A bird in a cage.
If I were to describe Amelia Rose, that would be the most fitting comparison.
I knew myself better than anyone else did.
Never able to leave the cage, my wings plucked, I simply lay prostrate on the ground.
Yet, from those around me, I heard nothing but praise.
"As expected of Lady Amelia!"
"Lady Amelia is as brilliant as she is beautiful. Truly a wonderful person."
"The eldest daughter of House Rose, the head of the Three Great Noble Families. Simply magnificent."
I was sick of hearing it.
The people praising me weren't praising Amelia. They were praising and revereing the bloodline of the Three Great Noble Families, believing it to be something pure and noble.
The nature of the nobility never changed. I had known that since I was a child. Noble children, even those from the Three Great Noble Families, were taught to believe they were special. Or rather, they were forced to believe it. To me, it seemed like nothing more than a delusion.
House Rose, the head of the Three Great Noble Families.
I had never felt dissatisfied with being born into this house. I was blessed with good looks and a sharp mind, and my magical prowess was said to have already reached the level of a Platinum Rank Sorcerer.
But I had nothing. I had spent my life staring at my own emptiness. It was so hollow, so vacant. That was who I was. I felt the same way when I entered this academy. I thought there was nothing for me to gain here—that I would simply be lauded by those around me as I climbed a path of preordained glory.
Everything was on a fixed track. All I had to do was run, run, and keep running until the end. There was never any sense of accomplishment.
But then I met him. A mysterious boy, elusive and yet firmly grounded in who he was.
"Amelia? Is something wrong?"
"No... nothing at all."
"That reminds me, the qualifiers are coming up soon. You're entering, right?"
"Yes. As the representative of the head of the Three Great Noble Families, I’m aiming to win the Newcomers' Tournament."
"I see. I'll be rooting for you. I know you can do it."
"Yes, thank you."
I hated myself for the mask I wore.
Now I knew.
He was the Ice Sword Sorcerer, one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers. But he was more than just a title. His very way of being was dazzling to me.
His past must have been tragic, yet he had overcome it to be here now.
I admired him. I yearned for what he had.
He was different from me.
He had wings to soar through the vast sky. Even if his power was restricted now, I had a feeling Ray would become someone truly great.
But I was a bird in a cage. A pitiful bird with its wings plucked, unable to fly away.
So today, I would continue to live inside that cage. I would fix my mask and act as the eldest daughter of House Rose. What everyone wanted wasn't Amelia. It was Amelia Rose, the girl of the Three Great Noble Families.
There was no need for me to be myself. I was a bloodline, a vessel to carry it forward.
So today, I put on my mask once more.
To the self that could never truly become anyone.
Am I even there—?
◇
"Abby-san!!"
I slammed into the Headmaster's office without a second thought. This was simply unacceptable.
The moment morning classes ended and lunch break began, I had rushed straight to this room.
"Hm? What is it, Ray? Why the rush?"
"What do you mean 'what is it'?! Why... why is that woman here?!"
"Ah, you mean Carol? She said she was free. Besides, considering recent events... keeping the academy secure is part of my job."
"If it's security you need, I'll do my absolute best! So please... just fire that woman!"
"Ehh? Ray-chan, how can you say that? Big sister is so lonely... Kyapi☆"
"Hi—! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!"
As if she knew I’d come to appeal to Abby-san, Carol appeared right behind me.
Looking back, having three of the Seven Grand Sorcerers in one room was an absurdity... but more than that, I had to deal with this woman.
Carol Caroline.
Also known as the Illusion Sorcerer.
She was a Sorcerer who operated with her real name and background fully exposed. She was likely the most famous of the Seven Grand Sorcerers today. The media loved her, often running special features on her looks and eccentric personality.
Carol’s primary profession was a researcher. Like Master, she was a researcher to the core, though unlike Master, Carol lived for it. When it came to handling Code, I doubted anyone could surpass her.
That said, the nature of her magic also made her an all-rounder capable of actual combat.
Master, Abby-san, and Carol had all been in the same year and were close friends. I had met her when I was young, but...
I still couldn't shake that primal fear.
I pride myself on being someone who stays cool under pressure, but when it comes to Carol, I'm a mess.
My instincts screamed that this woman was dangerous—mostly in a sexual way.
"Hehe... Ray-chan, look how much you've grown!☆"
"Stop. Stay back. Don't come any closer."
"Ehh? It's been so long! Can't I give you a hug?"
"No. Absolutely, definitely not."
"I'll apologize for what happened back then, okay?"
"You say that, but you're planning to do the same thing again, aren't you?"
"Hehe. Hehehehe☆ You caught me?"
"You have the same look in your eyes as you did back then..."
"I mean, you've turned into such a handsome man! I knew I was right to pick you out when you were little! Don't you think? Kyapi☆"
It happened when I was a child. This woman had actually tried to attack me.
While I was sleeping at Master’s house, she had the audacity to try and "night-visit" me.
Back then, I was terrified that she was literally going to eat me, and I ran crying to Master. Master scolded Carol, of course, but given Carol’s flighty personality, she didn't care one bit.
The trauma she inflicted was so severe that I couldn't sleep properly for a long time.
I recognize that women are beautiful and deserve praise, but there are exceptions to every rule. For me, that exception was Carol Caroline.
"Now, Ray, calm down," Abby-san said. "Given the nature of her magic, Carol is extremely useful. Just bear with it."
"Wait... Carol is our homeroom teacher?"
"That's right! Nice to meet you, Ray-chan!"
"..."
For the first time since enrolling, I seriously considered dropping out. Since I couldn't actually do that, I had to grit my teeth and bear it.
"Anyway, Ray. You know the Magics Chevalier is coming up soon. Aren't you going to enter?"
"No, I... especially after what happened recently. I can release my abilities in a limited way, but there's no guarantee I won't lose control again."
"Ehh? Ray-chan, you're not entering? You'd win the Newcomers' Tournament easily! Don't you want to stand out a little?☆"
"Unlike you, I want to lead a normal student life..."
"Is that so? Well, I think that's fine too!☆ Kyapi☆"
God, she was annoying.
Many of the Seven Grand Sorcerers were eccentric, but she was in a league of her own. I tried to respect everyone, but I just couldn't manage it with Carol.
Some things simply could not be changed.
"I see," Abby-san nodded. "Well, Lydia did tell me to look after you. I won't force it."
"Did she?"
"Yeah. She’s a total fool for her disciple."
"Hahaha..."
I gave a weak laugh. Since it was true, I couldn't really deny it.
"Anyway, just accept the Carol situation. Despite her personality and behavior, she’s a top-tier Sorcerer."
"Yes, ma'am..."
"That's so mean! Abby-chan, how could you say that?! Now I'm all grumpy! Rawr!!"
Ah... farewell, my peaceful academy life.