020 Carta Wiore

When people talk about Weiss of House Fanscent, they’re usually talking about the notorious eldest son that everyone loves to hate.

Cruel, heartless, a man who treats violation like a hobby and looks down on people as if they were trash. At least, that’s what the rumors said. I honestly believed a timid little coward like me would live my entire life without ever crossing paths with a villain like him.

The first time I actually saw him was during the entrance exam.

The word on the street was that he was a lazy, power-tripping brat who did whatever he wanted, but his mana... it was so pure, so completely devoid of any stagnation. Just one look was enough for me to realize exactly how much grueling effort he must have put in.

When his mock battle with Allen-kun started, he unleashed this absolutely terrifying level of magic without a single shred of hesitation. I wasn't even the one standing across from him, but I started shaking so hard I felt like I was going to bolt out of the room.

I never even wanted to go to Nobless Academy.

I only showed up for the exam because my parents told me I had to. My best friend gave me the final push to go through with it, and while I was happy when we both passed, I was still a total nervous wreck. Then, during the entrance ceremony, Chloe-sensei explained the Point System, and my heart just... squeezed.

To graduate, you have to step over everyone else and kick them down. I could never do something like that. It’s just not in me.

And then—my best friend was expelled.

I just wanted to be done with it all; I absolutely hate conflict. But I guess my cowardice made me an easy target, because the girls in my dorm started picking on me constantly. I could handle them being mean to me, but hearing them trash-talk my friend was almost unbearable.

Still, no matter how much it hurt, my body just wouldn't move. It was miserable. It was agonizing.

"There is nothing as ugly as a struggle at the very bottom."

That’s when he—Weiss-kun—showed up.

At first, I was sure he’d come to join in and make fun of us, but the second he arrived, the bullies scattered. Maybe he came to save me? I wondered for a split second, but I was wrong about that, too.

He just barked at me, saying he didn't want to look at a coward and that if I was really that weak, I should just disappear from the Academy. I see. I was just an eyesore to him.

But then, out of nowhere, he told me he wanted to pair up with me.

I had no idea what he was thinking. What could he possibly want with someone like me?

But then... he praised my Flight Magic.

People around me always say I’m "lucky to have talent," but it’s not like I haven't worked for it. I still remember the day I flew for the first time like it was yesterday. I had to save a cat that had fallen off a cliff, and I managed to construct a Flight Magic circle in a single instant.

But after that day, the "miracle" never happened again.

I wanted to see that view from the sky one more time; with that single-minded obsession, I started practicing. Day after day, even when people told me I was a liar and that I’d never really flown, I just kept at it. It took years, but eventually, that miracle became my specialty. That’s how I finally truly mastered it.

And Weiss-kun... he saw all of that effort from the very beginning.

He gave me the push I needed. He told me, flat out, that my magic was wonderful. He made me feel like I was his equal.

After that, I started training with him.

"Carta, is that really all you’ve got?"

Weiss-kun was... incredibly strict. He didn't go easy on me just because I was a girl. But honestly? That made me happy.

I’m short, I’m a coward, and I don’t have much strength. Yet, he still carves out time for me, and at the end of it all, he tells me that I can definitely do it. He hits me with his honest feelings and praises my hard work. He told me it was okay to be a coward and okay to not have the strength to stand up yet—I just had to be proud of myself.

People have approached me before.

"Hey, why don't you join my team?" they'd say.

But behind those words, I could always see it. Everyone was looking down on me. They just wanted to use me. I can’t help but notice those things.

But then...

"Carta, you're amazing. Fight by my side."

Only Weiss-kun looks me straight in the eye. No hidden agenda, no flattery, just treating me as an equal.

"I can still... keep going!"

"Good. That’s the spirit. Now show up every single person who ever made fun of you."

Somewhere along the line, I started wanting to see the same view Weiss-kun sees. I want to be like him—feared by everyone, but so, so strong.

"Carta, what are you doing all by yourself?"

"Huh? Oh, um, I was just going to eat..."

"Then eat with us."

"Ah, but... Cynthia-san and Lilith-san are there too..."

"So what? Neither of them will mind."

"...Are you sure?"

People think he’s terrifying, but Weiss-kun actually has a lot of good points. He can be a bit of a klutz, and yeah, he’s still scary, but he’s also... kind of cute sometimes. I’ve realized that rumors really can't be trusted at all.

"...Flight Magic is hard."

"Weiss-kun, is that really all you've got?"

"...Again. One more time."

"Hehe, let's keep at it!"

Weiss-kun is hardworking, straightforward, cool, and incredibly diligent. So many people have asked me to teach them Flight Magic before, but not a single one of them was ever serious about learning it. They just wanted some easy tricks or shortcuts.

But he’s different. He’s always thinking. What should I do? How do I get stronger? He only ever looks toward the future. It’s amazing. Truly amazing.

I used to have no goals at all. I just wanted to drift through life and be "somewhat" happy. But the me of the future is going to be different.

"Carta, let's go. It’s time to show them the results of our training."

"Right!"

I won't whine anymore. Not until I graduate and can stand tall, looking Weiss-kun in the eye as a true equal.

"Now then—the three-grade joint tag match... begins!"

My name is Carta Wiore.

And I’m going to make everyone acknowledge me, head-on!