Chapter 18: Sierra goes to negotiate.

From the next day onward, Sierra started moving around with Arna.

While she was getting ready in front of the classroom for the next period, a few classmates came over.

“Sierra-san, it’s amazing you got to talk with Lady Cartol right after enrolling!”

“Cartol…?”

“Arna Cartol-sama! She’s a noble lady. You didn’t know?”

“I see.”

Sierra remembered the first name just fine, but as always, family names refused to stick in her head.

Or rather, she didn’t particularly want them to, and she wasn’t interested either.

To Sierra, whether someone was born commoner or noble simply wasn’t worth caring about.

Still, she accepted it.

Even in this academy, there were students whose bearing clearly set them apart from the rest—those must be the nobles.

“Honestly, she’s kind of intimidating, right?”

“Yeah, even though we’re in the same class, I’ve barely ever spoken to her.”

“Arna’s a good person.”

Sierra answered her classmates honestly.

Arna had carried the injured Sierra to the infirmary and even washed her hair because she was hurt.

“She can be a little naggy, though.”

“Eh?”

The words that slipped out seemed to go unheard by the others, and Sierra headed straight toward Arna.

“Arna, next is magic class.”

“I know. …And just to be clear, you’re still not allowed to push yourself, okay?”

“Not allowed?”

“You already know the answer. It hasn’t healed yet.”

In a way, half of Sierra’s actions were now under Arna’s supervision.

Especially in magic class, Sierra stood out.

Most of the other students were still handling beginner-level spells, and the lessons themselves were beginner-level too, yet the rumor that Sierra had defeated the instructor, House, had already spread.

During class, Sierra flawlessly cast every spell she was told to.

Only—the power was on an entirely different level from everyone else’s.

“《Fire Blow》”

Sierra activated the spell.

A low-rank fire spell composed of four magic circles—the flames shaped themselves into a fist.

Many classmates still couldn’t even form a proper fist shape, but the one Sierra created was huge and perfectly controlled.

When it came to 《Magical Studies》 and 《Monster Studies》, no one—not even the instructors—could match her.

Even so, Sierra was holding back considerably.

The reason the other students didn’t keep their distance despite the overwhelming gap in skill was that she only excelled in those two subjects.

Since this was a magical academy, someone who specialized in magic like Sierra was seen as extremely talented.

But everything else was so catastrophically bad that, in the end, people averaged her strengths and weaknesses and treated her normally.

On top of that, Sierra’s own quiet demeanor helped a lot.

In reality, she wasn’t much of a talker.

“Sierra-san, you’re insane at magic and monsters, huh?”

“Yeah, but everything else is… you know…”

The classmates openly called it “you know,” and even when Sierra heard them, she didn’t mind.

In terms of magic, Arna was also one of the top students in the class.

“《Fire Blow》”

Arna cast the exact same spell Sierra had used earlier.

Though the force paled in comparison, the shape was beautifully refined—you could tell at a glance.

“Lady Cartol is impressive as expected.”

“Nobles probably get elite education from the time they’re little, right?”

Unlike Sierra, Arna seemed to care about those kinds of comments from the classmates.

In magic class, students who could handle spells well were usually given a chance to demonstrate in front of everyone.

Typically, it ended up being Sierra, Arna, and a handful of others.

“Your magic is really pretty, Arna.”

“You think so? But I actually prefer the strong, bold kind you use. Even the control is better that way.”

“I’m just used to it.”

“…If I could say that too, I’d be happy.”

“Do you want to get better at magic, Arna?”

“Of course—if you’re attending a magical academy, it’s only natural to aim for the top.”

“Should I aim higher too?”

“Do whatever you like.”

There was a slight edge to her tone, but Arna immediately realized it and made a startled face.

“…I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Sierra answered calmly.

Arna looked guilty and hesitantly asked,

“Um… Sierra-san.”

“Yeah?”

“If I asked you to teach me magic… would you?”

“Magic?”

“…Yes.”

“I’m not good at teaching, though.”

“I kind of figured… but it’s okay to say no if you don’t want to.”

Arna looked away as she spoke, her expression awkward.

Sometimes when they talked, Arna made faces like that.

Sierra was curious, but she knew asking would only get evaded.

As for teaching magic—Sierra saw no reason to refuse.

“I don’t mind if it’s me.”

“! Really?”

“Yeah. But Dad told me that when someone asks for lessons, you’re supposed to demand something in return.”

“…You’re saying that right to my face?”

Arna asked with a strained smile.

After thinking for a moment, Sierra brought up the thing that had been postponed since the very first day.

“Then let’s go out and play today.”

“…You’ve been saying that every single day.”

Originally, the outings had been put on hold because of her injury—so now Sierra was using it as her price.