Chapter 6: First Day in Class

Hearing the sound of birds, I woke up from my sleep. I weirdly remember talking with anime characters last night. Though it is still too early. The room still feels dark which means the sun is not yet fully raised. I roll into a comfortable position and hug the pillow to continue my sleep.

"Rise and shine, idiot! You're going to be late for your class!" Someone knocked down my door and shouted nonsense at me. Class? I finished my university months ago, probably it's my buddy Elric playing a prank again.

"Fuck off dumbass. Go jack off to some doujin or something instead of disturbing my beauty sleep." I groaned and pressed the pillow on my head to muffle the voice I heard.

"Doujin? These aren't words that are supposed to exist in this world. You… Could it be… you are another Japanese!" The voice exclaimed in shock before I felt a tug on my body.

"Oi, wake up. I am asking you a question." The tug became stronger and accompanied by a slap on my left cheek.

I instantly jolt awake and confusedly look at Tanya that is pulling my clothes as if trying to rip it open. With simple Reinforcement, I slap away her hand before raising to a seated position.

"What are you doing here?" I ask Tanya as I vaguely remembered what happened last night. I made a deal with Zettour and now I'm working with the Empire or something.

Tanya gaze on me is stern as if looking at an incompetent junior that gonna messed up every task given to him and gonna have an earful session with the manager. But immediately changed after she recalled something.

"You! You are Japanese right? The word doujin doesn't exist in this world." She declared while pointing her fingers at me before trying desperately clinging on to her hope, hope that she or 'he' isn't alone suffering Being X handiwork.

"Yes. I am a reincarnator. So, stop pulling on my clothes already." I gave a response which isn't really an answer but enough for Tanya to accept.

We silently stare at each other. She was probably thinking what to ask but I went to the wardrobe and pulled out one set of uniforms that was the size of Tanya. Due to my body size, none of the uniforms fit me but thanks to Tanya, there are few in stock. Just three pairs which I probably need to wait a while for more. Just a common Imperial military uniform but due to the Empire inspired after Germany of my previous world, the uniform looks cool at least. It has the 'villain with style' theme there.

Completely uncaring that Tanya is in the room, I strip down before changing into the uniform. For Tanya, as a soldier, she is probably used to seeing naked men. For me though, I see her as a Japanese man reincarnated into the body of a girl and I don't really mind another man looking at my body. Anyone attending an all male boarding school should have experienced bathing naked with dozens of guys looking at you small dick.

"I really wish this was all just a dream." I whispered and hoped I woke up in the abandoned house and all that happened last isn't real.

"So, I guess we are going to school or college whatever?" I turned to see Tanya still stare at me.

"Yes, but before that. I need to get you your learning materials and mage equipment."

She didn't seem to have any questions for me and walked out the door, signaling me to follow her.

———

After I received my books for my current curriculum and standard mage soldier equipment which includes what normal soldiers get but Formula firearms instead of normal rifle and pistol and the Operation Orb. Just standard issue Operation Orb instead of Elenium Type-97 that I traced last night.

After that, she brought me back to the dorm to put the stuff away. I immediately use Structural Analysis to keep blueprints of the Formula Rifle and Pistol which is basically the Mauser C96 of my previous world but the difference is it can help cast spells. Though it only has one fourth of the rifle's capability to cast spells. Basically just a last ditch weapon in case I lost my rifle.

Though my actions did catch her curiosity.

"What spell are you casting on the rifle?" She asked while I was mentally navigating the information into a folder just like a computer to be kept in an organized manner using Occlumency.

"Keeping the blueprint in my mind so I can do this." Then I trace a copy of the rifle using the blueprint I stored in my mind.

I might have no OP ability like Unlimited Blade Works but at least I am not limited to a specific type of object when Tracing unlike Shirou Emiya.

"Hmn…" She hummed before looking at the rifle for a few moments. "About last night… Those were all lies, right? What you told me, Lieutenant Colonel Erich and Brigadier General Zettour."

I was caught off guard by the sudden question from Tanya and her scrutinizing gaze meeting my eyes was the final nail on the coffin.

"I don't understand how Lieutenant Colonel Erich and Brigadier General Zettour were sold by your lies. But, I am suspicious of what you said last night and your rapid heartbeat right now is proof that you are lying, Rayark von Einzbern."

"Those abilities you showed, regardless how hard I tried to cast it. Even with the cursed device from Being X, I cannot replicate the spell at all. The spells you used are a completely different system of magic altogether. But not all were complete lies. Since I obtained Elenium Type-95, there isn't an impossibility that you received something for your reincarnation. Ancient Magi are people blessed by gods that walked among men and we both are not that far from it. Both of us are reincarnated into this world and given a 'gift' by god. In fact I found this world to have too much similarity with my previous world. As if someone took Earth and threw magic in. Magic then fuelled the rapid advancement of technology in this world."

"You lied about yourself being part of an Ancient Magi clan, right? The origin of your alien magic system was because Being X gave it to you, right?"

Inside, I was panicking. Tanya thought I was lying 100% last night. Turns out she was mentioning the lies I made up. I immediately made a 180 turn on the inside and my [Thought Partitions] kicked in to salvage the situation.

"You… you're right." I replied with fake awkwardness to show my defeat as she managed to get a hold on my weakness.

"Fear not, Ray. As a fellow victim, stranded in another world. I wouldn't be that evil to rat you out."

As if I will throw away the best shield I could get. Tanya thought in her mind while a grin leaked out to her face as she put her hand on my shoulder. The higher ups were sold by his lies and his value raised a lot in their eyes. If I carefully use him to my advantage, I am guaranteed swift promotion and my dream will definitely be achieved! Although I act like a despicable parasite leeching off my 'kouhai', this is between life and death. I'll do it even if it's against my principles to defy this cursed life Being X subjected me to. Tanya grinned as she dragged me along to grab our breakfast before first class started.

I secretly sighed in relief that she didn't figure out the whole picture and instead misunderstood it in a way convenient to me.

"Wait, let me grab the books first." I struggle out of her hold to grab the books when I remember we still need to attend class after breakfast.

———

Few hours had passed since the first class scheduled for today started. Unlike everyone else in the class, I couldn't pay a single attention at all. None of the knowledge entered my head. Not even the littlest bit. Instead, I might pretend to pay attention but my head is fully focused on magic spells.

"Brilliant answer, Lieutenant Tanya Degurechaff. Anyway, our class ended for today. For the next class, please read about the record of the two years' battle between Dacia Duchy and Empire." The lecturer reminded me before exiting the class. I didn't dare dally and immediately slipped off the class through the window to my next and probably favorite class under the weird gaze of Tanya.

"To the shooting range. Hum.. hum.." I hummed while walking along the shade under the trees where pavements are built for easier navigating within the Military College.

I sort of expected the barrage of fellow students questioning me or Tanya about our appearance. At first I wanted to use disguise enchantment or the presence reducing enchantment I made on my cloak that for some reason was still confiscated. Probably taken by the military and sent to R&D to crack the enchantment I put on my stuff. Tanya immediately lectured me about the rules regarding magic and we aren't allowed to cast spells at all unless we have permission or in a shooting range where the mages are trained on using their magic and mainly shooting spells.

"Oi, Ray! How dare you slip off alone and let me get swamped by other students." Tanya huffed angrily while stomping toward my direction. Judging from her messy outfit, the other mages in the class probably mistook her as me. Both of our appearances are impossible to differentiate other than the difference on our shoulder board. Tanya's rank is higher than me, Second Lieutenant while mine is just a Warrant Officer.

"Surely you are exaggerating, Tanya. Besides, I did warn you this would happen but Miss Honor Student has to wait until the lecturer fully leaves before she can also leave."

A complete 180 from Tanya, I am carefree and free spirited. A definition of a misfit student that would skip class or fall asleep in class rather than paying attention. Meanwhile Tanya is an example of a perfect student probably due to the difference of our culture that shaped our mind.

"Anyway, do you wanna go directly to our practical class or grab some snacks first? I feel kinda hungry after sitting through three different lectures in a row."

"You can go on your own. I would rather not be late for the practical class since it's arguably the most important class in the entire curriculum." Tanya shook her head and we parted not long after as I headed to the cafeteria to grab a few slices of bread and sausage-like things they served but it was boiled instead of grilled or fried. Very bland and dry with bread and without sauce to put. I need a cup of water to help me wash down the dry ass improvised Hotdog. Then I head back to the shooting range to rejoin my classmate.

I walked with an unhurried pace while keeping an eye out for any point of interest. Mainly the place they keep the books for spells used by mage. I tried to devour my textbooks but it turns out none of them have complete knowledge of each spell. They are separated into a few volumes. If I devour the book. All I get is theory and knowledge of the spell, not the spell itself. That's why I'm on the lookout for books that record the complete knowledge of the spell instead of separate volumes. Tanya said such a book does exist and is accessible to the lecturers.

Thus I made a purposeful detour to pass through their office. The offices seem to be easily accessible without any lock on the door or anything really that can stop me from entering. However now isn't the time to try sneaking in because there are quite a few people nearby that will notice. Success in my scouting, I head back to the shooting range and am immediately questioned by a tough looking soldier with a large scar on his left eye.

"You! The new kid that gets recommendation from the General Staff to enroll in this Military College. Even if you are a noble or adopted son of a high ranking officer, it does not exempt you from punishment if you break the rules." The instructor scolded me while I saw Tanya facepalm in the background. "Though, I'll give you a chance. Get a perfect score and I let you off your punishment to run 100 laps around the College."

In his mind, no way a snobbish aristocrat brat and a newbie like me could shoot a single target accurately. Much less ten targets with only 1 attempt and ten seconds for each target. I nodded without any nervousness and accepted the deal.

"Someone give him a practice rifle." The instructor said and one of the smirking crowd threw me a practice rifle which I grabbed despite the rather forceful throw. Meanwhile another group that just saw my appearance started to speculate and relate me with Tanya, an excellent student and potential top graduate that has a chance to be one of the thirteen knights.

I didn't activate my [Magic Circuit] since the current MP is enough for me to show off enough. Though I did say I want to lay low and build my foundation, I cannot also skip gaining fame since fame can affect the people's view on me. Like Tanya, due to her religious appearance in the battlefield, image of an excellent soldier that the Empire needed and her extraordinary magic capability made many nobility, wealthy merchants and political figures to support campaigns she participated without her knowing and undeniable contribution to those operation's success due to sufficient funding.

I Reinforced the practice rifle to have better output and much stabler spell casting then mana surged from my body to fill the pre embedded spell bullets that effects are self explanatory. But added my own touch on the bullets to have self guided enchantment using [Alteration] and for a little flair, I used the magecraft I recently acquired.

"Time Alter, Double Accel." I whispered the chant.

Ten shots were fired within a span of seven seconds at double the speed and only five of them were heard and seen by the crowd that was shouting for my defeat simply because THEY find it impossible to be done. However, all ten targets were obliterated and the shout became silent while everyone was looking with disbelief. If they could, they would pluck out their eyes and clean it before putting it back just to make sure their eyes aren't having problem.

"There, perfect score I think." I shrugged and threw the rifle back to the crowd after undoing its enchantment and walked toward Tanya. The crowd immediately split like Moses splitting the Red sea.

The instructor feels slightly angry by the humiliation but he also cannot do anything about it after knowing I am a real deal instead of some snobby brat relying on a strong backer to gain my current privilege. He even started to compare me to Tanya by my side, still speechless by what I just did.

"What?" I asked Tanya, who was staring at me as if I stole her favorite pet.

"You wasted the class's time with your stunt and inability to follow the rules." She said before ignoring me to continue her practice using bullets with spells pre embedded and we only need to inject mana into them.

Then I realized something, if the bullets were embedded with spells. Can't I just analyze the entire bullet for its blueprint and still technically be able to get the spell itself? Or at least can just trace the bullet and be able to skip the learning part. I did it and to my disappointment, only the latter of my theory was proven to be correct. Well, what do I expect? It was like obtaining a complete machine and just by getting the blueprint, I assume I could recreate it from scratch which is doable for simple ones but more complex ones like let say a grenade, even with a step by step video on how to assemble one. Certain material is bound to be unobtainable. Just like the spell, without certain knowledge of certain components of the formula. Even if I have the full and complete formula in my head, I cannot cannot substitute the component that I don't understand because I simply don't know what the mana should be substituting into.

"Hmn… even if I cannot gain the spell, I can at least Trace as many bullets as I want." I mumbled as I slid a few traced bullets into Tanya's magazine to hope she would not notice she became my test runner. The instructor also seems to not bother me despite me not joining my classmate to shoot targets.

I watched with anticipation as Tanya grabbed the magazine without noticing anything and fed it into her Formula Rifle and pulled the bolt to chamber in the first bullet. So far there is still no abnormality. The formula is stable and using Reinforcement didn't seem to affect the formula's activation but instead the mana loading part changed as Tanya's mana surged involuntarily and was absorbed by the rifle and filled the bullet until it reached the brim. Not knowing what to do in the situation, Tanya followed her muscle memories and pulled the trigger as soon as the formula in the bullet was fully charged.

"WHICH IDIOT FIRED AN ARTILLERY SHOT!" The instructor went on a flying rage while the more rational part of the students which mainly consisted of experienced Mages that already battled in the frontline, reacted quickly and cast Active Barrier to disperse that bullet Tanya shotted.

Meanwhile Tanya was looking around for the perpetrator and simultaneously looked devastated like her world just crumbled in front of her. She look at her rifle like a gun she randomly picked up on the street and second later few officers came and arrest her for possesion of weapon used for a murder case. Standing beside her, I just continue to process the result under her death stare.

Turn out that instead of enhancing the formula's power, Reinforcement only increases the capacity of mana to make the shots AOE bigger and not stronger. In a simpler explanation, Reinforcement only increases the area of the attack, not the damage it deals.

"Who fired the Artillery Shot! Better answer now or that person will be expelled if I resort to investigation." The instructor ordered and the nearby students already stare at Tanya, sweating out cold sweat like a river and whisper around that she was the perpetrator. She stared back at me wanting to blame me for my irresponsible action but at the same time found it hard to convince others she was actually innocent.

"I.." Tanya whispered and was sweating heavily while staring at me and the instructor looking in her direction after hearing the crowd whispering her name.

"Uh, sorry. It seems I accidentally overloaded the bullet with mana." I lifted my hand and admitted instead while pretending to shyly scratch my neck and apologizing. But the instructor gave me the look as if I said something ridiculous.

"Overload? What joke are you talking about? It's impossible for any Mages with standard Operation Orb to overload a spell unless they are-" I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "Unless the Orb I used is Elenium Type 97? Well, I have one here." I said after taking out the said Orb I just Projected out from my pocket. Whispers immediately brew within the crowd.

"What! A real Elenium Type 97!"

"I heard the Elenium Arsenal limits its production because of the complicated process required to manufacture them and its cost."

"I heard from my uncle that only the Imperial Army division Mages are outfitted with these new Orb for now."

The whisper continued for a while before the instructor told everyone to get quiet and get back to their training. The instructor walked toward me and pulled me to the side to talk.

"Yes, Instructor…" I take a glance at his uniform to find his name before continuing. "-Adalwolf."

I notice he is looking at the Elenium Type-97 that I was holding in my hand. But he turned his gaze away to the target in the distance.

"Try to shoot the target." The instructor said while pointing at the target 100m away. I lift my practice rifle and shoot as he asked, not knowing what he is trying to find off me.

"Hmn… Now, try to shoot this bullet instead." He said and gave me a bullet he took from somewhere. I noticed the bullet has a different spell formula embedded in it.

I pull back the bolt of my rifle to pop off the spent casing and load the bullet he gave me before secretly using Structural Analysis to record the blueprint of the bullet in my mind before filling my mana into the bullet. Only after I shot the bullet then I realize it was an Artillery Shot spell embedded in the bullet.

"No wonder they didn't give you an ordinary Operation Orb. Your natural mana output was too high and will fry any single core Orb. To think the Empire would be blessed with another prodigy after Second Lieutenant Tanya Degurechaff." I have no clue what he is talking about but I assume it is the amount of mana I can release at a time.

Unlike others, my body doesn't have any imposed limit and mana can conduct freely in and out of my body. A perk of my system I guess. Although I didn't have a complete [Gamer Body], I have some of its benefits like I will be alive regardless of injury as long as I still have HP and this.

The instructor assumed I was sent here despite not having any qualifications because of my hidden talent that one of the General Staff is trying to nurture. He didn't bother me anymore after that. But it's Tanya's turn to 'strangle me to death' verbally for trying to play a prank on her. Well it's an experiment rather than a prank but I didn't want to prolong the unneeded lecture from her on why to attempt such an act that includes threats of leaking my secret.

"Can we at least talk about this over a meal? My stomach is rumbling as we speak."

"You… Are you listening to what I am saying!" She indignantly glared at me as if she wanted to strangle me due to my lack of repentance for pulling that 'prank' on her.

"Yeah, I am." I shrugged and started to walk out of the college because our final class just ended and Cafeteria food isn't the best since it is technically part of the military and the food is… yeah. Not the best.

"You know, Tanya. Skipping meals isn't good since it leads to a lack of nutrition that can cause stunted growth. Especially for someone in the age of puberty like you. Where accelerated growth happens and your body needs a lot of nutrition to fuel that growth." As someone who read the Youjo Senki manga and light novel, I know Tanya is sort of worried about this matter and is her Achilles Heel.

Tanya abruptly stops her lecture and thinks over what I just said.

"So, let's go to that cafe again. That's the only place with good food that I know." I said before walking off, leaving Tanya who is still thinking over my words.

"Hey, wait!" She called when realized I left her behind. At least she isn't declining my proposal to grab a meal at the cafe.

—————

Status

[Name: Rayark

Age: 9

Level: 8 (12%) [+1]

Main Class: Magus

Support Class: Technomagi

Title: Novice Magus

HP: 270 (1 VIT= 10HP, Base 200)

HP Regen: 7HP/Min (1 VIT= 1HP/M)

MP: 1235(+1000) (1 WIS= 5MP, Base 150)

MP Regen: 17MP/Min (1 Wis 1MP/M)

———

STR: 20

VIT: 10

AGI: 3

DEX: 4

INT: 20+40% = 28

WIS: 12+40% = 17

LUK: 5

———

Stat Point: 5

Skill:

Fiction Adaptation LV -

Mana Manipulation LV 5/10 (Adept)

Magic Circuit LV 10/10 (Novice) [+2]

Alteration Lv 2/10 (Novice) [+1]

Dagger Mastery Lv 7/10 (Novice)

Gradation Air Lv 3/10(Novice)

Quickstep Lv 5/10 (Adept)

Throwing Mastery Lv 8/10 (Novice)

Body Strengthening Lv 2/10 (Novice)

Pickpocket Lv 5/10 (Novice)

Firearm Mastery Lv 6/10 (Novice) [+2]

Thought Partitions LV 5/10 (Novice) [+1]

Thought Acceleration LV 8/10 (Novice) [+4]

Accelerated Regeneration LV 1/10 (Novice)

Hyper RegenerationLV 1/10 (Novice)

Meditation LV 1/10 (Novice)

Time Alter LV 1/10 (Novice)

Occlumency LV 7/10 (Novice) [+6]