episode_0019

『The scenario is in progress. [Main Story Chapter 1: Academy Entrance]』

『[Condition: Recruit Eve Istar as an ally] has not been met.』

Something that remains a question mark.

‘Exactly what is the connection between academy entrance and Eve Istar?’

Akasto’s [Main Story] is usually cleared by sequentially fulfilling three conditions.

The conditions are usually related to the story’s title.

In the prologue, my extraordinary nature was the main focus, the main condition being to shed the fate of a princess and forge a new path, and to gain recognition for doing so.

But, exactly how significant is Eve Istar in this ‘Academy Entrance’ story?

Why is recruiting her one of the conditions?

And, one more thing.

I pulled the reward item I got from clearing the prologue out of my pocket.

[Ancient Relic Basement Key] – Rank: Rare – A key that can open the locked door to the lowest level, the secret basement, of a certain ancient relic. – This item is single-use. It disappears after use.

A rusty brass key.

Even a light touch would cause rust to stain my hands; it was so rusty it seemed to crumble at the slightest touch, so I kept it wrapped in a thin mana membrane.

Thinking back to the [Rental Voucher] I received as a reward for the prologue’s preceding quest…

These reward items usually seem to be important keys to clearing the next story.

Yes, it was definitely intuitive up to that point…

Whiff, whiff-

I swung the key at the status window floating before my eyes.

‘What is the relationship between [Academy Entrance], [Eve Istar], and this [Key]?’.

Three things I can’t connect.

No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t figure it out.

Creak-

The terrace door opened, and Yuri peeked out.

“Are you finished eating?” “No. I have something to think about.”

She went back inside and returned with meat skewers in both hands.

“These are really delicious.” “Thanks.”

I took the skewers and leaned against the railing with Yuri, taking a bite of the meat.

Munch munch. Yeah, it’s delicious…

“But I like what Yuri made better.” “I need a break too…Please buy some sometimes.” “Is making food tiring?” “It’s not tiring if my sister eats it deliciously.”

Grin. Yuri is the best…

The pedestrians, horses and carriages, and porters filling the streets in front of the academy…

In the bustling world, the rich, juicy flavor of the meat spreads quietly in my mouth.

The time-separated space comforted me.

After getting some fresh air and healing with Yuri, my throbbing head felt much better.

Right, it’ll work out somehow.

First, I’ll gather information and watch for opportunities.

“Shall we go back?” “Yes. I’ll get some drinks.”

When we returned to our seats, the cadets were happily munching on their meat.

“Hey, you’re back?” “What, where did the protagonist run off to?”

I had unknowingly become the center of the group.

Everyone’s bodies were turned toward the table, but their heads were turned towards me.

“Sorry, sorry. Eat comfortably.” “It’s not like you’re paying.” “Aren’t you eating thanks to me? Are you going home without finishing your meat?” “Yes, sir! I’ll just shut up and eat!”

Hahaha.

Everyone’s laughter was nonstop.

Honestly, this bright and boisterous atmosphere wasn’t something I was used to.

Formal meals in the royal palace were always calm and quiet.

When I ate with Yuri alone, it was bright, but not boisterous.

Even recently, I’d only experienced family-like life at the Baron’s estate.

“Hey, try this chicken leg. It’s amazing.” “Krrrr… I highly praise you who know the true taste of chicken—” “Don’t bullshit me. You still say that after eating this roasted pig?” “Ah, the trend is ‘lamb’…” “Mom, I want to be a plate in this restaurant when I grow up…”

Dozens of people were making a fuss over just the food.

We’ll go through so many things in the future, and we have become so united already.

Everyone even has a good image of me.

Anticipation overflowed from my chest.

I was about to join Yuri, who’d brought the beer, in the middle of the group.

But.

“Where’s Istar?” “Ah, her? She scribbled something, then paid and left.” “What?”

Damn it.

It was obvious that she, who seemed unfamiliar with interacting with people, wouldn’t be able to blend into this atmosphere.

Looking around again, there were several empty seats.

As expected, getting along with everyone is quite difficult.

‘The future’s going to be tough…’

I’m not exactly confident in moving people’s hearts either.

Some people are quiet but still come to these gatherings.

Others give up before they even start.

How do I seduce Eve Istar, who falls into the latter category?

[Condition: Recruit Eve Istar as an ally]

Every time I saw the status window, my temples throbbed.

I don’t care.

I can’t give up before I even start.

Let’s try something.

. . .

The next morning.

Yuri and I went to school earlier than the class time.

Was there any meaning to running here before dawn, eating bread when there weren’t any cadets on the street yet?

Only Eve was sitting in the classroom.

“Hi~ Good morning.” “…”

Silent.

She didn’t budge, her chin resting as she gazed out the window.

The sunlight started pouring over the mountains, piercing the windows.

Eve’s sky-blue hair, which absorbed the morning light, shone translucently like a silk curtain.

‘…She’s a painting.’

She looked like a noblewoman from a high-ranking family, like myself, and she displayed a graceful posture.

Except for the frowned face.

I pulled out a chair and sat next to her.

Creak-

“Why are you here so early?” “…” “If you’re from another country, where are you from? Where do you live now?” “…”

A battle of sword and shield.

The one who asks and the one who absolutely doesn’t answer.

My patience was wearing thin.

“Are you listening?” “…” “When someone speaks—”

Hesitation.

As I reached out my hand toward Eve’s shoulder, I was stopped by a thin layer of mana.

‘This is… a soundproofing barrier?’

Similar to what I used before.

Creating a thin double layer using mana of wind, and making the space between them a vacuum. This is how you block sound.

‘But why a soundproofing barrier—’

Looking at Eve again, something seemed strange.

Even if she wanted to ignore me, could she really not move at all?

I cautiously glanced sideways to check her face.

Sure enough, her eyes were closed.

I placed my hand on the sound barrier and pressed slightly inward, and I heard light snoring.

“Sss… Hhh…”

She’s sleeping soundly…

I decided to protect her until class started.

Creak, bang!

The classroom door opened with a loud sound.

“Good morning!” “Welcome, everyone~” “Ooh, the Philbrogue sisters! You’re diligent from the morning!”

It was almost time for class, and the cadets started pouring into the classroom.

I had to greet everyone and warn them about the person next to me.

“What’s wrong with Istar?” “She must be sleepy. It’s okay to make noise, but it’s best not to touch her.” “Ah, okay!”

The boys watching kept chattering.

“Wow, genius… Wow, top student! Does she use soundproofing magic as if it’s a part of her body.” “Woah, amazing (laughs)?”

The fuss.

They were all nobles, but even though their speech was a bit impulsive and noisy, their words were imbued with respect for the other person.

Since childhood, we’ve learned this way of communication through experience.

And it wasn’t just words.

Despite the sound barrier, they didn’t speak loudly or walk heavily.

For a single cadet in the same classroom.

‘The atmosphere is great.’

If the teacher was a decent person, our future life would be problem-free.

It was soon time for class.

Someone entered through the front door of the classroom.

I quickly looked at Eve.

“Hey, sis…” “Oh, I know. I should wake her up.” “No, it’s not that…”

Yuri poked my arm, but I’ll wake this girl up first.

I placed my hand on the barrier and focused.

[Mana Manipulation].

Stimulating the solidified flow of mana to disperse it as a normal wind.

Whoosh…

Soon, a greenish light shimmered across the transparent barrier and scattered into the classroom.

I gently tapped Eve’s shoulder.

“Eve, Eve…!” “Mm… Yeah, huh?” “Class has started. Wake up now.”

It felt like waking a sentry.

She was also tense, so she woke up quickly.

“Did you sleep well?” “…Don’t act like you know. That, that…” “Yeah?”

Eve wiped her slightly drooling mouth and quickly turned her head.

“…Thank you.” “It’s nothing between friends.”

She quickly hid her unguarded appearance by wiping her eyes and mouth against the wall, and I was secretly pleased to have found this unexpected side of the blunt, cold woman.

“Everyone, please pay attention.” “Yes, sir.”

I turned my body toward the front, following the teacher’s voice.

But the voice sounded familiar—

?

“Hello. I’m the new magic professor who will be teaching in this classroom for the next two years—”

Why is she here?

“My name is Lulu Valentine.”

A white robe of an academy instructor, different from what she always wore.

A wooden staff much taller than she was.

A small body and face.

The podium was much lower than my seat, so Lulu should have been looking up at me.

I felt she was looking down at me for some reason.

“Nice to meet you…♡”

Lulu smiled slyly, openly staring at me.

How did you get here, you damned bitch…