Ch.33Prologue (1)

The busy days had passed.

I thought about staying a bit longer since it had been a while since I’d visited, but unfortunately, my academic schedule was tight.

Soon, an important main event would begin too.

I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

The members became a sea of tears when I said I was leaving again.

“Leader…!”

“How could you impose another wait upon us!”

“We wish to serve you even a moment longer, please stay just one more night…!”

Why are they really acting like this?

It wasn’t the first or second time I’d experienced this, but their reactions were still burdensome.

I deliberately pretend to be indifferent as I take a step.

Two people are waiting in front of the door.

A girl with long silver hair, and a middle-aged man with striking red hair.

I bid farewell to each of them.

“I’ll be away for a while.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Hahaha! Have a good trip.”

I feel somewhat relieved that these two are here.

Though all the members are strong, they’re unpredictable characters, which made me anxious.

“I leave Astro in your care.”

“Until you return, Master… I’ll gather all the information you requested.”

“I’ll take excellent care of our fox guests!”

“Hehe, good.”

The two give me reassuring responses.

Thanks to them, I could leave the basement with peace of mind.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

And so I returned to the academy.

***

“Don’t you think you spent your weekend quite productively?”

“I suppose.”

“It was a bit tiring but… it was nice to see everyone after so long.”

“The children certainly seemed to be doing well.”

“Hehe.”

On our way to attend lectures as usual.

The snake, the fox, and the handler were walking side by side through the corridor.

I casually ask:

“How about you, Miss Lezia?”

“W-what?”

“I was wondering how you spent your weekend.”

“Ah… I, I just wandered around the academy. It’s so big that, um, there are still many places I haven’t visited…”

“That’s interesting.”

She really is the protagonist, isn’t she?

She shows great interest in her surroundings.

The original work had this feeling too.

A story about traveling across vast fields, meeting people, and building relationships.

I personally liked its unique tranquility.

‘I’m glad she seems to be enjoying herself.’

I smile faintly.

Even in a setting that treats her as a mere outsider, she steadfastly blooms on her own—it was beautiful.

My hardened heart softens.

A lingering tenderness follows.

As I was walking with such a refreshing feeling—

“Student Judas.”

A voice suddenly calls out.

Turning around in response, I see an old man with impressive bushy beard.

He has an antique atmosphere about him.

“Could we have a chat?”

He was one of the academy’s professors.

A professor in charge of “The Extremes of Magic Manifestation,” a veteran figure even at Gallimar.

He was also respected by many students.

“It will only take a moment.”

“Professor Rafael.”

“I didn’t expect you to know an old man’s name.”

“Aren’t you known as the wisest sage? I’m well aware of your reputation, Professor.”

“Hmm… I quite like how sharp you are.”

The old man laughs as if finding me endearing.

He was already famous for being warm to students, but this felt like an overtly obvious show of favor.

I had some idea of what this was about.

I quietly listened to the professor’s continuing words.

“I have something I’d like to propose to you.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Would you be interested in learning magic more profoundly?”

“……”

So it’s going to be like this again.

The familiar bait. The conversation was flowing exactly as predicted.

I sighed inwardly.

‘How many times is this today?’

This had been repeating for the past few days.

The shocking duel from before.

Since that day, the faculty members had started seeking me out daily, as if by agreement.

All of them had the same purpose.

“The research lab is short-staffed these days. If there’s a promising student, I’m thinking of taking them as a disciple…”

Professors eyeing me.

Perhaps because I had shown shocking performances one after another, recruitment offers were pouring in from everywhere.

Today alone, this was the seventh offer I’d received.

They were coming at me fiercely, as if competing.

Disciple, assistant, head teaching assistant… some even promised the position of their successor to entice me.

The fierce power struggle between professors.

Each time, I had to put on a troubled smile.

“…So what do you think?”

“That’s very kind of you.”

It was the same this time too.

I raise the corners of my mouth slightly behind my polite tone.

“But…”

“But?”

“Since it’s such a sudden proposal, I find myself needing to think about it.”

“I understand completely. You must have received many similar offers.”

“It might sound presumptuous, but would it be alright if I take some time to consider it?”

“Of course.”

The old man nods readily.

“You have a cautious side.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I like that even more. It’s the quality of an excellent magician.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know when I’ve made up my mind.”

“Alright. See you next time.”

Words promising a next meeting.

The professor, who seemed disappointed, soon turned his back and walked away.

As I watched his retreating figure,

Irene, who had been observing from the side, quietly spoke to me.

“That’s strange.”

“Pardon?”

“You. You don’t intend to join under anyone anyway, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then why don’t you just refuse?”

The fox narrows her eyes.

She tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand.

“If it’s really bothersome, you could just cut them off clearly… why do you keep giving ambiguous answers?”

So that’s what she was curious about.

Well, from an observer’s perspective, it might look like I’m just playing around with no intention of accepting.

I answer quietly:

“Because I feel sorry for them.”

“…What?”

“They’re all people who think highly of me. I feel uncomfortable giving them a flat refusal.”

“That’s quite timid and considerate… doesn’t seem to suit you.”

“That’s a hurtful thing to say.”

But it wasn’t entirely wrong.

I do have a rather ominous appearance.

A bitter smile spreads across my face at the thought that a warm heart can be misunderstood simply because of one’s appearance.

I quietly add:

“Besides, if I leave room like this, I can use it to my advantage later.”

“…?”

“I can probably exploit this a few times under the pretext of asking for favors.”

People tend to be more anxious when they hear a postponement rather than a rejection.

Right now, the entire Gallimar faculty is desperate to have me, so I’m using this situation to my advantage.

The longer I delay my choice, the more anxious the professors become.

They’ll gradually show their sincerity in special ways.

“It might be unfair to the professors… but simply put, I’m just playing with them a bit.”

It makes life more pleasant in terms of grades, convenience, and daily life.

To them, I’m a “raw gem” worth that much.

Of course, if I overdo it, there will be side effects.

“Hehe, but I’m confident I can use it appropriately.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“……”

“Miss Irene?”

“……”

A perfect plan.

As I smile happily for no reason, I feel a strange gaze.

Black eyes looking at me with a complex sigh.

As if saying, ‘That’s just like you’… anyway, it was a very disrespectful look.

I asked awkwardly:

“Did I say something wrong?”

“……”

“That’s just how the world works. I’m not being particularly strange.”

“……”

Come on.

At least say something.

Instead of pointing things out as usual, she just keeps silent.

It was an oddly irritating response.

*Grab!*

Feeling annoyed, I grab her swaying tail.

Immediately, the fox’s shoulders jerk, breaking the silence.

“Hyak?!”

“This is your punishment.”

“W-wait, hik…! I, I didn’t even say anything…!”

“Your disrespectful gaze is the problem.”

“Hyuk?! S-stop…! It, it feels really weird!!”

“Accept it gracefully.”

The noisy exchange of crime and punishment continues.

The atmosphere turns into a friendly bickering.

For a while, the fox’s screams echoed loudly between us.

***

The wild professors who kept appearing.

Their persistent advances that had been pouring in for days seemed to be waning a bit after a few days.

It didn’t seem like they had given up.

-I’ll consider it carefully.

It was just that I had repeated this answer so many times.

By now, I had given a “postponement” answer to most of the professors.

It was quite chaotic for several days.

Well, it’s all good.

It was a peace that had come after a long time since the duel.

Thanks to that, a quiet daily life.

The snake was about to enjoy the leisurely warmth under the summer sun…

“Hello.”

Or so I thought.

If it weren’t for this girl who suddenly greeted me.

“It’s been a while.”

As I was enjoying a solitary walk.

Someone approaches me.

Platinum blonde hair swaying with the lukewarm breeze, blue eyes resembling the sea.

A subtle atmosphere forms and dissipates.

“Your Highness…?”

It was none other than Sharlotte.

Just when the persistent professors had backed off and things seemed to be calming down.

Now, the imperial princess herself was clinging to me.

‘Actually, this is better.’

A character I had loved from the game.

And not just any character, but Sharlotte, who could be considered a pillar of the story, approaching me first.

I couldn’t help but be happy about it.

I smiled brightly and said:

“I am honored to meet the first star of the Empire.”

“Yes. Nice to see you.”

“What brings you here?”

“Just. I wanted to see you.”

“You came to see… me?”

“Yes.”

The girl quietly nods.

Her pupils transparently directed at me.

Sharlotte looks at me for a moment, then suddenly brings her face close.

Before I could react.

Her nose bridge touches my chest.

“……”

“Your Highness?”

A sudden unexpected action.

I call out to Sharlotte in confusion, but she just sniffs silently.

As if smelling something.

“Sniff, sniff.”

What kind of fourth-dimensional move is this?

As I silently raise a question mark, the girl who had been close enough pulls away.

There’s a faint smile on her lips.

A transparently shining pure white.

“A cool scent.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s fascinating. You smell like winter.”

“By winter-like scent, you mean…?”

“It’s a compliment.”

“I see.”

She was an incomprehensible person.

Last time she complimented my clean smile, and this time it’s my cool scent.

Is this her way of showing goodwill?

“I don’t understand the meaning, but… thank you anyway.”

“Yes.”

Sharlotte blinks.

By now, her hand was stroking my head.

Gentle pats.

‘She’s been treating me like a baby from the beginning.’

Despite knowing my strength, she still has such an innocent reaction.

I decided to go along with it for a while.

Because she looked cute standing on her tiptoes due to her small height.

As the girl continued patting, she suddenly says:

“It’s unexpected.”

“What do you mean?”

“A few days ago. The duel.”

“You mean with Lady Venatti?”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it.

This is our first conversation since then.

Sharlotte tilts her head.

“It was unexpected. I thought you would kill her.”

“Pardon? Me, kill the Lady?”

“Wasn’t that your intention?”

“Of course not.”

What do people think of me?

They always ask if I’m going to kill someone.

They don’t know how tender and kind I am.

“You really are fascinating.”

“Am I?”

“What kind of person are you? A good person? Or a bad person?”

“That depends on who’s making the judgment.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Sharlotte nods expressionlessly.

Our strangely flowing conversation continued for a few more exchanges.

“The midterm exams are coming up soon.”

“They’re already next week. What a tight schedule, isn’t it?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hmm?”

“I said I’d be watching you.”

Is she referring to the class placement exam?

I recall that brief memory.

The platinum-haired girl smiles softly.

“For now. I want to know more about you.”

“I don’t think I’m hiding much… but I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”

“Yes.”

Gallimar’s midterm exams.

While students were spending their days intensely, the date had already approached.

It was a schedule I was personally looking forward to.

‘The Nightmare of Belzen.’

There was an event I remembered.

One of the core stories of the original work and one of the most highly rated episodes.

[EP6. Bergen Belzen]

-The Lost Girl, Monsters Who Cannot Cry-

It was also the event I had been most looking forward to in the early part.

I hold a slight smile.

“I’m looking forward to next week.”

I quietly murmured.

***

Several days pass.

As the exam period approaches, the academy’s atmosphere freezes over.

Perhaps due to the sensitive mood regarding academics.

The air continued like ice.

-As previously announced, for this midterm exam, students will form groups of three on their own.

-Please submit the list to your supervising professor as soon as possible.

-Gallimar wishes all students the best of luck.

-May it be an opportunity for you to prove yourselves.

The notice came down two days before the exam.

It was an unexpected requirement.

Though surprised, students were forming groups to take the exam.

I was no exception.

“L-Lord… don’t, don’t we lack one person?”

“It’s alright, Miss Lezia.”

The exam would proceed in groups of three.

To submit the list, we needed one more person besides me and Lezia.

But I wasn’t worried.

“We have one more friend, don’t we?”

For situations like this, I had cultivated a relationship.

I moved with a bright smile.

Toward the blue-haired girl with bun hair who was hunched over her desk.

“Lady Venatti.”

Just as I approached with such a cheerful voice—

“Step back.”

Someone blocks my way.

What comes into view is a boy. Blue hair resembling the villainess.

“Judas Snakus.”

A strangely oppressive atmosphere.

The sword at his waist is elaborately engraved with Venatti’s emblem.

I recognized him immediately.

“I will no longer tolerate your arbitrary actions.”

Rusca Venatti.

Amelia’s twin brother and another extra who plays an early villain.

Blue pupils glare at me.

“I will protect Amelia.”

A spirited declaration.

As if declaring he would protect his precious family from an evil mastermind—

I blankly thought:

What is this now?