Imperial Academy Girl Magic Officer

Sacred white hair shimmering, golden eyes as noble and beautiful as glittering gold coins.

Click─ Click─

A girl with noble grace beyond aristocratic moved through the auditorium.

“It’s… it’s the Imperial Princess.”
“She really enrolled in the military academy.”

Close yet distant. The physical distance between the Imperial Princess and the cadets was less than ten steps, but no one dared to approach her.
The Emperor’s daughter.
The last remaining member of the Imperial family, and so on.
Hearing the epithets describing her, there was no one brave enough to carelessly try to form a connection, at least not in this auditorium.

‘…Everywhere I go, it’s “Imperial Princess” this and that.’

In fact, the owner of that title had no interest whatsoever in whether anyone approached her or spoke to her.

Rather, did she hate her own title that made others cower in fear preemptively? The girl glanced at the candidates parting to the left and right as she walked, like the Red Sea opening, then lowered her head deeply and clenched both fists with her arms down.
What Imperial Princess? Where is there even an imperial family in Bern anymore? Such words elevating a long-deposed family were nothing more than the empty flattery of sycophants.

‘I’m sick of it.’

I need to get out of here quickly. The girl, who had reached the main entrance in an instant, grabbed the door handle without a moment’s hesitation.

I’ll calm my dizzy head while appreciating the peaceful outdoor scenery.

“Huh?”

I certainly intended to do that, but…

The girl stared blankly at the scene in front of her. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn’t open her mouth and just stood there in a daze.

What greeted her first was not the cheerful chirping of birds or fluttering grass, but a large crowd gathered in a circle.

Because their spectacle was none other than the cadet she knew best.

“Wolf?”

A moment of silence.

“Ha, hahaha…”

Wolf let out a meaningless laugh.

Thwack─!

Then he pulled my collar even harder.

“You’re crazier than I thought.”

The provocation had worked perfectly. True to his character, which was more authoritarian than other nobles, for him who valued noble pride, a commoner’s middle finger was an action he simply could not overlook.

“Are they fighting?”
“Picking on someone who clearly looks weak…”
“What’s he doing to such a frail child…”

“Hey, hey Wolf. How about calming down?”
“If a teacher comes, we’re screwed man!”

Despite the area being crowded with onlookers, and his friends who were close to being lackeys trying to stop him, he showed no signs of withdrawing his fierce gaze.

Yes, I can’t stop here.

The more Wolf tightened his grip on my collar, the more his bloodshot eyes filled with killing intent, I deliberately matched it with a sneer.
Judging by Wolf’s face, which had been grinning but now hardened, it was obvious that if I continued to cause trouble here, it wouldn’t end well. A violence incident on the first day of admission.

But even if I were to be disciplined, I had no intention of stopping.

Even if I really got into a severe fight with him, I wasn’t afraid because I would receive less punishment thanks to this small physique and thin arms that looked so weak.

At times like this, the body change is helpful.

“I can’t stand it when I see stupid people.”
“…You son of a bitch.”

Of course, I wasn’t just being brazen. In preparation for when it might escalate into a brawl, I had made full preparations to overcome my physical disadvantage.

Whoosh!

For instance, drawing up mana within my body.

“Mana”

A mysterious power possessed by all living beings and an ability that all Awakened ones aiming to become Magic Officers must have. Mana boasts all-around versatility and emits vastly different powers depending on the level.
And when it comes to handling mana, I can confidently declare that I have overwhelming skill compared to any other being in this world.

Although according to the military academy rules, unauthorized use of mana on campus is grounds for expulsion and referral to a court-martial.
But that’s only if you’re caught. For someone who has enjoyed and researched magic for hundreds of years in this world’s time, it was very easy to apply mana without being noticed by the instructors.

However, there was a question of whether I could operate it well, given the gap between game and reality.

“Is he going to hit that child right now?”
“Shouldn’t we stop this…?”
“Who’s going to stop the Streman family?”

Fortunately, the situation I was worried about didn’t occur, as it seemed no one, including Wolf who was glaring right in front of me, noticed.

Although the firepower is weaker than expected…

Mana is mana, it was more than enough to exert power that would astonish cadet-level individuals.

“Haha, if that’s what you want.”

As the atmosphere suddenly became heated, Wolf’s thick hand clenched tightly and flew high into the air.

In sync with that, my heart pounded vigorously with excitement. My eyelids flew open wide and my throat felt dry and scratchy.

Gulp.

In a situation where my body’s reactions were riddled with tension, I enjoyed the unsettled atmosphere as the cadets fell silent and waited for Wolf’s final action.

But.

Thwack!

“Wolf, what are you doing!”

Unfortunately.
I didn’t get the result I was expecting in the end.

“R-Rina?”

I thought some brave soul was trying to mediate the dispute between the son of the Streman family, a noble house even other nobles found hard to approach, and a girl who was clearly not in her right mind at a glance, but it was blocked by a woman who broke through the crowd.

“Have you forgotten what your father said?”
“……”
“This isn’t the time for this. If you get referred to the committee, you won’t even be commissioned! This isn’t your mansion, stop acting like a noble, Wolf.”

Moreover, to think she could subdue Wolf, who had been so enraged he couldn’t tell right from wrong, in an instant. What could this woman’s identity be to be able to press down on the pride of that lofty son of the Streman family?
All the fun was gone. I clicked my tongue while caressing my neck where reddish marks remained in the shape of fingers. Then I turned my head to find the owner of the voice that had admonished Wolf, whose pride had been so fierce.

No way.

I too was wrapped in bewilderment for a moment, just like Wolf.

“What’s your name?”
“…Yena Freud.”

A woman with pure white hair and sacred golden eyes? As I answered her question, I was so distracted by her appearance that I couldn’t meet her eyes properly.
If my memory serves me right, there was only one cadet with such an appearance among the new students, and she was an important figure who exerted influence comparable to the protagonist in the story progression.

Rina Victor Wilhelm Hohenzollern.
The woman’s identity was the only legacy left by Bern’s last emperor.

“If you don’t mind, please take this…”

Rina seemed to have misunderstood the meaning of my gaze, as she took out a handkerchief from her pocket near her thigh and handed it to me, pointing to my mouth.

“Umm, ah.”

Did I get scratched by his nails when Wolf grabbed my collar and shook me? Following her gesture, when I touched my fingers to my mouth, there was a long trail of blood running down my chin.
I lightly bowed to Rina to show my gratitude and used the handkerchief to stop the bleeding. The modest towel with her initials embroidered on it gave off a fragrant grape scent, providing comfort.

“I’ll apologize on behalf of this fellow for causing a disturbance. If there are any areas where you’re uncomfortable, we’ll provide appropriate compensation.”
“It’s fine, you can go.”
“…Then.”

As if she had resolved such commotions more than once or twice, she skillfully settled the situation.

“Wolf, stop causing trouble and come with me.”

Rina grabbed Wolf by the collar of his neck and quickly left the square. As their figures finally disappeared after pushing through the crowd, the candidates who had been standing with their arms folded as if watching a show also dispersed.
Due to the action of just one person who didn’t care about appearances, all the cadets found their places and disappeared into the auditorium or somewhere in the vast square.

“I should have acted more naturally.”

I pressed the handkerchief tightly against my swollen lip while watching the alley Rina had headed towards.
I didn’t expect to encounter Rina so soon – the last Awakened one remaining in the deposed imperial family and the only military academy entrant, boasting overwhelming martial prowess as outstanding as her lineage. Originally, I would have only become acquainted with her in the middle or latter part of the story.

It’s absurd.

Who would have known that the descendant of a newly appeared family would have such a close relationship with the emperor’s daughter? If I had known, I wouldn’t have made such a burdensome choice.
Wolf, I don’t care about the guy desperately trying to protect his petty pride, but Rina was someone I needed to recruit to my side to ensure peace for the rest of my life.
Yet not only did I give her a bitter first impression, but I also suddenly formed a bad relationship with one of her acquaintances. It made me laugh bitterly. I took some comfort in the fact that they didn’t seem to be very close.

“Crackle!”

After going through all that commotion, time passed quickly.

It had been about twenty minutes, by my perception, of rubbing my stinging cheek and listening to the birds chirping in the square when radio static came through the speakers, resonating throughout the school.

“Ah, ahem. We request all cadet candidates to gather in the auditorium. There will soon be an announcement regarding temporary dormitory assignments.”

“Urgh─!”

The moment the broadcast ended, I stretched vigorously and headed towards the auditorium.

Come to think of it, there was such a procedure too. I had forgotten for a moment because of the incident with Wolf, but the next schedule after the entrance ceremony was to be assigned temporary accommodations.

Then…

Is it correct to assume that the plot of this world doesn’t differ much from the original version?
I had to admit it at this point.
Not only the existence of the Astrakhan Military Academy, but also the fact that Rustet was serving as the principal, followed by the assignment of temporary dormitories after the entrance ceremony – it seemed that the overall story would probably not be different from what I had experienced.

The future of the fatherland probably won’t be much different either.

“Defeat, huh.”

I furrowed my brow deeply, recalling the two-syllable word that had escaped my lips.
Assuming it proceeds according to the original story, the Empire’s end was tragic. The territory would be ravaged and the imperial citizens brutally massacred. An even more horrific ending awaited my fate as an officer and an Awakened one.

Unlike ordinary soldiers, Magic Officers are treated as weapons in this world’s common sense, meaning human rights don’t apply to them.
If captured as a prisoner by the Federation, they would immediately be dragged to the gulag. Amidst the terrible pain felt during torture, it was certain that life would end in a camp where intense cold lurked, enough to tear off one’s skin.

How tragic is it to fill most of a life accidentally gained with forced labor and torture? It would be better to bite one’s tongue and end it oneself.

“Victory for the Empire”

For me, who didn’t want to go into exile or live a wretched life as a fugitive, perhaps achieving victory in the Great War was the only way to ensure safety in my later years.

It was still several years before the Great War would break out; if I prepared thoroughly, it was certainly worth trying.
If I approached it with the determination to achieve victory at any cost, nothing would be impossible.
Some might object that what’s the use of victory if tens of thousands of soldiers are sent to their deaths just to recapture one territory, or if countless casualties occur from indiscriminate bombing just to occupy one small city, but

What does it matter?

I am the type of person who values my own well-being more than the lives of tens of thousands of citizens I’ve never met. Especially in a world where human life is treated as a mere machine part due to all sorts of wars and behind-the-scenes struggles.
Even if I’m condemned as selfish, in this unimaginably cruel world, showing unnecessary kindness would only result in being blamed for being foolish.

“I’ve arrived.”

To face the Federation ruled by the Steel Marshal, and the Empire where the sun never sets across the ocean from Bern, one must become as crazy as they are.

No, a crazy woman?

As I pondered various concerns, I soon arrived at the auditorium.

Creak!

I headed into the building without hesitation.

“Why on earth did you do that?”

The plan to calm my mind while enjoying the gentle breeze was completely ruined.
Why are you still going on about nobility even in a foreign land? How long will you remain buried in the past? Is it okay to blow away this rare opportunity for officer commissioning like this? Rina couldn’t understand Wolf at all.

“That girl provoked me first, you know? When a noble personally greets you, isn’t it the proper etiquette for a commoner to show appropriate reverence? Don’t you agree?”

Look at Wolf, whistling nonchalantly with his arms folded while spouting such nonsense. Rina’s eyes closed as she let out a sigh.
How long has it been since his father admonished him to shed his young master attitude, yet he’s still finding amusement in oppressing the weak. What crime could that pitiful girl have committed to deserve being slapped?
The reason he approached her was probably due to ulterior motives. Small stature, snow-white skin, cat-like eyes, and cherry-colored lips – this Yena Freud, as she called herself, happened to have an appearance that matched his ideal type.
If not for that, there’s no way Wolf, with his paranoid personality believing that even offering a greeting first would damage his dignity, would have shown friendliness.

“Are you perhaps jealous?”
“What?”
“Your expression looks somewhat heartbroken, and you seem angry for no particular reason. You’re not jealous just because I talked to a female cadet for a moment, are you?”
“……”
“Haha, I guess I’m right?”

In her heart, Rina wanted to immediately sever ties with Wolf, who couldn’t even fathom why she was concerned, and leave his side.

“Don’t worry. I only have you anyway.”

But if everything went as one wished, would that be life? Rina heard the sentence Wolf muttered at the end and clenched her molars as she strode forward.
A relationship like shackles that she wanted to sever but couldn’t – she was none other than Wolf’s long-standing arranged marriage partner. As Wolf said, in the end, they could only look at each other.

‘I couldn’t refuse.’

For the imperial family, which had been deposed due to responsibility for the defeat and had most of its members exiled or banished, to regain even a little power, they had to maintain friendly relations with the Streman family, the only one among the nobles they were close to that maintained its lineage.
Of course, the relationship of superiority and inferiority had reversed from before.
Even though they were once imperial, now they were busy trying to please the Streman family, and the imperial family had no right to refuse the marriage arrangement.

In the end, using the pretext of being engaged to me, Wolf drove away everyone who approached me, tied down my relationships according to his taste, and even when faced with an unfair situation where people avoided me, compliance was the only answer.
No matter how tragic the situation became, it was a decision made by Father.
I have no power to reverse it.
Even if I could, it would be unfilial.

‘Yena Freud, was it?’

If there was anyone who acted boldly without minding others’ eyes, it was only that child. Rina raised the corners of her mouth weakly.

Even if she was a commoner, she should have heard of the Streman family at least once, with their mansion prominently located in the heart of the Empire. What on earth gave her the confidence to willingly provoke Wolf, who was known as the son of a great noble family?
Even her gaze wasn’t that of a commoner looking up at a noble. Even though the class system had been abolished, there should still be ingrained memories.
It was so strange that one might suspect she had fallen from the sky after living in a different world.

‘Let’s remember her for now.’

It never hurts to be careful. As the only Awakened one of the imperial family, I entered the military academy shouldering the enormous task of rebuilding the family.
Failure of the plan would be a catalyst bringing about the terrible end of the family’s downfall.
With the fate of the entire clan directly linked to my hands, it is my duty as the youngest of the family and as the Imperial Princess to fulfill my responsibilities as a noble, faithfully carrying out the head of the family’s orders even if I hate them.
That’s how I’ve lived my whole life, and that’s how I’ve lived watching people who live that way.

“Ah, ahem. We request all cadet candidates to gather in the auditorium for…”

As soon as the broadcast announcing the schedule came from the speakers, Rina stopped her pointless chat with Wolf and hurriedly quickened her steps. It wasn’t particularly urgent business, but just being in the same situation made her blood boil.

Wolf, oblivious as ever,

“They’re going to announce the dormitory assignments now? Then we won’t be able to see each other often.”

Mistaking it for part of playing hard to get, he followed with his blonde hair fluttering, but.

As soon as I received the dormitory key, I quickly ascended the building.

Step─ Step─

From the clean corridor without a single piece of messy trash to the shiny marble floor.
Despite being at a modern level of civilization, perhaps because it was a building specially treated by the state, it boasted a cleanliness that even a modern person would find faultless.
The exterior passes, at least. After scanning the lobby, which was brightly lit by crystal lights decorating even the ceiling, I headed straight for the dormitory.

“Oh…”

Fortunately, there was no drastic change in my evaluation.
Not only was it clean as seen in the corridor, but starting with various wooden furniture exuding an antique charm, manufactured in the traditional imperial style,
to the curtains made of soft silk material neatly wrapping the windows,

“Hmm…”

Even the bed responsible for the much-anticipated night offered a perfect touch. Although it was undoubtedly a temporary dormitory, a space to stay briefly before permanent dormitory assignment, the interior was more satisfactory than most modern homes.

At least the bed might be absolutely the best.

I raised my upper body, put my peaked cap on the drawer next to the bed where the lamp was, and hung my coat on the coat rack guarding the left side.

Plop!

And then I lay down on the bed again as if collapsing. My jet-black hair spread out like a fan on the mattress.

“I’ll have to move as strategically as possible.”

I muttered while hugging the soft fur blanket with my whole body.
Starting with the United States and Britain, and including the Federation whose territory I was standing on, they were all essentially potential enemy countries. Not a single country was easy to deal with.
Then I needed to establish branches of future actions in advance.

“Oof.”

I got up and sat down at the desk across from the bed.
I tied my fluttering hair into a ponytail with a hair tie I happened to find in the drawer, organizing it. I pulled the chair closer to the desk.

I should write it down before I forget.

Knowing the future is a privilege and power that only I possess. There was no better way to gain enormous benefits in the present than to appropriately use the political and military events that would occur soon.

Although I’ve memorized the game by repeating it countless times, forgetfulness can come unexpectedly. I planned to systematically organize major events that would occur domestically and internationally in chronological order to prepare for any contingency.

“The pen and paper should be around here…”

Was it the second drawer from the bottom on the left side of the cabinet? There should have been a fountain pen and notebook. I pulled the drawer handle based on my fumbling memory.

And at that moment,

“Hm?”

I froze.

【For you who will live in a new world】

Because inside, along with the fountain pen and notebook, there was a mysterious letter.
Not in the Bern language, but in Korean.
With combinations of letters I thought I would never see again.