Visitation

One week after hypnotizing the princess, during lunchtime.

As if she’d seen something spine-chilling, Principal Veronica suddenly burst into the counseling room.

“…Hello, Principal-nim. What brings you here so suddenly? I wish you’d at least knocked.”

“That’s not important right now!”

“Huh… It kind of is important?”

What do you mean it’s not important?

Knocking is an extremely important act of basic courtesy.

…I thought she’d caught me gaming.

If not for my childhood experience of secretly playing games behind my mother’s back, I would’ve died on the spot.

Students had recently started knocking properly, so I’d let my guard down – and this happens.

As I tried calming my startled, pounding heart, the principal marched up and grabbed my shoulders.

“What on earth did you do to that kid?”

“Huh? …Who?”

“That arrogant brat! Princess Stella!”

“If you mean Princess Stella-nim, I simply gave her some counseling as you requested.”

What’s she making a fuss about?

I thought I’d made some mistake.

When she rushed in looking so flustered, I got tense thinking something was wrong.

But apparently it was nothing serious.

“What’s with that reaction? As if it’s nothing special.”

“Well, because it isn’t anything special?”

“You call that nothing special?!”

But something felt off.

The principal’s reaction was far more intense than I’d anticipated.

Her expression looked like she’d witnessed something impossible.

As if she couldn’t believe what she’d seen.

“Stella’s recently started… praising people around her.”

“…Really? That’s good to hear.”

Unexpected.

That was just an optional homework assignment, not part of the hypnosis.

I never thought she’d actually do something she could’ve easily skipped.

…Maybe she acknowledged me more than I realized.

She tended to become remarkably compliant toward those she recognized.

Knowing she’d done the homework I gave made me oddly proud.

Principal Veronica clearly didn’t share my sentiment.

“It’s so creepy I can’t stand it… I never imagined that kid would show such behavior, even if the heavens turned upside down…”

“…”

What kind of reaction is this…?

No matter how you look at it, this level of violent response is excessive.

You’re the one who requested this.

“Principal-nim, you asked for this yourself, yet you react like this…”

“I-I never imagined it’d become this disturbingly creepy!”

“Hmm…”

This is problematic.

The principal’s reaction is much stronger than expected.

To think that praising someone once daily would be considered “creepy”…

What kind of life has Stella been living…?

No, more importantly.

If this continues, people might start suspecting me.

Though regrettable, perhaps I should rehypnotize her to revert things…

“…Still, as expected of Teacher Ophelia. Your skills are remarkable.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know how you managed to tame that arrogant brat… but it’s truly impressive.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Hmm.”

…Maybe the reaction isn’t as bad as I thought?

Perhaps she’s just unaccustomed to it, and will gradually accept it with time.

“My judgment wasn’t wrong after all. Rumors are already spreading since your appointment – about having a competent counseling teacher.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Seems you’re not used to praise.”

Ugh, caught red-handed.

…To be precise, I’m unaccustomed to praise from superiors.

I’ve never received any before.

All I ever heard were reprimands.

Only games comforted my exhausted mind after work.

…That’s why I wanted to comfort students too.

Just as games brought me joy, I wanted to bring them happiness.

“No need to worry too much. I’m not reprimanding you. I was just surprised.”

“That’s… a relief.”

“I’ll continue entrusting the students to you, Teacher Ophelia.”

“…Yes, leave it to me.”

I would’ve done so regardless.

Ever since realizing this world was from my favorite game, my purpose has remained unchanged.

To save the students I loved.

There was no other goal.

“By the way, did you show that reaction in front of Princess Stella-nim…”

“How’d you know? I rushed here in shock.”

“Please refrain from such behavior… she might feel sad.”

“What? Her? No way. You’ve got quite the sense of humor.”

…Seems we still have a long way to go.

I wanted to prevent such reactions at least before graduation.

It’s just too pitiful…

“It seems I need to teach Principal-nim proper student management methods too.”

“Wh-what? I’m fine! I’ve been teaching for ages. I don’t need to learn such…”

“Quiet. You can’t win students’ hearts with such outdated methods.”

“Ou-outdated…”

Is this due to her age?

I sighed at her adherence to old ways.

Children are sensitive.

You can’t handle them like that.

“Let’s have a proper discussion in the principal’s office.”

“Ugh… Alright…”

***

“Damn it, isn’t this too much? Looking at me like I’m some ghost.”

Stella grumbled as she walked.

Having no close friends, she’d directed all the praise homework from Ophelia to her childhood friend.

Up to six times.

Initially confused, her childhood friend started looking at Stella like she was a crazy bitch after receiving daily compliments.

Still, Stella persisted.

She couldn’t do this with strangers.

Charlotte was the closest among those she acknowledged.

…She would’ve continued if she hadn’t run out of things to praise.

Praising someone proved harder than expected.

Especially daily praises to the same person.

Two or three compliments were manageable…

But after exceeding one hand’s count, nothing came to mind.

She’d spent over two hours agonizing to find a single compliment – Stella could confidently say she’d tried hard.

But the homework only lasted until meeting that teacher again.

Deeming further praise to her childhood friend impossible, Stella agonized over finding new targets.

She couldn’t compliment complete strangers.

Thus, she praised Grandma, the only capable person she acknowledged.

That incredible combat prowess is amazing, she’d said…

“I’ll never praise that Grandma again…!”

But what was that reaction?

No need to scream and run away.

Stella knew her praise-giving seemed awkward.

But since Charlotte had tolerated it, she’d gained some confidence.

That confidence shattered instantly.

She’d thought Grandma could last her a few more days.

Having influence but few close friends at the academy, Stella decided:

This much effort should suffice.

Frankly, no need to continue, right?

Thus, Stella headed to the counseling room.

The homework deadline was until their next meeting.

No problem visiting Teacher Ophelia herself.

A week should demonstrate minimum sincerity.

Seeing how she’d even subdued that Demon Possessor, Stella had diligently followed instructions…

But it was too much now.

No matter what, she couldn’t praise anyone else.

“Arrived.”

The counseling room tucked away on the academy’s third floor.

A cute handwritten sign asking visitors to knock.

Upon arrival, Stella knocked.

To meet Teacher Ophelia.

“…Hmm?”

But no response came.

Knocking louder yielded only silence.

Teacher Ophelia seemed absent.

The locked door confirmed it when she tried the handle.

Tch.

Of all times to be away. Unlucky.

Teacher Ophelia usually spent most time in the counseling room.

“You…”

As Stella turned to return after class, she met the sulky gaze of a girl staring intently.

…The Demon Possessor, Orca.

Heard she’d been deeply depressed after losing to me.

What’s this about?

Here for counseling?

“Here for counseling? The teacher isn’t in. Better come back…”

“Move.”

“…”

How rude to someone showing kindness.

Commoners these days.

The door’s locked anyway, might as well awkwardly leave…

*Click*

“…Come in. You need counseling, right?”

“?”

But Stella’s expectations were spectacularly wrong.

The counseling room door, clearly locked earlier, opened under Orca’s hand.

“You… that…”

“What, not coming in?”

“…No, I’ll enter. Thanks.”

“Hmph.”

Why does this girl have the counseling room key?

Despite her thoughts, Stella decided not to refuse the kindness.

…Maybe she’s slightly nicer than I thought.

Unaware she’d thought this, Stella entered the counseling room.