Chapter 1: A

────.

“──Sen… sei! Sensei…!”

Noisy.

“──Sensei! Sensei! Sensei, I said! Sensei!”

…Extremely noisy.

Being repeatedly shouted at with that shrill voice, the sticky sleep clinging stubbornly to Glenn’s brain was being forcibly peeled away from his consciousness.

“Ugh, come on! Please, just wake up already, Sensei!”

“…Wha… what’s that…?”

As if giving up, Glenn lifted his head from where it was slumped on the lectern, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

“Give me a break… I’ve been insanely busy lately, you know…?”

“I know you’ve been busy, Sensei! But you’re slacking off way too much!”

A delicate finger was thrust right in front of Glenn’s nose. Raising his gaze, he was met with silver hair sparkling as it caught the sunlight and vivid emerald eyes that pierced through both his vision and his soul.

It was Sistine. Her fairy-like, lovely features were twisted into an expression of displeasure.

“Now, now, Sistie. Sensei has a big role to play from here on out, so…”

“Mm. Glenn, poor thing.”

And there was Rumia, offering a wry smile as she tried to calm Sistine down, while Re=L, standing behind her, mumbled sleepily.

Glancing around with a foggy mind, Glenn realized he was in the classroom of Year Two, Class Two.

Kash, Wendy, Gibul, Teresa, Cecil, Lynn, Rodd, and Kai… the usual group, staring at Glenn and the others as always, with their usual mix of exasperation and wry smiles. Truly, a perfectly ordinary scene.

“Haha, come on, Sensei, pull it together!”

“Honestly, Kash-san is absolutely right! People from other schools will be arriving soon, you know! You need to pull yourself together!”

To Kash and Wendy’s words,

“…Huh? Uh, wait… was there something happening today?”

Glenn blinked in confusion.

At that, Sistine immediately flared up.

“Seriously, how long are you going to stay half-asleep!? The selection tournament for the empire’s representative at the Magic Festival, held at this academy, starts today with students from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy and Kleitos Magic Academy arriving! The battle begins today, you know!?”

“…”

His groggy, sleep-addled consciousness slowly began to piece together his memories.

“…Oh, right. That’s what it was. Ugh, what a pain.”

Thud! Glenn let his forehead slam onto the desk with an exaggerated slump of exhaustion—

And so, his thoughts drift back to the events of ten days ago—

─Ten days earlier.

“““The Magic Festival!?”“”

Early in the morning, at an emergency faculty meeting urgently convened at the magic academy,

the dumbfounded voices of the academy’s instructors and professors echo through the meeting room.

“Indeed. The Magic Festival… It has been decreed from above that it will be held next month.”

Headmaster Rick, standing at the lectern in the back, responds calmly.

(Seriously? That thing’s coming back!? Seriously!?)

Glenn, who had planned to nap through the meeting from the start, now finds his drowsiness completely blown away, blinking in shock.

The Magic Festival. A global magical competition once held among the nations of the North Selford Continent. Each participating country sends a team of ten magicians to compete in various magical trials, a grand festival on a world stage.

Naturally, a nation’s magical technology is critical to military and national defense—something not to be carelessly revealed to other countries.

But that’s precisely why it holds meaning.

This Magic Festival is a “Festival of Peace,” where participating nations aspire for lasting tranquility and stability.

Even so, the agitation and confusion among Glenn and the other faculty members didn’t subside. Because—

“B-but, Headmaster… the Magic Festival hasn’t been held for decades, not since the Alzano Empire and the Rezalia Kingdom entered a cold war! Why, all of a sudden, is it being revived now!?”

One of the faculty voices the question burning in everyone’s minds.

To that, Rick delivers a surprising response.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of Her Majesty Queen Alicia VII, who has been working behind the scenes to improve relations between the Alzano Empire and the Rezalia Kingdom. Alongside this Festival of Peace, a summit between the leaders of both nations will also take place.”

(Wha—!? That fanatic religious nutcase of a kingdom agreed to a summit!? Queen Alicia is incredible!?)

Caught off guard by this bombshell, Glenn can only marvel in awe.

The Alzano Empire and the Rezalia Kingdom have long clashed for various reasons.

While the Rezalia Kingdom has occasionally engaged in discussions on certain issues, their leaders have never once stepped forward. The revival of the Magic Festival and the summit both speak to Queen Alicia VII’s formidable skill and determination.

“The belligerent factions in our government thrive precisely because of the threat posed by the Rezalia Kingdom. If true peace is secured, the tensions in our upper echelons will ease… Ho ho ho, truly, the only one capable of leading this nation is none other than Her Majesty.”

“…Her Majesty.”

In Glenn’s mind flashes the image of Rumia’s real mother—a gentle, refined lady whose serene smile belies the weight of an entire nation on her shoulders.

“Well, peace is the best, isn’t it? Hope it all goes smoothly…”

“Why are you talking like it’s someone else’s problem, Glenn?”

A girl seated beside Glenn, arms crossed haughtily, speaks with exasperation.

Her name is Eve, her fiery red hair swaying like flames in the dark. A former head of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex, now Glenn’s colleague as a magic instructor.

“Have you even considered why this information is being shared here and now?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Glenn tilts his head, genuinely puzzled.

As if in response, Headmaster Rick addresses the room.

“Now, regarding the Magic Festival… You’re all aware, of course, that participants are restricted by age and must be young magicians enrolled in publicly operated magical education institutions, correct?”

(Well, yeah.)

Glenn leans back, hands behind his head, half-lidded eyes lost in thought.

(It’s a peace festival, sure, but magical tech is still a state secret. You can’t just flaunt it in front of other nations. So, pros from the military or research labs are barred from competing to avoid revealing too much. Instead, they limit it to students or amateurs who won’t compromise national secrets… Wait, students…?)

A fiercely unpleasant premonition creeps over Glenn, his eyes narrowing.

And then, Rick’s words strike that premonition with pinpoint accuracy.

“I’m sure it goes without saying, but… the Alzano Empire’s three premier magical education institutions—the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy, and Kleitos Magic Academy—will select ten imperial representatives in total for the Magic Festival. The selection tournament for these representatives will be held soon, right here at the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.”

Instantly, a wave of further agitation ripples through the gathered faculty.

The announcement is far too sudden. Their shock and confusion are only natural.

As Glenn sits stunned, Eve mutters under her breath, adding context.

“This is from my sources, but preparations for the Magic Festival itself have been quietly underway for quite some time, led by Queen Alicia and the leaders of other nations. To avoid interference from opposing factions, it was kept under wraps until now. That’s why this is so sudden.”

“W-wait, so the reason we’re all gathered here is…?”

Trembling with the sense of an impending hassle, Glenn starts to ask Eve, but

Headmaster Rick, nodding as he surveys the room, declares,

“I ask that all of you take on roles in managing and overseeing the selection tournament.”

“I knew it!”

Faced with the inevitable, Glenn can only clutch his head.

“In fact, I’ve already discussed this with Halley-kun, who has arranged the tournament’s schedule and preparations for receiving students from the other schools, laying out the groundwork for the event.”

“Hmph. Well, if it’s a request from the Headmaster, I couldn’t refuse.”

At the Headmaster’s words, the room’s gazes of respect and admiration turn to Halley, who responds with a smug sniff.

(Ugh, senpai is way too competent…)

“However, even with a framework in place, we can never have enough hands. We need to decide the content of the tournament’s trials, and we must urgently select our academy’s representative candidates. There’s a mountain of work to do. I ask for everyone’s cooperation.”

With that, Rick bows deeply before the gathered faculty.

With an order from the upper echelons of the imperial government, no one can refuse.

Thus, the academy’s full commitment to hosting and managing the selection tournament is decided.

As the still-reeling faculty receive Halley’s tournament schedule handouts and begin reviewing them—

“Still, no matter how you look at it, this is a brutally tight schedule…”

Glenn flips through the handout, grumbling.

Venue setup, coordination with other schools, equipment preparation, deciding trial content, collaboration with the student council… the list of tasks is overwhelming, and the time to prepare is short.

Since the snow mountain incident, Celica has been in poor health and is currently on leave, so the workload is evenly distributed among the remaining faculty. Even so, it’s an absurd amount of work to handle alongside regular duties.

“This is gonna be hell every day from now on…”

As Glenn slumps onto the desk, exasperated, Eve speaks up beside him.

“Hmph. No time for whining, Glenn.”

A thick stack of documents is abruptly slapped down in front of the sulking Glenn.

“What’s this?”

“I was asked by the Headmaster to compile a list of representative candidates from our academy.”

Glenn lifts the edge of the document, catching glimpses of student profiles, grades, and data on their magical abilities.

“Based on the military training and lectures I’ve conducted at this academy, I’ve selected these candidates comprehensively. We’ll discuss them in the meeting later, but I’d like your opinion first.”

“…You know, you’ve somehow settled into this academy way too well, haven’t you?”

“Hmph, shut it. It’s just work—nothing more, nothing less.”

As Glenn and Eve banter,

Bam! The meeting room door is suddenly flung open with a loud crash.

Someone strides boldly into the room.

The abrupt intrusion and noise silence the room’s murmurs, and all eyes turn to the newcomer, blinking in surprise.

“Geh!? That guy…!?”

“H-he’s alive…!?”

The intruder, however, completely ignores the gazes and whispers directed at him. Unfazed, he strides across the meeting room toward the lectern.

“Just got back, Headmaster.”

And with that, he stands boldly before Headmaster Rick.

“Who… is that guy?”

It’s a man Glenn has never seen at the academy.

He looks young, but his age is hard to pin down. At first glance, his demeanor seems low-energy and subdued, yet there’s an undeniable passion smoldering deep within—an enigmatic presence.

His stern, almost obstinate expression suggests a stubborn, eccentric nature. His lion’s-mane-like golden-brown hair, broad shoulders, tall frame, and lean, well-trained physique are clad in a simple shirt and suspenders. His skin is tanned, marked with countless old scars.

He exudes the aura of a seasoned warrior or battle-hardened rogue. Even Glenn and Eve, both former military, can’t help but tense at his imposing, flawless presence, hinting at countless battlefields survived.

The professor’s robe draped over his shoulders barely indicates that he’s a magician and somehow affiliated with the academy.

Ignoring Glenn’s blinking surprise, the man approaches Headmaster Rick and slams a peculiar statue onto the lectern with a thud.

“…This is the result of my latest ruin exploration.”

“O-oh!? It’s been a while! What, six months or so? …Anyway, I’m just glad you’re safe. Where in the world have you been—”

“Let’s get to it, Headmaster. These are the expenses for this exploration. Pay them to the Jack Guild.”

Thwack! The man slaps a hefty stack of documents onto the lectern.

“Wh-what’s this? This amount… it’s half the academy’s annual budget! What in the world did you do…?”

Headmaster Rick, skimming the documents, grows visibly paler.

But the man ignores him, his stern expression softening slightly as he holds up the statue.

“Look at this, Headmaster. This craftsmanship… I haven’t fully analyzed it yet, but I believe this statue represents a kin of one of The Celestial Taum’s twins. The Celestial Taum, a divine entity of ancient civilization, remains shrouded in mystery. I don’t believe The Celestial Taum is merely a symbol of the sky born from Star Worship, an idol, or a living god created by a theocratic society. There’s something about The Celestial Taum that holds the key to unraveling the mysteries of ancient civilization. This statue will be the key to that. The inscriptions scattered throughout the ruins where I found it—(omitted)—”

Everyone in the room stares at the man in dumbfounded silence, but he shows no sign of caring.

He seems utterly oblivious to the context of the meeting.

Left unchecked, he might ramble on for an entire day.

“—(omitted)—So I told you, didn’t I? The current magical archaeology society is full of idiots. Who’s the fool calling me a fool for dismissing fieldwork? I’m not avoiding ruin exploration. It’s just that I often sneak into ruins using illegal means, so it seems like I’m not exploring much. To begin with, magical archaeology is—(omitted)—When you arrange the excavated magical artifacts by era—(omitted)—In other words, the religious theories surrounding ancient divinities are key—(omitted)—From Malder’s theological perspective—(omitted)—(omitted)—(omitted)—In short, I am a god! Everything is permitted!”

(Huh? This vibe… I’ve seen it somewhere before.)

Glenn narrows his eyes, his cheek twitching.

“A-alright, alright!”

Unable to endure the man’s endless tirade, Headmaster Rick interrupts.

“I understand! You’ve conquered the uncharted regions of the Alster Ancient Temple—congratulations! But that’s in Kleitos territory, a forbidden zone, isn’t it? How did you get exploration and artifact removal permits?”

“Permits? I just explored in secret and took it in secret, obviously.”

The man declares this with a completely straight face.

“Y-you… that’s what’s commonly called ‘tomb raiding’—a huge issue, or rather, a crime…!”

“No problem. Those who claim ownership but shy away from the danger of exploration, leaving ruins untouched, are a disgrace to magicians. I merely delivered divine judgment. Hah, Danger Level S? Laughable. Failure only means death, right? …Anyway, I leave the cleanup to you, Headmaster.”

“N-no, wait… I can’t just openly handle that kind of thing!”

Headmaster Rick sweats profusely, his forehead glistening.

“M-more importantly, now’s not the time for this! Our academy is hosting the Magic Festival’s representative selection tournament, and I need your cooperation—”

“Naive, Headmaster.”

To the pleading Headmaster, the man smirks boldly and declares,

“Do you seriously think I, the proud Alzano Imperial Magic Academy’s Professor of Magical Archaeology, Fossil Lefoy Ertoria, would lend my strength to anything other than magical archaeology research or ruin exploration!?”

“…Sensei, is something wrong?”

Rumia’s concerned voice pulls Glenn’s wandering thoughts back to the present.

Fossil Lefoy Ertoria, the most eccentric of eccentrics at the magic academy, Professor of Magical Archaeology.

While reflecting on the events that led to this moment, Glenn had inadvertently recalled something unnecessary.

“Nah, just got tired thinking about it. There’s always someone lower than the low, huh?”

With that, Glenn stretches and rises from the lectern where he’d been slumped.

“Ugh! Are you seriously going to be okay like this!?”

Sistine, pouting with dissatisfaction, snaps at Glenn.

“Please take this seriously! If a mistake on the examiners’ part prevents a deserving student from becoming a representative, it’s a major responsibility issue!”

“Yeah, yeah. As expected of Fibel’s ojou-sama, who made it onto the representative candidate list in no time—always saying the right things.”

Glenn scratches his head, responding with exasperation.

The ten imperial representatives for the Magic Festival will be chosen from a pool of sixty candidates—twenty each from the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy, and Kleitos Magic Academy.

Candidates are selected from first- to third-year students at each school.

Fourth-year students, engaged in graduate research and considered full-fledged magicians, are excluded. Re=L, affiliated with the military, and Rumia, with her complicated background, are also excluded.

The twenty candidates from the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy were primarily selected by Eve and other professors and instructors. Sistine, in particular, was unanimously chosen, and her selection has become a hot topic among the academy’s students.

(Well, given White Cat’s recent growth, it’s no surprise. Honestly, she’s growing so fast it’s a little intimidating.)

Glenn glances at the visibly displeased Sistine and shrugs.

Surprisingly, Glenn’s Year Two, Class Two has received high praise, with Gibul, Kash, Wendy, and others also making the candidate list.

It feels a bit like he’s being praised himself, and Glenn can’t help but feel a touch of pride.

…That said,

“Hey, White Cat… aren’t you acting a bit too uptight?”

Something’s been bothering him, so Glenn asks.

“You seem kinda desperate… With your skills, you should be more relaxed.”

“W-well, it’s not like that! If you let your guard down—”

“Haha, you say that, but honestly, you’re already beyond student level, aren’t you?”

At Glenn’s remark, Sistine falters, her words catching.

“The representatives will be the top ten from the selection tournament, right? You’re basically guaranteed a spot. I mean, what kind of scenario would have you not make it? Ten people better than you? That’s terrifying!”

“W-well, that’s…”

As Glenn speaks with exasperation, Sistine stammers, flustered.

Then, as if speaking for her, Rumia chimes in.

“Hehe, Sensei. Sistie wants to be the Main Wizard.”

“Main Wizard?”

“W-wait, Rumia!? That’s—”

Main Wizard.

The Magic Festival has a unique format. Each nation fields ten representatives, consisting of one Main Wizard and nine Sub-Wizards.

The Sub-Wizards support the Main Wizard in tackling the assigned trials.

As such, the Magic Festival is a battle between Main Wizards, and naturally, the most exceptional magician among the ten representatives becomes the Main Wizard.

Being chosen as the Main Wizard is synonymous with carrying the nation’s pride, an immense honor accompanied by a direct conferral of a medal from Queen Alicia herself.

“Oh…? White Cat, you, huh?”

Hearing Rumia’s explanation, Glenn grins mischievously.

“Who’d have thought? I never pegged you for someone with such ambition and thirst for glory… Color me surprised.”

“N-no, no, no, that’s not it! It’s not like that!”

Sistine lunges at Glenn, her face flushed with indignation.

“What’s not like that? The Main Wizard gets the most honor, medals, and prize money, right? What other motive could you—”

“Don’t lump me in with you, Sensei! I just—I just want to catch up to my grandfather!”

At Sistine’s impassioned declaration, Glenn blinks in surprise.

Rumia, smiling gently, adds context.

“Sensei, Sistie’s grandfather… Redolf Fibel-sama. When he was a child, back when the Magic Festival was still held regularly… he was chosen as the Main Wizard for the Alzano Empire’s representatives.”

Ah, that makes sense, Glenn realizes.

Sistine has inherited her revered grandfather Redolf’s dream of reaching the Sky Castle.

She strives daily to catch up, even a little, to the genius magician Redolf.

It’s no wonder she’d have such aspirations. What an endearing kind of arrogance.

“I-I know I’m different from my grandfather, and I shouldn’t compare myself to him…”

Sistine spoke hesitantly, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment, as if trying to justify herself.

“But when Grandfather was chosen as the Main Wizard, he was the same age as I am now. So, I feel like if I don’t get chosen, I’ll never catch up to him, no matter how much time passes… That’s why, for this selection, I’m going to give it my all. I’m absolutely determined to win!”

Her eyes, filled with resolve, locked onto Glenn’s.

“I might be saying something incredibly arrogant. The other students who couldn’t even make it as candidates might feel offended if they heard me. Even so, for my own sake, I want to become the Main Wizard! I want to see with my own eyes the same sights Grandfather saw when he competed with the world’s greatest mages on the grand stage! That’s why—”

Glenn let out a soft chuckle and gently placed a hand on Sistine’s head.

“S-Sensei…?”

“An eagle doesn’t need to pretend to be a crow. And it certainly doesn’t need to grovel to one.”

For some reason, Glenn’s eyes were kinder than usual as he spoke those cryptic words.

“In the end, everyone’s life goals are their own. You just need to follow your own convictions and give it your all. That’s enough. So, go for it, alright? I’ll be rooting for you… as your mentor.”

“S-Sensei…!? Y-Yes! I’ll definitely give it my all!”

In an instant, Sistine’s expression brightened, her face practically glowing.

Rumia, watching the scene unfold, smiled warmly, while Re=L tilted her head in confusion.

At that moment, a loud clang, clang, clang echoed through the school building as the bell rang, followed by an announcement amplified by magical acoustics resounding throughout the halls.

“In approximately one hour, as scheduled, the representative candidate delegations from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy and Kleitos Magic Academy will arrive. All students from each year and class are to assemble in the front courtyard as designated to welcome them. I repeat, assemble in the front courtyard—”

Upon hearing the announcement, the students in the classroom began to stir and move about.

“Oh, my, looks like our guests have arrived, huh?”

Glenn scratched his head with an exasperated sigh, letting himself be carried along by the flow of students heading out.

“Now then! I wonder what kind of people the representative candidates from the other schools will be?”

“Haha… I feel like I can already guess a few of them.”

“Hm.”

Exchanging such banter, Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L followed Glenn out of the classroom.

The Alzano Empire, renowned as a magical superpower, is home to several institutions dedicated to magical education.

In the southern Yorkshire region of Fejite lies the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.

In the northwestern Lake District of Lilitania is the St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.

And in the western territory of the Earl of Kleitos resides the Kleitos Magic Academy.

While smaller magic schools, private academies, and guilds exist, these three institutions are the largest in scale, funding, and student population, collectively known as the Empire’s Three Great Magic Academies.

Until recently, the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, established four hundred years ago by Queen Alicia III with vast national funding, held unrivaled dominance. However, in recent years, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy, backed by generous funding from nobles and wealthy elites, and Kleitos Magic Academy, which conducts unique magical research thanks to a special ley line and a vast collection of magical tomes and artifacts owned by the first Lord Kleitos, have steadily grown in scale and achievement, earning them a place alongside Alzano as the three pillars supporting the Empire’s magical education.

(Still, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy and Kleitos Magic Academy… they’ve got some deep ties with us, don’t they?)

As the students lined up along the academy’s pathways leading to the front courtyard, Glenn found himself lost in thought.

Reflecting on it, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy was where Re=L had briefly studied abroad, and as for Kleitos Magic Academy, Glenn had clashed with Leos Kleitos, the young heir of the Kleitos family, during the fiasco over Sistine’s engagement.

(Unfortunately, that guy Leos… well… he passed away.)

Yet, finding himself once again connected to people tied to Leos in this way, Glenn couldn’t help but feel a sense of fate at work.

As Glenn mulled over these thoughts absentmindedly,

Carriages carrying the representative candidate students from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy and Kleitos Magic Academy began arriving one after another onto the academy grounds.

The carriages lined up in their designated spots, and from the large passenger coaches drawn by horses, teachers and students disembarked in droves. Due to legal restrictions on railway construction in the Fejite area to preserve the local ley lines, travel to Fejite required carriages, making the journey long and arduous. A faint trace of fatigue was visible on the faces of the visiting students.

Even so, they glanced around curiously, taking in their unfamiliar surroundings, seemingly reaffirming that they were in enemy territory and steeling themselves accordingly.

Soon, the visiting students formed orderly lines and, guided by their escorts, began walking leisurely down the courtyard path toward the main entrance of the academy building.

Like most, the students of Alzano Imperial Magic Academy harbored a strong sense of school pride. Perhaps because many were elite-minded individuals, their sense of camaraderie and exclusivity was particularly pronounced.

To these students, the visiting students were bitter rivals who had come to snatch the limited ten spots for the Magic Festival’s representative team.

If those outsiders weren’t here, all the representative spots could have been filled by the proud students of Alzano Imperial Magic Academy… Such thoughts, big or small, simmered beneath the surface.

As a result, the students of the academy weren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet. The applause they offered in welcome was lukewarm, almost perfunctory…

“Oi, did you see that, Kai?! Rodd?! The girls from St. Lily are ridiculously cute!”

“Yeah, no kidding! As expected of that famous ojou-sama school!”

“Ughhh! I gotta find a way to get close to them during this chance!”

…except for a certain subset of students.

“Kyaaa! Look, look, Bella! The boys from Kleitos Academy are all so hot!”

“Especially that one! The guy leading the Kleitos representative candidate group!”

“That’s Levin Kleitos-sama, right, Cassie?”

“Yes, yes! The one from the rumors! Ohhh, he’s so☆gorgeous! I wanna seduce him!”

…a very, very small subset of students.

(Seriously, why are the kids in my class always so damn loud…?)

Even Glenn could only clutch his head in exasperation.

“Ah! Sensei, did you see that?”

Suddenly, Rumia, standing to his left, excitedly tugged at Glenn’s sleeve.

“What’s up?”

“Francine-san and Colette-san! They’re at the front of the St. Lily group, waving confidently! Looks like they were chosen as representative candidates too!”

Sure enough, in the distance, Glenn could just make out the figures of a blonde girl with vertical curls and a black-haired girl with long locks.

Francine and Colette were strikingly beautiful, exuding an undeniable charisma that drew attention.

Even the typically reserved students of Alzano Imperial Magic Academy—especially the boys—seemed momentarily overwhelmed, practically tripping over themselves at the sight of the glamorous duo.

“Well, with their skills, it’s no surprise they’d show up here… but man, what nerves of steel to be that bold in enemy territory. Ignorant ojou-samas are terrifying.”

“Elsa. Where’s Elsa…? Is Elsa here?”

Re=L, shorter than most, was hopping up and down, desperately scanning the crowd of passing students.

“Hmm… I don’t know. From this distance, with everyone so bunched up, it’s hard to tell.”

Hoping to spot familiar faces, Rumia and Re=L seemed to be brimming with a different kind of anticipation compared to those around them.

(Well, I guess reuniting with old friends is always a nice feeling.)

Truth be told, when Glenn had unexpectedly run into the St. Lily group during the Snowria trip, he’d found it a bit annoying but also genuinely pleasant.

Caught up in the lively atmosphere, Glenn turned to Sistine, who stood quietly to his right.

“Hey, White Cat. By the way, don’t you have any acquaintances at Kleitos Academy? I recall the Fibel and Kleitos families have some kind of connection…”

He stopped mid-sentence, his words trailing off.

“……”

Sistine was gazing at the visiting students with a somber expression.

“…What’s wrong, White Cat?”

As if snapping out of a trance, Sistine offered Glenn a vague smile.

“Oh… it’s nothing.”

But no one makes such a subtle expression over “nothing.”

“…Did I just step on a landmine or something?”

“Huh?”

Glenn grimaced awkwardly, while Sistine tilted her head in confusion.

“I mean… did I bring up Leos and make you remember something painful? My bad.”

Though their relationship had ended in conflict and Leos had passed away, Leos Kleitos, who had once pressed Sistine for marriage, had been her admired childhood friend, after all.

Glenn rarely showed such contrition, realizing he shouldn’t have casually brought up the Kleitos family.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve already moved past that.”

Sistine gave a small laugh, as if to reassure Glenn.

“What? Wait, were you actually worried about me? Huh? Even the utterly tactless blockhead-sensei is growing day by day, huh?”

“Damn it! Don’t mock me, you little—! Just drop it, idiot!”

Glenn’s face twitched, his brows furrowing in irritation.

Seeing his reaction, Sistine’s expression softened, and she turned her gaze back to the visiting students.

“Um, it’s not about Leos… Actually, I have another childhood friend in the Kleitos family…”

“Another childhood friend?”

“Yes. I was wondering if maybe they’re here…”

Sistine scanned the crowd of students heading toward the school building, her eyes searching intently.

But from this distance, amidst the throng, it was impossible to pick anyone out.

“…And? What about this friend?”

“Oh, haha… it’s nothing! Really!”

Sistine forced a laugh, abruptly cutting off the conversation.

“Anyway! The rivals have arrived! I’m absolutely not going to lose! I’ll make it as a representative—and then as the Main Wizard! I’ll show everyone what I’ve learned from you and Eve-san, Sensei! Just watch me!”

“Y-Yeah… do your best…”

With Sistine brushing it off with a smile, Glenn had no choice but to let it go.

He couldn’t press her further.

Eventually…

“Well, well, welcome to our academy after such a long journey, Lord Rona, Lord Gaysorn.”

“Hehe, our entire academy, along with its master, extends a warm welcome.”

From a distance, Glenn could see Headmaster Rick of Alzano Magic Academy, accompanied by a young contract spirit girl dressed up as elegantly as possible, shaking hands with the headmasters of Kleitos Academy and St. Lily Academy.

After welcoming the students from St. Lily and Kleitos Academies, they were ushered into the grand hall of the student union building. A meet-and-greet reception was to be held there today.

Naturally, not all of the academy’s students could attend, so only the twenty selected representative candidates and a handful of regular students chosen by lottery were permitted to participate.

Even so, nearly two hundred people filled the grand hall, making it a rather large-scale event. Rize Filmer, the student council president of Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, had pulled out all the stops, using her formidable skills to organize a lavish reception.

The furnishings and array of dishes lined up for the buffet-style party were so extravagant they rivaled the grandeur of past social balls.

“—And so, my dear students, you are all comrades bearing the future and glory of our Empire. While you may now be rivals vying for the limited representative spots, understand that this is a process of mutual growth. Therefore, once this is over, join hands, cooperate, and respect one another to fight together on the world stage—”

(Man, old man Edward’s speeches are as long-winded as ever. And so boring.)

The interminably dull address by Lord Edward, the queen’s aide sent from the imperial government to serve as a judge for the representative selection starting tomorrow, finally came to an end.

“Now, everyone, please enjoy the evening and have a pleasant time.”

With a brief closing remark from Rize, the academy’s representative student, the reception officially began—

“Here’s to celebrating Sistine, Wendy, Gibul, and Kash for making it as representative candidates—Cheers!”

““““Cheers!””””

Countless glasses were raised and clinked together above their heads.

At a table set up in one corner of the reception venue, two groups of students had gathered.

The four representative candidates from Alzano Magic Academy—Sistine, Wendy, Gibul, and Kash—were surrounded by their classmates.

“Seriously, it’s amazing! Who would’ve thought that four people from our class, once mocked as the dropout class, would become candidates!”

Cecil, holding a glass of juice, beamed as he spoke.

“It’s probably because we’ve had the most and longest training under Eve-sensei, right?”

“Absolutely. And it’s all built on the foundation of Glenn-sensei’s everyday guidance. To repay their immense debt, I truly hope you all make it into the ten representatives.”

“Y-Yeah… you guys, do your best. We’re… rooting for you.”

Teresa and Lynn, as if it were their own achievement, offered heartfelt encouragement to Sistine and the others.

“Man, I never would’ve dreamed a country bumpkin like me would actually make it as a candidate!”

“Don’t get too excited yet. We’re only candidates, after all.”

Kash scratched his head sheepishly, while Wendy doused his enthusiasm with a sigh.

“From Alzano Magic Academy, St. Lily, and Kleitos—twenty candidates each, sixty in total, and only ten will be chosen. Every single one of them is an outstanding student representing their school. Surviving this competition is no small feat.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I heard I was the twenty-first alternate for our academy’s candidates, only getting bumped up because someone got sick. I’ll give it my all, but a country kid like me? It’s probably a long shot, haha…”

At Kash’s words, Gibul and Sistine chimed in.

“You only started formal magical training later than others due to your background.”

“Exactly. If you’d been studying magic since childhood like us, Kash… Eve-san said the same. It’s really a pity.”

“Still, you’ve got raw talent. If you don’t give up, a miracle might just happen.”

Kash grinned, brushing it off with a playful retort.

“Oh, ho? Gibul, Sistine! You guys are awfully confident, huh? What, you both planning to waltz right into the representative spots like it’s a given?”

“Of course. I’m absolutely going to make it into the ten representatives. I’m going to climb the ranks in this Empire and give my family a better life. This is the perfect chance to prove my strength.”

Gibul, brimming with ambition, was already burning with quiet determination.

“Yes, I have my dreams and convictions too. Competitions are unpredictable, but I’m going to aim for a representative spot with everything I’ve got!”

Sistine, too, was fired up and ready.

“That’s our Gibul and Sistine! Top students even in this academy—y’all talk big! I’m jealous! Right, Wendy?”

“I-I’m a top student too, you know, just slightly below those two! Don’t lump me in with you!”

Wendy, roped into Kash’s teasing, bit down on her handkerchief in frustration.

“I’m aiming for a representative spot too, of course! I carry the proud name of Nablesse! As such, I shall perform with elegance—”

“But, like, it’s Wendy, so…”

“She’s totally gonna choke at the critical moment. It’s Wendy, after all.”

“Mrrghhh—!”

The two groups were, as always, a raucous bunch.

“Munch munch… Man, all said and done, this academy’s got some real gems… nom nom nom… As expected of the pinnacle of magical education…”

Glenn, his plate piled high with food, scarfed down his meal while surveying the room.

Sistine was a given, but with Eve’s training, Gibul and Wendy had made incredible strides recently and could realistically aim for representative spots. Even Kash had a slim chance, Glenn genuinely believed.

And, of course, they weren’t the only promising students in the academy.

“As expected, Rize-senpai was chosen as a representative candidate too. Do your best!”

“Yes, it’s an honor, and I intend to give my all to secure a spot.”

Glenn’s gaze drifted to a gray-haired girl—Rize—conversing calmly with Rumia.

Rize Filmer, the student council president and top of the third-year class. A true embodiment of both brains and brawn, was a prodigy who despite being a student, had achieved feats rivaling adults during Fejite’s Worst Three Days. Excluding outliers like Sistine, who’d survived countless battlefields, or Re=L, a military operative, Rize was undoubtedly the academy’s strongest student.

Glenn knew Rize’s background was exceptionally unique, but he chose not to dwell on it here.

“……”

Next, Glenn’s eyes shifted to a boy leaning against a wall, arms crossed, his face set in a scowl—Jaill Wolfheart, a second-year student.

The third son of a noble family and leader of a local delinquent gang, his rough appearance screamed thug… but according to Eve, his magical combat prowess rivaled Rize’s.

“…What, shorty?”

“Heard from Eve. You’re a candidate too, Jaill?”

“Tch, yeah. Pain in the ass, but it’s an order from Instructor Eve. I owe her for protecting this academy.”

“Hm. Got it. Do your best. I’m rooting for you.”

Incidentally, Jaill and Re=L seemed to be somewhat acquainted.

(What the hell kind of connection do they have? I can’t wrap my head around her social circle.)

But that aside…

(This academy’s really got a stellar lineup of students right now. There’s also Heinkel Bates from the second years… and third-years like Arka Schere and Markus Walder… Kids with unbelievable talent and ability are everywhere.)

Glenn mentally reviewed the list of candidates he’d memorized.

(Come to think of it… there was that insane first-year girl who made it as a candidate. Still unstable, but a walking bundle of talent. Her name was…)

As Glenn casually scanned the bustling venue for her, it happened.

““Sen-sei!””

A sudden chorus of high-pitched squeals erupted from behind, followed by the sound of someone—or someones—rushing toward him.

“Wha—!? Gahhh—!”

Before Glenn could react, the figures tackled him, wrapping their arms around him.

“It’s been since Snowria, Glenn-sensei!”

“Hahaha! I missed you so much!”

“Geh!? You guys!?”

Clinging to Glenn were Francine and Colette, students from St. Lily Academy.

““““Kyaaa! Sensei!””””

And then, thud thud thud thud! A flood of other St. Lily students surged toward Glenn, engulfing him like a tsunami.

“Kyaa! It’s Sensei! Renn-sensei!”

“I’m so thrilled to see you again!”

“It was worth fighting to become a candidate!”

“W-Wait! Calm down, you guys—arghhh—!”

As the second-year students watched, dumbfounded, Glenn was mobbed mercilessly.

“Yo, long time no see!”

“Haha… it’s been a while, Glenn-sensei.”

A beat later, two more figures approached cautiously.

“Oh!? Ginny!? Elsa!?”

It was Ginny, Francine-ojou-sama’s attendant, and Elsa, the girl who’d been a great help to Re=L during her short study abroad at St. Lily.

“You guys are here too!?”

“Yes, though it may be a bit presumptuous, I was selected as a representative candidate.”

Ginny twirled her braid lazily, grumbling.

“I’m not a candidate due to… certain circumstances, but I’m here as a chaperone and assistant for the St. Lily group.”

Elsa smiled, her slightly longer flaxen hair swaying gently.

“Details later! Oi, do something about these girls!?”

“Nah, no way. Taming a bunch of cats in heat? Good luck. Just enjoy being their plaything. Guys like that, right? Go on, be happy.”

“Your sharp tongue gets worse every time we meet! Oi, Elsa! Elsa!”

Realizing the deadpan, shrugging Ginny was no help, Glenn turned desperately to Elsa.

“Haha… you’re right. If this keeps up, St. Lily’s reputation will take a hit. Alright, I’ll handle it… time for a little discipline. Excuse me.”

With those words, Elsa removes her glasses. Her hand softly grips the hilt of the eastern sword—an uchigatana—hanging at her waist, and she slowly lowers her stance. A deep, steady breath fills her entire being.

In that fleeting moment, the air around Elsa sharply plummets to subzero temperatures.

The very next instant—

“Elsa.”

Swiftly, a girl silently slips in front of Elsa, blocking her path.

It’s Re=L.

“R-Re=L!?”

In an instant, the sharp, frigid, warrior-like tension surrounding Elsa melts away. Instead, a fluffy, sugary-sweet atmosphere rapidly begins to take its place.

Clang. The sword slips powerlessly from Elsa’s hand… the soul of an eastern swordsman.

“Elsa… I missed you.”

Re=L’s usual sleepy, expressionless face shifts ever so slightly into the faintest hint of a smile.

But from Elsa’s perspective, Re=L is surrounded by a radiant halo, sparkling brilliantly, with lilies blooming magnificently around her. That impassive expression is magnified threefold in beauty, radiating a warm, gentle smile.

“…R-Re=L… I-I… I’ve been longing to see you… all this time…”

Elsa’s cheeks flush a rosy hue. Hesitantly, she steps closer to Re=L, taking her hand in both of hers and holding it gently to her chest, as if to convey the pounding of her heart…

From a distance close enough to feel each other’s breath, Elsa gazes directly into Re=L’s eyes with a misty, trembling stare—a look that is, without question, that of a maiden utterly in love.

“…Mm. I can tell, somehow. Elsa, you’ve gotten so much stronger.”

“Yes… I can tell, too. Re=L… you’ve become an even more wonderful girl…”

“…? Elsa?”

“Oh, Re=L…”

Elsa peers intently into Re=L’s face as she tilts her head curiously.

She gazes with such longing, so intensely, as if she could bore a hole through her, staring, staring…

“Oi, you two! Save the pointless rom-com for later! Please, I’m begging you!?”

By now, Glenn’s voice no longer reaches them.

Seriously, did Elsa only come here to see Re=L? Glenn, powerless to intervene, is swept away into the whirlwind of St. Lily’s chaos—

“Hey! You lot! What do you think you’re doing!?”

“Don’t you dare rough up our teacher!”

Suddenly, two girls appear with veins throbbing at their temples, striding confidently before the St. Lily students swarming Glenn like a horde of the undead.

It’s Sistine and Rumia.

“Oh, ho!? Look who’s here! Sistine and Rumia!?”

“Hmph! We knew the ones standing in our way would be you two!”

As if waiting for this moment, Colette and Francine turn to face them.

“Too bad for you, but your teacher is ours starting today!”

“That’s right! We came all this way to claim Glenn-sensei for St. Lily!”

“What the hell are you here for!? Are you idiots!?”

“Come, Sensei! This way, this way! We’ve already prepared all the paperwork for your transfer! All that’s left is for you to sign!”

W-Woaaaahhh!? Stop it! Stoooop!”

As Glenn is about to be carried off by the St. Lily girls…

“What’s that supposed to mean!? Sensei is our teacher!”

“More importantly, what are you doing here!? Are you stupid!?”

The air grows tense, ready to explode, as Francine, Colette, Rumia, and Sistine lock eyes in a fierce standoff. And then—

“Oh? Our teacher? That’s not something I can let slide, cuties.”

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I won’t forgive anyone who disrespects Sensei.”

Led by Kash and Wendy, the students of Class 2 begin to gather—

“What’s that!? This has nothing to do with you!”

“Exactly! Outsiders, stay out of this!”

In response, the St. Lily students close in as well.

The students split into two groups—Class 2 and St. Lily—glaring fiercely at one another…

“Heh, when magicians clash over something they refuse to yield… there’s only one thing to do, right?”

“…Hmph. ‘If thou desirest, cast the desires of others into the furnace…’”

Colette and Sistine exchange fearless grins.

““““It’s warrr!””””

With that battle cry, both groups raise their left hands toward each other, chanting spells in unison.

Lightning bolts, raging winds, explosive blasts, and storms of ice fly through the air—a chaotic feast unfolds.

“W-Wait, you idiots!? Stop—Gaaahhh!?”

As expected, Glenn is blown away by a stray spell—

“Ho ho ho, how nostalgic, Rona-dono. This takes me back to days long past.”

“Indeed. A brawl breaking out on the first day of introductions is a tradition of the selection meet, isn’t it?”

“Quite so, quite so. The vigor of youth, eh?”

Headmaster Rick and St. Lily’s new headmaster, Rona, watch the spirited students from a distance with fond smiles—

“…Elsa?”

“Um, Re=L… how about… we sneak away, just the two of us?”

Meanwhile, completely ignoring the chaotic scene, Elsa fidgets as she inches closer to Re=L, creating their own little world.

And then—

“Tch! Those cheeky St. Lily brats! Class 2, we’re joining the fray!”

“Yeah! Let’s show them the strength of Alzano Imperial Magic Academy’s candidate representatives!”

Seeing the commotion, candidates from other years and classes begin joining the brawl one after another.

The surrounding students cheer them on, egging them further.

The venue descends into a festival-like trance.

“Seriously, someone stop this!?”

Caught in the eye of the storm, battered by raging winds and lightning, Glenn can only scream in protest.

“Argh! Why do White Cat and Rumia turn so childish the moment St. Lily’s involved!?”

Glenn’s anguished cry echoes through the venue—when suddenly…

《Silence》

A modified single-verse chant rings out, soft yet commanding.

“—!?”

The next moment, lines of mana race across the venue’s floor, forming a massive magic circle.

From it, countless vines sprout, ensnaring the rampaging students one by one, binding them tightly—

“What—!?”

Every student in the fray is immobilized in an instant, left dumbfounded.

Then, drawing every eye in the room, a male student strides confidently into the scene.

His uniform— that of Kleitos Magic Academy.

Soft golden hair, an aristocratic bearing, and a face so exquisitely handsome it could be a carved statue. A breathtakingly beautiful boy, the kind that would make any dreamy maiden sigh.

“This is meant to be a welcoming gathering. Tonight, let us enjoy each other’s company more peacefully—for this may be the last night you’re able to enjoy yourselves.”

With a bold smirk, the boy surveys the helplessly bound crowd.

“—!?”

At that moment, Rize, who was about to step in to quell the chaos…

At that moment, Jaill and Gibul, watching the commotion from afar…

Everyone in the venue is overwhelmed by the boy’s presence.

It’s simple. The sheer feat of subduing the chaos without harming a soul.

The magic he deployed in an instant, the delicate control extending to every single vine.

His staggering magical skill and mana capacity— it’s unimaginable that he’s a student like them.

“Levin Kleitos…”

Someone mutters the name faintly, but no one responds.

(Levin Kleitos… so he’s the one they’ve been talking about…?)

In the now-silent venue, Glenn’s expression sharpens as he reflects (though, bound tightly by the vine magic, he looks rather pathetic).

Glenn only knows Levin from documents he reviewed recently, but…

(The scion of a Kleitos branch family… Leos’s cousin. Hailed as a magical prodigy on par with Leos, and now, with Leos gone, the closest to inheriting the Kleitos main family’s leadership…)

Though he knew Levin was coming as a candidate, Glenn can’t hide his astonishment.

(…What is this guy!? This mana… can the gap between people’s innate gifts really be this vast? That’s unfair…)

Levin, for his part, smiles boldly yet calmly.

His presence is overwhelming. Every candidate who sees him likely feels, to some degree, “There’s no way I can beat this boy.”

As if fully aware of their thoughts, Levin maintains his gentle smile while provocatively declaring,

“Honestly, I’m disappointed. I heard the most exceptional students from across the empire would gather here tonight… but to be intimidated by such a minor trick?”

His words make everyone bristle.

Yet no one can retort.

“Frankly, I have no rivals. No worthy opponent to push my limits, to hone myself against… never have. I thought coming here might let me meet someone who’d make my heart race… but was it just a fleeting dream?”

Glenn, irritated, muses to himself.

(The insufferable arrogance of a sheltered youth, looking down on everyone. Overwhelming pride. But backed by undeniable talent and skill… tch. Still—)

Then, the corner of Glenn’s mouth twitches upward…

(—It’s too early to write off this crowd, you brat.)

…At that very moment.

Boom! A fierce gust swirls through the venue, and someone lands before Levin.

Vivid silver hair, whipped by the wind, sears itself into the students’ eyes.

It’s Sistine, cradling Rumia in her arms.

In that split second, she leaped with Gale Kick, escaping the vine prison—the only one to do so.

With traces of the tempest still clinging to her, Sistine pierces Levin with a direct, unwavering gaze.

“Gale Kick, really? And while carrying someone? That skill… who are you…?”

For the first time, Levin, who had been brimming with confidence, furrows his brow, his expression faltering slightly.

“Sistine Fibel.”

“Fibel…? I see. So you’re my cousin Leos’s fiancée… I understand now.”

Levin flashes a ferocious grin.

Like a child who’s found a fun playmate, his expression is pure and unbridled.

“Heh, I got a bit too excited and acted immaturely—my apologies. I’ve calmed down now, so shall we release everyone?”

With a bright yet resolute tone, Sistine taps her heel.

The next instant, as if responding to the sound, the vine prison binding the students vanishes like an illusion.

“What!?”

Even Levin can only gape at the phenomenon.

Spell Intervention.

A magical technique that hijacks the control of a stationary spell’s structure.

Compared to intercepting an emitted spell like an assault spell, it’s less difficult, but it remains an advanced skill.

It requires vast knowledge and understanding of magical structures, as well as immense mana to break through protective barriers.

Levin likely didn’t cast the spell with full intent to prevent external interference, but even so, Sistine’s execution was dazzlingly precise.

The freed students can only stare at Sistine in stunned silence.

Levin, too, fixes her with a now-sharpened gaze.

Eventually, Sistine sets a blinking, shrinking Rumia down and takes her hand, turning her back to Levin.

“The welcome gathering has only just begun. Let’s enjoy tonight to the fullest, Levin.”

“…Sistine-san.”

Levin calls out to her retreating figure.

“I’m glad I met you… It seems I won’t be bored after all.”

Something seems to have ignited within Levin.

His eyes burn with competitive spirit, boring into Sistine’s back.

“Don’t get too cocky, or you’ll trip.”

“Indeed, I’ll keep that in mind. But don’t assume this is the extent of my power either. The Main Wizard’s seat, the highest honor of the representative team… I look forward to competing with you, fair and square… Until then.”

With that final exchange…

Levin departs leisurely, returning to the table where the Kleitos Academy students are gathered…

“Phew…”

Once Levin is out of sight, Sistine wipes the sweat from her brow and slumps.

“Sistie, you okay?”

“…Sistine, you’re really tense.”

“Honestly, I was getting full of myself… I never imagined someone that skilled was in our generation.”

As Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L talk, the surrounding students swarm around them.

“That was amazing, Sistine! How’d you read that spell!? And that last move—what was it!? Are you even human!? That was insane!”

Kash praises her openly.

“As frustrating as it is, we were completely outclassed back there…”

Wendy trembles with regret.

“You got even better while I wasn’t looking!? That’s not fair!”

Colette burns with rivalry.

“We worked so hard to get stronger, but we were like fodder… ugh…”

Francine forces a dry smile through teary eyes.

The other students shower Sistine with praise, leaving her flustered. Thanks to the commotion, the earlier tension over Glenn seems entirely forgotten.

“Yare yare…”

Glenn wipes the sweat from his brow, scanning the venue.

Then…

“Hey, did you see that showdown…?”

“Yeah. Levin Kleitos from Kleitos Academy… and Sistine Fibel from Alzano Academy… Those two are definitely the top contenders this time.”

“Totally, their skill and mana capacity were unreal! They don’t even seem like students!”

“Yeah, who’ll claim the main wizard’s seat…? This’ll be worth watching.”

Everyone in the venue is abuzz with such gossip.

(Tch, why are kids always obsessed with who’s the strongest?)

Glenn can only give a wry smile. Still, seeing Sistine so celebrated by those around her doesn’t feel bad at all.

(That White Cat, though… that spell intervention was flawless. Even if I knew how, I wouldn’t have the mana for it! She really does keep growing the more you teach her…)

Lost in such buoyant thoughts, he continues observing the crowd.

(…Hm?)

Suddenly, Glenn notices something.

Amid the excitement over the selection meet’s outcome, in one corner of the venue…

A well-dressed elderly man stands with a female student at his side, her gaze fixed on Sistine from afar, surrounded by students.

That old man must be Gaysorn Le Kleitos, headmaster of Kleitos Magic Academy.

The girl beside him, with golden hair braided into three strands, wears a Kleitos Academy uniform. Her features bear a striking resemblance to Levin’s, and like him, she’s strikingly beautiful.

(What’s that?)

But in that moment, a chill runs down Glenn’s spine.

The girl’s gaze toward Sistine is dark, cold, and heavy with resentment. It’s not a look someone would cast at another lightly.

“Haha! But I won’t lose, Sistine!”

“Right! Let’s fight fair and square at the selection meet starting tomorrow!”

“Bring it on!”

Sistine, oblivious to the distant stare…

As the banquet reaches its peak, the first day’s welcome gathering draws to a close.

After the welcome gathering ends, the students from St. Lily and Kleitos Academies are escorted to the dormitories prepared by Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.

The cleanup after the banquet didn’t finish until late at night. With full-fledged winter approaching, the biting chill unique to Fejite’s nights gnawed at their bodies as Glenn and the others finally set off for home.

They walked through the streets of Fejite at night, where the shadows of buildings danced like specters.

“Ugh, it’s freezing. Finally get to head home… that damn fox Rize, working me to the bone…”

“Haha… just how many weaknesses does President Rize have on you, Sensei?”

Rumia responded with a wry smile to Glenn, who was grumbling with his robe’s collar turned up.

Behind them, Sistine and Re=L walked side by side.

“I’m glad I got to see Elsa today.”

“Y-yeah, that’s great, Re=L… But, how do I put this… you might want to avoid getting too close to Elsa-san…”

“…? Why not?”

“Well… it’s just… it might be a bit too soon for you, Re=L? Like, it’s a different world…?”

Sistine’s half-lidded, twitching expression meets Re=L’s curious head tilt.

“By the way, what was that, White Cat? You were acting pretty out of character today, huh?”

Turning around, Glenn teased Sistine with a playful tone.

“Who’d have thought you’d get so fired up against Levin, showing off your skills like that?”

“Ugh… it’s not like that… I mean, well… I’m sorry…”

Sistine, seemingly aware of some truth in his words, averted her gaze with an awkward expression.

“Heh. You really want to be the Main Wizard, don’t you?”

“Huh? Oh… Yes… But was that, maybe, too arrogant… Was I out of line?”

“Don’t be stupid. There’s no such thing as a magician who isn’t arrogant.”

Glenn said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Magic itself is an arrogant art, overstepping human boundaries. It interferes with the laws of the world created by the gods, bending reality to our desires… If that’s not arrogance, what is?”

“That’s…”

“Everyone wants to grasp something unique, something others can’t. That’s why they pursue magic. Magic is the wings that let you soar high in the sky of life. There’s no one who doesn’t dream of wings to fly.”

“……”

“But fly too high, and you’ll get burnt by the sun, crashing down… Just be careful of that.”

“Y-Yes! I’ll keep that in mind—”

“Well, it’s all just stuff I parroted from my master, Celica.”

“—And that totally ruins the moment, Sensei!”

As Glenn and the others bantered like this… it happened.

“That’s right… You’ve always been the one to fly higher than anyone else, Sistine.”

From a side alley, a girl suddenly appeared before Glenn and his group.

Glenn recognized her. She was the blonde girl with her hair in three braids from Kleitos Academy, the one who had been intently watching Sistine at the welcome party earlier.

“I’ve always, always thought… When will you finally crash and burn?”

What kind of life could lead to such a gaze? The girl’s dark eyes, burning with years of resentment and bitterness, pierced Sistine from the shadows.

“Ellen!?”

Sistine’s eyes widened as she saw the girl, her voice rising in shock.

“As expected, you’re looking at me with those eyes again… Hmph, not that I didn’t see it coming.”

Ellen glared at Sistine with clear displeasure.

“…White Cat, you know her?”

“Well… She’s…”

As Sistine hesitated, the girl called Ellen spoke up instead.

“My name is Ellen. Ellen Kleitos. I’m sure this introduction will mean more to you… I’m the younger sister of Leos Kleitos, the main branch of the Kleitos family.”

Instantly, Glenn let out a heavy sigh, sensing the situation.

Levin Kleitos, from the branch family of the Kleitos house.

Ellen Kleitos, from the main family of the Kleitos house.

And the Kleitos earldom, currently embroiled in a fierce succession dispute between the main and branch families.

Levin, who should have been a mere shadow as a branch family member, was now a top candidate for representative alongside Sistine. And Sistine was the former fiancé of Leos, from the main family… The situation was shaping up to be a tangled mess, and Glenn could only feel exasperated by the looming complications.

“…So, what does Ellen-chan from the Kleitos family want with us?”

“My business is with Sistine alone. Is it so strange for a childhood friend to come greet someone after a long time? Though—”

Ellen cast a scornful glance at Sistine before continuing.

“I bet you never even imagined I’d be here.”

“!”

“Your face says it all. ‘There’s no way an ordinary person like Ellen could be at a place where the best students compete.’”

“That’s not true! I’m happy to see you here, in a place like this!”

For a moment, Sistine froze, then hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“Y-You made it to the candidates too, Ellen! That’s amazing! You’ve really improved! In that case, as rivals aiming for the representative spot, let’s compete fairly and have a great match—”

“That’s exactly what I hate about you. Acting like you mean it when you don’t.”

But Ellen coldly cut off Sistine’s words without hesitation.

“Rivals? A great match? Hah! Deep down, you’re thinking, ‘Well, Ellen’s worked hard enough to be a candidate, but she’s no match for me. Too bad.’ …Am I wrong?”

“That’s—!? I’d never think—”

“Don’t bother denying it.”

Ellen firmly silenced Sistine’s flustered protests and pressed on.

“It’s always been like this. You were always the genius… and I was always the ordinary one.”

Ellen’s shoulders trembled, her lips quivered, and her fists clenched tightly.

“You’ll never understand how I feel. Wings aren’t all the same length, and the sky isn’t equally vast for everyone. Someone like you, with boundless skies and powerful wings, could never understand the feelings of someone like me, with a narrow sky and feeble wings. You have no idea what I’ve been through to get here…!”

Overwhelmed by the intense hatred and rage pouring from Ellen, Sistine stood frozen, unsure how to respond.

Unable to watch any longer, Glenn scratched his head in frustration and interjected.

“Ha… So? What’s Ellen-chan from the Kleitos family trying to say?”

“Nothing special. Just a declaration of war. I’ll make you see, Sistine.”

“!?”

“You’re all caught up in your rivalry with Levin, probably not even sparing a thought for me… But I won’t forgive that! Look at me, Sistine! Because of you, I’ve become like this! Because of you, I can’t take a single step forward! I can’t stand that someone like you, who drove me into this corner, isn’t even looking at me—that you’re looking at someone else! I’ll defeat you, who unconsciously looks down on me, and become the Main Wizard! That’s the only way I can seize my future!”

“Ellen…? What do you mean…?”

“Hmph. Normally, I wouldn’t bother coming to say this to you—it’s too much trouble. But it’s almost time… Almost time, Sistine… This time, I’ll finally…”

With an expression that seemed frayed and worn, Ellen gave a chilling smile.

“The selection tournament starts tomorrow… Wash your neck and wait.”

Having said what she came to say, Ellen turned and left.

“S-Sistie…”

“You… okay?”

Rumia and Re=L, concerned, called out to Sistine.

But their voices didn’t reach her. Sistine could only mutter, stunned.

“Ellen… What happened to you…?”

No one could answer her question—