Chapter 3

One week later. Irena and I finished our farewell greetings to our parents and boarded the carriage.

After a few days of travel, we arrived at the capital, Desias.

The appearance of the capital is indeed very different from that of the ancient world.

First, there are no walls or gates. In my previous life, cities were synonymous with fortified cities, but it seems that this era is different. Well, it might just be that this country is special.

A huge city is situated right in the middle of the plain, and the fact that there are no gates or walls to protect it was very fresh to me. At the carriage drop-off point at the entrance to the capital Desias, after getting out of the carriage and thanking the driver, we gazed at the capital's scenery.

"Hmm... This is quite impressive."

It felt like I had come to a different world. The scenery of the capital was completely different from that of the village.

I could see some stone and brick buildings that I was familiar with, but I couldn't figure out what materials and construction techniques were used for most of them. Those towering buildings that seemed to pierce the clouds were unimaginable in the ancient world.

This must be the joy of reincarnation.

However, we couldn't just stand there admiring the scenery forever.

We were planning to go and greet the head of the magic academy. We couldn't just skip that, so we started walking side by side.

We walked down the bustling main street. On both sides, a variety of buildings lined the road, and people were stepping on the cobblestone pavement, basking in the sunlight.

The journey to the academy was peaceful.

...Except for the lecherous gazes that kept being directed at Irena.

"What's with that girl, she's so cute... Should I try talking to her?"

"Forget it, if she's wearing the academy uniform, she's either a noble or a wealthy person."

"She's like a flower on a high branch, isn't she?"

As the guys whispered, Irena and I were wearing the academy uniforms.

We hadn't officially enrolled yet, but we had received them from the academy as pre-admitted students.

The boys' uniform was nothing special, but the girls'...

It was quite revealing.

Therefore, Irena's healthy thighs and well-shaped large breasts were boldly exposed, and combined with her adorable appearance, about twelve out of ten people were sending her gazes.

"Hehe! Everyone is so captivated by me!"

"Yes, it would be impossible not to be captivated by Miss Irena's beauty."

On the surface, I responded calmly, but inside, I was boiling with anger.

It was a grave sin, punishable by death, to direct such base desires towards my daughter.

In this situation, I might as well go half-naked and monopolize the gazes directed at Irena.

I was half-serious about this thought when...

"Shut up! All you did was kill a stray cat!"

At the menacing voice, Irena and I stopped simultaneously.

Sensing trouble, we turned our eyes towards the source of the voice.

In a corner of the main street, against the wall of a building, there were some rough-looking orc men...

And a beautiful girl surrounded by them.

She was probably around eighteen years old. She was taller than Irena but shorter than me.

She didn't have any distinctive physical features or aura, so she was likely a human like me.

What caught the eye was her appearance and attire. Her face was as delicate as a doll, with no flaws. Her long, beautiful platinum blonde hair, which almost reached the ground, added a divine quality to her appearance.

"...I think you are far more worthless than that mere cat."

"Wh-What did you say, you brat!?"

The orcs were getting angry. ...This was no longer a situation that could be resolved through words.

"We have to help her!"

As Irena tried to step forward, I held her back with my hand.

"Please wait, Miss Irena. You should observe from a distance. I will handle this."

This girl is my friend and student. She has some combat skills, but she's not at the level where she can smartly deal with multiple orcs, who are known for their toughness.

Therefore, I, the former Demon King and current villager, decided to step in.

After convincing Irena, I approached the group and...

Punched one of the orc men in the back of the head, knocking him out instantly.

The group was taken aback by the sudden attack.

Taking advantage of their confusion, I continued to strike the nearest ones.

A palm strike to the jaw, a front kick to the groin. Two hits, two down. Three more remained.

"Who the hell are you!?"

They tried to approach us, tensing their bodies in anger, but...

I was already moving. I closed the distance in an instant. I struck the heads of the three lined up in quick succession, knocking them all to the ground.

"Rude."

After a short remark to them, I turned to the girl and called out to her.

"Are you hurt, miss?"

The girl blinked.

"Ah, thanks to you, no. Your fighting skills just now were truly impressive."

The girl smiled. Irena, who had somehow appeared beside her, chimed in.

"Right! Isn't he amazing? Aard is my friend!"

Irena, who was delighted at being praised, looked like a real angel.

"Yes, really impressive. Boy, the enhancement magic you used just now was incredible. Seeing you mow down the opponents, I couldn't help but cheer—"

"Actually, I didn't use any magic during that exchange."

"Huh? ...No way, you're human, right? It's impossible for a human to defeat orcs bare-handed."

The girl looked at me in disbelief, and I shook my head with a smile.

"The way of applying force, the timing and location of the strikes. With the right techniques, it's not difficult."

"But... the way you closed the distance just now, it seemed to exceed human limits."

"That's also a matter of technique. The ones lying on the ground seemed to be amateurs with no knowledge of magic. I thought using magic against such opponents would be excessive, so I dealt with them using only unarmed techniques this time."

"Wow..."

The girl's eyes narrowed. Suddenly—

A chill ran down my spine.

Why? There was no reason for me to feel such a sensation from this opponent.

As I wondered, the girl patted my back and said,

"Haha, you're a remarkable guy. I like you!"

Then, she changed the topic.

"So, you two, wearing those uniforms means you're students at the magic academy, right?"

"No, we're not officially enrolled yet. Miss Irena is in the same situation."

"Hmm. Ah, I remember. I heard there were two pre-admitted students this year. So, it was you two. I see, you two are indeed impressive."

"...Are you affiliated with the academy?"

"That's right. I became a lecturer this year. The youngest ever, in fact."

She puffed out her chest proudly.

Then, she introduced herself.

"My name is Jessica. Jessica von Varg la Merdies de Rainsworth. I'm the third daughter of a marquis family, but I hope you can interact with me without formalities."

She smiled brightly and extended her hand for a handshake.

We introduced ourselves as well.

"Aard and Irena. Since I also have business at the academy, let's go together."

We walked to our destination and entered the courtyard of the academy.

The Laville National Magic Academy is the largest and most advanced educational institution in the country. Its grounds were even more spacious than they appeared from the outside...

Aard and Irena were overwhelmed by the size of the buildings and the vastness of the courtyard.

Jessica chuckled at our reaction.

"Well, you'll get used to it in three days. ...I have some business in the staff room, so I'll take my leave here. Let's meet again as teacher and student."

With a bright "See you later," she waved and left.

After parting ways with Jessica, we caught a few students in the courtyard and asked for directions to the headmaster's office. The uniforms worn by the students had two variations in design, indicating differences in status. This suggested that there was still a significant class difference between nobles and commoners.

While thinking about this, Irena and I walked around the campus and finally arrived at the headmaster's office.

We knocked on the door and entered.

"Ah, you've come, you've come."

The old man who welcomed us with a cheerful tone was the head of the academy. His name is Gordo.

He was already in his nineties but looked full of energy.

His noble title was Count, and his rank as a Mage was Sixth Rank, one step below the highest. There were fewer than ten people in the country with this rank.

In my previous life, I might have been able to reach such a level, but now, as just a villager, it was almost impossible.

Beside Count Gordo stood a young woman, likely his secretary.

She had been silent the whole time, sending us sharp gazes.

"...Impressive, those two children. Both are exceptional, indeed."

She muttered this. This woman has no eye for talent. What makes us exceptional—

"Indeed. Both are remarkable. They seem even more capable than I heard."

...It seems the Count's judgment is also questionable.

To call a mere villager and a below-average noble girl exceptional...

"I've heard a lot about your heroic deeds. Therefore, I will exempt you from the practical exam. You will receive full marks. Especially you, Aard. If I had put you against the examiners, they might have died. Truly a terrifying talent."

Such obvious flattery. Well, it can't be helped. My parents were great heroes whose names are recorded in history, so their children can't be treated poorly.

"However, please take the written exam. I know it will be easy for you, but if you can't even solve these, we can't admit you."

Hmm. The written exam is probably to test general knowledge. It makes sense not to admit someone without basic knowledge. So, we nodded in agreement.

"Yes. ...Let me say this a bit early. Welcome to our Laville Magic Academy. I am proud to welcome you."

What a grand statement. Despite being ordinary or even below average, he treats us like this.

A few days later, we were in a room at the academy, taking the written exam with other examinees.

...This is strange. This is too easy.

This must be a trick question. They must want us to read between the lines and derive the correct answers. Otherwise, they wouldn't set such simple questions that even a three-year-old could answer.

As expected of a top-tier school established to cultivate all-round talents alongside the birth of the nation.

They've given us a tough problem. Very interesting.

The next morning after the exam, Irena and I came to the front of the academy.

The results were posted on a bulletin board at the entrance. Many other examinees were gathered there, creating a typical scene of joy and tears.

"Of course, we won't fail! We'll be the top two finishers!"

Irena, full of confidence, marched forward with her chest puffed out.

We approached the group of examinees and looked at the bulletin board.

The results were quickly confirmed. Our names were at the top.

Irena's written test was a perfect score. She's smart. My Irena is smart.

On the other hand, mine...

"Hey, Aard, isn't this strange?"

"Yes, I don't understand it either."

We were confused, and for good reason.

My written test score was—

"0 points."