The Second Place Prodigy's Burning Ambition
Freshman top seat, flawless conduct, impeccable appearance, outstanding grades. Eluna Le Cromi Essentramium, from the Essentramium family that owns the massive media empire Mage's Daily, shortened to Luna. Those descriptors had always clung to Luna like a tail, now that she was twelve years old.
Before enrolling in the Imperial Academy, Luna had lived a life as the model student and prodigy, fearless of the world. Her family's greatness—having produced three archmages—went without saying, and thanks to the backing of their giant media company, she knew even the dark underbelly of society. Raised as a prodigy from a young age, she'd mastered basic magic at four, the four elements by seven, and was now learning coordinate magic from a private tutor. In terms of pure skill, she was already at the level of a third- or fourth-year academy student by age twelve. With her prodigious talent amplified by a family that controlled the press, it was only natural she'd become famous early on. The world buzzed endlessly about how she might become the empire's next archmage—that was Luna's daily life.
So, to claim a spot as a symbolic member of the 1000th class at the Imperial Academy, she'd applied for the entrance exam a year early. Families with bloodlines rivaling or surpassing the "Le Resna"—direct descendants of four archmages—were either too young, too old, or already enrolled to send a freshman this year. Luna fully expected to be selected as the symbolic top freshman of the 1000th class.
But... second place was a result bordering on shock for Luna.
"Could it be that the Ascentrius family bribed fourth-year top student Gail?"
Bribery, backroom deals, trickery, collusion. Those were the specialties of the Essentramium family, owners of the press. So Luna suspected Gail first. But her father just shook his head.
"We've dug and dug, but not a speck of dirt. Even witnesses at the exam hall called it an accidental commotion. Sure, that could be fabricated, but the professor confirmed she used void magic in the duel, and every academy student who watched agreed. Besides, the fourth-year topper came from a humble family—he was genuinely after the honor. She just beat him fair and square."
"Still, there must be some trick, right?"
"Luna, second place is still a meaningful rank. It's like saying you're second out of a million students nationwide... The Ascentrius family is one of the few Le Armo lines beloved by the entire nation. Dig too deep, and it'll just hurt our own staff."
Luna ground her teeth. The fact that she couldn't be the best stung like never before. She, who'd received elite training since childhood, had lost to someone. The fork in her hand shattered as she gripped her food, and her father—not even an archmage—tried to soothe her rage. That only pissed her off more.
"Find out right now, Dad! You're the president of Mage's Daily and head of the Essentramium family, aren't you? Yeah? Dig up every single flaw in that girl's life from birth!"
"Aigoo... alright, sweetie. Don't get so worked up."
"You're useless with no talent but a good personality—that's your problem, Dad."
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... This worthless father can't do anything for you."
That was Luna's true face, and the inside story of the Mage's Daily, rumored to be fair to all... Her father rose from his seat and headed straight to President Sormon. The academy owed them a favor, and it was time to collect.
But even the president shook his head.
"There was no foul play in the duel, regrettably. If we overturn this for your daughter, the Imperial Academy's reputation for fairness could crumble like it did in the past. As you reported in Mage's Daily, Gail really gave his all."
"Sigh... I suppose it's unavoidable."
President Sormon showed Luna's father the crystal orb capturing every moment. It was beyond doubt, no edits. It was the same scene his underlings had investigated dozens of times. No, how could a seven-year-old cast void magic—something even professors struggled with—without a wand? Without even twitching a finger, just through calculations. Even a proud father had to acknowledge it and leave.
In exchange, Mage's Daily published not a single article on Kesera.
Yeah, second place isn't bad. But for Luna, who'd always been at the pinnacle, it felt like utter humiliation. Still, in the spot that should be the most honorable, couldn't she mess with the girl who'd lucked into first? With vicious resolve, Luna arrived at the entrance ceremony rehearsal hall.
But what entered her eyes? Kesera—the supposed top seat—strutting in confidently, only to have the president grab her ear and drag her off. Something... was off. Luna had never once received that kind of attention. And from the great president of the Imperial Academy, no less...!
"That esteemed president... has... bald spots?"
"No way, right? Come on, strike this pose. Shoot a flame spell that way."
"...Understood."
Snapping out of it at the student council officer's words, it seemed obviously fake. Mage's Daily knew even if a back-alley rat had nibbled a fingernail. Yet nowhere did it mention the president's baldness. They would've exploited it if they knew. But then, after a while, he reappeared with two bumps on his head? What... did the president hit her? Nah, no way.
To become the perfect freshman, Luna followed the student council seniors' instructions flawlessly thereafter. But that top-seat girl... the things that grated on Luna's nerves were endless. When esteemed seniors instructed this and that, the girl would look down first, then smirk arrogantly, tacking "lame~☆" onto every sentence. Luna felt like she was dying to suppress the fire in her heart.
This wasn't just anger at Kesera. It was fury at the disgrace to their group, the "freshmen."
Kesera's offenses kept piling up. Finally, Luna's stacked rage exploded just before the freshman oath rehearsal, during a short break. Leaving only two in the waiting room.
In Luna's eyes, there was a little brat sprawled on the floor, fast asleep like a ragdoll. Five years younger than her, no less. Luna glared with a smirk and approached. Clack, clack—wearing the academy uniform she'd donned early, unlike the generic robes on the kid.
"Your posture's all wrong."
"Huh? What?"
"You, Kesera."
"Oh~ Guess it was too lame to hear my mumble~ But you. Talk a lot."
At that point, Luna snapped. Steam practically shot from her head.
"You sneak in on connections and you talk more?"
"What? Connections? Oh~ Being Le Cromi makes you ten. Points. Jealous of a Le Armo?"
"No! You're ruining the freshmen rep!"
Unable to hold back, Luna conjured five or six fireballs without incantation. A once-in-a-generation genius herself, she couldn't stomach giving slack to this lazy, arrogant kid. Better to kill her here and let someone else take second for the oath.
But as Kesera tilted her head, the flames vanished without a trace.
"Play with fire, and you wet the bed at night."
"Wha... how... did you do that?"
"Think you'd get it if I explained? Duh~☆"
Luna's boiling rage fizzled instantly. That was magic beyond her comprehension. Kesera hadn't even drawn mana. She'd simply dispelled Luna's flames outright.
Only then did Luna truly feel why this kid was top seat. An overwhelming skill gap, humiliating even a prodigy of elite upbringing. That's what came from a family of five archmages.
Luna crumpled to her knees, clutching her head. Her common sense didn't apply to this brat.
"Why..."
"Brats are supposed to be lame☆ Just work hard and you'll get better~☆"
Who're you calling a brat, and to whom?.
"Miss Kesera, over here."
"Okay~ Got it."
The incomprehensible being perked up at the staff's voice, replying in a bright chirp. Still... witnessing that overwhelming magic gave Luna a new goal. Prodigies stayed prodigies, but maybe in the future, she could climb higher than this kid?
A new ambition ignited a blaze in Luna's heart.