First Morning at the Academy
I woke up in the dormitory bed on my first morning at the academy.
This bed is surprisingly soft and cozy, I must say.
With so many students hailing from noble houses, you could tell real care had gone into the dorms. It was every bit as plush and immaculate as the beds back at the Albert family mansion. Beds stood on either side of the window; there was a desk and even a proper bathroom—a fully equipped dorm room.
I stretched with a long, luxurious yawn and wandered over to Marie, who was still asleep. There she lay, snuggled tightly under the covers, breathing soft and even. So adorable. A mischievous urge struck, and I poked her cheek with one finger.
“Mm…”
Marie’s eyes fluttered open as she turned toward me.
“Morning, Marie.”
“Yaaawn… Good morning, Franc…”
The sight of Marie just waking was practically angelic—her fluttering white nightgown, her fair, warm-looking skin, the soft teal hair cascading gently, and that dazed expression of someone not quite awake yet. She was so cute I wanted to dive into the bed and sleep right alongside her.
Still, today was the day of our first classes. If we didn’t get ready now, we might be late.
“Well then, I’ll go change first~”
After washing up I came out and promptly tossed off my nightclothes. Marie yelped in surprise and covered her face with both hands.
“Kyaa! F-Franc!”
Bold red underwear. As expected, red is my color! I quickly pulled on my uniform. As I dressed I could feel Marie’s gaze peeking through her fingers.
“Ugh…”
“Alright, Marie, your turn to change now?”
“Could you close your eyes for a moment?”
“Ehh~”
“I-It’s embarrassing!”
We’d lived under the same roof, after all…
“Very well.”
Reluctantly I stepped back into the bathroom with perfect manners… and then peeped. White! I eagerly took in every glimpse of her fair skin. Gazing upon that beautiful form, I felt like I might get a nosebleed. I decided to tease her a little.
“At this rate we’ll be late, Marie~”
“Ah, y-yes…!”
I giggled as I watched Marie scramble. Once we finished getting ready, we opened the door to our dorm room.
“Shall we go~”
“Yes!”
I attended my first class at the academy. The lectures were held in halls that felt just like a university’s. We received our new textbooks, finished the orientation, and then dove straight into the actual course material. Looking at the textbook, I was more than a little shocked.
Magic is way more profound and difficult than I expected!
The academy was supposed to be nothing more than a setting—a place to learn and research magic—yet for some reason the magic systems were laid out in incredibly detailed and elaborate ways. Fascinating. This world is set up to be really interesting. Well, whatever magic turns out to be, it’s got nothing to do with me!
As I flipped through the textbook, class was already over.
“Yaaawn~ Classes are always so tiring, I must say.”
“We’ve only just begun. Let’s do our best together, Franc.”
Marie looked thoroughly excited. Throughout the class she had been actively asking questions and writing things down with real diligence.
“Yes, Marie, it seems you really like it here.”
“Hehe, of course. Doesn’t learning something new make your heart race a little?”
I was glad to be enjoying this academy life myself. And above all, being with my favorite Marie made it perfect. Hmm, but…
“We have free time until after lunch.”
A free period, huh. Perfect time to stop by the student council.
“Shall we head to the student council, then?”
“Yes, that sounds good!”
When we arrived at the student council room we saw a familiar scene. There was Charles, lounging around leisurely again. Does that guy have nothing to do? He seems to be here all day.
“Hey! Good morning!”
“Good day to you, senior~”
And there were some new faces among the students. James, who came in after us, greeted us.
“Good morning. Miss Francoise, Miss Marie.”
“Ah, good day to you!”
“Hello.”
James smiled with his eyes and walked over to the desk.
“Everyone’s gathered at just the right time. These two are this year’s new student council members: Francoise Albert de Valois and Marie Robert de Saint-Victor.”
“Pleased to meet you all~!”
“Oh my, freshmen♡”
“…Hmm.”
“……”
All eyes in the student council room focused on us.
“Miss Francoise, Miss Marie. Allow me to introduce the members of the student council here.”
I saw a face I’d seen at the entrance ceremony—the girl who had given the response speech. Erika.
“This is a first-year who joined the student council this year along with Miss Francoise and Miss Marie. She’s been appointed as secretary, which is quite rare.”
“I’m Erika Lumenhart de Springfield! Pleased to meet you!”
She welcomed us with a bright smile.
“Ohoho, a pleasure to meet you as well.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“She entered as a perfect scorer on the entrance exam, and she is the sole possessor of light magic in this world.”
A perfect score—being student council secretary wasn’t even enough for her credentials.
“How truly impressive!”
“Hehe, it’s nothing special. Thank you!”
Erika waved her hands bashfully.
“I still have to… go further… much further…”
“?”
I felt a strange sensation from her quiet murmuring.
“Next is our student council’s disciplinary president, Serena Blumer de Ribelin.”
A girl with long white hair and narrowed eyes. She looked highly suspicious.
“Oh my, oh my, more cuties have joined us? Pleased to meet you~ ‘Cu-ties’♡”
Huh? Seriously suspicious.
“E-eh… A pleasure to meet you.”
“Y-yes…”
We both replied a bit recoiling.
“And this is Lilie Verdan de Floren. She’s the senior in charge of the treasury here.”
“……”
There was a certain charisma coming from the taciturn girl. With her sharp, fierce-looking eyes and a ponytail similar to Sally’s, she looked really hard to approach.
“A pleasure to meet you~ Ohoho”
“…Yes.”
Ah, I get it. She’s the type who’s different inside and out. She’s probably racking her brain right now over what to say.
“Lastly, this is Kael Silphid de Silvanir, who oversees security for our student council.”
A young man with short-cut ash-gray hair. He gave a slight wave of his hand, ignoring our gazes.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“A pleasure to meet you~ Ohoho”
“N-nice to meet you.”
He seemed to have some kind of complaint. Hmm, is it because of Scarlet on my back?
“That concludes the introductions of the main members. Miss Francoise, Miss Marie, please feel free to chat and then be on your way.”
“I have a proposal.”
Kael stood up and spoke.
“I’d like to hold an ‘initiation’ with the new students. Any objections?”
He looked at me as he asked for everyone’s opinions.
“Oh my, how intense~♡”
Serena said as if she couldn’t handle it.
“Hahaha! An initiation! Kael, you shouldn’t underestimate those girls, you know?”
Charles laughed and egged Kael on. James cleared his throat and said,
“Ahem, well, I don’t mind. Miss Francoise, Miss Marie, if you’re alright with it, please go along with it.”
Initiation? Like drinking some penalty alcohol or something?
“An initiation?”
“Just a magic duel kind of thing. Looks like Kael’s got something stuck in his craw!”
Charles explained. Marie looked a bit scared.
“F-fighting isn’t good…”
“It’s not a fight.”
Kael pointed at me and said.
“Francoise, it’s to measure your strength.”
Oho, so he’s confident? Is he hung up on the fact that I can’t use magic?
“Very well, I shall not decline!”
“Alright. Then gather at the training grounds immediately.”
“Hahaha! That’s my junior!”
“Haa… My apologies for the rudeness. Miss Francoise.”
Charles laughing heartily and James looking troubled.
“Eh…”
And Erika, who seemed to have taken an interest.
The academy’s training grounds. Apparently this is where talented students conduct actual magic training or simple practical exercises. Similar to the training grounds at our mansion. With the student council members standing at a distance, Kael and I faced each other. Kael drew his wand and spoke. This scene looks familiar… It’s exactly like when I sparred with the butler before!
“Alright, try and endure this.”
I gripped Scarlet and said.
“Who will be the one enduring? We’ll have to see, won’t we?”
“…Hmph.”
The air at the tip of his wand began to distort. Then a massive wind shook the training grounds.
Whoooosh—
Incredible wind…! At this rate I’ll be blown away!
“He is a wind magic aptitude holder. He possesses the highest skill within the academy.”
James explained from afar. Marie spoke worriedly.
“Surely they won’t get hurt, will they?”
“It’s fine. Even if something like that happens, I’ll try to stop it.”
Kael swung his wand upward.
“Blow! O Typhoon!”
An enormous wind enveloped me. Then I felt my body floating.
“Waaah?!”
I’m flying! I can see the whole academy training grounds. The student council people watching and Marie looked tiny.
“Franc!”
I could see Marie looking worried. But don’t worry, Marie. I’m a greatsword master, after all. I caught the spinning wind on Scarlet’s blade. I rode that wind and spun like a pinwheel. Soon, having built up great momentum, I escaped the wind path and fell spinning toward Kael. From Scarlet, tremendous crimson sword aura erupted. I shouted as I spoke.
“Try and block this!! Commoner!!”
“Wh-what, c-commoner!!”
KABOOOM!!—