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“Stella, where are you?”

“Sorry, Stella, I messed up, so please come out!”

‘Who’s going to come out? Absolutely not!’

Ever since that incident, Shia and Serena have been clinging to me without a moment’s rest.

I don’t think Shia was this clingy, but ever since Serena started attaching herself to me, it seems like Shia’s obsession has intensified.

They stick to me during every break, it’s really suffocating.

That jerk Nova abandoned me and ran away; I can’t forgive him—I’ll have to clean him out at the café later.

“Stella, we did something wrong~”

“We’ll get along well from now on, let’s stick together~”

I’m scared; their eyes are terrifying…!

Why are they acting like this towards me?

While trying to discreetly use Cloaking magic to hide my presence, I attempted to slip away from the spot where they were.

“Hm… this is strange… I can definitely sense something.”

Just as I was about to exit the empty classroom, I felt a sharp pang at the back of my head.

Could it be… they noticed?

Is this what it’s like to be a student of the Master of the Silver Tower?

“Are you sure it’s nearby?”

“Hmm… am I imagining things?”

… Good, let’s get out of here.

I figured I’d hide somewhere until class started and headed up the stairs.

“Surely, they wouldn’t think I’d be in the second-year classroom?”

When I arrived at the second-year classroom, I began to see people who looked a bit taller.

‘…This is annoying.’

I suddenly realized the height difference from my past life.

When I was a man, I was over 180 cm, but now I’m only 151 cm; the discrepancy is too much.

Even during my time in the Magic Tower, Erica teased me as a little shrimp, and Shia and Serena would pat my head, calling me small, which drives me crazy!

“…I’m also still growing, you know…”

I want to be at least in the 160s, if not 170 cm, but I’m only 17; should I still grow taller?

If this continues, it’ll be troublesome in my next life, too.

Even if I go to a new world, this body won’t change, so I’m fed up with looking up all the time.

Maintaining my Cloaking state was exhausting, so I released the magic in a deserted spot.

“Hmph. Is this the level of a second-year at the Academy?”

With the skills I’ve seen, I’m not sure if they’re that impressive.

No, it’s probably just that our class is exceptional.

While it’s fine for the princess and the scions of great families, Anubis and Serena have already surpassed the Academy level. And Nova…

“Well, to be honest, he’s out of the ordinary.”

His abilities are absurd. Right now, he’s just copying some Weapon Techniques, but as the previous user of that ability, I know just how cheat-like the Copy ability is.

“To think Nova had my abilities…”

Is this a coincidence, or is there something more?

Including that foreign power, I’m filled with questions.

While I was lost in thought as I walked down the hallway, I bumped into someone.

“Ah, I’m sorry…”

“Ah? Sorry… uh…? You are…”

When I looked ahead, I locked eyes with some upperclassmen gathered in a group, chatting.

The male upperclassmen were tall, and even the female upperclassmen were a head or two taller than me.

‘What is this? I feel like a dwarf.’

As the upperclassmen began to murmur amongst themselves, one by one, they moved closer to me.

“W-what’s going on?”

Why are they suddenly approaching me?

For some reason, they all wore beaming smiles.

Among them, an upperclasswoman who looked like she was having fun bent down and asked me.

“Are you a first year?”

“Yes.”

“Eek, so cute~! Finally, we have a junior; it feels like a dream~”

“Wha?”

Before I knew it, upperclassmen were pinching my cheeks or patting my head.

“Stop, stop that…!”

“Hey, can’t you see the kid’s confused? Let go already.”

“Oops, my bad.”

Fortunately, someone intervened, and the overwhelming head pats began to subside.

The upperclassmen started giving excuses.

“Sorry, you’re just too small and cute, I couldn’t help it…”

“When you become a second year, you’ll be too busy with classes and won’t even see cute little chicks like you.”

Who said I’m small…?

I wanted to question them, but since it was annoying to stay here any longer, I decided to just roll with it and leave.

At that moment.

“Get out of the way.”

A guy pushed through the crowd and stood right in front of me.

With his silver hair and pale skin, he looked familiar.

“You’re the disciple of the Master of the Golden Tower, aren’t you?”

“…Who are you?”

At his words, the surrounding people displayed looks of astonishment.

“The disciple of the Master of the Golden Tower? The star of that Magic Tower?”

“The youngest ranked 6th wizard, is this kid?”

As the surrounding noise grew louder, the silver-haired man coldly barked.

“Shut it, you inferior beings, get out of my sight this instant.”

With his fierce demeanor, the upperclassmen stepped back, startled.

What’s with this parasite-looking dude?

Then the guy scrutinized me as if judging my worth.

He threw out a casual comment.

“Short.”

Dread… In that moment, I felt my fingers tighten instinctively.

Calling me short to my face right off the bat? What is this…?

“Well, at least you have a decent face; good. Be my girl.”

“…??”

What is he rambling on about?

I nearly couldn’t contain my urge to smack his face right then and there.

‘Calm down. I can’t let myself be swayed by this brat.

What do I care about the days I’ve lived through?’

“I’m sorry, senior, but I—”

Before I could decline, he interrupted me.

“Are you saying you’re going to defy me?

You seem to be under the misconception that just because you’re the disciple of the Master of the Golden Tower, you’re some noble?”

“…Huh?”

The guy in front of me raised his nose as if to say he was above everyone else and started rambling.

“I am to be the next head of the Vladimir Clan.

I am offering you a position in my great family. Do you understand?”

Yeah… I perfectly understand.

Right now, I want nothing more than to bury my face in the ground.

Just as my hand was about to reach for him.

A loud voice came from behind.

“Wait!!”

When I turned my head to the source of the voice, I saw Anubis and a vampire.

“What’s going on, Lucid? Why are you butting in?”

“‘Butting in’? I’m saving you right now.”

Saying this, Lucid rushed over and positioned himself in front of the guy, blocking him.

“Could you not lay a hand on my classmate?”

“I’m not even friends with you.”

Then Lucid bit his lip and whispered.

“Keep it down…! I’m trying to help you…!”

Well, if he’s willing to help, I guess I’ll let it slide.

I hid behind Lucid.

Then the silver-haired guy started acting all smug again.

“Ha… Junior, don’t interfere and step aside; I have something to discuss with Stella.”

“I don’t have anything to discuss.”

Slightly sticking my tongue out from behind Lucid, I could see Lucius’ muscles tense up.

“Even though you’re the disciple of the Archmage, you’re still a commoner, falling short.”

“Shut your mouth…”

“I guess you’re not worth it.”

“Anubis!”

With Lucid’s shout, Anubis instantly appeared behind Lucius.

“Excuse me, Lucius.”

“Ugh! You, Anubis! What are you doing?! This is outrageous!”

“I’ll politely escort you to the classroom.”

“Yes, understood.”

With that, he glanced at me and bowed before taking Lucius’ arm and leaving the scene.

After Anubis left, Lucid turned to me.

“…I’m sorry about that.

Our older brother doesn’t have the best temperament.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“Haah…Well, it doesn’t matter to me how that guy turns out, but Anubis asked me to help.”

“Him? Does he worry about the face of the Vladimir Clan and think his loyal subjects can’t even stop you from getting smashed?”

Then Lucid scratched his head.

“Pfft… I’m not worried about him; I was worried about you.”

“Me?”

When I looked confused, Lucid sighed.

“Right. No matter how you’re the disciple of the Archmage,

if you hurt the heir of the Three Great Families, how do you think the consequences will be?”

“Well…”

It wouldn’t just be brushed aside.

Even if the Magic Tower is an independent entity,

the Vladimir Clan is the pillar of the Empire,

and if there’s friction, it won’t be a pleasant situation.

I wouldn’t want to inconvenience my Master either.

“…Well, thanks for being so considerate of me.”

Lucid pouted a bit.

“Honestly… for Anubis to worry about you, you must be quite a greedy girl… just do me one favor!”

“One favor…? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb! You’re dating that black-haired commoner!”

“W-wait, it’s not like that! Nova is… it’s not like that…!”

As I struggled to find words,

he made a terrible face and stated firmly.

“In any case, Anubis is my subordinate.

If he gets targeted, I won’t forgive you!”

Well, I didn’t plan on targeting him, but he’s just a nice guy who’s kind to everyone.

“Okay, okay, you do you.

But you might want to be careful even if it’s not me.”

Pointing to Anubis approaching us, Lucid was visibly shocked.

“Who’s that? He’s so handsome; what’s his name?”

“A beastkin handsome guy… wanna grab a coffee after class?”

“Um… sorry, upperclassmen, but I’m currently working.”

Seeing many of the upperclasswomen swarm around Anubis, Lucid shouted and dashed over.

“Hey, you all! Back off! Anubis is my subordinate!”

At that moment, the bell rang, signaling the end of break.

“Tsk tsk… Time to head back.”

*

After that, I ended up getting caught by both of them,

and I was patted on the head until the end of school.

The next day,

to avoid those two, I arrived early at the classroom and found Nova.

“Oh Nova, you…! Betrayer!

You ran away without asking for my help yesterday!”

As I hurried towards him to give him a friendly smack,

Nova looked at me and beamed, grabbing both of my hands.

“Stella, it’s great to see you! I missed you!”

“…Wha…?!”

What the—his face is way too close!

He came forward, holding my hands tightly.

‘W-wait, does this mean I’ll forgive him?’

“Ugh… I guess after running away, you missed me, right?”

“Yup, Stella, I need your help!”

“Eh?”

“Please grant me a Mana Circuit!”

…? What nonsense is that?

 

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