I let out a sigh as I left the lecture building of the Magic Academy.
Depending on tomorrow's basic practical exam results, I might have to bid farewell to this dignified building. Despite being located in a remote mountain area, the academy's grounds and scale were quite substantial. When I first enrolled, I was filled with pride, but now I only felt miserable.
I decided to take the path behind the lecture building to return to the dormitory, avoiding my classmates.
While walking along the small path behind the building, a voice called out from behind.
"Hey, you. Why are you in such a hurry?"
I turned around reluctantly to find several male students with smirking faces. The one who deliberately called out my full name mockingly was... what was his name again? They were annoying guys who kept bothering me unnecessarily.
"You guys sure went through the trouble of following me."
"Hehe, well, we might have to say goodbye to Takeyama after tomorrow's exam. In 21st-century Japan, people with magical aptitude are rare. But you know, having aptitude doesn't necessarily mean having true talent. It's too bad you came all the way from the countryside from a commoner family. Well, don't worry. Magic is something that only those of chosen bloodlines can truly master."
When Touno said this, his companions nodded. What hopeless guys.
These guys apparently came from decent families but weren't blessed with magical talent. Perhaps that's why they kept picking on me, a countryside kid with even less talent.
I thought they were failing because they weren't putting in any effort, but I wasn't getting results despite my desperate efforts. I tried to retort but couldn't find the words.
"Oh my, Takeyama-kun, giving us the silent treatment? How cold, when this might be our last time..."
"Listen here, I..."
I was about to say something to Touno and his group as I got angry, but I sensed something. They seemed to feel it too, as they all turned to look.
Without anyone noticing when she had arrived, Kuzemiya Arika from our class was quietly standing there. With her glossy black hair and elegant appearance, she came from an ultra-prestigious family. Blessed with both looks and ability, she seemed to embody how unfair the world could be. Naturally, as a failing student, I had never even spoken with her.
"...I hope I'm not interrupting. I thought I'd take a different path than usual for a change of pace."
Her voice, like ice crystals, was cold and beautiful. Before I knew it, I found myself captivated. Just moments ago, Touno, who had been grinning smugly, now wore a servile smile.
"Ah, K-Kuzemiya-san! W-We were just, uh, having a kind of strategy meeting about tomorrow's exam... I-I swear, there's nothing suspicious going on! Right, Takeyama-kun? We're good friends, aren't we?"
Hearing Touno's sudden change in attitude, I couldn't help but shrug. Kuzemiya-san brushed her hair back indifferently but then glanced at Touno and narrowed her eyes.
"Is that so? Then that's fine. ...Ah, yes, I heard that your family has high expectations for this exam. They mentioned it at last month's meeting."
"Ehh? Expectations for me... Haha, I guess I can't afford to relax, then. I should go review to prepare for tomorrow. Well then, Takeyama-kun, you do your best too!"
After hearing Kuzemiya-san's words, Touno's face slackened, and he smirked. With a forced smile aimed at me, he left with his group, walking away with a buoyant, carefree gait.
Hmm, I don't think Kuzemiya-san meant she had high expectations for Touno. What an overly optimistic bunch.
After Touno and the others had left, Kuzemiya-san quietly looked up at the sky. It didn't seem like she had any business with me. As a young lady from an elite family, she probably just did things at her own pace, acting however she pleased.
In the crisp March sky, a small bird chirped as it flew.
"...Could it be that she helped me?"
I decided to call out to Kuzemiya-san, who was gazing at the sky. I couldn't imagine that she cared about me, but perhaps it was just one of those whims peculiar to aristocrats. Still, I figured it would be best to thank her just in case.
"No, I just didn't want the path to be blocked by a crowd. Even I sometimes want to walk alone at my own pace."
"Ah, I see... Well, I wasn't particularly troubled, but I appreciate you getting rid of the hassle for me."
Kuzemiya-san stopped looking at the sky and turned her gaze toward me. Her bluish-black eyes captured me. Apparently, her ancestors came to Japan from the West long ago. They had been studying magic since that time, making her fundamentally different from someone like me.
"Appreciation? Even so, Touno and his friends are quite troublesome. Despite being in the same class, they resort to dragging others down. They should focus on honing their skills first."
Kuzemiya-san spoke in an unexpectedly sharp tone. Coming from someone with such refined features, her words carried a chilling intensity.
"Well, I think they're just feeling anxious."
"Anxious?"
"Yeah. You might not relate, Kuzemiya-san, but tomorrow's practical exam is make-or-break. If we fail, we can't move on to the next stage. They come from notable families, so they're probably feeling the pressure."
"Ah, tomorrow is the practical exam, isn't it? However, even so, there's no point in dragging others down, is there?"
She seemed genuinely puzzled. Perhaps this was what they meant by "living in different worlds."
"Not everyone can act positively and constructively in a pinch. Some people try to distract themselves from their anxiety by looking down on others. Not that I have much credibility to talk, considering how shaky my chances are tomorrow."
"...I understand. Not in the sense of agreeing, but I understand that there are people who think that way."
"Ah, that kind of understanding. Well, some people don't feel any urgency about tomorrow's exam, while others, like me, are panicking. ...I'm doing my best, but I just can't get the hang of practicals."
I unintentionally let out a weak comment. Written exams, which I could manage with effort, were fine, but I just couldn't seem to excel in practicals.
"I don't think you need to worry too much. ...If you lack talent, failing the exam isn't something to be ashamed of, is it?"
"...What?"
For a moment, her words made my blood boil. However, she seemed to speak with the attitude that she had merely stated a fact.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to insult you, Takeyama-kun."
"Then what did you mean?"
Unfazed, she continued speaking calmly.
"Magic relies heavily on innate talent. Families regarded as prestigious have honed their craft over generations, even considering magical aptitude in their marriages. Therefore, no matter how much effort someone without talent puts in, it's not something they can easily catch up to. If you give it your all and still fail, it's nothing to be ashamed of. That's all I wanted to say."
"Ah, I see. Well, I get what you're saying, even if I don't feel great about it."
While I didn't want to accept it, I couldn't deny the truth in her words. I wanted to say something, but no words came to mind. Looking up at the sky instead, I saw a white bird gracefully flying. Was this what she had been watching?
"Humans who live on the ground can't fly like birds. But there's no need to lament or feel ashamed about not being able to fly, is there?"
"But Kuzemiya-san... you can fly, can't you?"
The words slipped out, and she looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.
"Takeyama-kun, you're unexpectedly... Oh? It's time. I have a tea party to attend, so I'll be taking my leave. I wish you the best of luck in showcasing your abilities during tomorrow's exam. Goodbye."
She started to say something but quickly turned on her heel and walked away.
Honestly, noblewomen are whimsical, and they've lived in a world where that's acceptable. Feeling exhausted, I stared at the ground as I headed back to the student dorms.