First Day of Class
I turned the class schedule over in my hands and let a satisfied smile spread across my face.
“Not bad at all.”
The schedule was solid. I’d crammed everything into Monday through Wednesday, leaving Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday completely free. That was the golden rule of university life, and I’d stuck to it even in my previous world. Sure, the first three days would be brutal, but I needed those open blocks for my personal research and equipment development.
Besides, I’d slipped in a couple of absolute gems.
Like Breathing and Meditation and Stress Management and Sleep Techniques.
These weren’t taught by regular professors but by instructors, so the credits were light. More importantly, the classes were relaxing. Since they focused on rest and recovery, neither the lectures nor the assignments were particularly demanding.
That didn’t mean they were useless. At first glance they might seem trivial, but rest and recovery were just as vital as training and cultivation. In the game, taking those courses had boosted my character’s stamina by thirty percent and increased both stamina and mana recovery rates by thirty-five percent. They were honestly more valuable than some of the so-called core subjects taught by famous professors.
“Alright, that’s done.”
With the schedule settled, it was time to focus on my real work.
I planned to spend the upcoming weekend developing the Powered Suit I’d been conceptualizing. The basic frame was already complete. After forfeiting the third preliminary match, I’d had about four days of free time and used them to finish the suit’s skeletal structure. Think of it like having the chassis of a car ready with the motor and wheels attached. Press the power button, and the mana stones embedded throughout the suit would activate just like turning an engine over.
But right now, it was all potential with no actual function. Like a car with spinning wheels that no one could steer, the current prototype only received energy. It had no implemented features yet.
“Hmm… Let’s start with the dispenser.”
I decided to begin with the dispenser function I’d already sketched out in my head. I would make full use of the Mana Shield formula Elena had taught me. Since I’d already completed the technical verification for the Plasma Beam Sword, I could adapt that technology to create a plasma barrier as well. Together, they should form a much more robust defensive shield.
“Inventory.”
There was no reason to wait. I immediately pulled out the Creator’s Hammer I’d stored away.
Clang!
I began shaping the materials. I was determined to implement the dispenser function before the weekend was over.
Monday.
The day of my first real class had finally arrived.
First period was The Correct Mana Manipulation Method for Physical Enhancement, taught by Professor Gracia.
“Ugh. It’s a shame I couldn’t eat a proper breakfast.”
I felt a pang of regret at missing the breakfast James always prepared for me every morning. Now that I was living in the dormitory, I had to handle my own meals.
“Well, it’s the rule. Can’t be helped.”
Once you became an official cadet of the academy, there was no avoiding it. Even though my house—James’s house—was attached to the academy’s forge, all cadets were required to live in the dormitories and participate in communal life.
The Imperial Academy was, strictly speaking, a military educational institution. Cooperation and camaraderie were valued above all else. Living under the same roof and following the same rules was itself part of the education.
With that rather melancholy thought in mind, I stepped into the lecture hall.
Enya, who had already taken her seat, spotted me the moment I opened the door and waved enthusiastically.
“Ed!”
She stood up with a bright smile. Claire was sitting beside her, staring at me with those strange, observant eyes.
“You signed up for this class too? That’s perfect!”
Enya had already reached me, her voice bubbling with excitement.
But rather than feeling purely happy about it, I felt a question rise first.
In all my playthroughs of El Pandor Runeterra, Enya had never once taken this class.
So why this time…?
Enya Cruel had no need to attend Professor Gracia’s lecture. She had already completely mastered mana manipulation for body reinforcement. After all, she came from the prestigious knightly House Cruel. Her father was none other than Iliya Cruel, the Sword Saint—one of the empire’s five Sword Masters.
There was simply no reason for someone at her level to sit through a foundational class like this. So why was she taking it?
“L-look, the seat right next to me is open? Let’s sit together!”
She pointed to the chair beside her. Her sword was resting on it, as if she had deliberately saved the spot. Every other seat was taken. Only that one remained conspicuously empty.
Ah. So that’s how it is.
A small smile tugged at my lips as understanding dawned.
I finally knew why she was here.
“Sure. I was actually worried there might not be any seats left. This works out perfectly.”
“R-right! And, um… since we have the same classes… maybe we could sit together for all of them from now on? I’m really good with physical stuff. If you have any questions, I can help you.”
“Haha. I’d really appreciate that.”
It felt strangely refreshing.
In the original story, Enya Cruel was the quintessential tsundere character. Her setting was that no one ever acknowledged her battoujutsu. Even the player could end up in a cold war with her after suggesting she abandon the style. It usually took completing several hidden events before you could get close to her. The cliché yet charming storyline of going from enemies to lovers was her entire appeal.
Now there’s only ‘dere’ left.
Ever since the entrance ceremony, when I brought up Baldohjae—something that wasn’t even in the original scenario—her prickly side had completely vanished. She was now actively showing me favor, even saving seats for me in the classes I took.
Still, I can’t get complacent.
Since the original scenario had already been derailed, the relationship could sour at any moment. The fact that I was seeing this version of Enya so early—someone who normally only appeared after months of brutal grinding—meant I had to work hard to maintain this bond.
My impulsive actions had pulled future events forward. One wrong choice could easily send everything spiraling into ruin.
“Commoner, are you going to sit there?”
But at that moment, a chilling voice cut between us.
It was Isabella.
She smiled with that eerie, predatory expression and continued.
“Actually, I saved a seat too. Thirty whole minutes early, in fact.”
“……”
“And just so you know, it wasn’t by coincidence. I put in real effort because I wanted to sit alone with you.”
Unlike Enya, Isabella openly revealed her intentions, trying to lure me over. The familiar standoff between the two girls began once again. Their sharp gazes clashed in midair, practically sparking.
“Isabella. What exactly is your problem? Why do you keep interfering between me and Ed? I spoke to him first. Ed is going to sit next to me.”
“Is that so? You said the seat next to you just happened to be open. Doesn’t that mean anyone can sit there? Unlike you, I came thirty minutes early and deliberately saved this seat so I could sit with Ed. Just the two of us.”
“…Hah. You’ve always been like this. You’re doing it on purpose again, aren’t you? Just to get on my nerves.”
“Pfft. As if. I simply find this commoner quite charming.”
“…You said you didn’t last time. You called it a joke.”
“Well, feelings change. Right now, I like him.”
Neither of them showed any sign of backing down. Even Enya, who usually crumbled under Isabella’s sharp tongue, was stubbornly refusing to yield this time.
Isabella turned to me.
“Commoner, you choose. Me? Or Enya?”
“……”
“…Haa. Ed. Nothing good will come from getting involved with her. She treats people like toys and throws them away when she’s bored.”
“No, this commoner is different. He shares the same past as me.”
“…What? Ed shares the same— What are you even—”
“Anyway, commoner. Make your choice. Enya or me? If you don’t pick me, I’ll accept it cleanly and step back.”
…This was troublesome.
Why was I facing this kind of trial so early in the story? This pattern had never appeared in any of my playthroughs.
I looked back and forth between the two women staring intently at me. Enya’s green eyes were earnest and pleading. Isabella’s purple eyes curved beautifully, clearly enjoying the situation.
After thinking it over, I finally opened my mouth.
“I—”
