Chapter 2

In the grand hall of the academy, where silence reigned, it was the headmaster who spoke first.

"There must have been a malfunction. Prepare the backup magical device."

The backup magical device was quickly prepared, and I was told to place my hand on the crystal.

"…It’s still Level 99."

Well, the result remained unchanged at Level 99.

The teachers took turns measuring their levels to check if the magical device was functioning properly. The students began to murmur.

Amidst the commotion, I continued to daydream, thinking how unfortunate it was that the excess experience points had overflowed since I had already maxed out. How could I explain this?

The teachers concluded that the magical device was not broken. Then, one of the teachers approached me.

"Yumiera, do you have any idea about your level?"

I considered lying, but foreseeing the suspicion that would follow me for the next three years, I thought it might be better to be honest.

Rather than living in constant fear of being found out, I decided to be straightforward.

"Yes, I believe there is no mistake in my level."

"The magical device is functioning normally. Did you interfere with it in some way?"

"No, I’m sure it’s Level 99…"

"You might not know this, but your level only increases when you defeat monsters. I can tell if you’re lying, so answer honestly."

Even though I answered honestly, I was suspected of level fraud. It’s a tough world for honest people.

Seeing the unconvinced teacher and the murmuring students, the headmaster spoke up so that everyone could hear.

"Everyone, please calm down. The truth of her words will become clear once classes begin. Yumiera, finish your introduction and return to your seat."

When he said the last part, he gave me a sidelong glance. It seems even the headmaster was suspicious.

Would they believe me if I erased the academy with magic?

"My name is Yumiera Dorkness. Nice to meet you."

Giving up on explaining verbally, I finished my introduction briefly and returned to my seat.

The level measurements and introductions continued in an uneasy atmosphere.

In the game’s story, the only commoner heroine stood out, but the opening ceremony ended without me receiving any particular attention.

I’m sorry, heroine.

After the opening ceremony, a standing reception for the new students was held. With no acquaintances and no one who seemed friendly, I stood quietly in a corner of the venue.

Thinking I would return to the dormitory soon on the pretext of feeling unwell, I met the gaze of someone approaching me directly.

He was clearly angry and was one of the people I didn’t want to get involved with at the academy.

"Black-haired girl! What kind of trick did you pull? Aren’t you ashamed of what you did?"

Without any preamble, he started shouting loudly. It was the second target of the game.

The fiery red-haired boy was William Ares, the swordsman of the hero’s party.

He had a strong sense of justice but was also quick to anger, a bit of a hothead.

"Um… Are you talking about the level measurement?"

"Of course! I don’t know if you wanted to stand out, but do you have no pride as a noble?"

William, who looked ready to punch me, was stopped by someone who had followed him.

"Calm down, Will. I understand how you feel, but don’t cause a scene in the reception hall."

The one who calmly pacified William was the first target of the game.

The shining blonde boy was Edwin Balsain, the second prince of the country and the main hero of the game. He was also a magic swordsman, skilled in both sword and magic.

Startled by the prince’s appearance, I bowed.

"Nice to meet you, Prince Edwin. I am Yumiera Dorkness."

"Dorkness family… a pretender to the central nobility, I see."

After muttering this under his breath, Prince Edwin spoke to me.

"Yumiera, Will has been working especially hard on his swordsmanship since he was young, and his level reached 10 before entering the academy. What you did is a slap in the face to his efforts."

"Ah…"

Why does everyone assume I cheated? Would they believe me if I went on a magic spree in this hall?

"I’m sorry, but Level 99 is the truth. As the headmaster said, it will become clear once classes start."

"Hmm, so you’re sticking to your story?"

When Prince Edwin said this with a frown, William also spoke up.

"Are you saying you’re stronger than me? You should be grateful that I don’t have my gloves on right now!"

Is he challenging me to a duel? William, you should value your life.

As the surrounding voices lowered and listened to our conversation, the third target of the game finally appeared.

"Level 99 is unrealistic. Can’t you even consider that? Well, I guess you can’t."

The condescending boy was Oswald Grimsward, the blue-haired, bespectacled mage.

All three targets were now present.

These three were childhood friends and called each other by their nicknames: Ed, Will, and Oz.

The golden prince, the red wild swordsman, and the blue cool mage. This world has many handsome people, but these three were in a league of their own. It was nice to look at them, but getting involved with them was quite troublesome.

"Hey, why don’t you say something?"

William seemed to have lost his patience with my silence.

"It seems my words are not believed."

"You, are you still talking?"

"Do you even have a brain?"

"Are you a compulsive liar?"

Wanting to end the conversation with these three rude boys, I tried to change the subject and suggested they go to the heroine.

"There’s a commoner who uses light magic. She might be in trouble. Why don’t you go and help her?"

"That’s a good idea. It would be much more meaningful than listening to your nonsense.

Regarding your lies, the academy will investigate and take action. Be prepared."

With that, Prince Edwin left with the other two.

Ah, I’m so tired. I’ll go back to the dormitory.

Back in my room at the dormitory, I had the maid, Rita, make me some tea.

I thought this felt very noble, though I am a real noble.

I rarely drank tea at the manor in my territory, only during etiquette classes, so this was a fresh experience.

"Miss, did you return early from the party? It hasn’t ended yet, has it?"

"It’s fine. No one seemed friendly."

"If you keep this up, you won’t find a good match. Your husband will be worried."

Rita was a maid from the Dorkness family’s mansion in the capital and had been assigned to me since I entered the academy yesterday.

The academy has a cafeteria and laundry services, so I don’t think a maid is necessary, but it was my father’s order.

We’ve only met for two days, but she keeps telling me to look for a husband.

She must be acting on my father’s orders. Probably to keep an eye on me so I don’t do anything rash.

"Tomorrow, classes will start in earnest. I’m sure you’ll have a good encounter. The second prince is also in your class, right?"

I have a very bad impression of that prince. Does he not know about the opening ceremony incident? Is this how a watchdog should act?

"Hey, what does ‘central pretender’ mean?"

"Someone must have called you that. You shouldn’t worry about it."

I asked Rita about what Prince Edwin had muttered when he heard my family name. As expected, it wasn’t a good term.

"I didn’t say I was called that. So it does refer to the Dorkness family, doesn’t it?"

"Oh."

Rita seemed to have given up and started explaining.

"You know the difference between central and local nobility, right?"

"Yes, we are local nobility, aren’t we? We don’t seem to have any official positions in the capital."

"That’s right. ‘Central pretender’ is a derogatory term for local nobles who live in the capital without any official positions."

"Oh, so it means a good-for-nothing noble who leaves their territory to the steward and does nothing but play in the capital."

Rita, who is a good-for-nothing noble’s maid, made a bitter face. I, who has a good-for-nothing noble as a father, sighed deeply.

From today, classes will start in earnest. Lectures in the morning and practicals in the afternoon seem to be the norm.

In class, I was naturally alone. No one would meet my eyes, fearing that getting involved with me would draw the prince’s attention.

Sitting alone at my desk, I listened to the rumors around me. Apparently, I was someone who believed I was amazing without any basis, living in a fantasy world.

To prove my level, should I erase the academy, or even the capital?

Just before class started, Prince Edwin and the other two, along with the heroine, entered the classroom together. The four of them were chatting amicably.

Isn’t this too early to be getting involved?

The heroine’s name is Alicia Enright. In the game, her name can be changed, but the default is Alicia. She has pink-blonde hair and is characterized by her positive and bright personality.

Because light magic users are extremely rare, she was allowed to enter the academy despite being a commoner. Light magic is the only weakness of dark attributes and can be a trump card against the demon king.

According to the game’s scenario, I shouldn’t have interacted with the targets yet. Was it because I suggested they go to her yesterday?

I don’t want to get involved with her, just like the targets, but it’s probably impossible.

Because the moment Alicia and I made eye contact, she glared at me as if I were her worst enemy.