It must've been a really good day for me to end up in the academy…
After all the brutal life I had back in the church, this feels almost like rebirth.
Refreshing—like I'm someone else entirely.
The thought of girls standing up for me, even to the principal, was… touching.
But I wonder—can I really live this kind of life as Jace, even though everyone thinks I'm Jane?
---
I must experience the High Mage class.
Otherwise, Ed's gonna cook me for lunch.
Anyway, the next day was right around the corner.
I found myself preparing to sleep on a chill little balcony—
Some random old building, probably closed off for a reason I didn't know.
But still, I was ready to enjoy my peace…
Or so I thought.
Just as I was about to drift off—
Ed appeared.
He looked me dead in the eye.
"You think you can do whatever you want?" he said.
"Just let me sleep, will you, Ed?"
"My sweet wife made us dinner. She was so tired, but she still did it to celebrate you. You got accepted into the academy."
"Who said I'd go?"
"Just shut the hell up and get home."
"Okay, okay... Just keep your mouth shut, Jace."
"Hey! Don't use that name out here."
I whispered it, scared—but not really scared.
It's just… it's my name.
---
We got into his carriage.
And while riding, I spotted her—the girl with the cat.
Or rather, the leopard.
Cute and small like a kitten when she wants, but don't be fooled—
She rides it everywhere.
She's the daughter of one of the Three Great Merchant Houses:
Elliott, Roselia, and finally, Merriiley.
She's strong.
She's hot.
And she's terrifyingly powerful.
---
We reached Ed's house quickly.
When we opened the door—
His wife, the one who always called me filthy names…
Was pregnant.
She cooked all this food in her condition.
Her belly looked like it would explode.
But for the first time, she seemed feminine.
That womanly energy I never expected from her…
She finally had it.
"I didn't get tired at all," she said.
I doubted that.
She probably used healing magic on herself.
She doesn't want anyone in the house—not even servants.
She only wants family.
And honestly, she's right.
Servants can be dangerous.
If enemies attack, they'll start with the weak links.
And if those servants survive long enough to see anything…
They'll still be killed. Loose ends.
That's why no one wants to work here.
But maybe… I should've helped her.
---
I sat down and ate.
It was delicious.
Ed: "So what are you gonna do tomorrow?"
Me: "Ohh... the mana test? I dunno. I'll try to score high."
Ed: "If you can't, don't sweat it. Just take the physical test."
"Okay, Ed."
---
The Next Day
Ed: "Go on now. You don't want me walking you there."
Me: "Yeah, you kinda became famous. So, nope."
"Whatever. Just don't come home failing like a loser."
"Gotcha. Riiiiiiiyaaaa! I'm out!"
Riya: "Good luck, kid."
---
I walked to the academy.
Students were already gathering.
You could see the anxiety written all over their faces.
They were forming groups, whispering, panicking.
But me?
I was just… floating.
This wasn't a written test.
No—it was live.
---
The Upperclassmen were there too.
Excited to see how the new kids would perform.
In the middle of the stadium-sized academy field, there was a spell circle.
Huge, glowing.
Inside, a stone table.
At the center of that table: a glowing orb.
Yeah, yeah. The good old mana measuring ball.
You just place your hand on it—boom.
They measure your mana potential.
I'm so cooked.
---
The principal stood high in the air on a floating spell platform.
"Welcome to the second stage of the academy test.
As you all know—today's results will affect your future.
Do your best."
Teachers were lined up below him—five total.
The one in the middle looked really powerful.
He was the only one worth watching.
---
Fireworks.
Booming, colorful fireworks exploded above the school grounds.
It was… beautiful.
Back when I lived at the church, I only ever saw fireworks from afar.
Now they were right in front of me.
And for the first time, I felt it.
I loved this.
The crackling, the light, the awe.
I wished it were nighttime—
But even in the day, it was breathtaking.
My eyes almost changed color from the glow.
---
But enough of that.
Time to focus.
To pass, I had to surpass the red light level in the mana orb.
The teachers sat down in a circle around the spell ground, ready to judge.
The whole place felt like a stadium.
Upperclassmen. Teachers. Nobles.
Everyone was here—to laugh or admire us.
Or both.
I'd probably end up laughed at.
---
I learned magic from a great legend—
The father of the current king, Zane Thronebel himself.
So how could I not even get a good rank?
I must do it.
I'm not worried… but I'm not confident either.
As a living artifact, I don't even know how mana is supposed to be measured.
Most people develop mana manipulation naturally as they grow.
They say it has some kind of psychological effect too.
It makes kids unusually energetic—hyperactive, even.
More running.
More jumping.
More bouncing off the walls like wind caught in a storm.
But for me?
I didn't feel any of that.
Not even a bit.
In fact, it was the opposite.
All I ever wanted was a quiet place—
Somewhere peaceful, silent.
Alone.
Thanks to the church father who raised me like trash…
That wish never came true.
But enough about me.
Let's focus on the test.
---
Principal: "First student: Princess Liliana Thronebel!"
Right off the bat, huh?
The princess walked forward, elegance in every step.
Boys and girls alike cheered for her.
She was mesmerizing.
She stepped into the spell circle—
The moment her right foot touched the ground—
PINK mana flared up.
It happened fast.
Like a firework.
No...
More like a lightning strikes
But she didn't even notice it.
That was the part that scared me.
Also... wasn't her name Eliza Thronebel?
Maybe she was told to use a fake name.
I hope so...
---
But what happened next?
Unbelievable.
I was the second name called.
Right after the princess.
---