She's Mine
At the entrance ceremony, what’s the highlight? The top student’s speech? Introducing the professors? Nope. None of that. It’s the damn principal’s endless lecture.
“Ahem… so, all of you must approach your studies with sincerity… like the spring… ah, it is spring right now, and I saw flowers blooming on the way here today, so this reminds me of…”
“Fuck… I’m gonna sew his mouth shut.”
I barely managed to hold back Luca, who looked ready to charge the stage. For reference, I’m the top student and Luca’s the runner-up in the vanguard department, so we’re both seated up front together. The principal’s droning finally ended after most of the cadets had been pinching their thighs just to stay awake. Everyone looked like they wanted to cheer, but they were all too busy managing their expressions. It was hilarious.
“Hahaha, the principal’s words were truly inspiring. Now then, let us introduce this year’s top and second-place students. First, the vanguard department’s top student—Radien Draken. Please come forward.”
The student hosting the ceremony called his name. Every step Radien Draken took with his refined gait drew gasps from the crowd. That cold, wolf-like face of his. No wonder people say he and Estelia make a good pair—they’re both ice-cold most of the time.
“Greetings, fellow cadets. I am Radien Draken, the new top student of the vanguard department. When I was young, the knights of my household who graduated from this academy…”
Radien Draken spoke with the polished ease of someone who’d been trained as an heir. He wove in just the right amount of personal history without being obnoxious, then laid out his future goals and the mindset he’d carry through his time here. Four minutes. In just four minutes, he had the entire hall wrapped around his finger. At the end, his gaze lingered on one spot—Elesia Valter. Estelia ground her teeth so hard I could hear it.
Radien Draken, openly staring at Elesia Valter even though he already has a fiancée. He’s doing it to send a message to the other nobles. Elesia’s beauty is exceptional, but she’s only a baron’s daughter. Applause followed him as he descended the stage and took his seat.
“Next, the vanguard department’s runner-up—Luca!”
Luca, wrapped up so tightly she looked like a walking furball because she refused to show skin. I’d told her not to wear the fur cloak, so she’d reluctantly dressed like a guy instead. Long pants—something no proper lady would ever wear. Yet there she stood, gripping the mic with zero shame.
“I’m Luca of the Blue Bear Tribe! In the north, women aren’t supposed to show their skin so freely. Guess it’s fine here? Why’s everyone dressed like that?”
Estelia and I both face-palmed at the same time. The host looked flustered until Luca continued.
“Hey, top student! Next time I’m not losing, got it? Next time I’m winning!”
“R-right… understood. Haha, such fighting spirit…”
The host hurried her off the stage. People were already clicking their tongues and calling her a barbarian. Luca looked ready to lunge at them, so they quickly averted their eyes. From what she told me later, she’d beaten her first opponent so badly they all forfeited. Same with Radien Draken. That’s how she reached the finals so fast. She dominated the first two rounds with overwhelming scores. For the third round’s written test, she just guessed everything and slept through it—still scored 52 points. That’s my lucky talisman for you.
“Next, the assault department. Top student Estelia de Ortes, please come forward.”
Even though Estelia lost to Diervan Silber in the practical, she scored a perfect 100 on the written exam and took first place. She took a deep breath, her expression turning ice-cold. I almost didn’t recognize the Estelia I knew—the entire atmosphere around her had shifted.
“I am Estelia de Ortes, top student of the assault department. I…”
She delivered the same kind of model speech. Diervan Silber, the runner-up, did the same. Then it was my turn.
“Next, the magic department’s top student—Kahan!”
The hall erupted in thunderous cheers. Kahan—the grand warrior and grand sorcerer who single-handedly slew the White Calamity, one of the north’s greatest disasters, at only seventeen. The legendary figure even the emperor himself had personally come to escort. The cadets roared. Especially the magic department—their average written score was a ridiculous 84 points. My lucky talisman had performed absurdly well, earning overwhelming support from the entire department. While the usually quiet magic students were still shouting, I grabbed the mic.
Tap. Tap.
“Ah, nice to meet you. Name’s Kahan. Top student of the magic department.”
“Kahan! Kahan! Kahan!”
“Lord Pon!”
Serdian Pon, seated in front as the runner-up, was waving both arms and chanting my name nonstop. When I raised my hand, he froze instantly. The other cadets stared in amazement, but Serdian just sat up straighter, spine perfectly straight, as if he wouldn’t miss a single word I said. The entire magic department was the same. Overwhelming loyalty.
‘I was thinking about how to do the speech…’
Estelia had insisted it was important, even wrote a script and practiced with me. Not that I stuck around long enough to use it. She’d put in so much effort that I’d wanted to follow through, but my rebellious streak kicked in. These people don’t really know me anyway. Might as well show them who I am.
“I’m a barbarian, so I’ll probably do plenty of weird shit. Probably won’t sit well with you nobles.”
I said it flatly. The nobles looked ready to explode when I continued first.
“So come at me. I’ll welcome you the northern way.”
A crushing wave of pressure burst outward. “Kuh…!” “Hiiik…!” “C-Cadet Kahan! You mustn’t do that!” The host, standing right next to me, shouted in panic. Of course—he was closest, so I’d kept the pressure controlled just for him. When I stopped, the cadets finally started breathing again. Even the professors nearby had gone pale, though not as badly as the students.
“That’s all. Oh, and if I catch anyone badmouthing me behind my back… you know what happens, right?”
Gulp! Someone’s loud swallow echoed through the sudden silence. The only sound left was my footsteps as I walked off the stage. The host glanced at the professors in desperation before continuing.
“H-Haha…! How bold! Now then, next is the magic department’s runner-up—Serdian Pon!”
“If you wish to challenge Lord Kahan, you’ll have to go through me first.”
“Hiiik…!”
Serdian Pon descended, and the host looked on the verge of tears. Support department came next. Elesia Valter wasn’t top or runner-up, so she stayed seated. After the special forces department finished their remarks, it was time to introduce the professors.
“Now, let me introduce our esteemed faculty!”
The vanguard professor was a former imperial knight—perfect for defense. The assault professor was the former Mercenary King, Veron. The magic professor was…
“What the—?! Old hag?!”
Even bundled up, I recognized her instantly—the 300-year-old grand sorceress living on the mountain behind the academy. Pinya, the old crone. Before the shock could fade, the support professor stepped out. An elf. The special forces professor was apparently from the imperial intelligence division. No name given, so we were told to call him Nameless. What a shady bastard.
“Phew… finally over. Luca, where’s our dorm?”
“We’re in separate dorms, you idiot!”
“Oh, right. Do you know where mine is?”
“How would I know? Find it yourself. Hehehehe!”
She ran off without helping. I decided to wander around and get a feel for the academy. The noble cadets were all busy networking with their factions.
“Oh, the school store…!”
Typical romance-fantasy academy—there was even a convenience store. Cream bread, too. I grabbed one, took a bite, and sweet cream filled my mouth. Washed it down with chocolate milk. Heaven.
“One step at a time… hmm?”
I found the boys’ dorm, but since I kept everything in my dimensional space anyway, I just kept exploring. That’s when I spotted Estelia’s red hair. Thought I was seeing things, but a grand warrior and grand sorcerer doesn’t hallucinate. Even in high-level illusion arrays, I can walk straight.
“Hmm…”
Estelia was heading somewhere secluded. No one else around. Curious, I followed. I slipped in silently and heard voices.
“…is what you’re saying?”
“Haah… Estelia. Why are you acting like a child?”
The other voice was Radien Draken.
“You… why are you doing this to me?”
“I’d like to ask the same. Estelia. We’re bound by a political marriage. We don’t love each other.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about… You’re ignoring me! In public!”
Estelia was bringing up what happened during the ceremony. I stayed hidden behind a pillar, listening. Her voice was wet with tears.
“What’s the problem?”
“…What?”
“You’ll still become my wife. The one I love is Elesia. Everyone will know eventually. So what’s the issue?”
“You… you’ve lost your mind.”
Estelia laughed hollowly. Radien stared at her for a moment, then spoke.
“Enough. There’s no point continuing this conversation.”
He turned and walked away. Estelia stood frozen, gripping her skirt tightly—her habit when she was furious or upset.
“Hiiik…!”
When I casually slung an arm around her shoulders, she yelped. Even Radien spun around in surprise. He looked at me and said,
“You’re… the magic department’s top student, Kahan? What are you doing here?”
Radien sounded genuinely confused.
“Hey, Radien.”
Calling him by name even though we weren’t close made a vein pop on his forehead. Before he could speak, I beat him to it.
“This girl’s mine. Hands off.”
“…What?”
Radien stared at Estelia in disbelief, then at me like I’d gone insane.
“Hey. Eyes on the ground.”
A crushing pressure rolled out. “Kuh… What the—how dare you!” Radien reached for his sword, furious.
“Calm down.”
“Ha… don’t make me laugh.”
I wasn’t talking to him.
“Cheongbing. Calm him down.”
“…?!”
Cheongbing had already appeared at his feet and bound him. Drool dripped from the tightly wrapped Radien’s mouth. He trembled. For reference, I’d raised Cheongbing myself—most high-ranking familiars were nothing but jelly to it. Sword master? Not even close. This thing was far stronger than the White Calamity that had devoured dozens of sword masters.
“S-Stop… Kahan…”
Estelia looked at me and spoke. I met her gaze.
“…So you’re taking Radien’s side?”
Thud. She shook her head frantically.
“N-No! I’m not… Why would you say that…?”
Her eyes welled with the tears she’d been holding back. Damn… a beautiful girl crying because of me. My sadistic side was thriving. I wiped her tears with the hand still around her shoulders.
“Sorry, sorry. You’re just too cute… Anyway. Cheongbing, that’s enough.”
Sssrrk… Thud. It looked playful, but I’d been genuinely angry. And Cheongbing, sensing that, had been furious too. Radien Draken had taken the full killing intent of a divine beast that even the entire Draken family couldn’t hope to face. A wet stain spread.
“Ugh… fucking disgusting.”
“Kyaaaaaaaah!”
His black pants turned even blacker.