The realization tormented me. Yumiella was the hidden boss of this world whose purpose was to despise the main character and her companions, only to be defeated in the end. Was there any point in my existence? Was there any point in living this life? I was a hidden boss, so awful that I was the embodiment of unreasonableness.
That means I have the potential to be stronger than the final boss, more athletic than the swordsman in the main character’s party, have stronger magic than the mage, and use dark magic, which is limited to enemy characters... Hold on... Isn’t this kind of awesome?!
My inner gamer was ecstatic. All I had to do was not meddle with the main story of LMH. I could keep my distance from the main character and the love interests and let them deal with the Demon Lord. If that didn’t work, I’d just have to secretly take down the Demon Lord. With Yumiella’s stats, that should be an easy insta-kill.
I have to start grinding.
From then on, I would sneak out of the mansion behind the servants’ backs to level grind. As expected of a hidden boss, my base stats were already quite high, and I was able to defeat monsters even as a child. I was also able to use dark magic without any issues. It seemed that hate had nothing to do with it.
Efficiency is vital to level grinding, so I bought items that increased experience by selling the magic stones that monsters dropped.
When I was no longer satisfied with the monsters that appeared near the town, I moved on to the dungeons in the mountains, where I hunted monsters endlessly. I spent roughly ten years level grinding, and when I turned fifteen, I received a letter from my father. It was the first message I received from my parents in all my years of life, and the gist of it was, “Attend the Royal Academy. While you are at the Academy, become acquainted with as many high-ranking noblemen as possible. Your future partner will marry into our family and be my successor, so he doesn’t need to be the eldest of his family.” I was immediately taken to the Royal Capital by carriage and promptly thrown into the Academy dormitories.
Uh...really, guys? Is this okay with you? Your own child doesn’t even know what you look like.
Every noble child attended the Royal Academy for three years, starting at age fifteen. The Academy was tied to the origins of this kingdom, as it was founded by the hero and saintess who defeated the Demon Lord. Because of its history, the Academy not only focused on academic education but combat education as well. Consequently, when the kingdom was facing an emergency, aristocrats were encouraged to fight on the front lines. Though in practice, this rule seems to have become outdated.
The exterior of the Academy was gorgeous enough to believe it was the Royal Palace. Though I had seen it on-screen when I played the game, it was absolutely breathtaking in person. As for the dorms, I was, of course, provided my own room, as well as separate servants’ quarters, making me very aware of my status as the daughter of a count.
Apparently, I barely made it to the Academy on time because the next day was already the entrance ceremony. I dressed in my uniform and headed to the ceremony, but I couldn’t help but feel that people were staring.
I’ve learned enough etiquette to not be laughed at, so it shouldn’t be that. Could it be my face? I know I’m not a doe-eyed child anymore, but I don’t think I look particularly evil...
After some time, I came to the realization that everyone was staring at my head. It was my black hair that was attracting all the attention. Some were very obvious about their disgust, not even trying to hide it, which made me a bit worried about my future at the Academy.
The disdain for black hair in this kingdom seemed to run very deep. It may have been because some legends said the Demon Lord had black hair, and all the villains in the fairy tales of this kingdom were always dressed in black from head to toe. It was no wonder that everyone subconsciously equated the color black to evil.
I was planning to hide my powers and act like an NPC, but I wasn’t sure if I could after standing out that much on my first day.
As long as I don’t interact with the main character and the love interests, I should at least be able to avoid the hidden boss route...
The entrance ceremony began and proceeded without any issues. Though I wanted to take a peek at the main character and her love interests during the headmaster’s welcome speech, I remembered that the new students were supposed to introduce themselves at the end of the ceremony. With no need to find them now, I sat back in my chair with a nonchalant expression.
However, that didn’t last very long. After the headmaster’s speech, there was an announcement that level assessments would be conducted for new students.
Huh? No one told me about this!
I barely manage to stop myself from shooting to my feet in shock. One after another, students walked to the front and placed their hand on a crystal-like magical instrument to get their level assessed. Most were in the single digits, with only one student over level 10.
I don’t know what level I am.
I had never measured my level, nor did I know what level I was when I regained the memories of my past life. A five-year-old shouldn’t be able to defeat a monster on their own, so I had to be level 1 by default. I was probably only able to take down monsters because I was extremely athletic and had magic that was just potent enough.
Everyone was cheering for the level 10 student, so coming in at level 5 would most likely be my best bet to not stand out.
Level 5... I hope I’m around level 5. I would be so happy if I was around level 5.
But I had been level grinding for the last ten years. On top of that, I had been using my knowledge of video game mechanics to utilize effective items, and I’d been training in dungeons.
Of course, there was no mercy for me, and eventually, my turn came just like everyone else’s. I walked up to the front but froze in front of the magical instrument. The elderly headmaster spoke kindly and reassured me that there wasn’t anything embarrassing about being level 1 as a new student, but that wasn’t the problem. I prepared myself for the coming result and made a selfish wish.
Please, oh magical instrument, malfunction and give me a one-digit level.
Alas, my wish went unanswered, and we now return to the beginning...