After classes ended for the day, the three girls sat in a quiet corner of the courtyard, chatting idly. Since they had some time before they needed to head home, they had decided to spend the afternoon getting to know one another better.
Once they had established a comfortable rapport, Michelle made a proposal.
"If you two are willing, why don't we form a party for our practical training?"
In subjects like magic and swordsmanship, the academy required students to conduct their lessons in parties of five or six. While personality clashes and differing values were natural hurdles, there was also the issue of noble students who refused to be treated as equals to commoners. To minimize friction, the academy allowed students to negotiate and form their own groups.
Nobles flocked to nobles, commoners to commoners. By letting students choose their own comrades, the school effectively avoided countless arguments and potential scandals. However, any student who failed to join a party by the deadline would be assigned to one—either grouped with other leftovers or shoved into a party that was short on members. In those cases, the academy ignored social status and personal preference entirely, sticking to its official stance that it was "a place of equal education, regardless of rank."
It wasn't hard to imagine how uncomfortable such a situation could be. One could only pray that the drifters found someone they could actually stand.
While Elia and Michelle were unlikely to be treated poorly given their status, it was clearly better to form a group with people they liked and trusted early on. Elia and Miyabi both agreed immediately.
"But in that case, we still need to find two or three more people," Elia noted. "A party must have at least five members."
"Right," Michelle replied. "If we don't find them ourselves, the school will just assign whoever is left to us."
"For now, regardless of status, does anyone come to mind who isn't a total snob?" Miyabi asked. "Ideally someone who doesn't care about rank."
"One person comes to mind," Michelle said.
"Who is it?"
"Riera Clifford. She’s the eldest daughter of House Clifford."
"House Clifford..." Miyabi tapped her chin. "If I remember right, they were a family of knights who earned their title through merit. They’ve produced top-tier knights for generations, yeah?"
"Exactly. She can be a bit prideful and she's a stickler for the rules, but she never looks down on people because of their status. She respects strength and merit. I think she’d treat anyone as an equal."
"She sounds like a perfect fit," Elia said. "Are you two close?"
"We used to see each other often when we were younger. We grew apart as I got buried in my research and Riera dedicated herself to her training, though."
With their target decided, the three set out to recruit Riera Clifford. They headed straight for the swordsmanship training grounds. Upon arrival, Michelle immediately pointed toward a corner of the field.
"There she is. Let's go."
Following Michelle's lead, they approached a girl with a sharp, dignified aura. Her hair was tied back, and she was focused intently on practicing her swings. She was tall for her age and strikingly beautiful, making her stand out even in the crowded yard. A group of boys watched her from a distance, but Michelle ignored them and called out.
"Riera, do you have a moment?"
"Michelle? What brings you here? And your companions are..."
"Wait, who's that guy?" one of the watching boys whispered.
"He’s got two girls with him?" another grumbled.
"And he just walked right up to Clifford-san!"
"Look at that scrawny build, though."
"He looks like a girl. Wait... is that a guy? Or a..."
Michelle offered a wry smile at the rude stares and the inevitable misunderstandings regarding her appearance. She quickly led Riera away from the training grounds toward a secluded seating area, with Elia and Miyabi trailing behind. Once they were settled on the benches, Michelle explained why they were there.
"I see. You want me to join your party," Riera said. "I understand. I would be honored to join the three of you."
"Really?" Elia asked, eyes brightening.
"That's great!" Michelle added.
Miyabi, however, looked a bit skeptical. "Are you sure about this? Word is you’re the top of the swordsmanship class. You must have had dozens of invitations already."
"I have," Riera admitted, her expression darkening. "But I found them all distasteful. Most of them clearly just wanted to use me as a tool to bolster their party’s grades. Others couldn't even hide their lecherous gazes... And I cannot stand those who speak ill of commoners. I have no desire to associate with those who mistake arrogance for noble pride."
Riera spoke with the conviction and fire of a true knight. With her membership secured, the girls asked if she knew anyone else who might fit.
"I'm afraid I don't. My social circle isn't very wide," Riera admitted.
"You've always been a one-track mind when it comes to the sword," Michelle teased.
"And you’ve always been a one-track mind when it comes to your books, Michelle. You’re hardly one to talk."
"Fair point. Miyabi, we're counting on you. You're an apprentice merchant—you must have a better network than us."
"Don't get your hopes too high," Miyabi said with a shrug. "It’s only been a month since we started. Finding someone with a good personality who hasn't already been snatched up is a tall order. Plus, since we're all girls, it’d probably be easier if the next person was a girl too, right?"
"I’d prefer a girl, if possible," Riera agreed. "I don't mind boys if they aren't unpleasant, but..."
"Riera-san has such a great figure, after all," Elia noted softly.
"She really does," Michelle said, leaning in. "We used to be the same size, but suddenly there's this huge gap. And you're so toned in all the right places, too."
"Where are you looking?!" Riera barked, blushing.
"Just... everywhere, I guess?"
"Stop staring! It’s embarrassing even when it’s another girl!"
"Now, now, calm down," Miyabi said, playing the mediator. "Problem is, we don't have many options left."
"But there is someone, isn't there?" Elia asked.
"Yeah, but the party balance is gonna be a mess. I've got four people in mind, but three of them are mages. As we stand, Riera-han is the only one who can handle the front line. If we take two of those mages, we’ll be a party of five mages and one swordsman."
"That is a bit lopsided," Elia admitted.
"I don't care about the grades, but the practicals can be dangerous," Michelle said.
"It would be difficult for me to protect five people at once," Riera added. "If we were surrounded, it would be over. We can't just rely on the teachers to bail us out. We need at least one more person who can handle a scrap."
"Well, the last person on my list isn't exactly a frontline fighter, but she’s a scout. Good at stealth and traps... Oh, speak of the devil."
"Ugh... rejected again today..."
The girls looked where Miyabi was pointing. A girl with short hair and dog ears poking out was sitting on a nearby bench, looking utterly dejected.
"Is that her?" Michelle asked.
"Her name’s Kanan. She’s a commoner. She’s incredibly handy with tools and crafts. She's planning to go into the artisan track once we finish the basic curriculum."
"I have no objections," Riera said. "If she’s a good person, I’ll work twice as hard to keep her safe."
"I'm fine with it as well," Elia said.
"Then I’ll go talk to her. Wait here. Hey, Kanan! You got a second?"
Kanan’s head snapped up. "Ah! Miyabi-san... do you need something from me?"
"I'm putting together a party for the practicals. I was wondering if you’d like to join us."
"Are you serious?!" Kanan jumped up and grabbed Miyabi’s hands, her tail likely wagging though it was hidden by her clothes.
"I'm serious. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the others."
Miyabi led the girl over. Kanan’s eyes were wide as she gave a boisterous bow. "I'm Kanan Schuser! It’s a pleasure to meet you all!"
Michelle blinked, recognizing the name. "Nice to meet you. Schuser... is that the same Schuser family that—"
Kanan’s expression instantly fell. Michelle stopped mid-sentence, realizing she’d touched a nerve.
"Yeah," Kanan said quietly. "I'm a daughter of the Schuser family—the legendary magic tool makers. But I'm a total failure as an artisan. Please don't expect anything from me on that front."
"A failure?" Elia asked gently.
"I have an Enchantment Magic Specialization," Kanan explained.
"I see," Michelle murmured.
"I'm sorry, but could someone explain?" Riera asked.
Kanan took a breath and began to explain the mechanics of her magic. "Enchantment magic is an ancient lineage-based magic. Only those with the right bloodline can use it. But occasionally, someone is born with a specialization—just like the original founder."
That specialization meant she was completely unable to use any magic other than enchantment.
"To enchant an item, you have to cast the imbuing spell and the target magic at the exact same time," Kanan said, her voice small. "But since I can't cast a single spell of any other element, I can't actually make magic tools by myself. I'm an enchanter who can't enchant anything."
"I see... I'm sorry for bringing up a painful subject," Riera said.
"No! If I'm going to be in your party, I have to be honest about what I can't do," Kanan said firmly.
Her honesty left a deep impression on the group. It took courage to admit your weaknesses so openly, especially when trying to find a group in a place as competitive as the academy.
"I think she’s exactly what we’re looking for," Riera said, looking at the others. "What do you think?"
"I agree," Michelle said.
"I would love for her to join us," Elia added.
"Then it's official," Miyabi declared.
Kanan stood there, blinking in shock. "Wait... really? You're letting me in? I can't use magic, and I don't even know how to use a sword!"
"Don't worry about that," Elia said with a kind smile.
"Talent is secondary," Michelle added.
"If you can't fight, I will be your shield," Riera promised.
"So there you have it," Miyabi said. "You're one of us now. Unless you've changed your mind?"
"Not a chance! Thank you! Thank you so much!" Kanan cried. "I've been turned down by every group I asked. I didn't know what I was going to do. I’m in your debt!"
On that day, Kanan avoided the fate of being a social outcast at the academy. She would later be nearly scared to death when she realized she was partying with a Duke’s daughter and a Count’s daughter, but that was a problem for tomorrow.
For now, the girls had found friends they could talk to as equals. Their academy life, which had started with such loneliness and friction, was finally beginning to look bright.