Chapter 30 – The First Day of School

“Travel safely, Sarah.”

“Miss Sarah! Goodbye! See you during the break!”

“Thank you… for everything over the last two days.”

“Hehe. Not at all. As long as Lady Ellie and everyone else were comfortable, that’s all that matters.”

Standing in front of the carriage, Sarah smiled more brightly than usual and gave a deep bow.

“I hope you have an enjoyable time at the academy.”

“Yes!”

“…Yes.”

“And, Lady Ellie…”

Sarah’s worried gaze fixed on me.

“Please, don’t forget what I told you.”

“I won’t.”

“…I trust you.”

Yesterday, Sarah came to me with a warning.

She cautioned me about students with platinum blonde hair, including upperclassmen.

She even brought photographs and documents detailing everything about them.

The royals.

The third-year First Princess, the second-year Second Prince, and the Second Princess, who will be in our class.

Like I’d ever mess with royalty.

It’s unnecessary worry. Even I wouldn’t cause trouble around royalty without good reason.

In my previous life, I had my reasons for acting out.

The other thing Sarah warned me about was the black mage we encountered before.

She begged me not to pursue the mage on my own and asked me to send for help if I ever needed it.

I have no intention of looking for them alone. At my current level, digging too deep would only get me killed.

If they come after me, I’ll fight back, but I won’t go looking for them.

***

“Stella, why are you looking at me like that?”

“What? What did I do?”

“I don’t like the way you’re looking at me. It makes me want to stab you.”

“This is just how I look. Didn’t you know?”

“You look even more obnoxious than usual.”

“Hmph!”

I’ve never seen someone actually make a “hmph!” sound while turning their head before.

Sure, I haven’t met that many people in this life, but I still think this kind of audacity is something only Stella would pull off.

“Anyway, don’t worry. And send my regards to your mother and father.”

“Yes. I’ll stay until you leave.”

“You don’t need to go that far.”

“Well… I won’t see you for a while, so I just want to stay a little longer.”

“…Alright, then. Watch me all you want.”

I chuckled softly and turned away.

“Ah! Hey, don’t just walk away like that! Ah, Miss Sarah, I’ll be off now. Have a safe trip back.”

“Trip back? But Sarah’s hometown isn’t even in the Duchy of Eustetia.”

“Shut up! It’s just a figure of speech!”

“Miss Sarah! Travel safely!!”

With Stella’s clumsy imitation of noble speech and Yurasia’s cheerful farewell, we turned and walked away.

In the distance, the academy came into view.

Wrapped in the cool air and bathed in clear sunlight, the academy looked even more splendid than usual.

***

The entrance ceremonies for the special class Signia and the general class Frunt are held at the same time, though not in the same location.

Each class stands in different areas.

Frunt is on the first floor, Signia on the second.

Frunt has more than a dozen classes.

Seeing all those new students gathered on the academy field below stirred a strange sense of emotion.

I wondered how many of them would eventually hunt high-ranking monsters in the Demon Realm or fight against demons. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of grandeur.

Even in peacetime, without wars against Gevihenum, these kids came here to grow stronger.

If you saw these students and felt nothing, you’d be like Luna—completely insane.

If it were Luna, she’d probably say:

“All these pale little worms squirming around… It’s a pretty disgusting sight.”

I stifled a laugh and looked toward the second floor, where the Signia freshmen were gathered.

There are only twenty of them.

Ten students per class.

Everyone is dressed differently—not in academy uniforms.

When I discreetly asked Yurasia about it, she said the uniforms are handed out in front of the dormitory for Signia students.

I don’t know why.

According to Stella, it’s because the uniforms are tailored individually to fit each student, and they collect feedback to improve the design and comfort over time.

I wonder if they really do that.

Anyway, the variety of clothing highlighted the stark differences in social status among the students gathered on the second floor.

And among them, a girl with platinum blonde hair, standing emotionlessly as she listened to the headmaster’s speech, stood out the most.

The Second Princess, Silina de Hermann.

Her hair, eyebrows, and eyes are all platinum-colored.

It’s nearly white, but when the light hits it, it gleams faintly with a golden shimmer—a testament to her noble blood.

Judging by her build, she seems to be trained in frontline combat. Though her clothing obscures it, it looks like she wields different weapons in each hand.

Not a sword and shield…

What could it be? A princess wielding dual swords?

In any case, she’s one of the kids I was told not to mess with—along with the Second Prince and First Princess.

From what I’ve read in the documents Sarah provided and heard through rumors, the royal siblings are quite a handful.

First, the First Princess is said to be a delinquent—a troublemaker.

But there’s also a rumor that the Second Prince started that story.

Then, another rumor claims the First Princess spread the story herself to ruin her brother’s reputation.

The Second Prince, currently studying at the academy, is said to have stirred the rumors even more for fun.

And yet, there’s another version—saying the First Princess started it all to eliminate her rivals within the family.

Then there’s a final twist: the Second Princess sitting over there supposedly manipulated everyone, deceiving them all.

There were even more convoluted stories, but I decided to stop paying attention.

I don’t care, and I don’t want to get involved.

Let them tear each other apart. It’s none of my business.

They won’t cross paths with me in the Demon Realm anyway.

Sure, a royal might volunteer for a campaign, but the royal family wouldn’t allow it.

Even if they’ve lost favor and have no claim to the throne, the family wouldn’t send them to the frontlines.

The royal family fears that their platinum bloodline could fall into the hands of demons.

They worry the demons might bear children with royal blood.

That’s how it was 400 years ago, too.

In short, it’s none of my concern.

***

I swallowed, tasting the faint hint of peppermint on my tongue.

The students gathered here were of all races—even beastfolk.

I spotted one with round ears, a fluffy tail, and a small frame—a squirrel beastfolk, perhaps.

Next to them stood a massive, muscular figure. I wondered if someone that large could really be academy-aged. Stella told me he’s a famous warrior and heir to a western principality.

He’s 17 years old, the same age as me.

But his face looks like someone in their late 20s.

There were many other notable students, but I turned my gaze back to the first floor.

It was time for the top-ranked student to deliver their speech.

Yurasia had practiced her speech endlessly, and now the moment had come.

Her golden hair fluttered gently.

She scanned the freshmen with her bright blue eyes and began speaking.

“Greetings. I am Yurasia Espilot, the representative of the new students.”

“…Oh.”

Her voice, normally light and playful, was now low and solemn. It carried throughout the academy via the magical devices.

Though her hands trembled from nerves, her speech was calm and composed—so much so that even I was impressed.

Her subtle smiles and natural gestures made me wonder if this was the same Yurasia I knew—the one who acts like a big, excitable puppy.

Next came the speech from the runner-up, Stella Verheigen.

“Uh, ah… Hello. I’m Stella Verheigen, giving the oath as the runner-up representative.”

Her face turned bright red, and her hands shook.

She stammered, and her movements were stiff—it was like watching a broken golem try to function.

Before her speech, she bragged that she wasn’t nervous at all. But now, it was clear that wasn’t true.

In the end… it was a very Stella-like speech.

***

The peaceful entrance ceremony concluded.

As we entered the Signia Hall, we were greeted once more.

“Miss!!”

Yurasia, holding a shiny certificate, rushed toward me. Stella, the runner-up, also stood proudly with her own certificate.

“You did great with your speech earlier.”

“Ah! Really? It didn’t seem awkward?”

“You were so natural that I wondered if your usual self was just an act.”

“Huh… Was it really that good?”

“Yeah, it was that good. You did great. It was impressive.”

“Hehe… Thank you!”

Looking a little embarrassed, Yurasia squirmed as I patted her head. We kept walking.

“…Hey.”

“What?”

“…What about me?”

“What about you?”

“I… I gave a speech too. Wasn’t I impressive?”

“Oh, right. You did well. But you looked really nervous.”

“What? No, I wasn’t!”

“You stuttered, and your face was stiff. I thought you were just clumsy, but it turns out you’re awkward too.”

“W-what?! Why are you saying that to me?! And I’m not clumsy! I was the runner-up! Look! See? I got a certificate and everything!”

Fuming, Stella shoved her glossy certificate toward me. It listed her scholarship and the benefits she had earned.

Seeing her pout, I pulled a macaron out of my pocket and placed it in her hand.

I know it might seem odd, but I bought the macarons specifically for her.

She always gulps whenever macarons are mentioned, but when it comes to actually buying them, she finds it too wasteful. It’s both irritating and amusing, so I decided to bring some for her myself.

One for every time I tease her.

“Alright, you did well. You’re diligent, proactive, and have excellent grades—a truly outstanding student.”

“Ugh… That sounds like a compliment, but it feels bad. Just… just stop.”

“See? You complain no matter what I do.”

“Stop using that kind of language! I’m just being patient because I’m kind, but what will you do when other people hear you talk like this?”

Despite her grumbling and the scowl on her face, Stella stuffed the macaron into her pocket with care.

“Still… thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”

With that, she let out a little “hmph!” and walked off toward her assigned room.

“Yurasia.”

“Yes?”

“You shouldn’t learn things like that—saying ‘hmph!’ or glaring rudely like she does. Understand?”

“Uh… Uh-huh… Hehe.”

Yurasia gave an awkward laugh. Despite my words about Stella—a marquess’s daughter—Yurasia just smiled sheepishly. Then, with a subtle look of expectation, she glanced at me.

I couldn’t help it. I pulled out another treat and handed it to her.

“Here. This is for you too.”

“Wow! Oh… huh?”

“What?”

“…Why is mine a peppermint candy…?”

Her expectant expression turned into one of disappointment.

“But… I like macarons too…”

Ignoring her crestfallen look, I chuckled and walked off toward my assigned room.

“I like peppermint candy more than macarons.”

***

Just as Yurasia said, the academy uniforms were handed out in front of the assigned rooms.

I received my uniform as well—and my expression soured immediately.

“What is this?”

“…Pardon?!”

“What… what is this supposed to be?”

“It’s the Karela Academy uniform…”

The academy staff handing me the outfit flinched nervously.

“I know that, but why did I get this? I specifically requested something else.”

“Um… Yes, I was informed of that. But your request was denied due to academy regulations…”

“Regulations…? So you’re telling me I have to wear this… for three years?”

“Y-yes. That’s correct.”

With a grimace, I stared at the uniform in my hands.

It had a white base with gold embroidery, far more elegant and luxurious than what the Frunt students wore.

The right side of the jacket bore the Karela Academy crest, featuring a shield adorned with a sword, bow, spear, and book.

It was a nice design, honestly—if only the fit wasn’t so feminine.

In my right hand was the jacket, which I could tolerate.

But in my left hand…

“You’re telling me… I have to wear this…?”

A skirt.

A skirt that didn’t even cover half my thighs dangled from my left hand.