[Late Night, 12:24 AM. The area leading to the Old School Building, in front of the “Forest of Illusions.”]
The affection of upperclassmen for the freshmen knows no bounds, even persisting after the Esdinas Academy’s freshman welcome party.
Love for juniors!
—Though, isn’t it just an excuse to torment the freshmen under the guise of love?
Certainly, those uptight types like Keyarnim, the Student Council President, might have all sorts of opinions about the traditions of Esdinas Academy—
—…Moderation, people, moderation.
But as the student council president, even he couldn’t outright disregard tradition.
In that sense, the true highlight of the freshman welcome party, the hands-on “initiation”, was a practice well recognized even by the academy instructors.
The academy staff had little to lament. Upperclassmen personally assessing the combat potential of freshmen?
From the instructors’ perspective, wasn’t it a perfect opportunity to spur holistic growth in students while remaining hands-off?
If this tradition had caused significant issues, it wouldn’t have been passed down through the academy’s 500-year history.
Exactly.
“We’re not in the wrong here.”
Among the many students gathered around the Old School Building, a female third-year wearing her senior badge, Rapsil, twisted her lips as she gripped her magic staff tightly.
“This is all the fault of those special admission students. They shouldn’t have been carrying such fascinating research materials, hehe.”
“Um, Senior Mainichi.”
Called Senior Mainichi by a second-year girl, Daiga Quinsei, who cautiously raised her hand.
“Is this really okay?”
“It’s fine. Just like we went through it with our seniors, and how you endured with us, now it’s our turn to do the same to them.”
“But still…”
“Daiga? This will all count as part of your résumé when you graduate.”
The fire in Rapsil’s eyes burned fiercely.
“Defeating [Cutting Wind] or restraining the Old School Building’s students—whatever the outcome, as long as we achieve some results, there’ll be clear rewards after graduation.”
“Rewards…”
“Who knows what kind of rewards? But wouldn’t it look great on your résumé? ‘Defeated Cutting Wind’ or—”
Rapsil tapped her temple with her finger and then pointed forward.
“—New theories on non-attribute mana.”
With a pop, a shimmering rainbow-colored sphere of non-attribute mana floated like a soap bubble at Rapsil’s fingertip.
“Even a small hint about the theories those Old School Building students have could be invaluable. I could even rewrite my graduation thesis!”
“Senior…”
“And besides, just stopping Cutting Wind alone would be enough to secure a spot in a mercenary guild after graduation. How could we miss such an opportunity?”
“But the Student Council President—”
“Of course the Student Council President cares; he’s the Crown Prince of the Empire!”
Rapsil’s roar silenced Daiga, who shrank and hung her head.
“We’re ordinary nobles. If we want to build enough achievements to inherit estates, this is the only way! The alternative is to snag a husband and spend our days hosting vapid tea parties as ‘Madam Whatever.’ Did you join Esdinas Academy for that kind of life?”
“Senior…!”
“So stop complaining and—!”
“Ah, ahead!!”
Daiga pointed forward, where a colossal gale surged.
Boom—!
Something stormed through like a tornado, sending green winds spiraling into the sky.
It wasn’t just breaking branches—it had a figure spinning in the air among the storm.
“N-No way—”
“They’re here, Senior!”
“Ugh, and there are seven teams up front!”
The two thrust their magic staffs forward.
“Cutting Wind!! Come forth! My résumé depends on this—”
Whoosh!
Something shot out from the bushes.
It seemed sharp like a spear, but the “blade” was an illusion.
[Gyahooo!]
Its tip was sharp like—
“A teddy bear?”
Boom!
A brown, human-sized teddy bear delivered a straight punch.
Thwack, wham, pow!
The strikes landed on their solar plexus, abdomen, and jaw in rapid succession.
Precise, ghost-like hits that didn’t break bones but disrupted the flow of mana, making further magic use impossible.
hat was unmistakably one of the techniques commonly used by those cursed Di Ercy Empire people.
Mana Strike [Interference].
Among those who could manipulate dolls to suppress and disrupt mana flow, there was only one person who came to mind.
“Evangeline…!”
“Hmph.”
A girl emerged through the bushes.
“Initiation, huh? What nonsense.”
Behind her, others began to appear one by one. Seeing them, the third-year student Rapsil rolled her eyes back in sheer rage.
“If I can catch even one of you—!!”
Her frustration was understandable.
“I could get my graduation thesis waived—”
“What are you talking about?”
Zap!
Rapsil Mainichi was struck by a burst of magical light, fainting instantly.
The attack came from a girl being carried princess-style by a blond, tanned delinquent-like boy.
“If you’re a student, act like one. Write your thesis and graduate properly.”
Her sharp tone, aimed mercilessly even at the third-year students, resembled that of a strict professor.
* * *
We ran.
Ahead of us, Academy students—no, “seniors”—tried to block our way, but we pushed forward.
Ludmila conjured spears of wind, hurling them toward the forest, causing explosions that sent upperclassmen flying. Evangeline summoned her dolls, which landed punches squarely into the solar plexuses of those blocking our way, bringing them to their knees.
Boom!
Behind us, Yunia cast [Binding] spells, her staff aimed backward while she clung to me.
Rings of golden light wrapped around the upperclassmen like shackles, subduing them as if arresting criminals. One by one, we broke through the barricades and cleared our path.
“Surprising, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“I didn’t think Phoenix would handle this so… directly.”
Still in my arms, Yunia turned her staff toward the rear.
Zap!
A golden ring boomeranged through the trees, its light spinning before a distant “Gah!” signaled yet another upperclassman bound and defeated.
“Not a fan of older people, perhaps?”
“Yunia, what kind of question is that out of nowhere?”
Hearing the phrase “older people”, Ludmila, scouting ahead, paused briefly in her stride.
“It’s not about preferences. It’s about not tolerating injustice. As Miss Yunia said, trying to graduate without even writing a thesis is absurd. Those fools don’t deserve to be ignored.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Close enough, but not quite.”
Still carrying Yunia, I gestured toward the next group of upperclassmen blocking our path.
“Unless one of them strikes me as someone worth adding to my ‘harem’, they’re just obstacles to clear.”
“So it’s not that you dislike older people?”
“Exactly. I have nothing against older women.”
noticed two older women, Ludmila and Evangeline, perking their ears slightly at my words, while Yunia and Evangeline seemed to sigh in faint disappointment.
“For now, let’s keep moving. Not everyone here is trying to stop us.”
“Wait, you don’t mean—”
“Ah, perfect timing.”
Ahead of us, something glittered gold.
Rumble.
A golden carriage appeared, drawn by two sleek, black, glistening horses.
It looked like something straight out of a romance novel—a carriage fit for nobility, spacious enough to carry six people comfortably. It came to a halt, blocking our path.
Clink.
The carriage door opened, and a familiar woman stepped out.
“Yurha Silverstar!”
Yunia gasped at the sight of Yurha stepping out of the carriage.
It was no wonder; Yurha wasn’t wearing the Academy’s student uniform but the attire of someone associated with the Silverstar Trading Company, marking her as part of the illustrious Silverstar Group.
And then—
“There’s no time to explain.”
With a commanding voice, Yurha gestured toward the inside of the carriage.
“Get in. Quickly.”
“…What are you planning?”
Ludmila’s voice brimmed with caution as she directed her wary gaze toward Yurha, while Evangeline raised her dolls’ fists, ready to demolish the carriage at the slightest provocation.
“If you stay here any longer, those chasing from behind might catch up. Hehe.”
“Are you suggesting we—wait, hold on!”
“Let’s just get in for now.”
Still holding Yunia in my arms, I stepped into the carriage.
“Excuse me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Yurha replied with a polite smile, shifting to make room.
I sat directly across from her, intending to set Yunia down—
“Miss Yunia?”
“…”
—But she didn’t budge, staying snugly nestled in my arms.
“Oh my. There’s an open seat right there.”
Yurha teased, glancing out the window while softly chuckling. She tapped the empty spot beside her with her hand.
“If you’re late getting in, you’ll have to sit next to me. This carriage seats six, but it’s three facing three.”
Clatter.
“…I’ll hear your explanation as we go.”
“Ugh…”
Ludmila and Evangeline reluctantly boarded, their wariness painted plainly on their faces.
And as for the last—
Clatter.
“Instructor Esta?! That’s not necessary…”
“Phoenix.”
Instead of boarding the carriage, Instructor Esta climbed up to the driver’s seat, gripping the reins herself.
“I’ll handle the horses. You handle things inside.”
With that, the instructor urged the horses into motion.
“Ahhh! The Old School Building’s special admission students hired Silverstar!!”
“Those cowards! Using money to escape!”
“Noooo, my graduation achievement—!”
Despair-filled voices rang out from behind us.
“Chase them! We can’t let them go! This is about our pride as seniors!”
“Until they’re off Academy grounds, this is our territory! Keep pursuing them until they reach the protected zones under the school rules!”
“The faculty promised an A+ grade and a scholarship if we take down Cutting Wind!”
It seemed the “initiation” was far from over.
“Hehe, how is it?”
Across from me, Yurha smiled brightly.
“Why are you helping us?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I invest in opportunities that promise a return.”
She gestured southeast.
“Don’t worry. I’m not your enemy.”
Her gaze locked onto mine, her smile growing mischievous.
“Why wouldn’t I help those who’ll make me a fortune?”
“A fortune…?”
“Yes. You see, in the northern part of the Marquisate of Ludvecia, where your practical training is scheduled to take place…”
Giggle.
“Monsters have been ‘spawning… in massive numbers’.”
