A Different Path? (1)

“Well then, I hope you’ll consider my proposal positively.”

“…I’ll look into it.”

As I finished the conversation and came out, I saw the noble children who couldn’t enter due to Arphi’s prior appointment.

‘Practically everyone below the rank of marquis is here.’

The marquis families weren’t present, perhaps due to their family’s dignity or because they wanted to observe a bit more, but the children of viscount and baron families were there, and even some count families were scattered about.

By the time you reach the rank of count, your influence grows and you might start to become less mobile, but they didn’t miss this opportunity. Or perhaps, because they’re counts, they’re moving more actively considering their influence?

“Hello, Lady Philadel. I didn’t expect you to go in first.”

Besides the girl who greeted her, everyone else also looked surprised. Arphi was known by word of mouth even before attending the academy. To describe her image in a nutshell, she was a ‘noble who preferred not to stand out’.

After her social debut, at the occasional balls or parties, she would usually stand quietly in a corner of the hall before leaving, and even at special events held by her family, she didn’t come out much. Although she was often called upon due to her family’s status, she would just quietly kill time and return.

Therefore, to others, Arphi seemed like someone who had no intention of stepping forward, who would live inconspicuously and then disappear quietly someday. Her family already had her older brother as the heir apparent, so there was no worry, and if nothing special happened, they thought she would continue to stay quiet and then quietly disappear someday. For such a person to suddenly approach Ariel first, they couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Hello, Lady Charmant. I just wanted to have a conversation with Lady Walpurgis at least once. It seemed like the opportunity had come, so I just stepped forward.”

“Is that so?”

A skeptical gaze was returned, but Arphi didn’t care. She’s just a viscount’s daughter anyway. If left alone, she’ll naturally fall away. Most of the others gathered here are just hyenas trying to eat the fruits falling from the huge pillar that is Walpurgis.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yes, take care on your way back.”

After exchanging greetings and turning around, Arphi couldn’t help but raise the corners of her mouth.

‘The harvest was better than expected.’

At first, she had only come to check things out. As she told Lady Charmant, she just wanted to have a conversation once. The reason, well, it’s nothing special.

Currently, Ariel’s image in social circles isn’t very good. But that won’t last long. Ariel has proven her abilities at the academy and succeeded in changing her image at the same time. Seeing that changed image, more people will approach her, and Ariel will become the center of the academy.

That’s why she approached her once. If she’s going to stay at the academy in the future, she needed to check out the future power player.

But meeting her in person, this is beyond imagination.

‘I’ve never seen someone with such outstanding qualities… It’s quite tempting.’

Ariel herself doesn’t know, but she has innate talent. To the extent that no one else could match up. She didn’t think there would be someone more familiar than herself and her brother.

“I might have use for her later.”

Arphi smiled and disappeared into the darkness.

After Arphi left, as if on cue, numerous people started visiting Ariel. While internally screaming, Ariel politely greeted them as she had been taught at home, and each time, the comments were consistent.

“Lady Walpurgis, you seem to have changed.”

“You’ve grown.”

“You’ve become even more beautiful since I last saw you!”

While the content varied, they all said she had improved from before. It was a moment when you could understand what the original ‘Ariel’ was like.

But Ariel didn’t pay attention to each of these evaluations. If you think about it, even the past ‘Ariel’ couldn’t be called pure evil, just a pitiful existence that had become twisted due to various misunderstandings.

‘I should at least remember her.’

Although she would soon make a name for herself as a villainess again, this level of evaluation should be fine, she thought. Ariel needs people. Even to become a perfect villainess. Even to prepare for events that will happen later.

“Ah, that was tiring…”

After seeing off the last noble lady, Ariel collapsed on the bed. Conversations with nobles were not only tiring for the mouth but even more so for the head. Each word was like a sword pointed at each other, and thinking that a single mistake could expose a weakness, she had to concentrate more than usual during the conversations. Moreover, it was even more difficult for Ariel because she didn’t have ‘Ariel’s’ memories.

“Still, it wasn’t without gain.”

She was able to roughly understand the image of the past ‘Ariel’ and succeeded in imprinting her current image. Then what’s left is…

“A faction…”

The proposal Arphi made and similar suggestions from other noble children. Countless questions poured in asking if Ariel had any thoughts of creating a faction. For now, she put them off saying she’d think about it, but it’s not a problem she can postpone indefinitely.

“Creating one would have many merits in various ways.”

Not only borrowing the power of collective intelligence, but in terms of creating her own force, there’s a possibility that Reinhardt wouldn’t look upon it favorably. Incurring Reinhardt’s dislike is actually a plus factor for Ariel.

No matter how you think about it, there’s no loss at all, it’s essentially a profitable business. The only problem, if any, is whether she has the ability to lead a faction…

“Well, I don’t intend to do well with the faction anyway, so why bother?”

For Ariel, a faction is just her own allies for recreating the original story. She has no intention of doing anything more than that. Since she doesn’t intend to do well with the faction, there’s no need to manage it well, so doesn’t that mean ability isn’t really necessary?

“Oh? Come to think of it, that’s really true.”

Ariel’s goal is to be a villainess after all. And for a villainess, a faction doesn’t need to be that competent. In fact, the more incompetent, the better. It hurts her heart to tarnish the family name, but this is an unavoidable part. It’s different from the entrance exam.

Back then, there was no particular demerit in trying hard. No matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t change the result of Mari becoming the top student, so it was okay to try hard.

Rather, becoming incompetent from now on might be better. Because she can establish the image of being uglily broken due to jealousy, like the ‘Ariel’ in the original story. It’s a ready-made story.

“Shall I try it?”

Finding the future more plausible than expected, Ariel started seriously considering the faction.

Meanwhile, the nobles who parted from Ariel gathered in groups that suited them and were talking. The common topic was, of course, about Ariel.

“Hasn’t she changed completely?”

“Indeed. She was almost unrecognizable.”

The image Ariel had shown until now was that of an incompetent tyrant itself. An incompetent being who was irritable towards others yet had nothing to boast about except her family. But now it’s different.

“She could definitely become the crown princess.”

“Of course. Who else could it be if not her?”

Although they had been careless before because she seemed easy to handle, Ariel’s cold gaze was enough to make the nobles wary. She showed her abilities and had the character and charisma to match.

They had intended to urge her to create a faction and, if possible, use her as a figurehead like a puppet, but they instinctively knew they couldn’t. She answered various questions without hesitation, accurately pointed out the gaps they deliberately left, and later even looked at them as if testing them.

She is undoubtedly the one truly fitting to be the crown princess. It’s already rumored throughout the academy that she’s receiving special treatment from professors in the magic department. She’s someone who would rise to a high position and look down on them even if left alone. If that’s the case, quickly bowing down is the best option.

Thud!

“Ah?”

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

Vera Charmant hurriedly looked to the side at the sudden impact. There stood the arrogant commoner who had entered as the top student along with Ariel and even shared a room with her, lowering her gaze and standing awkwardly.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Vera’s mind. Ariel and that commoner are sharing a room. They’re in the closest position. But what if, just if… something happened that made that commoner quit the academy? Then, wouldn’t she naturally get closer to Ariel by filling that empty spot? And of course, that position should be…

Having finished her thought, Vera hid her sadistic smile and frowned with all her might.

“You there.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Where are you looking while walking?”

Dreaming of a brilliant rosy future, Vera was slowly approaching the pit she would fall into.