"Alright, you've had a long trip, so let's call it a day. Rest up—starting tomorrow, we're going all out!"

After listening to Professor Volt's painstakingly thorough orientation in a semi-dazed state, the day's schedule finally came to an end. Proper classes would begin tomorrow, and for now, we were dismissed. It was only natural.

I'm so tired...

All I did was attend the entrance ceremony and introduce myself in the classroom, yet I felt utterly drained. My spirit was already as battered as it had been during that old geezer's torturous training hell. Could I even handle life at this academy from tomorrow onward? Anxiety was steadily mounting.

"Haah..."

A languid atmosphere hung in the classroom. Cliques were already beginning to form among my classmates as they chatted about what to do next. Watching them out of the corner of my eye, I sensed someone nearby was getting restless.

"Why are you sighing, Clay? It's free time! Free time! Let's go already!"

"Go? Where to?"

I asked Freesia, who had stood up and was tugging at my sleeve impatiently. She puffed out her chest as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"The training grounds, of course! I heard the academy's facilities are amazing. I have to see them!"

"If that's the case, why don't you go alone—"

"And we'll have a rematch while we're at it!"

"......"

I decided not to point out that that was her true motive. Doing so would only invite trouble. Sensing my hesitation, she tightened her grip on my sleeve. She was fully prepared to throw a tantrum. This duchess seemed to have no regard for her dignity or reputation.

Is she really a noblewoman?

Years of avoiding her had clearly taken a toll, as her brazenness left me utterly bewildered. Just as I was trying to figure out how to deal with her forceful antics—

"Excuse me, may I have a moment?"

A voice called out from behind me. This interruption was a godsend. Internally, I sighed in relief—only to immediately retract that thought.

"Not at all—"

"Nice to meet you,Claym Bradley."

"..."

Turning around, I saw the Second Prince himself, sporting a dazzling smile, accompanied by a female student. My emotions went on a rollercoaster. Overwhelmed by confusion, I fought the urge to shut down my thoughts entirely. But ignoring a member of the royal family wasn’t an option, so I forced a smile and replied.

"S-Same here. It's an honor to meet you. And...what brings you to me, Your Highness...Chronos?"

"Drop the 'Your Highness.' Here, we're just fellow students. Call me Chronos. May I call you Clay?"

"Uh, sure... go ahead, Chronos...?"

Exuding charisma, the prince extended his hand for a handshake. Feeling a cold sweat trickle down my back, I accepted it, though I felt like I was about to collapse. A dragon wouldn’t faze me in the slightest, but he was an entirely different matter. The trauma surrounding him ran deep. I desperately wanted to cut this conversation short and retreat, but reality wasn’t so accommodating.

"I've heard rumors about you. They say you're a prodigy who wields Primal Magic, the hereditary magic of your bloodline."

"I'm honored, but that's not true... I still have a long way to go. Compared to my master, I'm mediocre at best."

"That’s not true! Clay is amazing! Even the subordinates of the Shadow Dragon—"

Before Freesia could spill anything unnecessary, I clamped a hand over her mouth.

Let’s keep quiet, shall we?

Prince Chronos watched our interaction curiously but continued speaking.

"There's no need for modesty. I’ve heard all kinds of things from Lord Fade and Lord Gilflare. I’ve wanted to meet you for a while now."

"It’s truly an honor..."

The prince had said something I couldn't ignore. While it was fine that Gilflare had talked, I worried about what that old geezer might have let slip. Smiling awkwardly, I searched for an opportunity to end the conversation, but Prince Chronos took the chance to introduce the girl beside him.

"Though you've probably already introduced yourselves, let me formally reintroduce—"

"Schvia Gravitell."

"I-I'm Clay... Claym Bradley. A pleasure to meet you..."

Schvia Gravitell, the daughter of Marquis Gravitell, gave a polished bow. She was eerily beautiful, almost doll-like. Her hereditary magic had crushed me countless times in the past. The mere memory sent shivers down my spine.

As we exchanged bows, Prince Chronos looked delighted.

"This must be your first time meeting Schvia, right? Clay, you rarely show up at social gatherings—"

The prince’s casual shift to a nickname gave me chills, but I managed to maintain a smile and nodded.

"Y-Yes, this is our first meeting. Social events aren’t really my thing..."

That was half true. Honestly, I found the endless scheming and posturing at such events unbearable. In my first life, the prince had approached me like this as well. Back then, his motives had been clear, but now his unusually high level of friendliness was unnerving. The first time, he’d been far more reserved.

"I hope we can get along as fellow heirs of hereditary magic!"

"Certainly..."

The prince’s main interest in me was likely due to this shared trait. It was the same last time. Chronos, as the Second Prince, didn’t currently hold the right to the throne, which belonged to his elder brother. He must have been using this academy to build a foundation to reclaim it. He’d been fervently working toward that goal in my first life as well.

You’ve got your work cut out for you...

Personally, I had zero intention of getting involved in royal disputes. Any time spent on such matters would take away from hunting dragons. Avoiding conflict while maintaining a polite distance was key.

Better to leave before I get further entangled.

With that in mind, I stood up.

"Um... I’m quite tired today, so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving now. Goodbye."

"Ah, see you around."

"..."

Awkwardly bowing, I exited the classroom. While I’d rather never interact with him again, being in the same class for a year made that impossible. Maybe I should just drop out.

"Hey! Wait up, Clay! What about the training grounds?"

"I’m not going. Go by yourself if you want."

"Meanie!"

"Who’s being mean?"

Despite my exasperation, the battle-crazy duchess trailed behind me. This wasn’t the duchess I remembered.

I thought I felt Gaian Buster glaring at me as I left the classroom, but I was too tired to care.

The mere thought of tomorrow's lessons was already making me dread the day ahead.