Year: 1738
Date: 29
Month: Solarise
Time: 7:00AM.
[Mary Kleine POV.]
Thud.
"Phew," I exhaled, surveying my surroundings after placing my belongings on the floor of my dorm room. I had returned to the dorms after my vacation at home.
There was a brief vacation period before the midterms of the imperial academy, during which we were given the option to visit our families. However, I chose not to go. Traveling such a long distance and then returning seemed like a waste of time to me. But then, one day, Adam approached me with a suggestion.
"Why don't you go visit your family?" he had said.
I scoffed at his attempt to convince me while he stayed and trained at the academy. However, to my surprise, he mentioned that he would be visiting the orphanage.
Orphanage! I had never heard about this before. I had always assumed he came from a modest family like mine, but that turned out to be far from the truth.
Adam took his time explaining to me the importance of treasuring time with my mother, and I found myself agreeing with him. It was a strange shift in our dynamic. I had always seen him as my rival, but now it felt different. Perhaps we were...
"Friends?" I mumbled, questioning myself. Suddenly, a flush of heat rushed to my face, and I instinctively covered it with my hands to snap myself out of my daze.
How foolish of me!
"He's just my rival!" I shouted in the empty room, reaffirming my belief.
There's something about him, though. Something that sets him apart and makes it feel like the world revolves around him. Like the time he saved Revan, the half-beast girl, from an ogre attack. Or when he helped the elven princess with her studies, despite being a commoner. He's even admired by the student council president!
He was the first commoner student to be selected for Class A, a feat that hadn't happened in decades. And I was the second. He emits an aura of being the protagonist of a fairytale story, almost as if he's perfect.
Well, he can be awkward at times, but it's endearing... No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that!
Why am I thinking about him and getting embarrassed? It has been like this for as long as I can remember... And why do all the girls in our class flock around him?
It has always been frustrating to witness him being so friendly with all of them.
"Haaa," I let out a deep sigh as I reflected on how things have been since I first met that guy.
Click*
The door behind me creaked open, and a familiar voice exclaimed, "Oh, you're back!"
I swiftly dodged the person as she lunged towards me, causing her to collide with the bedrest of our bunk bed. Thud!
"No clinging, Amelia," I said to my roommate, Elsa Starleaf, who happened to be an elven princess.
While Elsa's arrival at the academy had been met with curiosity and interest, there was another student who joined around the same time that didn't quite garner the same positive reception. She was a distant cousin of the notorious Prince Aron Adiel Velcrow, known for his arrogance and disdainful attitude towards others.
Unlike Elsa, this aristocratic girl carried an air of coldness around her. Her icy demeanor made it difficult for others to approach her, and she seemed to prefer solitude over socializing. Many students found her presence intimidating, and they kept their distance.
But... she's nice to Adam though.
Suddenly pulling me out of my thoughts Elsa said-
"I was just trying to hug you," she pouted, sitting on the floor. I couldn't help but notice that she had a more pronounced figure in the chest area compared to me.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's scary," Elsa said, covering her chest. Had I been staring for too long?
"Nothing. When did you arrive?" I asked, trying to divert my thoughts.
Elsa's pout slowly turned into a smile as she got up from the floor.
"I arrived just a little while ago. I wanted to surprise you, but it seems like you were lost in thought," she said, giving me a playful nudge.
I shook my head and forced a smile, trying to push away the thoughts that had been occupying my mind.
"Well, you certainly surprised me," I replied, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction. "How was your trip back home?"
Elsa's eyes lit up as she began recounting her time spent with her family in the Elven Kingdom. She spoke of their grand celebrations, the majestic beauty of their forests, and the warmth of her loved ones. Listening to her animated tales, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy mixed with admiration.
As she continued to share her experiences, I realized that even though we came from different backgrounds, Elsa and I had formed a unique bond as roommates. Our friendship had flourished amidst the challenges and adventures of the academy.
Maybe, just maybe, being friends with someone like Adam wasn't such a bad thing after all-
"Mary, do you want to go and see if Adam is here?" Elsa asked, her interest in Adam was quite evident. I understood why she found him captivating; he had a charm that seemed to draw everyone towards him.
"No, I'm fine. I'll rest for now. We have to go to the academy tomorrow," I replied, settling down on my lower bunk bed. Elsa had always been a bit fearful of heights, and she sometimes acted like a young child.
Elsa hurriedly left the room, and I soon drifted off to sleep.
The next day, I made my way from the dorms to the academy. The academy grounds were expansive, befitting its status as one of the top institutions in the world.
Walking through the sprawling campus, I couldn't help but be in awe. The academy exuded an air of grandeur and excellence, with its magnificent buildings and meticulously maintained gardens. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of anticipation as students gathered in groups, engaging in conversations and preparing for the day ahead.
The academy grounds were vast, encompassing various training areas, classrooms, and recreational spaces. It was a melting pot of knowledge and talent, with students from diverse backgrounds and magical abilities coexisting within its walls.
The academy followed a three-year curriculum, accepting students at the age of sixteen and guiding them until they reached the age of nineteen.
The first year was open to all students who could pass the entrance exams. However, many students dropped out after the first year as they struggled to cope with the rigorous demands of the academy. Only the most determined and talented students remained to face the challenges of the second and third years.
The third year was renowned for its exceptional students, often referred to as "absolute beasts." These individuals possessed remarkable skills and abilities, making them stand out among their peers. They were the elite, the ones who had honed their talents to near perfection through years of dedication and hard work.
As I made my way to my first class, a mix of excitement and nervousness washed over me. The midterms were fast approaching, and the weight of expectations hung in the air. The pressure to perform well and succeed in my studies was palpable.
"Hey Mary!" I heard someone calling out to me, and as I turned, I saw Adam waving his hand. He was surrounded by a crowd of students, mostly females.
"Hey," I greeted him as I made my way to my seat. My seat was located at the back, in the last row on the left side near the window. Adam sat a few seats ahead of me, in front.
"Good morning," Elsa, my seatmate, greeted me from my left side.
"Morning," I replied, taking out my study materials. The lessons on magical theories always seemed tedious to me. I was more interested in learning sword arts and becoming the top swordsman in the Hestia Empire........fulfilling my father's dream.
Ah and I am currently ranked as a five-star mage, and am anticipate reaching the six-star level soon. The magic measurement device at the academy determines your level of magical proficiency. This indicates that you possess considerable talent and mastery in the magical arts. As you continue your studies and training, your magical abilities are likely to further develop and progress.
"Shhhh, Mary..." Elsa nudged me, signaling for me to pay attention.
"What?" I whispered, trying not to disturb the ongoing lecture.
"I forgot to ask yesterday, but..." Elsa paused for a moment before continuing, "...what happened to that guy, Ren? Did you meet him?"
I felt a sudden wave of unease and guilt wash over me.
Ren?
For some reason, it felt like I had forgotten about him. The sensation that crawled up my heart was cold and unsettling.
Why didn't he see me?
The question popped into my mind out of nowhere, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated that I didn't get a chance to meet that bastard.
Wasn't he supposed to wait?
I bit the side of my inner cheek, trying to contain my emotions, before finally responding, "Yeah, I did see him. He's a pain in the ass to deal with."
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