Students

“As explained beforehand, today’s meeting will cover the event taking place one week from now.”

The Female Teacher who seemed to be moderating looked at me.

Did she think I might feel out of place since I was a new hire who hadn’t been here long?

I smiled as if telling her not to worry and spoke.

“Don’t worry. I’m well aware it’s an annual event. I’ve read the materials you sent and already grasped all the details.”

“…I see. Good.”

Grasped? I’d practically rehashed it dozens of times over.

There’s probably no one here who knows this event’s contents better than me.

I’d played through it so many times that I’d memorized everything – the venue, students’ positions, weapons they’d use.

If the Prologue was literally for first-time players, this event was Chapter 1.

Its purpose was letting players get accustomed to controlling their chosen Playable Character while showcasing other Playable Characters’ concepts.

That’s why Chapter 1 uniquely features all Playable Characters.

“As stated in the materials, this event’s purpose is measuring students’ combat capabilities.”

“Ugh… that headache-inducing period’s come again…”

“…Are you really the one saying that, Teacher Ian?”

Said by the person who clearly enjoyed it most.

When one attending teacher spoke incredulously, the teacher called Ian burst into laughter.

“Haha! I do enjoy it somewhat! You know what they say – watching weaklings fight is the most entertaining!”

“Sigh…”

“…But it being troublesome is true. Students’ morale plummets every year around this time.”

“…”

“Seeing geniuses praised daily around them get defeated so helplessly… it breaks their spirits. Isn’t that troublesome?”

“That’s…”

Everyone hesitated at Teacher Ian’s bitter words.

Academy lore states these are talented students recognized throughout the Empire.

Even if they’re portrayed as weak extras in-game.

Of course, the real problem is Playable Characters being overpowered – these students are still talented compared to ordinary people…

But logical arguments can’t solve emotional issues.

Being 10th among 300 students still means last place in a class of 10.

Students accustomed to constant victory suffer broken spirits after major failures.

I know this well from relevant NPCs appearing in Sub Stories.

“So Teacher Ophelia, we leave this to you. Expectations are high.”

“U-understood.”

Ugh.

Having someone far stronger and more experienced look at me with sparkling eyes made me nauseous.

Should’ve taken calming herbs beforehand…

***

“…So you ended up dating him?”

“That’s how it went, Your Highness.”

“…”

Stella, Second Princess of the Empire, looked at her friend with disbelief.

She confessed first? Seriously?

Though she’d come after hearing rumors, seeing it firsthand was still unbelievable.

No, this makes no sense.

Charlotte Ober, the prideful young lady of House Ober, confessed first?

The same girl who said confessing to a commoner would hurt her pride and showed no intention to?

…Suddenly?

“W-well, congratulations for now…”

“What do you mean ‘for now’? Don’t tell me you’re also…”

“No, nothing like that.”

Stella wasn’t morally bankrupt enough to steal her friend’s lover.

After listening to endless unwanted relationship advice from this girl, why would she steal her partner?

Besides, he wasn’t her type, and as a commoner, he couldn’t even date royalty like Stella.

Hearing this, Charlotte sighed in relief.

“That’s reassuring, Your Highness.”

“…So? What possessed you to confess first? I know you best – you’re not that type.”

Having seen all sides of her childhood friend, Stella was certain.

The girl before her wasn’t someone who’d confess to someone she loved.

If anything, she’d play hard to get until someone else stole him away.

Yet she suddenly confessed?

…Something’s definitely up.

“The item the counseling teacher gave me helped.”

“…Counseling? Ah, right, there were rumors about that.”

“Yes. I visited skeptically but… it was wonderful.”

Ah, the rumored counseling teacher who even calmed Demon Possessors.

She’d thought it was just someone exceptionally skilled at counseling…

But seeing it firsthand, it went beyond strange to outright bizarre.

A person changing this much after a few sessions?

Does that make sense?

“She enchanted this plushie to give me courage. Thanks to that, I could gather my resolve.”

“…Enchanted?”

Stella hadn’t devoted her life to magic like the Imperial mages.

But as Imperial royalty, she prided herself on considerable skill.

The plushie Charlotte proudly showed had no magical treatment that Stella could detect.

Just an ordinary cute penguin plush.

“…There’s no magical treatment.”

“Huh? …Oh, were you thinking about that, Your Highness? Maybe it was just encouraging words for good luck?”

“…”

No.

Stella was certain.

That painfully shy, absurdly prideful childhood friend confessing over mere encouragement?

Don’t lie to me.

There must be something more.

But with no evidence, Stella forced an awkward smile.

“Right. That must be it.”

“Exactly. I should visit to express gratitude sometime…”

Tuning out Charlotte’s chatter, Stella fell deep into thought.

…What method made this girl confess?

That was Stella’s question.

I’ll have to visit that teacher when I have time.

***

“Is that so. She…”

“Yes, Watcher-nim. Other sisters confirmed it appears true.”

“…”

In a church adorned with beautiful stained glass.

A lovely girl kneeling in prayer at the center smiled faintly.

“I never imagined that delinquent could be reformed this way.”

“Tut-tut.”

“…I’ll be more careful, Watcher-nim.”

“Good. Speaking ill of others isn’t proper.”

The girl called Watcher smiled somewhat playfully.

Despite her mischievous smile, her benevolent aura remained unchanged.

“I always believed. Even possessed by a demon, human goodness always remains.”

“If I may be so bold, I still don’t understand. Why do you believe in him so?”

“…Why do I believe?”

Shadow briefly crossed the girl’s face.

But whether because it vanished instantly or her eyes were covered by white cloth,

The believer conversing with her didn’t notice.

“Because it’s our sacred duty as followers of God’s will. Anyone can become good if they repent past wrongs.”

“Truly the Watcher. I still have much to learn.”

“…”

The girl reflected on her own words.

Yes. If one repents past wrongs, anyone can become good.

They must.

***

“Yaaawn…”

Nice weather.

Using her scabbard as a pillow, Eileen lay on the grassland and yawned hugely.

Why does good weather make me so sleepy?

Nod… nod…

She didn’t resist her heavy eyelids.

Well, knowing why wouldn’t matter anyway.

This leisurely feeling is nice…

“You shouldn’t sleep there.”

“…You again?”

“That’s my line, Miss Eileen. It’s you again…”

What a pain…

That kid who used to chase after some “Demon Possessor” or whatever started following me around.

Probably because they started attending classes regularly now.

Tch. If only that counseling teacher was incompetent.

Uselessly capable… making this kid pay attention to me.

“I attend classes properly, cut me some slack… It’s break time now, right?”

“I wouldn’t comment if you paid attention during class. But you were dozing off then too.”

“…Oh, caught me?”

“Your mental state is highly questionable if you thought you wouldn’t be…”

Ugh, so annoying.

Eileen clicked her tongue and forced her drowsy body up.

“Good decision. From now on, please properly…?!”

“Heh, I don’t need classes to do things right!”

“…Stop right there!”

“Like hell I will!”

Ah, this’ll be troublesome going forward.

Eileen forced a bitter smile as her feet moved swiftly.

How long until that kid gives up on me?

She hoped it wouldn’t take long.