between me and the door. To be more precise, she was pointing at... Renleina?

"I've come to wake Ms. Renleina up. She usually stayed asleep at the morning."

"...Is it normal for a senior to wake her up?"

"Yes. She IS, after all, the lady I served from childhood."

.......my thought went frozen and I let out a surprised comment.

"Eh?! Senior is a Servant!!? Even though you are this young!!?"

Chloe chuckled. She was showing a very mature response and it was getting out of my hand when she responded.

"Such flattery is wasted for a person such as me. Our relationship usually stayed as a secret but because Ms. Charlotte is milady's roommate, I thought to inform you beforehand in order to prevent any misunderstanding."

"I-I see... so... this is a normal occurrence."

"Milady often stayed up late and she always have been a handful one at the morning. Well then, may I go in now?"

"Ah—! Right, please excuse me!"

I allowed Chloe-senpai to enter the room. Her gait was definitely refined and I was entranced by it. But that was when she said.

"Oh yes. Ms. Charlotte, your friends have been waiting for you in the dining hall."

Seriously!? I was late even though I tried to wake up as early as I could! In panic, I dashed to grab my sword and a handbag which was quite similar to one in my high school days.

"The-then, I shall leave Renleina in senior's care! Please excuse me!!"

"Yes. Have a nice day."

"Senior as well...!"

I ran out in gusto. Leaving the dorm supervisor who was still fast asleep on her desk alone, I went to fulfill my appointment. But for some reasons, I heard a death throe from behind...

"Eh... the morning's quite rowdy today... Did someone abused animal so early or has the chef won a battle against a dragon to make it for breakfast?"

Of course... the truth remained hidden even if the end of time arrived.

-

-

-

-

"Charl is pretty late~ did being separated from your lil' Bro broke your rhythm?"

"Shut up, Anise. It's you all who woke up so early which is stranger."

"Adventurers are meant to be capable of handling dangers! You must be able to sleep soundly even if you're in a great pinch!!"

"That's right. Even Lily woke up earlier than you, Charlotte."

Ugh... now my dignity is reduced to dust. I wanted to cry and console myself but the sound of Leon wolfing down his breakfast was a rare sight. Once I asked him, the person said.

"Thanks to a certain shithead, I got little time to sleep and I spent too much mana last night."

...did he indirectly declare himself fighting last night? I saw a few scratches on his face so maybe he got a roommate who was incompatible with him in personality.... or don't tell me!

"Leon, you didn’t break the curfew and spying on our dorm right?"

"How did you reach that conclusion of all things, big sister...?"

"Well... it's just a 'what-if' question! I have a freedom to voice out my opinion!!"

My younger brother sighed as he shook his head in resignation. I was quite confused when he mumbled something I could not hear under his breathes but it could be my imagination...

Well, time to eat. Because I have to pay for the food I ordered, I decided to pick the cheapest set. Then I chatted with my friends and my family during breakfast.

...unexpectedly, the food for nobles were so-so in flavor even though the prices were beyond Solaris' reaches. It lowered my appetite somehow.

-

-

-

-

"Well then, we're off, everyone."

"Um... S-see you later afterschool, Onee-chan! Onii-chan!"

Waw, I was called Onii-chan! Or could it be Onee-chan...? But if that were so, then--

"Since when did Lily call you Onii-chan, Leon?"

"...no idea. Try to ask her by yourself, sis."

Tch. You knew that I was not too close with Lily. And hey, don't run off by yourself! Sheesh, this boy is really a handful one.

Once the group went in separate ways, I was walking between Anise and Leon. We're heading to the building painted with brown and at the top of the building which was a reminiscent of renaissance era, a flag of Knight Course's insignia fluttered.

"Hrm... by the way, Charl. Where's our classroom?"

"Eh? Isn't it written in your student handbook, Anise?"

"....uh. I forgot to bring it."

...great. I sighed then I explained to her where our classroom was located at including our agenda for today. Because we're freshmen who arrived through special entrance exam, we were put in the same classroom.

"Awh, hope the lesson isn't going to be long."

"Don't worry. Knight Course is combat oriented anyway so I doubt you need extensive understanding other than writing and reading simple sentences."

In fact, the Knight Course seemed to have few theories because combat was its main study. Maybe there would be some focusing on stratagems or survival techniques.

Well... the first day is all about introduction of the education system and orientation. Nearly everywhere the standard is like that.

"So... Here we are."

At the second floor, the furthest classroom in the left wing of this huge school building... was our designated classroom.

"I wanna be the first one to enter!"

Anise's side bang of hair swayed as she smiled in anticipation. She was excited and she seemed to enjoy herself to the fullest. This isn't a festival though so where and how could her energy last throughout the year?

With the sliding door opened up, the three of us perked in… and there were already many people inside the classroom.

Huh... they instantly shot a glance at us and whispering among themselves. Leon who was non-human probably heard what they talked about but I doubted he listened in something good.

"Big sister, can I kill them?" The boy requested with furrowed brows.

"No no no. Why are you suddenly showing such murderous aura around you!?" I half-yelled.

"Somehow, the air doesn't seem friendly." Anise commented… wait, she didn’t shout?! Who are you?!

Even so, I doubted it was anything bad so I waltzed in and took a seat at the furthest row.

"What's wrong, Leon? Anise? Come over here."

Urged by me, the two ignored the stares and sat beside me. Anise took the seat on my left which was precisely next to the window and Leon took the right seat. Just as we waited for the bell to ring—

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Aren't they the commoners who passed that barbaric exam?" "Then they're just a bunch of barbarians." "Who do they think they are to sit down when they're just a bunch of commoners?" "Hmh... I doubt those plebeians would even understand a thing about moral and politeness." "Haa... just what is the principal thinking to even allow these worms to enter the school premise?"

...well now. They actually hated us. Leon was gritting his teeth very hard but I knocked his head with a chop before he rampaged.

"Don't you be provoked by such trifling matter. You won't know how long it will end, Leon."

"But... but they are... those bastards are mocking big sister!"

"And should I even take their words in? Will I lose something just because of those verbal insults?"

But...! I silenced Leon with a finger placed in front of my curved lips. Then I tried to speak as quietly as possible.

"Let the dogs bark the way they want. Unless they have pride in their swords then they might as well die in the path of knighthood."

This attempt reeled most if not all the students in the classroom. Well, the ratio of male-to-female was certainly obscured by the boys. Of course it was unacceptable to them but when one of them stood up from their seat... the door opened and a teacher entered.

"Ga ha ha haaaaaaa! Well said, lass!! As spoken like a Knight you are!"

Hmm...? The students hurriedly returned to their seats but I was stunned by the sight of a tanned man with broad shoulders standing in front of the blackboard. He had sharp eyes and beastly grin with his oak brown hair reflecting the sunlight coming through the windows. His cheeks were tight and though there were indications of wrinkles added by his bushy beard, the man impressed me with his extraordinary aura leaking from his body.

The amount was enough to make me sure he’s a powerful warrior and also a veteran in wars. I also glimpsed a large gash scar at the base of his neck, showing how close he was from entering afterlife in his past.

"Hello there, fledglings of the Knight Course! My name is Galahad Dawnbringer, your assigned combat instructor until you raised in Rank in this Academy!"

Ga...Galahad...? Have I entered the lore of King Arthur? Did I just wander in Le Morte d’Arthur?! Ah, but... the image of Galahad I had clashed with this Galahad so maybe he's a different person.

Even so... that did nothing to reduce the possibility of him having the same strength as the Galahad I knew. Well... let's just do the wait-and-see tactic until I was sure of it. If he's strong like his legend then he might have a thing or two to teach me.

"Excuse me but what is this ‘Rank’ you are talking about, teacher?" A student raised a hand.

"Call me instructor! And a good point you have brought up there, lad!!" Instructor pointed out.

Listen up! Instructor Galahad crossed his arms as he flexed his neck. He began by explaining the education system used in Knight Course.

First, everyone who was a new student started as Initiate Rank which was the lowest in the grades. These Initiates would then learn the basics and compete with other students of the same grade for a year. Once the teachings and studies were done, there would be an evaluation exam which would decide them whether to Rank Up or dropping out of the school.

The Ranks system differed depending on the Course. For Knight Course, the Rank started like this:

Initiate > Squire > Guard > Knight > Royal Knight

From the looks of it, one could graduate once they achieved the Knight Rank so it would take at least four years of study and competition against fellow Course students. But I heard that Royal Knight Rank was a special grade dedicated for those who intend to serve the kingdom's military directly after graduation so it must be an extension grade.

Each Rank differed between each other due to the complexity and difficulties of the lessons within them. From the easiest to the hardest, students were required to be adaptive and quick on the uptake if they wanted to graduate faster than the others.

Then, to Rank Up, students must be capable enough to score at the minimum of B+ for the major studies they picked and C for each of the minor studies. They must distinguish their selves by scoring at least the aforementioned scores every week. Also, it was required for the students to go through an exam at the end of the month. In addition to it, one must display an extraordinary achievement at the final exam which would decide the fate of the students whether to raise in Ranks or be dropped out.

"That's the butter and bread of this Course. If you all want to graduate then do constant improvement rather than slacking off. Memorize the rules and you won't have anything to bother your head other than challenging the lessons."

"Then... what is it that Instructor would teach us?"

"Another good point. The lass over there, take these parchments and give them to your classmates. Also, pay attention once you're done!"

Instructor then wrote the list of major studies and minor studies on the blackboard. I couldn't say it was passable for reading but I doubted he had the energy to not waste the chalks so carelessly like that.

In total, there were ten major studies and thirty minor studies so that made it all as forty. Quite a number to have for an Academy and I must at least have three major studies and four minor studies. By the way, it seemed that only the major studies which were unique for each Course. The minor studies are all free for everyone to pick so there's a possibility of meeting Alia or Lily.

"Write the subjects you are interested in those parchments and hand it to me. By the way, I am teaching combat knowledge in general so you'll get both theories and field practice under me."

Once the paper forms were given with a quill and an ink bottle, I thought up immediately. This is like asking for my future career path back before I died. I was having complicated feeling because I died shortly after but I guess I should be happy now that I can do what I couldn't do. Well, I have never entered college life so my information about what I knew was wrong huh?

...Hmm. How about this? I decided to pick the fields I excelled the most for my major and things I could but not good enough for the minor. Ah, but... If I don't do something new then how could I improve myself? ....let's think about it for a little bit longer......

"Oh, oh! Let me see, Charl!"

"Ah, hey! Anise, I haven't written all of them...!"

"Lessee here... [Swordsmanship], [Tactical Knowledge], and [General Combat] for major... then [Unique Diseases Research], [Dungeon Exploration], [Survival Training], and... [Cooking]...? Eh? Why did you choose [Cooking]?"

I took back the form in a flash and with burning red cheeks, I half yelled at the idiot!!

"Sh-shut up! That's none of your business!!"

"Huh...? Why so serious, Charl?"

"It's because of you! And enough with me! What about YOU, Anise!? Have you written what you wanted to study?"

"Eh he he! I already submitted it to Instructor!"

No way! The lazy Anise who usually took her time till the last second before acting already submitted her homework!? Impossibru!!

"Sis, you haven't submitted yours?"

"Huh!? Don't tell me... did you submit it already too, Leon?!"

I was replied with a nod! What a shock!! To think I was latter than my family and friends who were younger than me... Urgh. Damn it! I'll submit mine as well!!

"Oh, you're the last one, lass. What did you do before?" Instructor turned to me while holding a bunch of papers with one of his big hands.

"Well... something held me back." I looked away and handed the parchment containing the studies I was interested in.

I didn't feel like talking about the reason and why do I have to feel so old and senile despite being 12 years old...? ...ah, right. It's because I'm already 29 years old in terms of mental maturity.

"That so? Now let's see what you've picked...... Hm?"

Instructor showed and estranged expression then he asked me quietly.

"Lass, are you sick?"

"...how did instructor know?"

"I've had my rough experiences. But you don't look like you are stricken ill."

A ha ha ha... He's a sharp man. Could he be an expert when seeing through people? I certainly don't want to make him as an enemy. But because I didn't want to talk about it in details, I chose to explain with volume enough for Instructor alone to hear it.

"Well... I have this strange disease ever since I was born. But I haven't been so ill until recently. I thought of knowing why I received this illness because not even the Great Wizard of Aeinsland could find a permanent cure for it."

"......and yet you chose the Knight Course even though you knew what peril this Academy has for you?" Instructor asked a question. But it was within my expectation so I readily answered back.

"I want to be strong. Strong enough to stand by someone's side even if my days are numbered. Is it not enough of a reason for me to be here?"

Without hesitating nor lying, I gazed at the man's eyes. Instructor Galahad made a complicated expression. His eyes glimmered faintly as if he had reminisced something but that expression vanished after he flapped the piece of paper which was the form paper for the studies I wanted to participate in.

"Alright then! If you think you can take up my lessons then I won't show mercy!"

"Please do so. I will definitely surpass instructor in no time!"

"Ga ha ha ha ha! Challenging me, eh? You've got the guts there, lass! Well, show me what you're capable at later in the afternoon. And you all too! Gather in the field at the designated time! For now, all of you are dismissed!!"