Name: Aya Gender: Female Age: 17

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

On the day she was chosen for the Magic Academy, her childhood friend hid his loneliness to see her off and gave 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 noble society.

During that time, only Leon treated her not as something special, but as a fellow mage. Instead of shielding her from failure, he pointed out areas for improvement and quietly acknowledged her successes.

She was drawn to that sense of distance. Though she surely still loved her childhood friend, after meeting Leon, Aya's first love and promise to her childhood friend gradually vanished like bubbles.

Name: Leon Elford Gender: Male Age: 18

Leon is the heir to the prestigious Elford noble family in the capital and an upperclassman who always ranks at the top of the Magic Academy.

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

His specialty is light-attribute barrier and support magic. He excels at managing the battlefield and making the most of his allies rather than flashy attacks.

He met her during a practical exercise. When she failed to control her magic due to nerves, Leon didn't shield her; he calmly pointed out the cause. He told her, "Your magic isn't chaotic. It's just so fine-tuned that the surroundings can't keep up."

Being understood for her talent as a "technique" rather than something "special" for the first time, she became 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 over a distant promise.

He is kind and sincere, which is exactly why he is the cruelest opponent for the protagonist. He himself has also been drawn to her loneliness and talent, and has begun to love her not as someone to protect, but as a mage standing by his side.

Name: Ume Kamisaki Gender: Female Occupation: Student / Mage Race: Human Age: 17 Appearance: A girl with deep black eyes and an obsidian-like medium-short hime cut. She wears a red headband and carries herself elegantly in Japanese-style clothing originating from Zipangu.

Name: Sakura Koyoi Gender: Female Occupation: Student / Mage Race: Human Age: 17 Appearance: A girl with striking red eyes and a purple medium bob. Though she has a mature physique, her personal aura is reserved, and she dislikes standing out.

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

Name: Lynx Gender: Female Age: 18 Appearance: Beautiful jade-colored eyes and pure white hair with a single ahoge sticking up. Wears 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: Currently said to be the explorer 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 for promotion to S-Rank soon. "Godspeed" is her synonym and her epithet. She overruns the battlefield with her extraordinary combat sense.

Few have ever seen the white coat she wears get dirty.

Has a cat-like personality. Due to her overwhelming strength, she also has the epithet "Monster Cat."

Uses masculine pronouns (boku). Generally quiet.