episode_0002

We spent the rest of the time sightseeing outside the city, and time passed quickly until it was finally the day of the entrance ceremony.

Students filled the large auditorium, and their individual sounds filled the auditorium.

After taking a quick look at the figure with my distant eyes, I turned my gaze to the side.

Mary was standing there, showing a little bit of tension and excitement that could not be hidden on her face.

“It’s finally starting… … .”

It’s just an entrance ceremony, so I wonder why I’m so excited, but that’s probably my fault, not Mary’s.

It may be because I am not a very emotional person to begin with, and it may also be because I was admitted against my wishes.

Most of those gathered here would probably have the same reaction as Mary. That’s right, this is Ferdion Academy.

Perdion Academy, undisputedly the best educational institution on the continent.

A place where dreams come together, where your level will be recognized just by entering the school, and where you will receive great honor the moment you successfully graduate.

It’s not a lie, but the academy boasts such a powerful status that you don’t have to worry about making a living with just a diploma, or even beyond that, you don’t have to worry too much about success.

Since it is the moment to become a part of such a great academy, most students will be filled with excitement.

As for me, if possible, I would like someone to enroll instead of me.

Anyway, while I was lost in thought, looking at the freshmen with distant eyes, someone came up to the stage.

“Nice to meet you, everyone.”

A lightly spoken voice resonates throughout the auditorium.

Although he only appears to be an old man with a benevolent appearance, everyone here knows that he is no ordinary old man.

One of the greatest wizards on the entire continent and a renowned scholar.

Veluid Demens, principal of Perdion Academy.

“First of all, welcome to admission.”

With his greetings, my unwanted life at the academy began.

***

Admission to the academy is like a signal that the original story begins.

And there is the first event that the story faces after leaving the starting line.

“… Haha.”

“Then the ground will disappear, man.”

A voice heard through an inadvertently released sigh.

And at the same time, the identity of this guy who sticks his head out and looks far from a model student just by looking at his face is Jack.

This is my roommate.

His status is a commoner, and he majors in magic.

Because we are commoners, have an easy-going personality, and communicate fairly well, we have become quite comfortable friends over the past few days.

“Get ready quickly. Time is running out.”

“… That’s how it should be.”

I calmed down my reluctant mind and stood up, unable to help but agree with Jack’s words.

Today is the day of the banquet.

This banquet for new academy students is nominally an event hosted by the student council with the purpose of getting to know each other and strengthening friendships.

There won’t be many people who dislike this event, as you can get to know many people with delicious food and alcohol prepared.

What am I… Of course I don’t want to go.

In fact, you are not necessarily or forced to participate in the banquet.

Nevertheless, the reason I participate is because not participating would be conspicuous.

Extras should not stand out. I should bury it quietly.

So, with reluctant steps, I left the dormitory and started walking towards the banquet hall with Jack.

“Ah.”

When I almost reached the banquet hall, I ran into a familiar face.

Well, at the moment, there is only one person whose face I can say I recognize.

“… Heung.”

The only one, Mary, widened her eyes slightly when she encountered me, but then turned her head away in silence. Then he walked into the banquet hall with great strides.

Judging from his reaction, he seemed to be very upset.

“What, what’s going on?”

Jack, who was walking with me, asked with a puzzled look.

Even if you don’t know the situation, you can at least know that the picture is unusual.

The reason Mary reacts like that is probably because she signed up for the course.

Even though our majors were different, Mary wanted to teach all classes except her major, and I refused.

In the process, the reason was not properly explained, so I expected him to get upset that much.

“It’s nothing.”

It’s not something I need to hide, but it’s not worth explaining here, so I decided to skip it for now.

“Hmm. Really?”

Jack didn’t seem to care much either, so we went straight into the banquet hall.

“It’s very wide.”

That was Jack’s impression after seeing the scene inside.

As the saying goes, the interior was so large that it overwhelmed the halls of most castles.

We looked around and took a good seat.

The surrounding area was already filled with freshmen.

They had all formed their own groups and were already talking.

“Is this an academy or a social circle?”

Jack looked at that and shook his head.

It’s not that they weren’t, except that they were wearing school uniforms, but they didn’t look like students who had just become adults.

I guess they feel that way because their principles of action seem transparent.

Networking. They are trying to build connections.

Not to mention nobles, there are quite a few commoners who come to the academy for that purpose… No, there are quite a few.

I don’t really think their actions are bad.

Everyone has different values and different ways of living.

“Thank you for attending.”

At that time, someone appeared at the head table of the banquet hall.

A red tie that stands out among the black and white-based academy uniform.

It meant second grade.

His appearance, with his dazzling blonde hair, blue eyes, and other distinct features, was like something out of a fairy tale, like a prince that young girls dreamed of at least once.

“The student council president of the Elbrent Empire, my name is Cairn.”

Murmur.

Upon hearing that name, the inside of the banquet hall immediately became noisy.

Well, that’s quite possible.

That man is a celebrity I know who is not particularly interested in this type of thing.

There are only two empires in this world.

One of them is the crown prince of the Elbrent Empire, and above all, he is one of the male protagonists of the original work.

“And there are other student council presidents here as well.”

Cairn said that and spread one arm.

In the direction the arm was pointing, at the head of the table, there were several people other than him standing.

As students from each country gather at the academy, there is a separate student council for each country.

The reason is… Well, maybe to prevent conflict or something?

When there is an event at the academy, it is common for each student council to coordinate opinions and handle tasks or take turns taking charge of tasks.

Seeing Cairn step forward, it seemed like it was the Elbrent Empire’s turn this time.

“Now, please enjoy the banquet comfortably.”

And so the banquet began with Cairn’s bright smile.

***

The banquet started, but I didn’t move from my seat.

I just stood still and looked around the banquet hall. Until you see the face you want.

And it wasn’t long before I found it.

The image of Mary smiling and talking to people.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any problem.’

I wasn’t too worried at first.

Mary is friendly and quite quick-witted.

I will make friends with people on my own without having to worry, and I will also make a mark on the male leads.

“ Hey, look at their gorgeous faces.”

As I was quietly looking at Mary, I heard Jack’s admiring voice.

When I looked back at Jack to see what was going on, he was smiling with his eyes wide open.

“Do you see that? He is the son of General Ebeltus, the nephew of the Imperial Chancellor, the disciple of the famous Sword Saint, and the next successor to the ‘Golden Hand’. Kya.”

After hearing those words, I understood why Jack reacted that way.

All commoners… No, it would be amazing to see in person people with prominent names that even the most noble would find difficult to meet.

Of course, I wasn’t really interested.

“Huh? Hey, where are you going?”

“Just. I feel a bit sick.”

I also checked Mary’s condition and decided to kill some time.

First, after getting out of this stuffy space.

After leaving the venue, I wandered around the large building and found a terrace in a corner of the third floor.

After a quick look, there was no one there.

Well, while the banquet is in full swing, there is probably no one but me who would leave and come to a corner like this.

Rumbling─

I opened the window and came out onto the terrace and looked up at the sky.

Since the banquet had started in the evening, the sun had disappeared and the moon and stars had taken its place.

Breathing in the chilly night air with that sight, I felt a small sense of liberation.

If you stay like this, when the banquet is over, you can go back and join the group of people leaving. With that thought in mind, I gazed endlessly at the night sky.

Meanwhile.

Jump and jump.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard.

The sound of footsteps got closer little by little, and soon the windows on the terrace opened gently on both sides.

And then a woman with red hair resembling a rose came into the terrace.