Chapter 50

Thank you for the bookmarks and everything else.

I entered the school and, after various events, I am now determined to start my second year anew. Hello, I’m Mary Legaria, 11 years old.

I put on the new custom uniform that Tütte had prepared for me. From today, I will belong to Aleios instead of Solos, so I decided to change the design of the uniform. I changed the blazer style to a sailor style. I made the collar of the white shirt into the characteristic triangular collar of a sailor uniform, with a white line edging the black background. I attached a large, fluttering butterfly-shaped ribbon at the chest, with a brooch in the center for an accent. Over this shirt, I wore a black corset-style frilly skirt, hiding the shoulder straps of the corset skirt by threading them through the back of the triangular collar. The skirt had three layers of frills, with the bottom layer made of white lace that extended down to my knees, giving a sheer look. I also added a large, exaggerated white butterfly ribbon at the back of the corset for an accent. I wore black stockings and black boots to match, using more black in the overall design. Finally, I put on a short white jacket that reached just below my chest, with no collar, and made sure the school and class emblems were sewn on the sleeves and chest. After changing, I turned around in front of the full-length mirror to check the fit and appearance.

"Yep... it fits perfectly."

"The old uniform had become too small, so I couldn't wear it anymore."

As I said this with satisfaction, Tütte, who was already moving on to the next task, nodded in agreement. As I mentioned before, people in this world grow much faster than I expected, and the size of my clothes kept increasing day by day, which was quite a hassle. For everyone else, this was probably no big deal, but my Japanese memory made it hard for me to see anyone as anything other than a middle school student carrying a backpack, which sometimes left me feeling quite uneasy.

By the way, the blazer-style uniform I made before, at my mother's suggestion, was made available only in the clothing stores of the Legaria Duchy. It seems that many nobles with new students this year, hearing rumors that a girl who wore it had become an excellent student, bought it in large quantities for good luck. The class emblems can be changed, and each store offers subtle customizations, making the business very prosperous.

I sat in front of the mirror, and Tütte began to style my hair. She neatly braided the sides around my ears, brought them to the back of my head, and secured them with a silver hairpin at the junction. She then styled the back hair to flow smoothly down my back.

"Starting anew, a new school life, Miss."

"Yes, I will use last year's reflections to achieve my goals this time. I will make my life as a background character count!"

"M-mob character...? I don't quite understand, but I will assist you."

We confirmed our goals for the year, finished getting ready, and left the room, heading to the school in a carriage.

To get back to the story, after accepting the principal's proposal, I began studying magic alongside my studies at Solos. However, when I demonstrated the Magic Arrow, a second-tier spell I could already use, in front of Mr. Fried, the number of classes I had to attend drastically decreased, and I was able to complete the combined classes without much difficulty.

However, my expectations for magic were greatly heightened. This is because, in this world, there is no difference in the power of magic based on the user. In other words, the Magic Arrow I cast with my high magic power and the Magic Arrow cast by others have the same effect and power, with no difference between them. This means there is no need to control the power, which was a great relief for me, who had struggled with power control.

Additionally, Aleios does not have a martial arts tournament like Solos, which is another reason for my high expectations. The concept of magicians competing against each other does not exist. The main reason for this is that there is no individual difference in the power of magic, and the power difference between spell tiers is absolute. A second-tier magician, no matter how many there are, cannot defeat a third-tier magician, so the outcome of any competition is determined by the number of spells one can use before it even begins. Moreover, the number of people aiming to become magicians in Aleios is significantly lower than those aiming for other roles in other classes, likely to avoid losing valuable talent through unnecessary competition.

In short, in Aleios, there are no events that make you stand out or any differences in the spells you use. It is a class with a high potential for the school life I desire.

(Of course, I can think this way because I learned from my failures at Solos.)

I was lost in thought as I gazed out the carriage window at the familiar scenery of the school. Soon, the brick school gate, which I had seen every day for a year, came into view, and my nervousness about my new school life grew.

As usual, I stopped the carriage at the stop, got out through the door Tütte opened, and took a deep breath, looking up at the school building.

"By the way, where is the Aleios common room?"

Despite having gone there a few times, I had completely forgotten the way, which made me tremble at my own incompetence. However, I reassured myself that it was okay because Tütte was with me, which only added to my incompetence.

In response to my question, Tütte, who had been standing behind me, quietly stepped forward and began to lead the way, so I followed her. As we walked through the vast school building, a small figure came running towards us from the other end of the corridor.

"Miss Mary!"

"Oh, Safina. Good morning, my dear."

I spread the hem of my skirt and greeted her in a ladylike manner, but Safina, without a care, tackled me and buried herself in my embrace, causing me to stumble even though I hadn't actually been hit. Dressed in the same new uniform as me, the adorable Safina rubbed her cheek against my stomach, looking like a lonely puppy.

"Now, Safina, is that proper for a lady?"

As I petted Safina's fluffy brown hair with a warm feeling, Magilka, also wearing the same uniform, approached with a bemused expression.

"...Big..."

"Huh?"

After looking at a certain part of Magilka, I muttered these words, glanced at my own chest, and felt a sharp pain in my self-esteem, which I had been confident was growing recently. I had been careless; this uniform might emphasize a certain part of the body more than I thought.

"Ha... Miss Mary, good morning."

After replenishing herself with me, Safina stepped back from me, who was feeling somewhat defeated, and greeted me with a bright smile.

(Really, she's so cute, damn it.)

Her actions matched the cuteness I expected for her age, making me want to hug her, but I restrained myself. Incidentally, a certain part of Safina was modest.

"From today, Miss Mary will be in Aleios, which is really sad."

I patted the dejected Safina's head, remembering the reactions of everyone in Solos when I told them about my transfer.

When I finished speaking, everyone looked very understanding.

"That might be the best choice."

"Indeed, you've reached your limit."

"If it means you can live longer."

They all nodded in agreement. The only one who was truly shocked and saddened was Safina, but even she eventually accepted my transfer after a brief discussion with the others. I wonder what they talked about...

"Indeed, it's a shame, but in the end, it's like Miss Mary is running away with a victory."

Zacha, who had been sulking, approached with his hands behind his head, breaking the solemn atmosphere with his reckless words. I kicked his shin lightly while still smiling to silence him.

"It's not like we won't see each other anymore. We can still meet up when we have time, and there won't be any problems."

I ignored the sulking Zacha and suggested this to Safina, who responded enthusiastically.

"Besides, in Solos, you will start studying magic in your second year, so we might have some classes together."

Magilka, looking at the sulking Zacha with a sigh, continued to encourage Safina.

"That's true. Well, I have to go to class now."

Safina bowed and ran off to the Solos common room with a smile. Magilka and I watched her go with warm expressions.

"Are you not going?"

"I am! But haven't you guys been treating me badly lately?!"

Finally, the pain in his leg subsided, and Zacha, with a cool expression, protested to us.

"More importantly, make sure to protect Safina from strange bugs."

I shooed Zacha away with a wave of my hand, concerned about the shy and sensitive Safina, and appointed him as her bodyguard.

"Hey! That sounds knightly! Okay, leave it to me."

Forget his earlier protest, Zacha seemed pleased and ran off in the direction Safina had gone.

"Miss Mary, let's go to the Aleios common room."

"Right..."

As I watched my two good friends leave, feeling a bit sentimental, Magilka kindly suggested we head to the Aleios common room. I nodded and, with renewed determination, started walking.

Thank you for reading. Mary is starting anew as a magician.