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“EMMA, the breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria isn’t to your liking?”
“Hmmm, it’s not that. The truth is… I’m not very good at waking up in the morning. You could say I prefer sleeping in until the last minute than eating breakfast.”
“Oh, my, how unexpected.”
The next day, Emma and her new friend were on their way to school together. She ran into Rashida just as she left her own room after waking up and getting dressed. Incidentally, the other girl’s hair had reverted to her natural blonde from the strangely shining gray last night.
The Magic Academy was built on a large tract of land approximately a kilometer east of the royal capital. The huge plot size was necessary to accommodate nearly two thousand students and faculty. Designed in a star shape, a moat with clear water surrounded the school grounds. It was a beautiful institution. In the center stood the school building itself, divided into several wings. Each of the eight dormitories was situated near a corner of the star. Besides these structures, a number of shops sold supplies and goods of various sorts. In short, the school could be considered a town unto itself.
There were many school-related matters that couldn’t be divulged to outsiders. If, after graduation, someone accidentally or carelessly revealed confidential information they learned at the Academy, they would be subject to severe punishment.
“Morning, Emma. Oh… And Lady Rashida, good morning to you as well.”
When they arrived at the main entrance, Ian was already waiting. Yesterday, instead of waiting for her outside, he immediately entered the lecture hall because of the placement exam. But starting today and until they graduated, it seemed he would plant himself patiently by the school building’s front in anticipation of her arrival.
“Morning, Ian. You know Rashida?”
Ian smiled at Emma’s surprise. “Indeed, I do. The last time we met was a year ago, I believe. I see you’re doing well, Lady Rashida. Still as lovely as a lily, hm?”
“I could say the same to you, Lord Ian. I’m honored to be attending school with you. I hope we can be friends, too.”
Beaming, Emma watched over them as they exchanged exceedingly polite, aristocratic greetings. In her first life, Annette had always commandeered the spotlight whenever they were all together. Their time at the Academy had been no different. Every day on the walk to their respective classes, she and Ian were always forced to listen to Annette’s endless, pointless ramblings.
What made it worse was that the girl herself knew her stories were boring. Emma even remembered Annette privately asking her for advice on topics gentlemen, specifically Ian, enjoyed discussing. Regardless, she had been charmed by Annette’s earnest efforts every morning as she watched over her friend, acting like a maiden in love. Thinking back on those seemingly idyllic days, Emma wondered why things had turned out so abominably.
An image of Bernard’s face popped into her mind. She viciously shook her head, trying to force it to disappear. But it persisted.
While Emma grappled with herself mentally, Rashida made a comment after her and Ian’s formal greetings.
“Hmmm… Might Ian waiting for you mean… Your magical attribute is time, Emma?”
“Oh, yes, that’s right.” Banishing her former betrothed’s face from her mind, Emma responded automatically. Then she noticed the fire burning in Rashida’s eyes.
“Emma! I… I’ll help you with anything, whether lessons or homework. I know the road to becoming a lady’s maid will be exponentially tougher for you because of your other responsibilities, so please don’t hesitate to tell me if there’s anything I can do for you!”
“Rashida… Thank you so much!”
Captivated by Rashida’s passion, Emma unconsciously raised her own voice in delight. It gladdened her tremendously to realize her new friend understood the trials and tribulations that awaited another noble young lady weighed down with an affinity for time magic. She truly is so knowledgeable, this duke’s daughter. But Ian’s dumbfounded voice dimmed some of her elation.
“L… Lady’s maid? Did she just… I…lady’s maid?”
Returning to reality, Emma forgot that Ian was there with them. As far as he was concerned, she would marry Bernard once her work as a time traveler ended. It was no wonder that confusion and dismay darkened those green eyes, emblematic of beauty itself.
“Um… I’ll tell you later. Tonight.”
“You most certainly will, and in great detail, Emma.”
She nodded slowly, considering her options. It wouldn’t be long before a time travel request was sent by the country. She needed to tell him the truth—that she had traveled back in time. Not just because he was her close friend but also because she needed his cooperation.
They proceeded to the announcement board to check their class assignments. She wasn’t surprised that she, Ian, and Rashida were in the same class. Then she spied a small notice posted on the board.
This year, first-year Class A consists only of students from aristocratic backgrounds.
“Huh? What’s the meaning of this?” Emma frowned. She had never seen this notice in her first timeline.
“It might be because of Prince Victor’s enrollment,” Ian answered.
“Oh, that makes sense,” Rashida said. “My older brother was the first prince’s, His Highness Wheeler’s, classmate. I recall security being quite strict in his time as well.”
“I… I see.”
Emma nodded at them but remained unsettled at the difference from her original world. Her heart sank as she thought about the ramifications of one or more individuals’ lives being irrevocably altered by this change. Unaware of Emma’s turmoil, Rashida smiled easily at her.
“I believe Lady Luck favored me on the placement test.”
“What do you mean, Lady Rashida?”
“I didn’t feel confident in my answers for the magical mathematics proof.”
“That was indeed quite difficult.”
“I’m glad someone agrees with me.”
Ian and Rashida’s conversation faded into the background for Emma, consumed by even more worries. Wait a minute… Rashida and I weren’t in the same class the first time. Never mind the same class; I didn’t even know of her existence before.
“Emma, is something the matter?”
“It’s nothing, Rashida. I’m fine.”
The evidence was mounting about this reality changing bit by bit from the one she knew. Perplexed, she walked with Ian and Rashida into the lecture hall designated for Class A, composed “only of students from aristocratic backgrounds.” Inside, she noticed many familiar faces, including the second prince, Victor. Seeing his friends, Emma and Ian, he waved to them.
Although this class is one of nobles only, the members are almost the same as last time… Despite her burgeoning fear that she was responsible for affecting the timeline, she felt a measure of relief seeing so many of her good friends from her old life.
“I’m going to speak to His Highness,” Ian said.
“Of course. We’ll see you later, then.”
Once she saw Ian off, Emma turned to question Rashida. But she had a feeling she already knew what her answer would be.
“What about us?”
“Let’s sit up in the front.”
“Funnily enough, I was thinking the same thing.”
Overflowing with energy and motivation, the two of them eagerly descended the stairs of the wide lecture hall and settled into seats in the first row.