Academy – Annie

After returning to the dormitory from the open field, I immediately collapsed onto the bed.

-Plop.

“Haa….”

I felt strangely exhausted.

It wasn’t that my body was tired, but after enjoying myself so much for the first time in ages, I needed mental rest.

“Mmm….”

I rubbed the blanket with my palm, savoring its soft texture. My fingertips could feel the fluffy cotton inside.

The academy furniture wasn’t bad quality. As expected of a national facility, they certainly invested properly.

By commoners’ standards, this was several times better than what they had at home. No wonder they struggled so desperately to enter the academy.

Before long, I heaved my heavy body up and stretched to loosen my muscles.

“Huuuung….”

I didn’t want to get up so soon after lying down, but I always needed to plan ahead.

First, I needed to quickly review the current situation.

‘The plan is progressing without issues.’

Thanks to my efforts, Jade’s feelings for me had grown sufficiently. Though it felt awkward to say myself, it would’ve been hard not to fall for the version of Lena I’d been acting as.

A strong, beautiful woman who treats only you kindly.

How could Jade, who’d never dated before, resist that?

Moreover, it was clear he’d had feelings for me from the start.

Now I just needed to further provoke that academy brat…

“Ah, I almost forgot about that.”

Suddenly remembering the magic stone from the lair, I opened my subspace.

Where did I put it…

I rummaged through the subspace filled with countless piled-up items.

It was harder to find than expected because of all the miscellaneous stuff. This subspace isn’t a garbage dump – I really need to organize it later.

“Here it is.”

I retrieved a very small magic stone from the subspace and placed it on the desk. Then took out another large magic stone.

“Now. If I do this…”

When I brought the small stone close to the large one, they began merging.

-Sluurp.

Looking at the combined magic stone…

“Hmm….”

There was no change in size at all.

Was it always this small?

I hadn’t expected much, but it was still disappointing. Well, better than nothing.

Looking at the now considerably larger magic stone, anticipation welled up inside me.

With this size, shouldn’t it be able to resolve her curse?

Once my academy plan concludes, I’ll naturally head to the Holy Kingdom and meet her there.

“I wonder how she’s living now….”

-Knock knock.

While happily imagining, I heard someone knocking on the wall.

“Huh?”

Turning my head toward the desk, I saw the switch at one end blinking.

I was too focused to notice earlier.

-Click.

Pressing the small switch on the desk, Annie’s voice came through.

―Lena, can you hear me?

“Yeah, loud and clear. I was busy with something else and missed it.”

ㅡEven on weekends you’re so busy. Do you ever rest?

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Judging by her voice, Annie seemed bored again today.

“Are you studying hard?”

ㅡUgh, did you have to bring that up? Well, I’ve done some studying.

“Really? Should I come check on you myself?”

ㅡY-you don’t trust me? You’re not really coming, right?

Actually, Annie lived right next door to my dorm room.

Meaning I could visit anytime I wanted.

‘Come to think of it, Annie and I have gotten quite close.’

My first meeting with Annie was on my first day at the academy.

When I transferred in, Annie was seated right next to me.

‘You’re really pretty. How did you transfer here?’

‘A swordsman? Can you show me your training sometime?’

Perhaps happy about sitting next to me, she kept initiating conversation.

If it had been a male student I would’ve ignored them, but Annie was cute so I humored her attention.

No need to be cold to a cute girl.

With mutual interest, growing closer was natural.

After I started showing interest in Jade, the three of us began hanging out together.

During that time, Annie naturally discovered we lived in adjacent dorm rooms.

Excited, Annie visited my room several times. Each time, I enthusiastically ruffled her red hair or pinched her cheeks.

‘Teasing Annie is so enjoyable.’

Those moments were like oases in the tedious academy life.

One day, Annie handed me a small object she’d brought from home.

“What’s this? A switch?”

Of course I recognized it immediately.

It was a simple communication device. Only worked at short range though.

Still, being magic-infused made it quite expensive. I was surprised she’d prepared something like this.

“Press this switch and speak, and we’ll hear each other. It’s paired with the switch I have. A way to talk even during dorm curfew.”

She looked proud of her idea.

Wasn’t a bad deal for me.

Though daily use might get annoying, it was a good opportunity to grow closer to Annie and gather academy information.

“When I press my switch, yours will signal too. Press yours when you see the signal, okay?”

Since then, Annie would press the switch whenever bored to chat like now.

―Haa… But seriously, what about exam studying? If only I were smart like my brother, I wouldn’t worry.

“You’re talented too? You’ll make it to the Magic Tower.”

―The Magic Tower? I have to…

Annie longed for the Magic Tower not just as a mage, but because her brother was there.

Annie was the daughter of Baron Orden’s family. Though poor for nobles, I heard both parents were good people.

The unusual detail was she had an older brother affiliated with the Magic Tower.

He’d briefly attended Vail Academy with excellent grades, allowing him to transfer to Rain Academy in the capital where he graduated.

Last time, Annie proudly rambled about admiring her brother and coming here because of him.

‘The Magic Tower would be nice. Though I owe them plenty too.’

The Magic Tower.

One of the world’s most famous towers, the sole center of magic on the continent.

There were similar places, but none could use the name “Magic Tower.”

The endlessly towering structure at Broti Forest’s center between the Empire and Holy Kingdom.

Only that place could rightfully bear the Magic Tower name.

No wonder all mages dreamed of entering. Just having Magic Tower experience granted special treatment everywhere.

I’d received much help from them too, since my close friend was a core Magic Tower figure.

The Magic Tower was part of my plan. As a swordsman, I’d inevitably need skilled mages.

‘With luck, I might meet Annie’s brother.’

Later, while chatting about various things, Annie suddenly asked:

―Lena, has Jade seemed odd lately?

“Jade?”

―Always slumped over exhausted, constantly injured.

―He says it’s from training and studying, but he wasn’t like this before. Haa…

Annie’s sigh came through, worried about Jade.

She’d finally started noticing Jade’s condition. I’d expected perceptive Annie would realize by now.

“Maybe something else is going on? If he’s not telling us, it must be something private. Let’s wait.”

―Really? By the way, you’re still so kind to Jade.

“M-me?”

―Hehe… Am I right about what I’m thinking?

“W-what? No, absolutely not.”

I stammered as if hit a nerve.

ㅡWell, I’ll wait until you’re ready to say it.

Annie generously pretended to let it go.

“I told you it’s not…”

―Hehe, got it. I’ll head to bed now. See you tomorrow.

“Mmm. Sleep well.”

-Click.

I turned off the switch.

As Annie said, Jade’s condition wasn’t normal. Part of my plan, but…

This suggested things had progressed considerably between Jade and that brat…

Perhaps it was time to execute the plan.

**

The weekend passed, and morning came for returning to the academy.

Adding unplanned tasks really made time fly.

“Don’t think I forgot anything.”

Even if I had, I’d manage.

Regardless, after preparing to leave, I exited the dormitory.

On the path to the academy, I spotted a red-haired girl running toward me.

“Lena!”

Annie ran up happily but suddenly looked shocked.

‘Is something wrong?’

Following her gaze, she was staring at my clothes.

“New clothes? Did you get hurt during a request?”

Ah… I knew she’d notice, but catching it immediately was almost scary.

“No. Just tore my clothes, but they weren’t worth repairing so I bought new ones.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Don’t you worry too much?”

“Of course I trust your skills… But be careful. If you get hurt, I’ll cry.”

Annie clung to my arm, pouting. Must’ve imagined me getting injured.

‘Annie’s adorable today too.’

Though she seemed a bit obsessive. That’ll make life hard for her later.

“Hehe, don’t worry.”

-Pat, pat.

I stroked her red hair to reassure her.

Her crown was just at mouth height, making stroking slightly awkward. Wish she were shorter.

“Mmm, why do you always stroke my hair?”

“Because you’re cute?”

“Uuu…”

Annie puffed her cheeks, displeased.

She couldn’t hate it that much – she’d have swatted my hand away otherwise.

I wanted to pinch those chubby cheeks too… but that would really anger her.

Chatting about various things, we headed to the academy.

Arriving at the classroom, we opened the door and entered.

-Creak.

All eyes turned toward us as we entered.

Then a male student hesitantly approached me.

“Um… free today? I have hard-to-get theater tickets…”

“You know I’ll refuse. Asking despite that is rude.”

I coldly rejected his advances, harsh enough to seem cruel.

“S-sorry…”

The student retreated with a wounded expression.

I’d diligently built a reputation as someone admired and envied at the academy.

Being beautiful and strong meant many boys approached or confessed to me.

Sadly, I couldn’t return their feelings.

Looking around, I spotted Jade slumped over his desk.

I immediately approached him.

“Jade, didn’t sleep well?”

At my words, Jade lifted his face.

“Mmm… Couldn’t sleep.”

Last night’s forest events must still haunt him. Too intense for Jade.

Examining his face, I noticed injuries resembling punches.

“Your face is hurt again. From training yesterday?”

“Yeah…”

Jade nodded at my concerned question.

“You did this last time too. Don’t overdo it.”

“Look at you two, all lovey-dovey?”

A mocking voice came from beside us.

A male student sat with legs on the desk – Doran von Zesto.

“Lena, what’s so great about Jade that you approach him?”

This bratty brown-haired guy was the epitome of a delinquent noble.

From House Zesto, a powerful count family in the Rika Kingdom.

Though originally attending the capital’s Rain Academy, rumors said poor grades got him expelled here.

The current count was quite capable… guess he lacked luck with children.

“Why not come to me instead? Better than some commoner trash.”

“Haa… Why would I want trash like you?”

“Trash? That’s harsh. At least I’m stronger, richer, and higher-status than him. What’s lacking?”

“Pfft.”

I scoffed at Doran’s arrogance, then provoked his ego.

“Getting kicked out of Rain Academy for pathetic skills and crawling here…”

“…”

My words hit a nerve – Doran’s face instantly hardened. Pathetic how his pride couldn’t handle this.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“…Fine. We’ll settle this later.”

Good, get angrier.

The more you rage, the more beautiful my plan’s conclusion will be.

As tension thickened between Doran and me…

-Creak.

The front door opened as a professor entered.

Perfect timing to cut the situation.

“Huu… Doran, you’re not even worth my time.”

“You…!”

“You’d better be careful not to get expelled from here too.”

Leaving Doran glaring daggers, I returned to my seat.