Avalon Academy of Magic, as its name already indicates, is an institution that aims to teach its students the theory and practice of magic. However, because it also has combat training in its curriculum, it has become ideal for mages who wish to enter a military career.

The institution is located in Norwill, a city that was formed around the academy after its foundation, which allowed students to not feel isolated from the world and ordinary citizens to count on the protection of the institute, which attracted new residents to Norwill, after all who would not want to live in a quiet and safe city?

The school’s curriculum lasts 4 years and, after graduation, most students enter the military or police career. However, these are not the only career options for graduates. There are a good portion of students who have entered the area of research, health, education, etc. Regardless of what your aspirations is, it was said that “when studying at this academy, your path to a good life was already formed.” That's why many families consider the Academy as a safe investment.

When my brother turned 14 he entered the Academy, but 14 is not the minimum age to enter, but 10 years old. In other words, Avalon is like a college, where you can find young and old together. This also means that when John was in his second year, I would already be old enough to enrol too, but both my parents and he thought I was too young, so I lost by majority vote. However, now after 5 years, I'm finally at the Academy, as another new student. I will guarantee that my time here will pay off!

………

The night had ended, leading to the morning’s arrival, and with that it was time to wake up. There was only one problem: I didn't want to get out of bed. Whatever if it’s my past or current life, I still hate having to wake up early! Maybe it could be because, in my past life, the act of waking up was the precursor of the monotony and discomfort that I would feel in the day and therefore, no matter if it has been 14 years since I reincarnated, it seems that an obscure and deep part within me has not yet undone this bad association. Well, at least the class is not at 7:00 a.m., so this institution got it right.

Anyway, I had no choice, so I got up and took my things to take a shower. Thanks to the cold water and the aroma of the soap I felt my mood lighten up a little bit. Maybe when I have breakfast and take a walk, I'll feel even better.

Returning to my room, I put on my uniform and, following Erina's suggestion, I braided my hair. Once I was ready, I took my backpack and left my room

I intended to go knock on the door of Erina's room to call her, but when I looked at the stairs, I saw a characteristic strand of fluttering blonde hair. Taken by curiosity, I went straight to the stairs and met Erina, ready for the day. She was wearing the uniform in the same way as yesterday and, as she had stated the day before, her hair was loose and decorated with a red tiara. I'm surprised that she didn't choose the most expensive tiara she had.

“Finally you're ready!,” Erina greeted me. “What’s with the sleepy face? Did you happen to read until late?”

“No, it's that I didn't want to get out of bed...,” I murmured. “For someone who also hates to wake up early, you seem very happy.”

As much as Erina has already trained in the morning with her sister, she never really liked waking up early. She only did it for the sake of discipline.

“Have you forgotten?,” She arched her eyebrows and gave a malicious smile. “Today, before the ceremony begins, we are going to start looking for the boys!”

Oh, yes, the boys... That's explains why. But here’s the question: she’s looking for her or for me?... well, probably she will want to kill two birds with one stone and will look for both her and me. The only problem would be the methods she would use. She takes advantage of the fact that people see her as an elegant noble to be somewhat brazen. If she finds the chance, she pretends that she fell in front of a boy so that he carries her like a princess to the nurse. Now, when it comes to the methods she will use to "help me", I need to be careful. If she chooses to push me in front of a boy to look like I stumbled so he will come to help me, I'll be screwed. Thanks to the blessing of the Protective Goddess, she has an above-average strength that she sometimes forgets to control. I'm going to end up with a fracture, for sure. And at these times I thank for the existence of healing magic in this world.

I could stipulate other possible strategies that Erina would use but I didn't have time, because she interrupted me, taking my wrist and pulling me down the stairs, while repeating "Let's go!" with a voice full of excitement. We went straight through the dining room’s and left the dormitory. She kept dragging me until we got to the restaurant. In there, Erina took me to one of the tables and asked for breakfast for both of us. And she ordered a top quality meal! The bread, the jelly, the boiled eggs and the coffee were mouth-watering! Especially the bread!

How sly! She's trying to buy me with bread!

“Okay...,” Erina started, after taking a sip of her coffee. “First, let's go to the train station to take an initial look at the students. Next, we will take advantage of the fact that the ceremony will only start later to socialize with the selected and start our conquer!,” leaning towards me, she asked, “should I look more for long hair or glasses?”

“You've already asked that,” I replied after taking a bite of my bread with jelly.

“But you didn't answer.”

“Alright… Honestly, I prefer you to find someone with both of them. You know why? It’s because the long hair gives an elegant and even mystical charm and the glasses give an air of intellect, of those who seek knowledge, so, when you put the two together, you have a distinguished refined gentleman who pulls out sighs every time he passes and...,” I just stopped to realize that I was doing a monologue when Erina's smile was getting more and more malicious. “...but you can go look for glasses first.”

“Glasses, got it,” She replied victorious, finishing her bread. “after I find him, I'll make him fall head over heels for you and then I'll convince him to let his hair grow, okay?”

“...Okay,” I sighed without any mockery or sarcasm. You see, as much as I like guys with long hair and guys with glasses, I’ve rarely seen a boy with both. If she really manages to find someone like this, she will be fulfilling a hidden wish of mine. She would even be allowed to call herself a holy matchmaker!

While we continued breakfast, Erina expressed that she longed to find a nobleman to be her next fiancé. I reminded her that her first fiancé, Zacarias, was also a nobleman, but she said she wants to get more power, so another family allied to her would be more than welcomed. Which is curious because, even though she was one of her father's eighteen children, Erina was far from being socially vulnerable. That's what I call ambition, huh!

After our meal, we went quickly to the train station. The train was about to disembark, so we did not miss the arrival of the students. As if it were a celebrity event, Erina and I watched carefully, so we wouldn’t miss any details. The cluster of students got off the train, ranging from different ages, species, places and sizes. Humans, fairies, elves, dwarfs, beast-people... a variety to be jealous of. The living proof of the reach and influence of the Avalon Academy.

Erina and I leaned against a wall, in order to see the students better without blocking the way. In the midst of such a lived and detailed scenario, I confess that I dispersed a little, but I was soon put back into focus thanks to Erina elbowing me.

“Hey,” She whispered to me. “Look at the blonde who's coming!”

I looked at the direction that my friend's eyes suggested and saw a boy of our age approaching. His hair was blonde, but in a less vibrant shade than Erina's, and his eyes were cold blue. The way his uniform and hair were tidy gave me the impression that he was a nobleman - or at least, that he came from a rich family. He passed us directly, without even noticing that he was being watched by me and devoured by Erina's gaze.

“Bingo!”

Erina exclaimed out of nowhere, making it clear that her target was now another. Without delay, she raised her index finger, smiling cunningly. She would make a spell. When I turned to find her target, all I could see were the glasses of a boy quickly coming out of his face and landing directly in my hands!

“Hey!,” the boy exclaimed angrily. 

Erina took another money bag she had saved and put it in the outer pocket of my blazer and whispered in my ear:

“Here is your cue!”

And she left me there, with someone else's glasses in my hands!

What kind of mess did you get me in, Erina?!!!!