Chapter 2

The first thought that came to Alexa upon hearing his answer was, ‘What a cool name.’ And immediately after: ‘Von Odenwald?’

In the Konstanz Kingdom, who wouldn’t know that family name?

The von Odenwald family had been present since the founding of the Konstanz Kingdom. As such, this prestigious family was the only ducal family in the kingdom. People said that being a Duke in name only, they were practically as powerful as a Grand Duke who could found their own independent nation.

The Odenwald family’s domain was as large as most principalities, they had the right to levy their own taxes, and even the right to maintain a private army. The family had produced three queens.

In short, combining all these things, it meant he was from an extraordinary household.

Alexa was not easily flustered, but this time was different.

“Uh, um, so… Young Duke Odenwald…?”

‘Was my form of address incorrect?’

The boy’s face stiffened slightly. Alexa’s heart shrank with anxiety. She didn’t want to make a bad impression the very first time they met. But Alexa couldn’t be expected to know all the proper forms of address for such high nobles! Just as she was about to say, ‘If I made a mistake, I’m sorry,’ the boy spoke.

“Just ‘Reinhardt’ is enough.”

“O-okay…”

“We’re entering the same year, so there’s no reason to use honorifics.”

Alexa nodded. His way of speaking was a bit blunt and stiff toward her, but he didn’t seem arrogant or unpleasant. She smiled happily, but for some reason Reinhardt’s expression didn’t look pleased. He turned his head to look at the stage where the ceremony would begin.

He didn’t seem to want to talk any further, so Alexa couldn’t continue the conversation. It would have been nice to talk more… But soon the entrance ceremony began, and Alexa had no choice but to give up trying to speak to him.

With the announcement of the opening, splendid music began to play. White petals scattered in the sky, probably the work of the upperclassmen from the magic division. Alexa glanced to the side. Amidst the petals fluttering under the clear blue sky, Reinhardt was……

‘It’s like a painting.’

She almost envied the petals that fell on his shining blond hair. If someone were to create a truly beautiful person, she thought, it would be the one sitting next to her now. Alexa herself wasn’t aware, but she glanced at Reinhardt very often. She was so focused on him that she hardly cared how the ceremony was proceeding.

Then suddenly, she met Reinhardt’s eyes. The moment she met those calm green eyes, Alexa quickly looked away, as if she’d never seen him before. Her heart raced and her cheeks burned.

‘Did he know I was looking at him? What if he was annoyed?’

Her head was filled with all sorts of thoughts, when suddenly Reinhardt stood up from his seat. Startled, Alexa looked up at him. He didn’t look at her at all, instead staring straight ahead.

“…Next, the entrance oath will be given by the representative of the new students, the top swordsmanship student, Reinhardt von Odenwald. Reinhardt von Odenwald, please come forward.”

With confident strides, Reinhardt quickly reached the podium and read the entrance oath in perfect posture. With dignity, a bit slowly but clearly, his powerful voice echoed through the square.

Watching Reinhardt, Alexa could only agree.

‘How could anyone not fall for someone so amazing?’

It was only natural that her heart had raced the moment she saw him, even before knowing his name. This wasn’t just a fleeting feeling.

Alexa’s first love blossomed fully in that moment.

After the ceremony, students said brief farewells to their families and were led to the dormitories. Rooms were assigned randomly, regardless of status or division, with two students of the same gender sharing each room.

When Alexa entered her room, her roommate had already arrived and was unpacking. She had long, straight black hair skillfully tied up, and was busy arranging various things on her desk.

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

Only then, sensing someone’s presence, did the girl turn her head. Her deep navy eyes scanned Alexa up and down, then she snorted softly. She had the air of a sassy cat. 

‘Was she going to be difficult?’

Alexa wondered, just as the girl dusted off her hands. Before Alexa could react, her roommate briskly approached and held out her hand.

“I’m Bianca.”

“Yeah, I’m Alexa.”

“I know.”

“Huh, how?”

“You were sitting next to the Young Duke Odenwald earlier.”

Bianca shrugged as if it was nothing and returned to her desk. She kept organizing her things as she spoke without pause.

“I’m in the magic division. Since you’re in swordsmanship, we probably won’t see each other except in general education classes. I’ve never met a girl who uses a sword before, so it’s kind of interesting. Where are you from?”

“Moos, it’s a port city in the southeast from here.”

“Oh, there. That’s not far from my home.”

“Really? Where’s your home?”

“Bayreuth. It’s a little north of Moos.”

“Oh, I’ve been there!”

Despite her aloof first impression, Alexa found she could talk quite well with Bianca. She was rather chatty, and just responding or agreeing with Bianca kept the conversation going. Alexa wondered if all mages were this talkative…

Alexa organized her clothes, equipment, stationery, and books, then sat on her bed. Bianca, who had started unpacking earlier, seemed to have so many things that she only finished long after Alexa was done.

“Whew, that was tough. Alexa, let’s go eat.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

When the two entered the dining hall next to the dormitory building, Alexa sensed a strange atmosphere inside. It was because of someone sitting on one side of the hall.

Reinhardt. Alexa’s cheeks flushed, and she pressed her cheek with the back of her hand.

Suddenly, Bianca grabbed Alexa’s wrist and started walking to the opposite side, away from Reinhardt.

“It’s too crowded over there, let’s sit somewhere else.”

“Yeah, sure…”

Alexa glanced back in disappointment, but it was awkward to suggest to Bianca that they sit near Reinhardt, so she quietly followed.

As soon as they sat down, their meal appeared before them, floating in midair. It was Alexa’s first time receiving a meal by magic, so she was amazed, but Bianca ate nonchalantly.

“Ugh, it’s so noisy.”

“Hm?”

“Nothing. Those noisy kids over there are just annoying.”

Bianca seemed to dislike the commotion, her brow furrowed deeply. People said mages were sensitive—maybe that was why. Alexa didn’t mind. She wasn’t going to stick with Bianca all the time, and she’d see Reinhardt in class anyway.

They chatted idly as they ate, when suddenly the atmosphere around them grew quieter. Bianca scowled at something behind her. Alexa turned around, puzzled—and froze.

Standing there was Reinhardt, who had been sitting on the opposite side of the dining hall earlier. He glanced at Alexa, then turned his gaze to Bianca.

“Lady Bayreuth.”

Startled, Alexa looked at Bianca, who immediately snapped.

“Do you really have to call me that even here?”

“Fine, Bianca.”

“Or you could just not call me at all and go away?”

The two bickered—well, it was mostly Bianca snapping at him—while Alexa’s face darkened a little. But Bianca was too busy retorting to Reinhardt to notice.

“Ha, just your existence is a nuisance to me, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t acknowledge me, Young Duke.”

“…The Marchioness is worried, so please make sure to contact her twice a week. Madame specifically asked me to remind you…”

“Are you my dad? Who cares! Just go away!”

Only after Bianca shouted did Reinhardt turn away. He glanced at Alexa for a moment, but since she was focused on her plate, she didn’t notice.

After Reinhardt left, Bianca realized she’d been a bit too loud and apologized to Alexa.

“Sorry, I got too noisy. I just can’t stand that guy…”

“Are you close with the Young Duke Odenwald…?”

“Ugh, what’s with the way you say that? Don’t you know the Academy’s rules? All students at the Academy are equal! Just speak comfortably. And he said earlier, just call him Reinhardt.”

Watching Bianca pout, Alexa recalled Reinhardt’s words.

‘Just ‘Reinhardt’ is enough.’

But in truth, Alexa couldn’t bring herself to speak so casually. If she’d known Bianca was a noble, she wouldn’t have been able to drop formalities and chat so easily.

Alexa’s family ran a small trading company based in the port, so she had grown up without financial hardship. But a noble was a noble. The Lord of Moos’s son, who was a year younger than her and whom she saw often, had never once heard her speak informally.

Noticing Alexa’s hesitation, Bianca shook her head.

“Whether noble or commoner, if you prick your finger, everyone bleeds red. What’s so hard about it?”

“But, I’ve never actually tried that before.”

“You look like you’d be really tough, but you’re surprisingly timid, huh?”

Bianca laughed brightly and waved her hand. At that, Alexa couldn’t help but smile. She’d heard that a lot.

With her sharply upturned eyes, reddish brown hair, and tall height, people always assumed Alexa would be strong-willed. But in truth, she had quite a ‘girlish’ side to her. Only when she had a sword in her hand did her competitive spirit truly flare up.

Then suddenly, Bianca reached out and lightly touched under Alexa’s left eye. There was a small beauty mark there.

“Looks like you cry easily, you even have a tear mole.”

“Hmm, I wonder… Is that a thing?”

“My mom says so. If you have a mole under your eye, you’ll have many reasons to shed tears.”

Absentmindedly, Alexa stroked her left cheek.

‘Was that really true?’

But so far, she hadn’t had many reasons to cry. It was just a superstition.

At least, for now.