Puppy and Kitten
Sara Leoris.
She was a genius.
All words in the world contain relativity. The word "genius" is no different. The degree of excellence this word represents varies wildly depending on who you compare it to.
Compared to children, being called a genius is nothing more than learning to count or recognize letters a bit faster than others.
Sara Leoris was called a genius in the Leoris family, a genius born once every thousand years.
Where is the Leoris family?
Despite arrogantly using the title of the "pinnacle of magic" externally, it is the origin of knowledge that no one can find fault with.
Using the words of those who like to boast, it's said that 23% of the magic existing in the world was created by the Leoris family. For some reason, the specific number gives it a sense of reality, and many people believe such words.
Sara Leoris was called a genius even in this Leoris family. If picking someone who can use the suffix "outside the heavens," it would obviously be her.
In Sara Leoris's life plan, the Academy didn't exist. She didn't need to go through the Academy at all. Since she had proven herself since a single-digit age, the Magic Tower waiting for her was so numerous that it could be used as a carpet instead of a list.
Especially, recently feeling the stagnation of her realm, sending her to the Academy for three years was nothing but a waste of time. No matter how many excellent teachers the Academy had, she didn't think there would be anyone who could help her achievements.
The reason she entered the Academy was her father's words.
"Sara. Go to the Academy. You'll get a chance to break down the wall blocking you."
What a stupid thing to say. Her father often said stupid things, but this one was particularly stupid.
Sara couldn't understand why people called her father the "Red-Haired Sage" with such an overqualified title.
Exhausted by her father's nagging that was close to stubbornness, Sara decided to enter the Academy with one condition.
"If my interest drops, I'll drop out immediately."
To match her father's temperament, she would go for about a semester. This was a big concession.
Sara entered the Academy entrance exam with that thought in mind.
"There are three doors, each leading to a different dungeon. It's a dungeon that tests your strength and wisdom. You have to choose one and bring back the medal. You can get the medal by hunting the monsters in the dungeon."
The exam was simple. Hunting monsters in a dungeon.
For her, it was nothing more than a leisure activity.
Sara chose the middle door. No particular reason. It was just the closest one.
Whoosh!
Passing through the door, unfamiliar land greeted her.
The other examinees who entered the door with her had scattered somewhere. It seemed they were randomly placed at each branch of the dungeon as they passed through the door.
She looked up at the sky. An expansive sky with not a single cloud stretched out like the sea. Slightly lowering her head to look at the ground, a sharply carved canyon was revealed.
Is it a canyon? Then the monsters that appear are probably flying-type monsters.
Just from looking at the dungeon's terrain, the size was roughly estimated.
A mage is a suitable class for dealing with flying monsters. To be precise, to easily catch flying monsters, ranged attacks are necessary. If a warrior-type student supported this dungeon, they would have a hard time.
For Sara Leoris, compatibility wasn't important. If she were at a level to discuss compatibility with the Academy entrance exam, she wouldn't have been called a genius in the family.
"Huh? What a pleasant face."
Instead of a monster, a human voice was heard. The voice came from above the canyon. Sara turned her head towards the direction the voice came from. There, a woman with healthy tanned brown skin caught her eye.
Thud!
The woman fell from the bottom of the canyon. The height of the canyon was over 10 meters easily. Without landing skills, it was a height that could easily cause a fall.
However, the woman landed in a wonderful posture that Yohan would have shouted "Hero Landing!?" and received no damage at all.
It was a familiar face. Sara and the woman's eyes met.
"Sara Leoris. You chose this place too?"
"Swordhorn. Meeting you here. What a coincidence. No, is it fate?"
To Sara's question, Arsha put a faint smile on her lips and tilted her head.
"What is fate? Are you saying that I, Arsha Swordhorn, followed right behind you?"
"I didn't say it that far, but it's not something that can be ruled out."
"Impressive self-confidence."
Unlike Sara's expressionless face, Arsha was smiling brightly. However, her words were sharp despite the smiling face.
"You knew how to take the Academy entrance exam. I heard you were talking about how the Academy isn't necessary for your career."
"Even someone like Swordhorn listens to the world's nonsense?"
"It's a pretty convincing explanation."
Arsha's eyes sparkled like polished gems. Her sword at her waist clattered as if reading the owner's momentum.
"When people say the continent's highest late score, they all point to you. Even though I'm Arsha Swordhorn is fine."
"I have no interest in such evaluations."
"Hmm~? Even if you say it that way, I wonder if it's sincere."
Arsha Swordhorn.
A good person, but a very annoying woman.
That was Sara Leoris's evaluation of her.
Although she was a mage and she was a swordsman, Arsha, who was obsessed with the title of "the best," always saw herself as someone she had to surpass. Thanks to that amazing fighting spirit, Arsha eventually snatched the title of the best among her peers.
However, her desire to be on top didn't end there. That desire was probably to be extinguished only by beating herself.
By the way, Swordhorn said she entered this year too.
Entering the Academy would make it hard to avoid Arsha's annoying obsession. She already saw a turbulent future.
"You know? About the Academy entrance exam scores. They say the top three from first to third will be announced."
"I see."
"You, the young lady of the Leoris family, won't just take the Academy exam casually, right?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Ah, I'm going to take the exam seriously too. I thought maybe the excuse 'I was relaxed for the entrance exam' wouldn't be childish."
What a childish provocation. Sara let out a light sigh and replied.
"Well, I have no such thoughts. I know that the honor of the Leoris family depends on every one of my actions."
"That's really fortunate. I don't like taking even one point from a relaxed opponent either."
Arsha's smile deepened. She turned her body refreshingly and said.
"The top spot is mine."
Passing through the door, a wide canyon unfolded before her eyes. As expected, it was according to the game.
Academy entrance exam.
Chapter 1 of the Legend Route is the entrance exam chapter. The story of this chapter was to choose one of the three dungeons and bring back the medal.
The middle door leads to the Wyvern's Canyon dungeon.
The monsters appearing in this field are mini wyverns.
They are flying-type monsters.
Because they are flying-type monsters, close-range dealers without binding skills are places where hunting is difficult. For me, who has learned a great ranged attack called Knife Shot, this doesn't apply.
Chapter 1 is a very easy chapter as it's the prologue of the game. In fact, regarding entering the Academy, I could have chosen any door.
However, what I'm aiming for is not just entering the Academy. I aim for the overall first place.
If I become the overall first place in the Academy, I will receive several bonuses. Among them, there are bonuses directly related to the hidden piece. Because of that, I had no intention of missing the overall first place.
To do that, first, medal farming.
Time is plentiful. I walked around the canyon while looking around. I hadn't walked for a few minutes when I could meet someone else.
"Red hair?"
A small-built red-haired female student and a tanned-skinned female student were talking.
The red-haired student gave off an adorable doll-like appearance and a mature yet innocent atmosphere. It was like a little sister who matured early.
In contrast, the healthy tanned-skinned female student had sharp eyes and a sharp impression. If you extended your hand carelessly, it felt like it would bite "snap!"
The atmosphere was completely different, but the common point was that both were beauties that one would turn their head away from without thinking if they met on the street.
In the Legend Route, the prettier you are, the higher the probability of being a main character. Commercial games generally don't go against this formula. To open the gamer's wallet, it has to be that way.
"One is Sara Leoris. The other is Arsha Swordhorn, I guess."
Sara Leoris.
One of the strong characters in the early stages of the Legend Route, holder of the S-rank trait "Eyes of Wisdom."
Her trait was a great human trait that I had marked as a copy target.
"Well, I have no such thoughts. I know that the honor of the Leoris family depends on every one of my actions."
"That's really fortunate. I don't like taking even one point from a relaxed opponent either."
A rivalry was flowing between the two. This kind of relationship was no different from the original game.
Arsha Swordhorn sees Sara Leoris as a rival. In fact, Sara herself only sees Arsha as an annoying opponent.
Looking at the relationship described in the game, the competition between Sara and Arsha is actually one-sided by Arsha. Because of that, among gamers, there were gamers who hated Arsha.
However, Arsha is not a bad person at heart. The obsession with being the best stems from her unfortunate family situation. I personally like this character.
The two parted ways. Sara was left alone.
Should I introduce myself here?
To get her trait, I have to kiss her. Of course, if I give her a lip lock without knowing each other, it won't end with an apple.
No matter how well the situation goes, at least one arm might be cut off, or perhaps even the head. I shouldn't forget that Sara is the famous young lady of the Leoris family.
So, thinking of it as a rough sketch for later, it would be better to introduce myself to her.
As naturally as possible.
"Hey, who is there?"
It seemed Sara had noticed me too.
I approached her with the most favorable impression, smiling as much as possible.