(Grace)

The school has started, and I’m trying to get used to everything in the Academy.

The Academy is different from what I’m used to. Back in the orphanage, we were always learning in the same classroom, seats determined by seating charts, and I would be able to get to know everyone in the class.

But in the academy, every class is located at different places; each class, you get to choose where you’re sitting, the earlier you get there, the more options you will have. Because of that, every day you will sit in different seats, with people you didn’t/wouldn’t know.

Each student will have his/her own schedule depending on their skills. For example, I am good at five elemental attributes, which are Dark, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Light, so my schedule is based on those five attributes.

Aside from those basic classes, students can also take other extra classes, but they cost money. I don’t have a problem with that, because I’ve already got enough from collecting mob drops.

There are six grades in the Academy. But the grades depend on the number of credits a student has, not age. So it’s common to see young senior students or old sophomore students.

The higher grade you are, the more classes you can take. To get to second grade you need 200 credits, 3rd for 400, 4th for 700, 5th for 1000, 6th for 1500, and 2000 to finally graduate

Students can gain credits from classes, or from arena battles. And usually, battles provide much, much more than in classes… But I heard from Aure, battles usually contain high risks, some people even die from that. Still, lots of students get involved with the arena and arena relevant events each year.

Because some of the higher level classes have some limits such as “Only students who became 4th grade before he/she is _ years old can join”. So if they can’t get to the goal in time by normal classes, battles become the only way. Most of the students desire courses that can teach some powerful skills and feel that they must get in their chosen course, no matter what.

It’s sunset, After I have attended all my classes, I was walking with Aure on the way back to the dorm.

“How’s your day going, Grace?”

“…Spell Circle History, boring,” I said, “Mid-level wind magic, also boring. Some actual training on the training ground, a little better… but still can’t compare to back before.”

“Back before? I’m curious. Grace, what’s your life like before you came here?” Aure turned her head towards me and asked.

“…I lived in an orphanage, trained by running around in the mountains and forests.”

“I see. The training in the Academy must be very tough for you.”

“No. The training in the Academy is too easy, and too simple.” I said pointedly, “Monsters in the mountains. Battling in the mountains, you have to be cautious all the time. Any mistakes can kill you.”

“Eh? Kill?”

“In the mountains, mobs such as a Mountain King, forest dragons, Earth bees over 10 feet (3 meters), Tyrant apes… Oh, and minotaur. All are common, daily battles with them, how I trained myself.”

“I don’t get how you could survive under that environment.” Aure blinked her eyes, her face was one of doubt and disbelief.

Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s not something too important.

“…Aure, are you going to Walson’s restaurant?”

“Maybe, I get to have free food and drinks. Why do you ask?”

“Can you, tell Walson that I… um, no, nevermind.”

Walson went to the red-light district while Melon was out… So dirty-minded. But, other than restricting his perversion, I can’t find other reasons to stop Walson.

I know I’m jealous, but… Was I a bit too much, by hitting him until he fainted?

But… Walson was also acting out of line…but…It’s part of my fault…

“Tell Walson that you’re sorry about hitting him?”

“…You knew?”

“He complained about that before,” Aure shrugged, and turned around, looked into my eyes and said, “Tell me, you like Walson right?”

“…”

“Don’t look at me with a ‘How do I know that’ face, it’s too obvious, I wouldn’t even need to guess. The only one who doesn’t know is probably Walson. But seriously, what is going on with you two? I haven’t known you guys for long, but you two should be good friends, right? What I see is two people who don’t want to be around each other.”

“…It was a misunderstanding.” I said, but I don’t know how to explain it to Aure.

This whole thing contains many of Walson’s secrets. Walson wouldn’t want me to tell other people.

“If it’s hard to explain then just don’t. Some important things would be better to go and tell him yourself… Just an advice, I always bring presents to my friends after I fight with them. If they can feel your sorrow, they will forgive you no matter how they’re mad at you.”

“… Presents!”

Right! A present! That is the way!

Hmm, how come I didn’t think of that…. I already prepared a present to give Walson for celebrating our 15 years old ceremony. Wouldn’t it be a great time to apologize?

I took the [Lunar Crystal] out. Right now, a small, glowing magic circle is spinning on it. It is absorbing my mana through the magic circle.

“This is a [Lunar Crystal] ?! Isn’t this the thing that needs to absorb mana for weeks without stopping in order to craft it? You’ve had this with you ALL DAY?!” Aure gaped.

“…Mm.” I nodded.

“And you still go to spell classes while you’re doing THIS!? How much mana do you have? Won’t you get dried up?

“…I already had it on for three weeks.” I said.

There is only about one-tenth of my total mana in me right now, but that’s because I was using more mana than usual these days, including the amount I gain from resting, and the disgusting mana potion… if I can save some of the mana from other activities, I can keep doing this for another one, even two weeks without fainting.

“Three weeks?! Even when you’re bathing and eating?!”

“Mm.”

“ARE YOU A MONSTER?!”

“…I’m Grace.”

“W-w-w-wait, you’re giving this to Walson as a gift? You want to give this hand-crafted protecting stone to Walson? A present this precious?!”

“Mm.”

“Oh my Dokain, alright, if you give him this and he still won’t forgive you, I must teach him a lesson for you, Grace! How about I tie him up and throw him on a boat naked?

Eh? Won’t he feel cold, won’t that have any problems?

“But Grace, if you truly want to give Walson a present, then you’ll have other problems to deal with. Because I’ve heard from lots of people said that you’re…”

Before Aure finished, suddenly, we were interrupted by lots of girls screaming.

We looked at the source of the screams, it was a bunch of…crazy girls that do not appear to be sound of mind.

“Sir Neolla!” “Sir Neolla!” “Sir Neolla! You’re so handsome!”

“Ladies, I will be troubled if you all keep doing this, you all are scaring my cute Grace.” A voice came out from the girls.

A voice that I’m familiar with, but it’s also a voice that I already started to despise.

Annoying.

These people, are so noisy.

That man just walked out from the girls. Blond, well-combed hair, and pretty clothings……

“Who is that girl over there?” “Oh-I’ve heard that Sir Neolla had met a girl that he likes when he got back to his homeland.” “I’m so jealous… Being loved by the prince of our Unicorn Dorm…”

“If I’ve done my calculations right, three days later, is your 15 years old coming-of-age ceremony, is that true?” He walked towards me, smiling, and lent his hand, the posture of inviting. “May I invite you to hang out with me on that day? I promise I will give you a beautiful ceremony.”

I frowned.

Annoying, annoying, annoying. Can you just, leave me alone?

“…Neolla.”