Nicola Class
After the exhausting entrance ceremony filled with speeches and whatnot, I made my way to the classroom I'd been assigned in advance. Students along the path stared and whispered about me, their gazes pricking like needles, but I brushed them off with surprising calm.
I'd usually be on edge for days after a nightmare, but this time—whatever the reason—I didn't feel half bad.
Even strolling past vibrant yellow freesia blossoms, savoring their subtle floral scent.
One small regret: Isabella wasn't with me. Our perfect maid had gone to move my things to the assigned dorm. Not carrying them herself, of course—she was overseeing the laborers.
Federico Academy divides dorms and classes into three tiers based on academic performance, named after the three sons of the progenitor archmage.
Top dorm, eldest son's name: Nicola. Middle: Costanzo, the second son. Bottom: Fabio, the youngest.
The other two were whatever, but poor Fabio—pushed to the lowest rung, his name forever etched there. I wondered what that felt like.
Inwardly, I offered quiet sympathy to every youngest sibling in the world.
Anyway, I'd naturally landed in the top-tier Nicola Hall.
Considering how dorm rank drastically affected living conditions, it couldn't get much better.
Though most Nicola students being high nobles or royalty did look tiring. Unavoidable, I suppose.
I glanced at the lingering freesia scent one last time, then arrived at the Nicola Class door.
I flung open the sky-blue door without hesitation. True to its elite status, it glided silently smooth—not a single creak. Our estate doors weren't even this refined.
The moment I stepped inside, gazes flooded over me, as expected. Curiosity, wariness, even outright hostility—a real colorful mix. Prince Alexander Wales Belluraca of the maritime kingdom Belluraca was among them, naturally.
I returned his grin and wave with a nod, just as a giggling girl with a beaming face hurried over.
“Wow~ Hi~.”
“Uh, hey. Hi.”
Wavy pink hair framing pointed ears adorned with cute earrings. Green eyes like fresh grass, round and sleepy with soft curves—like a drowsy retriever. Her uniform jacket tied loosely at her waist, skirt a touch shorter than regulation, shirt unbuttoned just enough to glimpse cleavage. Free-spirited, even by modern standards.
“My name’s~ Adella~. Adella Rain Belluna~. Nice to meet you~?”
Belluna? Vaguely familiar—an old noble house from the elf empire, I thought. Those ears made sense now.
“Yeah. I’m Ricardo. Ricardo Bardi.”
“Yup yup, I know~ You’re famous~.”
Her voice didn't match the flashy look—barely above a whisper, drawing you in. Sleepy vibe so thick it might lull you to sleep.
“Ahh, sorry~ I’m super sleepy, low energy and all~.”
“Nah, no need to apologize for that.”
It wasn't crippling her life—just low-key energy.
“Really~? Ehehehe. Ricardo’s so sweet~.”
“Anyone who’d call you out for it is the weirdo. Don’t sweat it.”
“Yup yup, that’s what I like~.”
Active despite the drowsy tone. Not a bad impression. My past life made me sensitive to vibes, and Adella had zero red flags.
“Mm, he’s right. But Miss Belluna, that outfit needs addressing. Dress code violation.”
“Euuung~.”
A stiff-looking guy cut in abruptly.
Angular face, stubborn eyes, uniform creased sharp as a blade—more soldier than student. White-gloved hand adjusting spotless glasses sealed the prickly image.
“You?”
“Ah, rude of me. I’m Eden. Eden Rogers. Pleased to meet you.”
“Yeah. Ricardo.”
Gripping his rigidly extended hand, Eden’s dark eyes flashed.
“Your practical exam was impressive. That cursed wooden doll tactic especially intriguing. Made me reflect, frankly.”
“Reflect?”
“Got blinded by trends, ignoring viable cards. My bad.”
Oh ho.
“So, duel me sometime? I’ll show the new deck inspired by your fight.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Same here. …Ah, later. Professor’s due soon.”
“Aww~ Wanted to chat more~.”
“Sorry, Miss Belluna. Next break’s yours.”
“Whoa~. Forgiven then~.”
Acted like I was public property, kids.
The class bell rang as we wrapped up.
Heading to a back-row seat, eyes met two others.
One: slicked-back glossy black hair, razor-sharp glare oozing clear hostility, jealousy, anxiety.
Beside him: skinny, beady-eyed sleaze. Back row: pudgy lackey type, fat rolls screaming follower.
Easy to read. Nice.
Past life as a soldier eight years over, schemers creeped me out more than blatant enemies.
Time for a deep chat with that slicked-back guy sometime.
The other: radiant golden hair, blazing red eyes, voluptuous beauty. Complex feelings—jealous side-eyes at Adella and Eden, like someone edged out. Caught my gaze, startled, looked away quick—but that instant sparked thick curiosity toward me.
“Eek…!”
Her timid seatmate jolted, old amulet bouncing wildly—whatever.
Who was she? Pondered till professor arrived. Her look felt familiar, not quite.
Most in Nicola Class screamed elite, but her aura screamed noble too.
Then it hit: …isn’t she our princess?
No internet, Bardi County rural, no central politics ties—just rumors. Hard to confirm.
Whatever, time’d tell. Front door slid open.
In shuffled a weary-looking male professor.
Black hair to his waist, unkempt beard—total mess. Half-lidded dead-fish eyes shadowed dark. Gaunt frame, shambling gait—zombie vibes.
“Greetings, class.”
Husky voice spread flat, zero warmth.
“I’m Georgia Medici. Your professor for the next year.”
Homeroom teacher, basically. …Medici? Related to the exam proctor?
“I teach Tactics. How to win duels, roughly…”
Trailing off eerie, he clamped his mouth, head dipping. Black hair draped creepy.
“…Professor?”
“…Huh? Oh, dozed off.”
What the hell. Ignoring baffled students, Georgia scratched his head irritably.
“Anyway… duel time?”
“Suddenly?”
“Professor~ No intros~?”
“Do it in the duel.”
Adella’s waving hand got zero reaction.
Duel on day one. I rubbed my tiring eyes, sighing deep.