Part 1

“Not even gonna wake up uh? Oh well, then this big brother will give you a good morning kiss!”

I was half asleep when those words echoed into my ears. The painful sensation of having my butt sitting on a hard material in the same position for too long mixed with the annyong rays of sun throwing darts at my eyes made me wake up just in time to dodge the smacking lips of my brother.

“What the fuck are you doing!?”

“Haha worked like a charm!”

“Very funny…asshole”

“Oh come on don’t be stingy! By the way, I wanted to wake you up since we’ve almost reached the city, we better grab our stuff. First thing first we have to go see the headmaster”

“Damn, already in the city? I thought it would take longer”

“No no, it’s just that you slept for the whole damn trip!”

“Oh shut it!”

I said while moving aside the white cloth that was covering the cart from the cockpit. In front of my eyes a beautiful scenery of a city built near a splendid azure lake slowly approached. The tall white stone walls were obstructing my view of it but some taller buildings like towers and a castle stretched towards the sky like fingers. The grey bricks of the tower’s walls and the crimson tiles of the roofs gave off a breathtaking vibe of the classic magic city from a fantasy novel. All around us were fields and small agglomerates of trees. A little northern, the roofs of small houses could be spotted, probably a closeby village.

We were slowly approaching the eastern gate of the city, one of the three gates, the one that leads to the commercial district, the most trafficked. We weren’t the only ones travelling. All around us were various carts of different shapes and sized, fancy carriages and people travelling by either foot or horse. I didn’t care much about my surroundings. I was starting to get anxious about my meeting with the headmaster, and I wasn’t the only one. In the remaining time, before our arrival at the academy, I quickly gathered all my stuff that was scattered around the cart and changed the comfy clothes I had been wearing since into something more presentable. A simple pair of long brown trousers with a tucked in white shirt and a dark grey vest on top of it, black belt, black shoes and a light brown shirt bow to top it off. I tried to be as presentable as possible by letting my hair loose in a way that didn’t cover too much of my eyes but, just in case, I knotted the hair string father gave me at my wrist. Because it was fairly hot inside the cart I decided to roll up my sleeves until half of my forearm, I would have wanted to go further but in that case I would lose presentability.

Lucas was also dressing up presentably but, unlike me, he had a serious hate for vests so he decided to go for a little more simpler look. Dark brown trousers with a tucked in white shirt and a brown light jacket on top of it, then black belt and black shoes. To fix the hotness problem he decided to unbutton the first couple of buttons of his shirt, blatantly showing his overly developed collarbones. By the time we both finished checking the bags and all the cart started to slowly decelerate until it completely stopped.

“Okay Bluescale gentlemen this is your stop. I can’t bring you all the way inside but I guess the gates are far enough, right?”

“Yeah, thanks Tony-san. Do we owe you anything?”

“Oh no no don’t worry about it, your father had already paid for everything”

“Well...thanks for everything, it has been pleasurable travelling with you!”

“Same here haha! Good luck with your school, even though I can bet that the both of you won’t have problems. By the way if you are ever interested in magic enhanced goods or any other magic stuff, why don’t you come to my daughter’s shop? It’s right near the adventurer’s guild, you can’t miss it!”

“Thanks for the tip Tony-san-” Said Lucas “-I might as well drop by when I’ll have some spare time”

“Make sure you do haha! Good Luck!”

“Thanks and same to you too!”

Said in chorus me and Lucas while waving with our free hand at the now moving cart. Once it was far enough we turned around and took a long, good look at the imposing building before us. The main building, four stories high with white walls and a path in beautifully carved white stones that resembled marble, looked like the fancy mansion of a noble. The windows were maniacally even distributed and had all wooden carving around them. Only part of the roof was covered, the other half was left completely open, only what looked like a metallic fence prevented the few students on top from falling down. The main building was shaped like a U with the closed end towards us. All around the academy grounds were other buildings: two three stories high buildings in wood and white stone that looked like the student dorms since clothes were hanging from the various balconies, a huge square-like building in grey stone, a couple more wooden structures that looked like facilities and a tower in the far back. That was all we could see from the entrance, except of course for the main plaza and a couple of gardens in the front.

We looked at each other with brimming excitement clearly shown in our eyes. Lucas extended his open palm towards me at the height of the stomach and said:

“Let’s rock this interview brother!”

“Way ahead of you brother!”

I said while slamming my palm against his.

Part 2

-HEADMASTER’S POV-

Two sound knocks on my door shifted my attention from the papers I had on top of my desk to the always so rigorous voice coming from behind said door. I breathed a heavy sigh and massaged my meninges to chase away that annoying headache I had since this morning.

[Why do you have to disturb me now Veronica? I was just in the middle of checking the papers for the new students! Ugh also this headache! It’s a damn bad sign you know!]

“*sigh* What’s the matter Veronica? Come in”

I didn't even have time to finish the phrase that the door suddenly opened showing my beautiful red haired assistant accompanied by what looked like two boys around the age of fourteen.

“Headmaster-” Said Veronica “-you probably forgot about it but today was the fixed day for your interview with the Bluescales”

“Oh yes yes, how could I forget! Please, come in...I heard you come from a faraway city, mmmmh Migur East if I recall. How was your journey?”

“Ehm Migur West sir, to be correct. Thanks for your concern, the journey was pleasurable and without any trouble” Said the older looking guy. He was taller than the other, with brown short hair and an easy-looking expression in his eyes.

“I see, I see, that’s good we wouldn’t want our future students to injure themselves before even starting school haha!”

The two boys sat on the red leather chairs I had in front of my desk as I instructed them with a wave of my hand. With another wave, I dismissed Veronica, who promptly closed the white wooden doors behind her while leaving the room.

“How rude of me, let me introduce myself. My name is Albert Molthir, headmaster of Alamaria magic academy. May I know your names?”

“Oh yes sorry, I am Lucas Bluescale while this next to me is my younger brother Raphael Bluescale”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Molthir-sama”

Replied the shorter guy with a slight bow emphasized by the gestures of his hands. He had longer black hair and a pair of beautifully menacing light blue eyes. Sharp eyes. He was cleverly hiding the fact that he seemed attentive, on guard, checking out my movements.

[Ho ho, seems like I stumbled upon a beast uh...interesting]

“Oh, no need to be so formal with me Lucas-kun, Raphael-kun. Now, I bet you are both tired from the long journey so what do you say, shall we get to business? Good, then let’s start the interview-” I said without giving them a chance to reply “-first off let me check your identities. Ah, Lucas Bluescale from Migur West, born on the 23rd day of October of the 546th year of the Gods’ calendar, correct?”

“Correct sir”

“And then, Raphael Bluescale from Migur West, born on the 14th day of August of the 547th year of the Gods’ calendar, right?”

“Yes, that is me”

“Good, good, now how this works is very easy. This interview is divided into two stages. First off, I’ll be asking you some questions about your scholastic history and your abilities, then we’ll move to a different location to assert your abilities. Let’s start with Lucas-kun! First question. How long has it been since you awakened your mana flow?”

“I have awakened it last year sir”

“Mhh it’s a little late for a magician so I suppose you are the one who is prone to be a swordsman as I’ve read in your father’s letter. Oh well, learning some magic may be of help still. Second question. Have you had any masters or teachers? If so, would you mind stating their names and tiers?”

“No sir, I have yet to properly train in magic”

“Haha, don’t worry you’ll be fine here, we have classes for every tier, from basic up to adept. You’ll find your place here. Ok then last question, for what reason do you wish to study here?”

“I was blessed with the ability to use magic, it would be shameless of me to gloss over such a blessing”

“Mhh a bit disappointing as an answer but i’ll do-” [Just because you have the ability to do something doesn't mean you have to do it kid! Haa looks like this one will have to put some real effort if he seeks any result] “-Now let’s start with Raphael-kun’s questions shall we? First off, when did you awaken your mana circuit?”

“When I was eight” He said while maintaining eye contact with me, not even moving an inch.

[As if I would believe that! I’ve been looking at you attentively ever since you entered this room, kid. That mana circuit it’s not something you can develop in four years, heavens... not even in fifteen years! You are hiding something...but I’ll play along with you little lies, there must be a reason behind such an act!]

“Eight, that’s a good age! Second question, have you had any masters or teachers?”

“Other than some mages in the adventurer’s guild who occasionally corrected me or gave me tips ,no. I’ve always learned spells and theory by the books”

“Mhhh, and what tier are you Raphael-kun?”

“I’ve reached the beginner tier”

“What the hell Rapha-....”

The older brother couldn’t finish his phrase that a heavy punch fell on his thigh, silencing him.

“Mh? What’s the matter? Is something he said wrong?”

“No sir. My brother Lucas strongly believes that I’m already a practitioner tier, but the truth is that I only know a couple of spells in that tier so I can’t be considered as one”

[Ha, cunning bastard! Your brother seems naive, your lies have almost been discovered! I wonder what your real rank is, hahaha!]

“Ooh I see now, sorry for doubting you. Well it’s a commendable achievement to be able to cast spells from the practitioner books at your age!”

“Thank you for your praise Molthir-san”

“Now, onward with the last question. Why do you wish to enroll in this academy?”

“I’m curious about magic, that’s all there is to it”

“You are curious? Hahaha interesting, very interesting! This is what magic is all about! Learning new spells, new combinations, discovering one’s true talent, studying the creation of completely innovative spells! This is the true nature of magic! But I cannot shake the feeling that you are not telling all there is to it”

I said while giving a challenging glare supported by an honest amount of my aura directed towards those blue eyes of his. There was no response to it. No trembling, no anger, no fear. It was like the amount of aura I emitted had completely gone unnoticed.

“Were you expecting me to say “World domination”?” He replied, glaring back at me.

[Uh, seems I won’t be able to break you anytime soon haha]

“Oh please, of course not haha. I was merely implying that one’s curiosity can only go so far, further than that one must seek a goal. Now that the interview is finished, would you mind following me towards our training facility? We’ll hold the next session over there”

[I wonder what interesting things you’ll show me Raphael-kun…]

As I thought that I stood up from my comfortable chair and signaled the door with my opened hand towards my two young guests. As if to mimic me, they followed my movements and quietly placed themselves behind me, waiting for me to lead them. While walking down the corridors of the academy I proceeded to explain some basic rules of the school and the main facilities. One of them was our next stop, the training grounds.

Part 3

-RAPHAEL’S POV-

We entered the big square structure made out of grey bricks soon after leaving the headmaster’s office. Seeing it up close was rather impressive. The ceiling was at least two floors high and windows were really scarce, just enough to let some natural light and air enter into the building, obviously supported by man-made lamps. On the four sides of the square a bleachers-like structure was set up with two rows of seats made in what looked like white stone and dark wood. At its center an arena-like stadium was equipped with everything a training ground should have. Dummies made out of wood or hay, targets in an archer-like style, what looked like devices that simulated a barrier and a lot of space for fights. Everything screamed training grounds. The excitement started dwelling inside me at the thought of the possibility of training in such a facility.

We were led by the headmaster to sit in the further corner from the entrance. It seems like other students were taking the second part of their test. To my surprise it looked like the headmaster was only following us and paying very little attention to what was happening down in the arena.

[Tch, this geezer! He’s been onto me for quite some time. Does he really suspect me that much? Also all that pressure he leaked before...he is dangerous to say the least!]

It didn’t take long for the other examinees to finish their tests. It was at that time that what looked like the examining professor took notice of the new presences in the training grounds.

“Oh headmaster! Fancy seeing you here. Did you come here looking at some of the new students?”

“Ho ho I did so indeed. Taking a break from the boring work inside my office is needed to keep myself motivated!”

“Wise words, thanks for your hard work! Mhh the next examinee is Lucas Bluescale-san. Lucas Bluescale-san please step into the training ground!”

“Yes sir! I’m coming”

“Mhh good, welcome. As you may know this school has a meritocratic system, meaning that your results are the only thing that counts. Status and wealth mean nothing in comparison to the result you achieve during your school years. To do so the school decided to apply a ranking system. You get the so-called “points” by achieving great results in tests and for participating at certain events hosted by the school. The more points you have the higher in the ranks you’ll be placed and you can spend those well earned points in the school’s shops. This test serves as the first event to give points to the new students. It would be bad if full fledged magicians and newbies were put in the same category, right? Ok, then let’s start. The test is easy, I’ll put up a barrier and all you have to do is fire at me your best spell. It doesn't matter what kind of spell it is, you just have to try and break down my barrier. Goodluck!”

“Fu fu fu, I wonder what interesting spell you’re going to show this old man, Raphael-kun”

Said the sly headmaster to my ear. His appearance was that of an old man but the spirit was young as one can be. Sly like a serpent and cunning like a fox. That was the best description for that man. I didn’t like him in the slightest if it was not for one thing. He was strong. Incredibly strong. If one didn’t have good eyes he wouldn’t notice but, under that old body covered in purple and gold adorned robes, was hidden a true beast. Previously, in the cart, I decided to lie about both my master and my ability so that I could spend the next five years studying in peace without being bothered by either rumors or possible challenges, since I heard from father that that was a common practice. But unfortunately, I had the feeling that that old geezer figured me out from the very start.

“I don’t know what you expect from me, headmaster. I am merely a beginner tier mage, how could I be showing one such as yourself something interesting?”

“You see, I proud myself in having a good eye for talented people so it would really...disappoint me if my judgement regarding you turned out to be wrong”

[Fuck you old man! Now, if I were to “disappoint” the headmaster of the academy it would only spell troubles for the peaceful school years I envisioned.*sigh* Looks like I’ll have to at least match your expectations. And here I was hoping to keep a low profile! Damn you!]

“I’ll try my best to entertain you” I replied, showcasing my fakest of smiles, just to see his reaction. And he,indeed, did not disappoint me. He started stroking his short but bushy white beard while giggling and repeating “Interesting, interesting!”.

Meanwhile me and the headmaster were conversing, Lucas had already finished his test. Because he had no real knowledge about magic all he could do was hit the barrier with one of the basics of basic spells: water ball. A spell that summons water in a certain place, usually close to the caster, in the shape of a sphere. Of course a spell like that did no damage to the barrier but that much was to be expected.

“Mhh well-” Said the examiner shutting down the barrier “-knowing that you are a complete newbie in magic, this was not such a bad effort. I’ve noted down everything so I’ll be discussing your result with the other teachers, you may wait outside for your brother. Next, please Raphael Bluescale-san please come down into the examining area”

As instructed by the examiner I followed his words only to be sent off by the headmaster with a big smile and a thumbs up. For some reason that old man was really pissing me off. On the way down I was able to look at Lucas for a brief moment before he left the room. His expression was that of complete disappointment. It was to be expected compared to the previous examinees who were able to both fire some attack spells. It was now my turn.

“Raphael Blue Scale-san. I don’t think I need to repeat myself on how this system and test works right?”

“No sir”

“Good, then let’s start. You are supposed to be the last examinee for today”

The examining professor placed himself in front of me at a distance of about four to five meters and put up the same barrier as he put up with the previous examinee.

[Think Raphael. What beginner tier spell would make the headmaster satisfied but at the same time make me look average?...Oh I got it! I’ll just power up by a tiny bit a stone bullet so that it’ll look like I can do some very powerful beginner tier spells. Yeah, yeah let’s go with that!]

“Whenever you are ready, fire your spell!”

“Understood sir”

I lifted my left hand towards the barrier so that my hand and shoulder were in a straight line. I then started to gather mana into my palm creating the stone bullet. It was my first time concentrating more on the power side than the trajectory. I usually used stone bullet to hit small moving targets so the trajectory was essential rather than the power itself. While casting, my mind got flooded by various ideas on how to empower it. I got curious about it and decided to test it a bit. “What’s wrong with showing off a little more power? It’s not like I’ll break the barrier or anything!” I thought.

[Denser...Make the stone denser….Let’s make it thinner while keeping the same weight, it should add speed….Thinner...Ohh, how about some push from behind….Maybe a little bit of rotation?....]

It was ready. A perfect stone bullet that looked very much like an actual projectile was now spinning in front of the palm of my hand. All I needed to do was inject the last bits of mana to fire it.

“Stone bullet”

As I finished pronouncing those words, the bullet springed out of my hand and travelled the five meter distance in what didn’t even look like a second. To my utmost surprise the barrier completely shattered as soon as the bullet hit it. Not only did I break the barrier but I also sent the examiner flying for a couple of meters back. My face was expressing all of my clear surprise as the examiner stood up looking dumbfounded and the headmaster bursted out laughing.

“Uhh so much for holding back...I’m an idiot”

A clapping sound came from the bleachers. The old man was now walking down the stairs while clapping and trying to contain his laughter. When he reached our position he finally spoke.

“Hahaha as I expected of you! With this result you’ll be sureply placed on top of the first year charts, am I right professor Blugher?”

“Haha well that’s for sure-” Replied the examiner while cleaning the remaining dust out of his clothes “- it’s unheard of a student beating one of the examiner’s barriers so the first place is more than deserved!”

“Hahaha indeed!”

“Umh is it possible not to be placed first?” I asked, interrupting the two laughing men.

“What? Why not being placed first? It’s supposed to be an honor being placed first...you’ve even surpassed some nobles who received lessons ever since they developed a mana circuit!” Replied, clearly upset the examiner.

“Yes, I do understand that it’s an honor and I appreciate it but I have no intention to stand out more than necessary”

“What are you even saying? In the first place I don’t think that’s even possible to-”

“Yes I see no problem with it” Interrupted the headmaster.

“What are you saying, headmaster? Isn’t it against the rules or something? And also, why would he-”

“He would be placed first without the need to discuss it with the other teachers so, strictly speaking, he conquered all the places below him. I see no problem with ranking him differently. You are too young to know this, but one student before him did the same thing so it’s nothing new. That said I have one condition for you Raphael-kun”

“What is it?”

“You said you don’t want to stand out right? Then I’ll have you stand out the least! Either you choose to be ranked first or to be ranked last. Those are your only choices!”

“Then the decision is rather simple. I’ll take the last spot thanks”

The headmaster looked at me with a complacent smug on his face while the examiner had his face painted in clear shock. Once again the headmaster started laughing while lightly patting the professor’s shoulder.

“Then it’s decided. Raphael Bluescale will be placed last in the upcoming first year ranking with zero points. You may now leave”

“Thank you and good day to you both”

As I was walking out of the door I heard the headmaster saying, while still struggling to contain his laughter, something like “This’ll turn out to be one hell of an interesting year!”. With a grin on my face I walked out of the door only to meet Lucas, patiently waiting for me sitting on a nearby bench.

“So? How did it go, Raph?” He asked restlessly while running towards me.

“It’s all good thanks, I was placed last”

“Hahaha I knew you'd be reco-....LAAAASTT? WHAT?”

“Yeah, no joke. I did so well that they let me choose my own position so I chose to be placed last haha!”

“....WHAAAAAAAAATTTTT?!”

Part 4

“So they really gave you the choice of either being placed first or last and you choose last?”

Asked still perplexed for the third time Lucas while walking in the garden between the training grounds and the school.

“*sigh* How many times are you going to ask the same identical question? Yes! Yes I chose to be placed last!”

“But why?!”

“Because I’m here only to study magic, not to make a show out of my abilities!”

“Then why the fuck did you beat the examiner in the first place?!”

“Yeah...about that, I might have gone a little overboard. Let’s call it...a miscalculation?” I said while jokingly raising my shoulders and grinnin in my brother’s direction.

“Ugh I will never be able to understand you! Anyway, what do we do now?”

“Well, the headmaster said that the first thing to do was to get our school uniforms and our rooms from the administrative office”

“Rooms?”

“Who said that we’d be placed in the same room?”

“Yeah that’s true. Oh well I hope so though! By the way...do you know where the administrative office is?”

“No idea!”

“Great…”

On a silent mutual agreement we decided to walk towards the school, planning on getting inside once again. An administrative office would probably be somewhere on the ground floor. While doing so, a familiar figure coming from inside the school started to approach us. It had been many years but her features were not something one could forget so easily. Hair as white as fresh snow that the gentle breeze coming from our backs was waving as if it was trying to spread their light. Her hair were longer than the last time I saw her. By letting them loose they almost reached the end of her back while the forehead was covered by a series of finely trimmed wisps of hair, leaving only spots of her forehead to be seen. Her red eyes that shone like rubies looked even more beautiful now that the comparison between them and her silky white hair was rendered more vivid. That girl with the black skirt flapping rhythmically together with her hair was none other than Sora Evergard, my fianceé.

I was astonished. Not only was it a surprise for me to see how beautiful she had grown but also the fact that she was here. In my letters with Elodor, he mentioned the fact that she decided to study magic at school one year before I did, but he never said anything about sending her to the same academy that he himself suggested me. While I was in such a state of trance, shocked by her sudden appearance and lost in thought, she took notice of me.

“Raphael-san!” She shouted with her usual sweet yet loud voice, bringing me back to reality.

“I’m fucked!” I said while slamming my hand over my face.

“Oi oi oi who’s that beauty? And why the hell does she know your name?!” Asked suddenly Lucas in a tone that mimicked something between shock and jealousy.

“Raphael-san it’s been soo long! Do you remember me? I’m Sora your fianc-”

“I remember, I remember Sora-san! It’s a pleasure to see you again” I said, interrupting her before she could shout to the whole school the nature of her relationship with me.

“Oi don’t ignore me!” Shouted Lucas.

“I’ll explain, I’ll explain, just...just follow me! There are too many ears here!”

I didn’t even finish my phrase that I took Sora’s wrist and drove her and my brother to a more remote place. A little garden surrounded by short well trimmed bushes with a huge white gazebo in it’s middle. Only there I finally let go of a now clearly flustered Sora.

“Soo? Start explaining!-” Said Lucas with an imperative tone while crossing his arms on his chest, imitating father “-how is that YOU know such a beauty?”

“That was totally uncalled for! Lucas, this is Sora Evergar, my fianceé. Sora, this is my older brother Lucas”

“You have a fianceé and you never told me?”

“You have an older brother and you never told me?”

Asked the both of them at the same time pressing their index fingers into my cheeks.

“Please one at a time!...*sigh* Lucas is actually my half-brother from my mother’s side but, due to certain reasons, he could not live anymore with his previous family so we took him with us. Sora and I are the victims of a scheme of our mothers in order to marry us and possibly elevate each other’s family statues. Does that explain?”

“Yeah but you never told me that you had a finceé, especially one as beautiful as her!”

“You never asked in the first place and please don’t flirt with her”

“Well it seemed like you were a loner so I thought that if I were to ask something like that I’d be hurting your feelings”

“Wow...that’s...I don’t know if I should be happy at the fact that you care about my feelings or I should punch you for that offence!”

“Hahaha you really do seem like brothers!”

Our conversation continued for quite some time. From the time I visited Sora’s mansion to the time I went on the raid, from when Lucas unexpectedly came home to The Evergard family finally receiving the noble title, all until the day’s events. It seemed like the Kingdom of Hadoc recognized the usefulness and the wealth accumulated by Elodor’s family and decided to grant them the lowest noble title.

“...and then, he blatantly said with his usual clueless face: “They let me choose between first position and last so I obviously chose last!”-” Said Lucas while making weird faces and imitating what seemed like a distorted version of my voice. “-can you believe this idiot?”

“Haha actually I do! It’s very much like him to say things like that haha!”

“Listen here I’ll explain it one last time and that’s it! I came to this academy to study magic, not to have a good time and show my powers and abilities only to be recognized as abnormal. I want to live my school years in a peaceful manner without any trouble. In order to do that, Sora-san, I would like to keep our relationship a secre-”

My words were suddenly interrupted by an unpleasantly high and pompous voice. Following the source of that voice with my eyes I noticed a man dressed in the same uniform as the other students running towards our gazebo with an angry face.

“Hey! Why is my girlfriend talking to some random country bumpkins?”

“Eh?!”

“Wha-?!”

“Ah?!”

The three of us looked perplexed at each other and at that new figure approaching us while emitting those sounds. That new guy that just came running didn’t even have time to catch his breath that I had already figured out what I needed to know about him. His pompous and loud voice, his lack of respect towards others, that self-centered pose he struck once he reached the gazebo and that slick back style of his blonde hair that looked as if he put too much gel while styling them, all screamed the same thing: the rude son of a noble!

“I don’t wanna sound rude but we are in the middle of a conversation here so would you min-” I tried saying before being interrupted by a spit on my shoes.

“Who even gave you permission to speak to me, peasant? Sora-chan let’s go somewhere more private, shall we?”

I was fuming with rage. Only once before was I disrespected in such a manner. Only that other damned noble came into our shop only to complain about everything and beat me up in the end just for the sake of his fun. But, just like that time, I controlled my anger in the name of the greater good.

“Listen Gallher-san I’ll say one last time. I’m not your girlfriend nor will I ever be. I’m not interested in you, besides I already told you that I have a fianceé!” Replied frustrated Sora.

“Ohh such lies. I know that you want me, who wouldn't? Now come, I don’t have time to waste being around such filthy people!”

He said while stretching his hand trying to grab the now standing Sora. Without even thinking I stood up and intercepted his hand by stopping his movements from his wrist. He gave me a clear disgusted and displeased glare as my hand reached his wrist.

“How dare this lowly no-one touch me?”

“He is Raphael Bluescale, he is my fi-”

“I’m her childhood friend and it seems like she does not appreciate your presence here, so might I ask you to kindly leave?”

“Huhuhuhu I admit, I find it amusing how a peasant dares requests something out of me. I am Delvin Gallher, son of Caleb Gallher, marquis of the great Belza Kingdom!”

After his large self-presentation, clearly flaunting the name and position of his father, he pumped his chest and gave off a clear look of self-imposed superiority. It really pissed me off.

“I don’t know who you are and I honestly don’t care!-” I said while pausing to take a good look at his now speechless expression, coming from the fact that the only thing that gave him that feeling of superiority was now just rendered useless “-Also, if I’m not mistaken, the headmaster told us that in this academy wealth and status don’t count shit! Only power and ability are what really matters, am I wrong?”

His previously prideful expression now turned into an annoyed grimace. I hit the spot!

[If you think I’m just gonna stay silent once again then you are pretty wrong boy!]

“Now, would you mind leaving? Or would his highness prefer it if I helped him with this troublesome endeavor?”

I was slowly chipping away at his pride. My goal was to make him enraged and, if everything went as planned, make him attack me either with magic or physically. Always being around other people in my past life really helped me figure out how humans work and, as expected, he fell into my trap by trying to strike me with a punch.

“You dare insult me?!” Screamed the now livid noble boy while raising his fist.

[Gotcha! Medium speed boost]

As soon as I activated the spell I dashed behind his back, easily dodging his fist. Without a target he stumbled on his feet, almost falling face down onto the hard wood of the gazebo, only to lose balance for a brief moment. I then lightly tapped his shoulder making a “boop” sound with my mouth. The look of pure shock in his eyes when he turned around only to find me there was priceless.

“Sorry, ya missed!”

I said as I pushed him from the shoulders in order to make him fall. He didn’t even oppose any resistance. He just slammed his butt on the gazebo’s floor and looked at me with a perplexed expression only to find that I was not in front of him anymore.

“Do you need a hand to stand up or are you able to leave on your own two feet?”

I said while being back in my previous position, as if I had never moved an inch.

“You-you...what did you do!? You can’t use magic in the school grounds!”

“Oh my, did I use magic right now? Have you heard me casting a spell perhaps?”

The dumbfounded expression on his face was worth being printed and hanged on a wall to commemorate. Unfortunately this world doesn’t even have clocks let alone a camera.

“I-I- it doesn’t end here!” He said on the verge of tears while running away from the scene.

“Have a safe trip!” I mocked him while waving my hand in his direction.

The two spectators finally bursted out laughing. They were probably trying to maintain composure while being face to face with him, but now that he was gone they could make fun of him to their heart's content. The first one to speak was Lucas.

“Have you seen the face he made Raph?*wheeze* Priceless!”

The laughter kept going on for a minute or so more until finally everyone was able to calm down and regain composure. Sora cleared the tears from the edges of her eyes and looked at me in a seemingly serious manner.

“Thank you Raphael-san. He’s been bothering me ever since he came here five days ago. He’s a real pain! But about what I was about to say, why did you stop me from telling him of our relationship?”

“Haha no problem Sora-san. Yeah about that, I would like to keep our relationship a secret. Listen, you are now a noble now and I am a commoner, just this fact can bring me some unwanted attention plus, as we’ve already seen, people like him will probably want to retaliate against me if they found out I am your fianceé. In the end my peaceful school life would be ruined”

Her face clearly expressed her feelings. She was sad. She probably waited the whole year she spent in this academy hoping that I would enroll only to be unable to act as my fianceè when I did so. She probably was very disappointed and dissatisfied. I was waiting for her to throw a tantrum or get mad but surprisingly it didn’t happen. She was calm, rather she had a grin on her face.

“Since you value soo much your “peaceful school years” I won’t meddle with your decisions. That said, I won’t just stay silent and pretend to be strangers. I want something in return!”

[I knew she had something in mind...little witch!]

“Alright, state your terms”

“One date! Once a month you’ll have to go on a date with me! You can choose the place, the time and the day, but at least once a month you’ll have to go on a date with me, clear?”

“So be it, a date it is”

I couldn’t really debate with that. I was already forcing her to hide our relationship, if I were to ask for something else it would seem like I was trying to distance myself from her, plus at that time one date every month didn’t sound like a bad deal: being able to visit the city accompanied by someone who lived here for a year seemed indeed interesting. I thought that I was only asked to go on a date, not to do whatever comes next, even though I had some kind of bad feeling about it.

“By the way Raph, we still have to find the administrative office hahaha!”

“Oh, are you two going to collect your rooms and uniforms? Now I see why you still have your luggage with you. Follow me, I’ll guide you there!”

“Ohh Sora-chan you are an angel!”

Said Lucas while following the already walking Sora. With me closing the row, we started walking once again towards the entrance of the school. At that time I was unaware of the fact that my dreamed peaceful school life was already on its way to shatter to pieces.