An outcast dropout, surviving on the frontier and rising to become an S-ranked counter-magician.

A year had passed again since they left the ogre village. When we left the Warding City, it took us a year to get to the ogre's village. But I had a map and compass to get back, and I thought it would be faster considering my current abilities. But apparently, this map is a little out of sync with the world we live in now. I was a little worried about the old one, but my hunch was correct.

Still, it was better than nothing. More than anything else, it's a clear guide. Less fear of wandering somewhere like the first year. I was still going on in fear of death, but my steps were still not heavy.

And as I was trudging along, a little tired, I saw what looked like a large building or a huge wall.

'No way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no way?　That's ... the Citadel.

A vague view that slightly enters my vision. But there's no way to mistake it........that's a warded city!　I'm... I'm back!

'Ugh, oooohhhh! Yaaaahhhhhh!　Whoa!　Whoa!　Ugh, I'm miffed...

I cringe at the sheer joy of it. But it's right in front of me. I've spent two years in the twilight. And now I've come back.

Abandoned by Dan and his friends, the wards that prevented me from coming back, the injustice that was done to me I was lost in the world of dusk. I've been living with fear for a long time. I may have gotten stronger. But the stronger I became, the more I realized the uniqueness of the twilight world. The existence, the demons, the demons, the demons were tremendously strong. There were times when I fought them, but there were also times when I had to flee for my life. They say that running away is winning, and that's the truth. And after two years of repeating those days, I crossed the continent for the second time... and came back.

''Wow........it's a warded city.......ugh, I feel like crying.''

So I said to myself, and as I was looking up at the big city, the guards outside approached me.

'Hey. I don't think anyone should be out there at this time. Who are you?

There's a human ... a human!

What?

"Oops, excuse me...

It's been two years since I've seen someone. I couldn't help but feel like a goblin at the time. That's right. Let's talk about it calmly.

''I've been wandering around the ... twilight for two years and I'm back now.

Huh?

Oh, really?　And I was originally a member of the Academy. If you could confirm that.....

What's your name?

My name is Julia Curtis.

I'll just wait...

Then the guard steps back.

Hmm.

''It's Julia Curtis of the Third Warding City, isn't it? However, this is the 7th Boundary City. It took me a bit of time to check.''

'What?　Seventh?

Yes.

Seriously....

I looked at the map and thought I was aiming for the third ward city. But it seems I've arrived at the seventh ward city. Hmm. I don't want to turn back here.......and there's no reason for me to go back right away. We'll take care of you here.

"I looked at your mug shot and it looks like your hair color and length have changed. What's the color, aside from the length?　Did you dye your hair?

This is a bit stressful...

Yes, now I had changed from my original brown hair to pure white. I figured it was temporary, but looking at the roots didn't change its whiteness. Perhaps it was stress. In that harsh world I was constantly aware of death. I think that's why..... Besides, my hair was already growing below my chest after two years. Only the bangs were in the way, so I had to shave them off with a knife, but the rest was still there. But I didn't think it was a good idea now. Because this is also proof that I'm alive.

'Huh ... well, that's okay. Now, you'll have to answer your birthday, your parents' names, your grades at the academy, and other private matters.

I understand.

I thought I was being thorough, but I thought it was inevitable since I was certainly still a suspicious person, so I decided to answer.

Then you can come in. First of all, you will have a talk with the headmaster at the institute. You are going to return to school, right?

Yes!

At last, I returned to the Citadel.

◇

My impression of the Seventh Boundary City wasn't that different........ Well, that's probably true, I thought, as I gazed at the people around me.

Ah........relief that I'm back fills my chest.

'Then please take a shower here. Your clothes and belongings will be inspected here. And.........I'll wash your clothes here.......

Thank you.

I came to the academy. The third ward city is the same, but it's still big. And I'm the teacher here - I think it's Dr. Delia, right?

The guy told me I smelled and led me to the shower. And although it's called a luggage inspection, it's actually over at the checkpoint. Perhaps they want to wash their clothes.

''It's refreshed, isn't it? This is clothing. Please keep it on.

When I finished my shower, my clothes were already packed up. Perhaps he had used some magic.

'Thank you.'

With that, I got dressed, reassembled my bags and was led to the dean's office.

''Then I'll be right here,''

Delia-sensei said that matter-of-factly and left. He was kind of cool....and now that's not the point. I have to go inside. When I knocked on the door with a knock, a voice came from inside.

'You may come in.'

Excuse me.

I opened the door with a clatter and walked in, and there were two blonde women there. One is at the desk and the other is standing in front of the desk. Probably the one in the back is the headmaster and the one in the front is wearing a uniform and is a student... or so I thought.

'Elsa Amis. That's my name. Nice to meet you.

It's nice to meet you my name is Julia Curtis.

I walked in and immediately said hello. But for what it's worth, I feel like the female student is staring at me... no, she's definitely staring at me.

''Mother, is this the person who survived two years in the twilight?''

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I know this is highly classified, but my daughter asked me about it. By the way, the name is....

Sherry. Sherry Amis. But did you really live for two years?　In the twilight. Isn't he lying?　You look kind of thin and weak. And you look kind of like a girl.

'Hahaha that's harsh...'

Sherry Amis. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and is a little shorter than I am. I guess she's on the tall side for a woman. And most importantly, she's beautiful. But this is a bit of a harsh beauty, or perhaps it's just the eyes that are staring at me that give me an unpleasant impression.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm going to have to ask you to transfer in, but do you mind?　If you can get back to the Third Warded City, I don't mind.

No, I'm transferring in.

There's nothing in particular left behind. You can go to this place to be a counter-magician.

So, boy do you have any money?

"Well, uh...

There is none. There is not a penny of such a thing. I used to have to scrape together all sorts of money to pay the entrance fee and tuition fees to the academy, but now I have nothing.

Huh?　Could this be a bad idea?

So there's a good story there. If you are accepted as a special student, you can pay the transfer fee, tuition and even live in the dormitory for free.

Oh, really?

'But on one condition. I'd like you to have a mock fight with my daughter there.

...for what reason?

For one reason. Because I'm suspicious of you. It's unheard of for anyone to have lived for two years in the twilight. Besides, you've lived in that harsh world for two years, haven't you?　It's not like you aren't strong. Besides, on our side, we want to know what you're capable of.

Yeah?

What's wrong with your face?

I'm a little baffled by Shelly's sudden words.

''Haha........Shelly-san, you are so harsh.......''

Hmm. You can't let this pugnacious man beat you at your own game.

Actually, my daughter is a first-class demonologist. What do you think, there's no shortage of opponents?

'A first class counter-magician!　How old are you now?

I just turned four years old this year.

''Fourth year, first class counter-magician. That's amazing....

I checked at the checkpoint, but it's May, when the new school year has just started. And being a fourth year student, you're the same age as me. When you think about it, it's easy to see that being a first class counter-magician is an anomaly.

There are ranks for an antimagician, 5th grade, 4th grade, 3rd grade, 2nd grade, 1st grade, and then special grade antimagician. Normally, at the graduation stage, a good place to be is a third-grade counterpart to a mage. It is said that the best people become 2nd level opponents at the graduation stage, but to become a 1st level opponents at the 4th year stage... I understand that Shelly is really strong. By the way, this rank is a guideline for graduating from the academy and becoming a military officer, although the special class anti-magician is kind of special. The higher the rank, the more one can advance their military career from the higher ranks.

At the same time, I thought. How strong am I now as an anti-magician?　I haven't done anything like that against Mr. Edgar since I fought him.

So I was curious. I wondered if I could be........a fine, fatherly antagonist.

'....Did you get scared?

No, I'll do it. I'll do it.

And I'm going to fight Mr. Shelley.

But if I lose........what will I do with the money....