It was an absurd speculation.
Nellis had good grades even when she was a 'real' first-year student. She loved books from a young age and could recite several passages from the scriptures in both the sacred language and the common language, and she knew a lot.
Although she wasn't the top student at the time, partly because she wasn't used to the noble education system, she was still ranked much higher than Rianon.
Nellis crossed her arms leisurely.
A few people were captivated by her icy, transparent eyes. And even those who weren't were amazed by the fact that the top student, from a nameless family, had an air of dignity that rivaled the upper class - or even the imperial family.
"Our family isn't wealthy enough to hire a tutor. My father passed away when I was very young, and we even had to ask our relatives for help with the tuition. How could we possibly hire a tutor? You, as the granddaughter of a count, are different."
Rianon, who had received a reasonable answer, asked again with a scornful look in her eyes. It seemed that Nellis's attitude, which didn't falter despite knowing Rianon's 'superior' status, had irritated her.
"Then how did you do so well on the test? It can't be because of your own abilities, right? If what you said is true, then you didn't receive any education, did you?"
"I learned simple sacred language from the priest in the village where I lived, who had many books."
Since most countries on the continent, including the Empire of Vista, use languages derived from the sacred language, knowing the sacred language makes it much easier to learn foreign languages. The kids who knew this fact nodded in understanding.
Rianon, who was not good at academics but had a keen sense of reading the atmosphere, closed her mouth and backed down. Megara's eyes narrowed.
This time, Megara gave a brief evaluation.
"That's all? Then you're even more amazing."
Although she said so, no one failed to notice that Megara's pretty face had turned cold.
In fact, Megara had not liked Nellis Truede since the entrance ceremony, but the kids who had gathered around her to curry favor didn't know that.
"Alright, that's enough. Please return to your seats, everyone."
Sheridan, the teacher of the social studies class, entered the auditorium. The kids dispersed and sat down in their groups, which had already formed.
However, a considerable number of eyes remained fixed on Nellis. Most of them were friendly, but some were filled with contempt.
Sheridan held the class schedule. He called out the students' names in alphabetical order, and each student came forward to receive their schedule.
With a lively and neat appearance, he looked at the eyes of every student who approached him and chatted with them.
"Rianon Velta, you're quite clever. How's your grandfather doing? If you know everything, you wouldn't need to come to school, would you? I've had students who got the lowest score on the evaluation test but received an honorary certificate at graduation, so just work hard."
"Alecto Israni, you write well. I enjoyed reading it. Your spelling is excellent, so if you study a bit more, you might be able to study with older students next year. Let's aim for that."
"Aidalia Kendal, you're overall excellent. I received the letter of recommendation from your father, Lord Cloder. Lailen from the music department wants to talk to you."
"Megara Rikandros! The party at your house last social season was impressive. I have no doubt you'll stand out in my class as well. You did great on the test. Since you've skipped some grades, make sure to check your schedule carefully."
The kids who had already started following Megara applauded as soon as she was mentioned. Megara smiled with dignity and returned to her seat with her schedule.
Nellis found it pathetic that so many people in the classroom were applauding. But it didn't matter. None of these people were clean, anyway.
Or maybe there was one.
Diane received her schedule after Megara and said to Nellis with a disappointed face,
"I wish we had more classes together, but it doesn't seem like we will. I didn't skip any grades."
"We'll definitely have social studies, dance, and basic magic together. Those subjects don't have skipped grades."
"Really?"
Diane's face lit up a bit. Nellis added nonchalantly,
"And I'll have to check my schedule to see if I skipped any grades."
Her words were ironic, as Nellis had indeed skipped grades in all subjects except for the three she had mentioned earlier.
Sheridan praised Nellis's perfect answer and said he expected great things from her in the future. Nellis noticed that Megara and Rianon's eyes were growing increasingly resentful.
"That's why they're angry with me."
Just because she was receiving praise for something insignificant. During the time when Nellis was being bullied, she had realized that the bullies' words, saying she was acting superior, actually stemmed from their own feelings of inadequacy.
People's hostility is not directed towards those who are supposed to be better than them. It is directed towards those who are supposed to be worse but are not. And once hostility is born, it never disappears.
***
The freshmen moved to their next class after social studies.
Nellis didn't have any more first-year classes to attend for the rest of the day. She had skipped all of them. The classes she had skipped were scheduled at different times than the lower-grade classes, so she had free time now.
Her next class was in the center of Cartak Won. Nellis calculated her free time and route, deciding she had time to visit the library.
So, she did.
The academy had several historic libraries, and the Zacharia library she visited was one of the oldest. Saint Zacharia, who had performed miracles and saved many lives in the distant past, had a significant impact on the empire's medical field, and many cities and buildings were named after her. The Zacharia library at the academy was also a medical library, fitting its namesake.
However, not many people used the Zacharia library. Research in fields like medicine, considered 'technical,' was not appealing to the nobles.
Only a few people visited the library, mostly upperclassmen from the theology department or teachers with a strong sense of service. Even on the highest floor, visitors were scarce, with only the librarian present.
Nellis went up to the highest floor of the building. In the empty reading room, old books and scrolls in boxes quietly breathed, bearing the weight of time.
Nellis browsed through the mahogany bookshelves in the reading room, starting from the farthest one. One, two, three, four.
Behind the pillar next to the fourth bookshelf.
"This is it."
She smiled with her small lips.
There was a space between the pillar and the wall, just large enough for two people to sit. This space was unique to this pillar, and not found behind any other pillar.
The space was designed to be invisible from the outside unless someone deliberately looked for it. It contained only a small, square skylight and a chair that seemed out of place in the reading room due to its peculiar, old-fashioned design.
The skylight was just as Nellis remembered it, but the chair was slightly cleaner than she recalled. Perhaps it was because she had found this place earlier in this life than in her previous one.
Nellis sat comfortably in the chair and leaned back. She saw a clear, blue sky in front of her, just like before.
Until she graduated, this small, book-smelling space was Nellis Truede's refuge from bullying. And with high probability, it was her own personal refuge.
This space was hard to find unless someone deliberately looked for it, and even upperclassmen rarely visited the top floor of the medical library.
Except for Nellis in her previous life, who had been searching for a place where no one else would go.
She used to find secret places to hide when kids would hit her for fun or chase her, throwing stones. And when those places were discovered, she would find new ones and wander around the school.
This place held fond memories of her using it until she graduated, starting from a few years from now.
"I was here too."
While using this space, she had never seen anyone else. However, someone must have been here before her, someone who had sat in this chair and rested comfortably.
The fact that the chair was placed in a position where it avoided direct sunlight while still allowing a view of the outside scenery was evidence of this.
Perhaps it was brought here by a librarian who worked here? Or maybe a student who was immersed in books on the top floor of the Zacharia library had secretly created a place to take a nap.
Nellis gazed at the sky and then slowly closed her eyes.
A feeling of comfort, as if she were detached from the world but not receiving any hostility from anyone, gently tickled Nellis's small chest. It was peaceful.
It would be great if time could stop while she was here, just like this. As if nothing had happened.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Someone had entered the reading room.
Nellis felt annoyed, her peace disrupted. Why did someone have to come here now, of all times, to a place where no one usually came?
She considered leaving, but there was no need to. If she just stayed still, the person would probably pass by.
However, the footsteps were clearer and faster than she expected, approaching Nellis. She opened one eye and glared at the intruder.
The first thing she noticed was the chest, which was higher than she expected. As she looked up, she saw a handsome face.
Under his jet-black hair, his bright gray eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
He had a small face, slender limbs, and a flawless, beautiful appearance. Any portrait painter would praise his ideal features, including his pale, rose-colored lips.
Was this what a fairy from a legend looked like?
A boy wearing light clothing and carrying a sword at his waist stood behind the window, looking down at Nellis. She confirmed his appearance and finally opened both eyes.
A chilly question fell from the boy's lips.
"Who are you?"
"Who are you, senior?" Nellis asked, although she knew who he was.
Cledwin Maindlandt.
As the sole member of the empire's only grand duchy, he would rule the northern part of the empire as soon as he graduated from the academy.
In the process, there was a rumor that he had slaughtered the family elders who opposed his immediate succession to the grand duchy after the previous grand duke's death. Nellis had heard that the previous grand duke had died shortly after Cledwin enrolled in the academy, so the rightful heir's claim had not been fulfilled for a long time.
The Maindlandt territory in the northern part of the empire was a vast land that included everything from barren tundra to coastal resorts with hot springs. As a land with a long history, it had a unique culture and a high sense of pride.
In reality, Nellis had not had many conversations with Cledwin even when she was the crown princess. He rarely left his territory.
However, the impression that he was an extremely talented and beautiful man remained.
"You first," Cledwin said, slightly raising the corners of his perfect lips. Nellis replied calmly,
"I'm a freshman. I was resting here, but you disturbed me."
Abelrus disliked Cledwin, calling him a cruel monster who couldn't tolerate those beneath him, saying he didn't look manly, and that he was antisocial because he was stupid.
However, in Nellis's opinion, Cledwin was a hundred times more talented than Abelrus.
At least, after Cledwin became the grand duke, no one dared to invade Maindlandt. Abelrus mocked him, saying that even he didn't want to associate with the frozen land ruled by a terrible monster.
"This is not a place for freshmen to know."
She had heard this kind of remark for the second time. Nellis looked up at Cledwin with a peculiar feeling.
To be honest, Nellis had attended school longer than Cledwin. Cledwin had quickly skipped grades and graduated before he was of age, but Nellis had attended school for the same period as everyone else.
When she didn't respond, Cledwin's eyes shone sternly.
"Tell me."
Suddenly, the sharp tip of a knife appeared in front of Nellis. It was a swift and silent draw, and she didn't even notice when it happened.