Chapter 7: Omnipotent power

Deep in the mountains, night had fallen.

We rested in the dimly lit forest.

My legs were weak from the earlier encounter, so I sat down,
talking with the beautiful, blonde adventurer, her hair shimmering in the moonlight.

Though her face was hidden by a mask, I could tell she was stunning.

“Do you hunt here every day, Lena?”

“Yes, I haven’t been here long. A boss-level monster has appeared in this area recently.”

Lena sheathed her massive sword—or rather, the sword that pulverized the drake’s head.

I doubted I could even lift it,
but she wielded it effortlessly.

Speaking of boss-level monsters,
could it be related to the ominous feeling I sensed?

“Do you know what kind of monster the boss is?”, I asked

“The one that appeared recently is a Wyvern. That explains the sudden appearance of drakes.”

I see. So, the wolf pack I encountered must have been fleeing in fear.

A question came to mind.

“Where did you hear that information, Lena? It doesn’t seem to have reached the capital yet.”

If a Wyvern truly appeared,
the capital, where I stayed for a few days, and the academy wouldn’t be so calm.

“…That’s not important. It’s dangerous beyond this point, so it’s best you don’t come here, even if you happened to stumble upon it today.”

“Can’t I hunt with you, Lena?”

“But Ellie, you’re a weakling, aren’t you?”

Ugh…

That comment felt familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

“I would have won if we fought head-on…”

That was true.
I was caught off guard earlier, but
I wouldn’t lose to a mere drake in a fair fight.

“Sigh…you look like you won’t listen. Fine, meet me here at night if you want to come. It’s dangerous to go alone.”

“Really? Okay, Lena!”

Seeing my sulky expression, Lena gave in.

She seemed blunt and indifferent,
but that attitude made her seem like a veteran adventurer, which was cool.

And I could tell she was kind at heart.
She had the same warmth and gentleness as my sister.

Actually, she seemed even warmer than Sister…

Wait, what am I thinking?

I shook my head, dispelling the inappropriate thought.

Lena gave me a questioning look, but I wasn’t going to explain.

****

I woke up to the blinding sunlight.

I slept in after staying up late.
Have I been slacking on my training?

I needed to get back into shape.

“Hmmm—”

As I stretched and planned my training, the dorm seemed unusually quiet.

Didn’t we have the entrance ceremony yesterday?

Then today is the first day of classes…

A sudden realization struck me like lightning.

****

“Huff… pant…”

I should add more stamina training to my routine.

Thankfully, I’d toured the academy with Sister and knew the layout.
Otherwise, I would have been lost.

It seems I still can’t function without Sister.

I carefully opened the classroom door. Class was already in session.

It seemed difficult to enter unnoticed.

Why are we having classes on the first day?
Shouldn’t it just be orientation…?

Ignoring my crumbling common sense, I tiptoed to the back of the classroom.

Slam!—

Gasp.

The slightly open door slammed shut from a gust of wind.

I should have closed it.

All eyes were on me.

I felt cold sweat trickling down my back.

Blushing, I searched for an empty seat.

Thankfully, there was one next to the window at the very back. I walked there, head down,
but their gazes followed me.

I didn’t plan to attract attention on my first day.

I could see some eyes filled with longing.

Gulp—

‘Eek…!’

The sound of someone swallowing made me shiver.

I quickly sat down, and the predatory gazes subsided.

Even surrounded by the hostile wolf pack, I hadn’t felt this chilled.

I seemed to have been marked on my first day.

The teacher resumed the lesson, but my mind was racing. I huddled in my seat.

Then,

Poke—

“Hee…Mmmph!!”

Someone poked my side, and I almost screamed, but
a large hand covered my mouth.

The small commotion drew attention, but they quickly looked away.
What just happened?

I cautiously glanced at the seat next to me,
and finally understood why it was empty.
Or rather, why I hadn’t noticed her before.

A few unbuttoned buttons revealing cleavage, a short skirt showing off her thighs, messy blonde hair tied to one side, piercings, and a gold chain necklace.

The delinquent from yesterday sat next to me, legs crossed.

I’d snapped at her before.
Is she angry?

I shrunk in my seat.

She removed her hand as our eyes met.

The class ended, and the teacher left.

“Ahem. …Elena?”

Thump—

My heart dropped.

I never told her my name.

Did she…investigate me?

Probably. What wouldn’t these crazy lesbians do?

I needed to be assertive and stop this.

“Y…yes…”

I failed.

I felt small around her.
Was my past life experience imprinted on my body?

“Just checking. It’s nothing.”

Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mean any harm and left me alone.

The next class began.

Uninterested in studying, I glanced at her.
The delinquent was already asleep.

The brief encounter drained my energy.
I lay down on my desk.

****

Hmm…

My cheek tickled.

I wiggled my lips and frowned, but the sensation persisted.

“Your cheeks are so squishy~”

“Hee hee, they really are.”

“Oh my, you’re so cute when you frown.”

I jolted awake.
Were they playing with me while I slept?

I sat up abruptly.

“Wh…what are you doing?!”

“Oh, you’re awake? You were sleeping so soundly…”

As I sat up,
the noble-looking students approached excitedly.

But I knew what their gazes meant.
They saw me as a pet or a toy.

“Don’t come any closer! How dare you touch me so casually?”

“Wh…why are you acting like this? We just wanted to be friends—”

“Hmph, do you think I’d fall for your friendly act? I know you’re up to something.”

They looked flustered.
I hit a nerve. I needed to make my point clear.

“I know you want to play with me, so stop your charade and leave.”

Their faces paled, and they retreated almost as if they were running away.

Humiliated and exposed, they couldn’t face me.

Victorious, I turned to sit down,
locking eyes with the pierced, blonde delinquent.

When did she get there?
I froze for a moment but regained my composure.

Now that the other students were gone and my confidence was boosted, I could do this.

“…Hmph, what are you staring at, you creepy, stalkerish, blonde, delinquent, commoner?!”

Thwack!—

****

“Ow…”

My head throbbed. I was sure I had a lump.

I felt sorry for myself.

It was sad that I wasn’t treated with respect as a noble at the academy.

But the academy was the mages’ domain, beyond the reach of nobles.

What good is power if I can’t wield it?

A Duke’s daughter should command absolute authority,
but these people lacked such common sense.

Even Father always emphasized noblesse oblige.

All duties and no rights,
responsibility without pleasure.

“Hey, Elena.”

“…Hmph, what do you want?”

I wasn’t scared. I was just showing her I could stand up to her.