Having Arrived in the Future, What Now?

"What? What are you saying? You're kidding, right?"

I flipped the paper over and over, trying to verify the date, but I couldn't escape the inescapable conclusion: I had time-traveled to the future.

How did I know? It's simple. There was a date that didn't exist in the past… no, it's different. The words "The Age of Calamity." "Calamity"… was that the battle I was just in? For me, it's not the past, it's the present. But in this era, that war is a thing of the past. That raised a question. In the "Age of Calamity," am I currently a person from the past, the present, or the future? My head swam; it felt like I was being plunged into a black abyss.

In other words, our history begins with the founding of the Giraphia Empire. That battle is recorded as having taken place 500 years after the Empire's founding.

I was slightly shaken, but quickly composed myself, pondering how this could have happened.

(Just a moment ago, I was in that strange research facility, entered that machine, and then… I'm here…)

What in the world was that strange machine? It seemed like a kind of teleportation device, but teleportation devices don't send users to the future… or so I thought.

Raking through my memory, I recalled a crucial condition for successful teleportation: the user must have visited the destination once before.

Applying that to my situation, it's impossible to be sent to this place, this time. This is my first time seeing this place.

After pondering for a while, I realized I was just stuck in an endless loop of thought. I decided to stop thinking and take action.

But my goodness! This world is truly advanced. It's like a dream.

As I started to move, a strange sensation washed over me. The magical density here is high. My own magic feels far stronger than before. The air is clear, with a pleasant scent; no, it's remarkably natural air.

However, what makes me uneasy are the people's stares. It's probably because of my tattered clothes. Compared to them, I look like a caveman. Well, I can't blame them for complaining. I was just in a war. Humph.

Avoiding their gazes, I ducked into an alleyway beside a building. There was a market there, with people selling vegetables and fruits, and others selling weapons.

Various weapons were on sale: (swords, magic staves, poisoned daggers), nothing but dangerous weapons.

At the back of the alley was a blacksmith who crafted weapons. Many people crowded around, trying to buy weapons, creating quite a congested scene.

"Kai, I want a high-quality sword."

"Hey, I got here first. Give me a dagger."

"Get out of the way! I'm next!"

Many arguments were breaking out in front of blacksmith "Kai's" shop. Apparently, he's a famous blacksmith… going by the name "Kai."

The sound of horses' hooves approached. Two men on horseback stopped before Kai's shop.

They wore magnificent, shining white armor, adorned with gold. They must be important figures.

"Don't interfere. We are here on the King's orders," one knight said.

The customers nervously backed away.

"What's going on? Do you know anything?"

"No, I don't know anything."

"Hey, blacksmith, are you Kai?"

"…Yes, I am," the blacksmith replied nervously.

The knight handed him a piece of paper and a bag. "His Imperial Majesty has commissioned you to forge a special sword."

"What?! A special sword?!"

"This is a gift for the coronation of His Imperial Highness, Emperor Reijan."

"Whaaaat?!" The blacksmith couldn't hide his astonishment.

The customers whispered amongst themselves. "Did you hear that? Unbelievable!"

Kai replied, "…It's… an honor…"

"Right, the specifications are written here. The materials are in the bag. His Imperial Majesty has high expectations for you. Don't disappoint him."

"…I'll do my best!"

The two men mounted their horses and rode away. One knight glanced at me. "Tch…"

"Hey, that guy from earlier, don't judge people by their clothes. It's rude!"

My sharp words caused me to notice a poster stuck to the wall of the blacksmith's shop.

"Huh? This is...?"

Looking closer, I saw it read:

[Important Announcement]Nezura Academy: Accepting Applications for Magic Users!

What?! An academy? There's an academy here?

My attention was drawn to the words "Magic Users."

No way… are there people who can't use magic?

"No, no, no, that's impossible!"

That means… this is the future, right? Everyone should be able to use magic. Otherwise, that technology is meaningless… wait a minute.

Suddenly, I remembered the man I saw in the research facility. He couldn't use magic either.

At that moment, I realized something important. Both the man who entered that strange machine and I disappeared. And when I woke up, I was in the future. Could it be… that man was someone from this time? That makes a certain amount of sense.

Meaning, he should be in this world. I must find that man. Excluding the Four Gods, he's the only one who knows how to return to the past.

"But how do I find him?" I muttered.

Every step forward feels like two steps back.

There's no point in thinking any further.

I looked up at the sky. "I don't know where you are, but I will find you." I'm certain. I have a strong feeling I'll meet him.

"What's that guy doing? Is he putting on a show?"

"What a weirdo. Leave him alone. He's probably a beggar."

"Ahaha…"

People passing by in the alleyway mocked me.

"Hey, boy, what are you doing?" someone called out. It was Kai, the blacksmith.

"Hello, Kai."

"You've been standing here for a while. Are you looking for something?"

"No, um… I was reading this poster." I showed Kai the poster.

"Ah, the Nezura Academy recruitment brochure."

"Recruitment brochure? Do you do this every year?"

"Yes, every year Nezura Academy accepts new students who have awakened to magic."

"Awakened to magic…?"

"Tell me more."

"What? What are you saying? You're kidding, right?"

I flipped the paper over and over again, trying to verify the date, but I couldn't escape the inescapable conclusion: I had time-traveled to the future. How did I know? It's simple. There was a date that didn't exist in the past… no, it's different. The words "The Age of Calamity". "Calamity"... was that the battle I was just in? For me, it's not the past, it's the present. But in this era, that war is a thing of the past. That raised a question. In the "Age of Calamity", am I currently a person from the past, the present, or the future? My head swam; it felt like I was being plunged into a black abyss.

In other words, our history begins with the founding of the Giraphia Empire. That battle is recorded as having taken place 500 years after the Empire's founding.

I was slightly shaken but quickly composed myself, pondering how this could have happened.

(Just a moment ago, I was in that strange research facility, entered that machine, and then… I'm here…)

What in the world was that strange machine? It seemed like a kind of teleportation device, but teleportation devices don't send users to the future… or so I thought.

Raking through my memory, I recalled a crucial condition for successful teleportation: the user must have visited the destination once before.

Applying that to my situation, it's impossible to be sent to this place, this time. This is my first time seeing this place.

After pondering for a while, I realized I was just stuck in an endless loop of thought. I decided to stop thinking and take action.

But my goodness! This world is truly advanced. It's like a dream.

As I started to move, a strange sensation washed over me. The magical density here is high. My own magic feels far stronger than before. The air is clear, with a pleasant scent; no, it's remarkably natural air.

However, what makes me uneasy are the people's stares. It's probably because of my tattered clothes. Compared to them, I look like a caveman. Well, I can't blame them for complaining. I was just in a war. Humph.

Avoiding their gazes, I ducked into an alleyway beside a building. There was a market there, with people selling vegetables and fruits, and others selling weapons.

Various weapons were on sale: (swords, magic staves, poisoned daggers), nothing but dangerous weapons.

Many arguments were breaking out in front of blacksmith "Kai's" shop. Apparently, he's a famous blacksmith… going by the name "Kai."
The sound of horses' hooves approached. Two men on horseback stopped before Kai's shop.
They wore magnificent, shining white armor, adorned with gold. They must be important figures.
"Don't interfere. We are here on the King's orders," one knight said.
The customers nervously backed away.
"What's going on? Do you know anything?"
"No, I don't know anything."
"Hey, blacksmith, are you Kai?"
"…Yes, I am," the blacksmith replied nervously.
The knight handed him a piece of paper and a bag. "His Imperial Majesty has commissioned you to forge a special sword."
"What?! A special sword?!"
"This is a gift for the coronation of His Imperial Highness, Emperor Reijan."
"Whaaaat?!" The blacksmith couldn't hide his astonishment.
The customers whispered amongst themselves. "Did you hear that? Unbelievable!"
Kai replied, "…It's… an honor…"
"Right, the specifications are written here. The materials are in the bag. His Imperial Majesty has high expectations for you. Don't disappoint him."
"…I'll do my best!"
The two men mounted their horses and rode away. One knight glanced at me, clicking his tongue, "Tch…"
"Hey, that guy from earlier, don't judge people by their clothes. It's rude!"
My sharp words caused me to notice a poster stuck to the wall of the blacksmith's shop.
"Huh? This is...?"
Looking closer, I saw it read:
[Important Announcement]Nezura Academy: Accepting Applications for Magic Users!
What?! An academy? There's an academy here?
My attention was drawn to the words "Magic Users."
No way… are there people who can't use magic?
"No, no, no, that's impossible!"
That means… this is the future, right? Everyone should be able to use magic. Otherwise, that technology is meaningless… wait a minute.
Suddenly, I remembered the man I saw in the research facility. He couldn't use magic either.
At that moment, I realized something important. Both the man who entered that strange machine and I disappeared. And when I woke up, I was in the future. Could it be… that man was someone from this time? That makes a certain amount of sense.
Meaning, he should be in this world. I must find that man. Excluding the Four Gods, he's the only one who knows how to return to the past.
"But how do I find him?" I muttered.
Every step forward feels like two steps back.
There's no point in thinking any further.
I looked up at the sky. "I don't know where you are, but I will find you." I'm certain. I have a strong feeling I'll meet him.
"What's that guy doing? Is he putting on a performance?"
"What a weirdo. Leave him alone. He's probably a beggar."
"Ahaha…"
People passing by in the alleyway mocked me.
"Hey, boy, what are you doing?" someone called out. It was Kai, the blacksmith.
"Hello, Kai."
"You've been standing here for a while. Are you looking for something?"
"No, um… I was reading this poster." I showed Kai the poster.
"Ah, the Nezura Academy recruitment brochure."
"Recruitment brochure? Do you do this every year?"
"Yes, every year Nezura Academy accepts new students who have awakened to magic."
"Awakened to magic…?"
"Tell me more."
At a certain age, magical marks appear on children's hands. It's proof that they have the aptitude to wield magic.
Nezura Academy takes in such children and teaches them how to use their magical abilities.
"I understand."
"You didn't even know that? Did you live in a cave?"
"…Um, I… I just arrived here, so I haven't received that information yet…"
Damn it! What a pathetic excuse!
"I understand."
He believed me readily.
"Hey, how old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"That's good. Just the right age. Why don't you try entering the academy?"
Wait a minute. He mentioned magical marks, didn't he?
"Kai, what are magical marks?"
"Um… how do I explain this? At a certain age, a mark appears on the back of your right hand, spontaneously."
Kai pointed to the back of his own hand. "It appears right here."
"But there's nothing on your hand, Kai."
"Ah, well… not everyone gets a mark. It's a kind of… luck, you could say."
That's impossible. I've learned something in the past. Luck doesn't exist. It's fate and choice. The gods probably created this system… but what is the meaning of this mark? It wasn't there in the past. I'm sure of it. There must be a reason. I'll look into it later.
"Ah, I'm in the same boat as you," I said, extending my hand to Kai. "Look, I don't have a magical mark either."
"What?! That's rare. I sensed strong magic from you… could it have been a mistake?"
What?!
"Wait a minute. You can sense my magic even though you don't have magical power?"
"That's different. I do possess magical power, but far less than ordinary magic users with marks. You could say it's unusable magic. Those without marks have only a tiny amount of magic, enough only to sense the magic of others."
I understand. In other words, everyone in this world has magic, even if it's just a tiny amount, if they don't have a mark.
"But…" Kai's face became serious; he leaned closer and whispered.
"Listen… it's forbidden to talk about this. So I'll only say this once, in a low voice. They can't use magic not because they lack it. Magic has forsaken them. They are born with immense magical power, but their internal vessels can't contain it, causing them to burst. We call them 'the Abhorred'."
"Listen… it's forbidden to talk about this. So I'll only say this once, in a low voice. They can't use magic not because they lack it. Magic has forsaken them. They are born with immense magical power, but their internal vessels can't contain it, causing them to burst. We call them 'the Abhorred'."
"Also, those who have magic but lack the mark on their hand are suspected of using forbidden machines and are punished, banished, or killed. So be careful, boy."
"W-what?!" My eyes widened in shock.
Kai took a couple of steps back, turning around. "This is just a rumor, so it's not necessarily accurate."
Unbelievable. Are there really such people?
"We should stop talking about this."
"You know, you might want to consider entering Nezura Academy."
"Me?"
"Who else would there be?"
"But I don't have a mark…"
"Even so, the examiners will sense your magic. If you're lucky, you might be able to take the exam without any problem."
"Wait a minute. There's an entrance exam?"
"Yes, of course. I don't know the details of the exam, so I can't tell you much."
For now, I know about magical marks and the existence of an academy that accepts those with them.
And most importantly, if my hypothesis is correct, that man exists in this era. All right, that's enough.
My next move… I'll take the entrance exam for Nezura Academy. I have nothing else to do.
"So, Kai. Where is Nezura Academy located?"
"Oh, you really are going?"
"Yes."
"Good. Nezura Academy is in the heart of the Selenura Empire. This is the outskirts of the Empire, so it's about a two-hour drive."
"A car? What's that?"
"Whaaaat?!" Kai was astonished. "Hey, you're kidding, right? No way…"
We both exchanged bewildered looks.
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
"Whaaaat!" Kai looked down in dismay. "You really did live in a cave. Well, okay."
"Tao!" Kai called out to someone.
An old man from the weapons shop across the way approached with heavy steps. His hair was white, his body stout, and dark circles under his eyes showed his exhaustion.
"Tao, are you free?"
"What is it? Do you need a ride?"
"Not me. This boy is taking the academy entrance exam, so if you're free, please give him a ride."
Tao approached Kai and spoke in a low voice.
"Listen, Kai. I'm not working for free."
"I understand. The drinks are on me tonight."
"Kukuku… alright then."
"Alright, boy. Let's go."
I didn't quite understand their exchange… but it seems to have worked out.
"Excuse me, Kai." I bowed slightly. An old habit from my days guarding the Emperor. A courteous bow.
"Ahaha… what are you doing? You look like a nobleman."
He's teasing me. Oh well.
"Thank you."
"More importantly, tell me about the results of the exam."
"Yes, I will. Definitely." I bowed my head and headed towards Tao and his car.
Tao's house was on the street two blocks from the alley. Among the high-rise buildings, a glass building gleamed, reflecting the sunlight. My face was reflected in it.
Many arguments were breaking out in front of blacksmith "Kai's" shop. Apparently, he's a famous blacksmith, known as "Kai."
The sound of horses' hooves approached. Two men on horseback stopped before Kai's shop. They wore magnificent, shining white armor, adorned with gold. They must be important figures.
"Don't interfere. We are here on the King's orders," one knight said.
The customers nervously backed away.
"What's going on? Do you know anything?"
"No, I don't know anything."
"Hey, blacksmith, are you Kai?"
"…Yes, I am," the blacksmith replied nervously.
The knight handed him a piece of paper and a bag. "His Imperial Majesty has commissioned you to forge a special sword."
"What?! A special sword?!"
"This is a gift for the coronation of His Imperial Highness, Emperor Reijan."
"Whaaaat?!" The blacksmith couldn't hide his astonishment.
The customers whispered amongst themselves. "Did you hear that? Unbelievable!"
Kai replied, "…It's… an honor…"
"Right, the specifications are written here. The materials are in the bag. His Imperial Majesty has high expectations for you. Don't disappoint him."
"…I'll do my best!"
The two men mounted their horses and rode away. One knight glanced at me, clicking his tongue, "Tch…"
"Hey, that guy from earlier, don't judge people by their clothes. It's rude!"
My sharp words caused me to notice a poster stuck to the wall of the blacksmith's shop.
"Huh? This is...?"
Looking closer, I saw it read:
[Important Announcement]Nezura Academy: Accepting Applications for Magic Users!
What?! An academy? There's an academy here?
My attention was drawn to the words "Magic Users."
No way… are there people who can't use magic?
"No, no, no, that's impossible!"
That means… this is the future, right? Everyone should be able to use magic. Otherwise, that technology is meaningless… wait a minute.
Suddenly, I remembered the man I saw in the research facility. He couldn't use magic either.
At that moment, I realized something important. Both the man who entered that strange machine and I disappeared. And when I woke up, I was in the future. Could it be… that man was someone from this time? That makes a certain amount of sense.
Meaning, he should be in this world. I must find that man. Excluding the Four Gods, he's the only one who knows how to return to the past.
"But how do I find him?" I muttered.
Every step forward feels like two steps back.
There's no point in thinking any further.
I looked up at the sky. "I don't know where you are, but I will find you." I'm certain. I have a strong feeling I'll meet him.
"What's that guy doing? Is he putting on a performance?"
"What a weirdo. Leave him alone. He's probably a beggar."
"Ahaha…"
People passing by in the alleyway mocked me.
"Hey, boy, what are you doing?" someone called out. It was Kai, the blacksmith.
"Hello, Kai."
"You've been standing here for a while. Are you looking for something?"
"No, um… I was reading this poster." I showed Kai the poster.
"Ah, the Nezura Academy recruitment brochure."
"Recruitment brochure? Do you do this every year?"
"Yes, every year Nezura Academy accepts new students who have awakened to magic."
"Awakened to magic…?"
"Tell me more."
At a certain age, magical marks appear on children's hands. It's proof that they have the aptitude to wield magic.
Nezura Academy takes in such children and teaches them how to use their magical abilities.
"I understand."
"You didn't even know that? Did you live in a cave?"
"…Um, I… I just arrived here, so I haven't received that information yet…"
Damn it! What a pathetic excuse!
"I understand."
He believed me readily.
"Hey, how old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"That's good. Just the right age. Why don't you try entering the academy?"
Wait a minute. He mentioned magical marks, didn't he?
"Kai, what are magical marks?"
"Um… how do I explain this? At a certain age, a mark appears on the back of your right hand, spontaneously."
Kai pointed to the back of his own hand. "It appears right here."
"But there's nothing on your hand, Kai."
"Ah, well… not everyone gets a mark. It's a kind of… luck, you could say."
That's impossible. I've learned something in the past. Luck doesn't exist. It's fate and choice. The gods probably created this system… but what is the meaning of this mark? It wasn't there in the past. I'm sure of it. There must be a reason. I'll look into it later.
"Ah, I'm in the same boat as you," I said, extending my hand to Kai. "Look, I don't have a magical mark either."
"What?! That's rare. I sensed strong magic from you… could it have been a mistake?"
What?!
"Wait a minute. You can sense my magic even though you don't have magical power yourself?"
"That's different. I do possess magical power, but far less than ordinary magic users with marks. You could say it's unusable magic. Those without marks have only a tiny amount of magic, enough only to sense the magic of others."
I understand. In other words, everyone in this world has magic, even if it's just a tiny amount, if they don't have a mark.
"But…" Kai's face became serious; he leaned closer and whispered.
"Listen… it's forbidden to talk about this. So I'll only say this once, in a low voice. They can't use magic not because they lack it. Magic has forsaken them. They are born with immense magical power, but their internal vessels can't contain it, causing them to burst. We call them 'the Abhorred'."
"Listen… it's forbidden to talk about this. So I'll only say this once, in a low voice. They can't use magic not because they lack it. Magic has forsaken them. They are born with immense magical power, but their internal vessels can't contain it, causing them to burst. We call them 'the Abhorred'."
"Also, those who have magic but lack the mark on their hand are suspected of using forbidden machines and are punished, banished, or killed. So be careful, boy."
"W-what?!" My eyes widened in shock.
Kai took a couple of steps back, turning around. "This is just a rumor, so it's not necessarily accurate."
Unbelievable. Are there really such people?
"We should stop talking about this."
"You know, you might want to consider entering Nezura Academy."
"Me?"
"Who else would there be?"
"But I don't have a mark…"
"Even so, the examiners will sense your magic. If you're lucky, you might be able to take the exam without any problem."
"Wait a minute. There's an entrance exam?"
"Yes, of course. I don't know the details of the exam, so I can't tell you much."
For now, I know about magical marks and the existence of an academy that accepts those with them.
And most importantly, if my hypothesis is correct, that man exists in this era. All right, that's enough.
My next move… I'll take the entrance exam for Nezura Academy. I have nothing else to do.
"So, Kai. Where is Nezura Academy located?"
"Oh, you really are going?"
"Yes."
"Good. Nezura Academy is in the heart of the Selenura Empire. This is the outskirts of the Empire, so it's about a two-hour drive."
"A car? What's that?"
"Whaaaat?!" Kai was astonished. "Hey, you're kidding, right? No way…"
We both exchanged bewildered looks.
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
"Whaaaat!" Kai looked down in dismay. "You really did live in a cave. Well, okay."
"Tao!" Kai called out to someone.
An old man from the weapons shop across the way approached with heavy steps. His hair was white, his body stout, and dark circles under his eyes showed his exhaustion.
"Tao, are you free?"
"What is it? Do you need a ride?"
"Not me. This boy is taking the academy entrance exam, so if you're free, please give him a ride."
Tao approached Kai and spoke in a low voice.
"Listen, Kai. I'm not working for free."
"I understand. The drinks are on me tonight."
"Kukuku… alright then."
"Alright, boy. Let's go."
I didn't quite understand their exchange… but it seems to have worked out.
"Excuse me, Kai." I bowed slightly. An old habit from my days guarding the Emperor. A courteous bow.
"Ahaha… what are you doing? You look like a nobleman."
He's teasing me. Oh well.
"Thank you."
"More importantly, tell me about the results of the exam."
"Yes, I will. Definitely." I bowed my head and headed towards Tao and his car.
Tao's house was on the street two blocks from the alley. Among the high-rise buildings, a glass building gleamed, reflecting the sunlight. My face was reflected in it. Long blond hair reaching to his waist, blue eyes, fair skin. A typical handsome man.
Really me?! Unbelievable. It's been so long since I've seen my own face, I'd forgotten what I looked like.
I was captivated by my reflection in front of the glass building.
"Hey, how long are you going to spend flirting with your own face?"
"Sorry, I'll be right there."
"Tch… I hate pretty boys," Tao muttered.
"We're here. Wait outside. I'll get the car keys."
As Tao opened the door, I caught a glimpse inside. The exterior looked old, but the interior was furnished with comfortable-looking furniture. And… what's that? A square machine in front of the furniture. The kind I saw in the building earlier. Important figures seemed to be talking on that machine.
An old man in imperial clothing was talking to others. He was surrounded by nobles. Next to the Emperor stood a confident young man, about my age or a little older. The nobles were offering him gifts, gold, high-quality weapons, and the like.
Text was displayed on a screen in the room.
[Urgent News: Prince Reijan's Coronation Ceremony, Emperor Nirval Abdicates to Grandson Prince Reijan]
Just as the paper had said.
This seems to be Tao's house. There's a small garden in front of the house. He might be growing vegetables, but only weeds are growing. This is… a new crop? I've never seen a crop like this before.
"I wonder what it tastes like? …Since no one is around…" Let's try some!
I tried eating the grass, but I couldn't. It had a numbing taste. Disgusting!
"Hey, boy! What do you think you're doing?! Don't mess with my garden!"
Tao surprised me with his angry red eyes.
I didn't sense his magic. Could it be because of the weak magic Kai mentioned…?
＊＊＊＊＊Everyone possesses magical power. However, it is far less than ordinary magic users with marks. You could say it's unusable magic. Those without marks have only a tiny amount of magic, enough only to sense the magic of others.＊＊＊＊＊
"Maybe that's the reason. This low level of magic-sensing ability in others might become a problem for me in the future. For example, poison attacks by assassins who don't use magic, surprise attacks by enemies… those kinds of things could happen. So, I should train another way to perceive people around me without using magic."
While I was thinking about that, Tao yelled in my ear, "Hey! Can you hear me?!"
"I'm really sorry."
"Tch, whatever. Let's go."
I'm scared.
We arrived at what he called a "car." It was in front of the park. It had been there all along.
"Car"... A black, metal body, scratched and dented, with an iron door… but it's quite dilapidated. Compared to the other cars I've seen since arriving, this is completely scrap.
Tao got into the car, taking the key from his pants pocket. Putting on black sunglasses, he said,
"I know what you're thinking. You're laughing at my car, aren't you?!" I can't see his expression through the sunglasses, but I can tell he's angry from the vein bulging on his forehead.
"Get in the back."
"Y-yes." I can't afford to make that old man angry.
...
...
Why isn't it moving?
"Tao, what's wrong?"
"That's strange… it was working yesterday…"
Seriously?
After struggling for a while… it started to vibrate roughly.
"Alright, it's moving."
We set off for Nezura Academy.
Two hours later
"We're finally here."
Ah, the two most terrifying hours of my life.
I kept hearing the sound of the car exploding and thought I was going to die any minute.
"This is Nezura Academy. If you fail the exam, report back to Kai. I'm going home."
"That geezer was the worst… well, okay. Thanks for the ride."
"Kukuku… don't fail. I'll be waiting at the pub tonight."
"Understood. I'll do my best."
He drove off in his scrap… no, his car. I hope he gets home safely.
Nezura Academy. Wow… it's huge, even from the outside. Passing through the front gate, there's a wide pathway with trees and benches on either side. There are three large buildings. It's a very upscale place.
Just standing in front of the gate makes me nervous.
Students were entering the academy, all wearing uniforms. Black and red shirts with black trousers. Some even wore gold necklaces.
There were also students who weren't wearing uniforms. They were in ordinary clothes, but clean, with some wearing expensive-looking clothes, different from the academy uniforms. These are probably those taking the entrance exam today.
They all looked at me with disdain. Well, it can't be helped. Compared to their clean clothes, mine are tattered and dusty.
But I didn't come here as a beggar. I have a purpose. To get information to find that man. To do that, I must pass the exam, no matter what.
=============================
Upon entering the academy, a gatekeeper greeted the new students. "Welcome to Nezura Academy." He was a kind-looking man with a gentle face.
Then, a loud voice echoed. It was a female student's voice. "All students taking the entrance exam, assemble in the back garden!"
Since I didn't know where the back garden was, I followed the other students.
The back garden, which served as the examination venue, was a green square behind the central building. That building seemed to house classrooms, where teachers were probably teaching students about magic and marks.
A little further past the green square was another gate.
There were other students in uniform besides us. They were probably here to observe the exam.
Guards stood in front of the green square. Wait a minute?
Looking closely, I recognized one of the guards. He was the guard who was in front of Kai's shop.
"Hey, hey! Can you hear me!"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a red-haired woman appeared in front of me. She had an attractive physique, a round face, and a cute appearance. And she was extremely close.
"What? What do you want?"
"That's a cold response. Such a cute girl is in front of you, so close, looking you in the eye, and you're not surprised?"
"Really? Shall we try again?"
"Ahahahaha…"
When I said that, she burst out laughing. Did I say something funny?
"You're a strange one. I like it."
…Now, what should I do? "It's an honor to hear you say that," I blurted out.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"Arian."
"Nevira Astor Merdis. It's a pleasure to meet you, Arian."
She introduced herself with noble etiquette. (Lifting her skirt slightly, bowing her head and bending her knees slightly.) This is it! This kind of etiquette in greetings and introductions is natural. It makes me happy to see someone do the same as me.
"Likewise, Nevira."
I introduced myself with noble etiquette as well. (Placing my right hand on my chest and bowing slightly.)
She leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "You don't have a magical mark, do you? Are you one of the Abhorred?"
"W-what did you say?!"
"Just kidding. Your magical power is stronger than anyone here, yet you don't have a mark, that's all."
"N-no, that's not true."
"I just doubted it a little. Don't worry."
After a while, another woman appeared. This one was more mature, with black hair and a somewhat stern face, but she was also very beautiful.
She held documents in her hand.
"Now then, you weaklings. Let the exams begin!"