[SIDE: Shenley]
I quietly take a seat at the edge of the classroom, trying to be as inconspicuous and silent as possible.
In this academy, magical ability is important, but so is one’s status as a noble. And the same goes for one’s race.
I was good at magic in the intermediate division. While my magical power wasn’t particularly strong, I was often told I learned quickly.
Maybe that’s why. I certainly had few friends, but I think I was normal in the intermediate division.
I advanced to the advanced division a year early, and the world changed completely.
I started being badmouthed and harassed. While my grades were good in the intermediate division, they were below average in the advanced division. Moreover, being a beastkin and the child of a viscount family in name only, my existence is practically worthless.
If I fail, I’m abused and ridiculed. If I stand out, I’m told I’m getting cocky and face harassment. I’ve even been pushed down stairs and had my clothes burned with fire magic on my way home.
After just a few months, my nerves were frayed, and I couldn’t do anything anymore. Unable to fail, when I try to use magic in class, my body shakes from extreme tension, and the magic mostly fails to activate.
I know it’s a vicious cycle, but I can’t help it. I secretly practice magic in the middle of the night, but once I enter the classroom, my body automatically shrinks, and just being exposed to gazes makes me shake and want to cry.
I’ve thought about quitting the academy, but that would be disadvantageous for my family. It might be better to make it look like I died in an accident.
How happy I would be if I could just disappear, if I could just sleep and never wake up.
As I was spending such painful days, a sudden change came to me.
It was my encounter with Instructor Aoi, who became a senior instructor at a young age. A normal instructor would treat me as if I didn’t exist.
But Instructor Aoi talks to me on her own initiative. Just that alone is so relieving for me.
Unfortunately, we’ve only shared one class together so far, but when I secretly waved at Teacher Aoi, she smiled back at me.
I felt my heart lighten. It seemed like I had found a place where I belonged.
Whenever we pass each other in the hallway or cafeteria, we always greet each other. Even though my friends from middle school stopped greeting me out of fear of the high school seniors.
That’s why, when I saw Senior Rocks badmouthing Teacher Aoi, I couldn’t hold back.
“That woman must have some hidden agenda. There are rumors she can use special-class magic, but when I told her to use it, she never showed any magic. In other words, that woman must need some kind of trick to use magic. Using such fraudulent methods to become a senior Instructors, and treating royalty with disrespect to show off her position… that woman might be harmful not only to this academy but to the six great nations as well.”
Hearing those words in the hallway, I felt a tightness in my chest from sadness, frustration, and pain.
Prince of the Verted Kingdom, capable of using advanced magic in the four main attributes of fire, water, wind, and earth, even called a genius. Because of this, his influence is unmatched.
Such a Senior Rocks, mocking Teacher Aoi.
“We must crush her. Well, no one would miss that ill-mannered commoner if she disappeared.”
He laughed with amusement, and the people gathered around him started laughing along.
Seeing that scene, I burst out.
“P-Teacher Aoi is a wonderful teacher who treats everyone equally! Senior Rocks, you’re the worst for trying to put down such a person!”
I said it. I shouted at royalty while crying.
“…Girl, say that again.”
I heard Senior Rocks’ voice dripping with fury, and the faces of the senior noble students around turned into expressions of seeing something interesting, with sneers audible.
I felt my knees weaken with fear.
But because I couldn’t hold back, I cried out in a tearful voice.
“Don’t bully Teacher Aoi!”
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[SIDE: Court]
Aoi Konominato. She looks like she’s only in her teens, but there’s no doubt her magical skill is at the level of a senior Instructors or court magician.
If all the rumors I’ve collected are true, she might be on par with the headmaster.
However, upon investigation, her background is unknown. Not just her origins, but even which country she lived in until recently is unclear. She might have been hiding in one of the small countries rather than the six great nations.
Normally, if born in the six great nations, all magicians are identified through birth surveys. Exceptions are cases where prostitutes hide their children or when thieves and bandits give birth in remote hideouts.
In either case, they wouldn’t hide the child if they knew it could be profitable. It’s well known that children with magical aptitude of unknown origin are often sold as slaves.
Then, for what reason did she come to the academy from a small country? If she revealed her background and enlisted as a magician in one of the six great nations, someone of Aoi’s caliber could obtain noble status and wealth.
“…The reason for coming to the academy as a teacher. If she had been conducting magical research on her own, she must be from a noble family. Yet, she claims to be a commoner…”
I wish I could attend more of Aoi’s classes, but unfortunately, it’s unclear which classes she’ll participate in.
So far, I’ve only been able to attend one class, but I suppose it will be decided soon which subjects she’ll be in charge of. I hope it’s a class I can take.
As I was thinking about this, I heard a girl’s scream from down the hallway.
Surprised, I moved down the hallway and turned the corner to see a girl lying on the floor and Rocks Kilbegan standing there.
Around them were the usual sons of high-ranking nobles from the Verted Kingdom, laughing amusingly.
The girl was coughing and trembling on the floor, seemingly hurt somewhere. She’s quite small, could she be a middle school student?
“…Is something amusing happening? Everyone seems to be having fun.”
I interject softly, yet in a way that breaks the atmosphere.
These are the children of nobles from other countries. Especially Rocks, who is royalty. Although my Butler family holds the highest position in the Court Highland Federation, our federation was formed by an alliance of neighboring small countries wishing to maintain independence, wary of the five great nations gaining power.
The difference in inherent strength is obvious.
If it were to become known that we might be hostile to the Verted Kingdom, our country would undoubtedly be split in two. Some might even try to offer up the Butler family to make amends.
In other words, completely opposing Rocks carries high risks.
There are several people I’m cautious of, but I think I’ve maintained a good distance with all of them so far.
I should be able to handle this well too. Thinking this, I approach Rocks while glancing at the girl.
“Did something happen?”
When I ask again, Rocks opens his mouth, looking slightly displeased.
“Hmph, Court. Is this fool an acquaintance of yours?”
“No, I probably don’t know her. I was just interested because I saw the future leaders of the Verted Kingdom chatting happily even though classes are over.”
Hearing my response, Rocks snorts and points at the girl.
“This fool just defied my words… That’s right, Court. Do you want to join in? I’m thinking of crushing that woman called Aoi. I’ll teach her what happens when you make a fool of royalty.”
Rocks directs an ugly smile at me as he says this.
That sounds interesting.
I should just smile ambiguously and say that.
That’s what I thought, but different words came out of my mouth.
“What a silly game. It really shows the level of the Verted Kingdom.”
Reason tells me to immediately correct my attitude and apologize, but it seems something is wrong with me today. The entanglements between countries, incurring the anger of Rocks who is more powerful than me, all of it feels ridiculous.
Right now, I just want to complain to this arrogant fool of a prince.
Whether Rocks knows my inner thoughts or not, he narrows his eyes and lets out a low voice.
“…What did you say?”
Along with his menacing voice, I thought I saw Rocks’ eyes flash. For some reason, I can’t help but laugh at his intimidating demeanor.
“I mean, this is the second prince, right?”
The moment I said that, Rocks began chanting magic with eyes burning with anger.
[SIDE: Felter]
Was he this kind of man?
I thought about this as I followed behind the group that had moved to the courtyard.
Rocks uses magic in his anger, and his followers assist. Even if they’re rotten, they’re still students of the magic academy. Everyone uses intermediate or higher magic, and various spells are activated one after another.
Balls of flame, arrows of ice, blades of wind, and spears of rock. Various attack spells fly, but Court is fighting back while carrying that beastwoman with one arm.
Although it’s more like fleeing than fighting back, he’s doing a remarkable job of defending against the magic. Court seems to be skilled in earth magic, quickly using beginner or intermediate spells to block attacks.
However, there’s obviously a limit.
Even if he were a teacher, he wouldn’t stand a chance against such overwhelming numbers.
“…Ugh!”
The rock Court launched to neutralize an attack shatters right in front of him, and he rolls on the ground after taking shrapnel to his leg. The woman falls with him.
“Ugh… Ah…!”
Seeing Court bleeding, the followers turn pale as if doused with cold water. That’s to be expected. Despite appearances, Court is the eldest son of a prominent family that has produced representatives for the Court Highland Federation.
Injuring such a person could become an international incident.
Thinking this, their feet become rooted to the ground.
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