The morning of January 1st of a new year in the Alexiel calendar had begun.
Instead of being a good morning, it turned out to be a tragic one.
Yesterday an assassination of a nobleman had taken place.
He belonged to the faction of the second prince of the empire.
Not only the nobleman, but also the knights, servants and even adventurers hired as bodyguards were killed and then their bodies were burned like the mansion.
For that reason, an emergency meeting was held at the empire's ministry of magic.
Normally, the knights would get involved to check who was responsible for it. But as it seems to have been done by a magician, due to traces of magical element in the environment, so the ministry must intervene.
The central building or headquarters of the ministry of magic is located in the capital, on the north side, several kilometers near the imperial palace.
In the highest part, exactly like a capitol, an emergency meeting was taking place.
The room was large, wide and dark.
There was no floor, just a large empty circumference.
In the center of all that emptiness were gathered a few individuals.
They were seated in elegant wooden chairs. They were resting on a false floor that floated through magic circles.
The table was round and the individuals were dressed in pure white.
They were called the 10 holy magicians.
Those who had been able to develop enormous knowledge about magic and earn their title as a saint among magicians.
That was the concept in the game.
Truth be told, this was never probed any further than necessary. That was because the developers didn't give a damn about those holy wizards.
In fact, the only important people in the game out of the ten are only two.
Seat number two who was the father of one of the capture targets. And seat number one.
He was called the wizard god. A title impossible to obtain in any way.
But that person did it. He had developed a level 6 magic circle.
For the people of this world, there were 10 levels of magic.
Level 1 to 5 were the levels that anyone training their magic power can reach. But the other 5 are a mysterious area.
Level 6 and 7 is the maximum that humans have been able to reach for years, the other three levels are considered divine ground.
"According to the report from the magic knights, they found remnants of Judecca-kun's magic element."
Said the first entry, which was an old man with a long grayish beard and a pointed hat.
"We don't know what he was doing in Viscount Lussuria's mansion, but what we did manage to find out is that he was shattered at the cellular level."
Magical knights were what soldiers employed by the ministry were called.
"Excuse me, first seat-dono?"
The eighth seat asked.
"What do you mean he was shattered at the cellular level? Magic like that is impossible to achieve. There would only be remnants of him left anyway."
The other seats dialogued about that.
"Level 5 magic can't do being."
"It must be a mistake by the magic knights."
"I think they didn't know how to look for the remains properly."
Everyone had different points of view, which were eliminated with the following that the first seat said.
"The remains of the magic item were incalculable, so I consider that its killer used level 6 magic."
Everyone's mouths dropped open agape.
"You're really sure first seat-dono!"
"Yes. The knights were baffled. Even the magic spell [analysis] couldn't detect who it belonged to."
"This is really scary. One of us was killed so easily...."
The holy wizards' faces showed worry and panic.
The first seat muttered.
"Is this perhaps the beginning of some premonition of the end of the empire?"
◇
"All set."
After getting out of my bed I went to relieve myself in the morning and then to have breakfast with my family.
My mother prepared a large family breakfast for me. It was due to the fact that this is the last time we will see each other until summer vacation.
My father said to me. "If you're going to come and loaf around you'd better not come."
They were beautiful words of encouragement.
I looked at myself in the mirror before grabbing my bags and carrying them to the carriage waiting outside.
I was contemplating my school uniform. It was the second time I had worn one, but this one was much more exciting.
A beige trouser, white shirt with dark green borders on the collar sleeves, arms and buttons. Also part of the outfit was a red jacket, tie and black shoes.
I looked good. Even if I am ugly.
Why was I born ugly?
Even if I am, I still already have a woman waiting for me in a secret mansion so it's a victory against the handsome men of the world.
◇
After a couple of hours in the carriage, since we weren't the only ones going to the empire's royal academy of magic.
I had to have my butt numbed by it.
Now that I think about the name of the school.
Why is it called 'royal' if the country is an empire?
Well. I thought it didn't make sense at all, but apparently it doesn't.
A long, long time ago. The last king of the small Arklight Kingdom founded an education center.
That's the whole story.
Disappointment?
I don't really care.
"Razel, there you are!"
"Boys are here!"
I was standing in the doorway of the male dorm leaving my bags in my room.
The rooms are private so no problem.
Two boys came to see me.
I had met them last year.
It was mandatory to take a test to prove their acquired knowledge.
Of course, I got a bad grade. But I still passed.
The test we are taken is to find out if the education handed out in our homes is not for the sake of taste.
These kids were: Derrick Larkin the one on the left.
A brown skinned boy with green hair like the boogers he pulled out of me. He had a funny hairstyle as it was spiky like a hedgehog.
And on his right side was a short boy by the name of Cliff Easton. His skin was very light which made him look almost like a ghost, his hair was black and he had a strange V-shaped cut on his forehead that hid his eyebrows.
The similar detail that the three of us had was that in addition to our black eyes we were also ugly.
For that reason, we became friends and we are all three musket-ugly.
"Did you check the list of the classes we'll be in?" Cliff would ask me.
"No. Not yet. I just got here."
"... By the way, is there a lot of commotion around here?"
Since I arrived, I've seen different teachers running around here and there.
Derrick, who was picking a booger said to me.
"Didn't you hear? This year their highnesses. The third Prince Regulux and the fourth Prince Cidfert will be entering the academy."
I made a big, "Oh." Before his response, but Derrick also added.
"That's not all, I heard from my father that this year something that has never happened before will happen!"
"Will His Majesty come in person to see them off?"
Derrick shook his head and said followed.
"I heard that a commoner will be coming to the academy, and it's a girl to boot."
"... A commoner, what will the teachers be thinking?"
"I don't know. But my father is part of the same faction as the director. So he told me that the director himself was the one who approved her."
"Uwah~, it's really going to be a restless school term."
Listening to my friends only made me confirm once again that this world was the world of that otome game.
And the names of the princes. I'm not interested in the main capture target, but that last one.
The fourth imperial prince, Cidfert.
I put my finger to my chin and muttered as I let out a flatulence.
"Looks like I'll have to start my job as shadow guardian from the prologue."
"Razel, you fucker!"
"It stinks a lot!"
Sorry, I had broccoli salad with cheddar cheese and bacon wrapped in jam.
◇
After the teachers finished their preparations, we entered the academy courtyard.
We were all standing.
Then, in front of us on a platform were all the teachers.
An old man in a robe walked to the center, he had a cane in his hand.
The cane glowed and a magical hologram of his face formed in the air.
"Welcome, dear students."
His face was very old, he had spots on his forehead, a large chin, graying hair combed fully back.
"I am the current director, Aaron von Karman. It is my pleasure to welcome you young people who will bring prosperity to our country."
The director came out in the game, useless information was spoken about him being from a viscount Household but not that I really care.
In fact, many others are doing other things as he speaks.
Cliff was yawning, Derrick was fixing his pants and I was humming in my mind.
(Lalalalalalala~)
Now that I remember. This year there are many barons as well as upstart viscounts.
Since we all managed to become nobles thanks to the 100 years of service that our late grandparents or great-grandparents did, it's normal that they didn't give us the von forename.
For that reason, the empire forbids the children of nobles without a family name to attend elementary school.
The elementary school is an educational institution created by the nobles themselves.
That is to say, nobles who have an antecedent surname can go to the Households of other nobles and receive training for their future.
The time of studies is five years and starts from 11 to 15 years old.
After completing them, the youngsters take the exam to be ready to enroll in the academy the following year.
It is very strange, isn't it?
Well, in the game the study time and also the prologue of the game lasted the two years that the academy lasts.
After finishing school, the protagonist and the targets spent the next four years working until the holy war broke out.
Millions of innocent lives were lost on the first day of the war.
It is for that reason that I was so terrified to have been reincarnated into this world.
And it is for that very reason that my desire to be a guardian among the shadows was born.
I will do everything I can to prevent this catastrophe from happening... Or at least prevent the number of victims from being large.
"Good. With nothing more to say, let me end with a few words from the best student who took the entrance exam."
Oh, finally will come the end of the introduction to the game world.
The protagonist will stand at the front and give a touching message about the effort on how she got here.
... Wait, who the hell is that?
A tall guy, uniform just like mine, but with the edges of his shirt colored gold.
His head was completely shaved like Buddhist monks, his eyes were closed and his muscles made him look intimidating despite his relaxed expression.
"Hello everyone, my dear juniors, I am Squall von Iscariot."
Like I care!
Wait... what did he say?
That name... Squall... Iscariot...
I remembered it!
... Don't fuck with me!
I looked with deep anger at the guy who was talking about what the protagonist should say.
◇
"I am your teacher in charge for the rest of the year, if you have any questions or suggestions, don't forget to count on my help. I am not only your professor of magical theory, I am also your ally. I also went through your seats several years ago, so I understand what you will be going through."
The classroom was like the inside of a college classroom.
I was in the last seat in the back row. The reason was that I could lounge around.
A man with short light gray hair introduced himself.
"I am Manfred von Zeben, the third son of a count Household."
Was what he said before he began to sound very enthusiastic.
He had a thin, large, pointed mustache that covered his entire upper lip.
His beard was small, his lozenges neatly trimmed and his manners top notch.
"Since I've already introduced myself, I'd like you to do so as well. Let's start with you young lady."
The professor asked a girl who was writing something, from my position I could only see her hair and hear her mumbling.
"Th-this... I, I am Evelyn von Exner! The youngest daughter of Marquis Exner! Nice-! My tongue..."
She bit her tongue by accident.
Is this what they call charm for foolishness?
The other students were introducing themselves, including Cliff who made a joke, but no one was laughing.
There were different students with high and low ranks in our classroom. That was because we are assigned by our grades.
In the room with the most students are those who scored less than 30 points.
By the way, I scored 27. Derrick 17 and Cliff 11, hahaha but what idiots they are.
"I..."
My funny thoughts stopped as a certain student caught my attention.
That person was...
"I'm Cidfert von Bryes. It's a pleasure..."
This guy with an unsympathetic and asocial aura was the fourth imperial prince. He already introduced himself, so I won't say his name.
He is a guy taller than me, his hair was navy blue and messy, it was also bulky as it covered his ears.
His eyes were dark blue, he had on his right shoulder a mantle with the crest of the empire.
A lion with a great mane of golden color with angel-like wings over a battlefield.
The boy sat down. Instead, I looked at him and whispered to myself.
"One of the secret capture targets has appeared... at the same time, the bearer of the sin of envy."
◇
"Everybody gather around."
The next class we had was a training class.
We weren't going to do much of anything, just to gauge who were the strong and the weak to verify what kind of training they will have.
"I'm your main teacher in this class. Johnny Morlett, you can call me Professor John or Mr. John. I will not accept any other name than that. You heard right maggots!"
A dark-skinned man, wearing your classic P.E. teacher's clothes, but with his jacket tied around his hips shouted at us.
He had dreadlocks that were tied in a ponytail.
He possessed a sweatband across his forehead and dark glasses.
"Okay. Let's measure your skills. First they will be..."
He held a list in his hands, lowering his finger to call out random students.
"Derrick Larkin and Oscar von Pleven! Come forward."
My good friend Derrick stepped forward, the handle of a sword in his hand.
It was a practice weapon.
The handle devours magical power and materializes it like the edge of a sword.
It can cut, that's why they create them with a power restrictor to only absorb 3 to 6%.
Derrick was trembling, contrary to his opponent.
Standing there was one of the five capture targets.
Heir son of a renowned marquis Household. Grandson of the first seat of the 10 holy wizards and also one of the saviors of this world.
His hair was pink with several white locks, it was fluffy and silky smooth, it reached up to his neck and covered his right eye, but was still transparent so you could see his beautiful bright indigo eyes.
"Begin."
Said the professor, Oscar didn't move. In fact, he didn't care about Derrick at all.
Just as in the game, he had little indifference in his opponent.
That was because he was confident of his victory.
Derrick shouted as he swung his sword made of magic power.
But Oscar...
"Fall."
He knocked Derrick down with an air strike coming from his floating sword.
That was this boy's talent, a born genius with wind magic.
"Right. Next..."
Cliff next to me said.
"I feel like it's going to be your turn, hehehe."
"Cliff Easton and Jake von Fitzclarence! Come forward!"
Cliff was horrified, I touched his man and said.
"Sorry."
But in reality I was...
(Hahaha, serves you right for wishing me ill!).
Cliff was scared.
His opponent was another one of the capture targets.
Another handsome guy with good features.
His hair was flame red and wavy covering part of his ears.
Bright blue eyes with a look of extreme confidence.
Heir son to not only one of the seven dukes of the empire, he was also the son of the number two seat of the holy wizards.
Jake laughed, and at the professor's signal charged towards Cliff and they began to fight.
Jake and Oscar's forte was not physical fighting but ranged with magical attacks.
In the end, Jake won.
"Hahaha, I'm the best!"
Just like the game, he was proud of something small like this.
More and more students were coming, suddenly everyone fell silent as two names came out.
"Come forward, Bellange von Fraser and Lambert von Attley!"
I gulped as I heard those names.
Two boys-no, it would be better to say two monsters came out front.
A very tall, muscular boy, tanned skin, handsome face with a mischievous grin stood off to the side.
His hair was combed back, some ends stood up showing a wild appearance, the color was black with golden lines and light brown eyes.
"Looks like fate once again wants to test our strength, don't you think so?"
While the other boy who was much shorter than him was calm.
His expression didn't change, he looked like a martial arts master totally calm under a noisy waterfall.
His appearance was very beautiful, his skin was pale like the edge of a sword.
His body was toned, though slender.
His hair reached below his shoulders, the color was ash gray.
The back middle part was tied in a small braid.
His beautiful, crystal blue-green eyes showed no sign of interest in his opponent.
The professor looked at both of them and as he was about to blow the whistle.
"Begin!"
It was all over at that moment.
Lambert disappeared.
No. The correct thing to say would be that he leaped forward in a split second, knocked Bellange to the ground and lightly stroked his neck with the handle of the sword.
"You lost."
That was what Lambert said before standing up and paying his respects to the duel.
Bellange among the capture targets was the strongest without a doubt, but Lambert was the one who possessed the stats of agility, luck, magic power and intelligence to the max from the start.
It seems he was the favorite of the developers.
Everyone was amazed, the professor didn't know what happened until Lambert told him it was over.
The dreadlocked professor blew the whistle to end the duel.
As Lambert returned to his position, I stared at him.
But he quickly without changing his expression turned to my position and I was picking my nose to look like I wasn't doing anything.
(That scared me.)
(Actually Lambert's skills are even more incredible seeing him in person).
(The fate of the world will be guaranteed with a guy like that.)
While I was thinking how wonderful it was to have Lambert on the side of justice, Cliff was tugging on my sleeve.
"Razel, you've been called."
His tone was cold.
I didn't understand why until I stepped forward.
(Truly this is unexpected.)
In front of me was the last, but the most important character in the game of the game after the female protagonist. As well as the main capture target.
The third prince of the empire, Regulux von Bryes.
A tall and slender man of such a beautiful appearance, that, if you were a woman or a man of odd tastes, you would fall at his feet. Or if you were a woman, you would be the girl everyone would kill for just to touch his hand.
Every feature of his body and face implied that his illustrator and voice doubler had to be of the highest caliber because of how expensive his appearance was.
His hair was blonde, the same kind as Amy's.
His eyes were emerald green.
He was a work of art, this man.
He went into attack position, I did too.
The moment the professor blew his whistle, I let go of my sword.
"It's my defeat."
I didn't even struggle or move.
I simply accepted my defeat.
I have no reason to fight or measure our strength.
Since this man will become the strongest person in the world in a few years.
I don't want to earn his hatred.
The other fights continued and I returned to my original position.
I am a background character, a guardian in the shadows. I must not stand out for anything in this world.
◇
The class was over.
I played tag now, but I felt like releasing a brown baby first.
So I hurried to the designated classroom.
As I ran around looking for the classroom with music, a girl was coming from in front of me.
She was walking gracefully and at a slow pace.
The moment our paths crossed, she muttered something.
"Liar."
But I couldn't hear what it was as I was in a hurry.
I walked on without looking back once.