Reincarnated As The Villainess's Best Friend
Chapter 12: Orientation Day

Chapter 12: Orientation Day

The day following the entrance examination was Moving Day.

Students who successfully passed the entrance exam into the Imperium Magic Academy were finally allowed to move into the academy’s hostels, where they were going to spend the next three years of their lives.

After saying goodbye to Martha (and Anna), I moved out of the inn. My driver tucked my luggage neatly in the carriage, and we left for the Academy.

*****

The school was rather large, like a city of its own, situated on a plateau between the Castle of Viridale, and the central plains.

Its symbolic central location was definitely intentional. It served as a reminder to the people of the importance of magic in our society.

In Westumberland, magic meant status, status meant fame, and fame meant power.

And this academy was the foundation.

The main buildings were all marble and stone, with gold trims and intricate carvings etched into the columns and walls. The carvings seemed to glow, like the place itself was trying to convince us that it was truly magical.

Beautiful stone statues of great historical nobles were placed at every intersection and in the middle of any open space.

And there were trees. So many trees.

Not surprising though; almost seventy percent of Viridale was a large dense forest.

My carriage drove past the large buildings, down to the dorms, where I would be boarding.

There were four distinct dorms, situated at two different locations. Two dorms for the nobles and two for the commoners.

The noble dorms were found closer to the lecture halls (no surprise there of course). They had spacious private rooms and balconies, leisure areas, and probably large, soft, comfy beds.

The other two were at the far north end of the school. They had smaller rooms and no fancy decorations.

Figures.

My move-in went without incident, but all the while, I kept wondering where Lucy was.

*****

Two days after the entrance examination was Orientation Day.

The new students were expected to convene in the main hall, where they would receive instructions from the school faculty.

I was yet to find Lucy, but I figured that all students would be at the orientation, so she’d be there too.

Dressed in my neatly pressed suit and tie, I made my way to the hall.

As usual, students in different coloured uniforms gathered in various groups. Socializing, gossiping, plotting.

As I walked by, I felt the stares of a million eyes boring through me, and soon after, I began to hear them; whispers, rumors, calling the name of Stormborn.

"That’s the noble who got the perfect entrance score..."

"He looks pretty handsome"

"He only spent forty minutes on the exam."

"Really? I spent 2 hours on the examination"

"I heard he passed the second test without magic."

"That’s not possible"

"Yeah... he must have cheated."

Ugh... Children. I hated them all, reeking of pride and undeserved entitlement.

In my former life, I was born as a common slave, and I never got to experience what it was like to be an academy student.

Being here right now, I was definitely glad that I never got in.

*****

Needless to say, the orientation was boring.

If not for the fact that nobles were directed to sit at the front of the hall, I probably would have left.

The professor in charge of the orientation was a large dull woman who lectured in a monotonous, lifeless voice, almost driving the entire hall to sleep.

Nevertheless, I managed to pay enough attention to learn about the school.

The first years were sorted into three classes, A, B, and C, dependent on magic level, i.e., mana capacity.

Class 1C was for the Beginners (E-Rank magic level).

Class 1B was for the Intermediates (D-Rank magic level)

Class 1A was for the Advanced students. (C-Rank magic level)

The classes were reduced as the student moved higher. That meant that the second year had only two classes, 2A and 2B, and the third year had only one class, 3A.

Students whose magic level didn’t improve at the end of each academic year were expelled from the academy. Nobles were given one more chance, but after that, they were also expelled.

By the time you reached third year, you either had enough power to be respected, or you’d be tossed out like a failure.

Upon completion of the third year final examination, the successful students were promoted to B-Rank magic level and graduated with the title of ’Mage’.

Pretty straightforward.

I was suddenly interrupted by the sound of everyone clapping. I had no idea who or what we were clapping for, but I joined in.

The dull woman had completed her speech, and it was time for the highest-scoring student to give an appreciation speech and recite the vow of good conduct.

"Aldrin Stormborn," My name was called again.

I had a feeling this would happen, but I never bothered to prepare a speech. Slowly, I rose from my seat and made my way up to the podium.

From the podium, I could see Lucy, seated at the back of the hall. She wore her usual frown, and I had a feeling she was mad at me for something.

Well, after tonight, it wouldn’t matter anymore.

*****

When the orientation ended, I began to search the school grounds for Lucy.

She had left the hall before the end of my speech, but somehow, I knew she wouldn’t go too far.

As I searched for her, I recalled my conversation with Theo, two nights ago.

*****

"You want me to kill a kid?"

"She’s eighteen," I replied. "Biologically, she’s not a kid."

Theo stared at me with an unnerving silence. But finally, he spoke out.

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"What do you mean ’no’?"

He shook his head. "I can’t do it."

"Why not?"

"I may be an assassin, but we live by a code. I cannot kill a pregnant woman or a child."

"She’s not a child," I retorted.

Theo pulled out the coin purse I gave him and placed it on the table. "I’m sorry, Master Rin."

Without another word, he stood up.

"Wait," I said, grabbing his arm. "Her full name is Lucy Daevalia."

Theo froze. I had caught his attention.

"Remember that prophecy you mentioned?" I sighed. "Well, it’s real."

His gaze returned to me. "How do you know?"

"I know because... I watched it happen."

Theo sat down, his eyes beaming with curiosity.

"Pay attention," I said, leaning back on my chair. "I’m about to tell you an interesting story."

In as much detail as I could, I told him about my life as Drey Belford, my final battle with the Shadow Queen, the destruction of the world, and my reincarnation as Rin Stormborn.

"So," Theo asked when I was done. "Lucy Daevalia is the Shadow Queen?"

"Possibly, but not yet." I took another sip from my glass. "Either way, I can’t risk that future happening again."

Theo fell silent. I couldn’t tell if he was still doubtful or whether he was considering my offer.

"I could have killed her myself," I added. "But without my magic, I’m as useful as a goat in a noble war."

Theo’s silence persisted.

"You don’t have to believe me," I said with a tone of finality. "But the alternative is to wait fifteen years, and watch the world burn."

Theo finally sighed. Reluctantly, he picked up the purse and placed it in his cloak.

"When do you want her dead?"

I smiled, satisfactorily.

"She’s not going to be an easy target, but I already have a plan. All you need to do is find a way into the academy, and watch for my signal."

*****

After an hour of searching, I finally found Lucy.

She was coming from the direction of the library, headed back to the noble’s dorm room.

It was almost sunset, and most of the students had already returned to their dorms.

This was the perfect time to carry out my mission.