Chapter 20

Chapter Three: Aslan Magic Academy

O RIGINALLY ESTABLISHED WITH THE GOAL OF training the nation’s top fighting force, the Magic Knights, Aslan Magic Academy was the greatest institution of magical learning in the Kingdom of Milestia.

For those who sought to become Magic Knights, graduation from the academy truly was an important stepping stone on the path to success.

Many who discovered an affinity for magic would apply to the academy at some point in their lives, and most eventually gave up on the idea. Simply knowing the basics was not enough to bring one to the starting line of Aslan Magic Academy.

Few made it into the Academy, and fewer still became Magic Knights, an elite group of just ten exceptional individuals who held supreme positions of authority and honor, clearly set apart from members of the other magic divisions. They were respected and could not be easily ignored, even by the king. They were the chosen and the righteous, absolutely worthy of the admiration they received.

Because the academy was intended to be a proper venue for the crowning of heroes, it was also famous for being an extreme meritocracy. There was no system for legacy admissions, as it was thought that such practices would lead to declining magical talent in the aristocracy. It was not simply your typical rich kid boarding school; it was a very strict institution.

My thoughts drifted in this direction as I was, in fact, in a horse-drawn carriage on my way to take the entrance exam for that very academy.

“…But why did I have to get stuck riding with you?”

“What a strange question. Is there perhaps any reason we should not be traveling together, now that we have promised to spend our future as one?”

The girl’s expression remained almost unchanging as she flatly responded to my question. Truly unfortunate as the fact might be, she was my fiancée, Alice Rune Lonsdale.

I’ve accepted it at this point, honestly. Only a fool would keep wailing over something they can’t change. What I need to think about now is the future. How do I claim happiness with an eccentric pervert like Alice as my future wife? What’s my best course of action from here on out?

Hm… Uh… Well. Hmph, maybe that shouldn’t be at the front of my mind anyway.

Scratch that, I need to focus on what’s right in front of me: the hardest academy entrance exam in the whole kingdom.

“I’m beginning to get a little nervous,” Alice mumbled suddenly.

For someone who’s worried, it barely registers on your face, I thought .

“Are you not worried, Luke? You look the same as ever.”

“’Course I’m not. Do you honestly think that something as trifling as this could worry me?”

She hesitated. “No. I was just wondering.”

To be honest, I don’t understand how she feels. What is there for her to be worried about? She has the rare natural affinity for two types of elemental magic, and she’s never slacked in her studies—not since she met me, at least.

“What you should be thinking about is how to graduate top of the class with honors.”

“…Huh?”

Alice’s look of surprise was so faint that no normal person would have even been able to detect it at all.

“Don’t fret over insignificant hurdles such as this exam. It is beneath you.”

That’s what I truly thought— she’s going to pass . There was no question in my mind about that. Alice was so talented that even Amelia couldn’t stop raving about her. Plus, she’d put in the effort.

“Heh… You can be quite mean at times.”

“How so?”

“It’s nothing. Forget about it.”

Alice smiled.

Well, I’m happy if she feels a bit less worried about the exam now. Humans are creatures of emotion. We can often fail to perform at our full potential due to a weakness of the heart. It happens all the time, in fact.

As we spoke, the carriage came to a stop. I heard a rattle and clunk beneath us, and Alfred, who had been trying his best to give us privacy in the small compartment, swiftly stood up and opened the door.

“Mind your feet as you descend.”

I departed the carriage first, and Alice followed. I was immediately struck by the grand and imposing gate looming over me. It wasn’t my first time seeing the academy, but it still made my breath catch in my chest. The architecture I saw beyond the gate felt historic, like the residence of a member of the royal family.

“Well then, I will return once your examination has finished.”

“Sure.”

Those were the only words that Alfred offered before signaling the carriage driver to leave. He spoke no words of encouragement, as if what we were doing was an everyday occurrence.

“That butler of yours is rather cold, isn’t he?”

I guess he probably seems like that to you. But I sensed the trust beneath those words. Alfred-san’s my mentor. I know him well enough now.

The corners of my mouth curled into a faint smile.

“H-hey, is that…?”

“Whoa! That’s Luke Witharia Gilbert!”

“H-he’s here to take the exam too?”

“Alice Rune Lonsdale’s with him. Ah, so they really are engaged to be married…”

Great. Now here’s something to rain on my parade.

I tried to ignore them, but the unpleasant glares followed me. It seemed the rumors had spread like wildfire among the nobility following the party. That was why the rabble were aware of me, but knowing the reason didn’t lessen the irritation I felt.

These foolish sheep are only capable of viewing things on a surface level. When I was only a student of the sword, they detested me, yet their opinions flipped in an instant when my Dark element was discovered. Their idiocy makes me feel physically sick.

“Luke, are you okay? Your expression is scaring me a little.”

“…I’m fine. Let’s go.”

“Right.”

I put those thoughts behind me as we passed under the gate to the academy.

Not that walking away is going to do anything to stop them from staring at me. Actually, I reckon that half the blame is down to the girl walking serenely by my side. Despite her personality, she’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m the only one at the academy who knows what she’s really like, though. If there were anyone here who could love her for who she is, I’d give her up in a heartbeat.

Alice’s words echoed in my head:

“You are the one who changed everything about me, Luke, and that is why I grow excited when you scorn me. I am not some pervert that would accept anyone at all.”

Really, though, I just can’t believe that Alice doesn’t consider herself a pervert.

It was as I walked and considered such sigh-inducing matters that Alice’s older brother suddenly popped into my head as well. His name was Yolande, I recalled, and he constantly wore a smile that looked like it had been plastered onto his face.

Why am I remembering him now? No, it’s a specific moment that has caught in the back of my mind: when we first met, and he shook my hand, and Alice told me that he was worthless. In truth, I did note that he had a certain fecklessness about him, but I sensed something else in that handshake too—a surge of incredibly refined mana. I can’t shake the strange feeling he gave me… The man was a concentrated dose of weird.

“Hm? It appears a crowd has gathered.”

The sound of Alice’s voice dragged me back to reality, and I saw that there was indeed a crowd forming around two boys and a girl.

They are in my way.

“Bah ha ha! Abel? That’s the only name you’ve got?!” bellowed the larger boy. “I was wondering what a commoner was doing here, but you’re actually even lower than that! Incredible!”

“So what?! What’s your problem?! Rank’s got nothing to do with who can enter Aslan!”

“It’s fine, Lily. It doesn’t bother me.”

There was a spirited-looking girl raising her voice to match the bully’s, but it was the black-haired boy in simple clothing beside her that caught my eye. He looked weak, and his eyes were red, like blood. I knew at once.

That’s him, right there. I suppose this makes sense. Of course the main character’s here. But who cares? This changes nothing.

“Move,” I said curtly to the bigger boy, who was still blocking my path.

“Hey! Who the heck do you think you’re talk—”

The boy trailed off abruptly as he turned to face me, and recognition dawned in his wide, horrified eyes.

“You need me to say it again? Get out of my sight. Move.”

“M-M-Master Luke! My apologies!” he stammered. “Please, g-go right ahead!”

I’ve no idea who he is, but it seems like he knows me.

A silent chill descended upon the crowd, but I passed through without paying them any further mind. I eyed the boy they’d called Abel, who was wearing a stupid expression of stunned surprise as I walked by.

“Do you know that black-haired boy?” asked Alice, breaking the silence once we were away from the others.

“No, I don’t. Never seen him before.”

“I see. You were smiling, so I thought the two of you might be friends.”

“Mwa ha ha… Was I, now?”

I hadn’t noticed. It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? This means the time has finally come, so why wouldn’t I be smiling? Come on then, main character. I won’t run from you. I won’t hide.

I don’t care how much this world loves you; I’ll crush you head-on.

***

Of course, I already knew that I was very talented at many things. I suppose that up until recently, I’d only had Alice to compare myself to as a peer, which was a concern, but still…I was clearly highly capable. That’s not arrogance, that’s just objective analysis.

But this entrance exam has made it obvious that even in Aslan Magic Academy, a place for those of the highest talent to gather, there’s nobody who surpasses me. It’s not just that—these people aren’t even close to Alice’s level, let alone mine. There’s nobody here who could stand in my way.

Nobody at all.

Nobody, and yet…

Thunk.

Before I realized what was happening, my fist collided with the wall of the carriage.

“Luke…”

“Don’t talk to me right now.”

Damn it. What the heck did he do?

Fortify Strength.

It happened during the practical testing that followed our written exam. It was a simple three-round magical duel between entrants. There was a spell that Abel had used, a completely commonplace non-elemental ability that anyone could use. Including me, of course, but…

Times five.

He stacked that simple enhancement spell on himself five times. How?! He shouldn’t be able to. That’s not possible. Every person has a limit to how much they can enhance their own physical abilities using magic. Everyone is bound by that limit. Most people are capable of receiving single enhancements. Some rare individuals can manage two at a time.

Amelia-san mentioned that adventurers were more likely to tolerate multiple. I’ve received two casts of an enhancement spell before, but I was only told after the fact that it was something special. But this guy…he managed five at once. That’s not just special—it simply makes no sense.

I just didn’t understand it, and the fact that I didn’t made me furious. The unknown source of his abilities unsettled and frustrated me, but on the other hand, it seemed he couldn’t even control it himself. Maybe he didn’t understand it either.

I ran thousands of simulations in my head of what would have happened if the two of us fought, supposing Abel was able to control his abilities. I imagined every possibility, accounting for every single variable—but no matter what, the results always came out the same: I would win. No question.

He can never defeat me. It doesn’t matter how hard he struggles. My victory is certain. But then what is this itch in my chest? Why do these dark feelings hang like rain clouds above me? I feel as if a predator is watching me, waiting for the right time to lunge for my throat…

“Alfred.”

“Yes?”

“We won’t be sparring as much from now on. Give it all you’ve got tonight.”

“Understood, Master Luke.”

I love the sword. At times like these, it’s all I want to do.

Tch, I’m pathetic. What am I getting flustered for? He surpassed what I imagined him capable of, that’s all. It’s because I don’t understand how he did it. I just need to go further. I’ll reach even higher than he can.

That’s all .

***

Aslan Magic Academy.

In a certain meeting room, an important assembly was taking place between the headmaster of the academy and his teaching staff. The extravagant table between them was lined with documents.

“Luke from the house of Gilbert blows the rest of them out of the water. He’s clearly of a different sort from the other entrants.”

“Ho ho, ‘twas marvelously refined mana indeed,” agreed the headmaster, an old man with a long white beard of around half his total height. “And to say nothing of the stunning nature of his rare element.”

“Incredible, in a word. Kids born with talent like his would normally get over-confident and lazy about it, but it’s obvious he’s been putting the work in.”

“Yeah, totally. Luke’s an amazing kid!” Amelia chimed in.

“Amelia? Damn it, what are you doing here? You’re just a guest instructor and this is an important meeting,” grumbled another instructor. “You feel like being a teacher today then, huh? Irritates me that everyone else just accepts you bein’ here.”

“H-hey, don’t be like that, Brad! I intend to make very good use of my time here at this academy! It’s a magnet for magical talent,” she shot back. “Besides, I can do my research anywhere I like! I-it’s not as if I have p-personal reasons for coming here!”

The gruff man snorted derisively.

“I’m the one who called Amelia here,” interjected the headmaster. “Let’s discuss this properly now, given he was top of the class of new entrants. Have you seen this report? This is coming from me, not Amelia. The boy is insanely talented.”

“Perhaps, but his behavior is another matter entirely! Did you know he snapped at me to get out of his way during the exam?! I only stumbled a little and bumped into him! I’m an examiner!”

“Ah ha ha! Well, you are pretty damn clumsy.”

“I am not clumsy! Amelia, didn’t you find the time to instill some manners into the boy during your lessons?! Hmph!”

“Sorry about that,” Amelia said, laughing sheepishly.

“Come now, we’re getting off track. We have other entrants to look at as well, you know. With full marks on the written exam and a strong demonstration in the practical, Luke’s entry at the head of the class is guaranteed. There are others that we should turn to.”

“Quite a bounty this year! And it’s not just the number of students with rare elements, but there are double- and even triple-element users too. This really has been an amazing round!”

“You’re referring to Alice of the house of Lonsdale, and Mia of the house of Lennox?”

“Surprised the double-element user managed to beat the triple-element user, though.”

“Well, I mean… She was quite overpowering.”

“Heh heh heh, little Alice is another one of mine, you know!”

“You think you gotta put in your two cents on every subject, Amelia?” complained Brad. He paused, then added, “What? Is she really? You and I started out here at the academy together, and I can hardly believe that one.”

“She really is, Brad!”

“Quiet down, you two.”

“So that leaves us with thirty-nine entrants confirmed… Only one left to consider is him .”

That word sent tension rippling through the air, and everyone looked down at the report in their hands.

The name written at the top read “Abel.”

The room fell uncomfortably quiet. Finally, one man broke the silence.

“I’m against it.”

The man’s face was weathered by age, but there was confidence in his eyes.

“I’m not saying this to be cruel to the boy, and I know we all understand just how special his ability is,” he continued. “The fact that he can’t use elemental magic is what clinches it for me, though. He might be all right for now. Sure, he won all of his practical matches, but let’s take the long view. I fear he’ll be easily crushed someday by someone with real talent. I don’t think we should allow him to pass, for his own sake.”

“I do see your reasoning.”

“Yeah, I guess… We’d be setting a precedent by letting a non-elemental user into the academy too. Nobody’s ever done that before.”

Almost half of those in attendance appeared to agree. It seemed as if the mood was tending towards refusing Abel’s admission until Brad, Amelia’s old buddy, spoke up.

“Jeez, how can you old farts let your thinking get so damn rigid?”

He was a young man with swept-back hair and an aggressively cool swagger. He flashed a smile as he made his dissent.

“O-old farts?! Brad, you impudent little…”

“They might be your elders, but that doesn’t make them wrong. Be specific if you have an objection.”

“Mwa ha ha, that’s the thing,” Brad laughed. “You’re all just unconsciously workin’ under the assumption that only an elemental magic user could ever defeat another elemental magic user.”

There was a sharp intake of breath. It appeared that for most of those in the meeting room, Brad had been right on the money.

“…You claim differently?”

“Nah, you’re mostly right. There’s a huge freakin’ gap between those that can use elemental magic and those that can’t. But y’know that’s just under ‘ normal’ circumstances, right?”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“I saw somethin’ in Abel. Are we really just gonna crush all that potential over this stupid elemental magic thing? If he fails, so be it. That ain’t no skin off our backs. What are you all so desperate to protect here, anyway?”

More silence followed. Brad was crass, but there was a logic to the things he was saying—the quiet of his listeners was one of acceptance.

“Ho ho, well said, my lad!” said the headmaster.

“Am I wrong, sir?” asked Brad.

“Not at all! This year’s round of applicants really has been fascinating! Rare elements, double- and triple-element users—and a non-elemental boy too! Not too many of them here, but we’ve got the cream of the crop! Ho ho, I’m looking forward to this.”

The headmaster laughed, carefree and childlike.

That year, forty entrants were accepted into Aslan Magic Academy.

***

“Ha ha ha! I get it! I finally understand!”

Several days had passed since the Aslan Magic Academy entrance exam. I spent those sleepless nights thinking, testing, going over every possible explanation for Abel’s extraordinary power. Finally, I reached my answer. It demanded some extremely special circumstances, but it was the only option remaining. This had to be it.

My first question was whether there’s any way for a person to increase their magic tolerance. Abel answered that inquiry already—there was. He was living proof of that fact. The next question, then, was “How?”

That’s what really caused me trouble. There’s just so little information to go on. I considered why it might be that adventurers tended to be the only individuals capable of stacking enhancement magic. Not all adventurers, of course, but the ability was found more often among truly heroic adventurers compared to the general population.

At first, I thought a person’s magic tolerance was dependent on their magical abilities, but that’s not the case. Once I discarded all other possibilities, I arrived at the conclusion that magic tolerance was based on something physical. Most adventurers focused on raw strength, after all. Not many actually wielded magic. That fact alone should have made me realize it sooner. It’s facing death, being forced to surpass your own limits over and over again; that’s the way they increased their magic tolerance.

I still have questions. If this is right, how many fights do I have to win? How long do I have to face death for my magic tolerance to expand? This isn’t an easy task. It’s going to take time. Great heroes have to cheat death a great many times in their lives.

Even so, those heroes only gained the ability to endure enhancement twice at most. That was the weirdest thing about Abel.

This time frame here doesn’t make sense. It’s messed up. He’s the same age as I am, so even if he’s been working so hard every waking hour of his life that it feels like he faces death every day, the math doesn’t add up. There just hasn’t been enough time. There should be a limit to the number of times a person can almost die. Yet he’s already up to five stacks of enhancements when legendary heroes can only manage two?

“Mwa ha ha…”

My theory began to come together at that moment. Perhaps Abel was actually quite frail and weak? So feeble, in fact, that it was easy for him to reach the limit of what his body could physically do. Such special circumstances would, theoretically, allow him to confront death countless times on a daily basis.

I bet he can almost die way more often than any hero ever could. He must be extremely weak indeed, but most importantly, he must have an insanely strong will. He’d have to, to push himself right up to the brink of death and come back from it every time.

I understand it all now. It’s not like this power is completely without rules or cause; it grew from a very specific set of circumstances. He’s weak, and though he can use magic, he has no talent for it. But he’s the main character, and though he has been blessed with nothing in life, his willpower is crazy. His mad drive and ceaseless efforts have won him this prize, an irrationally high magic tolerance.

This really is the power of a weakling!

I bet Luke would have been so self-obsessed, he’d only look at Abel on a surface level. Abel can’t use elemental magic, and that would have made him a nonentity in Luke’s eyes. That would have let Abel catch me off guard.

“Don’t make me laugh. You really are an idiot.”

I’m glad I faced him, though. It helped me not to lose sight of what I need to do now. The obviously strong characters always get defeated by the underdog. What a cliché way for the story to go.

“But that’d be so boring.”

As if I’d ever accept that ending.

I’ll never let the ending go to hell like that. I don’t care what happens, I’m acting in my own interests here. That said…man, I’ve got my work cut out for me. I really feel like I’m giving it my all here. To be honest, there was still a part of me that thought I couldn’t possibly lose. But, hey, turns out Abel’s pretty strong in his own weak way. He is the main character, after all, so he can’t be a complete sad sack. Still, this is all just conjecture. But if my theory is right, I suppose that would make sense.

There’s also no point in me trying to replicate what he’s done, given the physical strength I was born with. No, I’d only create an inferior version of his power, blessed with talent as I am. That’s not right. Abel has his path, and I have mine. There’s no need to do anything rash. I should stay calm and stick to my original plan. I might’ve unraveled the secret behind Abel’s abilities, but that doesn’t change the fact that his power is incredibly unique and specific. I imagine I’ll be facing him head-on soon enough. Man, that’s going to be a pain.

But heck, no matter how negative my thoughts might get, I just can’t see a future in which I ever lose.

***

Roughly a month had passed since the arrival of my acceptance letter from Aslan Magic Academy. My father and mother danced wildly about in celebration at the news. Apparently, my father immediately moved to make changes to the whole dormitory system of the academy for me, but I put a stop to that when I found out. Not long after that came my first day of school.

“So why are you in my carriage?”

“What a strange question. Is there perhaps any reason we should not be traveling together, now that we have promised to spend our future as one?”

“…Why do I have déjà vu?”

Alice was accompanying me, as if that were a completely natural state of affairs. I questioned her presence, but privately, I was beginning to accept the idea of her being a part of my everyday life.

I was so against it at first, but now I don’t feel much at all. That’s the power of forming a habit, I guess.

“Why did you seem upset after the exam?” asked Alice suddenly.

“Ah, right. I saw someone I didn’t like, that’s all.”

“I see. Why exactly didn’t you take it out on me, then? I would much prefer if you would direct your anger at me, rather than the walls of the carriage.”

Ah, right. Thanks for reminding me why I had such a problem with you in the first place. But still, I’m not as bothered by it as I used to be. Habit really is a scary thing.

“You’re right. I’ll take it out on you next time. Be ready.”

I suppose that’s what makes me casually blurt out things like that.

“I-I see… I’ll be looking f-forward to it…”

Alice’s cheeks flushed and her breathing grew heavy as she began to squirm in her seat.

She’s creepy as ever… But I guess that’s fine once in a while.

As we spoke, the carriage came to halt, and I saw Aslan Magic Academy through the window at my side.

This is the place. This is where it all begins.

“Please watch your step as you descend.”

I left the carriage first, and Alice followed. I was confronted once more by the towering, grand gate of the academy.

“Master Luke.”

It was a voice I knew well.

“What is it, Alfred?”

“I have passed word to my contacts in the Royal Knights. If you are ever in need of a sparring partner, please make use of their services.”

“Considerate as ever, Alfred. I’ll be even stronger the next time we cross swords. Just you wait.”

“I look forward to it, Master Luke. I would also like you to have this.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Alfred handed me a dagger. I drew it from its sheath and examined the blade. It was nothing extravagant, but it felt good in my hands, and I could tell from its weight that it was precisely, masterfully crafted.

“It is a present from me to celebrate your entry into the academy and proof of your mastery. Please accept it, Master Luke.”

“Mwa ha, I’ll take it.”

I placed the dagger back into its sheath.

Thank you so much, Alfred-san. I’ve only made it this far because of all your help.

“Goodbye then. Give my regards to Father and Mother.”

“Understood. Goodbye, Master Luke.”

“Let’s go, Alice.”

“Of course. I would follow you to the end of the world.”

“Yeah—wait, what?”

“Let us hurry. We must not be late.”

“Uh, yeah, okay.”

With quite a few things I wanted to say left unsaid, we entered through the front gate and into the academy grounds. We went straight into the school building and found our classroom on the second floor. I rested my fingers on the handle for a moment.

The moment it opened, I felt the appraising eyes of about thirty students pierce right through me. They all wore the same uniform that Alice and I were, naturally, as they sat scattered at the rows of long desks. The room was too big for the number of students within it, which made the whole place look a little twisted and out of proportion.

Class had not yet started, and everyone passed the time in their own unique way. One girl was sleeping, while a boy next to her was reading a book. There was a sharp-eyed, mean-looking boy with his feet up on the desk who kept glaring at me for some reason. Another girl looked restless, turning this way and that as she scanned the classroom. One of the boys paid no attention to anything whatsoever, his back perfectly straight as he stared at a single point in front of him. Nearby, I spotted another creepy-looking boy wearing a thin smirk and a girl who stared menacingly right at me.

No, wait, not me. She’s looking at Alice.

Suddenly, an absolute chunk of a boy jumped out in front of me.

“Oh my, Master Luke! I just knew you would pass!”

“Who the heck are you?”

“Eh?!”

Seriously, who are you? If I’ve met this kid once and I don’t even remember him, there’s a high chance he’s not worth a damn.

“M-my deepest apologies! Let me introduce myself. I am Hugo Van Normandy, second son of the house of Viscount Normandy. I am ever so sorry for blocking your way during the entrance examination!”

“Ah.”

Now I remember. This is that generic bully who was taunting Abel before the exam started. Wait, he passed the test? I thought background characters like that were supposed to drop off earlier.

“So where do I sit, Hugo?”

“Ah! There are no assigned seats, and so I believe you may sit wherever you please!”

“Right.”

Jeez, you don’t need to shout every single word. I suppose I’ll have to learn to deal with having him as a classmate, but I already hate this idiot. Ah, but wait a minute… Given his rank in the hierarchy, is he perhaps meant to become one of my henchmen? Villain aristocrats do tend to have henchmen to do their bidding, I guess. Even so, I really don’t want this guy as a crony. I’ll have to try to keep my distance.

Hugo attempted to greet Alice as well. She completely ignored him, much to his displeasure. Truly an ice queen—at least I was nice enough to answer the guy.

I decided we should sit near the back of the classroom, but we were stopped by another boy as we made our way there.

“Hello, I’m Leonard Lyn Wellesley,” said the creepy boy with the thin smile. “Call me Leonard, please. Nice to meet you, Luke.”

There was something gross about the way he was grinning like he wanted to be friends with anyone and everyone .

“Yeah, sure.”

He offered me his hand, but I ignored it.

I responded to you, didn’t I? Better than nothing.

“And you must be Alice. Nice to meet you.”

I bet this guy’s memorized the names of every person in this room.

Just as that observation floated across my mind, my thoughts were interrupted.

“Could you not address me so casually?” Alice snapped. “To be blunt, I find your fake little plastered-on smile to be so disgusting, I fear I am beginning to feel nauseous.”

“Huh?” both Leonard and I said in unison.

What’s with this aggressive new side of Alice? Has she always been like this? Leonard just seems like a good-looking, regular guy, but I guess she’s got a bigger problem with him. Man, she might as well have cast an Ice spell on him, the way she sent chills through the whole room.

“S-sorry,” stammered Leonard. “I apologize if I offended you.”

“Let’s go, Luke. I want to sit as far away from him as possible.”

“Uh…sure.”

What did he do wrong? That seemed like a regular greeting from one of our classmates right there.

I watched as he sadly trudged back to his seat. I couldn’t see his expression but could easily imagine that his smile was now gone.

I can’t help but sympathize, really, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I really don’t get what just happened with Alice. It’s like she turned into a different person, almost. There was no hint of the version of her I see in private. I feel like I don’t get her at all now. I thought she was just a pervert, but apparently, I’ve underestimated what complicated and multifaceted creatures girls can be.

I finally sat down, marveling at how quickly I’d managed to get involved in drama this intense. Alice sat next to me, of course. I wanted to ask about her attitude toward Leonard but decided against it for the time being. The classroom was so quiet that everyone could hear us talking.

Though the awful silence is Alice’s fault too, I thought with a sigh .

“Well, well, if it isn’t Alice! I haven’t seen you since the exam.”

The silence was broken soon enough.

To be honest, I’m already getting pretty tired of this.

I looked up with weary eyes to see the girl who had been glaring at Alice since we’d walked in.

Now that I think about it, I know her. She’s the third daughter of the house of Lennox; we met at a party once.

“Oh, and who might you be?” Alice asked in response.

“Mia!” she shrieked. “It’s Mia! I know you remember me!”

“Hm, I’m unsure if I know anyone by that name,” Alice mused.

“You do!”

What’s up with these two? They’re so damn loud.

Mia glanced over at me. “Long time no see, Luke.”

“Yeah.”

Seems like she remembers me too.