"We, the new students, swear to learn from the great legacy of our predecessors for Earth's peace and the protection of its citizens, and to become the foundation for those who follow."
Before me, nearly 100 federal military academy students. At 13, I've enrolled. Unexpectedly, I'm giving the freshman representative oath. Past-life memories and early education made me top scorer, landing me on this gymnasium stage, facing away from the principal and VIPs. Amid applause, I bow and return to my seat. Now, I endure the bigwigs' self-aggrandizing speeches until the ceremony ends.
Ignoring their boasts, I head to my classroom. Classes A to E, about 20 students each, sorted by grades. As top scorer, I'm in A-class, but yearly reassignments keep me on edge. I find my desk, no search needed. Axel Almer, number one, front row, corridor side.
Post-ceremony, it's homeroom, then dorm orientation and dismissal. I sit, awaiting the instructor.
"Hmph, you're Axel?"
A disdainful voice. I glance up, a blond guy with a cruel face, my desk neighbor.
"And you are?"
Familiar, but not from this life. I've been near-reclusive, focusing on training since regaining past-life memories. No way I'd forget someone this arrogant.
"You don't know me? I don't care how you stole the top spot, but not knowing Ziebel Mistel, renowned strategist, shows your level."
Ziebel? That third-rate lackey from Kyosuke's route. Self-proclaimed strategist, botched Hiryu Kai's capture, got outsmarted with poison gas, took colonies hostage.
"Sorry, I don't deal with small-fry, er, never mind."
Game knowledge slipped out. Unavoidable, but he won't take it well.
"You dare call me a small-fry!?"
Ziebel snaps, as expected. Wasn't he with the Colony Integrated Army? Why's he at a federal academy? Oh, the Colony Army absorbed the federation's space forces under the Branstein family. Makes sense.
"Ziebel, enough!"
A new figure steps in. Short blond hair, resolute beauty. Familiar face.
"Yuria, this doesn't concern you. Back off!" Ziebel barks.
Yuria Heinkel, captain of Maier's Troye guard in the Branstein family. I check her status:
Name: Yuria Heinkel LV: 3 Melee: 120 Shooting: 124 Skill: 115 Defense: 110 Evasion: 148 Accuracy: 167 SP: 45 Air: A Land: B Sea: A Space: A Skills: Counter LV.1 Commander LV.1
No PP, spirit commands, growth type, or ace bonus shown, but SP implies commands. Commander at her age, even LV.1, is impressive. Curious about missing stats, I check Ziebel's:
Name: Ziebel Mistel
LV: 1
Melee: 101
Shooting: 105
Skill: 110
Defense: 112
Evasion: 118
Accuracy: 137
SP: 20
Air: C
Land: B
Sea: D
Space: B
Skills:
Revenge LV.1
Pathetic stats. True small-fry.
"Whoa…"
His low numbers shock me.
"What? Realizing your inferiority?" Ziebel misreads.
A clown on top of a lackey. Revenge is his only redeeming trait. But A-class is merit-based. Is he not that useless?
"Don't worry, my business. And you, Yuria? I'm Axel Almer. Nice to meet you."
Ignoring Ziebel, I address Yuria. She looks surprised, then smiles.
"I'm Yuria Heinkel. Likewise."
Her radiant smile screams "popular with ladies." The "big sister" type. Slender build, better for Takarazuka than piloting.
"No clue if Takarazuka exists here."
"Takarazuka? What's that?" Yuria asks.
"A place for cool women."
Not wrong.
"Flattering, I suppose."
We chat, but one guy can't stand it. "Hey, don't ignore me!"
"What's to talk about with someone picking a fight? Besides…" Footsteps approach. I sit back. Yuria, noticing, returns to her seat, diagonally across, given our names.
"You!" Ziebel slams my desk as the instructor enters.
"You're Ziebel, right? What's this?" the instructor asks, checking his nameplate. Not a canon character.
"It's his fault!" Ziebel sputters.
I feign confusion. The instructor sighs. "Enough, Ziebel. Wait quietly. Axel, don't forget your role as freshman representative."
Homeroom starts, ending the hectic ceremony. My dorm? A four-tatami room.