First Interaction

     “What a pain.” Those were the first words that came to mind. Maybe it was taking too long for someone to target me as easy prey.

     A girl from the countryside, from an unknown family, with no important or influential figure to turn to. It was obvious that sooner or later some bully would try to take advantage.

     “Well, well, what do we have here?” A tall shadow loomed behind me. “Would the new cutie like some company?”

     Maybe I’d have preferred a simple bully over a womanizer. I turned around carefully, looking for the source of the voice above me.

     Staring at that face made me want to turn away in disgust. Ugly. There was no need to be polite; that was the only word to describe him. If we weren't in the middle of the renowned Iron Lotus Academy, I’d have thought he was an ogre.

     “Excuse me, I'm a bit busy.” A convenient excuse might work.

     “Hmph! So you're another one of those!” Well, what a surprise! This seems to be a recurring situation for him. “It's my face, isn't it? You girls are all the same, you only care about looks, not my heart!”

     I gave in to the urge to turn my back and leave, but the brute's hand grabbed my arm. He had crossed the line of what was acceptable; the absolute minimum I should do was break it to teach him a lesson.

     Before I could act, a voice chimed in to interfere.

     “Hey, you! Get away from her!” A girl with a stern expression stepped up beside him, arms crossed. “That behavior is completely inappropriate!”

     I felt like I recognized that brown hair from the entrance ceremony—she was standing near me in the freshman section.

     “Who asked you? We're settling an important matter here. Mind your own business!”

     “What matter? Is grabbing people your idea of a welcome ceremony, you brute?”

     “Listen here, you brat! Do you know who you're talking to?”

     “Inappropriate behavior is wrong regardless of who's doing it! Do you think you're immune to punishment or above authority?”

     I decided to step in to press him further. “And if you have to ask 'Do you know who you're talking to?', it means you have a fragile ego and that, in fact, we shouldn't know who you are at all.”

     Our verbal assault was about to break him. Hearing all of that as unbearable insults, his face turned as red as a chili pepper until he finally exploded in rage.

     “Shut up! The two of you are nothing but disrespectfully rude brats to your superiors!”

     “You started this whole mess. I did nothing wrong.”

     “Me neither.”

     Still huffing, he continued, “Well, know this: I am no ordinary student! Before you stands the General Affairs Manager of the Student Council at Iron Lotus Academy!”

     The job title was almost as big as he was. “And what does that mean?” I asked.

     A disgusting smirk appeared on his face. “It means I have honor that needs to be defended. Do you have any idea what kind of responsibility it is to be a member of the Student Council? I can't just let two newcomers accuse me so casually.”

     I glanced at the other girl. That didn't sound good for our side.

     “In the name of the Student Council, I challenge both of you to a Grimoire Duel! For my honor as a member of the Council!”

     It seems "Grimoire Duel" is a spell to get the attention of every student around, because no sooner had he said those words than every pair of eyes in the entrance hall turned toward us.

     “What is a Grimoire Duel?” I dreaded the answer.

     “Within the grounds of a magic school, it's only fair that disputes are settled through magic,” the girl began to explain. “A Grimoire Duel is a 'sports match' to prove which mage is stronger.” Her expression didn't inspire much confidence.

     “So then, which of you two brats wants to get beaten up first? Or maybe you both want to come at once, I don't care!”

     If this were just a conventional sword duel, I wouldn't hesitate to accept, but when it comes to a grimoire duel, I might be at a disadvantage.

     Still, backing down didn't feel like an option. No matter how strong his magic might be, I’d rather be defeated than run away like a coward. Besides, the lewd way he was looking at the other girl was really getting on my nerves.

     “I'll go.”

     “Huh? Are you sure?” There was a mix of distress and relief in the girl's eyes as she looked at me. “We don't need to do this. I'm sure a teacher can handle him.”

     “It's fine. He was looking for trouble with me, there's no need to drag you into this.”

     “Are you really sure about this?”

     “Actually...” I looked at the brute. “I have a question.”

     “Out with it.”

     “Am I forced to use my grimoire in the duel?”

     “Huh?” His confusion was obvious. “Why wouldn't you use a grimoire?”

     “I have my reasons.”

     “... Hahaha! How pathetic! Hey, everyone, look at this loser! She got into the academy without even knowing how to use a grimoire!”

     That wasn't the case. “I know how it works. I just prefer not to use it. Do you agree or not?”

     “Of course I do, you idiot! This is gonna be fun!”

     If using a grimoire isn't mandatory, then I have no problem fighting at all.

     “Let's go,” he said, turning toward the path leading to the Academy's gym.

     Before following him, I felt a hand grab my arm once again, but this time it was much gentler and softer.

     “I'm so sorry for getting you into this situation. I can't stop thinking it's my fault. If only I could face him in your place...”

     “Don't worry, it's alright. Maybe your intervention kept me from ending up in a worse spot.” Breaking a Student Council member's arm would definitely get me to detention.

     Still, the girl followed close behind me, a clear look of worry on her face. Curiosity finally sparked, so I asked, “What's your name?”

     “Oh! Right! Everything happened so fast I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Henrietta.” After a subtle smile, she returned the question. “And yours?”

     “Chelsea. Chelsea Honeycutt.”

     “It's a pleasure to meet you, Chelsea.”

     She had a lovely smile, I must admit.

     “... The pleasure is mine.”

     This should have been my very first interaction with another student at the Academy.