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“Why is that not allowed?”

After school, I headed to the Professors’ Building to resolve Yuli’s situation.

I didn’t particularly like that it was akin to snitching, but it was one of the most standard solutions. Of course, it could potentially make things worse.

However, I must have been mistaken from the start. The professor in charge of Yuli didn’t seem to have any intention to resolve his situation.

“The academy is an educational institution, not a daycare. Do you think we have any reason to listen to someone like you whining and complaining? You know the academy isn’t compulsory, right? If you don’t want to be here, you can just leave. Weak? Don’t underestimate the academy. It’s a place to nurture the best talents on the continent. If you’re weak, that’s on them. At least in my class.”

“But…!”

“Enough. I recommend you don’t overstep your bounds any further. I think it’s plenty that I’ve shared this much with you, especially since you’re neither the aggrieved party nor the student in question. If you want to talk more, why not go find your assigned professor?”

Not that it would change anything—

With that, he turned his chair back and began examining the documents on his desk.

A fortress of refusal.

Since it seemed futile to say anything more, I redirected my focus toward our class’s professor, Ferrent.

“Then at least help transfer Yuli’s class to ours. That way, the bullying will naturally cease, and if there’s even a trace left, I can care for him by my side.”

Ferrent listened quietly to my words, and after a brief silence, he spoke.

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible. Elysia, I understand your concerns, but Professor Selene’s stance is the prevailing opinion. The affairs of Class 2 fall under the authority of its supervisor, Professor Selene. Even I, let alone the Dean, cannot interfere with a supervising professor’s authority.”

Given that the academy is the top educational institution, each professor is an authority in their own field. They have every right to take pride in their values, and it’s only natural for them to resist when those are infringed upon.

“So, you think it’s a crime to be weak, just like Professor Selene says? Do you believe it’s right to disregard the weak?”

“Am I being tested on chivalry by the commander of the Imperial Knights? If it’s a provocation, then it’s quite good.”

Ferrent stroked his short beard and smiled slyly.

“Regardless of my personal opinion, it remains impossible. If you want to help that child, you must bring a compelling reason to convince Professor Selene.”

“A compelling reason? Fine. I will definitely bring you the reason you seek.”

I bowed and opened the door to the professor’s office, hearing his voice from behind as I left.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

*

March 31st. It’s already been a month since I enrolled in the academy.

Before heading to class, I stood in front of a full-length mirror in a corner of my room, slowly taking in my appearance.

I’m still not quite used to styling my hair, but it’s worth the time for my silver locks, which catch my eye first.

Next, I checked my face. Thanks to Sem Mogra, the dead TS wizard, I don’t even need makeup, which is quite convenient.

For my upper body, I lightly put on my uniform jacket over my training outfit for today’s sparring session. Normally, this attire might attract criticism, but today, that’s not an issue.

Naturally, I wore sports pants. I didn’t want to wear a skirt today.

I took out some socks from the drawer. Today’s pair is white. A perfect match with my gloves.

No matter how you look at it, I’m undeniably feminine.

Though normally, I would have simply ignored my appearance, today is different; I’m determined.

“Elysia Frentz.”

A borrowed identity for an assassination quest. Originally, it would have been just a name I’d let slip by, but that’s no longer the case.

The name of a girl who died young. A name I must carry on.

Honestly, I don’t need to care about what she was like. But since I inherited her identity, I couldn’t help but feel an odd concern for her that I couldn’t quite comprehend.

Though few remember her, just a mere lady and not even a head, perhaps I could at least remember her.

The true “Elysia Frentz,” whose face I don’t even know.

I haven’t asked for permission, but I will take your name.

And in return, I will surely pay the usage fee.

So don’t feel too wronged. Isn’t this a fair trade for you?

“Ely~ If you’re late, you’ll be left behind!”

As I was gathering my resolve, Anne’s voice floated in from outside the door. Of course, I know she wouldn’t really leave me behind even if she said that.

“Three, two, one! We’re leaving~!”

Her voice drifted away as she whimsically counted. Wait a minute! Are you really going to leave without me?

Bang!

I almost stumbled as I hurried to put on my gloves and finally opened the door, but Anne was already standing right in front of it, not even far away…

Selian beside her waved lightly at me.

“You’re out quickly! Then let’s go!”

Seeing Anne marching ahead, unaware of my near-fall, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity.

So I poked her in the side, but she retaliated with a punch.

*

Griffin Academy is a large institution, which means it has various events.

One of those is the class battle held monthly by the Swordsmanship Department. Unlike the Administrative and Theology Departments, the Swordsmanship Department alone has this unique event while the Magic Department remains busy studying throughout the semester.

Each class selects its top students and engages in duels. Although it doesn’t significantly affect grades, for students who repeatedly study and train every day, events like these are like a refreshing rain during a drought.

The rules of the battles are simple. Five participants from each class. In a winner-stays-on format, those who win continue battling the next opponent. However, each class’s top student must be kept for last, as if the captain were to sweep everyone away, it would defeat the purpose of the event.

The participants from our class are me, Selian, Anne, Ian, and our class leader, who I’ve conversed with a couple of times. Naturally, Selian is the captain.

Our first opponent from Class 2 consists of four boys and one girl. I already knew that the leader of the group that bullied Yuli was among them.

“If you guys are okay with it, can I go out first?”

I expressed my opinion to the others. The order of participation is also a strategy, so I can’t decide it alone. But today marks Elysia Frentz’s first step. If I want to paint the picture I have in mind, it’s best to go out first.

“Isn’t it better for me, the weakest here, to go out first and scout rather than you?”

Our class leader adjusted his glasses and said. While that’s not entirely wrong, I still had to consider it.

“Well, who cares? She wants to go out, so let her.”

I had already coordinated my thoughts with Anne, Ian, and Selian, who were friends of mine.

I felt a pang of guilt toward the leader, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Well then.”

In exchange, we decided to determine the next order by reflecting the leader’s opinions as much as possible.

“Alright, the first participants from each class, step forward.”

Thus began the class battle.

I stood up upon hearing Ferrent’s call to the duel stage. My opponent coming up was the only girl from Class 2 to make the cut.

She was the girl I had asked Yuli to buy chocolate bread for before. Honestly, I hadn’t thought I’d see her here, so it felt nice.

Facing each other, we exchanged brief greetings, and the duel commenced.

But I had no intention of stalling. I dashed forward the moment it began.

The girl, being one of the top students, skillfully stepped back to block my extending blade.

But what I intended to show her was overwhelming strength.

While using aura in a duel is prohibited, physically enhancing oneself doesn’t fall outside the rules. Though I’ve weakened since becoming a woman, my aura remains unaffected.

Unless you’re a monster like Anne or Selian, there’s no reason for me to be overpowered by another girl.

Clang!

With just one clash, her wooden sword flew away far from her.

Gripping a sword is fundamental as a swordsman. You might get pushed back, but you almost never let go of the sword you’re holding.

Unless there’s an overwhelming gap in strength.

Therefore, she made the mistake of staring at her hand, surprised.

The match wasn’t over yet, so even if she had lost the sword, she should have acted immediately, either rolling on the ground or using simple combat skills to evade my attacks and reclaim her weapon.

Not doing so was proof that she was still an immature student, and she must have felt the gulf between us.

That was enough, so I rested my wooden sword gently on her shoulder.

The referee, Ferrent, seemed to know I would stop, concluding the match without intervention.

I glanced at her shoulder, where my wooden sword had brushed her neck, before retrieving it.

With a content smile, I turned to Ferrent and said, “Shall we proceed to the next one?”

To summarize, I sent the next three students from Class 2 down from the duel stage immediately after.

I’m not even at a level where I could lose to such students. It’s only because Selian is in our class that I’ve even considered a past dream of becoming the youngest Sword Master.

The last student, the captain of Class 2, approached. He seemed unfazed by my taking down four students in a row and approached with a smirk. Yeah, keep laughing like that.

“I wondered what you were depending on last time, but it seems you had something up your sleeve.”

“Not at all.”

“Well, it’s just a commoner wielding a sword well, isn’t it?”

“Oh my, you seem to be quite good at wielding your sword too? Given that you can’t even remember the simple rule that there’s no distinction between commoners and nobles within the academy, your written exam scores must be poor, yet you still managed to become a captain.”

A light provocation.

“Ha. You believe in that so-called rule? You bunch will ultimately end up just spreading your legs beneath everyone when it comes to the end of days.”

His comeback was pretty sharp. Ferrent seemed ready to intervene, but I was faster.

I removed the gloves I had bought with my hard-earned money for today and threw them at his face. After all, I don’t wear gloves.

Smack!

Filled with emotion, my sudden throw struck his face before falling to the ground.

I turned to slowly walk out of the duel stage to get my sword that I had left with Anne.

Swish.

The sharp blade emerged from its sheath. Unlike the wooden sword, this one felt cold. And its tip was aimed directly at my opponent.

Unexpectedly, he responded well to my provocation. Lacking a justifiable reason? Then I’ll just have to create one, regardless.

“As Elysia Frentz, representing House Frentz, I challenge you to a duel for your insult.”

His face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. It was only natural for him to be furious after being suddenly slapped. So—

“Come at me if you dare, you trash!”