Volume 1Prologue

First, there is one thing I must make perfectly clear.

Though I expect it is already common knowledge by now, effort is something meant for ordinary mortals. Groveling in the dirt and working up a sweat in grueling training is hardly an activity befitting a goddess like myself. The same holds true for academics. Dutifully completing homework assigned by an instructor or meekly sitting for examinations are acts meant for commoners trapped within the framework of common sense—not for a transcendent being who stands above humanity as a goddess.

Hmph. Bear this well in mind: my name is Rico Flamel. I am the reincarnation of a goddess.

It seems a mere mortal like you has already reached the limits of your comprehension. You wear the expression of someone struggling to grasp a single word I am saying. Very well. Allow me to briefly explain this world for your benefit.

A long time has passed since humanity lost the earth beneath its feet.

The term “human living sphere” no longer exists on the surface. Today, the ground below is completely overrun by monsters known as Armored Insects, and humanity has migrated to the skies to carry on its existence aboard Floating Cities. At present, I spend my days as a student of the Guardian Department—the Aerial Combat Wizard Department—aboard one of these colossal artificial structures suspended in the heavens: the Academy Floating City Mistgun.

However, this is merely a temporary guise I wear to walk incognito among the world. Ugly, mediocre commoners gaze upon my peerless beauty with envy, and out of petty jealousy they go out of their way to spite me. To demand that I, the reincarnation of a goddess, submit a reflection essay simply because I did not turn in my homework—there truly ought to be a limit to such insolence.

Both in our morning classroom lectures and our afternoon practical training, I tell them every single day that effort is the province of ordinary mortals and has nothing to do with a goddess like me, yet not a soul lends an ear.

Grr… Those wretched commoners, draped in the detestable spectacles known as “common sense.” One day I shall make every last one of them—along with that woman—comprehend my true greatness!

On another note, I am still treated as a bottom-rung E-Rank student within the Guardian Department. Worse yet, because our results sit at the very bottom of the barrel, people even mockingly refer to us as an “F-Rank Platoon.” The general public seems to mistakenly label an existence like mine a dropout, capability-wise, yet I am nothing of the sort. A goddess such as myself is the only one truly worthy of becoming the hero who saves this world.

And yet, why must I be forced to write something as absurd as a reflection essay for not doing my homework? It defies comprehension. Where in the world could there possibly be any flaw in me?

Name: Rico Flamel

Subject: Fourth Resubmission of Reflection Essay for Unsubmitted Homework

Evaluation: Fail

Instructor’s Comments: This essay is supposed to be a reflection on why you failed to turn in your homework. You seem eager to boast about your thoroughly rotten disposition, but carrying on like this as a second-year Preparatory Course student means you will remain a dropout forever.

To encourage your daily effort, a fifth resubmission is hereby required.

“…Umm, is this girl really a second-year in the Preparatory Course?”

“…That’s what the records say.”

“Ahaha, how do I put this… How has she managed to stay enrolled?”

“…There were voices arguing that she possesses a certain rare talent that would be a waste to abandon.”

“Wait, so despite being such a delusional narcissist, she’s actually someone extraordinary?”

“Don’t ask me. Please don’t press me about her.”

“…Right, let’s move on to the next person, then. The next girl is…—Lecty. Lecty Eisenach-chan, right? Hmm, there aren’t many documents on file for her… Oh, but it looks like her admission statement of purpose is here.”

I-I… I have a d-dream!

It is to soar freely across the vast sky and fight the Armored Insects as a Sky Wizard to protect the people of the Floating City.

Fighting Armored Insects is terrifying, and just thinking about it makes me tremble. B-But! Being able to fight in order to protect someone is a wonderful blessing, I-I think!

Because Naturals, who are born without Magic Power, cannot step forward to fight and protect the people precious to them… And when someone is killed by the Armored Insects, their very existence is erased from the memories of Naturals—yet Wizards remember them. Those are painful memories. Even so, I am glad that I am able to remember. Because I know so many Naturals who suffer in sorrow, unable to recall the people who mattered most to them.

In order to put my Magic Dual-Swordsmanship to use protecting precious lives, I want to become a Sky Wizard no matter what!

I-I-I-I came here to protect the peace of this city!

Exile Calendar Year 439, March 8

Excerpt from Lecty Eisenach’s Admission Interview Statement of Purpose

 Interviewer’s Comment: She was timid, restless, and looked desperate just trying to get her words out. Her entrance exam scores were rather poor as well, so I initially intended to fail her; however, I was deeply moved by her lineage from a prestigious school of Magic Dual-Swordsmanship and her earnest sincerity.

I look forward to her future growth and accomplishments as a Sky Wizard Trainee.

“She seems like a remarkably earnest girl.”

“Even so, in our department, the good-hearted ones are always the first to die young.”

“Does she have some sort of issue as well?”

“Yes. Her motivation and pedigree are both admirable, but so far her actual results haven’t matched up. Take a look through this practical exam grade report.”

“…Just when you think she’s beaten a strong opponent, she turns around and loses to a weak one. She’s quite inconsistent, isn’t she?”

“Precisely. Though there’s no doubt that she’s diligent.”

“Hmm, even so, I think this girl will probably be fine. Knowing how important it is to protect someone makes a person strong.”

“Hearing that from Chloe, Nirvana, the Princess of Annihilation, almost makes me want to believe it.”

“Ahaha, please stop teasing me. It’s nothing as grand as you make it sound, Guardian Leader.”

“Still, your unit has produced plenty of outstanding talent. You took first place among all A-Rank platoons in last year’s intra-academy ranking matches, and now, as our S-Rank Royal Guard—the Special Fireteam—you’re so far ahead that you aren’t even allowed to enter this year’s tournament… Well, with the exception of that one person.”

“Could you be talking about… Kanata?”

“Yes. That traitor, Kanata Age.”

“……”

“Back when he was still serving as the ace of your platoon—Fireteam S128—things were fine. His flashy solo plays stood out and made him look like he lacked teamwork, yet he was still immensely popular with the citizens… However, after skipping out without permission on the crucial match that decided your promotion to S-Rank, Kanata Age hasn’t participated in a single special mission since. Now I hear he’s spending his time helping out the Logistics Department. Even his own comrades treat him like a traitor, don’t they?”

“…There’s no problem at all. In the end, our platoon still managed to become the Royal Guard, and besides, I have complete faith in Kanata.”

“…Well, whatever. Moving on, this last girl is the final member I want to entrust to the instructor chosen from your unit.”

Name: Misora Whitale

 Exam Details: Prep Course 1st-Year First Semester Practical Exam (Vanguard Individual Test)

Mock Combat against Guardian Department Peers

Record: 0 Wins, 57 Losses

General Evaluation: With continued effort, she will surely be able to achieve victory.

 Exam Details: Prep Course 1st-Year First Semester Make-Up Exam (Vanguard Individual Test)

Mock Combat against Guardian Department Peers

Record: 0 Wins, 10 Losses (Currently on a 67-match losing streak)

General Evaluation: So long as she keeps putting in the effort, I believe she should eventually be able to win.

 Exam Details: Prep Course 1st-Year Second Semester Practical Exam (Vanguard Individual Test)

Mock Combat against Guardian Department Peers

Record: 0 Wins, 57 Losses (Currently on a 124-match losing streak)

General Evaluation: There may be walls in this world that cannot be overcome through effort alone.

 Exam Details: Prep Course 1st-Year Second Semester Make-Up Exam (Vanguard Individual Test)

Mock Combat against Guardian Department Peers

Record: 0 Wins, 10 Losses (Currently on a 134-match losing streak)

General Evaluation:  …Voluntary withdrawal is recommended.

“Hmm… Th-This girl’s future looks awfully precarious!”

“That’s the long and short of it. She apparently aspires to be a Magic Cannon Swordsman, but her movements are sluggish. If she crosses blades with Armored Insects on the front lines, she’ll be the very first to get shot down.”

“…A Magic Cannon Sword, huh? That’s quite an anachronistic weapon she’s chosen to wield.”

“Indeed. That weapon reminds me of that traitor Kanata, so I’m not particularly fond of it myself… Ah, I’ve digressed. Getting back on track, the platoon formed by these three girls—Fireteam E601—is extraordinarily weak even among the E-Rank squads… A full month has passed since the intra-academy ranking matches began, and they’re currently sitting on ten consecutive losses. Because they’re a hopeless bunch running away with dead last, everyone mocks them as an ‘F-Rank Platoon.’ In order to turn them around somehow, I wanted to borrow the strength of your Royal Guard.”

“…It does look like an ordinary instructor would have a hard time guiding them. Hmm, but as for someone from my unit whom I could confidently recommend as their instructor…”

“Let me be clear: I am making this request to you, Chloe Sevegny, in my capacity as the Guardian Leader. You do not have the right to refuse.”

“Even so… Ah! —No, pardon me. Um, there is one thing I would like to confirm first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Whichever squad member I recommend will be officially appointed as an instructor of the Guardian Department, correct?”

“If it’s someone seconded from the Royal Guard led by Nirvana, the Princess of Annihilation, I swear on my pride that I will appoint them without fail. So, who on earth are you going to pick? Personally, I’m hoping for either you or your vice-captain, Yuri Flostre. As things stand, if those girls ever sortie into live combat in the future, there’s a very high chance they won’t come back alive.”

“Regarding that—I choose Kanata.”

“…Er, could you repeat that one more time?”

“Kanata Age.”

“—I refuse!”

“I won’t budge on this, though.”

“Why?! Why that traitor Kanata Age?! You’re one of the people he betrayed, aren’t you?!”

“Even so, you just promised that as the Guardian Leader, you would appoint the person I recommended, didn’t you?”

“…Let me hear your reason.”

“Well, the reason is—…”