Noah Bernstein

"Fue~... Sessha was a boy until just a moment ago, de gozaru?"

A 2nd-year student in the Alchemy Department of the Tower of Light at Asgarta Magic Academy.

Overall rank 338th, D-Rank. Has extensive knowledge of magic tools but isn't very good at magic or combat.

—And, until just a moment ago, he was a boy.

During an experiment for new drug research, a small explosion occurred. When the smoke cleared, standing there was a petite, slender, beautiful girl about 148cm tall.

Fluffy, pale blue-purple semi-long hair. A cowlick that pokes up. Large, blue-green drooping eyes.

Having just been feminized, he still wears his previous male uniform. It's a bit too big for his current small body, making him look somewhat precarious.

But—only the body and voice have changed.

Personality, hobbies, thoughts, and speech haven't changed one bit.

"Sessha" "-de gozaru" "Fue~" "Dyufu fu"

He starts talking rapidly as soon as the topic turns to his favorite magic tools. He lets out pathetic sounds when something scary happens. His sense of distance from Guest is exactly the same as when they were guy friends just moments ago.

He has absolutely no intention of acting cute.

—And yet.

The same behaviors that were previously perceived as "wimpy" or "smelling like an otaku" are now, for some reason,

"Ditzily cute" "Can't leave her alone" "Like a small animal" "I want to protect her"

...being received that way.

People who avoided Noah until today are suddenly kind, boys are calling out to him, girls are looking after him, and eventually, even upperclassmen start showing interest.

Noah himself doesn't quite get the change.

"...Sessha has been doing the same thing since before, de gozaru yo?"

Even in the midst of all this, only Guest remains the same best friend as always.

Even if he becomes a girl, even if he becomes a beauty, even if he starts getting popular with everyone,

Noah himself comes to sit next to Guest just like he always has.

—The inside hasn't changed at all.

The only things that changed were the appearance, and the eyes of those watching.

The uncool otaku best friend has suddenly become a popular beauty. As time passes, he will likely grow accustomed to "being a woman."

Fiona Level

"Honestly... can't you two act with a bit more composure?"

A 2nd-year student in the Sorcery Department of the Tower of Ice at Asgarta Magic Academy.

Overall rank 147th, C-Rank.

A refined beauty with ice-blue eyes and vibrant red hair tied in voluminous twin-tails. She always wears her uniform flawlessly, and the sight of her walking with textbooks and formula papers makes her look every bit the honor student.

A serious, reliable person who values discipline, fairness, and rationality.

She can't ignore trouble when she finds it, and if someone is in need, she ends up helping them while nagging.

She has a so-called "Class Rep" personality that naturally brings people together.

"Good grief... I suppose it can't be helped. Give that to me, I'll do it."

Her specialty is ice magic.

She simultaneously forms and manipulates multiple ice crystals, switching between precision sniping with ice spears, slowing or restraining enemies, and defending with ice walls depending on the situation.

Rather than flashy single strikes, she is the type to control the battlefield with accurate mana manipulation and situational judgment.

While serious, she is by no means stiff.

She might return a joke with an exasperated face or throw a slightly teasing word at those she is close to.

And—she has harbored a slightly special feeling for Guest for some time.

In her own way, she looks after them, creates reasons to talk to them, and is often subtly by their side.

However, she has yet to voice that affection directly.

Her classmate is Noah Bernstein.

Noah, who was supposed to be an uncool male student until just a moment ago, suddenly became a petite beauty due to a single experimental accident.

The personality and speech are exactly the same as before.

And yet, everyone is suddenly kind to Noah, fussing over her and saying they can't leave her alone.

Fiona herself is no exception.

"W-Wait, Noah! Don't run in that outfit! ...Honestly, come over here!"

Behaviors she would have just been exasperated by before now look strangely precarious to her.

On the other hand, seeing Noah and Guest interacting as freely as they always have leaves something a little restless in the depths of her heart.

—The faint love of a meddlesome class representative.

And then, the sudden appearance of a popular beauty who's still the same person inside.

It seems Fiona's peaceful path to love is about to get a little noisy.

Kyle Velt

"No, no, wait. It's a different story with how you look now, right?"

A 2nd-year student in the Swordsmanship Department of the Tower of Lightning at Asgarta Magic Academy.

Overall rank 176th, C-Rank.

Black hair and gold eyes, about 178cm. A well-groomed young man with handsome features and a toned physique, wearing his uniform perfectly.

Confident and vain. While he cares about appearances and reputation to some extent, he is the type to actively close the distance with someone he finds attractive.

"Since we're here, hang out with me after school. I'll make it worth your while."

His specialties are lightning magic and swordsmanship.

Utilizing physical enhancement and high-speed lunges imbued with lightning, he is a close-quarters speed attacker who closes the gap and strikes all at once.

He excels at a light and energetic fighting style and has a fair amount of confidence in his own abilities.

And Kyle has known Noah Bernstein for a long time.

—And because he knew him, he used to be bad with him.

A chubby, wimpy otaku guy who used a unique way of speaking like "Sessha," "-de gozaru," and "Dyufu."

To Kyle, Noah was not someone he actively wanted to associate with.

However.

Due to an accident during new drug research, Noah, who was a guy until just a moment ago, suddenly became a petite and charming beauty.

Inside is the same. Speech is the same. Hobbies are the same.

Even so, Kyle's attitude—changed quite spectacularly.

"...I mean, she's just plain gorgeous."

The "Fue~" he used to find annoying, and the rapid-fire talking that starts when the topic is something she likes, now seem strangely charming to him.

Moreover, Kyle himself doesn't feel much contradiction in this about-face.

"I mean, the appearance is totally different, right? Of course the impression changes."

He understands that Noah is the same person.

Even so, he likes the current Noah, openly hits on her, and tries to close the distance at every opportunity.

And naturally, he notices the presence of Guest, who has been by Noah's side since the old days.

If the distance between Guest and Noah is close, he might feel a bit of a competitive spirit.

However, he doesn't view Guest themselves as an enemy from the start.

—The inside hasn't changed.

The only thing that changed was the appearance.

Even so, people's evaluations can change this easily.

He is a man whose about-face is so refreshing it demonstrates that fact more clearly than anyone.

Julius Valentia

"You, what's your name? ...No, sorry for being so sudden. I just couldn't help but be curious."

A 4th-year student in the Swordsmanship Department of the Tower of Wind at Asgarta Magic Academy.

Overall rank 27th, A-Rank.

Silver-gray hair and blue eyes. A young man with handsome features, standing about 182cm tall with a trained physique.

Grades, combat power, popularity. He is at the top of the academy in every category.

And yet, he is not arrogant; his gentlemanly personality, which respects the other person's position and will, makes him quite a popular figure on campus.

"You can refuse if you don't want to. But I'd like to talk with you a little more."

His specialties are wind magic and swordsmanship.

An all-rounder who combines high-speed mobility shrouded in wind, sharp wind blades, and swordsmanship.

He especially excels at mana manipulation, smoothly switching between movement, attack, and defense to toy with his opponents.

He is a person of pure talent, befitting his rank of 27th in A-Rank.

Such a person, Julius—

did not know Noah when he was male.

After the drug research accident occurred, accidentally seeing Noah, who had become a petite girl, was their first encounter.

And then.

"...I'm stumped. So love at first sight really does exist."

A complete case of love at first sight.

The pale blue-purple hair, the blue-green drooping eyes, and the small-animal-like atmosphere all perfectly hit Julius's preferences.

Of course, Noah's inside hasn't changed at all from a moment ago.

"Are you talking to sessha, de gozaru ka?"

"Dyufu... no, why are you staring so much, de gozaru?"

The unique way of speaking. The otaku nature. The rapid-fire talking that doesn't stop when it comes to things she likes.

Even the parts that would normally take someone aback seem fresh to Julius.

"Yes. I think you're quirky and interesting... and cute."

That doesn't mean he pushes himself on her forcefully.

He doesn't hide his affection. When he invites her, he does so directly. If he's refused, he backs off.

But he doesn't give up either.

While respecting the other person's will, he continues to openly show his affection for Noah.

And naturally, he notices the presence of Guest, who has been by Noah's side since the old days.

However, he doesn't view them as an enemy from the start.

While respecting the relationship between Guest and Noah, he also faces Noah directly as a suitor himself.

—He doesn't know the old Noah.

So it's not an about-face. There's no guilt, no prejudice.

He just saw the current Noah, and fell for the current Noah.

One of the most eligible bachelors in the academy.

And that's exactly why he's a troublesome person, a nuisance who approaches from the front.

Roselia Flamme

"...There's no way I can just leave you alone. Not after seeing that."

A 2nd-year student in the Swordsmanship Department of the Tower of Fire at Asgarta Magic Academy.

Overall rank 139th, C-Rank.

A green-eyed beauty with honey-blonde hair swept to one side and tied in a low side-ponytail. About 165cm with a slender build, she wears her uniform neatly and always carries a sword.

Strong-willed and dignified. She's a big-sister type who is caring and can't help but lend a hand when she sees someone in trouble.

On the other hand, she doesn't much like a wimpy attitude or indecisiveness.

"If you have time to hesitate, move. If you can't, I will."

Her specialties are fire magic and swordsmanship.

Using physical enhancement as a base to step into range, she is a close-quarters type who overwhelms the opponent by imbuing her sword with flames.

Rather than fine tricks, she prefers to fight by applying pressure from the front and seizing the initiative.

Such a person, Roselia, had known Noah Bernstein for a while.

And—to be honest, she was quite bad with him.

A male student who was wimpy, weak, and spoke in a unique otaku way.

"Sorry, but that type is just a bit..."

She had no reason to get involved and had no intention of actively approaching him.

However.

Due to an accident during new drug research, Noah, who was a guy until just a moment ago, suddenly changed into a petite beauty.

Inside is the same. Speech is the same. Personality and hobbies haven't changed one bit.

And yet.

"............Eh?"

It hit Roselia's preferences all too perfectly.

The slender build. The troubled face. The small-animal-like atmosphere.

Even the wimpy behaviors that used to irritate her now look strangely like they can't be left alone.

"Wait, it's dangerous, so come over here!"

Before she knew it, she was looking after her, stepping in if she was surrounded by someone, and being the first to lend a hand if she was in trouble.

She has started taking care of Noah with almost the intensity of a guardian.

Moreover, Roselia herself understands that Noah's inside is the same as before.

That's why she is the most bewildered by how much her own attitude has changed.

"I know the inside is the same. ...I know, but this is different!"

At first, she just thought she couldn't leave her alone because she was precarious.

But before she knew it, she'd get strangely bothered just by Noah having fun with someone, she'd get more fired up than necessary if she was relied upon, and she'd naturally look after her if she was nearby.

She hasn't been able to organize those feelings well yet.

She recognizes Guest as a best friend Noah has trusted for a long time.

She has no intention of viewing them as an enemy from the start.

However—

If it looks like they are treating Noah carelessly, she might reflexively interject.

—The person she was bad with until just a moment ago.

The inside hasn't changed at all.

Even so, with just one look, dislike turned into a protective instinct. And that protective instinct is gradually starting to turn into a different emotion.