One month had passed since their enrollment.
Even among their cohort, Lydia was the one who stood out the most. She achieved top marks in both practical training and academic studies—and by a staggering margin.
Combat training involving magic had also begun, and once magic was brought into the equation, she became even more peerless.
"Lydia. You seem to be in high spirits."
"Yeah. I feel like my senses have been sharpening lately."
"Hum-hum-hu〜n☆"
They were in their dormitory room.
Before lights out, the girls were chatting. Carol was in the middle of her skin and hair care routine. She claimed that "Even a single day of neglect will come back to haunt you in ten years!"
Since Carol insisted they at least moisturize, Lydia and Abby had started doing the bare minimum as well.
"Still, shouldn't they be making their move soon?"
"You've noticed too, Abby?"
"Of course. They haven't really messed with us this past month, but I heard from some other upperclassmen that they’ve been gathering a group."
Unlike Lydia, who was loud and flashy, or Carol, whose appearance turned heads, Abby was well-liked by the seniors.
She possessed a humble spirit and a genuine respect for her elders. While such traits should have been a given, Lydia lacked them entirely, and Carol was far too self-centered to notice anyone else.
Consequently, Abby was currently the most highly regarded of the trio, seen as the only one with any common sense.
"You certainly handle interpersonal relationships with ease," Lydia remarked.
"This is likely the normal way to behave. You are simply too audacious."
"Hahaha! But that’s just like me, isn't it?"
"I suppose..."
Abby had to acknowledge that point. At first glance, Lydia might seem like someone who acted recklessly without a second thought. However, having known her since their time at the Academy, Abby knew better.
For some reason, people always gravitated toward Lydia. Even those who started as enemies eventually became her friends. That had happened countless times during their school days.
"Well then. It's almost bedtime. Let's get some sleep."
"Yeah. Nighty-night~"
Lydia was already snoring; she had fallen asleep instantly.
"Carol. That’s enough grooming for now, isn't it? I’m turning off the lights."
"Yes, yes~☆ Goodnight, Abby-chan!"
"Goodnight."
The three of them soon drifted off to sleep.
The next day. Morning combat training ended, and it was time for lunch. They went to the cafeteria as usual and ordered the same thing. Curry was the most popular item on the menu, and they all chose it.
The three of them found a spot. Lydia sat down first and began happily stuffing her face. She loved physical activity, but she looked forward to meal times just as much.
"Mm. This is delicious!"
As she was savoring the food, someone passing by bumped into her tray, sending the plate crashing to the floor.
"Wh...!? My curry!"
She cried out, but it was too late. Her meal lay scattered mercilessly across the floor.
"Ha. My bad. But it’s your fault, you know? Your plate was sitting right where I was walking."
"What...?"
Nick stood before her. Behind him loomed his entourage. One look told the story—they all possessed impressive, well-built physiques.
It was only natural given their years of training at the Officers' Academy, but the students gathered here were the elite among the elite.
None of them liked Lydia. That much was certain.
They grinned, looking down at her with contempt. Naturally, Lydia was not the type to take such treatment lying down.
"Fufu... Huhaha! You... the sin of ruining my meal is heavy indeed."
"Hah. And what are you going to do about it?"
The tension in the air was palpable; everyone knew this would inevitably end in violence. Before long, the surrounding tables and chairs had been cleared, leaving Lydia and Nick's group facing each other in an open space.
Such occurrences were not rare at the Officers' Academy. While the staff would intervene if things turned bloody, minor skirmishes were common. Usually, the instructors didn't even bother to step in.
"It seems you’re itching for a fight."
"I've been watching you for a month. I've already seen through your weaknesses."
"Kukuku... Then give it a try. I'll even give you a handicap. You can have the first move."
She beckoned him with her hand, goading him. Nick's face twisted in a scowl, and he suddenly lunged, attempting to tackle Lydia and take her into a grappling match.
"You're bad at grappling, aren't you? I know all about it! Hahaha!"
He laughed.
Indeed, during training sessions, Lydia had made it look as though she struggled with grappling. Since she had known this day would come, she had deliberately disguised one of her strengths as a weakness.
The moment he tackled her waist and pinned her to the floor, a smirk played across her lips.
"Hey, what's wrong? I'm supposed to be bad at grappling, right? Come on, finish the job."
"Guh...!? Th-This girl...!"
Nick tried his best to pin Lydia and apply a joint lock, but he couldn't make it work. She was countering him with sheer, overwhelming physical strength.
"Hah. Is this all you've got?"
She slipped out of his hold with ease, and the two of them stood back up. A flicker of panic finally appeared in Nick's eyes.
"Hey. That's enough. You lackeys in the back, come at me all at once. Not that you'll be able to lay a finger on me."
At those words, the five men waiting behind Nick charged. They couldn't stand being mocked like this. They threw punches, kicks, and every manner of attack, but Lydia avoided them all with effortless grace.
Then, she slammed her fist directly into one of their solar plexuses.
"That's one."
"You...!!"
Without a moment's pause, the others pressed their assault. One unleashed a high kick, but Lydia caught his leg with one hand and tossed him aside like a ragdoll.
Continuing in this fashion, it wasn't long before everyone except Nick was groveling on the ground, groaning in pain.
Lydia, meanwhile, wasn't even out of breath. She just stood there with a smirk, staring at Nick, the last man standing.
"Hahaha! I like it! You guys actually have some backbone. You're still conscious even after taking my hits!"
She sounded genuinely delighted. If they had been mere Academy students, they would have blacked out instantly, but these men had been hardened by military training.
"Ainsworth... It looks like I have no choice but to get serious."
"Oh? Magic? Fine by me. You better use it well. I'll get a little bit serious, too."
"Shut it..."
In an instant, Nick’s body vanished. It wasn't a magical disappearance, but a result of sheer, blinding speed. He had activated his Inside Code, triggering a burst of Acceleration.
In terms of magic battles, his records were among the best in the history of the Officers' Academy. That was why he felt confident. He believed that if he truly went all out, Lydia would be no match for him.
Or so he thought.
"Whoopsie-daisy."
To his horror, she used his own momentum against him, executing a perfect shoulder throw that slammed him into the ground.
"Kaha...!!"
Unable to process the sudden reversal, he hit the floor before he could even attempt to break his fall.
"Hmm. Your aim isn't bad, but you're too linear. You need to mix in more feints. Besides, magic battles—especially close-quarters combat with Inside Code—are ultimately just an extension of normal combat. It's dangerous to rely entirely on magic. Remember the basics. Always the basics."
For some reason, she started giving him advice. This only served to fuel Nick's rage. He pushed his Inside Code to an output he had never reached before, throwing everything he had at her.
However, every single move was countered and shut down.
Lydia was barely trying. Even the onlookers could see that. Her strength was on an entirely different level.
"Haa... haa... haa... haa..."
Nick eventually collapsed, lying flat on his back. He had truly exhausted every ounce of his strength. And yet, Lydia was still breathing perfectly normally.
He wasn't so foolish that he couldn't recognize the reality of the situation.
"Nick. You've got guts. You're the first one who’s managed to keep coming at me for this long."
"Haa... haa... dammit... You... just who the hell are you?"
"Me? I am—"
Flashing her usual smirk, she puffed out her chest and made her declaration.
"A Genius Sorcerer. Remember it well. One day, I will reach the Truth of the World."
It wasn't a boast or a hollow dream. Lydia spoke those words from the bottom of her heart. Hearing the conviction in her voice, Nick found himself wanting to laugh.
"Hahaha... Well, I guess there's no winning against that."
And so, she effectively established herself as the top existence at the Officers' Academy.