Freshman Assault Investigation Committee
I woke up in a hazy, utterly groggy state. But... this is an unfamiliar ceiling. Did I get isekai'd into yet another world? Sigh... who knows☆ But the ceiling was spinning round and round. My mind was a mess, memories fuzzy, so I just stared blankly until my focus returned.
Why was my head so foggy, my skull throbbing like it was pierced through, my shoulder feeling broken—oh right, it was that filthy chaos-possessed freshman from yesterday.
"Ugh..."
Yeah, I shouldn't be moving my body this much yet. My instincts screamed that one more try and my whole body would shatter for real.
As I slowly tried to sit up and compose myself, I noticed an IV drip stabbed into my arm. Time seemed to be well past lunchtime... Ah, I need to check my class registration results and head to lectures.
Following the IV tube to the bag, I saw it wasn't clear liquid. Kinda like the ones from my past life?
"Ah... ugh."
I tried to get up but flopped right back down. Please don't let this shoulder pain last forever.
But needing an IV means it was that serious... Right on cue, the infirmary professor in her nurse outfit approached me.
"Our little freshman is skipping class on day one."
"Hehe~☆ First classes are just gonna be reciting the appendix anyway, right? Don't need 'em☆"
"Good attitude. As expected from the famous White Badge missy."
The moment she reached to pat my head, I tried to bounce it away with elasticity magic... but a pounding headache and mana exhaustion stole my strength. And... her palm gently settled on my head.
"Eek... what're you touching...♡?! Ah?"
She stroked my hair. And... why did it feel so warm and fuzzy-ambiguous every time? No idea.
"Try not to use mana for a week if you can help it. You're young—overdoing it now and your mana plate won't grow; it'll just rupture."
"Mmm..."
The nurse professor adjusted the syringe in my arm. That stuff... probably not bad, right? It had this eerie blue glow, like radiation.
"Don't worry, it's purified water. And stay away from boys for a while. They're beasts."
"Thanks for the advice~ But guys are gross anyway; I don't even wanna be near 'em~"
"So you like girls, Sera?"
"Hmm..."
If I had to pick, maybe. Truth is, I hate anything annoying. Better to graduate quick, go home, and research with the one and only archmage I respect—Mom.
"Then definitely not~ My freshman friend. Yesterday, you inhaled a dangerous amount of Lust's Fragrance. This is to neutralize it."
"Lust's... Fragrance?"
"Common stench used by chaos minions."
True, it started as a horrific stink, but as my mana drained, it turned faintly sweet. And... with my eyes closed, someone held me... who was that?
"Your boyfriend was super worried~?"
"Boy... friend...? Ha, as if the unparalleled genius future archmage like me would have a boyfriend~ No one's worthy~?"
"Gail. He even postponed the ranking match a week."
The nurse professor's words hit like a truck—my nose clogged up, speechless. What? Me, Gail's girlfriend? No, I'm a girl and he's a boy, so he's my boyfriend?
"Ha... what? Speak sense~ Even a professor can't get away with that mean joke☆?"
Fuming, I spat it out, but she pulled a platinum wand from inside her nurse outfit. I shielded my forehead with my free hand, expecting a flick... but she just drew something in the air.
To my eyes, the formula looked like connected dots, and grasping its meaning didn't take long. Some kinda replay magic...
"Nooo!"
That parasite pretty boy's face popped up in midair. Flustered by the sudden delicate features, my face burned red as I hid under the blanket. My breathing got all ragged for no reason... Why?
"Heart pounding? Wanna do it with him~?"
"N-no!"
Am I crazy? What's wrong with me?
"That's the Lust's Fragrance. Oh, and he wanted me to pass this on."
She dropped a sealed letter in front of me. I snatched it under the blanket and tore it open.
To the talented White Badge freshman Kesera Le Armo Ascentrius,
Professor Karia says you took heavy injuries and depleted your mana, so rest a week. Thus, I'll postpone the ranking match one week.
Let's face off in top condition. I'll win for sure then.
5th-year White Badge
Gail Le Sorden Ksharanthelis
Why were these letters written so prettily, just like that pretty face...☆ Screw the face vibe oozing from the script.
"I'm not hurt at all? I'm fine? This guy's just dodging the ranking match, right?"
"No, you need rest. Not for mana recovery—for purging the Lust's Fragrance. If you go out like this, you'll lose reason and go all, 'Mmm, ahh~♡'"
"Kyaa—stop!"
Gail's face kept popping up from the letter, annoying me enough already, and this nurse professor's voice was weirdly sticky—gave me chills. You spinster too? Huh? Right?
"Sera, I've notified your subject professors. You resolved a major crisis that nearly hit the school, caught the culprit quick—plenty of points coming. But with the investigation committee, rest here a week."
Investigation committee... yeah, that freshman wasn't normal. Even a normie almost matched me, the great☆ archmage-to-be.
"Anything else you can do?"
"Can you grab my bookbag?"
Not for studying. I needed the diary inside. If I don't write down the fight, I'll forget again.
"Sure~ Here's something extra♡"
No, professor. I hate you.
**
I got the diary from my bookbag. Good thing no one can unseal it. My special☆ seal opens for me only.
But what was that about Lust's Fragrance? And no boys? I'm a guy inside—no way I'd see dudes that way.
Irritated, I flipped open the diary... and it landed on the page with that parasite pretty boy's face sketched.
"Ack..."
Other thoughts, other thoughts. Sigh... right. Gotta send a telegram spell to Mom? No, I have pride—she should apologize first.
Even the empire's top-respected of the five leaders, Mom was wrong. Locking me in this worthless Imperial Academy.
Made me mad just thinking. Can't use magic... bed rest is so boring~!
**
Gail fanned himself in the library, checking lecture notes. But none of it stuck.
"...Sigh."
The letter flying to him announced the professor-led incident investigation committee soon. His pen dropped and rolled.
That damn freshman was zero help. Tomorrow should've wrapped revenge match perfectly, back to routine... Guess this week he'd be busy with the committee.
Luckily, only 21 credits this semester. End of it, hit the academy-front eatery? Call friends, hang out.
"Ha..."
But semester start and everything's gone haywire. Gail set down his pen, looked up—and saw a blonde freshman stacking books high, heading over. She nearly toppled at his row.
Gail stood quick to steady her.
"Wh-whoa?"
"Ah... thank you, senior."
"Be careful. Magic books vary in height—handle gently."
Gail eyed her name tag as he restacked: Luna, White Badge.
To him, just another White Badge junior passing by... but Luna recognized him instantly, smiling awkwardly.
In the end, Sera beat this guy for top spot.
But knowing Sera's true power after that, Luna couldn't shake the weird kinship with him.
We're... the victims' club.