Chapter Text
Fate.
In the modern world, where science and capitalism runs the foundations of modern civilization, people still cling to the concept of “fate” as if it was not a complete contradiction of today’s advances and discoveries made by the greatest of minds through history. Society has faith so thoroughly ingrained, that modern countries like Japan still cling to its traditions and folklore with determined diligence. And while it is true that the preservation of customs and tradition as part of the legacy left through time by the ever-shifting societies, the truth is that these customs and tradition are ultimately just that: The echo of a former civilization persisting in time.
In other words, esoteric concepts like destiny, luck and karma are but lies that society has yet to get rid of. To think that otherworldly forces would decide the tides and outcomes of our lives is like saying magic is real: A complete, and utter case of nonsense. People, by definition, are flawed. But it still baffled one Yukinoshita Yukino that people could scoff at magic like thinking individuals, only to bend down at the sight of mundane trinkets boosting their so called luck or to the influence the planets far away in the galaxy supposedly have on their chances of finding their soulmate that particular day.
They were, without doubt, just a bunch of buffoons that know no shame at all.
Or so she would like to believe.
“My lady.” A young woman in a full maid suit bowed her head in a respectful greeting. She was almost done adapting to the secondary aspects of maturation yet her frame was already flawless. Obviously, because of the rigorous training the servants of the manor have to undergo every day “Your carriage is ready for your departure. We are all praying for your success.”
Yukino sighed. She didn’t believe in what she couldn’t corroborate. To do so, would be the height of foolishness. But it is also true that one cannot keep denying reality when it unfolds right on their nose without being as much of a fool.
After all, if it meows, is cute and fluffy, it’s rather obvious that you’re in front of a cat. If she insisted she was seeing a dog, not only would she look like a fool, but like a lunatic even.
“Thank you. I will be down shortly.”
“Please, take your time.”
So she would have to rethink her belief about the unlikely. For as she fixed the folds of her long dress, she was reflected in a massive mirror of golden frame situated in a room that could have been ripped off of a book about the Renaissance.
She didn’t know how she got there… No, that was a lie. She knew why she was in that room, her room. She had fallen asleep like any other day, and woke up like any other day to fulfill her duties as heir of the house. What she didn’t get is how on earth she went from being one (1) Yukinoshita Yukino to the heir of a noble household in a world of swords and magic or, and she’d have to take a page in Hikigaya-kun’s taste for literature here, why was she in a bloody “isekai”?!
“Relax.” It makes no sense! According to Hikigaya-kun, the common trope in such a low-rate excuse of literature is for the lead to be reincarnated into another world after dying! And it’s always a male to boot! She’s not a male! Nor did she die, for that matter. Yukino remembers as clearly as if it was yesterday, that she went to her apartment at her designated time after doing homework and studying and went to bed. There was no reason, at all, for her to wake up the next day in a strange land that made little effort to make any resemblance of sense! “Relax…”
No good. Her thoughts sounded like those of a madman even to herself. She knew she had to make peace with her predicament. That, as far as she knew, there was no way of coming back. That everything she had gained, everyone she had met, was lost forever without any way of getting it back. It pained her heart, had been the cause of several nights of unrest and days spent in despair as she slowly pulled herself together. No matter her opinion, the truth is the truth and it is unwise to rear one’s head just because it’s unpleasant. In this world, her family has power and a firm duty towards their kingdom. And, in an ironic turn of events, it was that same duty the thing that helped pull herself together to move forward.
She has a duty to fulfill and expectations to uphold. It was familiar enough that it had kept her going until today, the day she leaves the mansion to go to the Academy to better hone her abilities as a mage and learn everything she needs to for when her time to take care of her family’s duties come.
She was a noble, at least on paper. Because a barony was more of an ornamental title than an actual one. Meaning that, in the end, she was as much of an asset as the unpowered commoners. It was relieving, in a way. It meant a lot to her, that this life was at least somewhat different from her original one. That in the end, her responsibilities were similar only to those of lesser stations.
Well. Her morning panic attack receding, Yukino proceeded to finish the tidbits of her dress before departing from the room and into the entrance hall. It was well-known she had little control of her magic, so the servants would not ask question when they had to clean the thrashed room she left behind. If anything, they’d feel relieved their last clean-up was due.
“Maria, darling. Look at you. All grown up into a proper lady already.” Her mother greeted her, amidst the rows of servants standing in two rows, one to either side of the gate doors to the outside of the mansion. She wasn’t that young a woman, but her refinement was as sharp as ever. The expression lines that did begin showing themselves giving off an aura of growing wisdom instead of senility “I reckon it’s a difficult day today?”
Maria. Right. In this world Yukino’s name is Maria Theodore. The adopted child of the Theodore barony and child of Michael Theodore and Margaret Theodore.
Margaret, her mother, was a kind woman. Yet sometimes she made these kind of comments that made Yukino feel a bit… Uncomfortable.
“That is not the case, mother.” Yukino answered once she came down the stairs and had a close up sight of the noble woman. Straining her voice a tad in an attempt to keep it level.
“Is that so? Oh, dear. Just imagine the mess…” Yukino knew she didn’t mean to offend her, yet the woman constantly put her foot in her mouth like that. Margaret would only do this with her daughter, though. Whether that was a good or bad sign of their relationship, Yukino couldn’t tell “Don’t worry, we will send a letter for the academy to let you bring more servants along.”
Those were bold words for someone who had walked the fine line between being in disgrace and keeping her status. Yukino didn’t raise the subject.
“That won’t be necessary, mother.” The girl shook her head before eyeing the servants seeing the nobles interact “It is the purpose of going to the Academy that I master this power of mine. I shall not fail in this endeavor.”
Her mother smiled “Of course, my dear. I wouldn’t suggest otherwise.” The woman got closer, placing her hand on Yukino’s cheek with warm care “If only your brother was here to see you… I pray for your success, though I reckon you will not find yourself in need of them.”
The woman stepped away, the servants bowing in unison as Yukino walked out of the house. Leaving behind memories muddled with those of her previous life, and a cozy family she should have been able to call her own.
Her father was waiting for her in front of the carriage.
“Father.” Yukino acknowledged him, allowing him to kiss the back of her hand with his mustache and beard making it somewhat itchy.
“Though you’re a grown lady already, never forget this is your home.” The man whispered, his face cradling her arm “You’ve been a blessing to this house ever since we took you in. May the Elements guide you in the path you take.”
“May the Elements guard this household in my absence.” Yukino parroted without thinking too deeply about the words. She wanted to say something else, to be moved by this display of deep emotional attachment her parents showed in spite of being people of status and code. She could only bitterly compare them to her actual… No, to her original family. Back in Japan. It tainted her voice with feelings, but not those this situation merited.
In the end, this life was not too dissimilar from his time as Yukinoshita Yukino.
“May them.” The man agreed with a chuckle “They knows we’d have fallen to ruin without you, years ago.”
“Your words fill me with pride.” Yukino bowed before Michael stepped out of her way.
“And you fill me with it.” He gave her a couple pats on her lower back, sending electrical pain through her nerves as she broke her composed position with a groan. He chuckled again, a harmless prank meant to dissipate the tension “Go. The scholars are waiting.” Michael leaned forward in a conspirator way. His grin was akin to that of a malicious kid when he whispered so the servants wouldn’t hear “Give them hell.”
“I’ll be on my way, then.” She glared without ill intentions behind the action. Her father saw her off as the ride left the manor behind, along the worst of her days in this world.
Perhaps she should have said something in the end. But what? Could she have lied about their bond and how adversity brought them together as a family? That their parenting was the reason she could do what she does? Now Yukino felt bad for them. They didn’t ask for a daughter carrying the memories of her previous life… Probably. And they wouldn’t want their role as parents be taken away by people that doesn’t even exist in this world either.
They just got a hand that they couldn’t play themselves. But Yukino could and did; and she made their life so much better in exchange of never being quite the parents that she needed or wanted. They thought her prodigious, and allowed her to do as she pleased so maybe it’s not that big of a secret that she raised herself but…
Well, at least she didn’t have to pretend their presence was meaningful anymore.
Arcadia Academy*. Otherwise simply known as “The Academy” is an institute situated in the capital of the Gram Flame Empire. It was impressive on an intellectual level. Yukino was sure many historians would give anything to see the rich architecture of the time and the people just going about their day to keep the markets and plazas alive until the sun descends on the vast ocean and gives way to a night sky full of constellations that Yukino can’t identify nor remember the names of.
The academy proper was a marvel of architecture by itself. Built to house the young heirs of the Empire’s nobles, and the promising minds of the commoners that were capable of fighting the system to pass the exam and enroll to get a better position; it obviously was a rather thick-built fortress of proportions rivaled only by the King’s castle itself. The Theodore mansion was more akin to a hotel in comparison, and the thickly secured buildings with mage towers in the perimeters gave it a vibe of a prison, if it wasn’t because it was walled off only on the lower levels of the elevated terrain it was built on.
On another time, it had served to protect the people when war was waged right in the capital’s doorsteps. Because, of course. Given how her world’s history unfolded with just mankind’s wits and fascination of screwing up everything nice they come up with, it wasn’t a surprise with magic in the equation these people had been stuck in a conflict spanning several generations and kingdoms until they realized, a bit too late, that waging war for so long would sink their lands into oblivion before they reached victory.
Who knew?
And, because she was reborn into the Empire the risk of such a war spanning several kingdoms was always a concern. If a lesser one. But again, the Theodore were given their title because of achievements of war. War, that had to be fought not too far in the past since the title couldn’t be inherited.
Oh, how she missed the time her biggest problem was mother being passive-aggressive about her decision to move into an apartment by herself. Hindsight, she decided, is a massive ablïtoran.
“Relax.” Well, thinking like that leads nowhere. She knows, she knew, she would know. So she backtracked and tried taking her thoughts into a different path. Like the Academy. Right, what’s so special about it?
Well-.
“Milady. We’ve arrived.” Joseph informed her as the door of the carriage was opened, leaving Yukino without enough time to compose her thoughts.
“Ah, thank you.” Yukino said as she took the man’s hand to help herself down the steps of the transport that while not old, it was far outclassed by the cars she used in her previous life. It wasn’t uncomfortable just like she didn’t need Joseph’s help to get off of it. But something about big, flashy dresses made the help very appreciated just like the heat wood (however precious and refined) trapped within the big fancy cage made air conditioning feel very valuable.
Ah, hindsight! Can’t you give this poor reincarnated maiden, like, five minutes of rest?! Must you be this much of a bitch all the time? Maybe Hikigaya-kun would say something like that. If he was here instead of her, that is. Or maybe he’d have gotten himself in some noble’s bad graces and died before he could even come of age. Who knows? If anything, it was probably for the best it was Yukino who was sent into this world on grounds of everyone else being ill suited to even begin working in the predicament.
“You endured quite well, young lady. From here onwards, the stage is yours to play as you see fit.” Yukino was not sure if the man was referring to the ride or her situation in the manor, and at that point she wasn’t going to ask “May the Elements guide your steps.”
“Thank you, Joseph. I wish I could take you with me, but that’s not the case.” That was the truth too. The man was capable, something Yukino found a lot of people lacked as qualities goes. And really appreciated his insight and dedication to the multiple duties he fulfills for the Theodore household. Alas, taking away such a capable man would be disastrous with her away as well. She wouldn’t take him along on good conscience even if the Academy allowed it.
“Your words are too kind.” He bowed with a hand to his heart. She wasn’t exaggerating, though. Customs could be useful like this when talking to outstanding individuals.
“They are but the truth.” He didn’t need to treat her like a noble. None of the servants did. They were more akin to employees. After all, Yukino was a commoner in everything but name. They still did their best in spoiling her rotten and to fulfill their jobs to the best of their capabilities. Yukino hated crowds, people in general when there were so many buffoons both in this and the real world. But these people? They won Yukino’s respect many times over already.
Had she not gotten her memories back, she’d even consider them family. Alas, the very thing that allowed her to carry her whole household back into its former glory was the thing that made her keep them at arms’ length.
But that was fine. These servants, employees, were irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. After all, Yukino hadn’t just reincarnated into a medieval world with swords and magic. But into one of those worlds with swords and magic. One that was more similar to the settings Hikigaya-kun was used than to those Yukino herself was.
She was, after all, reincarnated into the world of an Otome Game. And just like in the game, the world couldn’t help but revolve around its main character: Yukino herself. Everything else? Irrelevant. So much the world would bend backwards just to follow the script it has planned for her playthrough.
Not like Yukino has any way of knowing, unknowledgeable about videogames in general as she is. Let alone otome games of all things.
But with her knowledge or not. With or without her consent. The game would progress.
So, of course. When her luggage was placed out of the carriage, waiting for servants to come and help her pick the things out, a handsome young man peeked out of his own carriage carrying such a fresh smile he’d make mints jealous.
“Greetings… Milord.” Yukino bowed when she recognized the crest the carriage was carrying. The coat of arms of the Windhill household. One of the three pillar noble houses that support this kingdom and host of the direct aides of the king himself.
“Indeed.” The young man nodded in a faux bow, unfitting of his station taking in account Yukino’s commoner status “Me and mine are meaning to go through this gate. Could you please move your luggage aside?” The young noble reminded her of her previous world’s Hayama Hayato, but not completely. Natural blond hair and unnaturally green eyes, proof of the wind element he carries, staring at her with a mask of approachable amicability. He didn’t look quite like Hayama did, his fellow Sobu student had a slimer, more stylish complexion, and the hair color and style were wrong. But the resemblance was uncanny enough Yukino lost her composure for a moment.
“Umm… Miss?” The boy’s expression changed to one of concern. He looked troubled, not knowing if he should try again or give her a moment. Or at least, that was Yukino’s impression “…Is everything alright?”
“Quite. My lord.” Yukino gritted her teeth as to avoid sarcasm from seeping through her words. She didn’t resent Hayama any longer. To do so, would have been the height of childishness. She was already a young lady in this life, to harbor ill will against someone that was not only no longer here, but also many years into her past would be too self-centered even for Yukino. Still, seeing the young man stirred a dark feeling in her stomach.
Yet, how many times had she dreamed of meeting someone, anyone, from her real world? How many times had she wished to find Yuigahama find her in her bed, to cradle and promise everything would be okay? Too many to count. So many it made her dizzy, or perhaps it was the nervous breakdown she was about to have?
“You don’t look too well.” The noble stated. He took off his carriage and decisively grabbed her to make himself his support “Is it perhaps today’s weather? A young lady like yourself shouldn’t be under this sun for so long. What are the Academy’s servant thinking? Shall we fill a complain once you’ve gotten your bearings?”
Yukino moved aside so violently it made the noble flinch. She could almost hear the contempt in his voice. Why wouldn’t he despise her? She was a commoner after all. Or was it just her imagination?
Too much. It was too much for Yukino’s mind.
“I am perfectly alright, milord.” She stated sharply. She did not want to deal with this Hayama-look alike any longer “What was your business again? My luggage? Please forgive me. I’ll take care of it immediately.”
“Ah, no. If you’re feeling unwell…”
“As I said. I’m fine.” Yukino cut in sharply.
Those things were reacting. The creatures that represented the four elements were acting up on her awry emotions. She prevented them from consuming her mana and transforming her surroundings into a wet mess, barely on time. It wasn’t as bad as back home, so Yukino was confident in her capacity of reigning them in.
“I’m afraid I must insist. I-”
“You have no room to do so!” The voice of another boy interrupted the noble, surprising everyone for a moment, Yukino included, until he made himself known. He looked like one of the Kaihin Sougou High representatives from back on her original world when the Service Club…
Ugh…
“Ah, Lancelot…” The original noble looked out of his depth when he saw his fellow lording, stepping back once when he saw the other’s bombastically walking towards them.
“Indeed.” Yukino swallowed. He looked like someone who she had seen a dozen times at most, yet it was hard to look at him directly. He had almost shoulder long hair and was ginger*, with deep blue orbs that glared at the Windhill noble with scorn the likes Yukino hadn’t seen in this world be displayed “What would be the meaning of this? Taking advantage of a lady’s status to order her around? Is the Windhill’s house dignity so lacking you can’t get commoners to obey otherwise?” He also had that self-centered vibe to him. Yukino already disliked him.
“It is certainly not.” The blonde frowned.
“Then behave according to your station and apologize! For this lady and-”
“There’s no need.” Yukino interrupted before he could go on with his nonsense. She was aware he had to be a fellow of the first noble, and going by his eyes he was clearly an Aqusmea. The smallest action could be used to get her executed, but Yukino had enough of his nonsense “We were done before milord interceded. Isn’t that right?”
The blonde looked amused “Of course.” Then, turning to her he bowed a bit lower this time around “It was unbecoming of this one to treat you ungentlemanly when the Academy’s central objective is to have its students live in an ambient of equality.”
“…” Oh? Did this Lancelot not agree to this? Yukino enrolled precisely because she would not have anyone bullying her just because she wasn’t born in a house with more power. If that’s the case, then she can write the noble off from the beginning and save herself some trouble “Just be gone.” The ginger said with less energy than before.
“Certainly.” The boy’s carriage got closer, with the servants having moved Yukino’s things while the nobles argued. The boy hoped in “Allow me to introduce myself-”
“His name is Vincent Woodville.” The blue eyed aristocrat scoffed “Pay him no heed. He’s a complete disgrace to the marques.”
Ah, yes. Yukino already knew who not to approach. Not like the world would have any of that, but still.
“Maria Theodore, milord.” She bowed to the blond “The pleasure is all mine.” The carriage moved, leaving her behind with a problematic character who she couldn’t talk back to.
Joy.
“You waste your kindness with that person.” The blue eyed boy assured her “Unlike this Lancelot Minister, he has nothing to offer to this academy nor to the country.”
So she was right. He’s the one who’ll inherit the title of marques in the Aqusmea household.
If all the nobles are like him, then there’s no doubt why the commoners don’t like them very much in spite of carrying the mystic arts with them.
“Simple decency takes you a long way, milord.” But you wouldn’t know, would you? Yukino had to bite her tongue to avoid disrespecting the child that could order her execution should he feel offended.
“That is indeed correct.” The boy flashed her a charming smile “Speaking of. Where are my manners? The name is Lancelot Minister, heir of house Aqusmea of the great marques house.” Of course, Yukino already knew all this. But she couldn’t voice her thoughts to the young noble “And you might be…?”
“Maria Theodore.” She already presented herself, though. If someone of such a high station as Lancelot couldn’t even grasp this much information, then Yukino couldn’t help to worry for the kingdom’s future. Or at least, that’s what she thought in her heart.
“Maria. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Lancelot spoke like he hadn’t thrown a tantrum at his fellow noble “Normally, our different social standings would make impossible to meet like this, but don’t hesitate to come to me if you ever need anything.”
“I will keep this in mind.” Not like Yukino would ever need anything. She was acclimated already to this world, and had her knowledge of her original one to fall back to if she found herself in a pinch. What could this lording possibly offer?
He began referring to her in a more amicable way as they entered the Academy. He insisted on having his servants carry Yukino’s luggage and since she couldn’t reject him, she had to play along the boy until they finally separated.
That day Yukino took a long bath after a lot of exercise to calm her nerves.
How could people force themselves like that on others? Were the nobles not duty bound to act with dignity and mind themselves as examples of the unparalleled standards of the Gran Flamm Kingdom?
Because Yukino was under not misconception. That person got away with pushing Yukino’s buttons because of his heritage. Had it been back at Sobu High, she would have already blown his ego to bits.
It was unbecoming. Reminded her of the kids that would bully her for being better than them in all accounts. She could do nothing about it and that, in Yukino’s humble opinion, was the worst feeling there is.
Impotency. That horrid word. That thing no one should feel. In the end, her academy days began like this.
“Relax.” She reminded herself not for the last time, before going to sleep. She’d need the strength for the next day. And the day after that.