My first day at Ax Academy started with something no one expected:
I was surrounded by eyes that seemed to want to burn me to ashes.
The Apex Class—the class that gathered the most talented mages, knights, and warriors on the continent. The youngest here was usually 18 years old. The class president was a genius. When I stepped in, I could feel the magic so dense that the hair on my arms stood up.
And I, a 14-year-old, walked in.
My first reaction: complete silence.
The whole class looked at me as if I had just sneaked into the men's restroom.
"Uh... hello everyone?"
I raised my hand in a light greeting.
No one responded.
I blinked.
This attitude...was familiar. Very familiar.
It was exactly like when I was Mabel, newly appointed captain of the Templar Knights at the age of 16. Ijeckerl then looked at me with a look that literally said, "Not accepted."
And here I was, 8 years later (in my personal opinion), experiencing it again in Deuwyn's body.
Wonderful.
"The Apex class will have a new member."
The professor's voice rang out behind me. A gray-haired man in a dark blue robe walked in. "Deuwyn Alyane Endias. Directly admitted."
A few people whispered.
"Endias?"
"That family is rich, but…"
"At 14 years old, entering Apex? Are you kidding?"
I tilted my head. Oh, that's good. Age bias again? That's normal.
But before I could open my mouth, the professor continued:
"And, keep your attitude serious. This is the decision of Principal Ijeckerl."
So I was completely speechless.
I curled my lips slightly.
Ijeckerl, you're always on time.
But that silence didn't last long.
Because someone adjusted his collar and stood up.
Black cloak with red trim. The silver badge of the Top 1 in actual combat on his chest.
And… tall.
Very tall.
I was 1m62, and he was… probably 1m78–1m80, almost two heads taller than me.
He walked over, his blue-black hair tied low, his eyes as sharp as ice melting in the middle of the night.
"Nagoto Hydorya." Another person whispered. "The strongest person in the second year class."
He stood in front of me, looking down at me as if I were some misplaced object.
"…Child."
I blinked. "I'm 14, I'm really young."
"You shouldn't be here."
His voice was clear, cold, and as firm as a knife. "Apex is no place for a favored brat from a family to barge in."
Ah. This game.
I crossed my arms over my chest.
"…I understand. You're upset that I'm younger than you."
"I don't like fighting with people who aren't old enough to hold a sword."
"Oh. I understand." I nodded. "Just like Ijeckerl was back then."
The class chuckled.
Nagoto frowned.
"Ijeckerl? Principal?"
"Don't compare me to him."
"I'm not." I shrugged. "I'm just saying you were like that too—not accepting anyone younger than you to have an equal position."
The class began to whisper.
As for Nagoto… his eyes narrowed slightly.
I continued:
"If you're worried that I'll become a burden, I can prove it."
"How?"
His voice was low, but not as contemptuous as before—it was like he was taking me more seriously.
"I can't use magic completely right now." I said bluntly. "But I'm still good at close combat."
"You know swordsmanship?"
"Yeah. I learned it when I was little."
The class burst into sneering laughter.
"This kid is… three, four years old?"
"Probably playing with wooden swords with the servants."
I threw back my head and laughed.
This was the academy. These kids… were just like the new recruits of yore.
Nagoto didn't laugh.
He looked at me like he was looking at a difficult problem he wanted to solve.
"…If you want to prove it, then at the end of today there will be a test to evaluate your combat ability. Apex Class always has its own entrance exam."
He said.
"If you pass the standard, I won't say anything more."
"What if I pass you?" I asked.
Nagoto raised an eyebrow.
"No way."
"Who knows. Life is full of surprises." I shrugged. "Like when I was poisoned."
The whole class fell silent.
Nagoto was slightly startled.
"…What did you say?"
"I said I was poisoned."
I laughed lightly. "But I'm still standing here."
A few people shuddered.
A few others looked at me as if I was lying.
Nagoto looked at me for a long time.
The gaze that had been cold just now had now turned… defensive?
He took a step back, then said,
"Okay. Until the end of the class."
I nodded. "See you later."
The professor clapped his hands to restore order.
"That's enough. Everyone sit down. Deuwyn, you choose a seat."
I looked around. The seats were almost full.
But there was an empty table—right next to Nagoto.
I walked over.
"You're planning on—"
He opened his mouth, but I pulled up a chair next to him.
"Sit here, of course."
I blinked innocently.
"The person holding the number one position is definitely the safest to sit next to the newcomer."
Nagoto glared at me, clearly unhappy.
"Do you like to cause trouble?"
"I'm not causing trouble." I tilted my head.
"I just want to make new friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes. The main character."
"…What did you say?"
"Nothing." I rested my chin on my hand and smiled.
A few people in the front row turned to look at me and whispered, "This girl is really crazy."
"She dares to sit next to Nagoto?"
"She has a strong spirit."
I didn't care.
I just think…
In my previous life, I was the captain of the strongest.
In this life, I don't mind a kid two heads taller than me.
That's right—a secret…
In my previous life, I was 175cm tall.
Now I'm 162cm.
Obviously, that difference makes me a little uncomfortable every time I look up to talk to Nagoto.
But never mind.
Tall or short, I can still kick him away if I need to.
I smiled at Nagoto.
He looked at me as if wondering:
What kind of creature is this girl?