episode_0018

The first lecture for new students in the Faculty of Magic. ‘Cooperative Research – Basics’.

This course has had a bad reputation for generations.

Even Stella, the professor in charge, hated this subject so much during her time at the academy.

There was only one reason.

Because of the nature of the lecture, there are many group assignments.

The Academy is a place where talented magicians gather, and most of the students have sky-high self-esteem.

You put those people together and force them to do group projects?

There’s no way it’ll work out properly.

Even those who were called wise men recalled this subject in this way.

When five people gather, one of them is trash.

But when five wizards gather, everyone except me is trash.

But, currently.

The atmosphere in the cooperative research classroom was extremely warm.

Needless to say, it was all thanks to Estee.

-Thump thump. Slap.

‘What is that, disciple, it’s really cute.’

As Stella began to lecture, holding back her regret, Esti ran over and sat on top of a noble lady.

At that harmless sight, everyone’s lips curled up.

‘Well, you’re short, disciple. If you just sit down, you won’t be able to see very well.’

The reason most people guessed was because Estee was too short.

The desks in the auditorium, which was designed for adults to sit at, were quite high.

It would be too high for Esti, who is 135cm tall, to just sit down.

That’s why everyone foolishly thought that instead of sitting on a cushion, they would sit on top of their friend, who was also a noble, to raise their sitting height.

The father’s smile naturally came out at the sight of his father’s dedication to his studies.

… However, the reality was a bit different.

“Ugh… That, that. Over there. Princess… .”

“Why are you like that, Shepor Youngae?”

-Bubibubibubib.

‘This villainess is like Yeong-ae. Take it… What, what was it? Was it a steel weight? I don’t really watch martial arts so I don’t know. Anyway, take it!!’

To Estee, Shepor is not a friend, but a heartless villain who is trying to harass her favorite, Irene.

Sitting on Shepor was just to embarrass her.

I thought that if she, the princess, could stand tall like a mountain above him, how much more difficult it would be for her, who was only the second daughter of a baron.

That’s why Estee shouted out unfamiliar technical names in her head and made a fuss.

To eradicate the villainess Youngae.

however.

For Shepor, this was just a reward.

That too, of the highest standard.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh… … .”

‘Oh my goodness, how can it be so small, cute, and soft…?’

Shepor is a person who can’t stand small and cute things.

The main reason she came to the academy was to become close with Estee.

I couldn’t stand my favorite fangirling.

But, isn’t that Estee wiggling her butt on my thigh?

The blood of the Vernon family was boiling.

“Ughh …

‘I really want to hug you right now… … !!!’

Shepor’s breathing became ragged, like that of a wild boar that has been starving for several days and has found prey.

Irene, sitting next to him, was worried for a moment that he might suffocate.

In addition, her forearms were also trembling wildly.

Following the impulses swirling in my head.

Should I just close my eyes and hug you tightly?

No. If you hug me without permission when we haven’t even cleared up the misunderstanding from yesterday, I’ll hate you.

But the princess sat on me first? Isn’t this essentially a sign that I can hug her as much as I want?

With this kind of self-rationalization.

However, Shepor ultimately did not move a finger.

Show off your perfect patience, worthy of a socialite.

‘I can’t just hug the princess without permission and cause trouble to the family. For the sake of the Vernon family…’

“… … .”

‘Wow, can you hold up under the weight of the royal family? I’ll press you down harder.’

-Bubibubibubib.

“Huh, huh huh…!!!”

‘The Vernon family. Vernon. Ver, nooong… …!!!!’

She bit her lower lip while desperately calling out for her family.

Looking at that sight, Louis, sitting next to her, thought this.

‘… Does he like Estee too? I just didn’t know, and is homosexuality actually a common thing?’

If Shepor had heard it himself, he would have been furious and said that it was some kind of dirty and vulgar thing.

* * *

After I easily crushed Shepor, who was trying to do something bad while I was sleeping in.

While Louis was looking at this side strangely, the teacher started his lecture.

“In this course, you will be introduced to various schools of magic. Unless you are a ‘witch’, they will all be unfamiliar to you… .”

-Shock.

Irene flinched at the keyword ‘witch’ that came up during the lecture.

Of course, even if I flinched, it was only a slight gasp of relief.

So much so that it was completely unnoticeable, buried under Shepor’s terrified breathing.

No one would have noticed except me, who was focused on her.

Well, I guess I should say that the acting was a bust at the point where I got caught.

‘Oh my… You should take some acting lessons from me, the absolute mastermind. Lady.’

-Sigh.

So I smiled faintly…

I used magic secretly.

A magic called yumhwa, which allows you to convey your thoughts to each other silently.

It was telepathy.

-Ugh… .

[Ah. Irene, can you hear me?]

“… … ?”

[Hello, Princess?]

Sudden telepathy.

Although it could be confusing if you don’t know the trick, Irene answered calmly.

A witch-like appearance that no one can match with magic.

After that, our secret conversation began.

[Shepor is behind you, so I’ll speak to him telepathically. Did he do anything to you?]

[… No? Rather, he said that we should be friends.]

[Really? You didn’t just look down on me or harass me or anything?]

[Yes. Rather, it seems like you protected me…]

‘… Huh?’

My head tilted.

No, I thought Bona Mana Shepor was trying to harass Irene. It’s the opposite.

For a moment I thought I had caught a living person…

‘… That couldn’t be true. Irene is so innocent, she probably wouldn’t have even understood what Bona was swearing at her. Of course.’

Soon I shook my head.

There was no way that the innocent Irene could understand the dark diss unique to the high society.

Feeling annoyed, I sent another thought while poking Shepor’s lower abdomen with my tailbone.

-Kong kong.

“Ugh… … .”

[Irene, you’re too kind, it’s a problem. Ugh.]

[…Me?]

[Okay. Anyway, I’m glad that nothing bad happened… but from now on, Louis and I will definitely go out together. Okay?]

‘Louis alone can entangle this villainess. Louis must suppress her with force, and I must suppress her with my status.’

What I telepathically conveyed was a code of conduct for the future.

Irene, a witch, is the type of person who is hated even when she walks around, so they suggested that they move in groups of three.

No matter how crazy the villain is, he wouldn’t harass me, a member of the royal family, more than he would an average professor.

Irene was so happy about that that a smile appeared on her lips.

[… It won’t work if you go out with the princess, but you have to take Prince Louis with you too?]

[Yeah. Definitely.]

[Okay, I understand. I’ll be happy to join you.]

‘… What, what, what are you two doing!!? What are you doing looking at Louis while smiling!?’

The way she looked at Louis with a smile, no matter where or how you looked at her, she was a girl in love.

It must have been a joy to be able to travel with my prince from now on.

I also look at them alternately, probably because I am grateful to him for giving me this opportunity.

The corners of my mouth went up in joy.

-Hehe.

[Yeah! From now on, the three of us will always be together!]

[Yes. I will do my best for the princess.]

‘Huh? Why for me… Did he notice that I was trying to push him?’

[… Did you really have a lot of tea?]

[Prince Louis didn’t seem to notice, but… a woman would know everything if she saw it.]

[Hehehe… I’m a little embarrassed.]

Irene noticed my intention to connect the two, so she felt a little embarrassed and scratched her cheek.

The person involved is so motivated that it doesn’t matter if they get caught.

After all, what’s important is capturing Louis, who doesn’t even know that woman.

[Still, I’m glad you said that. I’ll only trust you, Irene.]

[I will do my best as the princess’ friend. Hehe.]

[Okay! If you need anything, just tell me!]

The girl in love and Cupid, who was cheering her on, looked at each other and smiled.

-Mumble.

“Estie, you’re surprisingly proactive. From day one, two girls… .”

Over there, Louis muttered something out of the blue.

It was clear that it wasn’t something worth listening to.

What would that wall window know? Yeah.

* * *

Meanwhile, Irene smiled alone at Estee’s cuteness.

To her, the conversation just now was…

Because it sounded like nothing more than a request from Estee, who was desperate to connect with Louis.

Why do I have to go with Louis?

Because Estee likes Louis.

Why do I have to go with Irene?

Because it’s embarrassing to go out alone.

In addition, he even smiled shyly when she said that she would do her best for him.

In Irene’s eyes, Estee was just a girl who was worried and unsure of how to approach the boy she loved.

‘You’re so honest, it’s actually cute. Even if I wasn’t a witch, or if it weren’t for survival, I’d want to help you.’

-Tiring!

[Irene’s favorability is readjusted. Current favorability: 65 (+5)]

‘Oh, your favorability rating went up again. Did you really like hanging out with Louis?’

Irene’s guard was lowered a little more because of that.

And, between those broken boundaries.

——Irene’s witchy nature stuck out her tongue like a snake.

[Then, Your Highness. Can I ask you one favor?]

[Anything!]

[Can you tell me what happened to you 10 years ago, Princess?]

‘I heard the gist of what happened, but it all depends on how you perceive it.’

Tell me the story of that day ten years ago that shocked everyone.

If other people had heard it, they would have been shocked and thought it was some kind of witchcraft.

It was like stirring up the PTSD of the unfortunate princess.

But Irene didn’t care.

I pray for Estee, because witches are inherently cruel.

And. Esti responded to her heartless words…

———I wasn’t hurt at all.

‘Oh, how is that… Ah, it’s because of Louis?’

[Okay! I’ll tell you!]

After that, Estee calmly recalled her past story.

The nuclear bomb that has turned everyone around into a sea of tears, but has never exposed anyone to it.

‘I made a few mistakes on the first day of the ice rink, but… well, if it were Irene, a commoner, she wouldn’t have made a fuss and would have listened to me.’

[This happened on my birthday…]