My eyelids were heavy, but I had to wake up, since today I was summoned to the academy.
I didn't want to get up, it was a lovely day to stay home to play or sleep, but if I don't go, the teacher will be very angry with me today.
I turned over to turn off the alarm clock, but I fell out of bed.
"Ouch!"
I hit my face, it hurt a lot since the floor was wooden.
Good morning world, I am Lucy Algrand, an ordinary girl living in this great country known as the Supreme Kingdom of Aster.
I'll soon turn 17, I'm very excited to do so. Since birthdays are very cheerful.
My appearance is the most common, on the street and anywhere else you can find a girl like me.
I have platinum blonde hair that reaches my back; which is very fluffy like a dog's fur I've been told. My eyes are amber which is a rare trait to find.
I can consider myself tall and in good shape since I always run a lot in the mornings and in the track and field club.
The most annoying detail of my body is that after turning 13, my chest has been growing more than it should. They say the stage of physical development is mysterious, but I don't like having to buy bras every so often.
I stretched my body since waking up and receiving sunlight entering through the window is gratifying.
"Today will be a great day. Let's strive a lot!"
I shouted to my body that it was time to go out and have physical activities.
The door to my room was knocked.
"Nee-san, wake up already, you'll be late."
"I'm coming~!"
The one calling me was my younger sister, Diana Algrand.
I am the eldest and we are twins, although we aren't that identical actually.
We lived in a small and modest apartment we called our home.
Our family was a knight's house that fell into ruin after our parents' death.
The entire house was decorated with things we both liked.
I arrived at the kitchen to prepare the food, but it seems my little sister beat me to it.
"Huh, you already made breakfast! But wasn't it my turn today?"
"I'm not going to wait for you. Look at the time, hurry up and eat."
"Fine~." I puffed my cheeks due to how annoyed I was.
My younger sister was similar to me only from afar, but she was totally similar to me up close.
Her hair was violet and her eyes amber like mine.
Another detail is that she is very thin, that includes her chest, it's normal size, but compared it gives the sensation of being small.
We sat down and started eating the scrambled eggs with bacon she prepared along with orange juice and a small salad.
❤❤❤
After finishing eating, I thanked her for the food and went to shower.
I entered the shower, before turning the knob I put on some music I like on the music player.
It was circular, it used something called a "compact disc" that stored sounds through recordings.
I don't quite understand the process, but the technology is incredible.
The band I was listening to was one that released a very big hit, their song really enchants me. It's about a first love which ends unexpectedly.
I sang cheerfully while washing my body.
After finishing my feminine care. I changed into my uniform.
A short checkered red skirt. A pure white blouse and black tie, I prefer to wear a bow than something that makes me look like a man, but oh well. We also wore a navy blue jacket, but the academy wasn't strict about that, so I wear a pink sweater instead.
Though it may not seem like it, I am a girl who likes to be fashionable.
I also wear accessories like bracelets and painted my nails another color, but the current season doesn't have colors I like, so they are in their natural color.
The most characteristic detail of my style is that I tie my hair in two side pigtails. My hair is big and that makes it look like a puppy's tail, my friends say I look like a gal for some reason.
I was ready, so before leaving I took the house keys.
"Diana-chan, I'm leaving~!"
"Have a good day."
My little sister said goodbye to me and I left the apartment to then leave the condominium.
The sun was radiant as always.
The streets were lively with people. I ran at high speed to catch the rail train, since before going to the academy I had to go to another place.
The people of Aster live their lives calmly and productively as always.
I watched a lady and her newborn son play, an older man reading news about something related to the republic, and a group of girls who seemed to be heading to university.
I got off at the usual station to go to the place I normally went daily, my full-time job until recently.
We have to pay for our food and rent so it was normal to find one.
I arrived at my job, Little Garden, entered and greeted the girls.
"Good morning everyone!"
The girls came to greet me, they worked cheerfully as always. While we were chatting, I found the manager coming towards me crying.
"Lucy-chan, how is it that you're quitting!?"
"I-I'm sorry Madame, but tomorrow the new school semester starts and I don't want to be late or absent like last year."
"But, even so, you were our #1 customer magnet and made our sales always be in the sky! You can't leave just like that, I'll double your salary!"
Madame is really insistent, if I don't stop her now, she'll make me miss classes again.
"Thank you, but as I said, my classes will start soon. So Madame, I'm sorry."
She seemed to cry, so I calmed her.
"Don't worry, when it's spring break, I hope you can let me work here again."
With tears in her eyes she shouted at me. "Of course, you will always be welcome!"
I was glad to have many people who care about my life.
❤❤❤
After arriving at school, I went straight to the teachers' room, there my new homeroom teacher was waiting for me, I already knew him since last year, he was Professor Malcolm. A man with a scruffy beard and messy brown hair, because he is always busy in his lab we don't have many classes with him, but he's a good teacher, he was telling me that the reason for calling me was because of something the embassy notified them about.
"Foreign students?"
"That's right. We received news that some foreign students will come to study, rather, I think they have already arrived. One of them is their crown prince."
"Can I know which country they are from?"
"Of course. They are from the Kingdom of Altfode."
"Altfode? Where is that place?"
"Umm... it's a small country south of Aster, they are near the orthodox kingdom and the republic."
"I see."
"Good, if you have no questions, I'm counting on you to teach them about the academy and, above all, who they should avoid."
I felt a bit annoyed, not by what he said, but that they asked exclusively me instead of a student with better grades.
"Couldn't they have asked the princess to do it?"
"Don't talk nonsense, it's impossible to ask the interim head's daughter to do something related to foreigners!"
I was very annoyed by her attitude, not the professor's, but hers.
"It's fine. Tomorrow I'll teach them about the academy."
"Thank you."
I said goodbye to the professor and left the classroom to head to the exit.
In the middle of that, I bumped into someone who makes my life miserable.
She also noticed my presence and gave me a shameless fake smile.
She was a tall girl, long limbs with a very curvy figure which made her breasts firm due to how large they are showing through her blouse; a lingerie or runway model she seemed to anyone. Her hair was yellowish blond wavy to her shoulders giving a fresh sensation. Her eyes were emerald green giving an appearance of a mature woman for her age, her face was so beautiful it seemed painted by the finest brush in the world and with a delicacy never seen before.
She wore a black headband on her head that had a red rose on the left side. If someone saw her and didn't know her, they would think she was a charming princess. But I know her and I know how she is, this girl is the worst human being to have existed, my enemy, Sara Cielo Rosenberg.
Better known as the princess of the six great nobles and the only daughter of the interim head.
"It seems my good days turned into terrible days."
Her soft and feminine voice showed contempt towards me. But I don't care.
"Oh yes, there must be a bad smell in the air, perhaps due to some bleached blonde."
I walked to no longer bump into her.
At that moment, the damn girl put her foot in my path.
I fell to the ground and she acted all innocent.
"Oh dear, you hurt yourself. You should be more careful where you step next time."
Though she said that, she laughed a bit and walked away from me.
I could observe how she smiled like the vile bitch she is.
I truly despise her since a year ago she has been bothering me for no reason.
I got up and while cleaning the dirt off my uniform, another annoyance arrived.
The person in front of me is another reason to hate my life a little.
A handsome boy, tall, strong build. Reddish hair that leans more towards pink, dark green eyes that gave a wild sensation due to his gaze. He wore his uniform in perfect order even though he looks rebellious.
He is Jude Gaia Banfield, son of one of the six great nobles and heir to Banfield Household.
"What do you want?" I asked him annoyed since he always says inappropriate things.
"I'm very sorry for what Sara did to you, but you see, you can't go against the princess of the six great nobles."
"I asked you what you want."
Jude smiled normally, but his words were the opposite of charming.
"Lucy, be my woman."
"What the hell are you saying!"
"It's the only way Sara won't bother you. By being my woman, she won't touch someone from Banfield Household since we treat each other with respect due to the sacred tree's blessing."
The divine protection of the sacred tree. A crest that appears on the back of the right hand of people related to the six great nobles.
Jude purposely showed me his crest. Its appearance was a tree in a green magic circle, it had a five-pointed star surrounding each end.
"Don't fuck with me, who would want to be with a guy like you!"
He seemed annoyed and grabbed my shoulders.
"Lucy, understand it! The only worthy woman in all Aster, no, in the entire world for the future head of Banfield Household is you and only you!"
Those should be romantic words, but when they come out of his mouth, it makes me feel disgust.
"Jude."
A voice came from the end of the hallway.
Turning to look, it was that girl calling him.
"We came because the teachers were supposed to inform us who will make the welcome speech for tomorrow. Hurry up and stop wasting time with that woman."
Though it seems like help, this girl does it to not waste time since she has a busy princess life to attend to.
Jude clicked his tongue and let me go to go after her.
He turned to shout something at me and then continue on his way.
"Remember it well Lucy, the only worthy woman for me is you!"
I stuck out my tongue and shouted at him once I couldn't see him.
"Who the hell wants to be yours, idiot!"
Definitely my life is not happy.
◇◇◇
It was night in the Kingdom of Altfode.
The academy students gathered inside a bar in the capital.
It was a welcome party for the new students, including the commoners.
It was a drinking party organized by Airi. It was held at night because it was the tradition. Normally a second or third-year boy would do it, but there were none left after the war since they escaped.
But even though Airi was the one who organized this party, everything was going relatively well for her first event. Also, she followed Rudel's stance on not drinking alcohol.
Rudel was incapable of ingesting alcohol despite being of age according to the kingdom. He didn't drink because he spat it out for some reason. Many thought it was for something personal, but he responded he wanted to be more mature for it. For that reason, neither Airi nor Alisa drink, they want to do it together.
Currently she was going around asking everyone how they were doing.
"Guys, have you gotten used to the academy?"
Some boys who wore their uniform in a way that didn't follow the regulations, were looking at Airi.
Preston, who originally was an adventurer before becoming a student here, had approached the spoiled male students who were similar to him.
They were a group of three male students, including him.
Their gazes were directed towards Airi and they conversed in low voices.
"Preston, Irisdina won't drink any alcohol."
"The plan to get her drunk and bring her back to our room can't be used like that."
The three emitted an unsettling air.
Preston, who acted as their leader, smiled and placed a small bottle on the table.
"It will be easy if we use this. For now, let's wait for a good moment when I can mix this with her drink."
The three were plotting something sinister.
But then, there was a voice that called the three of them from behind.
It was Bell who blended into the environment.
"Na~ughty~ boys~ fo~und~."
Bell let out a cheerful voice while expelling something with the sound of a gas from her round body.
A sweet aroma and a voice that didn't come from someone among them made the three look cautiously.
"Whose voice was that just now? Also this strange... sweet... smell."
The three became drowsy and dropped their consciousness as their foreheads.
Seeing the three fall asleep at their table, Bell whispered.
"This is your fault. This is what will happen if you try to lay your hands on Airi-chan. But don't worry~. I'm not short-tempered like the bitter Ixion, so I won't kill the three of you."
Bell's green lens emitted a sinister glow because she formed a sinister plan. It was then that Airi approached worriedly to the three who were asleep.
"You three, what's wrong?"
Airi was in a panic. Bell appeared from her hiding place and advised her while guiding her action.
"Don't worry Airi-chan, it seems they're tired. I saw them drinking alcohol that was too strong for them. They became sleepy because of that."
"Bell-chan? Why are you here?"
"I came to check the situation because I was worried about you. But more importantly, it's better if we quickly take these three back to the student dormitory."
Airi began to think then.
"The welcome party just started."
"Maybe we should let them rest a bit before taking them to the student dormitory?"
"Don't worry, I can do it myself."
At that moment, the bodies of the three rose in unison in a mysterious manner.
Bell was controlling them with transparent cables coming out of her body.
"I'll feel bad for bothering you with this. Wouldn't it be better if I help you take these three back?"
"It's fine. Rather, everyone is having fun and there are no more bad boys here. So you can be at ease."
"R-Really?"
Bell made the three walk out as if nothing, Airi went out to see her off. When she was no longer seen by her, she murmured to the three.
"The three of you are guilty. After all, you tried to lay your hand on Airi-chan."
"The purity and innocence of Airi-chan is only for the master and Alisa-chan to enjoy. No other human being can desire to touch it and not be them. Be thankful they aren't here or else they would kill you instantly."
Bell's lens emitted a sinister glow. And then she disappeared blending into the scenery.
◇◇◇
That same night, but in Aster.
The place was a luxury hotel, a window was broken by a chair that flew out.
"Like that, dance more!"
"Alcohol, bring more alcohol!"
"Gyahahahaha!"
On the tables were dancing courtesans of the highest level who were called.
The party was the celebration for a new school year. It didn't mean they were happy to return to classes, but to have fun at the academy again.
The smell of strong alcoholic beverages like other mysterious stenches permeated the room.
Other guests went to complain, but upon knowing who organized that party they left it and went away.
Luxurious plates were devoured by animals, not animals like dogs or cats, rather animals that pretended to be humans.
They chewed with their mouths open.
They drank liquor as if it were water.
They touched the courtesans and started doing things young people shouldn't do not much less the erratic behavior they showed.
It was more like a barbarians' gathering.
In the center of all this was a third-year student.
On a low glass table at knee height, he had several empty bottles.
There was also a strange white powder scattered on the table.
The young man took a bill, folded it, and then used his nose to sniff the powder.
Moments after staying still. He let out a great shout as if going to war.
"Heeelll yeeeah! This thing is the best! Gyahaha!"
The boy wasn't wearing a shirt, you could observe his thin body. His stomach was forming a large bulge despite having slender arms.
He had an obscene tattoo on his back. His skin was pale, he seemed to have anemia, which was reflected in his almost blue eyelids.
His hair was green, it was very messy and seemed greasy from how shiny it was.
His eyes were yellow like wheat, he had a piercing on his tongue which was long.
His gaze was threatening. His name was Derrick Zaja Herring. A character from the game.
He was the second son of Herring Household of the six great nobles.
He wasn't the heir, but he had followers around him because he was a member of the six great nobles.
They all had an emblem on the back of their right hand.
The emblem wasn't a tattoo nor a birthmark.
It was the proof that they received the divine protection of the sacred tree.
And then, even among them, Derrick possessed an emblem that was only granted to someone of the six great nobles.
For the people of Aster, the emblem was also proof of nobility and absolute respect.
"Bastards, may the party never end! Tomorrow Aster will receive the chosen ones again! Us, the perfect humans!"
Everyone cheered while committing acts improper of young people or human beings.
He grabbed a half-empty bottle and drank it in a repugnant manner.
"First years! If you follow me, I'll make sure things are always like this for you."
Voices rose in his name.
"Derrick-sama, you are the best!"
"I'll follow you for life!"
"Cheers to Derrick-sama!"
When the first-year students responded to him with applause, Derrick drank as well.
"Only idiots studied at school."
One of Derrick's subordinates brought a report about the new students.
Many names of important houses from allied or neighboring countries came out.
But precisely Derrick reacted to one.
"Derrick-sama, it seems the prince of Altfode is going to enter the academy this year."
"Huh... who? Altfode?"
"The Kingdom of Altfode, don't you know it?"
Derrick, who was smiling from how cheerful the party was, instantly erased his smile irritated by his subordinate's words, grabbed a liquor bottle and hit the boy's head with it.
The bottle broke, making alcohol and blood fly everywhere.
The student writhed in pain while Derrick stood up.
"Hey, who the hell do you think you're talking to in that tone? Hey."
Derrick looked at him from his position as if seeing excrement on his expensive shoes.
"Who the hell do you think I am for you to talk to me as if I were your mother's slut!"
"I am the great Derrick Zaja Herring, second son of Herring Household of the six great nobles! I am not a damn piece of shit like you all to talk to me as if you had the same rank as me!"
The student clung to Derrick's leg while crying.
"I'm sorry! Please forgive me Derrick-sama! It was an accident!"
"Shut up!"
The subordinates had been paralyzed, and the surroundings fell silent immediately. The followers were wrapped in a cold sweat seeing Derrick irritated. They hastily calmed him.
"He's not someone you should pay attention to!"
"Forget about him like that girl who refused to kiss you yesterday!"
"It's true, the party will only give you a bad vibe!"
After kicking the subordinate, Derrick took a deep breath and sat on a sofa.
In a still irritated tone he said.
"Beat this guy up. Or else, your families will end up worse than his."
The subordinates made a terrifying face.
The beaten young man made a horrified expression while begging Derrick for mercy, but after a snap, a wave of punches and kicks fell upon him.
Derrick watched that still irritated, he felt his frustration diminish with each blow.
The young man lying on the floor spat blood while begging for mercy. Derrick ordered one to grab a metal chair and hit him.
Derrick's mood began to improve when he saw the red liquid covering the beige carpet.
"It seems I'm better now. Hey, someone tell me about that so-called Kingdom of Altfode."
"Of course!"
With the background music that started playing again, the party started once more, only the students giving explanations spoke.
"The Kingdom of Altfode is a small country that has recently been calling attention. That's because a few months ago they had a war with a country called the Commonwealth of Talis."
"A third-rate country?"
Derrick raised an eyebrow at this.
"Just that? Pff, what a waste of time piece of shit."
"N-Not just that. That country also has the hero."
"A hero? And what makes him so special?"
"That hero was the one who killed the Blood Knight."
All present fell somber except Derrick.
"That name sounds familiar from somewhere, but it doesn't matter. Do they have important business with us or with my house?"
"I-I wouldn't know how to say."
"Fine, find out about those guys. Did you say there's a prince? If those guys don't give us donations or support any of the houses of the six great nobles, I guess they'll be part of my entertainment this year."
"Entertainment?"
Derrick showed a terrifying smile.
"It'll be fun to torment those Altfode boys. If they get angry and start a war with us, then I can also increase my achievements."
It was a statement that ignited the light of war.
But, this way of thinking wasn't limited only to him.
"Great idea. Please, let me participate too when the time comes."
"I also ask you, Derrick-sama. I want to elevate achievements and gain some prestige."
"Me too!"
The followers said that and smiled, the party became crazier and crazier.
They weren't that shocked even upon hearing it could turn into a war with the kingdom.
Rather, they had the attitude of eagerly desiring it.
Their attitude was as if they completely believed there was no way to lose, but the cause of that confidence was in the emblem on the back of their right hand.
Derrick looked at his emblem.
"Just wait, guys. Wait for it eagerly. Now, first, the students who are useless to us we'll take care of first. Those guys have caretakers, right? First, we'll target them and then the useless foreign students, and finally their kingdoms."
"It's also going to be fun to beat them little by little and see which of them breaks first."
Derrick, having a twisted personality, set his target on foreign students from different kingdoms.
What neither he nor anyone present knew. Is that this was the first event of the second year.
Since both the heroine and the villainess had already entered the scene.
And the students of Altfode, would be victims whether they wanted to or not.