Bloody Scare and the Ranking Battle Hype
Ranking battle? No way. Nah... it can't be. My stomach feels ice-cold, and chills are running through my body. The bloodstain pooled inside my panties is only about fist-sized so far, but that's definitely blood from me. Yeah, since I accelerated time with magic, it's no wonder this showed up. That thing women get... my period. But first periods are supposed to come around 12, right? No matter how early, it shouldn't hit right after my breasts started developing... right? I'm barely 10, but to be precise, people in this world aren't exactly human, so maybe it's different. Part of me thinks, "Yep, it's here," while another part screams, "No way, I'm not ready for this!"
But in the dorm, the only people I know are next-door Naru, 7th-year Yerina, and the dorm supervisor prof... that's it? Asking any of those loose screws☆? Yeah, no thanks. Everyone enters at 13 or older, so they all know how to handle it... So I hurriedly cast Cleanse—
"Eek...☆!"
A rough gust of wind brushed against my swollen butt, stinging like hell. Cleanse is a type of wind magic that clears the whole body, which is exactly why you never cast it on open wounds. And this blood... it's way too bright red. Looks like fresh blood. Yeah, more dangerous than a period, but it could be serious internal bleeding from pushing too hard. Either way, my condition's a total mess. Even after getting up, it feels like something's gushing down my thighs. My front, my back—my whole body's gone cold, skin numb, can't even tell where the blood's coming from.
Checking the luggage from the mansion, it had everything imaginable—good thing there were supplies for this.
"Urgh..."
Won't be able to bathe while it's bleeding like this. I love soaking in the room's tub with bath salts—it washes away fatigue so nicely—but this might be risky.
I checked the schedule starting Friday. Morning: Basic Potion Experiment. Afternoon: the infamous group project class, Party Play Basics. That afternoon one's a week-long hunting trip outside the Imperial Academy, so it's off the timetable anyway. Good—plenty of time before potions.
"O-okay... just make it to the infirmary with the lame healer...☆"
Yeah, gotta go. To the infirmary. Somehow, I made it there. But I don't remember if I ran, walked, or flew. Half out of my mind when I arrived, and instead of the creepy lady prof, a female staffer was at the desk. Mortifying—wanted to die—but what if it's fatal? I'd seen this assistant healer nurse before, during my last stay.
"Um... blood's coming from my butt... it's... per... iod?"
"Body numb, and pain down here?"
She asked about symptoms straight-up, looking worried as she poked my lower belly. But it didn't hurt...☆
"Doesn't hurt...☆"
"Professor Karia's not here yet—want me to check?"
"Y-yeah... if you can..."
"Got inspection certs and 2nd-grade healing magic quals, so no worries, sweetie."
But I wasn't in any state to ponder what a 2nd-grade healing cert meant. Just... exposing my bottom in front of someone. Hoo... so embarrassing I bit down on a handkerchief.
"This isn't a period."
"Huh...?"
"Internal bleeding. Didn't I tell you not to use magic after hurting your mana plate?"
"Y-yeah...☆"
"Plus, you chugged dangerous stuff like mana ale? Your guts flipped, and blood came out."
"Uh-huh...☆ Got it."
"Rest'll help, but should I notify your classes?"
"Hehe, give me some meds and I can tough it out—"
Grab meds, endure class. Gotta go... get up and—something huge blocked my path.
"Rest."
I looked up. There stood Professor Karia, nurse uniform half-on, incense stick in her mouth, looming like a statue. Disinfectant alcohol stench wafting already.
"No way... ranking battle's today! That trash bastard—☆"
"Rest when I say nice."
Eek... scary. When she glares down like that, I can't do shit. Legs shaking harder from the vibe. I know she's just a pathetic spinster...☆
"I'll notify classes. Rest. Kids shouldn't rampage like that."
"The ranking battle..."
"You can go to that. Gotta roll around with your boyfriend, right~?"
"He's not my boyfriend, you hag!?"
Whether I snapped or not, the hag jabbed a shot into my arm. Ah... sleepy☆ Ugh...
"Oh, and thanks for checking her, Senia."
"No problem, Professor."
......
My precious morning class faded to black.
**
"Ugh..."
Woke up in the infirmary bed, head pounding. Mana reservoir below my chest ached too. Why's it gotta hurt this bad...☆
"Urgh..."
"Awake?"
"Ha☆ Didja have to knock me out~☆?"
"To look good for your boyfriend."
Yeah, she's a total spinster case. I didn't accelerate time with magic just to recover faster or whatever. Hated coming back 'cause of those memories, but unavoidable~☆
"Think I'd date a total loser like that~☆?"
"Eh, Gail's decent enough."
"La la laaa~☆ Can't hear you~☆"
Forced rest helped a bit, but if this keeps up, it'll suck. Great bloodline, trash efficiency body.
"You're good to go—scram."
"...Got it."
Time to bounce when she says. But why wake me at this hour? Infirmary clock read 4 PM already. Ranking battle at 5—no prep time. Mana recovered nicely after deep sleep, though. Didn't expect internal bleeding, but potions lab in that state? Disaster. Not a period's a relief... but it'll come someday. Magic to stop it? Nah.
Mages obsess over magic even bleeding out. Mom proves it. Life goal #1: magic. That's why she cared for me so well...
"Sigh..."
I'm the same. Eldest Ascentrius daughter, future archmage. Time to go. Coliseum again, like yesterday.
Normally dorm-to-lab main road, but infirmary detour made it farther. Some fly broomsticks openly—need license, like a motorcycle. Don't have one☆ Wanted to save mana—dunno opponent's play. Walked the road, but academy sparring grounds path was packed, way more than yesterday. What? Marathon cheer squad?
As I advanced, crowd parted like the Red Sea. Miraculous~☆
"Whoa, there she goes."
"White Badge... so cool. A freshman?"
"Normal freshman? She already beat him once."
Talking loud enough for me to hear, huh? Pathetic losers☆
Suddenly, someone blocked me. 4th-year... red name tag?
"Kesera! Autograph please!"
Ridiculous request cracked me up. This lowly thing blocking me? Eyes narrowed on reflex.
"Hey! You trying to ruin Kesera's condition? You're with Gail, right!"
"N-no I'm not!"
"Pfft... lol, pathetic."
So gross. Asking a kid for this crap.
"Want my autograph☆? Worry about your own path before I carve it in~?"
"Whoaaa..."
"Insane. Whoa—hear that?"
This trash dares block me? Ignored and passed; they yelled behind, obviously for me.
"That... gave me chills. Queen Kesera..."
"Dude, you nuts?"
Sigh... idiots. Losers. Useless trash. Ignored 'em, entered colosseum—seats nearly half-full. Center: trash bastard and his coaching prof waiting.
"Hey everyone~☆"
"You're late. We've been waiting."
That trash bastard striking a pose again. Wanna end this quick, erase him from my brain☆