Imperial Academy Girl Magic Officer

“We will now begin team formation.”

These were Gartel’s first words in the second class we faced.

For the next 6 months, we will work in teams. And based on the results produced here, differentials will be applied to each cadet, distributing additional points for the upcoming eligibility screening.

This was the matter he emphasized as soon as he started the class.

“This type of training didn’t exist before…”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the instructor’s face. Joint training, it was a curriculum I had never experienced before.

Since we were having class in the open space where the previous ability test was conducted, which was unusual, it seemed he had made thorough preparations.

This too must be one of the many aspects that changed as the world became reality.

It wasn’t bad.

The newer the training, the more enjoyment would double. I became curious about which cadets I would be living with from now on.

“Then I’ll start calling names.”

And the result of that curiosity,

“Hmm…”

Brought an unexpected encounter.

“Rina?”

I let out a muffled sound upon seeing the face of the girl who appeared right in front of me.

Rina Victor Wilhelm Hohenzollern. I thought we wouldn’t be together since we were polar opposites in terms of mana grade, but breaking expectations, we became part of the same team.

“…Yena Freud.”

She raised her sparkling eyes and approached step by step until she was at close range.

“I saw you.”

The words she uttered after closing the distance were neither a welcoming greeting nor sarcasm or insults revealing hostility, but,

“At that time when we were given time to solve the task yesterday, you were the one who succeeded the fastest.”

It was about the previous day.

Rina spoke rapidly while showing cat-like eyes. She was so excited that she trembled enough to make her neatly braided white hair shake.

There were more people who saw.

Well, she was someone who wouldn’t take her eyes off me for a moment after the previous auditorium incident, so she must have been watching during yesterday’s class too.

“Your mana is the lowest, but your operation ability is better than mine?”

Nod─

I nodded with pure honesty without a single lie. It was true since I had practiced countless times in the virtual reality, no, the space prepared by some god-like entity before falling into this world.

“Ha.”

Rina, who had no way of knowing this,

“…Liar.”

With her head bowed deeply, could only express her emotions by tightly gripping her coat engraved with the eagle, the symbol of the Empire.

“I’ll uncover what you’re hiding someday.”

Click─ Click─

Only after a few seconds had passed did she regain her composure, ending her words with a tone close to a threat, and left her place with the haughty footsteps unique to nobles.

Uncovering the secret…

I pressed the brim of my peaked cap deeply to hide the smile on my lips.

If she really finds out, I would applaud, no, express reverence. Who could know that I came from another world? If she could discern that, she would deserve to be praised as amazing.

Of course, I didn’t expect it.

The ‘thing I’m hiding’ that Rina was talking about seemed quite far from the aforementioned secret.

“When are the rest coming?”

Anyway, now that forming the team was the priority, I looked around while stretching my stiff body.

The team was composed of four in total, so there were still two cadets left. Gartel’s list announcement had just ended, so it was about time for them to show up…

“Are those the kids?”

Speak of the devil, the figures of the team members began to appear in the distance.

“Huh.”

And I froze right there upon seeing one of them.

Why is that kid here?

Blonde hair, a height at least two heads taller than me, a shirt under a coat adorned with what looked like soft silk even at a glance, etc. The owner of a familiar appearance approached this way.

“H-Hello…”
“Oh, Rina! We’re on the same team!”

It was Wolf.

There was also a shy girl greeting beside him, but she didn’t catch my eye. All my attention was taken by Wolf, that guy.

This is too blatant. With Gartel’s observational skills, he must know that Wolf and I don’t get along, and he should know that Rina and that guy have a special relationship?

Rustle─

“Hm? Is there a problem, Yena?”
“…No, sir.”

I was about to raise an objection to the instructor out of confusion, but I gave up my resolve upon seeing his innocent expression.

Rather, I became certain.

Looking at the instructor who was holding a teacup from who knows where and wearing a comfortable smile, I couldn’t help but realize that this formation was full of intention.

I had no complaints. It meant more time spent with Rina and more opportunities to observe Wolf closely.

Since this team would be maintained for a semester, if I do well, I might be able to clear up misunderstandings during that time. Only, I was curious about why the instructor had gathered me, Rina, and Wolf together.

“Ah, so you were in my team too…”

Wolf, who had been waving his hand to Rina with a loud voice, immediately clicked his tongue and stiffened his legs upon seeing me.

“A lowly girl.”

He glanced at my body up and down as if something was distasteful, then turned his back towards where Rina was. It was a gesture with the purpose of completely ignoring me.

How consistent.

It had been a while since I met a personality that expresses emotions so well. Should I like him because he’s easy to handle in some ways?

I didn’t respond particularly and turned to greet the remaining team member.

“…Erika?”
“Oh, thank you so much for yesterday!”

And only then did I open my mouth, recognizing the identity of the shy cadet.

Erika von Rosehilt.

“If, if it wasn’t for Yena, I would have submitted without doing anything yesterday!”

I met again the girl whose sea-colored hair had been impressive.

Erika, who spoke while fidgeting with her fingers, was a span shorter than me. Perhaps because of this, after meeting only tall people so far, seeing her somehow felt refreshing.

“It’s nothing between friends.”
“Fr-Friends.”
“Even if I helped, it was possible because of your skills, Erika. You don’t need to be so unsure of yourself.”

Riding on that refreshing feeling, I patted her shoulder lightly and treated her in a friendly manner.

To think it would come back with this result.

I burst into laughter inwardly. I had helped Erika as part of promoting friendships among cadets, but I hadn’t expected its effects to have an immediate impact just a day later.

Should I call it fate, really.

The team was filled with people who all had connections to each other. It was an amazing encounter.

Then drawing Erika in as a definite ally should be the priority.

I have an antagonistic relationship with Wolf. With Rina, it’s a similarly cold relationship. This girl was the only true comrade who didn’t check against each other.

Even to find respite from Wolf and Rina’s checks, I planned to get closer to this child.

Her personality doesn’t seem bad either.

“Anyway, thank you, hehe.”

Whether she knew what I was thinking or not, Erika held my hand and smiled prettily.

Clap clap─!

As if time was up, Gartel finally clapped his hands to gather the cadets’ attention.

“You’ve all finished greeting each other, right? I hope you’ll get along well with those you’ll be working with from now on.”

As he said, the chaotic situation seemed to have been roughly sorted out. The open space that had been bustling until just before now roughly aligned in formation.

“Next, I plan to teach combat techniques. We’ll be heading to the fighting arena in the back, so follow me. You know not to use mana, of course?”
“Yes!”
“It can become dangerous in an instant if novices like you use it, so never let your guard down!”

Gartel emphasized, raising his finger.

“Then let’s move!”

Soon after, he set off somewhere, taking the candidates with him.

Thud, thud─

I took big strides following the direction he was leading.

Whatever training awaits us, we’ll find out when we get there.

“Everyone, be careful not to fall behind.”
“Yes, understood!”

We walked for dozens of minutes, as vast as the premises – past several large buildings that looked like dormitories, an unpaved uphill road, and then an endless flat ground.

The destination we finally reached was,

“Welcome to the busiest place in the military academy.”

A hillside where circular stone floors were placed at regular intervals.

“What are we going to do?”
“I hope we finish quickly and eat lunch.”

The cadets looked around the open space with sparkling eyes.

As it was the first time using facilities outside the military academy dormitories and main building, they showed strong curiosity.

So this is why they formed teams.

And I let out a hollow laugh seeing the scene unfolded before my eyes. It was a very familiar place, and I was certain what kind of education we would receive here with our team members.

“…Sparring ground.”

Memories of countless fistfights on this stone floor in the past came flooding back.

This place, where that still-white marble would turn red and, in severe cases, a few teeth would roll around, was the only space in the military academy where brawls between cadets were allowed.

In the end, he wants to see who’s the strongest.

Gartel’s intention was revealed.

What does it mean that he formed teams? It’s a kind of joint training, making us spar within the team.

Since Gartel isn’t one to just pass by after seeing the crystal ball I made, his plan is to pit me against top-tier children like Rina and Wolf, and watch the results.

It was a plan befitting Gartel, who prefers to raise students strongly as an instructor.

“As you can see, numbers are written on each training ground. Go to your place in the order I call and compete with your opponent.”

Click─!

“While wearing this equipment, that is. It’s simple.”