Chapter 12
The teacher’s eyes were still as dull as ever, yet sharper than before when he spoke.
Since I couldn’t quite grasp what he meant, Parvus-sunbae spoke up first.
“She’s still just a kid. Do you think she’ll understand if you say it like that?”
“Then why don’t you show her, since you’ve opened your mouth?”
“Y-yes, sir…”
Parvus-sunbae dragged his feet lazily, but took the gun I handed him without complaint.
“Watch closely. You’re about to see the second-best shooter in the entire academy.”
With that, he immediately took his stance.
Bang, bang, bang!
After three shots, he lowered the gun.
Of course, all of them hit the mark. But the one who was more perfect was clearly—
“You saw that?”
“…Yes.”
—Parvus-sunbae, without a doubt.
“At the academy, each student studies one discipline, called a major. When graduation comes, everyone prepares a festival performance using what they’ve learned. Do you know what the martial arts department does?”
“They fight, right?”
“Correct. We have a graduation battle. The scholars have exams, and the mages handle the festival preparations.”
“But… why are we talking about the festival?”
At my hesitant question, Mr. Manyum took the gun back from Parvus-sunbae and replied,
“If you’re shooting as a hobby, your marksmanship is flawless—no, perfect.
But though Parvus hit the same marks as you, there’s something different. Do you know what that is?”
“The mindset of treating it like a real battle…?”
“That’s part of it, but the key point is whether your skills are useful in an actual fight. Do you think you’d be helpful in real combat?”
“…No.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way.
I mean, who starts shooting thinking they’ll actually use it in a war?
But the teacher was right.
If my reloads and aim were this slow, I’d be a burden on the battlefield rather than help.
“Then how do I become fast and precise like Parvus-sunbae?”
“That’s what you came here to learn.”
“…Pardon?”
“I was going to just explain the basics today since it’s your first day, but after seeing your foundation, I’ve changed my mind. You’ll train with Parvus starting tomorrow.”
“W-what?”
“I’m tired, so I’ll leave you to it.”
He coolly turned around and disappeared, leaving me stunned.
“Wait—can he just… walk off like that?”
Still dazed, I muttered complaints at poor Parvus-sunbae, who got dragged into my grumbling.
“There aren’t many teachers like that, but Mr. Manyum’s definitely one of the eccentric ones.”
“So if you’re the second-best shooter in the academy, the first must be him?”
“That’s right.”
“How good is he, then…?”
“Well, if you work hard enough, you might not reach him, but maybe you’ll reach me.”
Maybe I looked too disappointed, because Parvus tried to comfort me in his own way.
“Ah, by the way, can I eat breakfast with you?”
“Normally, students eat by major or year, but our class probably ended the earliest today.”
“So it’s fate that we eat together, huh…”
On the way to the dining hall, Parvus and I quickly got comfortable with each other.
We were both extroverted and hated awkwardness—no wonder we clicked so easily.
“Anyway, it was ridiculous, right? How could a maid have a connection in the Black Cobra auction hous—”
“Hey! You think you can just run off like that?!”
A shout echoed across the dining hall just as I was about to sit down. I almost jumped up in surprise.
“What the—who is it?”
“That friend you mentioned… Arvela, I think.”
Parvus looked toward the door and told me quietly who it was.
Of course, Arvela—no, Bella—was pouting like she’d been personally wronged.
“I thought the magic department wasn’t done yet, Bella.”
“Then you could’ve waited! Why are you walking around with someone else—especially some guy I don’t even know?!”
“Parvus is from the same department, that’s all! And can you not yell that out loud? You’re going to start weird rumors!”
Bella’s loud voice and the content of our conversation drew plenty of curious glances.
Seriously, anyone listening would think I’m having some kind of scandal! I only met Parvus today!
“Weird rumors? What, does he like you too?”
“Bella! For the love of—stop talking like it’s normal for everyone on earth to be in love with me!”
I grabbed her arm and pulled her down into her seat, my face burning.
Once Bella sat, the stares around us faded.
“Why are you so jealous, anyway? You told me at my debut that it’s fine to make friends.”
“And you did! Isn’t that enough? Do you need a new friend in every kingdom you visit?”
“Even if I’m friendly, I’m not that friendly! And what’s wrong with making friends?”
“Fine, make all the friends you want. But I have to be your best friend—me. Got it?”
“Yeah, yeah. Now eat already. Aren’t you hungry?”
After a bit of coaxing, Bella finally calmed down and went to grab her meal.
How can she still act like such a child? Sure, I’m important to her, but come on…
As I sighed, I noticed Parvus looking at me from across the table.
“Sorry about the noise.”
“It’s fine. My siblings back home are louder.”
“Still, sorry.”
“By the way, what did she mean—‘he likes you too’? Who supposedly likes you?”
“That’s a personal topic. Better you hear it from them directly.”
I spooned up some soup nonchalantly. Parvus’s expression brightened immediately, curiosity gleaming.
“So someone does like you? Who? Same year? Or maybe one of the freshmen?”
“…Guess I just answered that for you, huh.”
I gave a helpless laugh, blaming my stupid mouth for falling into his trap.
You’re lucky you’re good-looking, or I’d have punched you already.
After lunch, all freshmen were called to the grand hall by our class representative, Lucy.
“Students being called will be assigned to Class A. The first-year course lasts six months, and classes won’t change during that time. Grades will determine your placement in second year. After lunch, you’ll also choose a minor, so check your handbooks.”
Then came the class assignments. I assumed Lucy would be in Class A for sure—but my own name being called was a shock.
“Class A: Business Department—Lunasion.
Economics Department—Haber.
Shooting Department—Shuaneur.”
For a moment, I forgot there were over 200 people in the hall and almost screamed.
Why me? I’d expected maybe Class B. Then I remembered—
Wait, I’m an adult inside, right? Of course fifteen-year-level questions are easy for me. I just solved everything without realizing how hard it was supposed to be!
With a college brain, even average answers would rank high among kids my “age.”
I was comparing myself to college students—no wonder I expected B or C class!
Still, except for history, I’d done pretty well here. Even that could improve with effort.
“Not that I plan to work that hard anyway.”
* * *
“I’m Riqyu, your instructor for Ancient and Imperial languages. I’ll be your homeroom teacher, so you’ll see me often.”
The woman who entered had loosely tied brown hair and rolled-up sleeves, looking relaxed yet confident.
Whoa. She’s elegant. And gorgeous.
Her narrow eyes gleamed a sharp green as she scanned us.
“In second year, your classes will reshuffle each semester.
But for first years, this six-month term is just an adaptation period. That doesn’t mean you can slack off—
Dropping from Class A to B is easier than you think.”
Her words brought back memories of my old high school.
Great. I escaped entrance exams just to suffer through them again here.
The room froze at her tone.
Basically, she’d declared that everyone here was a rival.
“All right, let’s begin with basic Ancient Language.”
Two hours later, class finally ended.
Riqyu left, and most students quickly followed. Only Lucy, Haber, and I stayed behind.
“Ugh, can I drop out already? I barely managed to wake up early, and the first class is Ancient Language of all things…”
“Tired, Shuah?”
“Yeah… and since I sit up front, I couldn’t even nap. You looked so focused, though.”
“Well, I find it interesting.”
With no reason to sit up straight anymore, I slumped forward onto the desk.
Lucy on my left and Haber on my right were both model students, totally fine.
“Think Class B’s done yet?”
“Their first class was… theology, I think?”
“Ugh, the only subject that could rival Ancient Language for dullness…”
I leaned slightly toward Haber, who stiffened instantly.
His shy reaction was cute, so I’d been teasing him more lately.
Then—
“You! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Bella? Guess theology’s over.”
Bella appeared, clutching her theology book.
“That’s not the point! Get away from him right now!”
“Just saying, I leaned first. Don’t take it out on Haber.”
Her hair was neatly tied up—someone must’ve done it for her.
“Who did your hair?”
“My roommate!”
“Oh~ so your friend can tie your hair, but I can’t?”
I leaned even closer to Haber as I teased her.
“You—! Are you really doing this right now?”
“Kidding! But seriously, let me make friends too.”
“Yeah, Bella. Shuah’s nice. If she makes friends, she’ll just have more people who care about her, right, Haber?”
“Uh, y-yeah…”
Lucy chimed in—whether to tease or console, who knows—and poor innocent Haber nodded along.
What would these three do without me…
As I was sighing, a knock came at the front door.
“Shuah, lunch?”
“Ah, yeah. Coming. But these guys…”
“Want to eat with your friends?”
“Hmm…”
It felt rude to send Parvus away after he’d come all the way to the first-year floor,
but also awkward to make my friends eat with a senior they’d never met.
“Hey guys, mind if that senior joins us for lunch?”
“I don’t mind. But seriously, why are all your new acquaintances guys?”
“Bella’s fine with it. What about you two?”
“We’re fine too.”
Four first-years and one third-year—an odd group, but I was too hungry to care.
“All right, let’s eat!”
It started as a cheerful lunch break…
…but the moment we entered the dining hall—
“You looking to die?”
“You’re the one asking for it—watch yourself.”
—a fight had broken out right in the middle of the room.
And at the center of it all—
was Diehl.
