My name is Jae Rolant and I am a student of the Blackfield Academy. I come from a line of frontier warriors, which means I have a lot of expectations on my shoulders. This is because the land the House of Rolant occupies is a territory called Althalos, the border region between the human and elf nations.
Although it is much more tame compared to the northern border with the giants and the southern border facing demons, elves posed a different sort of threat which centred more so around subterfuge and assassinations. It is widely known that the elven armies were proficient rangers and rogues, which still seemed dwarfed by the wider known stories of demonic magic or giant's strength.
However, I still have pride in my house. Only the officials in Althelos can attest to the sheer effort made by our guards and patrols to prevent suspicious activity and assassinations. The king wouldn't have placed this house here if he didn't trust us.
Anyways, life as a student has been good. Well… a loose sense of good anyhow. Recently during the climax of a class tournament between Class A (my class) and Class B, the Blackfield Academy which was well-renowned and highly prestigious, got infiltrated by a dark organisation.
It was strange. I would've thought that the security would've held up against something like that. But nevertheless, the teachers dealt with it hastily and damages were somewhat minimal.
What was even stranger was the fact that a certain student in my year level seemed to go toe-to-toe with a couple bad guys.
What was his name? Lucian Ado? Strange guy. He had weird short white hair for a human, black eyes and a pose of girls always around him. I was at first a little envious, but I quickly realised I was sorely out of my league and wasn't looking to date anyways.
A rejection from one of the girls was a swift motivator, but anyways…
It was the beginning of the week and I was already getting tired of my routine schedule. Herbology was going to be a trainwreck of a session if I didn't psych myself up with a coffee or something. I could never stand the grumble of Professor Faramond's voice.
Walking through the academy grounds I walked to a vending machine and looked for a drink. My eyes darted around before settling on a tall can with a refreshing picture on the front. Inserting my coins and grabbing my cold drink, my mind exploded in clarity as soon as the liquid hit my stomach.
Props to a magical society.
Now with a clear mind and a cold drink in hand, I made my way to class. Or at least I tried to. As I turned around a bend in the hallways, a small figure came out of nowhere bumping into me and spilling my cold brew all over my shirt.
"Ah–Oh! I'm so terribly sorry about that." A voice chimed. I looked down. "I–er, I'll pay this misgiving when it is most opportune for the both of us. As of this moment… I–ahh, I must go!"
In a whirlwind of a manner, this blonde girl sped off into the distance pulling nearby student's attention and their clear concern. My eyes glared incredulously before blinking away my irritation. Breathe in, breathe out. Let's hope she just keeps her word. But why was that girl in such a rush?
Before I could deliberate with myself, similar to the blonde girl, a tall woman skidded into view from around the corner. Her figure drifting with heels on in a pencil skirt and long sleeve button up, I inwardly clapped.
"Student Jae! Did you happen to see a little girl run off somewhere? About up to my chest?" My eyes travelled down to her very obvious bust. Perhaps she didn't know what she was saying.
"Maybe a bit shorter?" I averted my eyes out of respect.
"Yes yes, now where did she head off to?" I could feel the desperation coming off her tone. "Jae, this is important!" I jumped a little at her loud voice, I never knew my homeroom teacher could get this shouty.
"She headed off in that direction." I pointed behind me to where she had left and immediately after, my teacher bolted off without a second word. "...Well, this was an experience."
I shook my head and thought it better to focus back on my next class. Now, what was the herb for a poison antidote? Perilo–no, Berilexo? Phyleo-something? Feeling the stress kick in, I sighed and—!
Hmm?
I paused.
…
…
My eyes blinked and studied closer.
My hand reached out and—I took it back.
Looking around, there was a visible casualness to the students walking to and fro. They did not seem to be witnessing some strange magic or illusive screen. Was it just me? Am I going crazy?
...
[ Sequence break detected… ]
[ 'Princess Rescue Ops' Arc has been disrupted before commencement due to an unknown shift in the narrative. ]
[ Pivoting throughline and redirecting events… ]
[ Detecting new karmic ties in sidelined entities… ]
[ (Extra Character : Jae Rolant) has been promoted to (Side Character : Jae Rolant the Balance) ]
[ Through the cumulation of karmic ties, the (Side Character : Jae Rolant the Balance) has been elevated a status and has been randomly gifted {Narrative Insight} ]
[ Continuing 'Dual-Magic Training' Arc… ]
…
What?
What just happened?
All of a sudden, insights of some story barged through my mind. Pervading every inch in all its grand intensity and sorrow. A scene of a burning village entered my mind with a small boy clutching his similarly white-haired sibling close. Images of people talking, a boy growing up, the entrance exam and up until the recent invasion.
Finding a bench, I sat down and huffed unintentionally. I felt light-headed after witnessing all of that. My hands breached my pockets in order to hide the shaking. All of a sudden, my gaze sharpened and sunk deeper into the floor.
Reading the words in front of me I began to slowly but surely understand what was happening. What had happened. And maybe, why it had happened.
Lucian Ado.
What in the world are you?