The academy.
Lucy insisted it was important to attend something like this. And of course, I nodded without much debate. Not because I was entirely convinced, but because I was used to letting him take the lead when it came to practical decisions. Still… I couldn't help but think it was a monumental waste of time.
It's not that I hated the idea—I don't feel anything that extreme. But the Paradox Scriptures already give us everything we need. Magical knowledge, strategy, control… all the essentials to survive and dominate.
Lucy didn't take two seconds to contradict me. He said the Scriptures might be great for theory, but they don't strengthen the body. Not endurance, not stamina, not physical technique. And then I got it: the academy would be our physical training ground. That's all. A structured routine under the guise of education.
And, surprisingly… that put me in a good mood.
"It's our first day of classes. Aren't you nervous?" Lucy asked, lacing up his boots with an almost annoying ease.
"A little…" I replied, struggling with this damn dress. "Honestly, though, the week went by so fast I barely had time to process it. Stupid dress."
"Here, let me help." He came over and adjusted the straps on my back. It was a bit tight, like a decorated straitjacket. But it was just for today. We had to show up formal. Entrance ceremony and all that. A ribbon-wrapped absurdity. "Why do you always wear dark colors?"
"Does it bother you?"
"Not that. It's just… sometimes I think you're trying to copy my style."
"I'm your twin. If it looks good on you, why not on me?"
"Haha. Fair point. Alright, lift your leg," he said, kneeling to grab my shoes.
I obeyed. First one, then the other. When he finished, he looked up at me. His hair was a mess from bending down, so I fixed it reflexively, without thinking.
"Why didn't you wet your hair?"
"Didn't see the need. It sorts itself out."
I gave him a disapproving look. I didn't care for his excuse. I channeled a bit of mana, dampened his hair, and grabbed the comb from the dresser without asking permission.
"Even if it sorts itself, you need to look presentable. You're supposed to be the older one. Mentally, at least."
"Hey! I am, okay? But in my past life, I never went to these kinds of events. No ceremonies, no uniforms, nothing. I'd show up in a torn shirt and pants that looked like they came from a wrinkle nest."
"Such a lack of class, Lucy."
"Haha. Alright, alright. Ease up on my hair, you're gonna rip it out."
I smiled, barely. An involuntary twitch. I combed his hair back carefully. But when we looked in the mirror, our expressions froze at the same time. That hairstyle made him look like someone else… and not in a good way.
I raised my arm and started messing up his hair without mercy.
"I can't believe it. How do you look better with messy hair?"
He grinned and stuck a toothpick in his mouth. A new habit he'd picked up without warning, like someone who starts limping just for fun.
"Guess it's genetics. Father looks better like this too."
I sighed.
"You're right… Alright, let's go. We're gonna be late."
We headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Mom wasn't there. Neither was Dad. Just a lone note on the table. Lucy read it silently, with that look he gets when he's calculating something even when he's just reading.
"Mother's out shopping. Father's… working, as usual. They wish us luck on our first day," he said, adjusting his tie with the ease of someone who's done it before.
"I see…" I replied, trying to adjust my dress. The fabric was like an elegant trap: tight, uncomfortable, with an itch even mana couldn't soothe. But I had to endure. Appearances, right?
"Let's go, then."
"Yeah."
We locked the door, hid the key under the flowerpot like Mom always did, and started walking toward the academy.
The path was filled with boys in suits and girls in dresses that looked more like fabric armor than functional clothing. Some were with their parents, others in groups, but Lucy and I were… a quiet anomaly. Alone, but together.
I didn't see Alicia at her tree. The one where she waited for us last time. We hadn't seen her since the entrance exams.
Maybe she was busy with important matters alongside her father. She's the princess of the kingdom, after all. Now that her presence in this city is no longer a secret, it's obvious she's caught up in royal duties, protocols, and noble obligations I can't even imagine. It's not her fault. I get it.
And, being completely honest… that bothered me a little.
My traitorous mind conjured its own scenario: Lucy realizing how important she is, starting to pay her more attention. Because that's what people do with important people. She was the princess, and I… I was just his sister.
I didn't ask Lucy anything. No point. I already knew his answer before hearing it. I preferred to observe. To gauge him. To see how he acted. Alicia asked us to treat her like any other friend, but I know Lucy. He'll treat her with a mix of reverence and care. Like she's glass. Like her status could shatter with a single misspoken word.
And I… I'll just be jealous.
His fingers. His gestures. His tone when he talks to her… I'll notice everything.
And though I don't want to admit it… I'll be jealous.
"Issy? You okay?"
His voice snapped me out of the loop. I turned slightly toward him.
"…Yeah. Just feeling nervous now."
Not entirely a lie.
"Always at the last minute. Really? Alright, relax. Come on, let's go in."
"Wait!"
"Now what?"
"I… do I look okay? And since when did we get to the academy?"
Lucy raised an eyebrow, pulled the toothpick from his mouth, and studied me like I was a poorly assembled puzzle.
"You look too beautiful. Who're you trying to impress?" he asked. "We got here while you were lost in your mental bubble. You looked possessed. Dummy."
"Hey! Jerk. But… thanks."
"You didn't answer my question." Jealous.
"Ugh! I'm not trying to impress anyone. Remember our promise?"
"Yeah, yeah. Alright, let's go."
"Okay…"
I swallowed hard. One of those moments where you don't know if it's fear, anticipation, or a bit of both. Lucy took my hand naturally, and we started walking through the academy's halls, following a group of boys in suits, blindly trusting they knew where they were going.
And if they didn't… well, at least we looked normal while getting lost.
Sure enough, we'd gotten lost.
"We shouldn't have trusted those guys," Lucy muttered, frowning in annoyance. He was blaming the two students we followed without even asking for directions. It made me laugh, though the situation didn't call for it.
"We didn't even ask them. You can't blame them just because… you decided to wing it," I said, just as I tried to lean against a wall to rest. I didn't make it. Lucy, with quick reflexes, placed his hand behind me before my back touched the cold, dark marble.
"Well, I like blaming someone else when I screw up. Makes me feel less stupid," he said, shrugging.
"Haha… So what do we do now?"
"No clue. Beg fate, maybe."
We fell silent. Two lost twins, victims of overconfidence and the labyrinth that was the academy. Just as I was starting to resign myself, our salvation appeared.
"Hey, guys!" Gareth's energetic voice came from the next hallway. He walked with his back straight, chest puffed out, like he'd just won a tournament. Behind him was Leonard, with his perpetually indifferent expression. Every time I saw him, I couldn't help but compare him to Lucy when he was a baby. That empty stare, like he'd already lived too much.
But Lucy changed. With time. With love. By two years old, he was a different person. It's incredible what a mother can do. Astonishing, really.
"Gareth? What're you doing here?" Lucy asked, half-surprised.
"Nothing. We were looking for you. What're you doing here?" He knew Lucy would tell the truth, and that'd make us look ridiculous. I tried to jump in.
"We were looking for—"
"…the ceremony hall, but we got lost," Lucy finished, as if he hadn't even noticed my attempt.
My plan went to hell. I swallowed, resigned.
"Oh, yeah… No worries, it's normal. This academy's a beast of hallways and towers. And transversomancy doesn't help much with navigation. Want us to guide you? The ceremony's about to start."
"Thanks. That'd be a huge help." Well, we didn't end up looking too ridiculous.
"Haha. That's what friends are for. Come on, follow us."
And we started walking.
I didn't say anything. Lucy had spoken too much, and oddly, that made me happy. It's not common for him. Even I struggle to get him to talk much. He's always more about observing, analyzing quietly, responding with monosyllables or precise phrases.
But having friends… that could change things. If he opened up to them, if he let himself talk more, maybe… maybe I'd finally hear him ramble, think out loud, even mess up. I wanted to hear him talk about theory, magic, his ideas. When we're with Reginald, I'm always the one carrying the conversation, while Lucy stays on the sidelines, like a craftsman who only steps in to sharpen the blade.
I love this. This change. This possibility.
We reached the ceremony hall.
Imposing. Massive. Radiant. It had something gothic, something of a temple, something of a theater. A huge stage, and enough space to have a decent duel without worrying about hitting someone by mistake.
Two long tables stretched across the hall from side to side, with a central aisle separating them. It was packed with students. Some older, others clearly our age.
Gareth spotted an empty spot for the four of us and ran like it was his last chance at life. We followed, calmer but grateful.
"Finally, a seat," Gareth sighed, flopping down and stretching like he'd traveled for three days.
"Didn't you have a spot?" Lucy asked, leaning slightly. Leonard, beside him, was partially blocking his view.
"Nope. Like I said, we were looking for you. We weren't gonna save seats if we were about to leave."
"I see. Thanks."
Gareth just grinned.
A second later, the silence grew too heavy. Almost tangible. Lucy frowned, confused. So did I. Something felt off.
"It's about to start," Gareth murmured, barely containing his excitement.
We didn't know why he was so thrilled… until we saw it.
In the distance, five figures emerged from a corner, heading toward a platform against the wall. It was like a scene from a northern kingdom play. A carefully staged spectacle to impress.
Five people. A woman, probably around sixteen—too far to make out her face—flanked by two boys and two girls of the same age. None seemed particularly remarkable.
"I welcome all new first-year students!" Her voice boomed through the hall like a soft thunderclap, echoing off the walls like an enchanted reverberation. No doubt she was using magic to project it. "Monday, October 23, 1843, by the Paradox Calendar! Many of you have come to hone your magical and physical skills, and we, the student council, will be delighted to support you. And I, the student council president, Beatrice Darcy, will sincerely thank you for adhering to the academic regulations of this institution!"
There was a moment of silence. I was about to clap out of reflex, but Lucy stopped me instantly. I didn't understand why. Not at the time.
Beatrice continued.
"Good. Now that I've welcomed you, I'll step aside. Today, I won't be giving the main speech, but someone special to the kingdom. Someone whose name you all know. A person who has chosen to support me as my right hand… please welcome Alicia Millford, the princess of the kingdom!"
The applause was deafening. Each clap reverberated as if the air itself vibrated with excitement.
But Lucy and I stayed still. Expressionless. Staring at the table in front of us.
Alicia… Alicia?
We didn't see it coming. And that unsettled us more than we could admit.
Her being the student council vice president… that meant a lot. For starters, she didn't need to take the entrance exam. A royal shortcut, I guess. The power of the royal family ran deeper than I'd imagined.
Lucy clenched his fist. Then he looked up at her. Alicia had already started speaking, her voice filling the hall again.
"Good morning, everyone! I know many of you woke up early to be here on time, so I apologize for that. As Miss Beatrice said, it's true. I, Alicia Millford, will be the student council vice president. To stay in this institution without being expelled, you must show exemplary behavior. No racial discrimination will be tolerated. No fighting is allowed on the premises, except during special events. And finally, you must respect the professors, the administration, and the staff who will accompany you during your time here."
She paused, glancing at Beatrice. The president nodded, and she continued.
"That said, it's not my place to give the final words of this ceremony. Some might think it's the director's duty, or mine, but it's not. According to the updated regulations, the student with the highest score in the entrance exams will close the ceremony."
The silence returned. But this time, it had a different flavor: anticipation, nervousness, a faint tremor in the air. Suddenly, a paper floated from Alicia's right. She took it, read silently for a few seconds… and frowned.
"Well… I didn't expect this."
Her voice wavered, but she continued with resolve.
"The person who effortlessly defeated the one many in the western territory call 'Monster,' with 197 out of 200 points in combat. The person who forced the instructor to use so much mana he barely had any left for the rest, with 183 points in defense. And alongside that person… someone who scored 199 points in combat and 199 in defense, achieving a near-perfect score…"
She paused.
"I call the D'Arques twins to the front to give the welcome speech and close this beautiful ceremony!"
…Huh?