Puberty Woes and a 32-Credit Overload
On my way back from course registration, I swung by the academy handbook and headed straight to the dormitory. Luckily, I didn't run into that spinster dorm mom on the way. Here's hoping I keep dodging her from now on. The Imperial Academy separates dorms by gender, so this is a no-boys-allowed zone. Sure, in the empire where magic reigns supreme—magic is the law, the system, everything—the strongest mage is king, no question. But they still draw the line at separating guys and girls for this stuff.
Dorms are assigned based on entrance exam scores, so the ultra-exclusive White Badge dorms—one per year level, just five in total—are off on their own. White Badge students almost never drop in rank, so they stick around here all the way to graduation. Complicated grade-skipping rules mean there can be more than five Whites per year sometimes, though.
Anyway... tomorrow's course registration. I've already got White Badge status, so I've passed most first-year subjects. Yeah, the Imperial Academy's a great place for losers☆ to network, so plenty of White Badgers just coast on minimum effort and party in their spare time. But my goal? Fast grade skips, fast graduation, fast trip home. Four semesters per year—if I skip every semester, starting from first... seventh-years graduate, but you can take graduation exams from sixth year. So I could be testing next year.
"Huaa~☆ The academy system's such a pain."
To skip grades, you gotta rack up points by semester's end. High-credit courses multiply your grade into your final score. The way to earn points directly? Ranking matches—sparring duels where you steal your opponent's points. Hit the threshold, and boom, grade skip. Fall short? You repeat the year. Skip with high points, and you carry over a percentage to the next grade.
So, long story short: hoard points like crazy to skip. I'll graduate this dump in two years flat. And... gotta build up my mana reserves too. It's like a muscle—use it or lose it. But no more time magic for now.
"Haa..."
Standing bare-chested in front of the mirror, it's impossible not to notice. There's a hard, swollen lump around my nipples... and when I squeeze lightly, clear fluid oozes out.
"...Ugh."
Scary to think it'll get worse. And what was with that heart-pounding earlier? Probably secondary sexual characteristics kicking in—sudden crushes or whatever. Not like I was a girl to begin with.
Flipping open Human Growth and Its Simulation, I let out another sigh.
"Hoo... what a total loser☆."
Of all the people to bump into, that freeloading pretty-boy brother... ugh. And wouldn't you know, the page I open has a diagram of a naked dude. What kinda coincidence is this? That bastard.
First things first: see if growth stops here. Skipping to the female section for case studies. Back in my past life, even with a super-restrained puberty, diagrams like this got me going. So why... nothing now? Maybe reincarnating rewired my brain fully female. Could spiral into philosophy about souls and past-life memories being real, but...
"Only I've got a past life, anyway."
Who could I even tell? Whatever, back to the book. No big differences from my past life knowledge. Secondary traits hit around 9-10, growth plates close gradually, height stops around 13 for girls. Might grow a bit more, but the problem is... I glance down at these pathetic little buds. These things keep growing till 15. Basically, getting more girly. Terrifying. So time magic side effects are like this, huh. Whew.
And those hormones probably caused the arousal... and when I... came, that worthless nobody's face popped into my head. Better jot it down in my diary before I forget and move on. Then scribble courses on the magic paper.
Diary—what happened today? Entrance ceremony, yeah. Ran into that pretty-boy loser☆ at the library.
"Aaaah..."
Yesterday I drew him all cute, but realizing it's that loser☆... I'm so pissed I kick the blanket over and over. Am I insane? But seriously, out of ten thousand academy staff and students, why did his face—mere sketch or not—pop up when I was...?
I burrow under the covers up to my face and crash. No solo comforting tonight, nope.
Next morning. Kesera Le Armo Ascentrius, reborn eldest daughter of the Ascentrius house—growth spurts mean lots of sleep. Early bedtimes pump out growth hormones, duh. But my diary's open?
"Ah..."
That loser's fault... no more pointless stress. Desk's got the course reg magic paper, open books, handbook—gotta plan my schedule.
No rush. Registration at 10. Clock says 7. Shove in whatever... might end up with a Hermione☆-level timetable. Need some first-year stuff, mostly second-year. Slap it together—32 credits. Exams'll be a joke anyway, no worries. But... this schedule feels off? Past life prepped me for worse. Fine.
Heading out to submit, my next-door neighbor Naru pops out right on time. Greets me like she was waiting.
"Hey?"
"Naru, hey."
"I'm not Naru! It's Luna—Eluna Le Cromi Essentramium!"
I try to ditch the ticked-off Naru, but why's she following?
"What, why are you tailing me."
"Not tailing! I've got business too."
Whatever, course reg it is. Her tsundere grumbling fills the walk to the academic affairs office.
"Yes, new students for registration, over here. Ah, White Badges this way."
The regular line's packed, but my badge gets VIP lane. Perks, huh. As the elite of elites, eldest Ascentrius daughter, it's only right.
"Whoa, that's the top scorer?"
"Runner-up next to her? Friends maybe... they match."
"Hmph, match what?"
I was about to snap, but Naru beats me to it. Handle it, girl. Popularity's such a hassle☆.
Going to submit, Naru keeps peeking, then adds a line to her sheet. Anyway... the clerk looks worried as I hand mine over.
"Miss Sera, you're really registering for this?"
"Yup."
"...For this many credits, you need advisor approval. No pre-selected prof? We'll auto-assign one... looks like none."
She flips through papers. Damn, I auto-rejected all the pre-contacts—now it's a hassle. Ah! Right, perfect person for this.
The Imperial Academy president's office houses the president and half a dozen secretaries. It's no honorary gig—real work piles up to match the prestige. Social duties as a bigwig, naturally.
"President, Hope Orphanage—produced two students this year—wants to schedule. Paperwork here."
"Hm... these the kids?"
Can't memorize a thousand newbies, but as president, he tracks odd entrance histories. Top and runner-up especially... Whew, thinking of that neighbor weirdo topper makes him sweat. No getting heated—hair loss incoming.
Top of the secretary's papers: this year's academy roster. Aru. Street urchin Black Badge girl. Model hard-worker vibe. Luca. Refugee Black Badge boy. Pitiful look. Orphanages like this usually get a letter, not a visit. Girl's fine, but the boy? Mana Black, magic comprehension ?, computation Red. ? means unreadable. Sera got Red mana but ?s elsewhere—her brilliance earned White. Luca's overall Black... but exam history's fishy. And rumors Hope Orphanage ties to 'Chaos' empire-topplers? Gotta visit.
As he stamps the visit schedule—
The clumsy entrance-ceremony secretary, Michael, bursts in.
"Um... President, a student wants to see you."
"Hoho, tell her I'm busy, next time—"
"Baldie Uncle~☆!"
Imperial Academy President Sormon—aka Baldie Uncle—spots Sera, slaps his forehead, and drags a hand down his face.
"Yeah... everyone except Sera, get out."