Fastening the First Button Well (1)

Milano Academy’s first classes began a few days after the entrance ceremony. I wonder if they deliberately give a few days to get used to dormitory life. I’m not sure.

Over the past few days, I’ve prepared myself mentally. Having already committed the unparalleled evil act of feeding mint chocolate to Mari, there’s nothing more to hold back. I’ve already decided that I will become an unparalleled villainess!

“I’m looking forward to the first class…”

But why am I going to school together with Mari in such a friendly manner? This is strange… How did it come to this?

Something is off. Muriel sometimes says I’m oblivious, but that’s not true at all. I’m a person with a fair amount of awareness. I can tell that Mari approaching me like this is not normal.

‘Is the protagonist’s guard stronger than I thought?’

Mari’s mental strength is incomparably stronger than ordinary people. Later, there was a time when she fought against a demon who mainly used mental attacks, and at that time, the demon’s attacks didn’t affect Mari at all.

[How can this be! How can a human have such mental strength!]

[Because I have people who believe in me and watch over me!]

Well, it’s not something to say to a young girl, but it was like a scene from a boy’s manga. Anyway, thinking about that scene, it means Mari’s mental strength is beyond imagination. You could say she’s magnanimous enough to laugh off most things. In fact, even in the original story, it took quite a while before she came to hate Ariel.

But even so, shouldn’t there be some level of discomfort? Even for someone with a good personality, wouldn’t it be hard to view someone favorably after being fed something so terrible?

‘Ah, come to think of it, that failed ambiguously, didn’t it?’

Mari probably thinks the mint chocolate I fed her was just a failed attempt. If so, there’s nothing particularly strange about her reaction. Thinking about it, I haven’t committed any proper evil acts for days, only planning what to do next. Then isn’t it natural for Mari to misunderstand in this situation?

‘How could I not have noticed this?!’

It’s a mistake. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up leaving only a good impression on Mari. That won’t do. Mari needs to conflict with me, the villainess, in order to become a saint.

As we walk for a while, people start to appear, and if they see us going to school together so amicably, it will cause gossip. This won’t do. Here, there’s a need to use a hard-line approach.

Mari is walking with a bright face, oblivious to everything. I need to say something. Roughly like what Ariel did in the original…

[You vulgar thing.]

[A commoner like you.]

[A sewer rat who doesn’t know its place…]

Wow, how can a person say such things? Although it’s weaker compared to my mint chocolate, even this would make most demons cringe and repent to become angels. Come to think of it, could the reason Ariel was able to fall in the original story be because she could say such evil things without hesitation?

But even so, I can’t go that far. What if I recite those lines as they are and Mari suddenly snaps and hits me? Of course, I haven’t studied so carelessly that I’d get beaten up anywhere, but the opponent is the protagonist, right? And I’m the villainous young lady. It’s my job to always get beaten up.

‘T-Then should I try something a bit milder here?’

Her innocent face looking around and marveling at the surroundings reminded me of a curious puppy, almost making me laugh, but thanks to the poker face I desperately practiced, my outward expression remained firmly expressionless.

This is also one of the skills I desperately learned to survive, and thanks to it, I could maintain my external image as a cold-looking noble lady. It’s a huge relief. Now, if I add some verbal abuse and evil actions here, it will be perfect.

This is a great first step towards such a future. So here…

“How dare you, a lowly commoner, try to cling to your betters?”

Huh? The words that just came out weren’t mine?

Turning my head at the sudden unfamiliar voice, there stood a girl who looked like a villainous young lady to anyone, along with two people who might be friends or followers, in a proud stance.

Golden roll-shaped hair, a fan in hand, sharp eyes, and a haughty expression – she was a perfect image of a villainous young lady, worthy of being in a textbook. Wow, should I try to have an image like that? If I went around like that, wouldn’t people immediately judge me as a villainess?

For a moment, I imagined myself with roll-shaped hair. Hmm… it’s not as good as I thought. This idea was scrapped within 5 seconds of coming up with it.

Anyway, looking back at reality… Well, I’m not sure. What’s going on here?

“W-Who are you?”

“I am Elizabeth of the Marquis Scrania family.”

Hmm, unfortunately, the name doesn’t ring any bells. Was there such a character in the original story? Was there not? I can’t remember well, is she an extra? Maybe, maybe not.

“More importantly, you. How dare you, a worthless commoner, try to accompany someone noble? Your parasitic appearance is quite unsightly.”

The way she spoke confidently with her arms crossed was truly the epitome of a typical villainous young lady. Wow… amazing. How can she say such things without the slightest hesitation? I found that extremely difficult.

I need to learn from this. To become an excellent villainess.

“I, I… well…”

Mari’s eyes waver, perhaps flustered by the sudden personal attack. Elizabeth, who introduced herself, seemed to gain even more confidence at this sight, snorting and raising her shoulders even higher.

The hills are big…

“If you understand, then get away quickly. And quietly go to a corner. Or you’re welcome to leave this academy altogether? Ohohoho!”

Wow, since I became Ariel, this is the first time I’ve actually met someone who laughs like that. There really are people who laugh like that. I thought it was just an expression in novels, but I guess not. They were pretty faithful to historical accuracy!

“I, well…”

Mari’s hesitant appearance is pitiful. Here, it would be helpful if I joined in and delivered an additional blow. It’s a golden opportunity to tarnish my image.

“What’s suddenly going on here?”

But here, I need to assess the situation first. Just in case, I’m saying this because there’s a very important reason for it.

It would be good to just side with Elizabeth here and join in criticizing Mari. It’s enough to tarnish my image and I can easily ride this atmosphere. But if I join in here, a problem arises. Namely, the main subject of bullying becomes Elizabeth, not me.

I’ve heard about the Marquis Scrania family. From what I hear, they’re not a traditional noble family, but were established by an ancestor who was a nouveau riche, using vast capital and connections, and over time gradually rose in rank until they became marquises now.

Of course, the position of marquis isn’t so easy that you can rise to it with money alone. The Marquis Scrania family often provided capital for projects carried out by the imperial family with their vast wealth, and they replenished the money spent this way through their own businesses. And with the money earned like this, they again supported the imperial family or appropriately released it into the market, positively influencing the empire’s economy.

If they had risen to their rank solely with money, they might deserve criticism, but when the amount of money is so vast, it creates plausibility – you could say it’s a good example of this.

That’s all up to here. This was the content I learned at home about the Marquis Scrania family.

As a daughter of such a Marquis Scrania family, she’s not in a position to be looked down upon anywhere. The reality is that money occupies a huge share in social life, and the Marquis Scrania family is one that has no hesitation in spending money.

However, the reality is that their luster fades when compared to the Walpurgis Duke family. It’s true that they have a lot of money, but the Walpurgis Duke family has been nobility for so long it can’t be converted into money, and they contribute to the empire in numerous ways such as magic and magical tools. If asked which of the two is more impressive, ten out of ten would choose Walpurgis.

As such, how should I put it… There’s a sort of pride. It would be fine if Elizabeth joined in on something I was leading, but it doesn’t look good in many ways for me to join in on something Elizabeth is leading.

Father also said it. To stand proud anywhere. As a proud member of the Walpurgis family. Then this is the time to keep those words.

Elizabeth greeted me politely in response to my question.

“Are you well, Lady Walpurgis? As you can see, I was disciplining an impudent commoner who doesn’t know their place.”

Her maintaining perfect manners towards me is truly dignified. That imposing appearance is the image of a villainous young lady that I should learn from in the future. It was a good lesson. So, as a sign of wanting to be friendly in the future, should I say something appropriate?

“Disciplining, you say…”

As I trailed off, I could feel all eyes focusing on me – not just Elizabeth and those beside her, but also Mari and even passing onlookers. I’m not sure why they’re suddenly acting like this, but I have to do what needs to be done.

“Lady Scrania. Do you not know where we are?”

“Pardon?”

Elizabeth’s expression turned blank, perhaps because my response was unexpected.

“This is Milano Academy. While nobles and commoners may be distinguished outside, here everyone is on equal footing according to His Majesty the Emperor’s will. Have you forgotten what His Highness the Crown Prince said at the entrance ceremony just a few days ago?”

At that time, Reinhardt said that he too was just a student here and that he hoped everyone would treat him comfortably. In other words, openly discriminating based on status here is as good as spitting on the intentions of the emperor who established this academy generations ago, not to mention contradicting what Reinhardt, who is currently studying here, said.

“W-Well… that is…”

“I too am just a student here, and the same goes for Miss Mari. Please be mindful of this in the future.”

Huh, why is everyone suddenly quiet? I should finish what I was saying anyway.

“I hope to see you in a better light next time. It seems the class will start soon, so I’ll excuse myself first.”

The point is to disappear cleanly without bothering to hear a response. I spoke fairly gently, so our relationship shouldn’t turn sour, right? Next time, should I approach her casually and ask for advice on how to be a good villainous young lady?