Chapter 3: St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy ~Its True Nature~

The first thing that comes to mind is red—

My home burning red, blood flowers blooming red, my beloved family stained red.

And—above all, that red hair, searing my eyes with vivid intensity.

As always, I dream—a dream of fiercely blazing flames.

Yes, the flames of an illusion that continue to burn my existence and soul— red, crimson, scarlet.

Indeed, I carry the “Memory of Flames”—

 

“Noooo—! Father!?”

Everything was red, crimson—swelteringly unbearable.

Roaring flames, my collapsing home, the figures of my father and mother sinking into pools of blood.

Clinging to the bodies of my parents, now reduced to mere corpses, I, a powerless child, wail helplessly.

“You…! How dare you… how dare you do this to Father…!? To Mother…!?”

Through tear-soaked eyes, I look up to see a lone girl standing there.

With raging crimson flames at her back, her red hair flowing like the blaze itself, the girl holds a sword so enormous it feels like a dream or a jest even now in hindsight.

“I… I’ll never forgive you… never…! Absolutely…!”

Consumed by fear, confusion, rage, and hatred, I roar at the girl…

Grasping the eastern sword—‘Uchigatana’—from my fallen father’s hand, I rise.

Hyperventilating, I point the trembling blade at her…

“…”

Seeing this, the girl silently readies her greatsword against me.

Eliminate the witness

The first time I ever felt the premonition of death.

Yet, I whip my trembling heart with every ounce of my spirit—

“—Gaaahhh—!”

Letting out a warped scream, I charge at the girl.

Perhaps it was the fruit of the training my father had given me daily. To align mind, sword, and body in such an extreme state was, if I do say so myself, worthy of praise.

My finest slash, tracing a silver moon, arcs toward the girl before me—

Clang!

“—!?”

—only to be effortlessly deflected by the greatsword she swings with casual ease.

The impact sends my sword flying from my hands, disappearing somewhere.

In that fleeting instant when our blades clashed—I understood.

The vast gap in our skill. The difference in the weight of what each of us had built with our swords.

Even my father, a seasoned soldier weakened by illness, had been defeated by this red-haired girl. There was no way an immature child like me could win.

“H-Hii…!?”

My fighting spirit shattered, I collapse onto the floor, desperately scrambling backward.

The rising flames, the blood pooling on the floor, the scattering sparks—they burn my limbs, my vision— red, crimson, searing… Hot, so hot… Help me…

“N-No… Don’t come closer… don’t… please, spare my life…”

Forgetting the rage and hatred for my murdered parents, I beg pathetically for my life.

But the red-haired girl approaches me calmly… stopping right in front of me.

Then, with both hands, she effortlessly raises her greatsword toward me.

“Ah… aaah… aaaaaa…!?”

In a world dyed entirely crimson—a world burning red and scorching—

The red-haired girl swings the fatal iron mass down toward my skull.

Whoosh! The dull sound tears through the air.

A sword flash, like lightning falling from the heavens, splits my red world in two—

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—”

 

“—Hah!?”

With a jolt, I awaken, flinging the blanket off as usual.

“Haa—! Haa—! Haa—! Haa—!”

This is… my room in the student dormitory of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.

To resume attending the academy starting today, I returned yesterday to this stifling, accursed place.

I’m on the simple bed provided in the room.

My body is drenched in sweat, leaving me in a terribly foul mood.

My breaths are as hot as flames, and my heart pounds as if it might burst.

Urged by some unseen force, I repeatedly scan my stark, dreary room.

But no matter how many times I check, the red is nowhere to be found. Nor is the heat.

Relieved by this fact…

“…Again… that dream…”

I couldn’t help but feel gloomy from the early morning.

When will I ever be free from that “Memory of Flames”?

Since that day when I lost everything, I’ve been plagued by this constant struggle.

“But… it’ll be over soon… no, I’ll make it end…”

Yes. I’ll end it.

With my own hands, I’ll settle the past… that wretched “Memory of Flames.”

That’s why I accepted the proposal of that woman I never wanted to deal with again.

With my own hands, I’ll bring closure to everything. I’ll clear away that pathetic past, the weak version of myself.

Only then… can I finally start my life anew—

 

Arriving at St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy, Glenn and the others decide to spend the night at the guest lodging prepared near the station, as originally planned.

And—the next morning.

Leaving the lodging to head to the academy, they begin walking through the student grounds…

“Wow…”

Rumia’s eyes widen at the sight before her.

It was dark yesterday, so they hadn’t noticed, but within the academy grounds—especially from the area around the train station to the main building of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy—a grand avenue is lined with elegant shops: bookstores, restaurants, flower shops, open cafés, hair salons, and more, catering to the students’ needs.

Of course, all the shop staff are women.

The beautifully paved roads, the sharp-roofed buildings, the stylish signs hanging from shop eaves, the colorful flowers blooming along the roadside, the ornate street lamps lining the paths—every detail is exquisitely refined and fashionable, creating a far more vibrant scene than they had imagined.

“Amazing… there’s a whole town within the academy grounds…”

“…I’m surprised.”

Even Re=L, for once, looks around curiously.

“It’s small in scale, but such a stylish and lovely townscape, isn’t it? The atmosphere is wonderful. …Hmm, I wouldn’t mind attending a school like this…”

Sistine, in high spirits, says cheerfully.

“Tch… Feels suffocating. Wanna go home.”

Glenn, visibly displeased, mutters irritably.

“Always so quick to complain… Well, this atmosphere definitely doesn’t suit you, Sensei.”

Sistine sighs at Glenn’s tactless remark, which dampens the mood.

“Idiot, that’s not it. Didn’t you notice?”

Glenn, hands behind his head, responds with a bitter expression.

“This academy… surrounded by deep forests, lakes, mountains… without a train, escape is pretty much impossible. It’s a completely isolated island on land.”

“!”

Sistine lets out a small gasp.

“…A boarding school for refined young ladies built in the middle of nowhere. A sterile, greenhouse world that pathologically excludes the impurities of the outside. …This is just a birdcage. All this stylishness feels like nothing but pandering to the little birds inside.”

Sistine recalls the scene on the train yesterday.

The train from the imperial capital to St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy was packed with students.

In other words… that many students had left the academy. They all wanted to get out, even for a short break.

“The White Lilies, the Black Lilies… In a supposedly cheerful, flowery girls’ school, why are there people like that…? I was wondering, but now it’s starting to make sense…”

“…”

Unsure how to respond, Sistine falls silent.

As the group walks along the elegant street lined with evenly spaced trees…

Before long, the magnificent, ornate main building of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy, resembling a noble’s country manor, comes into view.

 

Arriving at the academy’s main building, Glenn and the others are promptly ushered to the headmaster’s office.

“Welcome, thank you for coming all this way to our school.”

Greeting them in the headmaster’s office is a kind-looking woman in her early forties—Marianne, the headmaster of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.

“The Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, renowned as a prestigious institution of magical learning… It is a great honor to welcome such outstanding students and distinguished instructors to our school on this occasion.”

Marianne smiles warmly, greeting them with evident delight.

“After all, our school is situated in such an isolated environment. We look forward to the fresh perspectives that students and instructors from elsewhere will bring to our academy.”

“Well, don’t get your hopes up too high… but more importantly…”

Glenn speaks, probing cautiously.

“Why did you offer Re=L a short-term study abroad program?”

“Why… you ask?”

Marianne tilts her head, puzzled.

“Well… this time, our school decided to accept short-term exchange students from other magic academies through special invitations. Based on the preliminary investigation by our headquarters’ education support department, we heard that Re=L-san is an exceptional student suitable for our school… Is there a problem?”

“…”

Suspicious. Glenn’s silent expression speaks volumes.

Re=L’s abysmal academic record and frequent property damage should make it obvious she’s unfit for such a prestigious, elite girls’ school with even a cursory investigation.

(A clerical error? Falsified background checks? Or…)

Perhaps someone deliberately swapped the name of a more suitable candidate with Re=L’s at the last moment. Either way, the situation reeks of something fishy.

But Glenn has no means to confirm the truth right now.

His task this time is to keep an eye on Re=L and Rumia’s safety.

(Well… targeting Re=L instead of Rumia suggests this isn’t related to The Researchers of Heavenly Wisdom… maybe?)

As Glenn mulls this over vaguely…

“By the way… I’m terribly sorry, Renn-sensei.”

Marianne addresses Glenn.

“Regarding the class you’ll be teaching, which will also include Re=L-san and the other exchange students from Alzano Imperial Magic Academy…”

“Hm? Something up?”

Glenn frowns at Marianne’s hesitant tone.

“By the way… Renn-sensei, are you familiar with our school’s tradition of ‘factions’?”

“You mean the White Lily and Black Lily stuff? Nah, not really.”

Glenn tilts his head at the sudden shift in topic.

Marianne begins to explain, somewhat awkwardly.

“Originally, St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy was established to teach etiquette and culture befitting young ladies of the upper class before marriage.”

In the Alzano Empire, magic, swordsmanship, martial arts, horsemanship, and scholarship are considered the five essential disciplines for nobility. The classical tradition of imperial aristocracy demands that those who lead excel in both martial and intellectual pursuits.

“…Huh. So it’s different from Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, which focuses on foundational magical research and training mages, right?”

“Yes. This closed environment, strict regulations, rigid curriculum… and the fact that all our students come from the upper class… these unique conditions likely fostered the formation of ‘factions’ among the students.”

“…Oh?”

“Most students belong to special groups called ‘factions,’ distinct from class divisions or grade levels, as part of a long-standing tradition. Of course, these are not officially recognized organizations by the academy… but we, the administration, cannot ignore them.”

“…Makes sense. The students in these ‘factions’ are daughters of powerful nobles and wealthy merchants—upper-class elites.”

If they were to collectively say, “Please, Papa!” with unified intent…

Indeed, that would be quite troublesome.

“Yes. Originally, these ‘factions’ began as mutual support groups, where students comforted and encouraged each other in this stifling, closed environment… but now, the factions wield so much influence that they can even affect the academy’s administrative policies. For major factions, the academy administration often has to yield.”

“Whoa… Is this academy gonna be okay?”

“Currently, there are two particularly dominant factions. The first is the ‘White Lily Society,’ the oldest faction in the academy, which has traditionally emphasized order and discipline. The other is the ‘Black Lily Society,’ a rapidly growing faction that values freedom. These two factions are now in complete opposition, vying for control of the academy.”

“Sounds like this school’s got its own share of drama.”

Glenn looks utterly uninterested.

“Yes, it’s quite lamentable. On top of these faction issues, some of our female students have recently been dabbling in occult practices like Ouija board gatherings and séances, and there are rumors of secret ties to dubious new religious groups or mysterious magical organizations…”

“Uh, isn’t this academy’s closed-off nature hitting its limit? That sounds…”

Understatement: it’s bad. Glenn mutters, his cheek twitching.

“…Anyway, what’s the point of all this?”

“Well… given the context… Renn-sensei, the class you’ll be in charge of is, how shall I put it… somewhat problematic…”

 

“I see… so that’s how it is…”

…At the start of Glenn’s first class.

While calmly wielding the chalk at the blackboard, Glenn is inwardly clutching his head in despair.

 

St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy is organized into three grade levels and five classes: Flower, Moon, Snow, Star, and Sky. After the meeting with Marianne, Glenn and the others head to the second-year Moon Class, where Re=L and the others will be integrated, and Glenn will serve as the temporary homeroom teacher—

“Alright, my name’s Renn Gladars. Starting today, I’ll be your temporary instructor for a short while. Nice to meet ya!”

“Sistine Fibel. I’m from Alzano Imperial Magic Academy.”

“I’m Rumia Tingel. It’s only for a short time, but I look forward to getting along with everyone.”

“…Re=L Rayford.”

As Glenn and the others introduce themselves to the students…

“Uh… huh…?”

Silence.

Despite the arrival of new classmates and a new teacher—a moment that should typically spark some excitement—the Moon Class students’ reactions are cold and sluggish…

 

“…So, by inserting this incantation here, according to the psychological principles in question, the magical formula… here, this part is amplified, resulting in a physical force…”

And so, in the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Glenn’s first class begins.

Following St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy’s curriculum, Glenn writes incantations and magical formulas on the blackboard with chalk, meticulously explaining their syntax.

As always, his teaching is accessible to magical novices and deepens understanding for advanced students—a stellar lesson that keeps Glenn’s neck attached by a thread, as usual.

“…In other words… by adding a word with stronger meaning… as a prefix…”

But his chalk eventually stops, and Glenn trembles all over…

“Hey, you lot! Listen to me for a second—!”

He whips around to face the students.

The scene before Glenn is far worse than he imagined.

In the Moon Class, nearly forty female students are split roughly in half, gathered on the left and right sides of the room, forming two distinct groups around certain students.

“Ohohoho! Quite a fine flavor! Truly a treat befitting me!”

On the right side of the classroom: Francine’s group, the ‘White Lily Society.’

“Hell yeah, nice draw! I’m raising ten chips!”

On the left side: Colette’s group, the ‘Black Lily Society.’

Francine’s group has set up tea sets and three-tiered trays piled high with sweets, enjoying an elegant tea time with poetry books in hand, chatting merrily…

Meanwhile, Colette’s group is engrossed in heated gambling with cards and chessboards.

“Hold up, we’re in the middle of class! What are you all doing!? This isn’t just classroom chaos or a boycott—it’s beyond that! What is this!?”

“Ugh! ‘Black Lily Society,’ you’ve been too loud! And you too, Sensei!”

“Hah!? The noisy ones are you ‘White Lily Society’ snobs! Oh, and Sensei too!”

Treating Glenn like an afterthought, Francine and Colette start bickering…

“The noisy ones are ALL OF YOU—!”

Crash!

Glenn unleashes his signature Original Magic [Teacher’s Desk Table Flip].

But even such a dramatic act is ignored by Francine and Colette, who continue their arguments and petty squabbles.

“Alright, line up! Everyone’s getting a spanking—!”

Glenn, temple twitching, snaps his fingers and tries to intervene…

““““““““““Outsider, shut up!””””””””””

“Gaaaaaah—!”

A barrage of lightning, gusts, water blasts, air shocks, cold waves, and hot winds pummels Glenn, sending him tumbling back to his original spot.

He’s not just being ignored—he’s being utterly dismissed.

“A-Are you okay, Sensei!?”

“Haa… haa… ugh, damn it! Sure, they’re a bit pretentious and cynical, but I’m really starting to appreciate how diligent and teacher-friendly the students at Alzano Imperial Magic Academy are…”

Helped up by Rumia, a battered Glenn groans with half-lidded eyes.

“…Students not listening to the lesson… maybe now you understand how it feels when a teacher doesn’t take teaching seriously? A bit late for that, though.”

Sistine, propped on her elbow at the front-center desk, mutters with a deadpan stare.

“Ugh… I’m seriously sorry…”

Glenn, reflecting on himself, can only wince.

That said, even for Sistine, the epitome of the earnest honor student, this situation is infuriating. Her clenched fists tremble, ready to explode at any moment. If she weren’t an outsider as an exchange student, she’d have acted long ago.

Indeed.

The second-year Moon Class, which Glenn had temporarily taken charge of, was… Francine and Colette… the top members of both the White Lily Society and the Black Lily Society enrolled simultaneously, with members forming the core of both factions packed tightly together, making it the frontline of the conflict between the two groups.

“Tch… Oi, get me the person in charge… Who’s the idiot that came up with this class assignment…? No… maybe they just wanted to lump all the industrial waste together…?”

And at that moment.

“…Um, I’m… I’m terribly sorry, Renn-sensei… You went out of your way to come all this way from so far…”

Elsa, seated in a corner of the front row, spoke with her shoulders slumped dejectedly.

To think that even Elsa was a member of this class—what a shock.

Coincidences are terrifying things.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. No need for you to apologize.”

Glenn let out a deep sigh.

“But, Elsa… are you sure it’s okay for you to just casually attend my class? I know it’s weird for me to say this, but… don’t you have, like, obligations or something when it comes to stuff like this?”

Glenn glanced at the two groups of students split into factions.

“Ah, haha… Well… I’m not actually part of either faction…”

Elsa said, her voice tinged with a hint of loneliness.

“The truth is, as a mage, I’m kind of a failure…”

“Huh? Really?”

Surprised, Glenn looked at the notes on Elsa’s desk.

The key points of his lecture were neatly and meticulously summarized, exuding an air of earnest diligence.

Even at a conservative estimate, she gave off the vibe of a top-tier honor student…

“So, I feel like it’s kind of wrong for someone like me to try to fit in with everyone else…”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? What are you talking about…?”

Unable to help himself, Glenn was about to pry further when—

“People have their own circumstances. Poking your nose into things unnecessarily is tactless, Renn-sensei.”

The one who gently admonished him was Ginny, Francine’s maid.

The same Ginny who had given Glenn and the others advice on the train the other day was seated near Elsa in the front row, listening to Glenn’s lecture.

“…Well, you’ve got a point.”

Indeed, Glenn and Elsa had only just met recently.

Acknowledging the truth in Ginny’s words, Glenn quickly dropped his probing into Elsa’s situation.

“By the way, Ginny-san… can’t something be done about this?”

Glenn turned his attention back to the chaotic state of the class.

The commotion seemed to have died down, but the utterly deplorable state of classroom collapse remained unchanged.

“Impossible. If they listened to me, the previous teacher wouldn’t have ended up like that… sob sob sob.” (monotone)

In a completely flat, detached tone—100% acting—Ginny covered her face with both hands.

“Oi, oi… From what I can tell, the delinquent-looking Black Lily bunch aside, isn’t the White Lily Society supposed to be the faction that values order within the academy…?”

“Oh, they do value it. After all, the White Lily Society has traditionally designated this time as their ‘Morning Tea’ time. Anyone in the White Lily Society who doesn’t follow that is considered an ‘evil’ disruptor of order.”

“What the heck is that!?”

“To begin with, the students in the White Lily Society barely attend the academy’s classes. They hold their own ‘elegant’ (chuckle) study sessions in cafes, libraries, or courtyards, surrounding themselves with the ‘excellent’ private tutors they’ve personally invited.”

“Wait—hold up!? How do they handle things like earning credits!?”

“The White Lily Society has gotten the academy to recognize their study sessions as credit-worthy, so they pretty much do whatever they want. And their study session schedules are incredibly strict about time and rules, which is apparently their idea of ‘order’ (chuckle).”

“Ugh, that’s the worst kind of order. They’re worse than your average delinquent…”

Glenn was so dumbfounded he couldn’t even muster a sigh.

“Man, this academy is full of weirdos… But, like Elsa, you’re actually attending my class, huh, Ginny? Aren’t you technically a member of the White Lily Society?”

“Well, I mean, it’d be a waste not to.”

Ginny replied in her usual monotone, making it hard to tell if she was serious or not.

“Aside from Elsa-san and me, no one else in our class is even listening… But your lectures, Renn-sensei, are on an incredible level. Honestly, they’re on a whole different plane compared to the tutors those idiot ojou-samas surround themselves with. It’d be a loss not to listen.”

“Really, it’s true! I was shocked myself!”

Elsa, excited, nodded in agreement to Ginny’s detached commentary.

“Do the students at Alzano Imperial Magic Academy always get to attend such amazing lectures? I’m kind of jealous.”

“Haha… really?”

Sistine couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride, as if she herself had been praised.

“Yeah, I agree. Our school basically treats magic as something for aristocratic refinement, so having someone like you, Sensei, who meticulously breaks down the fundamentals…”

Ginny, who usually seemed disinterested in everything, was unusually talkative for once… when suddenly—

“Ginny! What are you doing!? Hurry up and bring more tea!”

Francine’s shrill voice rang out from the right side of the classroom…

Tch… Ginny blatantly clicked her tongue but…

“Right away, my lady!”

Instantly switched to loyal dog mode and stood up.

“Man… how do you put up with someone like her…?”

“…Well, even someone like her is like a sister I’ve shared joys and sorrows with since childhood. I don’t exactly hate her. She’s just… well, occasionally—no, constantly—annoying.”

Her expressionless face twisted ever so slightly into a wry smile.

“As for that lot, just accept that you were unlucky to be assigned to this class and give up. They’re not bad people at heart, so if you leave them alone, they won’t cause any harm. I recommend just going with the flow.”

Leaving behind that less-than-helpful advice, Ginny walked off.

“Still, I’ve gotta do something about this situation…”

The biggest issue at hand was none other than Re=L.

For Re=L to avoid failing and being expelled from Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, it was essential that she attend classes at this study-abroad destination and earn a certain number of credits.

But at this rate, the class itself wouldn’t even function. Tests wouldn’t happen, and even attendance signatures wouldn’t be collected. If the class couldn’t function, naturally, no credits could be earned.

Unless something was done about the sorry state of this class, Re=L’s failure and expulsion were all but inevitable.

“…What are you going to do?”

Sistine asked Glenn anxiously.

Glenn, covering his mouth with his hand, thought quietly for a moment…

“I’ve got a great idea!”

“Oh, there’s the instant failure flag.”

Sistine sighed as Glenn smirked with smug confidence.

“Hah, what’re you talking about? What I’m about to try is a problem-solving method straight from Celica herself!”

“Huh? From Professor Arfonia?”

Celica Arfonia. A seventh-tier mage often called inhuman, once the most powerful operative of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex, Number 21《The World》. Widely acknowledged as the strongest mage on the continent—in other words, a sage of the highest caliber.

“So… does that mean there’s actually some hope…?”

“You bet! Leave it to me, the one and only disciple of the great Celica!”

Today’s Glenn, puffing out his chest proudly, looked remarkably dependable.

“Heh… Feast your eyes! The great wisdom Celica honed over four hundred years… the magical move that crushes all obstacles… is…”

“…Gulp… What is it…?”

Glenn, with a radiant smile like the sun, paused dramatically for a few seconds…

And then… Snap!

“Brute force, babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy—!”

Suddenly, Glenn lost it and charged toward the chattering female students.

“Get outta my waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy—!”

CRASHHHHHH!

With a cannonball-like horizontal flying kick from his full-speed sprint, he spectacularly sent Francine’s tea set and three-tiered tray of pastries flying—

“Aaaaaatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatata—!”

Whoosh! Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—!

Next, he dashed at blinding speed, snatching magazines, playing cards, and other recreational items from Colette and her group, his afterimages practically dancing as he collected them—

“—Hooowwww-yaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!”

In one fluid motion, he hurled them all out the window.

A parade of ‘items unsuitable for class’ soared through the air in graceful arcs…

“Phew~ Feels gooood~!”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Glenn wore a satisfied smile, as if he’d accomplished something grand.

“!?!?!?!?!?”

“…Incredible. He actually did it…”

Elsa’s eyes went wide, while Ginny muttered in stunned disbelief…

“““…”“”

As expected, every student in the classroom was left speechless by the situation…

“Quiet during class, okay? ☆”

Glenn returned to the podium, flashing a grin at the students and giving a thumbs-up.

“…Well, I saw it coming. It is Professor Arfonia’s method, after all.”

“Haha…”

Sistine buried her head in her hands, while Rumia could only offer a wry smile.

“Y-You!? What in the world do you think you’re doing!?”

“Oi, you. Teacher or not, how you plannin’ to make up for this, huh?”

As expected, Francine and Colette, shoulders trembling with rage, stormed toward Glenn with their menacing entourages in tow…

“So, if we break down and organize this syntax, the fluctuations in the basic attribute values of the spell…”

Glenn completely ignored them and resumed his lesson.

“Listen to meeeeeee—!”

“Listen when we’re talkin’ to youuuuu—!”

As it turned out, when it came to riling people up, Glenn was leagues ahead of these sheltered ojou-samas (not exactly something to be proud of, though).

“Honestly… I don’t know if you’re some temporary teacher from Alzano Imperial Magic Academy or what, but it seems you’re in need of some education!”

“Oi, teach. Wanna know who really runs this academy? Outsiders like you shouldn’t get too cocky, got it?”

Being naive ojou-samas, Francine and Colette had no resistance to being provoked.

Colette grabbed Glenn roughly by the collar with a studded glove, while Francine pressed the tip of her drawn rapier against his neck.

The classroom was instantly gripped by a tense, explosive atmosphere—

—And someone reacted keenly to the charged mood.

(…What? These people… Are they Glenn’s enemies?)

It was Re=L, who had been sitting listlessly, looking half-asleep until now.

(…If so, I won’t forgive them. I’ll cut them down. Glenn’s enemies are my enemies.)

Left unchecked, Re=L was like a chariot with its reins cut loose, ready to rampage.

True to her exceedingly simple principles…

“…《To all creation I beseech・Upon my arm・A blade of unyielding resolve》…”

She softly muttered her signature high-speed weapon-forging spell.

Using alchemy’s [Material Transmutation] and [Elemental Reconfiguration], she could instantly forge ultra-high-quality weapons. This technique, which allowed her to procure and wield appropriate weapons in any situation, was an assassination spell known as [Hidden Claw], favored by a certain organization’s assassins.

Re=L activated it as naturally as breathing.

Particles of light gathered from the void, forming her usual greatsword in her right hand…

(For now, I’ll beat up all these weird people bullying Glenn.)

Sistine and Rumia were too focused on Glenn’s actions to notice Re=L’s brewing outburst.

Without her usual restraints, Re=L was an arrow ready to fly.

A horrific incident of violence caused by an exchange student on her first day, leading to Re=L’s deportation—what could have been a spectacular disaster was about to unfold when—

“Re=L… What’s wrong?”

“Ah.”

Elsa stood in front of Re=L, who had just taken a step forward.

“You look kind of scary… Are you okay?”

Re=L, caught off guard by Elsa’s concerned tilt of the head, canceled her high-speed weapon forging. The half-formed greatsword dissolved into particles of light.

“…I was a little mad. Everyone’s bullying Glenn.”

“I see… You really care about Renn-sensei, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I like him. So I’ll protect Glenn. I’ll take down everyone bullying him. So… move, Elsa.”

“I understand… But, Re=L, why not trust Renn-sensei a bit more?”

“!”

“I’ve only known her for a short time, but somehow, I can tell she’s an amazing person. I bet she’s got some kind of plan, don’t you think…?”

“…”

Re=L fell silent at Elsa’s words.

“If you cause trouble now, you’ll probably get kicked out of the academy. That would make Renn-sensei sad, and besides…”

Elsa looked straight at Re=L, smiling as she spoke.

“…I was so happy to meet you and be in the same class. I thought we could become good friends… I wouldn’t want that to end…”

Re=L stared at Elsa, as if she were some rare creature, her expression unreadable…

“…Okay. I’ll do what you say, Elsa. I’ll trust Glenn.”

Hesitantly, she settled back into her seat.

Elsa beamed at her in response.

Unbeknownst to this quiet crisis that nearly led to Re=L’s expulsion on her first day—

“Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, huh? Just a bunch of weak, nerdy guys huddling together in some backwater school, right? No way we’ve got anything to learn from an instructor from a place like that!”

“I concur. We are nobles, bound by the duty of noblesse oblige to protect the weak with true ‘power.’ And ‘magic’ is the strongest, most magnificent ‘power’ in this world… In other words, the exalted title of ‘mage’ is fitting only for nobles like us…”

Colette and Francine hurled mocking words at Glenn.

“Basically, the ‘magic’ they teach at Alzano Imperial Magic Academy is just tabletop playtime, right? It’s not practical. Utterly useless.”

“What we need is ‘power,’ and lessons refined to make us ‘powerful mages.’ I hope you understand and stay out of our way.”

Glenn remained silent, letting them say whatever they wanted.

“Honestly, Renn-sensei, what even are you? That masculine clothing and way of speaking… It’s proof enough that you’re unfit to be an instructor at this prestigious academy!”

“And that trio of bumpkins… Is that all Alzano whatever-it’s-called has to offer? They’ve got this gloomy, commoner vibe, totally uncool. Is that what happens when you do nothing but study in the sticks? Ugh, no thanks…”

Their entourages nodded in agreement, smirking and chuckling as they looked down on Glenn, Sistine, and the others from a distance.

“These people…! That’s enough—”

Unable to hold back any longer, Sistine stood up… when—

“Heh heh heh…”

Glenn flashed a fearless grin, lightly grabbing Colette’s hand on his collar with his left hand and pinching the blade of Francine’s rapier with his right…

In the next instant.

“H-Huh…?”

“Wha—!? Y-You… When did you…!?”

Colette’s grip on his collar was released, and Francine’s rapier was in Glenn’s hands.

Glenn tossed the rapier back to Francine, straightening his disheveled shirt as he spoke.

“I see, I see, ‘power,’ huh… Well, fine by me. I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you’re so desperate for ‘power,’ do whatever you want… Hahaha!”

“What’s so funny!?”

Francine, flustered as she caught the tossed rapier, bristled.

“Oh, nothing… It’s just funny how people so obsessed with ‘power’ will practice using a given gun to death but never think to study its tactics, its mechanics, or how to build a more powerful cannon themselves… You guys are so half-baked, it’s almost cute.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, but I know I’ve been insulted!”

“Oi, you… You’ve got some guts mouthing off in a situation like this… You pickin’ a fight? ’Cause I’ll take you on!”

A dangerous tension began to ripple through the White Lily and Black Lily students…

“Heh… Wanna test it?”

Glenn, unfazed, kept his bold, fearless grin and doubled down.

“You just mocked Alzano Imperial Magic Academy… Wanna see what the ‘useless lessons’ and ‘bumpkin students’ from there are really capable of?”

Glenn’s unexpected words made Sistine and Rumia catch their breath.

“The next class is ‘Magical Combat Training’… A one-on-one duel’s kinda boring, and a full-scale army battle’s out since we don’t have enough people for tactical units. So how about a three-on-three party battle between my students and you guys?”

A party battle. One of the combat formats for mages.

Unlike magical corps battles, where roles are clearly defined and standardized to stabilize large-scale military operations, party battles rely heavily on individual magical combat skills, teamwork, quick adaptability, and judgment.

“If, by some miracle, my students lose to you, I’ll leave this academy immediately. But if they win, you’ll have to do one thing I ask, no questions asked… How’s that?”

With a sly, almost mischievous expression, Glenn provoked them.

“What’s that? Scared you’ll lose? Guhehe!”

“W-Wait, Sensei!? What are you doing, deciding this on your own—”

Sistine tried to interject in a panic, but…

“Renn-sensei… You sure talk big. Fine! To back down after being challenged like this would disgrace my noble name. I accept!”

“Hah! Don’t regret this, you jerk!”

The situation had already spiraled beyond the point of no return…

“Ugh, seriously… Why does it always end up like this…?”

“Haha…”

Sistine let out a deep sigh, while Rumia gave a vague smile.

 

And then.

At the spacious athletic field within the grounds of St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy—a place carved out of the forest, leveled, and covered with soft grass—the entire Moon Class gathered.

“Alright, let’s get started with the ‘Magical Combat Training’ class!”

Amid the downright hostile glares from the female students, Glenn declared with brazen confidence.

“Ugh, I feel so out of place… Why did he have to go and pick a fight like that…?”

“But… thanks to that, everyone in the class is actually participating in his lesson, right?”

Sistine fidgeted uncomfortably, while Rumia chuckled softly.

“So, you’re saying he deliberately provoked everyone just for that? Hmm… I’m not so sure… I think it’s at least half his real personality… This is worrying…”

Sistine could only sigh again.

“Very well, Sensei. Let’s go over the rules.”

Francine, wearing a bold smirk, addressed Glenn.

“Three-on-three party battle. The format uses non-lethal spells for substitution. Mock swords and hand-to-hand combat are also permitted. A combatant is eliminated upon surrender, fainting, leaving the field, or receiving a lethal judgment… Is that acceptable?”

Substitution, or “sub,” was a common rule in student-level mock magical battles.

In this format, the damage from non-lethal offensive spells used by students is converted into the equivalent damage of similar lethal offensive spells for the purpose of determining a lethal judgment.

For example, under sub rules, the non-lethal spell [Shock Bolt] is treated as the lethal spell [Lightning Pierce] due to their similar effect ranges. If someone takes a direct hit from it without any magical defense, they’d receive a lethal judgment.

“Yeah, sounds good.”

The party battle rules were nothing out of the ordinary, so Glenn brushed them off casually, but…

“One more thing… For this match, even among non-lethal spells… I’d like to request that fire-based spells be prohibited.”

“No fire-based spells…?”

Glenn furrowed his brow suspiciously at the odd additional rule.

It was true that fire-based spells were among the most powerful of non-lethal spells. Despite being labeled “non-lethal,” a direct hit could cause minor burns. Of course, with healing spells, such injuries could be fully cured without leaving a trace, but…

(Well… these are high-class ladies, after all. They probably don’t want even temporary scars on their skin or their hair singed… Man, what a bunch of softies…)

Oblivious to Glenn’s inner thoughts, Francine declared haughtily.

“Though the format differs, this is, in a sense, a ‘duel’ between mages… Renn-sensei, I’ll have a vulgar, classless person like you expelled from this academy in no time!”

“Hah! If, by some miracle, you lot actually manage to win! Gyahahahaha!”

Glenn slapped his cheek and roared with laughter, doubling down on his taunting.

“…Seriously, so immature…”

Sistine sighed, watching Glenn’s antics with exasperation.

“I mean, with Re=L here, it’s obvious we’re gonna win, but still…”

Sistine stole a glance at Re=L’s profile as she stood there blankly.

Re=L Rayford, Number 7 《The Chariot》 of the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex.

In a student-level mock magical battle like this, she was an utterly unfair advantage.

“Still… I’m a bit fed up with their unstudent-like attitudes myself… If I think of this as a little punishment, maybe it’s just right…?”

That’s what Sistine told herself, but then.

“Oh, right, one more rule from our side. This’d be too one-sided otherwise, so I’ll give you a handicap… Oi, Re=L. No attacking the opponents, got it?”

““What!?””

Francine’s eyes widened at Glenn’s words, and Colette’s temple twitched.

Sistine, too, turned to Glenn in shock.

“Just stand there. With hand-to-hand combat allowed, if you got serious, it’d literally be a massacre. So don’t get serious, alright? Absolutely don’t, got it!?”

Re=L glanced at Francine’s group with disinterest, then nodded at Glenn’s words.

“Mm, got it. They seem weak, so I’ll go easy.”

“Tch!? This little brat… Lookin’ down on us, huh!?”

Colette, her pride clearly wounded by Re=L’s blunt, matter-of-fact tone, glared at her with a demonic expression, but…

“…?”

Re=L, unable to fathom why she was being glared at, merely tilted her head sleepily.

“W-Wait, Sensei!? Are you sure about this!?”

Sistine hurriedly rushed to Glenn’s side, rattled by the unexpected handicap.

She whispered urgently into his ear.

“S-Sure, if Re=L got serious, it wouldn’t even be a contest, but… that means Rumia and I are the only real fighters! If we go down, we lose… Isn’t that a bit too much!?”

Sistine’s eyes wavered with anxiety.

“If we lose… Re=L’s standing here will be…”

“…Huh? What’re you even talking about?”

Glenn scratched his head, looking at her with disbelief.

“Come on, there’s no way you guys would lose to their level at this point, right?”

“…Eh?”

 

And so, preparations for the three-on-three party battle were finally complete.

“We’ll be your first opponents.”

“Hello.”

“Tch… Why the hell do I gotta team up with these White Lily idiots?”

Francine, Ginny, and Colette stood about a dozen meters away from Sistine, Rumia, and Re=L.

“It can’t be helped. Renn-sensei personally chose this lineup. For now, that person is in charge of this class.”

“Hah… What’s your deal, Sensei? Tryin’ to mess with our teamwork to give your side a slight edge or somethin’?”

Colette, wearing studded gloves, clapped her hands together and shot a provocative grin at Glenn.

“If that’s your game, that’s pretty cheap. Hah… Is that the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy way?”

“Nah, nah, you got it all wrong.”

Glenn waved his hand dismissively, half-lidded eyes conveying his exasperation.

“From what I can tell, you three are the strongest in this class.”

“Oh? Not bad, you’ve got a good eye…”

“So, if we crush you three right off the bat, the rest will be a breeze, yeah?”

Twitch, twitch, twitch. Francine and Colette’s temples pulsed with veins at Glenn’s unreserved words…

“Oi, Francine… Let’s put faction grudges aside for now. First, we pound these country bumpkins and shut that teacher up…”

“…I concur.”

With Glenn’s signal to start the match, the opposing students scattered across the competition field, marked by white lines.

Sistine’s side formed a triangular formation with Re=L at the front (One-Top Tri).

Francine’s side formed an inverted triangular formation with Ginny and Colette at the front (Two-Top Nabla).

Both were standard formations for three-on-three party battles.

“Take the lead, Ginny!”

“Yes! Please provide support, ojou-sama!”

At Francine’s command, Ginny dashed forward with swift, light steps.

She leaped from her sprint, twisting midair into a forward roll before landing. Enhanced by White Magic [Physical Boost], her beast-like, fluid movements brought her face-to-face with Re=L.

Ginny raised two short daggers toward Re=L.

The distance between Ginny and Re=L was roughly a few steps.

“Wow! That Ginny girl must be really skilled at close-quarters combat!”

“Yeah, her movements are so clean…”

Sistine and Rumia, watching from the rear, couldn’t help but widen their eyes at Ginny’s impressive display of physical prowess.

“Fufu, too bad for you, Renn-sensei. Our academy’s philosophy emphasizes both academics and martial arts. We’re not just frail bookworms glued to desks like at your school.”

“So, Re=L, was it? Wonder what that blue scarecrow’s gonna do?”

Francine and Colette sneered mockingly.

Meanwhile, in the sidelines…

“Kyaa! Francine-saan!”

“Ginny! Crush those country bumpkins!”

The entourage of students cheered wildly, squealing with excitement…

“Re=L…”

Elsa clasped her hands at her chest, gazing at Re=L with concern.

“Sorry for all this, Re=L-san.”

Ginny, now facing Re=L, spoke calmly.

“I’m not exactly thrilled about this… but it’s my dumb ojou’s orders, so I won’t hold back.”

“Mm. Okay.”

While Ginny crouched low, poised with no openings, Re=L stood unarmed, completely still.

“You see, I come from a village in the East that passes down the techniques of ‘Shinobi’…”

Ginny stepped lightly, sizing up Re=L, who stood defenselessly, looking half-asleep, searching for an opening…

“Though I’m still young within my clan, I pride myself on being quite skilled…”

To the untrained eye, Re=L seemed full of openings—more like nothing but openings…

“…Oh. No way.”

But as a skilled fighter, Ginny instantly sensed the insurmountable gap in ability just by facing her. A faint sheen of cold sweat formed on her forehead as she groaned, her half-lidded eyes trembling.

“Um… Re=L-san… Just who are you?”

“Mm. Re=L.”

“N-No, that’s not what I mean…”

She was standing before an absolute monster.

That realization shook even the stoic Ginny, her expression betraying rare agitation as she hesitated…

“What are you doing, Ginny!? Hurry up and attack!”

Francine’s shrill voice rang out from the rear, and Ginny could only sigh.

“…I see. Renn-sensei told you not to get serious, but… I’m actually grateful for that. Well then… shall we spar a little?”

“Mm. I don’t have much chest, though.”

In the next instant.

Whoosh! With blurring speed and motion, Ginny lunged forward in an ultra-low stance, gliding toward Re=L.

She feinted a sweeping slash at Re=L’s legs, only to vanish like mist.

“Haaaaa—!”

In that split second, Ginny reappeared upside-down in the air above Re=L.

A lightning-fast ambush, descending like a thunderbolt after a high leap.

Everyone present gasped at her exceptional physical ability and technique, far beyond what a student should possess.

But the twin daggers Ginny whipped out, flashing silver in a cross-slash—

“Mm.”

—didn’t even graze Re=L, who swayed her body lazily without so much as glancing.

“Tch—!”

Missing her attack, Ginny twisted midair, spinning to land. Using her left hand as a pivot, she unleashed a whirlwind-like low spinning kick—

—but Re=L had already stepped back just out of reach, standing daintily.

Using the momentum of her missed kick, Ginny sprang back, quickly repositioning and raising her daggers again.

Ginny’s series of movements flowed seamlessly, a display of extraordinary skill for a student, but…

“…Hah, I’ve never been so grateful that your attacks are sealed…”

Ginny’s stoic face twisted with bitterness and frustration.

“Re=L-san… Judging by your footwork and weight shifts, you’re a swordsman by trade, aren’t you? If I may ask… in a real fight just now, how many times could you have taken my head?”

“Mm… Not sure. Maybe three times?”

Re=L answered with complete disinterest, and Ginny gave a wry smile.

“Yikes. I was hoping to at least make you get a little serious… Hah!”

And with that, Ginny launched another assault on Re=L—

 

“Ginny! What are you playing at!?”

Francine screamed hysterically, not bothering to hide her irritation.

Ginny was relentlessly attacking Re=L with a flurry of expertly chained strikes.

Diagonal slashes, reverse slashes, left sweeps, right sweeps, spinning into a backhand strike—

Her movements were like a raging whirlwind.

But Re=L dodged every ferocious attack with casual, almost lazy sways. While Ginny’s position shifted dizzyingly, Re=L barely moved from her starting spot.

“…N-No way…”

“Ginny’s close-quarters combat skills are supposed to rival even Colette-neesan’s…”

The female students in the sidelines were stunned by this unexpected turn of events…

“Amazing…”

Elsa, too, stared at Re=L with wide eyes.

“Tch… That little brat!”

Francine gripped the hilt of the rapier at her waist, growling in frustration.

Ginny was supposed to dive deep into the enemy lines to disrupt them, allowing Francine to finish them off with magic from afar… That was Francine’s planned path to victory, but Re=L was completely throwing her off.

“Man, has Ginny’s skill dropped or what?”

Colette muttered in disbelief, clapping her studded gloves together.

“That blue one… Re=L, right? No matter how you look at it, her movements aren’t amateur.”

“Tch… S-She’s probably just toying with her because she’s an amateur!”

“Yeah, that’s the likely story… But since when did Ginny have such bad taste?”

Colette sighed, glancing past Re=L and Ginny’s skirmish to the other side.

Her sharp eyes locked onto Sistine and Rumia, standing close together in defensive stances.

“Whatever. That shrimp’s already out of the fight with Sensei’s weird restriction play. If we take down those two in the back, it’s no problem.”

“W-Well… Yes, you’re right. Hmph, let’s start with a little greeting, then…”

Regaining her composure, Francine aimed her left hand at Sistine and the others in the distance.

With a smug air, she chanted the spell for Black Magic [Shock Bolt] in a single verse.

“《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》—!”

A spark of electricity gathered at Francine’s fingertips, ready to shoot forth like an arrow…

But at that very moment.

“《Dissipate》!”

Paan! A sharp Black Magic [Tri-Banish] shot out first, canceling Francine’s spell.

The countered spell dissolved into particles of mana, vanishing into thin air.

Looking over, Sistine stood with her left hand raised, fingers poised, staring Francine down.

“…Heh, not bad! That was a pretty fast counter-spell! But how about this!?”

Momentarily caught off guard by Sistine’s brilliant counter, Francine quickly recovered and began chanting again.

“《O thunder spirit》—!”

Her spell was cast even faster than before.

But—

“《Dissipate》!”

Paan! Sistine’s counter-spell nullified it once again.

“Hmph—how cheeky! 《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》—!”

Visibly rattled, Francine darted to the side while chanting.

Sistine reacted, aiming her left hand at Francine, but—

Francine’s spell didn’t activate.

“!”

Sistine, who had been tracking Francine’s movements and chanting, froze for a split second.

(A feint. If I delay the spell’s activation, you can’t counter it, can you?)

Smirking to herself, Francine shouted her real spell—

“《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》—!”

“《Dissipate》!”

Paan! Completely unfazed by the feint, Sistine calmly canceled the spell.

“W-What—She read my feint!?”

Francine froze in utter shock, her composure shattered.

“Tch, so annoying! 《O great wind》—!”

Seizing the moment, Colette chanted Black Magic [Gale Blow].

The three elemental energies—fire, ice, and lightning—are generated by manipulating electrified particles (etrons) in matter. [Tri-Banish] counters them by returning those particles to a zero-base state.

Thus, [Tri-Banish] cannot counter wind-based magic, which operates on different principles.

(All she’s been doing is spamming counters like an idiot, but let’s see how she handles this—!)

“《O wall of air》!”

But as if she’d anticipated it, Sistine activated Black Magic [Air Screen].

“—She countered this too!?”

The sturdy air barrier enveloping Sistine deflected the gust of wind—

“How clever—《Return to nothingness, O power》!”

Francine swiftly chanted the counter-spell Black Magic [Dispel Force], which nullifies ongoing spell effects like enchantments, barriers, or wards in the area.

The wave of mana cancellation obliterated the air barrier surrounding Sistine—

“Now’s the time! 《O white storm of winter》—!”

“Take this! 《O white storm of winter》—!”

Francine and Colette simultaneously unleashed Black Magic [White Out].

This time, they aimed to engulf not only Sistine but also Rumia.

(No matter how skilled they are at counter-spells—)

(They can’t block or cancel two at once, can they!?)

The radial wave of chilling frost, capable of incapacitating opponents, mercilessly assaulted Rumia and Sistine.

Under substitute rules, [White Out] equates to [Ice Blizzard].

(A lethal judgment is inevitable! This’ll take down at least one of them—!)

But.

“《O radiant barrier of protection》!”

As if she’d anticipated it, Sistine activated Black Magic [Force Shield].

A mana barrier adorned with hexagonal light patterns unfurled widely before them, shielding both.

Black Magic [Air Screen] and Black Magic [Force Shield].

Though similar to defensive counter-spells, their properties differ. Unlike [Air Screen], a target-designated spell, [Force Shield] is a coordinate-designated spell, requiring the caster to specify its location, range, and shape manually.

To deploy such a complex [Force Shield] swiftly, broadly, and efficiently to block two [White Out] spells implies—

“…They read our next move again…?”

“W-What are those two…?”

Everything they tried was consistently outmaneuvered.

Something was off. Francine and Colette’s cheeks began to twitch…

 

“Uh, what’s the deal…?”

Meanwhile, Sistine tilted her head awkwardly.

“How do I put it… Those two are incredibly predictable…”

“Really?”

Rumia tilted her head slightly in response to Sistine’s murmur.

“Yeah… Sure, their spell-casting speed is impressive, but… the moment they want to cast a spell, their timing, their feints, their next move… It’s all so obvious. Could they be doing it on purpose to make us lower our guard?”

“Wow, Sistie, that’s amazing! I don’t notice any of that at all…”

“You’re not studying magic for fighting to begin with… 《Dissipate》!”

Paan! Sistine casually canceled another incoming spell while chatting with Rumia.

(…Come to think of it, Sensei said something, didn’t he? That fistfighting and magical combat share the same roots.)

Sistine’s early morning training with Glenn was still ongoing.

Since then, she’d learned some military magic and continued her fistfighting drills.

At first, she was utterly overwhelmed, but lately, she rarely got taken down instantly. Occasionally, she even landed attacks that made Glenn mutter, “That was close.”

(Have I started to understand a bit? The sense of reading the flow of offense and defense in battle…)

 

“…That’s not all.”

Observing the magical duel from a distance, Glenn smirked, sensing Sistine’s thoughts.

“Close-combat training alone wouldn’t get you that far. Those ojou-sama types have had their share of swordsmanship and fistfighting in their elite noble education… But…”

Glenn glanced at Sistine, exchanging spells with ease.

“Who were the opponents you faced, with trembling knees and teary eyes, fighting desperately for your life? Who were the comrades fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with you? Hah… Greenhouse-raised ojou-samas don’t stand a chance against you now.”

Glenn grinned.

“You’re still a shaky little chick, too unreliable to watch my back in a pinch.”

Yet, muttering to no one in particular, Glenn seemed oddly pleased and proud.

 

“Damn it!? What’s with that girl!?”

In the midst of the spell exchange, Colette couldn’t help but curse.

Every spell they cast was read, canceled, or blocked by Sistine…

Bzzzt! Worse, they even took counterattacks.

Sistine’s violet lightning struck Colette’s left hand directly.

“Hot…!? Grr, damn it!? I’m not done! I’ve got [Tri-Resist] on! I’m not dead yet!?”

“But if that was [Lightning Pierce], your spell-casting left hand would be toast. In real combat, you’d be as good as dead! Well, I’ll let it slide!”

Glenn’s taunting words made veins bulge on Colette’s temple.

And as the spell exchange grew even more intense—

“Rumia!”

“Got it, Sistie! 《Cry out to the void・…》”

Following Sistine’s command, Rumia calmly began chanting a three-verse spell with wide openings—

“Tch, now it’s her, huh? Annoying! 《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》, 《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》—!”

“I won’t let you! 《O great wind》—!”

Aiming to disrupt Rumia’s chanting, a barrage of quick one-verse spells came rushing in.

Flashes of lightning and roaring gusts surged toward Rumia.

(Go on, cancel that cheeky chant and scramble away pathetically! Then—)

(We’ll counter in that opening—)

But—

“《…・Echoing resonance・…》”

Despite spells closing in, Rumia neither fled nor panicked, staring them down and continuing her chant calmly—

“What…!?”

“She’s not dodging!? Is she an idiot…!? But, this is our win…”

Just as the spells were about to hit Rumia—

“—《O radiant barrier of protection》!”

Shing! A glowing mana barrier unfurled before Rumia.

Sistine’s defensive spell covered her.

At the last second, the spells targeting Rumia were blocked by the mana barrier…

“《…・The roar of the wind spirit》!”

Amid spells exploding against the light barrier inches away, Rumia’s chant completed without a hitch.

Black Magic [Stun Ball] activated.

A compressed air projectile arced toward Francine and Colette—

“Kyaaaah—!?”

“Uwaaah—!?”

With no time to stabilize their disrupted mana biorhythms after chanting, Francine and Colette scattered frantically to evade the [Stun Ball].

Zuun! The intense sound, vibration, and shockwave of the explosion.

Though they avoided a direct hit, the aftershock rattled their bodies.

“Substitute rules, [Stun Ball] is [Blaze Burst]… Hmm… I’ll call it barely surviving. In real combat, you’d be on death’s door.”

Francine and Colette had no room to register Glenn’s sarcasm.

“Damn… Seriously…!?”

No matter what they tried, no matter how clever, it failed. Backfired.

In this utterly cornered situation, both Colette and Francine grew increasingly frustrated.

“That Sistine person is bad enough, but what’s with that Rumia girl!?”

From appearances, Rumia didn’t seem particularly adept at spell-casting. Compared to Sistine, she was far easier prey… individually, that is.

But in reality?

“With spells bearing down on her, how can she chant without a shred of hesitation!?”

“What kind of mental structure does that girl have…?”

Rumia possessed an absolute, unerring stability, chanting spells with perfect precision to the end. As a result, attempts to check her were utterly ineffective.

Worse, those checks became openings for Francine and Colette.

And Sistine’s support for Rumia was always flawless. They trusted each other completely, as if they could read each other’s thoughts, their coordination seamless.

“Rumia! Next, sync with my third spell for [Flash Light]! Then, immediately start chanting [Stun Ball]! Don’t hesitate, just cast it! Trust me!”

“Got it, Sistie!”

“Here we go! 《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》—《Second shot follows》—《Third shot further》!”

“《O dazzling sunlight》! …Haa… 《Cry out to the void・…》”

True, Rumia wasn’t a standout combatant on her own… but as an external spell-casting device for Sistine, who read the battlefield perfectly, she wielded terrifying power.

“Tch… They’re coming again!?”

“Damn, what’s with that Rumia girl! She’s supposed to be a weakling…!?”

 

“Hah… Magic, at its core, is a technique that reflects the state of one’s heart into reality.”

Watching Francine and Colette flounder, Glenn shrugged wearily.

“To perform flawlessly in a life-or-death mental extreme, that’s how incredible it is… A rare talent? Well, those who don’t get it will never get it.”

As Sistine and Rumia overwhelmed Francine and Colette, the female students watching were stunned. Glenn, as ever, smirked to himself.

 

Ginny, moving with beast-like agility, lunged at Re=L.

“Haaa—!”

A sharp sprint, a light leap leaving afterimages, and a twist of her torso.

Four ultra-fast strikes with her dual daggers, spun with horizontal momentum.

—And hidden within them, an irregular slash.

The five silver flashes—four strikes plus one—echoed in space, fragmenting Re=L’s vision—

“Nn.”

Without a hint of danger, Re=L stepped forward, slipping through the fragmented spaces carved by the silver flashes.

“…Even that doesn’t work? It’s supposed to be a first-sight killer technique.”

Ginny quickly regained her stance, retreated, and readied herself again.

“Just for the record, please tell me. My technique just now… Why did you dodge it?”

“…Instinct.”

How do you deal with someone this outrageous?

Ginny felt an oddly refreshing sense of resignation.

“Tch… I’ll make my technique reach you somehow…!”

 

“Rah!《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》! Ginny! How long are you going to play around!? Hurry up and beat that girl so you can back us up—!”

Amid the ongoing spell exchange, Francine shouted desperately at Ginny, who was relentlessly attacking Re=L.

“《O wall of air》—! No, that blue girl, Re=L… She’s a serious fighter… Tch! Her amateurish movements threw me off…”

Re=L had a handicap. Colette regretted assuming Ginny alone could handle her and not teaming up from the start to crush Re=L together.

“W-What do we do!?”

“Tch, no choice—!”

Frustrated, Colette donned studded gloves, clenched her fists, and suddenly charged at Re=L.

“I’ll take down the kid fighting Ginny with a quick flank!”

Enhanced by White Magic [Physical Boost], her movements were wild and beast-like—but her sprint was ferocious. Her instantaneous speed might even surpass Ginny’s.

“Fast!? Tch… 《O violet lightning of the thunder spirit》! 《Zwei》! 《Drei》!”

Sistine reacted instantly, triple-casting [Shock Bolt], but—

“Hah! Your aim’s gotten sloppy now, huh!?”

Colette veered right, then right again, dodging the incoming lightning bolts with sheer speed—then pivoted.

Closing in on Re=L, who seemed fully occupied with Ginny—

“《O white ice spirit・dance upon my palm》—”

As Colette chanted briefly, her right fist gleamed with swirling frost.

Apparently, Colette could mimic martial magic arts.

With her frost-clad fist cutting through the air, she struck sharply at Re=L’s defenseless back—

“Dieeee—!”

—And with that, the battle’s outcome was sealed.

 

“Uh, when it goes this according to plan, I almost feel bad…”

“What do we do, Sistie?”

“Well, whatever. Losing would be a hassle… Go for it?”

 

Bam!

“Uwooo—!?”

An explosion erupted at Colette’s feet. The shockwave of air blasted her skyward.

The spell that struck Colette from below was Black Magic [Stun Floor].

A trap-like spell using sonic shock and air vibration to subdue rioters—set up covertly by Rumia on Sistine’s orders.

Its activation wasn’t the automatic ‘conditional trigger’ tied to stepping on an enchanted spot, since Re=L was nearby, but Rumia’s ‘manual trigger.’

Lured by Sistine’s triple [Shock Bolt] to the spot where [Stun Floor] was set, Colette fell right into the trap—

“—Guh!?”

She slammed into the ground and collapsed.

“Substitute rules, [Stun Floor] is equivalent to [Burn Floor]—a no-excuses lethal judgment.”

“C-Colette—!?”

Francine trembled in shock, shaken by Colette’s fallen form, her focus entirely diverted—and in that moment, she was done for.

“《O great wind》—!”

Don! Sistine’s [Gale Blow] struck Francine directly, with no magical defense to shield her.

“Wakyaaa—!”

Tossed about by the gust, Francine was blown away—

—And, crossing the field’s white line, she was ruled out-of-bounds.

 

“Still going?”

Re=L muttered to Ginny.

Both maintained cool expressions, but while Ginny was panting and drenched in sweat, Re=L was unfazed, not a bead of sweat or a breath out of place.

And in this three-against-one situation—Ginny had no chance, no matter how you sliced it.

“Tch…”

Still, Ginny silently crouched, ready to lunge at Re=L…

“Alright, that’s enough!”

Clap clap! Glenn signaled the match’s end.

“Sorry for dragging you into this, Ginny. But… that’s enough, right?”

Glenn glanced at Ginny, who, despite her blank expression, seemed vaguely dissatisfied…

“Well, yeah. I surrender. Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

Instantly, Ginny reverted to her usual self, flapping her hands and grumbling.

“No contest—our side wins!”

Glenn flashed a smug grin at Francine and Colette.

“Ugh… To think that I, of all people…”

“Damn… No way… This can’t… cough…”

Meanwhile, Francine and Colette lay sprawled on the ground, utterly defeated. Still reeling from spell damage, they couldn’t stand.

But more than that, the shock of defeat weighed heavily. The match wasn’t even close—utter domination, a complete rout.

And…

“No way… Francine-san… So easily…?”

“Colette-neesan… Not even a chance…?”

Murmur murmur… The female students, witnessing the earth-shattering result, exchanged looks of deep shock.

“Alright… Next.”

Glenn turned to the crowd of female students.

““““…Huh?””””

Their faces paled, expressions frozen.

“I said, next. Next match. The three of you who think you’re up for it, step forward. Or should I pick again? Hmm?”

Glenn loomed like a menacing demon.

Shake shake shake! The female students, teary-eyed, frantically shook their heads.

After all, the three strongest in the class had been effortlessly brushed aside. There was no way they could win.

“Tch, actin’ all high and mighty, but you’ve got pudding for brains, huh… Whatever. For now, you lot, go drag those two over there to me.”

“““Y-Yes, ma’am—!?”“”

And just like that, the entourage of ojou-samas easily folded under pressure.

Before Glenn, Francine and Colette, still barely able to move properly, were hauled forward.

The moment they brought the two over, the heartless entourage quickly distanced themselves…

“Now then… You two sure made a fine mess of things, didn’t ya…?”

Glenn cracked his knuckles, glaring down at Francine and Colette.

“H-Hii…!?”

“W-What’s that supposed to mean…!?”

Their confidence utterly shattered, the pitiful pair had completely lost their nerve.

And then, they recalled how they’d been treating Glenn up until now…

“W-Wait, Sensei! I was wrong! I swear I was wrong!”

“G-Ginny!? S-Save me!”

“Nah, I’m done. Super tired, y’know? You probably won’t die, though.”

“GINNYYY—!? Wait, what’s with your sudden character change!?”

“Ugh, keepin’ up the act is such a pain right now.”

“Act!?”

Ignoring their exchange, Glenn snapped his fingers, looming over Francine and Colette.

“Alright, then. Time for some education for you cocky brats who’ve been lookin’ down on everyone… You ready?”

“Hiiii!? No, please! Have mercy—!?”

“Hold on! I-If you lay a hand on me, my papa won’t stay quiet! I’m serious!”

“Too bad… I ain’t exactly part of this academy’s staff. Whatever influence your daddies have here? Doesn’t matter to me, and I’m dead serious.”

Faced with Glenn’s demonic expression, Francine and Colette clung to each other, trembling with teary eyes.

“Besides, we made a deal, didn’t we…? If we won, you’d do one thing I say, no questions asked… So, what should I have you do…? Heh heh heh…”

“““Awawawa…”“”

As Glenn took another step toward them, the two shrank back, their bodies shaking…

“Alright… First up, Francine.”

“Y-Yes—!? I’ll apologize! I’ll apologize, so please don’t hurt me!”

“…Every single emotion’s written all over your face and movements. That’s why nothing you do works.”

Glenn pointed at Francine and said as much.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! …Huh?”

Francine, who’d braced herself for a scolding, blinked in confusion.

“In a magic battle, when both sides are evenly matched in skill and strength, it all comes down to how calmly you can read your opponent’s moves… That’s what matters. A mage on the battlefield needs ice-cold judgment. If you’re like you, letting every unexpected move from your opponent shake you up and show on your face, you’ll never beat someone on your level or above, no matter how many times you try. Plus, it’s standard for a mage to have a hidden trump card to catch their opponent off guard!”

“H-Huh…?”

Francine blinked rapidly, caught off guard by the anticlimax.

“U-Um… I-Is that… all? You’re not angry about our attitude…?”

“Hah!? ’Course I’m angry, you dimwit!”

“Hiii!? I’m sorry!”

As Glenn roared, Francine clutched her head and shrank back.

“Yeah, I’m mad, but… I said it, didn’t I? You’d do one thing I ask. So, you’re gonna take my lessons. I’m teaching you lousy students what went wrong in that fight. Got it?”

“U-Ugh… Thank you… for your guidance…”

Leaving the deflated Francine, Glenn turned his attention to the stunned Colette.

“Next. Colette. You’re just plain too dumb. Total mage failure, you moron.”

“Ugh…”

“Rushing headlong into such an obvious trap? Sure, in that situation, anyone would think, ‘If I take out Re=L, it’s two against three…’ Even I’d think that. That’s exactly why it’s a bad move. If you want something that badly, your enemy’s gonna want to stop you just as much. And yet, you charged in like an idiot… Bet you’re terrible at chess, huh?”

“Wha!? How’d you know…!?”

Colette’s cheeks twitched in shock as Glenn sighed and continued.

“If you wanna turn a bad situation around, think about catching your opponent off guard first. Don’t just jump at the easy path. A mage doesn’t need raw power. It’s the wisdom to use that power effectively.”

Then, Glenn turned to Ginny, who was standing off to the side with a cool, detached expression.

“Ginny, you too. I feel bad for dragging you into this, but… your battlefield judgment was awful. Why didn’t you retreat the moment you couldn’t overpower Re=L? Based on the rules, you could’ve ignored her.”

“!? …W-Well…”

For a moment, Ginny faltered, then said coolly with a detached gaze.

“Renn-sensei. You probably wouldn’t understand, but… as someone who carries the techniques of the ‘Shinobi’ clan, I have my pride…”

“Don’t get it. If you can’t win, retreat. Toss your pride in the gutter and think of another way. What was your goal? It wasn’t just to beat Re=L, was it?”

Cut down so bluntly, Ginny was left speechless.

“As long as you’re enrolled in this academy, you’re a mage, at least in name. For a mage, not measuring up to your opponent’s strength isn’t shameful. What’s shameful is knowing you’re outmatched and doing nothing about it.”

“…Your wisdom is duly noted.”

Finally, Glenn scanned the silent girls of the Moon Class and spoke.

“You lot are fundamentally mistaken. Magic’s just a colorless force, and mages, in the end, are arrogant, sinful people who’d twist the very laws of the world for their desires or goals. That’s what makes them free, too… But chasing truth or pride is just one way of being a mage, and magic’s just one tool to achieve it.”

“…”

“In the end, magic’s just one card in a mage’s hand. Magic, swordsmanship, martial arts, wealth, or even political power—doesn’t matter what kind of strength it is. A true mage is a wise one who maximizes their hand, whatever cards they hold, to achieve their goals…”

Glenn looked around, shrugging in exasperation.

“You lot, with all your noble duties or whatever grand nonsense you spout, are no different from common thugs. Given a slightly stronger weapon called magic, you got cocky. That’s all you are—‘magic users,’ thugs with no trace of the ‘wisdom’ that makes a ‘magic user’ a ‘mage.’”

“…Ugh…”

“Worse, you see yourselves as special just because you wield magic, and you’ve lost sight of yourselves… You’re not ‘using’ magic; you’re being ‘used’ by it. Sure, our school’s got plenty of bookworm beanpoles, but… at least the ones I teach are proper ‘mages,’ unlike you lot.”

Francine and Colette, the charismatic and strongest among them, had been utterly defeated by Glenn’s students… Faced with that fact, the girls lost all confidence, slumping and looking down.

“…Now, you said it, didn’t you? That you had nothing to learn from me.”

Sensing the moment was right, Glenn smirked and continued.

“I’ll say it straight: I can make you into ‘mages.’”

The downcast students snapped their heads up, staring at Glenn.

“I’m only here for a short time, but even in that time, I can teach you what it means to be a ‘mage.’”

“S-Sensei…?”

“If you’re not interested, you don’t have to join my classes. But don’t get in my way. If you wanna have tea parties, pick fights, or play games, do it somewhere else, not in my classroom. I won’t stop you—do whatever. But…”

Glenn grinned and declared boldly.

“Anyone who’s even a little curious about what I have to say is welcome. I’ll show you what real magic is.”

At Glenn’s unnecessarily grandiose and dashing words, the girls’ eyes changed, and a murmur spread among them.

“W-What a person… To forgive us despite our insolent attitudes…?”

“She’s too much… All the teachers before either groveled to win us over, acted domineering to keep us in line, or just shrank away and ignored us… That’s all we’ve ever seen.”

“I’ve never met someone like her…”

The scornful glares from their first meeting were nowhere to be seen.

“““S-Sensei…”””

Now, the entire class gazed at Glenn with utter adoration.

“So easy… As expected of sheltered, naive ojou-samas…”

Only Ginny muttered in exasperation, her eyes half-lidded with disdain.

“Amazing… Sensei, you won over the whole class in no time!”

Rumia, watching the scene, beamed as if it were her own triumph.

“Could it be… Sensei planned this from the start…? If so…”

Sistine started to look at Glenn with admiration, but…

(Fuhaha! Break their spirits, spout some plausible nonsense, and boom—they’re eating out of my hand… Naive ojou-samas are just too easy!)

Glenn, meanwhile, wore a sleazy grin, chuckling to himself…

(Man, this makes tomorrow’s academy life look fun! A whole class of cute girls with high affection for me! Accidentally wandering into the changing room or shower… I can do whatever I want in this rosy academy life! Gyahaha!)

“No way… That’s definitely the face of someone thinking something awful.”

Sistine’s admiring gaze instantly cooled, turning into one you’d give to garbage in a dump.

And then.

“Um… S-Sensei…”

“…Sensei, yo…”

Francine and Colette, their eyes misty and fervent, looked straight at Glenn.

“Heh… What’s up? Do you… ahem, have business with me, ladies?”

Glenn seized the moment to exude a refreshing, ladylike aura.

“Um… We’re truly sorry for our rude behavior until now…”

“Sorry, Sensei… Please… forgive us…”

Fidgeting, faces flushed, they averted their gazes, pressing their index fingers together, mumbling softly.

“Education begins with forgiving and accepting a student’s immaturity… An educator’s anger must only stem from love for their students. Since you’ve already reflected and repented, I have no reason to be angry anymore.”

“Gross!?”

Sistine shot Glenn a withering look as he smiled in feminine speech, but…

“““S-Sensei… ♥”””

Francine, Colette, and the rest of the girls were completely smitten.

“Sensei… Please, we beg you, teach us…”

“Yeah, that’s right… Please guide us, we’re still so immature…”

Heh, very well, if that’s what you wish—

Just as Glenn was about to reply with satisfaction…

“In my faction—[White Lily Society]!”

“In my faction—[Black Lily Society]!”

Francine and Colette’s words clashed in a decisively incompatible way.

“…Hm?”

A bad feeling hit Glenn, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

“…Oh? Colette… What did you just say…?”

“Huh… Did I hear some weird line just now…? Francine, was that you…?”

Instantly, sparks flew as their eyes locked in a glare.

The girls split into two groups, staring each other down.

“Colette… I understand it’s hard for someone as ignorant as you to comprehend…”

Francine grabbed Glenn’s right arm firmly.

“Renn-sensei is meant to guide our faction. She’s the perfect mentor for refined, noble ladies like us…”

“H-Hey…?”

“Hah! Don’t spout nonsense, Francine.”

Colette seized Glenn’s left arm.

“Renn-sensei’s gonna be our leader, got it? We’d follow someone like her… No, we want to follow her!”

Tug, tug, tug, tug…

“Owowowow!?”

The two began pulling Glenn’s arms like a tug-of-war.

“Ngh…!?”

Sistine’s cheek twitched at the sight…

“Renn-sensei! You mustn’t associate with such a woman! Look only at us! Become our big sister!”

“Sensei! Ditch that idiot chick! Hang with us! Let’s swear a bond as sisters, yeah!?”

“You’re both way too intense all of a sudden!? Owowowow—!?”

And then—

“Everyone! Let’s back Francine-san!”

“We’ve gotta help Colette-neesan!”

The members of each faction surged forward, splitting left and right, lining up behind Francine and Colette like a human chain…

Tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug, tug—!

“You idiots—!? This ain’t funny! I’ll tear apart!?”

…A dangerous, absolutely-do-not-try-at-home tug-of-war competition commenced.

“H-Hey, 《You lot・get a grip・already》—!?”

An unusually irritated Sistine bellowed a spell at the top of her lungs—

“““Kyaaaaaaaaa—!?”“”

“Why me too!?”

A fiercer than usual gust of wind sent Glenn and the students flying in a heap—

And so, amidst the chaos, Glenn and the others had kicked up…

“…”

From a slight distance, Re=L watched alone quietly.

Glenn seemed to be suffering as usual, but unlike before, she didn’t suddenly conjure a greatsword to charge in. The bad feeling from earlier was gone now.

If anything—

“Good work in the match, Re=L.”

At that moment, Elsa approached, dutifully carrying a towel and a water jug.

“…It might not be necessary for you, but… here.”

Elsa draped the towel over Re=L’s head, poured water from the jug into a ceramic cup, and handed it to her.

“…Mm. Thanks.”

Re=L took the cup and began sipping it slowly, almost as if licking it.

“But wow, Re=L, you’re amazing! You were so strong!”

Elsa’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

“…Am I?”

“Yeah! I was watching the whole time! Ginny-san’s super-fast attacks? You dodged or blocked every single one! I was shocked!”

Re=L glanced at Elsa, who was beaming with innocent praise.

…Strangely, it didn’t feel bad.

“…”

Eventually, Re=L set the cup on the ground and began rubbing her face with the towel Elsa had placed on her head, as if wiping away her non-existent sweat.

…For some reason, it felt ticklish.