Prologue: Re=L’s Ordeal

It was—truly, a bolt from the blue.

~Urgent Notice~ Alzano Imperial Magic Academy, Educational Committee

The following decision has been made regarding the individual listed under item one, to be subject to the disposition outlined in item two. You are hereby notified.

Item One: Subject: Re=L Rayford

Item Two: Disposition: Expulsion due to academic failure (to be enforced at the conclusion of the current semester)

Item Three: Reason for Disposition: Failure to maintain the required academic standards, resulting in the forfeiture of enrollment eligibility

End

“W-W-W-What the heck’s goin’ on, Headmaster!?”

The moment Glenn spotted the notice on the bulletin board, he stormed into the headmaster’s office with ferocious momentum, leaning over the desk toward Headmaster Rick, practically climbing over it to confront him.

“Well, I figured it was about time you’d show up…”

Headmaster Rick greeted the flustered Glenn with a calm demeanor.

“Sure, this kid’s a legit idiot, alright!? Her grades are absolute garbage right now!”

Glenn grabbed Re=L by the back of her collar, hoisting her up and thrusting her in front of the headmaster.

“Mmph… The one calling me an idiot is the real idiot.”

Re=L’s expression was sleepy, as if she had no clue what was happening.

Expulsion due to academic failure. It was one of the penalties imposed on students with poor performance.

The magic academy, publicly operated by the imperial government to promote a policy of national strength and prosperity, fundamentally adhered to a strict meritocracy. Those with ability and drive were favored, but the incompetent or unmotivated faced harsh consequences.

Thus, for students with notably poor academic performance, the Educational Committee could issue an “expulsion due to academic failure,” forcibly revoking their enrollment and expelling them. However…

“The final exams that matter most for grades haven’t even happened yet! To skip all that—tutoring, make-up classes, retests, even holding her back a year—and go straight to expulsion? That’s just plain wrong!”

Indeed, as Glenn argued, expulsion was typically a last resort.

For Re=L to be expelled at this point was utterly unthinkable.

“Exactly! It’s gotta be some kinda mistake!”

“Please, Headmaster… Could you double-check, just to be sure?”

Sistine and Rumia, who had followed Glenn, desperately pleaded with the headmaster.

“Well, a mistake… That’d be the case under normal circumstances. But Re=L-chan’s situation is a bit… peculiar.”

The headmaster sighed, looking both sympathetic and weary.

Then, with a quick glance around the office, he confirmed that only Glenn, Re=L, Sistine, Rumia, and himself—those directly involved—were present.

“Re=L-chan was dispatched from the Imperial Court Mage Corps’ Special Missions Annex as a bodyguard for Princess Rumia-chan… Isn’t that right?”

As it happens, Headmaster Rick was one of the few privy to Rumia’s hidden circumstances.

“To that end, the Imperial Military… specifically, the General Staff Headquarters, forcibly enrolled Re=L-chan in this academy as a student. But you know, don’t you? This magic academy is a chaotic den of conflicting interests, power struggles, and turf wars among various imperial government agencies.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Just off the top of my head—Military Affairs, Magical Affairs, Administration, Education… The Academy Board, the highest decision-making body, is a mess of factions secretly backed by these groups, constantly vying for control over the academy, which is a goldmine of influence.”

Indeed, while the Alzano Empire appeared to be a solid nation under Her Majesty the Queen, it was far from monolithic. Without the absolute charisma of the royal family as a focal point for loyalty, the empire could easily crumble from within… It was a precarious nation harboring such dangers.

“No way…?”

“Exactly.”

The headmaster sighed again, responding to Glenn, who seemed to have realized something.

“When Re=L-chan was assigned to protect the princess at this academy, some folks didn’t take kindly to the Military Affairs’ heavy-handed interference. Most likely the Education and Magical Affairs Ministries… They temporarily joined forces to oust Re=L-chan, who’s tied to the Military, from the academy.”

“That’s… That’s awful…”

Rumia’s face contorted with sadness, and she covered her mouth with both hands.

“On top of that… Well, due to various factors, Re=L-chan is still mentally immature, which leads to behavior that can be mistaken for delinquency. Combine that with her consistently poor grades… It gave the anti-military faction the perfect excuse to attack.”

“Damn it… So that’s how it is…”

To think this happened under my watch—what a mess… Glenn could only grit his teeth in frustration.

“…Headmaster… Isn’t there something you can do?”

Glenn leaned forward, hands planted on the desk, his expression earnest as he pressed the headmaster.

Re=L, who had been blankly staring at the intense scene, finally began to vaguely realize she was caught up in something serious.

“…Hey, Rumia. Sistine. What’s this ‘Expulsion’? …Is it tasty?”

“Well… Um…”

Rumia and Sistine exchanged hesitant glances.

“…Listen calmly, okay, Re=L? Expulsion due to academic failure… It means you’re forced to leave the academy…”

“…Huh?”

At Rumia’s words, Re=L’s sleepy, blank expression visibly shifted to one of clear agitation.

“So… I won’t be able to stay with Glenn, Rumia, Sistine… or everyone in class anymore…? Why…? I don’t want that…”

For Re=L, whose emotions rarely fluctuated, to look on the verge of tears at that moment… It was unprecedented.

“…Please, Headmaster!”

Unable to stand by after seeing Re=L like that, Glenn bowed even deeper.

But the headmaster, facing Glenn’s desperate intensity… grinned slyly.

“You know, every time, I can’t help but think… You’ve got some serious luck, Glenn-kun.”

“Huh!?”

“As it happens… There’s an offer for a short-term study abroad program, specifically for Re=L-chan… from St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy.”

“St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy!?”

St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy. A private magic academy located in the Lilitalia lake district, northwest of the imperial capital, Orlando. It was an all-girls school, a prestigious boarding institution catering exclusively to the daughters of the upper class—an academy for refined young ladies.

“Why the heck would a place like that suddenly offer a short-term study abroad program…? No! Forget that for now! You’re sure Re=L got this offer, right!?”

The headmaster nodded firmly in response to Glenn’s question.

“Indeed. The anti-military faction’s sole point of attack against Re=L-chan is her poor academic performance and the resulting question of her eligibility to remain enrolled. In other words, if we can overturn that…”

“Exactly! Studying abroad at another school is a major achievement that significantly boosts overall academic evaluation! If Re=L can successfully complete the short-term program… No one will have any grounds to complain!”

Glenn’s face lit up as he turned to Re=L.

“Great news, Re=L! There’s hope yet! You’re gonna go study abroad at St. Lily Magic Girls’ Academy! Got it!?”

Re=L, looking utterly confused, blinked and said…

“…Hey, Rumia. Sistine. What’s this ‘Short-term Study Abroad’? …Is it tasty?”

“Well… Um…”

Rumia and Sistine exchanged hesitant glances again.

“…Listen calmly, okay, Re=L? A short-term study abroad program… In simple terms, it means temporarily attending another school…”

“…Huh?”

At Rumia’s words, Re=L’s sleepy, blank expression once again shifted to clear agitation.

“…Another… school…? Not this academy…?”

“Ah! But don’t worry, Re=L! It’s not like you’ll be gone forever! Probably… two or three weeks? You’ll definitely come back! As long as you study properly at the other school…”

Sistine hurriedly tried to reassure the visibly rattled Re=L, but…

“No way.”

The words that slipped from Re=L’s mouth were a firm rejection.

“…I don’t wanna… do this ‘Study Abroad’ thing.”

Re=L mumbled softly, her usual sleepy, blank expression unchanged… but a faint crease formed between her brows. For someone as stoic as her, it was clear she was deeply opposed.

“H-Hey, Re=L… Do you even get what’s going on!?”

Glenn scratched his head in exasperation, pressing Re=L.

“If things stay like this, you’ll be kicked out of the academy! You won’t be able to stay with Rumia and the others! You don’t want that, right?”

“Yeah. Don’t want that.”

“Then just suck it up and do the short-term study abroad!”

“…That’s… no good either…”

Re=L clenched her fists, trembling slightly, and looked down darkly.

“Hey, c’mon, stop being so stubborn! You can’t just say no to everything!”

Glenn, mildly irritated by Re=L’s childish behavior, scolded her, but…

“…Shut up… No… I don’t want it… No…!”

Re=L, still looking down, began trembling all over…

“H-Hey… Re=L…?”

“Expulsion…? Or… this ‘Study Abroad’…? I don’t want either… I just don’t…”

And then—

“No way! Glenn, you idiot! I hate you!”

Dash!

In a fit of tantrum, Re=L shouted and bolted out of the headmaster’s office.

As expected of Re=L《The Chariot》. Her overwhelming speed left no chance to stop her.

“H-Hey!? Re=L! Wait! Ugh, what a handful!”

Glenn took off after her.

“Headmaster! We’ll seriously consider the study abroad offer! White Cat! Rumia! Let’s go after Re=L! No mercy! I’m gonna catch that brat and give her a good spanking!”