Chapter 56

I am now putting on the uniform that was delivered to my house, preparing to go to the academy. Despite my attempts to refuse, Luna and Yomi insisted on helping me dress, so I just let them do as they pleased.

The uniform is a blazer style with a tie. According to what I heard at the reception, the type of tie indicates whether one is a commoner, merchant, noble, or royal. Of course, girls wear ribbons.

While they say all students are equal, it feels a bit strange to make such distinctions, but for me, it’s easy to understand and convenient.

I’ve already taken care of the morning chores in the field, so I can do the rest when I get back.

“Anyway, I’m about to go, what about you two?”

“We plan to take on requests as soon as possible to reach S-rank.”

“We’ll try to complete them in a day, but if it takes a few days, we’ll let you know.”

Hmm, it seems they’ve thought it through.

“Alright. If anyone tries to bother you, you can use my name. Most nobles will know it. If that doesn’t work, use force.”

“We’ll do our best to avoid that.”

“Huh, you’re so worried.”

“I really don’t like it when people bother you two. So don’t put up with it. That’s an order.”

The two of them looked at each other, puzzled. Did I say something strange?

“Yes! Understood!”

“Master, we love you.”

“Oh! Yomi, that’s unfair! I also admire you!”

Hehe. They say three women together are a lot, but even two are plenty. It’s really troublesome.

“Thank you both. I’ll be going now.”

“Please go safely, Master.”

With the two maids seeing me off, I slowly made my way to the academy.

The opening ceremony starts in the afternoon, so I still have over two hours. I left a bit early because I wanted to explore the academy.

I made a slight detour to visit the old man’s skewer shop.

I had him grill a few skewers of meat and seafood. This will be my lunch for today. The extra skewers are probably a freebie.

When he saw me in the academy uniform, the whole family congratulated me on my enrollment. They are really warm people.

Biting into a skewer, I continued down the road and saw people in academy uniforms here and there.

It seems that many of the buildings around here are boarding houses or dormitories. Most students from the capital commute from home, but those from other countries can’t do that.

So, these students stay in boarding houses or dormitories.

After walking for about five minutes, I could see the large gate of the academy. Today is the opening ceremony, but it seems that the upperclassmen have regular classes.

I wonder why they are coming to the academy in a scattered manner.

“New students, this way.”

There was a sign with an arrow and an explanation, but I ignored it and went in the opposite direction.

Since I came early, I thought it would be a waste not to explore. Besides, I have my presence hidden, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

My first destination was the library. The capital has large bookstores, but this one must have many historical books.

Occasionally, I passed upperclassmen, but they didn’t seem to notice me at all. If the presence concealment works in the 30th floor of the dungeon, it should work here too.

After walking for about 30 minutes, I still hadn’t found the library.

“Isn’t it a bit too big? If I use spatial awareness, I could find it instantly, but that would be no fun.”

“Ah, where are you trying to go?”

“Ah, actually, I want to go to the library... but?!”

Hmm, can this person see through my presence concealment? Who are they?

“You’re a new student this year, right? You came early to explore the academy, didn’t you? I’ll give you a special tour.”

“Ah, thank you. Um...”

“I should introduce myself. I’m Mireconia. My close friends call me Mirea.”

“I’m Aul. As you said, I’m a new student this year. Are you a second-year student, Mireconia?”

“Oh... hehe. Yes, I’m in 2-1, so I’m one year above you. You wanted to go to the library, right? I’ll show you. This way.”

She has shoulder-length pink hair and a friendly demeanor.

I think she seems approachable, but it’s hard to tell what she’s thinking.

Moreover, I’m a commoner, as indicated by my tie, while she wears a noble’s ribbon.

Even though the academy claims to be equal, it’s unlikely that a noble would be kind to a commoner just because.

I need to observe her a bit more. She saw through my presence concealment, after all. ...Or did she just react to my muttering?

“What’s wrong? This way.”

“Ah, sorry. I’m coming now.”

She led me, and we arrived in about five minutes. It seems I was already quite close.

When we entered, I saw several students piling books and studying.

The library had more users than I expected, and the number of books was impressive.

It felt more like a library than a school library.

“Wow...”

I couldn’t help but express my amazement.

“Hehe, isn’t it amazing? There are over a million books here.”

Considering that books aren’t very developed here, having a million is almost a miracle. I could spend a lot of time here when I have free time.

“Your face looks satisfied. Since there’s still time before the opening ceremony, I can show you more.”

“Is it okay to skip class?”

“Well, you see...”

According to Mireconia, first-year students have a lot of required subjects, so they have classes almost every day. However, from second year, the required subjects decrease, and they choose elective subjects to meet the graduation requirements.

Mireconia only has classes in the afternoon, so it’s not a problem.

Since I had the chance, I learned a lot about the academy thanks to her tour.

“Thank you, Mireconia. I learned a lot.”

“You’re welcome! I’ve wanted to thank you for a long time. Thank you for saving me from that big monster!”

She suddenly hugged me.

“Um, that’s...!”

“I know, right? It’s time to go! See you, Aul!”

She left like a jumping bean. The monster she mentioned was probably the Horn Chimera.

Maybe she lived near the Filare family and saw the whole thing.

Even though I didn’t directly save her, I indirectly saved the kingdom. It’s nice to know that there are good people among the nobility too.

I thought Alice was special, but maybe I need to change my perception a bit.

“Well, it’s about time to go to the opening ceremony.”

It seems there isn’t a place big enough to fit 500 people, so the venue is like an indoor gym.

I lined up in one of the ten rows and waited. An old man with a long white beard ascended the stage.

He looks frail, but I can tell he’s incredibly strong. I might not lose if we fought with no holds barred, but I can’t see a way to win.

...This might be the limit of magic and level. I need to study the benefits of being a student.

The prime minister also said he studied and developed some abilities, so there must be more to the benefits.

“First, congratulations on your enrollment. This year, we had more applicants than usual, so we doubled the number of admissions. I hope the students who enrolled will study hard to make up for those who couldn’t. Classes start tomorrow, but after the ceremony, please go to your assigned classroom and follow the instructions of your teacher. A short speech is better, so I’ll end with this. I hope you will challenge and strive in this place of learning for three years, discover your potential, and grow one or two sizes. That’s all.”

According to the teacher in charge, he is the current principal, Howard Morrison.

Howard Morrison? I’ve heard that name somewhere, but where was it?

“Next, the new student representative speech, Riaud von Elizabeth. Please come forward.”

Oh, the new student representative is the princess. Well, it’s fitting.

“I will give the new student representative speech. It is an honor to be chosen for this important role among many excellent students. We are now fellow students who will study together for three years and rivals who will spur each other on. This year’s enrollment is double the usual, which means more opportunities to meet. I will spend each day to the fullest to grow even more. I may cause some inconvenience, but I hope for your guidance. Thank you. New student representative, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth descended the stage to a round of applause, maintaining her composure until the end. She truly is a royal.

She didn’t seem childish at all, like when she was in front of dessert. I thought I saw her eyes meet mine, but it was probably just my imagination.

The ceremony continued smoothly, and now we are moving to our assigned classrooms according to the teacher’s instructions.

There are ten classes, with 50 students each, totaling 500 students.

When I entered the classroom, it looked like a university lecture hall. The seats were arranged in a fan shape, with the rows getting higher towards the back.

I sat in a corner at the back and was spacing out when a woman with messy hair and a sloppy appearance entered. She must be the teacher, but she seems quite casual.

However, she is beautiful. Mireconia was beautiful, but this woman is exceptionally so. She could charm any man if she dressed properly. However, she doesn’t have much of a bust.

“Hey, I’m Monica, your homeroom teacher. Even though I look like this, I’m a professor. Now, there’s something I need to tell you. This class, 10-1, is for students who performed poorly on the entrance exam, either nobles or commoners. To be honest, no one expects much from you.”

Seriously... Is this equality? Maybe it’s just a formality? Or maybe the nobles who donate money are putting pressure on the school? Well, as long as I can learn what I need, it’s not a problem.

“You might face a lot of challenges, but I intend to make you all capable in one year. It will be tough, but don’t give up and follow me. That’s all from me. Now, let’s do introductions. You first.”

The order of introductions was decided by Monica’s judgment. I was wondering when my turn would come, but it never did.

...Huh? Was I the only one not called? Maybe...

“Alright, last one, you there!”

Sure enough, I was last. Oh well.

“I’m Aul. My hobbies are loafing around and cooking. My strong attributes are water and lightning. Nice to meet you.”

I sat down to scattered applause. I aimed for a safe introduction, so I didn’t stand out.

However, a few people gave me appraising looks, which is concerning. Maybe they saw my magic or martial arts during the exam.

“Alright, that’s everyone. There are no classes today, so you’re dismissed. Any questions?”

She’s a beautiful but lackadaisical person. Maybe she’s what they call a disappointing beauty.

No one raised their hand, so I thought I could leave, but a serious-looking girl with a ponytail raised her hand.

“Excuse me, could you tell us the schedule for classes starting tomorrow?”

Ah, right. I should have remembered that. Why did I forget such a basic thing?

“Sorry, I forgot. Classes start at the ninth bell in the morning. You don’t need textbooks for the first day. We’ll do a magic aptitude test and some light activities, so bring comfortable clothes in addition to your uniform. Anything else?”

A magic aptitude test. I have a general idea, but it’s interesting to know there’s a method to check it.

“No questions, so we’re dismissed!”

As Monica left, several groups started forming. It seems many students already know each other, either from noble circles or among commoners.

Since I had no choice, I was about to leave when a pair of a boy and a girl approached me.

“Um, are you Aul? I’m Marumeko. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Reinaul. Nice to meet you.”

Marumeko, a short-haired girl who seems active, but is actually quite laid-back. She has a great smile. Reinaul, on the other hand, has a stern demeanor and a military-like aura, which is a bit intimidating.

Both of them are quite attractive, and from their ties and ribbons, they seem to be nobles.

“I’m Aul. Nice to meet you. Do you have something to ask?”

“Well, Aul seems to be the coolest and strongest in this class, so I thought it would be good to get to know you early.”

“I saw you fight the Thousand Swords Yolnard during the entrance exam. I admire your strength. I feel like I can become stronger if I’m with you. Plus, it would be nice to have a friend.”

“I see... Anyway, I don’t have any friends yet, so I welcome it. But I’m a commoner. Does that bother you?”

“Nope! Strength doesn’t care about nobility or commoners. Plus, you look kind. Let’s be friends!”

“I agree. I can’t really tell by looks, though.”

They both seem a bit odd. Or is it just that everyone around me is odd?

“Alright, let’s start fresh.”

“Sure!”

“Yeah! Nice to meet you!”

“By the way, do you two know each other?”

“Um, we’ve talked a few times at noble gatherings.”

“Yeah, but my acquaintances seem to be in the upper classes. They were cold when I met them earlier.”

It’s the noble hierarchy. I don’t like the attitude of looking down on those below them.

“Let’s grow a lot this year and show them.”

“Aul, you’re so reliable!”

“Yeah, I’ll get stronger too!”

Marumeko is the type that gets disliked by girls. She’s cute, but it’s a waste. Maybe the frequent body contact is intentional? She’s hard to read.

After some casual conversation, they left in a carriage. They invited me to join them, but I felt like walking, so I declined. It would be troublesome to meet more nobles.

Thus, my first day at school ended.

I will update this story bit by bit.

I would be grateful for your ratings and bookmarks.