Surrounded by Weirdos
Strange faces everywhere. With the new semester, the Continental Academy welcomed its freshmen. And starting from the day before, one rumor began spreading like wildfire.
"Heard the news? One of the new freshmen. They say right after the hazing ceremony, he drew his sword and charged at the seniors."
"From what the guys involved said, he looked like he was seriously out for blood... Probably exaggerated, right?"
"Who knows. The second-years were from the Ragem Kingdom, and the freshman was from the Ascal Kingdom. Everyone knows those two nations are bitter rivals."
Once the annual event wrapped up, all the seniors made it clear it had been nothing but hazing. Depending on the freshman's reaction, it could be fun or unpleasant, but everyone usually let it slide knowing there was some reason behind it. So, the story of a freshman drawing his sword and charging spread like wildfire in no time.
"...That's what they're all saying, Abel."
"I see."
"Is that all?"
"Nothing too exaggerated, right? He did draw his sword and charge, and while he wasn't trying to kill them, if the seniors felt that way, it's hard to call it a flat-out lie."
Kalligo let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead at Abel's response. Anyone watching would think they were talking about someone else. Was this really how the star of the rumor should react? And it wasn't even good news. A junior swinging a sword at seniors on his first day. It was only natural he'd draw bad looks from the second-years, and now other grades—even professors—might start seeing him in a poor light.
"Try to hold back from now on. I saw your talent that day and know you're exceptional, but the seniors aren't pushovers either. Act too cocky, and you could get seriously hurt. Seniors are seniors for a reason."
Kalligo knew plenty of talk was buzzing because this freshman's class was stacked. Including himself, the Empire's third prince, there were the sons of two pinnacle ability users in fire and water, plus a slew of other heavy hitters. Most would welcome it, but not everyone. Some might worry these cocky newbies, relying on their powers, could shake the academy's established order.
What did humans fear and hate most? Rebellion against the status quo and the chaos it brought. Ability users were no different. And the academy was no exception to the world.
The trigger had been the hazing, but Abel's over-the-top response had escalated things.
"Your Highness."
"Call me Kalligo."
"Very well. Then, Kalligo. Isn't that different from what you said yesterday?"
"What?"
"You were the one angrier than anyone when an ice spear flew at Seria during the seniors' hazing, weren't you?"
Me?
Yes.
You definitely were.
Kalligo fell silent at Abel's unflinching reply.
"...Mind if I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"What's your relationship with, uh, Miss Seria?"
"We're from the same kingdom and ended up traveling to the academy together."
Kalligo gave Abel a strange look, as if probing for more. Abel caught on to what the prince wanted to hear and shook his head.
"If you're thinking of that rumor, it's not true."
"I haven't said anything yet."
"We just met this time. No engagement, no romance—nothing like that."
Kalligo cleared his throat, pretending otherwise, but it was clearly the answer he wanted. His lips twitched oddly. Abel could plainly see his relief at not having missed his chance. As the Empire's third prince, he might be low in the succession line, but his status was undeniably noble. He'd likely met women far more refined than a kingdom's lady of the house. So why Seria? She was pretty, sure, but the Empire had no shortage of beauties. Why her specifically?
"Anyway, try to keep a low profile from now on, Abel. I mean it."
"I heard on the way here that even the knights tolerate a certain level of commotion. This is the Continental Academy, where ability users from every nation gather. Is staying quiet even possible?"
"Chasing down seniors with blood in your eyes on day one goes beyond 'commotion'!"
Kalligo sighed, debating whether to explain his situation. The guy wasn't even from the Empire, so going this far for a foreigner felt off—but if that foreigner gave off the vibe of the eye of the storm, it wasn't a bad call. Above all, Kalligo had seen it that day: the aura Abel exuded, his clean, no-frills stance. It was the picture of a perfect ability user—hard to believe he was a freshman. If he'd been from the Empire, Kalligo might have clapped in excitement over his future.
"I can't go into details, but what seems trivial to one person can be life-or-death for another, Abel."
"I think I get the gist from that alone."
"R-Really?"
Everyone knew there was a crown prince in line for the throne. For a successor, any potential rival was safest eliminated. Especially if someone who could be next in line kept getting mentioned publicly—it was natural to panic. Word was, expectations for this Continental Academy freshman class were sky-high already. And Kalligo was part of it. Whether involved or not, Empire citizens were likely to mention their third prince alongside the newbies.
"But Kalligo, is it really that simple?"
They were ability users, and this was their home base—the academy. No way it could happen. Even if he wanted to lay low, the world's currents wouldn't allow it. Just looking at this freshman lineup made it impossible to predict what incidents might erupt. Plus—and sorry, Kalligo—Abel had zero intention of staying quiet. After all the effort to get here to this academy? No way he'd just blend in like water in water or alcohol in booze. Dropped into this amazing ability-user world for a new life, of course he'd make his name known.
"Abel, hearing you say that just makes me more worried..."
Kalligo clutched his face in despair, not hiding his gloom. Then a bright female voice swept away the creeping shadows.
"Lord Abel!"
"Miss Seria!"
She called my name, so why's he answering? Abel shot Kalligo a look conveying just that, but the prince grinned shamelessly, barely holding back laughter. Just seconds ago, he'd looked like he carried the world's sorrows.
Abel shook his head and exchanged light greetings with Seria as she approached.
"Good morning, Miss Seria. Sleep well?"
"Yes, like a rock! You, Lord Abel?"
"Same as you. You seem in high spirits, though."
"Well, the dorms are way better than I expected—better than my room back home in the barony!"
"Only natural. It's a living space our Empire poured its heart into for the students. Most nobles' quarters can't even compare."
He jumped in like a man spotting his chance. Abel was inwardly surprised by Kalligo's aggression. Weren't these love-struck characters supposed to hide their feelings in public and fumble one-on-one?
"How was dinner last night? As splendid as the dorms?"
"Yes, Prince—er, Kalligo. Everything was so good... but I have one worry now."
"What? You said it was all great—what's there to worry about?"
"I kinda overate because it was too good. At this rate, I'll be waddling around in less than a month..."
Weight was a big deal for women. Abel nodded solemnly in understanding. Kalligo, on the other hand, burst out laughing like it was no issue at all.
"No need to worry, Miss Seria. There's good reason for the excellent food."
"Reason?"
"What is this place? Some ordinary school? No—it's the Continental Academy, training the chosen ability users from every nation. The process won't be easy. Sometimes it'll be grueling. One thing that eases the stress and pressure? Gourmet feasts like these."
"Hearing that just makes me more worried..."
Was that supposed to be comforting? Abel thought this love interest was doing surprisingly well for a crush character. Seria slumped her shoulders while Kalligo tried—and failed—to cheer her up. Abel watched with a tsk.
Boom!!
A sharp explosion punctuated the scene.
"Huh? What was that?"
"Dunno. Sounded like something blew up."
"From the main gate. Let's check it out."
If you came to the academy, there was one event you had to witness at least once: a massive raid by mysterious attackers. Every academy in stories got hit—it was practically law. A bit early, but no way he'd miss it if it was happening today.
"Abel? You should stay put here... Miss Seria, where are you going?!"
"Lord Abel's heading to the gate, so I thought I'd tag along!"
The one holding back. The one following. And the one with a racing heart. The three hurried to the gate—and what they found wasn't what Abel expected.
"Outta my way. I'm going in first."
"Says who? I got here first, so you wait."
"Hah. Is rudeness just a fire-user trait?"
"Guess water-users think they can bulldoze everything."
Snarling turned to blows. A red-haired boy and a blue-haired boy. If it'd been Abel going wild over hazing, there might've been some leeway—but these two had just arrived at the academy and were already trading ability blasts with a fellow freshman. Staring at the duo who'd notched the first "epic intra-class brawl" achievement...
"Gods above."
Kalligo clutched his forehead. How were all these classmates such messes? Seria, beside him, just blinked in awe. Having grown up in the sticks with barely any exposure to ability users, everything was new and wondrous to her. And Abel?
"Abel? Why'd you suddenly draw your sword?"
"Gotta stop 'em."
"Doesn't look like stopping to me."
"Busted."
He looked itching to dive right into the chaos.