episode_0014

The new students were still unfamiliar with the academy. It was the academy’s consideration for them to have a period of gentle adaptation.

‘It feels nostalgic.’

This part also existed in the original work. It was the process where the player explored various parts of the academy, built connections with other NPCs, and uncovered basic settings. In short, it was the tutorial phase. It also meant that the story of ‘The World as Seen by the Little Prince,’ which I knew, was truly getting underway.

My heart was filled with excitement. How long had I waited for this moment? How bored had I been for the past three years since my possession? I seemed to have done all sorts of things to alleviate the boredom.

‘It meant those days were now a thing of the past.’

The space I had dreamed of so much. During the week given by the academy, I diligently explored the campus. It was so vast that I had to ride a carriage all day. Irene, who had been inadvertently dragged along, grumbled, but it seemed she was secretly intrigued as well.

It was called the continent’s best educational institution. Furthermore, it was also a space that embodied the essence of Imperial architecture.

Whoosh.

The roadside trees swayed gently with the rustling spring breeze. A clear stream flowed beside the path where I walked. On the transparent surface of the water, clear enough to see the bottom, several cygnets swam leisurely.

It was a feast of unparalleled beauty.

“It’s truly wonderful… I feel like I’ve missed out on half my life.”

“Hmph. It’s not bad.”

“Irene-yang. I apologize for interrupting your chic demeanor, but your tail is wagging quite violently.”

“……I said it was good, didn’t I?”

Irene subtly turned her head at my remark. Nevertheless, as if unable to hide her emotion, her tail was still wagging rapidly.

A chuckle escaped me. She was sharp yet possessed a cute side. She was certainly a talent that was fun to tease.

We walked a bit further along the path. Just as we were continuing our pleasant stroll.

“You there!”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind us. Who could she be calling? When I turned my head, thinking that, a girl with blue hair entered my sight. Could she possibly be calling me?

“……Did you call for me, Lady?”

“That’s right, I called you. Let’s talk for a moment.”

Click-clack.

The proud click-clack of high heels echoed. The girl, who had approached so close, calmly crossed her arms and stopped in place. Her posture exuded dignity.

“You… are the eldest son of the Snakers family who entered as the top student this time, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Ha, your grinning face is quite a sight.”

Her rudeness was evident from her very first greeting. Her way of speaking felt somewhat familiar. I belatedly recalled and stared at the girl.

“For a man like this to be a representative student of Gallimard Academy.”

Blue eyes resembling the sea. Long blue hair, reaching her lower back, featured cinnamon bun-shaped curls. A girl with the typical appearance of a villainess noble daughter.

She was a person I knew.

‘……Emilia?’

Emilia Beniti. The eldest daughter of the Beniti Ducal family, and an elite who entered as the third-ranked student this term. In the original work, she appeared as a high-ranking noble who tormented Regia, a commoner, and was a villainous character who harassed the protagonist’s party until the mid-point.

The corners of the girl’s mouth twisted into a sneer.

“How truly disappointing. Even the academy’s standards.”

It was the sudden appearance of the villainess noble daughter.

***

Emilia was fundamentally a person overflowing with vanity. She was obsessed with receiving attention from others. She felt extreme inferiority towards those who shone brighter than her. Since the character she was modeled after in the fairy tale was ‘the vain person,’ one could say she was faithful to her concept.

-A mere commoner dares to act so brazenly… I cannot accept it.

The reason she tormented Regia in the original work was simple. It was out of jealousy for the protagonist’s talent, and because Regia received more love and attention than she did. Minor inferiority feelings sprouted the seeds of conflict.

-Oh dear~ My apologies? My foot just slipped. -I told you not to stand out, didn’t I? -A commoner, no less… May I interpret your current attitude as a challenge to the Beniti Ducal family?

The intensity of the bullying wasn’t severe. There was no direct violence, nor was there any financial extortion. At most, it was limited to actions that could be dismissed as pranks. But even that was a tremendous stress for Regia.

-I-I’m sorry… Lady Beniti. -I, I, sob, I didn’t mean to, ah, no……

Especially since she had a personality that found nobles difficult. It must have been painful for her that a descendant of one of the Empire’s top three prestigious families harbored hostility towards her. Eventually, she even ended up shedding tears.

Anyway.

The person rambling in front of me now was such a character. A character in the ‘villainess noble daughter’ position who mentally rattled the lovely protagonist. Both a stumbling block and a stepping stone for growth.

“You! Did you understand what I said?”

“……”

“I don’t know how someone like you became the top student, but don’t act so arrogant!”

Unfortunately, Emilia was not at all favorable towards me. Perhaps it was natural. She was someone who showed hostility even to our harmless protagonist, so how would she react to someone as ominous-looking as me?

In the entrance exam, I had surpassed her and taken the top spot. And I had even struck a cool pose during the new student representative’s speech…

‘Did I get on her bad side?’

Actually, it was something I had somewhat expected. Even I didn’t know why I was the top student in the first place, so how would other students feel?

‘Still, we’re both nobles. I thought she might let it slide, but…’

Not a chance. The moment Emilia encountered me, she bared her fangs. I casually echoed her words, trying not to upset her, while bitterly chewing on my own sorrowful feelings.

Very bitterly, indeed.

“Oh dear~ My apologies for this.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Because I was so exceptionally talented that I surpassed Lady Beniti and took the top spot!”

“What did you say?!”

“I should have restrained myself out of consideration for Lady-nim’s dignity, but I failed to think of it. Please, forgive me like this…”

I deliberately dabbed at my eyes as if wiping away tears. As I put on my best performance, the girl’s face flushed crimson.

“Are you making fun of me? You’ve been acting like this since earlier…!”

“Making fun? How absurd! It’s simply that I genuinely feel regretful that Lady-nim was pushed down to ‘third place’…”

“Aargh!”

Emilia was now even making a sound like a boiling kettle. I grinned broadly, feeling a thrilling sense of pleasure. I had poked at her a few times for fun, and quite a ‘tasty’ reaction emerged. I simply couldn’t resist teasing her.

“Ah… I resent my own talent. To have a talent that even incites jealousy in my closest friend.”

“I’ve never been jealous! And since when were we best friends, after only just meeting?!”

“My goodness! So you’re telling me the thirty minutes we just spent together was all just a midday dream?”

“That means it hasn’t even been thirty minutes since we met!!”

“Oh, you’re smarter than I thought.”

“So you thought I’d fall for that?!”

“A little?”

This was dangerous. It was a very stimulating kind of fun. Especially because the one reacting like this was a ducal daughter, the thrill of playing a dangerous game was immense. The blood of a troublemaker surged hotly.

“Third, third, third.”

“……What?”

“It means ‘third place’ in total.”

“You… are you truly not afraid of the Beniti Ducal family?”

“Of course, I am.”

However, I merely pursue entertainment. Beyond that, there was nothing left for me. If things went wrong, I could simply erase her memory with my abilities. It wasn’t a method I particularly preferred, though.

“It’s alright, Lady-nim. Isn’t third place also an excellent result?”

“I don’t want to hear that from an underachiever like you!”

“Isn’t third place also an excellent result? Isn’t third place also an excelle–…”

“Don’t you dare repeat it three times!!”

From Emilia’s perspective, it must have been utterly infuriating. She had come to torment someone she disliked, only to be tormented herself. How many times in her life had she been teased? No, perhaps it was her first time ever. And since I was careful not to cross the line, it would have been ambiguous for her to genuinely retaliate. After all, it was just a prank between kids.

‘Although not widely known externally… Emilia’s standing in the Beniti family right now is akin to a kite with a broken string [a proverb about someone who has lost their influence or support].’

And the same went for her twin younger brother. Originally, the twins were the legitimate heirs of Beniti, but due to various entangled matters, they were in a rather difficult position. Well, let’s just gloss over this. It would get too complicated if it went on for too long. In short, Emilia had no leeway to mess with me. She might be able to punish someone like the eldest son of a mere count’s family, but even that would only be possible if there was a legitimate reason.

“I don’t understand why Lady-nim is so angry. I’m simply speaking purely in the spirit of congratulation…”

“Don’t make such a pitiful face like you’re the most miserable person in the world!!”

“Truly… I’m hurt.”

“Eek, eeeek!!”

In the end, Emilia fumed as if sinking. As I savored this long-awaited happiness, her blue eyes glared fiercely at me.

“Ha! Let’s see how long you can maintain such an impertinent attitude.”

“It’s an honor that you’ll be watching.”

“Rumors are already rife among the students. Everyone knows that you’re a terrible, ‘bubble’ top student!”

“Oh, I’ve been found out already.”

“Then enjoy your composure now. Everything will be revealed soon enough.”

The girl smiled sinisterly.

“The upcoming class placement test… it’s conducted in a duel format, isn’t it? I heard your opponent would be Her Royal Highness the Princess.”

“Weren’t duel opponents only revealed on the day of the test?”

“Do you want to know how I found out?”

“Oh~ You were scarier than I thought.”

“Obviously.”

She snorted as if I were beneath her. Her characteristic gaze, as if looking down on others. After continuing the standoff for a while, Emilia finally walked away. It seemed she finally decided to leave.

“Well, this was a waste of time.”

“That’s a disheartening thing to say.”

“A frivolous man like you could never defeat Her Royal Highness the Princess. Your position will be taken away soon enough, so enjoy it while you can.”

Leaving a ‘kind’ warning behind, the girl turned her back. Amidst the hazy season, the blue cinnamon bun-haired girl walked away, one step at a time. I watched her retreating figure for a moment.

As I stood there lost in thought, Irene, who had been observing the situation from nearby, peered into my view.

“Ah, um, excuse me…”

The fox was being uncharacteristically wary. Why was she suddenly acting like this?

“Irene-yang? Why are you suddenly like this?”

“……”

“Irene-yang?”

“……Are you going to kill that person?”

“Huh?”

Irene abruptly threw out a strange question. It was a completely incomprehensible turn of events. I asked back, with a question mark floating above my head.

“Suddenly?”

“She just criticized you arbitrarily. She also ignored you, calling you a ‘bubble’ top student.”

“No, that’s true, but… why do you think I’d kill Lady-nim?”

“Well, you were making a face as if she was annoying. Like you were looking down at a crawling bug…”

“That’s my usual expression, though?”

“Liar.”

The fox growled in a wary voice. Perhaps she was truly nervous, as her forehead was covered in cold sweat and her tail was stiffly rigid. I asked, dumbfounded.

“What on earth do you take me for?”

“A monster.”

“It seems my evaluation is getting harsher and harsher, doesn’t it…?”

I saved you, fed you, housed you, and protected the children too. I did everything for you, yet you slander me like this. Is this what they call an ungrateful fox?

“……But you have the power to do that, don’t you?”

You could cruelly murder that girl and then cover it up. I don’t know how great the Beniti family is, but I don’t think you’d lose, at least.

“That’s why it’s scary. The moment you make up your mind, you’ll become a disaster.”

“Oh dear, it seems you’re overestimating me quite a bit.”

“Are you saying you can’t?”

“Well, that depends on your imagination.”

“See?”

“Hehe.”

I brushed off the awkward question with a laugh, mixing in a slight lie.

“Don’t worry. Even I couldn’t take on a ducal family by myself.”

“I guess so…?”

“Of course.”

Ding!

[Target’s emotions change.] (Wariness, suspicion -> faint reassurance) [A small amount of ‘Lie’ has been restored.] [Current Output remaining: 76.4%]

The clear mechanical sound echoed in my ears. The singular chime signified deception. Between lips that exhaled falsehoods like breathing, only a flickering serpent’s tongue resided. I grinned faintly and continued walking.

“Shall we head back for today? I think we’ve explored enough.”

“……Okay.”

The fox hesitated for a moment, then came to walk beside me. If she was going to do this anyway, why bother being so wary? Feeling mischievous, I firmly grabbed the girl’s tail.

“Yelp?!”

A somewhat cute shriek. A fluffy sensation was felt at my fingertips. As I toyed with that luscious clump of fur a few times, the girl’s disgusted reaction could be heard.

“W-What on earth… why are you touching, *gasp*, there!”

“It’s punishment.”

“S-Suddenly, what kind of punishment! Augh, w-wait, not there…!”

“This is soft.”

“T-Tell me the reason, at least!!”

You don’t know why? You really are hopeless. Today, I’ll instill some respect for your employer. And so, the tail experience continued for a while.

“Ugh, ugh…!”

“You cry quite cutely.”

“T-This is… the worst!”

“Hehe.”

I had originally planned to just play with it for a bit, but Irene’s reaction was much more intense than expected. Finding it amusing, I ended up fondling it for quite a while.

In the end, I only let go of her tail when…

“……Pervert.”

…tears welled up in the fox’s eyes. It took quite a long time to appease her after she became completely sulky.

***

Thus, the chaotic week passed, and before long, it was the day of the class placement test. I thought it was quite a long time given, but once I started touring the academy, even that felt insufficient. Still, there were no particular regrets. I’ll be staying here for the next three years, so there’s no harm in getting to know it slowly.

For now, it was time to focus on the immediate situation. I lifted my bowed head and looked around.

“Please take a seat over here. Check your duel opponent and wait for your turn.”

I followed the staff member’s guidance and took a seat. Our current location was the public training ground near the main building. It was a spacious amphitheater capable of accommodating thousands of people. It was truly as expected, one might say. The scale always left me impressed.

I was momentarily distracted but quickly regained my focus. As I examined the bracket I had received at the entrance, my name caught my eye.

[Trial 7]

[Juda Snakers vs. Charlotte Little von Staufen]

“Lady Beniti’s words were correct.”

My opponent was Charlotte. It wasn’t particularly surprising. I had expected that if the staff intended to test me, they would pair me with the strongest opponent. Our little prince was more than capable of handling such a test.

“Hmm.”

“Young M-Master-nim, are you alright?”

“Ah, Regia-yang.”

Then, pink hair settled into the seat next to me. Tremors resided in her clear green eyes. Regia cautiously asked, pointing to the bracket in my hand.

“Your opponent is Her Royal Highness the Princess… What should we do? I heard she’s truly incredibly strong.”

The girl subtly glanced my way. Was she worried about me? A peculiar, unsettling smile unique to a certain kind of enthusiast escaped me.

“This is delightful.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Is there any reason for me not to be?”

“T-This might be a bit presumptuous to say, but… rumors say Her Royal Highness the Princess is incredibly amazing.”

“Ahem.”

Come to think of it. Regia also saw me taking the entrance exam. It seemed that since my appearance at that time was still fresh in her memory, she was worried about me maintaining my rank. Someone like me being the top student might warrant jealousy at least once, yet her heart was so kind.

I reassured the girl with a satisfied smile.

“Don’t worry… This time will be different, alright?”

It was different from the entrance exam. I was already in the top position, and with attention drawn to me, acting excessively weak would only be detrimental. I intended to reveal a bit of my strength. Neither too little nor too much. Just enough for me to maintain a high rank in the academy.

“You can look forward to it.”

I murmured meaningfully.