episode_0002

It seems like I’ve screwed up. That was the conclusion I reached after careful consideration.

Even though I wasn’t the only one left alone in the universe on Mars.

No, perhaps there was a slight commonality in being a stranger left behind without a friend in the academy. A stranger dropped into a world where they were not welcomed.

“Sigh…”

I slowly opened my eyes, letting out a deep sigh and clearing my mind of unnecessary thoughts.

The morning after the academy entrance ceremony. A time when everyone was starting a new day full of anticipation for their new school life.

“I must be crazy.”

While everyone was burning with passion for learning, I found myself absentmindedly staring at the ceiling and exhaling.

“Two days later, Monday morning at seven… was it?”

That was the time set by Elena for our duel. Since the academy’s training grounds were not yet prepared during the first week of school, it was probably meant for us to face off during the class assignment test in two days.

As I organized yesterday’s events in my mind, I splashed cold water on my face to dispel drowsiness.

Gradually coming back to reality as my foggy mind cleared, I looked at the pure-looking girl with black hair in the mirror.

It had been five years since I had taken on this appearance, but it still suited my taste, making me occasionally doubt if this was really me.

Despite that, the lack of any sexual desire indicated that I had accepted that this girl was indeed me.

The girl in the mirror, with a tired expression, muttered softly, “Shall we start another day today?”

After drying my face with a towel and getting ready to leave, I headed straight to the training grounds.

Finding the location of the training grounds was not difficult. It was a place I had wandered around countless times in “Arcana Academy.”

“No one’s here.”

The first-year training grounds during the first week of school were deserted, to the point of being desolate.

The facilities had all been replaced during the winter break. The interior was decorated with luxurious marble. A vast space capable of accommodating over a hundred students at once.

However, with no students using it, the grandeur of the training grounds only emphasized its loneliness.

It was the first week of March, with winter not completely gone yet. The chilly air could be felt through the exercise clothes clinging to my body.

“Phew…”

Breathing in the fresh morning air of a new day, I let out a light sigh.

Alone in the spacious training grounds, I felt a sense of lightness, perhaps because the academy entrance quest that had tormented me for five years had disappeared, making me feel unexpectedly light.

Feeling the perfect atmosphere for wielding a sword, I drew the sword I had carried for the past five years.

Srrrr… With a cool sound, my best-hidden piece revealed itself. The dark sword, imbued with the light of the sky, shone black.

[Unnamed Sword of the Sky-Cleaver, 5☆] [Special Ability: Battlefield Reproduction] [Allows the user to summon enemies they have fought in a simulated world.] [Special Ability: Scar Support] [When activated, does not consume health or mana]

A hidden piece that every player who raises a swordsman character in “Arcana Academy” must obtain, always in the top 5 of in-game items.

The ability of Scar Support, which allows the use of the mana-draining scar without any burden, is good, but perhaps there is no ability as morale-boosting as Battlefield Reproduction.

It allows me to face strong enemies without any risk. An essential item for early growth.

Confirming that no one was around, I infused mana into the dark sword and muttered softly.

“Activate Battlefield Reproduction. The opponent… is a Viscount-grade demon I fought recently.”

Closing my eyes, a monster about twice my height appeared before me. A noble rank, but strangely wielding a sword, perhaps because it was made of stone.

As I looked at the creature, I cleared my mind of unnecessary thoughts and slowly took a defensive stance.

…

“Phew…”

Wiping the sweat off my neck with a towel, I sheathed the sword.

The clock already indicated eight o’clock. It hadn’t been long since I wielded the sword, but time had passed so quickly.

Muttering to myself, I turned towards the presence I felt behind me.

“Oh, I was just about to leave… Would you like to come with me, Teacher?”

“Oh, caught red-handed?”

“I’m good at reading people’s intentions a bit.”

“Heh… It wouldn’t have been easy for a student to find me, right?”

“Well, thank you…?”

With the sword sheathed at my waist and a towel around my neck, as I turned around, Han In-young’s figure appeared from the dark corner of the auditorium.

With fiery chestnut hair and ruby-colored eyes, the flame-shaped scar on her collarbone peeking through her open front created a slightly seductive atmosphere.

Even though I was about the average height for a woman at 160cm, she was a bit taller, making me feel like a kid compared to her. A swordmaster and the teacher of the first-year swordsmanship department, Ellen Agnes, the second daughter of the Agnes family, who controls fire.

“Hehe… Interesting kid. I probably know who I am, but let me introduce myself again. I’m Ellen Agnes, who will be in charge of the first-year swordsmanship department this year.”

“I’m Si-an, Temporary Class A, number 13.”

“Oh, you’re that…”

“Haha… I seem to be a bit famous these days.”

As I tried to casually brush off Ellen’s words, I gave her a faint smile.

One of the hidden pieces that can be obtained by visiting the training grounds to practice swordsmanship from the morning after the entrance ceremony.

Marking her here would make things easier in many ways.

So, with a troubled heart, I continued the conversation, feeling burdened by being noticed by Elena from the first day of school. Lately, my heart has been troubled too much.

“You’re a cute kid, Si-an.”

“Uh…?”

Perhaps that was why, in response to such unexpected praise, I found myself reacting like a girl.

Seeing my flustered expression, Ellen chuckled and continued slowly.

“You have a bold side to you on that subject. Well, it can be seen as confidence befitting your skills.”

Ellen said as she crossed her arms. Her ruby eyes slowly scanned my body.

“More importantly, are you practicing for the duel with Elena?”

“Well… for now, that’s the plan.”

Practicing for two days wouldn’t dramatically change my skills. However, the reason I was out here swinging my sword since dawn was to keep myself sharp.

With no message warning me that I would die if I didn’t enroll in the academy, I felt myself slowly unraveling.

Moreover, swinging the sword made me feel at ease. It was a feeling where all the worries of real life momentarily disappeared.

“While two days of practice won’t change much, if I slack off, I’ll lose my edge.”

“Your mindset is quite appealing. If you change your mind, feel free to let me know, as I’ll teach you my sword.”

“…Huh?”

Taken aback by the sudden question, I managed to suppress the cough that almost made me spit out the water I was drinking.

In the original work of “Arcana Academy,” Ellen Agnes doesn’t ask such questions from their first meeting. Perhaps it was because I had lived as an adventurer for the past five years, collected various hidden pieces, and gone through real battles, that I entered the academy in a much stronger state than the original protagonist.

“I expected it, but it’s a shame. If you change your mind, let me know anytime?”

“I appreciate the offer.”

Declining Ellen’s offer with a heavy heart, I mentally prepared for the duel that would take place in two days.

…

Time passed quickly. Dedicated to training, the weekend flew by, and along with it came Monday.

The training grounds on Monday morning were bustling with students. Duels during the first week of the semester were rare occurrences.

“What did they do to deserve this…”

“I shouldn’t get too close to them in the future.”

“They’ll probably collapse soon.”

The gaze of numerous students was fixed on me, waiting with a sword in hand under the training grounds.

If physical strength were in the gaze, I would probably already have dozens of holes in my body. Excessive attention to someone like me, who preferred narrow human relationships, felt toxic.

The penetrating stares of the curious spectators made me feel uncomfortable. I turned my gaze to the opponent in front of me.

A girl with silver hair, also holding a sword. Elena Frost’s cool eyes met mine.

Then, the girl swiftly turned away, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at Elena Frost’s cheek. Unintentionally, I found myself trembling.

“Very well, let’s begin.”

“It’s my turn.”

After exchanging greetings, we ascended the steps of the training grounds.