Mightiest Melee Magician

The mana-train ride to Ignit Magic Academy was true tranquility itself.

This was because magicians didn’t have a particular reason to visit the Radian Kingdom.

Most of them would head toward Ravirdyne.

But still.

“……How am I actually alone?”

It felt cold from how empty it was.

I roamed around my empty cart and passed the time.

Those times were quite boring at first, but that boredom was quickly replaced by another feeling as soon as the train entered the Radian Kingdom.

“……It’s been a while.”

Excitement.

The view I could see of the Radian Kingdom through the windows of the train definitely couldn’t compare to the view of Ravirdyne.

But for some reason, my heart was fluttering.

This thrill I was feeling…

As soon as the train stopped, I stepped outside.

Bang!

Something exploded in front of me just like the small fireworks with flowers in them.

“Ruin! Welcome back!”

“Yeeeaaah!”

A short cheer and bouquets of flowers were given to me by my underclassmen.

Behind them,

[The pride of the Ignit Magic Academy! Ruin Ardell!]

[Ruin! Congrats on your victory in the Grand Festival!]

Posters were put up with similar phrases.

Compared to the ceremony given to me by the crown prince, this was incomparably small and cute.

But naturally, this was more appealing to me.

“Ruin!”

“Alright! Everyone lift him up! One, two, three……!”

Jason and my peers hugged me, and then out of nowhere, lifted me into the air.

“Can you let me down? I was on the train for too long. I feel dizzy……”

“What?! We’re just getting started!”

“You bastaaaaaaards!”

And,

“Ruin. You’ve done well.”

“……”

Professor Hydel and Director Tirion Ignit were standing a few steps back, smiling with pride for me.

Yeah.

No matter how fancy Ravirdyne might be, in the end, this was my true place of comfort.

* * *

My welcoming ceremony continued into the academy.

The Director gathered everyone for an assembly and then praised me for my achievements in front of everyone.

I received rounds of applause from the students.

It was a little embarrassing, but I also said something.

“Yes… uh… Thank you, everyone, for supporting me.”

Just like that.

Because of this, I did hear Jason shout out something like, “What the hell dude? Say something cool,” but there was no reason to needlessly drag this out.

It had already been two months since the event, and the stories of my success were already told by my peers to everyone.

On top of that, wasn’t I the one who publicly ‘failed’ their mission?

Of course, my peers didn’t say a single thing about that.

Yeah.

This much congratulation without going too overboard was enough.

‘The victor of the Grand Festival has returned!’

The spread of this story didn’t stop within the academy.

It went even to the Galehill family, famed for their magic, to other noble houses, and…

[With love and affection to the genius magician and true patriot to our country, Ruin Ardell……]

“What’s this?”

“It’s a letter from the princes.”

“……Who?”

“The first and second princes of our kingdom.”

“……”

I ended up receiving letters of ‘love and affection’ from the princes that I hadn’t even seen before.

“Why would they send a letter to me?”

“I heard that you received an offer from the crown prince of the Raynac empire.”

“……From where?”

“How can it be a secret? This happened in the grand banquet when all 32 were gathered together. How could I not hear about it? In any case, the princes became pretty happy after the rumour that you declined the crown prince started floating around.”

“Why should they?”

“They say because you’re a true patriot.”

“……”

[With love and affection to the genius magician and true patriot to our country, Ruin Ardell……

First, we have profound gratitude for you attaining victory in such a great tournament as the Grand Festival and building the kingdom’s honour……

……(omitted)……

I heard that the crown prince wanted you. However, I was deeply moved by your patriotism that no amount of gold could test, and for declining the Empire’s offer, returning back to our kingdom. I, the first prince Radian Croster, want to meet with you immediately and talk seriously about the future of our kingdom. Which days are best for you? I await your response.]

The letter was filled with talks about ‘meeting up’.

The second prince’s letter wasn’t too different.

* * *

* * *

The first and second princes.

Since the successor hasn’t been decided yet, these two were fighting each other day in and day out.

It seemed that they were both aiming for me.

However,

“……It’s so bothersome.”

“Why? What did it say?”

A serious talk about the future of our kingdom……

I have no interest in that, but why was he talking about it like it was a done deal?

“It’s nothing.”

I took the letter I received and folded it carefully in half before putting it into my drawer.

Even if he was the prince of a nearly fallen kingdom, I couldn’t rip up a prince’s letter.

[I apologize. I only want to focus on my studies for now.]

This much should be enough for a response, right?

In any case, I returned to my daily life.

“It’s really interesting.”

“What is?”

“Just like before…… Class is still tiring, right?”

“Kek. Yeah. Looks like you’re the same as me. I thought the best student would have a different opinion to me.”

“It’s the same. I’m just holding it in.”

Taking the same classes.

Eating the same lunches.

Preparing for my next tests.

Waking up a little earlier to complete my morning exercise and quest.

It was my normal daily life.

But of course,

[The guardian that will lead the future of the Radian Kingdom. With love and affection for dear Ruin Ardell……

……(omitted)……

I do not wish to interrupt your studies, but I do wish for you to understand that I want you this much. This is already the fourteenth letter. Since it’s at this point…… I can only hope for the day that you understand my intentions come faster.

p.s. – I spend the days amusing myself by nagging the palace deliverers about your letter. Then, I await your response.]

……the event of receiving a bothersome letter had been added.

Your majesty,

You should spend your time looking at state affairs instead of waiting for my reply,

And why are you nagging those innocent postmen anyway?

“Did another one come?”

“Yeah.”

“Those princes are too persistent. If they looked after the country with the same passion as they have with sending letters to you, our country would’ve already become a superpower. Radian Empire! Think about it!”

“Kekek. How does that even make sense?”

But in the end, it was still the same normal day.

The Grand Festival, Ravirdyne, Sky Mountain ogres, the Fire King……

I really did have too much on my plate.

Now, it was time to rest.

Because, in a little bit,

“Ruin, what are you doing this break?”

“……”

The break was coming up.

* * *

The academy I returned to after the events of the Grand Festival and the mission from the magic tower had already finished their final tests and were waiting for their break.

Break.

What a thrilling word.

Everyone looked forward to it.

“Ah, I want to return to my territory and rest my head. I’m tired from all these tests!”

“Tired from the tests? Aren’t you last in the class?”

“Shut up! Do you think last place doesn’t get stressed from tests?”

A student that wanted to go home as fast as possible because they failed their exam.

A student that wanted to go home as fast as possible because they did well in their exam.

Their reasons didn’t matter.

Everyone was looking forward to the break for one reason or another, and they yearned for their homes.

Well, this used to exclude me.

“Ruin, are you returning home this year?”

“I need to go home.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

As I said that I needed to go home, Jason stood from his seat and started muttering,

“Ruin…… is returning to his territory? Damn…… I can’t believe it. I thought you were a spirit haunting the academy.”

“……A spirit? You’re too much.”

Everyone else went home during the break, but I stayed at the academy for the last 5 years.

Everyone knew the reason.

After I discovered that my excellent talent was actually nothing, I found the thought of facing the people of my territory, including my father, difficult.

The thought that, if I trained while everyone else was resting, I would be able to recover just a little bit, had bound me to the school.

However, it was different this year.

“I need to go. Meet my dad again, meet my sister. I also miss my territory……”

This time…

My father, my sister, and the people of my territory.

I would be able to meet them with pride.

Wait a second… Since I was thinking about my territory……

Irene Prius.

I did invite her to my territory…… but she wouldn’t appear randomly during this break… right?

She should also be busy.

“So you’re going home? Alright!”

Jason suddenly opened my wardrobe.

“Let’s see…… This one’s too dark, this one’s too big…… Wait, what the hell is this? This is so childish that not even a seven year old would wear this……”

“What are you doing right now?”

“What do you mean? I’m looking for clothes you can wear.”

“Why are you choosing what I’m going to wear?”

“You’re handsome and strong and smart…… but your fashion sense is terrible. The worst maybe. But you’re in luck. I’m pretty good in that department. So, take my advice and dress like it. You’re returning for the first time in over 6 years, so you should dress up nice, right?”

“……”

Ah, was that so?

Jason started pulling out clothes from the wardrobe and had the air of a ‘professional’ as he matched them on my body and thought about them with his hand on his chin.

But in the end, he muttered, “There’s nothing good to wear……” and started to go through his own wardrobe.

Wait, what do you mean there’s nothing good to wear? What about all these clothes?

What a nonsensical statement.

“Done. This much should be enough.”

A fancy pink tailcoat and a tuxedo with laces attached to the wrists coupled with a blindingly white pair of pants with obvious flower patterns on it.

Jason had purposely picked clothes that were the direct opposite of my preferences, and I put them in my bag begrudgingly.

I was thankful……

But sorry Jason.

I think wearing these would be too much.

But then, someone hurriedly knocked on our door.

“Ruin! Are you done yet?”

The person who entered was Hankus.

He was part of the Michael Group, but after the Grand Festival, he completely became my friend.

“Did you forget that the vacation speech is done by the student representative? You need to go now.”

“Sure. I’m done here.”

“Ah, also, don’t talk for too long, ok?”

Hankus asked me to keep the speech short,

“Obviously.”

and I shrugged my shoulders in understanding.

Those vacation speeches that were long and boring weren’t my style either.

“Let’s go.”

Said Jason as he tugged my arm after getting dressed.

I also left the dorm room.

Break…

Started now.

——