The Legendary Programming Mage

The day had finally arrived.

Fixing the collar of my Victorian-style military uniform, I adjusted the red rounded collar, straightened my military cap, and tugged on the cap-like blazer over the uniform.

I tied my hair behind my neck, styling the front into a neat sixty-forty part.

"You look good."

My head snapped toward Beatrice, who was sipping tea on my bed.

"Thank you, but what are you doing?"

Beatrice raised a brow. "Drinking."

"I can see that much."

I quickly looked away from her. Seeing her after almost going all the way with her sister was… awkward.

Placing the cup on the chair, she muttered, "Are you ready, Mister Apex?"

I turned to her and shut one eye. "What do you think?"

Her face brightened, even though her expression didn't change.

It was a strange quirk only she could pull off, or maybe it was just me who noticed it.

"Now, let's go, my disciple."

I nodded, then paused. "You're not going to use the front door, right?"

Beatrice moved closer, fixing my rounded collar and tucking in the shirt beneath so it wouldn't come loose.

"Why don't you want everyone to know who your master is?"

"It's not that, just…" I paused, my eyes fixed on Beatrice, who stared at me.

"What?"

She shook her head. "You just smell familiar, like two people I care about at the same time."

I smirked. "So you do care about me?"

She stepped back. "Obviously. You're my cute disciple, my masochistic princess."

Good thing she didn't notice.

No, how did she even pick up Valentina's scent in the first place?

I wanted to sniff my clothes but, remembering how sharp she was, I tossed that thought aside.

Moving behind her as we left the room, I asked, "So what rank am I in your caring list?"

She raised two fingers. "Number two."

Number two in a week, not bad.

Number one was obviously Valentina, which meant that in her world, I ranked only after her sister.

And that sister happened to be indebted to me, and…

I dragged my head out of the gutter as we reached the large lounge.

Different students were dressed in their own uniforms.

The knight school wore white, while we from the mage school wore a blackish-blue, at least I think.

I wasn't the best with colors, but it was probably close enough.

Everyone looked stunning in their uniforms.

That's when I noticed how ridiculously good-looking my classmates were, both boys and girls.

On Earth, they could have all passed as celebrities.

Which also went to show just how pretty I was.

Hahahaha.

A few meters away, Quincy was talking with a group of first-year girls.

Some wore white, others black, but she in particular wore black.

The moment she saw me, she waved with a smile, and all her friends turned and waved too.

I waved back, but when they looked at Beatrice and saw her face, they quickly turned away.

"Why are people so scared of me? I'm a nice person."

"Maybe try showing an expression once in a while."

She turned to me with a furrowed brow, then forced a crooked grin that bared her teeth.

I shut my eyes and raised a hand to place between us. "Please, you could kill someone with that."

She clicked her tongue in irritation.

Her gaze swept the room before landing on another professor chatting with students.

"Okay, see you later, my masochistic princess."

I nodded. 'I've gotten used to being called that.'

"Ahem!"

The sharp sound of a cough rang in my ear, and when I turned, I saw Sylvia, also dressed in black.

"Mmm…" She stared at me intently.

Did she want a compliment?

I studied her outfit.

Unlike the boys, who wore a jacket with matching trousers, the girls wore gowns.

Hers was a bit short.

The belt around her waist made the uniform cling to her figure, and it stopped just above her knee.

She wore long boots like the other girls, with sheer stockings ending some distance below the hem of her uniform.

Her cape-like blazer, with epaulettes on the shoulders, fluttered slightly.

"100/10."

She let out a self-satisfied huff. "Obviously, I already knew that."

Almost immediately, Quincy left her friends and drew closer. "I heard you were rating clothes."

"How did you know?"

She blinked. "My spirits told me."

'She has spirits around me?'

I'd need to be more careful next time I tried something.

"A million out of ten."

She puffed out her chest, while Sylvia gave me a blank look.

"Bastard," Sylvia muttered under her breath.

Clap!

"Okay, you brats," Professor Evelyn, who had been talking with another staff member, clapped loudly.

She paused, then continued. "Now that you're all dressed, it's time for the ceremony."

The door of the building opened automatically, and about five buses came into view.

The professor said no more as we boarded the buses and left the dorm area.

Within ten minutes, we reached the building meant for general gatherings.

It wasn't a skyscraper like the other academy buildings, but more like a medieval banquet hall.

As soon as we arrived, the buses stopped, and the students disembarked.

"Bro!"

Shifting my gaze from the grand building and the red carpet laid out before us, my eyes landed on Edo walking toward me.

"Have you finished with your fiancée?"

He narrowed his eyes. "I never—"

I scoffed. "So you're gay then."

He slung an arm around my shoulder. "Come to think of it, we're not done with our competition."

He smirked. "Let's bet on which of us becomes Apex."

I smirked back.

Look at this guy, does he really think he'll win?

I let out a dark chuckle internally.

I already knew I was destined to be Apex, so why not suck someone dry?

"Yeah, let's make that bet."

Edo's lips curved even higher. "Don't worry, once I win, you'll polish my boots every morning while singing praises about my greatness."

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A/N:

Guys, how do you like the story so far? Is it good, bad, mid, or manageable? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Who are your favorite characters, and who do you find annoying?