Chapter 7: The Academy Principal
Three minutes later.
On the podium of the Introductory Elemental Theory classroom, the elderly professor, thick glasses perched on his nose, was just about to begin his lecture.
Suddenly, a high-placed window on the classroom’s side wall—originally locked—burst open from outside with a loud “bang.”
Two figures, trailing a bit of dust, landed nimbly on the floor—it was Camilla, and Emma, whose hair was a tangled mess and who still hadn’t recovered from the shock.
The old professor pushed his glasses up his nose, staring at the two who’d just “parachuted” down from the ceiling, his face full of question marks.
Even the chalk in his hand slipped and clattered to the floor.
Camilla calmly brushed the dust off her uniform and flashed the old professor an obedient smile.
“Sorry, Professor, we’re not late, right? I just brought this student to class.”
She turned to the still-bewildered Emma and pointed to an empty seat in the back row, saying,
“That’s your seat. Hurry up! I have something else to do, so I’ll be going now!”
With that, not giving anyone time to react, Camilla dashed forward and, to the stunned stares of the class, leapt smoothly back out the same window, her movements as agile as a cat’s.
Everyone in the classroom was left petrified, the only thing stirring the curtains was the breeze drifting in from the open window.
What just happened?
***
Bursting out of the classroom, Camilla was now standing on the third-story Outdoor Gallery Bridge that connected the academy’s various towers.
She let out a long breath, amazed that the Game’s Secret Passage could actually be used in real life.
The only disappointment was that she hadn’t found a glowing Treasure Chest.
Well, this is the real world after all. It’s unlikely anyone would hide Magic Scrolls or Healing Potions in random, strange corners.
Alright, time to go find my sister.
Hope she hasn’t noticed I’m missing yet…
Camilla stepped over the guardrail of the Outdoor Gallery Bridge, preparing to jump down.
But just as she pushed off, a familiar, cold voice laced with barely suppressed fury rose up from below.
“Ca—mil—la—!”
Camilla froze.
Looking down, she saw her sister Ophelia, golden hair billowing, standing in the courtyard beneath the bridge.
Those icy blue eyes were fixed on her with such intensity that even the surrounding flowers seemed to wilt a little under her pressure.
How did she find me here?
The wind roared past her ears as Camilla braced herself to roll and soften her landing.
But the impact she expected never came—instead, she fell into a warm embrace that carried a faint, cool fragrance.
Ophelia had leapt up the instant Camilla jumped, catching her perfectly and landing with slightly bent knees, steady as could be.
But Ophelia’s expression was so dark it looked like it could rain at any second.
“You! Dare! Jump! Down! From! Such! A! High! Place!”
Ophelia’s voice trembled, every word squeezed out one by one, her arms clutching Camilla in a grip of terror and fury.
“Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?! Where did you run off to?! And now you even dare to jump off a building?!”
Camilla was nearly out of breath from the tight hug but still managed to struggle and retort,
“I—I just trusted that Sis would catch me! But, how did you find me so fast?”
She narrowed her ruby-like eyes suspiciously.
“Did you put something on me?”
“…It’s—it’s Sisterly Sense! Yes, Sisterly Sense!”
After setting Camilla back on her feet, Ophelia’s gaze flickered and she quickly clasped her hands behind her back, awkwardly changing the subject.
Alright, it was obvious—she definitely put Tracking Magic on me.
Facing her sister’s skeptical look, Ophelia cleared her throat and gestured beside her.
“Ahem, this is Krolova, Principal of the Mystra Magic Academy. This—uh, this lady wishes to see you.”
It was only now that Camilla noticed, not far behind Ophelia, stood someone who looked… rather peculiar—a “little girl.”
She was petite, swimming in an oversized white robe, a head of fluffy, silvery curls like cotton candy.
In her arms she clutched a gray Rabbit Plush, and her large, emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied Camilla.
It’s really her! Camilla’s heart skipped a beat.
Krolova, who appeared to be a young girl but was in fact a legendary archmage with wisdom beyond compare.
The Principal of Mystra Magic Academy, a hidden, recruitable character in the game—famous for her formidable power and… her nearly obsessive fondness for Rabbit Plushes.
“Hello, Your Excellency Principal.”
Camilla instantly switched to her most obedient expression, performing a flawless curtsey.
Her gaze then “naturally” landed on the Rabbit Plush in Krolova’s arms, her eyes lighting up.
“Wow! What an adorable bunny! Is this the new big bunny plush from Kayin Trading Company?”
“Huh? You know about her too?”
“Of course, I’m a fan of the big bunny plush series as well!”
Krolova had only been curious about Ophelia’s little sister.
After all, Ophelia had even given up the chance to select an item from Krolova’s private collection, just so her sister could enroll.
But now, hearing Camilla’s words, Krolova lit up like she’d found a soulmate.
Her impression of Camilla soared.
“You think Miss An is cute too?”
The Principal’s voice was as crisp as a child’s.
She eagerly thrust the Rabbit Plush forward.
“Great taste, great taste! There are so many big bunny plushes flooding the market, but Kayin Trading Company’s are truly the best. Look at this fur, and this shape—perfection!”
Camilla leaned closer at once, diving into an enthusiastic discussion with the Principal about “Rabbit Plush maintenance and outfits.”
The two, as if they’d known each other for ages, chatted away excitedly.
Of course, Camilla was partly putting on a show—her real aim was to raise the Principal’s favorability, not for recruitment, but simply to covet her private collection.
Meanwhile, Ophelia felt left out—apart from her sister, she had no interest in cute things.
Rather than collecting plushes, she’d much prefer to practice magic or swordsmanship.
Truth be told, Ophelia was highly reluctant to let this Principal meet her sister, for she was, without a doubt, a weirdo with a penchant for pretty young girls.
And sure enough, as the two drew closer, Krolova’s mischievous little hand was already resting on Camilla’s shoulder, their cheeks pressed together, even rubbing a little.
“Ahem!”
Ophelia gave a sharp cough, interrupting the pair just as they started talking about custom-made clothes for the big bunny plush.
“Principal, shouldn’t we head to the Principal’s Office to discuss ‘official business’?”
She placed heavy emphasis on “official business,” her gaze sweeping meaningfully over Camilla.
“Ah, right!”
Krolova slapped her own forehead, regaining a bit of her Principal’s dignity, though she now looked at Camilla with great warmth.
“You’re Camilla, right? What an interesting little one. Come on, let’s chat in the Principal’s Office. Although you’ve already been admitted to our academy, I still need you to take a small test, to see if you can adapt to academy life.”
“No problem, bring it on!”
I’ll just get every question wrong, and that’ll be that.
Camilla thought, determined as ever to drop out.