episode_0005

“Academia… What a missed name.”

The Empire’s Princess Claudia was immersed in nostalgia.

We met here that day.

I simply regarded him as a capable student.

I thought he would be helpful in securing victory, pushing aside Oravi and completely seizing the imperial power.

…Did I even consider him a tool back then?

Not for a single moment did I regard him as an equal.

Surely he didn’t expect to meet such an end.

Was it because I obtained the empire and drove out the republic that my vision became clouded?

I didn’t like him.

I obtained the empire because of him, drove out the republic because of him, and devoured the continent because of him.

The empire functioned because of him, and everything was possible because of him.

But I didn’t realize that.

Stupidly.

Until the very end when he was cast aside.

He considered himself a foolish and incompetent empress who cast him aside until the day he was cast aside and died.

A girl who didn’t even deserve to have such concerns…

However, everything will change.

God has given me another chance.

In this life, I will live to repay him.

“Your Highness, the princess.”

A little girl suddenly appeared before her and greeted her.

If it were him, she would have wanted to embrace and pamper her, so cute was the girl’s appearance, but inside was a wise old sage, the headmistress of this academy, Beatrice.

“Greetings have been made. Rather, I apologize for coming so suddenly.”

Why did you come if you knew that!

Beatrice wanted to say, but she forced herself to smile brightly.

“It’s all right. This academy receives support from the Empire.”

“At the same time, it also receives support from the Republic.”

“That is…”

“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t come here to discuss such political matters.”

Then why did you come!

Even within the Empire, she is a princess embroiled in the issue of the crown prince and successor.

She wouldn’t have the leisure to come to the academy, would she?

“Just one. A student who is causing concern.”

“A student…?”

I heard that she was absorbing many talents to overwhelm the power of the crown prince.

Perhaps I was planning to attend the academy for a while next year.

But coming to the academy suddenly because of one student?

It doesn’t seem like a good idea, considering how the crown prince will react.

I don’t know. I really don’t understand this woman’s thoughts at all.

“Viscount Granqui.”

The principal’s forehead wrinkled at the name uttered by the princess.

Viscount? Isn’t he the student of that marquis the saint asked to take classes with?

He was just a lucky student without any particularly notable points, so why is the princess showing so much interest?

“It seems like you know something from my expression.”

Oh. Did I make it so obvious?

“You seem to want to meet that student for a moment. Can you arrange a meeting?”

“That… arranging a meeting is no big deal.”

Originally, if the princess wants to meet, who would refuse?

Except for the peculiar two cases, the daughter of the chancellor or the saint might refuse, but apart from those, they would come running right away.

More than that, why that particular student?

Is there something I don’t know?

Beatrice was confused.

She seemed to have lost her sense gained over the long years of observing students.

“Please. Increase this year’s academy support fund with my savings.”

“No, there’s no need for that!”

This kind of reaction from the resolute Princess Claudia?

Beatrice became increasingly curious about the student named Viscount.

“First, please come inside. I will have the student called through the broadcast.”

* * *

Through the broadcast, Beatrice informed Viscount to come to the principal’s office, then she gave the princess a ride and had her sit in the guest seat.

Even after a while, Viscount did not come.

“Principal, why isn’t he coming?”

She was a princess known for her stoic demeanor, never displaying her emotions, but Beatrice could tell from the princess’s trembling hands and dilated pupils that she was experiencing severe panic.

“Has he become disappointed in me? Should I run to him now and ask for forgiveness…?”

Am I really seeing this correctly?

Is the princess really showing such behavior because of one man?

What on earth is this secretary doing!

Is he using some kind of hypnosis magic?

Smart.

“Headmaster, this is Secretary Grangniel.”

“Oh!”

At the sound of a male student’s voice from outside, the princess took a deep breath and straightened her clothes.

Even though she’s called the Iron Princess, is she still just a girl at heart?

No one else has seen the princess like this besides me, right?

I need to erase this image from my mind quickly. Especially since it seems like she might become the empress in this upcoming competition.

“Let him in.”

“Understood. Please come in, Student Secretary.”

Beatrice nodded to the princess and called out to Secretary Grangniel in a loud voice.

Creak.

The door opened, and Secretary Grangniel entered the headmaster’s office, accompanied by another female student who had linked arms with him.

“Haha… I’m sorry, Headmaster. I was going to come alone, but my friend insisted on coming with me…”

Secretary Grangniel forced a bitter smile.

Ugh.

He called me because of the princess, and he brings along another female student?

What kind of guy is this…

Wait a minute.

That female student… why does she look familiar?

…Damn.

“Haha. Sorry, Headmaster. This is my precious friend. I couldn’t leave her alone, so I couldn’t help bringing her along to protect her.”

Why even bring Sophia Rubellion here?

The headmaster was feeling too bewildered by the current situation.

“…But why is the Imperial Princess here? I thought the headmaster had something to discuss with our Secretary Grangniel.”

Sophia’s face twisted upon seeing the princess inside the room.

“Sophia de Rubellion? What business do you have here? With the princess’s secretary.”

The princess, whose face brightened upon seeing Vissus, grimaced at the sight of Sophia, who had followed behind Vissus.

“Your Highness? That sounds rather strange. This fellow is my Vissus,” said Sophia, pulling Vissus towards her and embracing him.

“He has nothing to do with you,” she added.

Suddenly, the temperature in the principal’s office dropped sharply, and the surrounding magic began to fluctuate.

“Oh my goodness.”

Though she was an exceptional sorceress, capable of reaching the 8th circle, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the confrontation of the two young girls.

“Hmph. No manners, just because she’s a country girl from the Republic.”

What! The princess is only at the 6th circle!

Why does she have stronger spatial dominance than me!

And how is it possible for her to have this level of enlightenment at that age?

She was simply a principal astonished by the two prodigies at her side.

I never would have imagined even Princess Claudia here.

Vissus was astonished for different reasons.

Are all three heroines dreaming about me? Or is this just absurd.

It’s one thing if the other heroines are like that, but why is Claudia, who should be in the Imperial Capital, here!

She doesn’t even know my name!

Rumble

As the two girls clashed, the walls of the principal’s office began to crack.

Vissus looked at the principal in surprise, but she remained frozen, unable to move.

Principal, why are you so incompetent! You’re at the 8th circle! Do something!

Rumble

Vissus thought that if things continued like this, it would turn into a big problem.

Even if a proxy battle between the Republic and the Empire were to occur here, it wouldn’t be surprising.

I’ll be caught up in the fight between these two transcendent beings and end up as collateral damage!

He realized he had to do something.

Anything. I have to do something.

But what can I do when I haven’t even properly obtained the hidden pieces yet?

What can I do!

Aaah!

Vissus rushed between the two girls, embracing Sophia from behind with his arms outstretched.

“Vissus?”

“Vissus…?”

Sophia was moved, seeing him act as if to protect himself.

The princess despaired at the thought of protecting Sophia from herself.

Vyrus conveyed something to the princess with his mouth.

See you later.

It was a statement made in an attempt to escape the current situation, somehow postponing the meeting between the princess and Sophia.

Seeing that, the princess was able to regain her composure.

I see. You wouldn’t abandon me!

Was all of this for my sake?

“Hmph. I’ll stop here today.”

The princess gathered herself and left the principal’s office.

“Phew….”

Seeing her like that, Vyrus relaxed and slumped in his seat.

“Vyrus! My Vyrus!”

But soon, Sophia rushed in and embraced Vyrus.

“Wow!”

“I knew it, there’s no one but Vyrus for me! How could a weakened Vyrus try to protect me!”

Though he was indeed weakened, he seemed a little hurt.

“Uh…Sophia.”

“Yeah. What is it?”

“I need to go to the bathroom.”

As Vyrus relaxed, he suddenly felt an urgent need to urinate.

“Oh. Yeah! Go ahead and come back!”

Tap tap

“Phew….I thought I was going to die.”

Vyrus ran to the restroom a little distance away and stood in front of the urinal.

Drip drip drip

Wow…I really thought I was going to die.

Wait, why is the princess coming out from there?

And with Sophia there too!

“Vyrus, I understand what you said. Perhaps this means we should meet here?”

Damn, that startled me!

Startled by the sudden voice of the princess from behind, Vyrus almost jumped in surprise. But if he had been surprised right there, he might have even peed himself. With superhuman patience, he managed not to show a surprised reaction.

Wait, Your Highness, this is the men’s restroom!

Struggling to fix his pants and turning around, Vyrus saw Claudia, completely red-faced, holding her face in her hands with both hands.

“It’s been a long time…my lovely Vyrus….”