The Great Friend-Making Operation

“···Perhaps consulting Teacher Ophelia was a mistake.”

“Pardon?!”

I really thought I only gave good advice!?

Startled by the completely unexpected reaction, I froze.

How could she call it a mistake? Could it mean my advice was utterly useless?

Was I becoming like those office bullies I’d vowed never to emulate – cornering students with self-righteous lectures nobody asked for?

A terrifying thought made me shudder.

“W-was it not helpful…? I’m sorry if my advice was worthless. I’ll just quietly…”

“···What nonsense are you spouting? Your words were immensely helpful. You pointed out a critical blind spot. However…”

“However?”

Should I really say this?

Stella wore that conflicted expression as I stared back, silently urging her to continue.

What could this possibly mean?

My advice helped, yet consulting me was a mistake?

I couldn’t grasp her meaning at all.

“···Teacher Ophelia, you don’t secretly want to conquer the world or something, do you?”

“Excuse me?!”

“It was slightly terrifying. I thought you were hypnotizing me.”

Stella collapsed onto the sofa with an exaggerated sigh.

As if truly relieved, she scanned the counseling room before retrieving a drink and gulping it down.

“Are you aware that comment of yours could get you executed for treason if things go wrong?”

“Yes? I’m aware?”

“And yet you still act this way… Incredible…”

“···?”

“Never mind. It’s fine if you don’t understand. Just know I was momentarily flustered.”

···What on earth was she talking about?

“Regardless, thank you. This helped far more than expected. Like grabbing a straw only to find it’s actually a sturdy ladder.”

“A… straw…”

“Turning Academy students into a faction… Not a bad suggestion.”

“Right?”

No matter how many Academy students gathered, they couldn’t defeat the Imperial Family through brute strength alone.

But that was comparing current capabilities. The situation now was entirely different.

First, students still had immense growth potential. Fortunately, the Academy had all necessary facilities and teachers.

The Imperial Family was also in turmoil.

Though a decade had passed since the war ended, ten years was barely enough time.

Their military strength likely hadn’t fully recovered.

Moreover, internal political strife had left the Imperial Family severely weakened – possibly even more so than during wartime.

How could I be certain?

Because that’s how it was in the game I played.

Of course, that wasn’t the sole reason. As an Imperial Princess, Stella would know their internal affairs better than anyone.

She wouldn’t have reacted this way unless she saw potential. The Imperial Family’s weakness was undeniable.

“But… How do I expand influence within the Academy?”

“It’s simpler than you think. Make lots of friends.”

“···Friends?”

“Yes, friends.”

“You think something so trivial would work?”

Stella eyed me skeptically.

Her gaze questioned whether mere friendships could truly form a power base.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t consider it a faction. Others will perceive it as one.”

“Meaning?”

“To be blunt… your personality is somewhat arrogant.”

“···Saying that to my face.”

“What’s the issue? You’re not the type to retaliate over such things.”

Her arrogance was legendary.

Rumors already spread through the Academy that she refused to acknowledge anyone beneath her standards.

If such gossip reached the Academy so quickly, imagine her reputation within the Imperial Family where she’d lived her entire life.

Everyone knew Charlotte Ober was her only friend.

“If someone with your personality suddenly gains many friends, what would the Imperial Family think?”

“They’d assume subordinates, not friends.”

“Exactly.”

Truthfully, there wasn’t much difference between friends and a faction here.

When Stella eventually clashes with her siblings, who would students support?

Human nature favors helping acquaintances over strangers.

Though students would need at least some hope of victory to intervene.

“Now then… I’ll assign homework.”

“Wh-what?! Chess homework wasn’t enough?!”

“That was growth homework. This is survival homework. Different things.”

“···”

Stella’s main story had begun.

So what should I do?

Simple.

“Even if I tell you to make friends, someone as friendless as you wouldn’t know how.”

“I-I have friends!”

“Please, let’s not count Imperial-assigned friends. Any naturally formed friendships?”

“···”

“None? Then let’s set a goal.”

I’d subtly insert my own objective into this friend-making mission.

“Become friends with Orca.”

“···What? That delinquent?”

“Tsk. Delinquent? She’s just slightly rough around the edges – a kind, lovely student.”

“Teacher Ophelia’s inexplicable defense of that troublemaker…”

I couldn’t deny favoring Orca slightly due to my gaming experience.

But my reasoning wasn’t unfounded.

Though partially selfish, my wish for their friendship had legitimate grounds.

Stella would understand soon enough.

“Orca has no friends.”

“Obviously. I’d be shocked if she did.”

···Hearing such immediate confirmation felt strangely unpleasant, though I’d said it first.

No matter. Stella would become Orca’s friend.

“Think carefully, Stella. Could you make friends right now if you tried?”

“···”

“Difficult, right?”

This had nothing to do with personality.

Quite the opposite.

“Though technically disowned, only the Imperial Family knows those internal circumstances, correct?”

“···Yes. Officially, I’m still a princess.”

“Most Academy students are commoners. Merely conversing with a princess would intimidate them.”

Her status prevented potential friends from approaching.

Commoner versus princess – an insurmountable gap.

Though Academy education promoted equality, that didn’t extend to interpersonal relationships.

The rule stating all are equal within Academy grounds existed…

But not all rules are perfectly followed.

Created to protect commoner students, this rule wasn’t even obeyed by those it protected.

Academy protection didn’t extend beyond its walls.

Every Academy student was a regional genius who understood this risk.

The Academy preached equality while practicing inequality.

Students avoided Stella rather than risk offending royalty.

···Well, some had tried befriending her despite the risk.

Like those students during the friendly matches.

But they’d all disappeared. Stella disliked people who didn’t meet her standards.

“But Stella, imagine rumors spread that you befriended Orca. What would people think?”

“They’d consider it impossible.”

“Exactly. The impossible would happen.”

Demon Possessors were shunned even among commoners.

Yet such a person became friends with Stella?

How would students react?

“Whether coincidence or fate… students won’t care. The only important fact is your friendship with Orca.”

“···If even she can do it, maybe I can too?”

“Bingo.”

Orca’s reputation couldn’t sink lower.

If someone like her befriended a princess?

Others would inevitably think “Maybe I could too?”

Sure, constant attention might annoy her.

But Stella needed to build connections now. Such minor inconveniences were negligible.

“Well? What will you do?”

This wasn’t really a question.

If she refused, I’d hypnotize her.

I desperately wanted to see them become friends.

Fortunately, Stella nodded.