NoveLight ™
Imperial Magic Academy.
The premier magical educational institution in the empire where top talents gather.
The professor entering the classroom was taken aback.
There was a senior student sprawled where a chair should be.
And sitting cross-legged on top of him was a small first-year student.
What on earth is this?
"You guys right now..."
"This is just the result of a bet. Please don’t mind it, Professor."
The senior student answered through gritted teeth, his face flushed with embarrassment.
The professor proceeded with the lesson, pretending not to notice,
but he couldn’t help but keep glancing at that first-year student.
'That’s the Mad Dog Yulia... the special student on a path of destruction...'
Recently, she had become a source of terror for noble students.
The fundamental principle of the Imperial Magic Academy is equality.
However, in reality, wealthy noble offspring held all the power, treating commoners like slaves.
Yulia began to shatter that facade the moment she enrolled.
Supported fully by an unknown sponsor, Yulia had no need to grovel to the nobles over money,
and her genius brain earned her perfect scores on any exam, eliminating the need to befriend seniors for connections.
Thus, the noble offspring resorted to despicable tactics to manipulate Yulia’s grades by approaching professors.
'I don’t like that delinquent either, but it’s unavoidable.'
'So you’re saying we should give high grades to someone who’s been beating up seniors?'
'It’s unavoidable! The dean personally ordered it! If any negative grading for Yulia is confirmed, we’ll be severely punished!'
Even that attempt was blocked.
This was a stern warning specifically regarding Yulia’s grades, not against commoners in general?
It seemed that Yulia’s sponsor had considerable power behind them.
True equality.
The principle of the Imperial Magic Academy was being upheld by a single commoner student.
"…Well, the bell has rung, so this concludes the class."
"Okay. Human chair. Move to the next classroom."
"What? Wasn’t it just finished?"
"It was a bet for today. Are you saying two different things now? A noble like you?"
When Yulia glared, the senior student’s expression twisted.
"Ugh! You merciless brat...!"
"A real mad dog indeed. How can you treat a senior like that...?"
As whispers circulated around, Yulia laughed in disbelief.
The human chair bet wasn’t something I proposed.
They made their wager, and they’re the ones who lost;
I had no idea why they kept calling me a mad dog and a pervert.
"It’s a duel, commoner!"
"How many times do I have to say it’s Yulia...?"
"Release my friend whom you’ve taken hostage! If I lose, I’ll become your human desk for the day!"
"No, I really don’t want to... please stop..."
Look at them.
These guys are doing this again.
I haven’t done anything.
'Five minutes until the next class... let’s finish this quickly.'
Clenching her fists, Yulia stepped forward.
Since I had consistently ignored them at one point,
they kept pestering me, so I had no choice but to accept every duel that came my way.
It’s better to make them into human chairs or desks to silence them
than to have them chatter on endlessly.
...Although, to be honest, I dislike both options.
"The rules are, no mana use! How about that?"
"Fine."
"I saw that incredible strength before. No way could that frail body produce such power. You must have secretly used mana to enhance your physical abilities! It’s all been figured out! Pathetic!"
"…"
Talking about mana, huh?
I wouldn’t waste even a tiny bit of mana on you guys.
Why would I use the magical power I’m practicing on weaklings like you?
Yulia stepped forward, astonished.
With a heavy thud, the surrounding students began to feel a tingling sensation in their limbs.
An overwhelming sense of intimidation enveloped her whole body.
"Do you want to go in first? Or should I?"
"Ugh, ugh!"
"From today, I will be Yulia’s human desk for 24 hours..."
One minute later.
The battle ended in an instant.
Yulia had acquired yet another piece of furniture she didn’t want.
"Line up in front of me. Human chairs included."
"W-what? We’re outside!"
"Human desks... talking back...?"
"Ugh, urgh!"
Whispers.
Chatter.
As other students watched the scene of seniors being used as furniture for a tea time in the park,
they were astonished.
I thought that by showing such an extreme humiliation, they wouldn’t dare to approach again...
"Damn! I’m next! Stop bullying my seniors and let them go, commoner! If I lose, I’ll become a human coat rack!"
"You’ll be released in 24 hours..."
"I’m next! If this punk becomes furniture, then I will..."
"Ah! Stop it! Class is starting soon!"
These guys.
They’re overly loyal for no reason.
In the end, Yulia fled, running away from the candidates to be human furniture.
"Ha. The ones I hope wouldn’t get involved are all getting tangled up. Meanwhile, my sponsor has no interest in me at all..."
It’s incredibly frustrating.
I’m dying to know who that person is who supports me without expecting anything in return.
Even after writing countless heartfelt letters, I still haven’t received a single reply.
I thought maybe someone was watching over me from afar,
but maybe they actually don’t care at all...
Just as Yulia was about to feel dejected.
"…!?"
Click clack.
The familiar sound of footsteps amplified in Yulia’s ears.
What is this? Who’s footsteps are they?
I was sure I’d heard them before,
but as I started my school life, I memorized so many footsteps that I forgot whose they were.
Who was it? As she pondered, Yulia couldn’t help but start running toward the source of the sound.
Classes were about to begin soon, but curiosity got the better of her.
Yulia sneaked closer, hiding her footsteps.
'The library?'
She entered the library, which was cloaked in silence.
Inside,
in the dark shadows, she spotted a figure.
The moment she saw that back, Yulia felt her breath catch.
A sense of déjà vu washed over her.
That person is definitely...!
"Aslan Vermont!?"
With a swift motion, the man turned around.
Yulia trembled with rage.
He was clearly someone she had never seen before, yet somehow, he felt strangely familiar. Aslan Vermont.
It was certainly because she had been grinding her teeth all this time to save Charlotte and Yulia.
With her fists clenched tightly, Yulia glared at Aslan Vermont.
"Who are you?"
"Oh, it’s nothing... no, I’m sorry..."
At his words, Yulia immediately turned her head away, suppressing her hostility.
Not yet.
Revenge is not yet.
If she acted out here, she would never get her chance for revenge.
"…."
Calmly, Aslan passed by Yulia.
He doesn’t even know who I am or care about me.
But I have a lot of interest in him.
Grinding her teeth ferociously,
Yulia’s fury was directed toward someone who didn’t even spare her a glance.
Damn it...!
What an insult!
'Aslan Vermont. I’ve remembered your face. The culprit who kidnapped Charlotte and Yulia!'
You’ll completely forget about me.
But I will remember.
Until the day I rescue Charlotte and Yulia, I will never forget.
Every detail of your face, your voice, and your footsteps.
Imagining the treatment that Charlotte and Yulia must be suffering at the hands of that villain,
Yulia bit her lip and closed her eyes.
Just the thought alone made her feel like her brain was suffering damage.
As she was about to vent her feelings with a curse,
"You damn...!"
"Yulia! There’s a letter for you! What should I do with it?"
"Give it to me now! Ah! A reply from the Black Uncle...!"
Suddenly feeling cheerful, Yulia’s expression brightened.
Finally, a reply from the Black Uncle she had waited so long for!
Having filled it with such overly cheerful content, she worried she might have been ignored, so she packed it with more serious matters and finally got a response.
Who on earth is he?
What kind of person is he?
I’m dying to know...! Yulia, without realizing it, smiled as she drooled, opening the letter.
Mmm!
This is it!
I’ll quietly read the rest in the dormitory by myself!
With a flutter, Yulia folded the letter and clutched it to her chest, trembling with excitement.
Excitement? Elation? Some kind of feeling like that surged within her.
Seeing that bastard Aslan Vermont felt like it was purifying her sullied heart.
Yulia wore an ecstatic smile, akin to that of a girl in love.