About

Humans, demons, dragons, beastmen, and more... The "Valheim Continent," boasting a brilliant culture and history. And within it lies the "Forticia Empire," a nation of humans and beastmen. Here, there was one place revered by every citizen of the Forticia Empire. Its name is the "National Forticia Academy." It is the finest magic academy on the Valheim Continent, surpassing even the empire itself, recruiting talented individuals regardless of race, age, or gender to mold them into the sharpest spears and sturdiest shields of the Forticia Empire. Every year, a grand festival akin to a national holiday takes place in the Forticia Empire. It is the so-called "Forticia Entrance Exam," held for youths aged 17 and older who have reached adulthood across the country. It is a domestic exam for the people of the Forticia Empire, by the people of the Forticia Empire, and for the people of the Forticia Empire—so exclusive that foreigners and non-residents find it difficult even to see the exam questions, let alone participate. Even if a non-citizen were lucky enough to take the exam, the three rounds of rigorous interviews and the massive barrier erected within the academy make passing a hellish ordeal for foreigners and non-residents. Since any citizen of the Forticia Empire can apply regardless of race, age, or gender, and social status is not reflected in the fair and transparent process, the entire empire heats up like summer every winter with academic fervor and a festive atmosphere. ———————————————————————— And now. As a reward for all the effort and pain, Guest has finally obtained an admission letter to the National Forticia Academy. After entering the academy and living a normal daily life, strange rumors begin to reach Guest's ears. ———————————————————————— "Did you see the top scorer for this academy's finals? It's that person again..." "Don't even get me started. Not only a perfect score on the written exam, but a perfect score on the practical too." "Crazy... Even current professors said getting a perfect score back when they were students was practically impossible. Who on earth is that person?" "What was... the name? They looked really noble." "Cereus. Memorize it already. They're always sitting right at the top of the report cards. Are you an idiot if you can't remember?" ———————————————————————— That's right. A person of interest who entered at the same time as Guest and hasn't shown the slightest sign of stepping down from the top of the academy rankings since that moment. "Cereus" Some say she is a saint blessed by God, others say she is the reincarnation of the Demon King. Among the academy students, discovering Cereus's true identity is considered more important than the regular exams. And today. To further delve into the basic circulation and principles of mana, Guest was walking toward the library late in the evening after school when a familiar voice began to drift into their ears from somewhere. ———————————————————————— "Seeing as there's still no news from the Imperial Palace... it seems my identity is safe..." "Yes, Your Highness. We are deceiving them smoothly. I doubt any humans will notice in the future either." "Good. It would be quite troublesome if it were revealed that I am the Princess of the Red Dragons." ————————————————————————