"Haru... ...to. ...ru...! Haruto!"
Haruto's eyelids flickered faintly. He slowly opened his eyes and an unfamiliar face came to view.
"Wh-who are you?"
The man in what appears to be a classy school uniform gasps, looking at Haruto as if he had seen a ghost.
"Y-You did you hit your head or something? You actually slept so well that you forgotten your most closest friend!"
'Friend?'
Haruto rubbed his eyes and took a closer look at the guy infront of him. He is a blond guy with a fair face that is not too sharp nor too small. He wears a sunny smile that will immediately put anyone in a friendly mood. He's wearing a long sleeve midnight black blazer with a silver trim, a what appears to be a high collared white men's blouse with a red tie, black gloves, and black trousers on top of his silky black boots. On his left chest is a pin with the roman numeral I engraved on it under a crystal coating. Connected to it is a silver metal string that hangs over his uniform and attached to his right chest. One notable thing he noticed is the engraving on his left chest of what seems to be a dragon wrapped around a star.
"Sorry but I really can't seem to remember you."
Flabbergasted, he decided to humor him.
"F-fine! If you wanna play that way, then let me introduce myself once again. I, Adrian von Crestfall, is the son of the great Marquis, Edward von Crestfall of the western regions! My house Crestfall has guarded the west boarder for several generations and never fall since and once I reach sufficient age, I shall inherit our noble promise and guard the west border!"
"Isn't the west border so desolate that no one even dare to invade for resources and its geographical position is so bad, neighboring kingdoms doesn't even bat an eye that in wars, your place is actually the safest?"
"You actually dare badmouth my great house Crestfall! Our position is just too good nobody dare invade us!"
"Sure."
Adrian turned red at the accusations and remained pointing at some other students laughing, speechless. Everyone knows that although it is true no one dares to invade them, it is also true that their situation isn't great.
While these are happening, Haruto stares in the distance lost in thought. He truly had no idea what is happening. All the unfamiliar faces and surroundings are overwhelming him. There are even some unrecognizable writings on the board.
'That's right! I fainted!'
Thinking back, he finally recalled that he fainted after finishing an otome game. How he ended up here is the question.
'Is this the otome game i was playing and now I am dreaming about it? But these sensations feel too real...'
It looks like he is in a school judging from their uniforms and the room. Moreover it feels vaguely similar to the uniform of the otome game he was playing. However, he had never heard of the name "Adrian" and the house of Crestfall.
"Come on Haruto! We don't have time for these games. Lunch time is gonna end we still need to queue up in the cafeteria!"
Without warning, Adrian pulled up the groggy Haruto and took him out of the classroom. A lot of students linger the hallways and the excited chatters creates the nice campus atmosphere. The Female uniforms looks the same as the Male's, only with a matching colored pleated skirt that reaches their knees paired with a knee high socks. Most of them have a silver trim and bronze trim but some that is surrounded by those with a silver trim has gold trim suggesting hierarchical status quo. There is also different roman numerals engraved on their pins ranging from I to IV. Those with higher, notably older.
"It's quite chilly now that we are reaching the end of the year. Oh we're here! Quick! Let's line up fast! I just don't want to miss the coffee jelly. It's rare for my request to get through!"
Scrambling together towards the queue at the front, Haruto finally recollected himself.
He finally confirmed that this is the otome game he just played, Asterion School of Magic. The dragon wrapping on a star is the signature crest of the Asterion Academy. Earlier, he also overheard some discussion about named male love interests that appeared in the game. Due to his obsession of finding the best consort for Yuna, of course he knew almost everything about all the male love interest. However, it is also due to this that he paid little to no attention to the love rivals. Although he do know a lot about them too, but it would take some effort to remember. He even forgotten their exact appearance and only mostly remember their names.
"You requested coffee jelly? You can request which food to be included in the cafeteria's menu?"
Although he did played this game a lot, he can't really remembered everything. He's also curious at this world's culture. However, Adrian just looked at him weirdly.
"Didn't you also put a request for curry in the weekly cafeteria menu box? Don't tell me you also forgot about that? ...you have your food slip with you right?"
"Food slip?"
Adrian looked at him with shock.
"Don't tell me you forgot your food slip?! How are you gonna get food!"
Adrian comically rummaged through all of Haruto's pockets and finally found a small furnished wooden token.
"Thank god it's here! I can only take so much shock in a day... You've been acting weird since earlier. You sure you alright?"
Adrian looked genuinely concern for Haruto's well being. Haruto's lips revealed a faint smile.
"Thanks. I'm fine, just forgetting stuff lately."
"That sounds serious no?"
Soon, they are finally close to the front, but a commotion suddenly broke out. A male student with a noticable golden trim in his uniform and instead of roman numerals, a silhouette of a dragon is engraved with the once silver, now a golden metal string is attached.
His long and wild red hair resembling a wolf, and his thick brows and sharp eyes gives an intimidating look. An entourage follows by composed of lesser nobles with silver trim. It's as if he doesn't acknowledge them as he went straight at the front of the cafeteria. His diet composed mostly by meat dishes and what appears to be the last coffee jelly as a dessert.
"M-my coffee jelly..."
After taking his food, he moved to a secluded spot in the corner where some students immediately vacant the perimeter making an isolated table.
It's finally Haruto's turn with his "Crestfall-en" friend. He handed the food slip to the attendant before grabbing curry and some other dishes while Adrian seemed to just grabbed whatever. Then they finally managed to sat down.
"What a misfortune. The last coffee jelly actually got grabbed by Leonhart."
Haruto is actually very familiar with him. Because Leonhart Ainsworth is actually a valid love interest. Hailing from the House Ainsworth of the North, he is the son of a duke and is a graduating student signified by the dragon engraving. As a graduating student, you need to either present an achievement of high value or accumulate enough credit in order to fully graduate from the academy.
Due to his serious and battle junkie nature, most students don't want to approach him. He is one of the most powerful figures in Asterion Academy with his giant claymore and his explosive fire magic.
In the game, in order to graduate, Leonhart helped to take down the dragon.
"By the way, how's your preparation for the final exam going?"
"Final exam? When was it again?"
"1st day next week. We don't have classes for a week to give us time to prepare you know? Especially for the practical magic and physical section of the exam. We don't really have a lot of time in a normal week to train."
"What day is it today?"
"Tuesday."
"If we don't have class, why are we still here then?"
"Well... It's not really no class. It's more like half a day of class. From what I heard, it was supposed to be no class at all, but due to a lot of students still requesting consultations to teachers during their free time, they made it so that the first half of the day is a free discussion with teachers for anything students want to ask. Mostly magic theory."
Although Haruto knows all the exam topics that will be used for final exams for all the years assuming he is at the same year as the protagonist Yuna and they didn't change it, it was all just written exams and magic theory.
'But how would I deal with physical and practical magic exams?'
Haruto's heart skipped a beat. Practical magic is when students duel with each other only using magic with the class instructor grading them based on performance. Physical exams is the same, but only using physical ability without magic. Meanwhile, the last part, Overall Battle Prowess Exam commonly called OBP Exam is the fusion of magic and physical ability. It test the students' ability to make judgement and use everything at his disposal to win a battle.
However, Haruto dealt with those easily because the otome game is a game with game mechanics. Right now, it's no longer a game so how is he suppose to use magic?! Much less use weapons like a sword? He never fought in his past life other than some random fist fights.
If he fail the final exam and get kicked out of the academy, what is he suppose to do? That can't happen. He needs to move fast. He only have a week before the exam.
Haruto suddenly stood up startling the mid-bite Adrian.
"What's wrong?"
"I just remembered I need to prepare for the exams."
"Oh. Okay. Goodluck. By the way can I have that?"
Adrian said pointing at the leftover food of Haruto.
"Isn't it a little unbecoming of a noble to ask for leftovers?"
"Well... My House didn't really taught me to waste food. And as you heard, our marquisdom doesn't really have a lot of resources so..."
Haruto laughed. He was just teasing him a little. The more he spend time with Adrian, the more he grew fond of him. Even in his past life, they might still become the bestest of friends.
"Suit yourself. Just don't choke."
"Alright! Thanks."
Haruto wandered around the school thinking where to go next. There seems to be not much students wandering the corridors.
At the moment, there is two huge problems he needs to solve. First is figure out how to use magic and two, how will he win physical combat. He remembered there are training facilities for both magic and physical but a lot of students also use those. He feels like he first need to be secretive until he figure things out before joining the others. He might better be off training in the forest at the back of the academy.
First, Haruto wants to go back to his room to get some clue to his background. He never received any memory of the body he is inhabiting now. He needs to find out his identity.
But then he realized another problem. He has no clue where his room is, nor his classroom. He doesn't even know what subjects he have!
Cold sweat dripped on his back, frantically thinking on how will he deal with this memory issue. He remembered that there exist a student council that deals with students. Maybe he can get some help there... but where can he find the student council?!
Having wandered lost in thought, Haruto found himself at the entrance of the academy main building. He noticed a board at the front detailing the lay out of the main building with the list of rooms in each floor. He finally recalled that each building of Asterion have a board like this that mapped out the building. There should be one outside that maps out the whole campus. He should be able to remember something from the game looking at it. Maybe he'll find where the student council is located.
Now with a new found hope, Haruto rushed outside looking for a directory board at the front of the building. It was just outside listing all the buildings inside the campus and the campus's layout.
Staring at it, he noticed the notable places such as the Boys' dormitory, the Department of Arcane Studies, Division of Physical Arts, Magical Training Grounds, and Physical Training Grounds. But where could the student council be?
Haruto squinted his eyes and drilled his left and right index finger to the side of his skull as if he's trying to use his psychic powers to decipher the meaning of those symbols. Some onlookers even noticed his antics, provoking a faint laugh and a shake of the head before moving on to their own business. Everyone is busy with the upcoming exams.
'Student Council. Student Council. Student Council. Student Council. Stud-'
"No matter how hard you stare, nothing there is gonna change."
"!"
Suddenly a female voice sounded beside Haruto's ear. It came from a girl with silky straight black hair, gorgeous bangs and sharp eyes. Her faint smile radiates both amicability and confidence. One look and you can immediately tell that she is someone of authority. Although the silver trim speaks her background.
"Hello fellow student. Apologies if I startled you. I am Ichinose Reina from the house Ichinose, the student council president. Is there anything I can help you with?"
'Reina, that sounds familiar... Wait! She's the student council president?!'
Haruto immediately forgot his train of thought at the mention of student council.
"YES! I-I mean, please help me locate the dorm assigned to me... I kinda forgot the room number."
"You forgot the place you've been living in for the whole year?"
"And my subjects and classrooms."
Reina chuckled.
"Are you sure you forgot or somehow lost your academic profile card."
"Ah yes. That one too."
Reina chuckled even harder.
"Although I don't know if you genuinely forgot or if this is just an elaborate ploy to ask for a new academic profile card, as the president it's my duty to help fellow students. Also it's not really that troublesome to get a new one, but you do need to pay the fine for losing yours. Come with me."
According to Haruto's fragmented memories, the academic profile card should show all the student's information such as the assigned dorm number, their unique id, assigned subjects, assign room for each subject and the schedule.
"You never really gave me your name so how may I adress you?"
"Haruto. Just call me Haruto."
"Your house name?"
"Uh... that's a secret."
'I don't know if My surname here is the same as my old one. better be safe. I knew I was right to not interact with anyone until I figure out my identity.'
Reina once again laughed at such a weird guy and his futile attempts of being mysterious. There is no need to hide these things. She is the student council president. She handles student information.
"You do know I am the student council president and that I handle student informations right? Even more so, I will see it in your academic profile card."
"Well, it's a secret until then."
"You are really an interesting person."
In a few more minutes, they finally arrived at a tall building five stories tall. Arched windows lined the sides of the building, and two arched wooden doors with traditional horseshoe-shaped metal handles stood at the entrance.
"Is this the Student Council Building? Why didn't I found it in the Directory board?"
"Oh! That is another matter I forgot to do. We are supposed to change those boards since this building is newly made this year to better accomodate the growing numbers of students. Thanks for reminding me Haruto-san."
Reina pushed the wooden doors open and let Haruto in before letting go of the door. It slowly closed shut, amazing Haruto.
"Wow it can close on its own? Where did you put the springs?"
Reina smiled at his naivety. He looks like a country bumpkin in his first time of visiting the city.
"There are magic engravings at the side of the door. It is the type to return to its original state after sometime when no force is being applied to it. The craftsmen utilized these to create an exquisite pair of doors."
"Cool."
Without further ado, they started to climb the stairs. It took some time to climb to the highest level but Haruto is surprised that he didn't even feel a change in his breath as if it was normal to climb a five story building. Meanwhile he did notice that Reina's breath quicken albeit slightly.
They reached what seemed to be an office and a woman in a maid outfit greeted them. She wore a short blond hair, standing quietly with a smile giving an elegant and refined demeanor.
"Welcome back Reina-sama."
"I appreciate the warm welcome Mina-san."
After the greetings, Reina sat down behind the desk and faced Haruto.
"May I get your Id number to find your academic profile card?"
Haruto stood there frozen. He also doesn't know his id. Maybe he should've thought it through instead of impulsively deciding. Although he is not the brightest and the type to think a lot, so even if he think about it more he doubt he can create a foolproof plan. He even forgets where he put his phone down 5 seconds after putting it down, much more this.
As if reading Haruto's mind, Reina uttered a helpless sigh.
"I don't even know how you got through the year without knowing these basic things."
Reina stood up and approached Haruto. She reached for the pin with the I engraving and removed it showing Haruto the back where one can see a set of numbers.
"Do you see this? this is your personal id number."
However, Reina is now very close to Haruto as if they where almost touching. He can smell her fragrance making his heart beat faster. A faint blush can be seen from Haruto's cheeks. As if noticing this, Reina flashed a faint smile.
After a quick look, Reina pinned it back, returning to her desk not before tidying his uniform a bit.
"Mina-san do grab me a copy of the academic profile card for first year student numbered 52689."
"At once Reina-sama."
The maid named Mina went outside and gently closed the door.
"Why don't you take a seat first Haruto-san? Mina-san will take a while since first year's affairs are usually handled at the ground floor."
"Thank you Ichinose-san."
Reina laughed at the traditional addressing.
"Why are you still calling me by my house name when I've been using your first name? Call me Reina."
"Thank you Reina-san."
"So how's the preparation for the exam going? Do you have plans or problems you are dealing with? You can tell me. I will gladly help."
Since it will be a while before Mina return, Reina tried to liven up the atmosphere with some small talk. However, she didn't know this dealt a blow to Haruto. his two huge problem is still at hand.
Thinking about this, Haruto thought of a plan to have a glimpse of how mana works.
"Actually, I do have a problem about magic theory."
Hearing this, Reina's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Oh? i might not be the best but I am confident at my ability in magic theory. Just ask and I will do my best to answer."
"Can you explain to me clearly the circulation of magic and how you use it?"
"Ah. The circulation of magic. Although some already knows how to control mana instinctively, it is still worth it to understand how to properly do so for a more efficient casting. There are two ways to circulate mana. Inner Flow circulation and Outer Flow circulation. Inner flow refers to the circulation of mana inside your body. Usually the only mana you can control are mana in your body. Try to close your eyes and feel your body."
Haruto complied and tries closing his eyes. He erased the trace of the outside world and focused his attention to his own body. He tries feeling himself of anything different. Somehow, he can feel something moving in his body as if wind is blowing. He can also feel some places are hot, while others are wet. There are places that are cold, places that feels like earth even though he can't feel nor smell it, and places that is cold and hard like metal. Whether it's because the previous owner of this body already know how to feel the mana or he is just talented that's why he can feel them easily is unclear.
"Do you feel anything?"
"Yes. But there is so much things to note."
"That means you can use most mana attributes. Having more than two element is called composite mage. Having a single element is a pure element mage. Two elements are called Dual element Mage.
Those things you feel are the different attributes of mana and the act of sensing these mana is called Mana Sensing. Usually, having a lot of different kinds of attributes means you won't excel at using one attribute and your growth is limited, you will still have a high versatility in combat. Not to mention it will really depend in your physique how high your growth is. There are Archmages that achieve peak mastery in more than one element so excelling in more than one element is not unheard of.
Now, try to command those mana that you feel. Imagine yourself moving them. Pick one of them and guide them outside your body."
Haruto imagined moving that blowing wind and guiding them to his hand. It was quite easy to move and he could feel the wind gathering in his hand. He opened his eyes.
"Huh. I could feel it's there but I can't see it."
Haruto said looking at his hand. Looking at this, Reina giggled.
"That's because you chose the air element silly! Of course you can't see it."
"Oh."
Haruto blushed a bit in embarrassment.
"The act of utilizing mana is called Mana Manipulation. The result due to Mana Manipulation in your hand is what we call magic. Why don't you try to add more mana to it?"
When Haruto added more mana, the faint wind in his hand grew more powerful enough to blow his hair faintly.
"The act of adding mana to your magic is called Magic Amplification. Now stop adding mana but still maintain a connection to the magic in your hand then try to make it move away from your hand."
Haruto did as Reina said and made the invisible ball of air magic move away in his hands and circle in front of him.
"Woah! I can make it move anywhere I want."
"That is called Mana Control. Now control it like you are throwing a stone and throw it at me."
"What? Won't that hurt you?"
Reina smiled.
"It won't. Not only is the power of that too low to even be considered air magic but air magic can only be fatal in the correct form."
Trusting Reina's words, Haruto threw the air magic towards Reina thinking it will fall down on her desk. However, it just sailed through and hit her right in the face.
'Shoot!'
There is no time for Haruto to react. What if she gets mad for such a rude act?
After the air magic hit her face, Haruto was expecting the worse but the air magic just made her hair blew back. Light shines at her from the window behind, Her eyes closed and a faint smile escaped her thin rosy lips as if she was enjoying the bellowing wind. Her hair fluttered, making the scene more magical. As if time slowed down, she slowly opened her eyes looking at the mouth agaped Haruto. It feels like a scene out of a painting. He felt his heart skip a beat.
'This is quite dangerous.'
Opening her eyes, her words brought Haruto back to this world.
"When you released your control from your magic, you are officially expelling them from your body and therefore can no longer control that magic. The amount of mana you use is called Mana Usage."
"What if I run out of mana?"
"Then you are dead."
"WHAT?!"
Reina laughed at his reaction.
"Don't worry. You will immediately feel the effects before you truly run out of mana. Your body instinctively stops you from running out of mana by losing consciousness. When you feel yourself getting light headed or dizzy, that is the sign of mana overexhaustion. You should stop the use of mana and take a rest. Your body naturally recovers mana."
"Then what about the second type of circulation you mentioned?"
"The second type is the Outer Flow where instead of using the mana inside your body, you control them to influence the mana in your surroundings. These let you control the mana outside making you expend no mana. However, this is usually for higher years so you don't need to think about it."
The brand new path of magic just opened in front of Haruto. He is no longer interested as much in the story of the game, but is excited to try out different forms of magic. In a world without magic, who doesn't want to have a go at magic?
Suddenly, the door opened and Mina carrying a paper scroll walked in.
"This is the document you requested Reina-sama."
Mina handed the document to Reina before she unfurled it and read the contents.
"House Kobayashi? So you hailed from a Military family?"
"Oh uh yes..."
'It seem that my surname here is the same as my old one huh.'
"Here. Don't lose it again. I'll deal with the fee as a token of friendship."
Reina handed the scroll to Haruto.
"Thank you Reina-san. You truly helped me a great deal today. I won't forget this favor."
"It's my duty. Also please accept this."
Reina opened her desk and handed Haruto a small crytal ball with some engravings around it.
"What is this?"
"You never used one? It's a ManaGram. It uses the injected mana to record the surrounding and send it to another ManaGram when you cut off the mana supply."
Haruto was incredibly amazed to have one. He remembered the name ManaGram in the game but this is the first time he see one for real instead of just icon in the screen.
'Is this this world's equivalent to a girl giving their number?'
"I would like to be friends with you Haruto-san."
"Then I would be in your care Reina-san. I am truly grateful for today and would like to treat you to a meal sometime but I will need to get going now. I won't bother you any longer."
"I am looking forward to it."
Haruto stood up and left the room.
"He seems suspisious Reina-sama. He can't be clueless to every basic knowledge. This might be just a scheme to get closer to you."
"I quite like him."
Mina looked surprised at Reina. The usual solitary lady is actually expressing her adoration openly.
"He genuinely looks clueless as if he has no idea what in the world is happening. He looks so innocent that I just want to tease him. And his interest for magic is so pure it's fascinating. Not to mention that I am the one who approached him."
Reina's usual amicable and friendly expression now carry a trace of insanity as a blush appeared on her cheeks. Mina's expression turned heavy. Her master found a new target. It's not that Reina plays with men, but her target of adoration is typically inanimate object or locations.
But one thing is for certain. She will definitely make the move to obtain what she desires.
"Should I keep an eye on him Reina-sama?"
"Don't. That would be quite rude. I want to approach him normally. It's been so long since I laughed quite a lot like this. I truly enjoyed his company."
Outside, Haruto grasped his heart not knowing he already got targeted. A moment ago, he already imagined a future with Reina as his wife. It was so embarrassing that he immediately shook his head. He can't get that one image with her hair fluttering in the wind out of his head. Sure enough, women are dangerous.
In any case, he got what he wanted and so he hurried back to the boy's dormitory to the room number written in the Academic Profile Card. He really need to gather his bearings and finally figure out his identity in this world! There are still so many things he wanted to try like magic. He can't fail now!