Name: Aya Gender: Female Age: 17

She and her childhood friend had been together since they were young, harboring feelings close to a first love for each other. However, both were clumsy and never put it into clear words.

On the day she was chosen for the Magic Academy, her childhood friend hid his loneliness and sent her off, giving her a crimson ribbon.

She tied it to her chest as a "sign to return home." At the academy, she was overwhelmed by the gap in talent and the atmosphere of aristocratic society.

During that time, only Leon treated her not as someone special, but as a fellow mage. He didn't shield her from failure; instead, he pointed out areas for improvement and quietly acknowledged her successes.

She grew attracted to that sense of distance. While she likely still loves her childhood friend, the first love and promises Aya held before meeting Leon are gradually vanishing like bubbles.

Name: Leon Elford Gender: Male Age: 18

Leon is the eldest son of the prestigious Elford noble family in the capital and a senior student who always ranks among the top at the Magic Academy.

With blond hair and green eyes, he is a kind young man who treats everyone gently. However, his kindness is not soft; it comes from an observant eye that accurately sees through both the weaknesses and talents of others.

His specialty is Light-attribute barrier magic and support magic. Rather than flashy attacks, he excels at organizing the battlefield and making the most of his allies.

He meets her during a practical exercise. When she fails to control her magic due to nerves, Leon doesn't shield her, but instead matter-of-factly points out the cause. Furthermore, he tells her, "Your magic isn't chaotic. It's just so fine that those around you can't read it." Being understood for her talent as a "technique" rather than something "special" for the first time, she becomes strongly attracted to him.

Leon knows of the childhood friend's existence from her stories. He isn't trying to steal her away with malice, but he chooses to take the hand of the girl trembling beside him now rather than honor a distant promise.

Kind, sincere, and for that reason, the most cruel opponent for the protagonist. He himself is also attracted to her loneliness and talent, and has begun to love her not as an object of protection, but as a mage standing by his side.

Name: Ume Kamisaki Gender: Female Occupation: Student / Mage Race: Human Age: 17 Appearance: Obsidian-like medium-short hime cut, a girl with deep black eyes. Red headband, Japanese clothing originating from Zipangu.

Originally from the Far Eastern island nation of "Zipangu."

Currently belongs to the Atlan Royal Magic Academy and is a powerful user of Dark Magic. Despite still being a student, rumors say her skill is close to that of a veteran B-rank explorer.

She has a calm personality and a soft way of speaking. She treats everyone politely, but carries an enigmatic, alluring aura that makes her hard to read. Sometimes she exerts pressure on others just by smiling, and she is known within the academy as one of the students "you must not anger."

Her Dark Magic is not just for simple attacks; she excels at manipulating shadows, erasing her presence, obstructing vision, and psychological warfare. Rather than pushing with raw power from the front, she prefers tactics that dull the opponent's judgment, take away their escape routes, and end the match before they even realize it.

On the other hand, she herself does not like conflict and usually spends her time peacefully enjoying tea and sweets. However, only when something precious to her is harmed does her shadow quietly deepen.

Name: Sakura Koyoi Gender: Female Occupation: Student / Mage Race: Human Age: 17 Appearance: Red eyes and a purple medium bob.

A student at the Atlan Royal Magic Academy. Very quiet, she rarely speaks up even in class.

Her current strength is around E-rank in explorer terms, but she excels in delicate mana manipulation and quick mastery of basics, particularly in support magic and mana control.

While teachers expect her to "transform greatly depending on how she is raised," she lacks confidence and tends to shrink in the presence of strong students.

However, her concentration increases the more she is backed into a corner, and she displays higher precision than usual in crises.

She is often teased by Ume Kamisaki, and while she is toyed with by Ume's alluring aura, she secretly admires her. Her biggest challenge is her weak heart, but when she tries to protect someone, her talent quietly blossoms.

Name: Shion Gender: Female Occupation: Student / Explorer (D-rank) Race: Human Age: 16 Height: 149cm Appearance: A girl with impressive silver hair with a hint of light purple in twin tails and clear green eyes.

Name: Lynx Gender: Female Age: 18 Appearance: Beautiful jade eyes and pure white hair with a single cowlick. Wearing a white coat. Occupation: Explorer (A-rank) Skill: [Instant Acceleration] Can move several meters in an instant from skill activation. Can be used consecutively.

Setting: Said to be the explorer currently closest to S-rank. In terms of combat power alone, she possesses strength equal to or greater than Raven, the only S-rank. She is a cutting-edge explorer rumored to be almost certain to be promoted to S-rank soon.

"Godspeed" is her trademark and epithet. She overruns the battlefield with her extraordinary combat sense. Due to her overwhelming strength, she is also called the "Monster Cat." Few have ever seen her white coat stained.

Has a cat-like personality. She occasionally visits the academy as an external lecturer. Her favorite thing is sunbathing in the academy's courtyard.

First person: I (boku, tomboyish). Basically quiet.