Wait, What You Mean I Got Reincarnated As A Heroine In Another World?-Chapter 6 - Aethelgarten I

As I left home and made my way, I found myself momentarily stunned by the scenery.

From the sightseeing, I gawked at the forest remained dense, the creatures still wandered freely, and the plants thrived in a way that felt almost surreal.

"This looks so different from the world I used to know,"

I muttered, continuing my walk toward the academy's entrance.

Oh, right—about my attire, I took a moment to analyze it. I was dressed in a black outfit with golden stripes running from the collar down to the hem. It resembled an academy blazer, perhaps even a ceremonial uniform. The hood that could cover my head to appeared to be an odd design choice, but I wouldn't rather question it as much. Beneath the blazer, I wore a maroon-brown uniform with matching golden accents, paired with a black short skirt and long white socks. My shoes were, of course, black.

Before I realized it, I had reached the school gates.

The moment I stepped closer, the grandeur of the academy became apparent. The courtyard stretched as vast as a parking lot, its magnificence was evident from outside. Not to mention the architecture design which resembled one from Victorian era.

AETHELGARTEN AKADEMIYA

Hebrew script, again.

I tilted my head slightly, gazing up at the school's name as I read it aloud.

Aethelgarten Academy.

The most prestigious and elite academy among all the magic academies. Entering this place was equivalent to receiving recognition as one of the finest magicians. However, the recognition came at a cost—unrelenting pressure. If one wasn't ready to bear the weight of such prestige, it was better never to step through these gates.

"Kairi?"

Huh? Who might that be?

I wondered internally as I turned head to a girl with shoulder-length maroon hair all of a sudden greeting me. I had been lost in thought again, failing to notice that this fancy girl was, supposedly, my 'friend.'

SHERRIE GUSTAV SERFORT

"Oh, Sherrie?"

"Weren't you sick yesterday? The teacher said you wouldn't be coming in."

"How are you feeling now? Are you okay?"

She looked genuinely worried.

Her emerald-green eyes shimmered, radiating warmth of her concern washing over me like a warm tide, as if melting the indifference of frozen heart with warm kindness.

"Yeah, Sherrie. Just a headache, not that serious."

"Oh, goodness. What a relief!"

"Come on, let's go to the banquet hall. The others are already waiting for you."

Before I could respond, she took my hand and led me inside. Her grace was undeniable, and yet her touch was firm, almost commanding.

As we walked, a thought crossed my mind.

Honestly, had class already started?

"Don't worry, not yet."

A voice—one that belonged to Sherrie—whispered directly into my mind. Telepathy.

I flinched slightly. Did she... by any chance read my mind?

"You look so shocked. What is it, did you forget I could do this, Kairi?"

Oh—so this was rtelepathy. I tried to play it off. I scrambled to compose myself.

Nope, I'm not shocked. Just still recovering. Perhaps that's why I forgot.

She smiled knowingly and nodded.

"You're adorable when forgetting things, Kairi hihihi. Just like Kairi I knew, always."

Her tone was teasing, but gentle. I couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed, as I felt my face heat up slightly but chose not to respond.

And before I knew it, we had arrived at the banquet hall.

The moment we stepped in, Sherrie's demeanor changed.

Sherrie, who had been acting the "I'm just a girl" role before, by all of a sudden becoming more dignified. Gone was the playful friend; in her place stood someone composed, elegant, and authoritative. She carried herself with the grace of a noble, her chest slightly lifted as if asserting her role. exuding a mature charisma befitting a hall monitor. It was a striking contrast—this girl who had just moments ago been dragging me along now exuded the commanding presence of a leader.

An unusual sight for a 13-years-old. Even I—someone who is 24 on the inside—couldn't help but feel both admiration and embarrassment at the sheer level of charisma she displayed. In my point of view, it was outstanding.

"Kairi is awake!"

The room erupted into cheers. The students clapped, except for one, whose expression remained tense—her lips pursed, brows furrowed.

"Great! We can definitely win it this time! Championship is ours!"

"Yeah! That trophy is ours for sure!"

I stood there, utterly blinked in confusion. Wait... championship? What championship?

"Uh, everyone. Let's not ovewhelm her for now. She's still recovering from the incident."

...Incident? Huh? Why didn't I memorize anything about this?

The air shifted as silence emanating the atmosphere.

A few students exchanged uneasy glances, seemingly frustrated.

"What happened, exactly?" a calm, monotone voice cut through the silence.

AZALEA ROSELLA LOVECRAFT

Her name then surfaced as if whispered by an unseen force, urging me to remember.

Sherrie hesitated. "Well... she was fainted due to... something."

Sherrie seemed reluctant to explain further. The elegance she had displayed earlier had vanished in front of a cold-blooded personality, turning her into a mere child.

"Would you mind explaining?" Azalea's gaze sharpened.

"You're the hall monitor, aren't ya? Shouldn't you take responsibility? Why are you washing your hands out of this?"

Sherrie visibly faltered. Just moments ago, she had stood with poise, but now she rather looked like a a frightened child getting caught for wrongdoings.

"N-no, that's not it. It was my fault. Kairi shouldn't have gone there."

Wait, what do you mean by 'gone there?' Gone where exactly?

Azalea seemed to understand something that I didn't. Without warning, she strode toward Sherrie, gripping her collar with deliberate forcefulness.

"If you did harm Kairi by putting her in danger, you know the consequences, don't you?"

The room stiffened. My face prickled with unease, froze as I witnessed Sherrie nodded slowly, her eyes shimmering as if holding back tears.

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"Good."

She was intimidating—so much so I swallowed hard and nodded, utterly shaken by what I had just witnessed. But the intensity of her presence kept me on edge.

Azalea then turned toward me, her presence even more overwhelming up close.

"Kairi, are you really okay?"

"Are you scared? Relax. She may seem scary, but she really cares about you."

Sherrie's telepathic voice tried to soothe me, but apparently it barely helped a little.

Azalea stepped forward and, without warning, pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm really glad you're okay."

A damp warmth spread across my shoulder.

Déjà vu struck. Someone else had done this before—someone motherly.

"You might not remember, but I'm your best friend..."

"And your greatest rival too, you know."

Once again, I was taken aback. My breath hitched.

This girl—her emotionless face, her sharp words, her cold demeanor—was the same one who hadn't clapped earlier, the one who hadn't budged from her seat while others were clapping despite of Sherrie's haughty announcement about me finally awake.

"And you idiots," she turned, still holding me,

"Do you really think that dragging Kairi, who just recovered, into a championship no one has ever won is a good idea at all? Use your brain, you airheads!"

She shouted, while squeezing me closer—though I noticed how she was intentionally pressing her chest against mine. What a truly uncanny friendenemy preposition.

Was this supposed to be an intimidation, or affection?

DING! DING! DING!

The school bell rang, marking the beginning of the first lesson.