episode_0019

The origin of the Imperial Academy dates back to the era of the Great War.

Endless attacks from monsters and demons threatening humanity.

There was a country that took root around the river that traversed the continent. Now, even its name has been forgotten.

It was a country that thought gathering talents scattered across the continent and raising them as heroes was the only means to lead the war to victory. It was established as a cooperative body transcending the nation by the decision of the king, and that place was none other than the Academy. At that time, the king devoted his country to the Academy.

He transformed the palace he used to walk in and the entire capital into the Academy. In other words, the nation itself came to exist solely for the sake of the Academy. The Academy was not just an educational institution but the very capital of that time. Therefore, the scale of the correction could be considered as a small city. Buildings for various purposes such as commerce, research, life, education, and special purposes were not on a single block but made up a huge scale on a global level.

Scarlet thought the Academy was excessively large.

She couldn’t see any sign of reaching her destination no matter how much she walked. On the other hand, David walking with her seemed casual. If it had been her usual self, she would have used the teleport station inside the Academy, but today there was a reason for her to walk.

“What’s the occasion for you to wear all those badges? You didn’t listen when I nagged you about it.”

David asked. It was something he always added while criticizing her behavior as the vice president. “Wear some badges.” Of course, Scarlet didn’t even hear it in one ear. But today, she wore a neat uniform and even put on badges, so David was puzzled.

“Huh? Oh, just in case we run into someone.”

“Who?”

“Oh, just a foolish guy who stumbled in and got himself involved.”

“I see.”

He didn’t ask further.

“By the way, why are you really walking instead of using teleportation?”

“Just felt like it.”

Scarlet looked around as she walked, as if searching for something.

“Ha. Are you lost today? Where on earth are we going?”

“…”

She didn’t respond.

David suspected that she had found a man to hang out with, as usual. Isn’t her behavior too obvious now? However, the reason he kept her by his side as the vice president was because, apart from exposing the man, he thought she was quite competent. It had been three years since the two of them joined the student council together.

“But David! What’s gotten into you taking an interest in a freshman? Could it be that you’ve fallen for a pretty junior?”

“You have a strange idea.”

“Ah~ then what is it?”

Scarlett, not a fool, had observed for three years that the student council president, like herself, was not someone who would be infatuated with the opposite sex. She had just been curious, so she took a chance.

“Have you ever killed anyone?”

David asked, still walking, while Scarlett stopped at his words.

“Am I crazy? You should talk sense.”

Soon David also stopped and turned to look at Scarlett.

“Academy students are all talented, but there are hardly any who have fought for their lives. Both you and I.”

“Suddenly, what’s this… gives me chills.”

“But I know. The gaze of a killer, the aura of vitality…”

David continued, adjusting his glasses with his hand.

“I never expected to see that again from a freshman.”

“Are you saying that pretty junior from earlier is a murderer?”

Scarlett is quick on the uptake, unlike the atmosphere around her.

“I don’t know about that. But one thing’s for sure, the look in that freshman’s eyes just before aiming a sword at Daniella is something I’ll never forget.”

“Why shouldn’t we expel such a terrifying person?”

“Not liking someone’s gaze and expelling them?”

“Well.. using the ‘power of the student council’ could make it possible, right?”

“Scarlett….”

David interrupted the conversation, feeling like it was going off track. There’s no such thing as the “power of the student council.” Scarlett seems to have read some dubious book somewhere again.

“I plan to keep an eye on her. If she really is a dangerous element, at least she needs to be within my sight so I can handle it.”

“What if something scary happens, David? You’ll take care of it somehow, right? I’ll treat you the same as the others then, right?”

“Yeah.”

They started walking again.

“David! But can’t we have dinner at the freshman cafeteria?”

“Maintain your dignity. There’s a lot to do. I asked them to bring dinner to the student council room.”

“Aww..”

“If it’s fate, you’ll meet that man soon.”

“Ha! Who said I’m looking for someone?!”

David didn’t respond. The answer was already written on her face. Scarlett couldn’t hide her feelings. That honesty was also her charm. The new term for the president and vice president was bustling from the start. David thought this year might be noisy all year long.

*

It looked more like a banquet hall than a cafeteria. The spacious hall and high ceilings made the already huge building look even larger. When dinner began, academy staff brought food to the tables.

“Ugh… it’s so awkward…”

“Sorry, maybe it’s because I’m sitting with a commoner like me…”

“No way.”

The round table where Letitia and I were sitting could easily accommodate 8 people, but no one tried to sit there. Thanks to that, Letitia and I could occupy this large table alone. Perhaps everyone avoided me today because of what I had caused.

“Rumors spread fast.”

“There were probably many eyes watching.”

“You don’t have to hang out with me, Letitia.”

“Huh? It’s okay! Besides Beatrice, I don’t have any other friends anyway.”

With Letitia’s bright personality, she could make friends quickly, but I was slightly moved that she was willing to stay by my side despite my terrible image. As I was thinking that, Julia approached. Her black uniform jacket contrasted well with her silver short hair.

“Miss Beatrice.”

“You’re here, Julia! This is my roommate Letitia. She’s from the Lug Union. Letitia, this is Julia. She’s a maid who grew up with me and is my friend.”

“Hey, did the maid also enroll in the academy?”

“Yeah. Come sit down, Yulia.”

When it came to describing Yulia, everyone had a similar reaction. Even Chloe.

Despite Yulia joining us, our table still seemed empty. I picked up the wine glass that had been filled before the food arrived.

“Beatrice, is it true that there was a conflict with the heir of the Lugo Confederation?”

“Huh! Did even the Imperial Studies students hear about it?”

I almost spilled my drink. Wiping the wine around my lips, I asked Yulia. The Imperial Studies students lived on a separate planet from other military academies. They had no distinct classes and used their own dormitories. But it seemed like my story had already spread.

“Lugo Confederation exchange students have their own network. They’re already spreading rumors about you, Beatrice. Ignorant people… Oops! I’m sorry, Miss Leticia.”

“I’m fine, really! Don’t worry…”

Yulia was about to gossip about the Lugo Confederation but stopped when Leticia was nearby. Of course, Leticia didn’t seem particularly attached to the Confederation.

“So this is the result.”

I said, looking at the empty seats at our table. It seemed like I would have to make constant efforts to change the villainess image.

As dinner progressed and the food was served, I looked around and spotted Daniella sitting far away. And next to her, the blond handsome man. His stature wasn’t imposing, but his features were sharp. So, he was recognizable from a distance.

Karl Meiner.

‘That woman is just like a novel character.’

The first person to approach Karl, who was sitting alone at the table in the original work, was Daniella. Naturally, she approached him with the intention of getting close to the son of the Meiner Marquis. According to her father’s will. She had come to the academy for the future of the Confederation. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the Confederation. Approaching someone like Sir Meiner was all too easy for her.

“Even if it’s just a face, Daniel must have been surprised.”

Of course, it was Daniela who approached with an ulterior motive. But soon, she would forget about her initial purpose and fall for Karl. At first, it would be his appearance, then his personality, and finally, his strength. Envious bastard. I should have been the one to inhabit that body.

I picked at my food with a fork, stealing glances at them throughout the meal.

*

“So, how was your impression of the student council room?”

David asked, sitting in a chair at the desk by the window.

I visited the student council room after both the reception and the new student orientation were over. David and Scarlett welcomed me. It seemed like there were only the two of them today.

The student council building was a small two-story building tucked away in a corner of the academy. Compared to the other grand buildings, it could be considered relatively modest.

“It’s more modest than I thought.”

“The student council doesn’t wield absolute power or anything.”

“But still, since you came all the way here, wouldn’t our pretty underclassman help us out?”

“Beatrice.”

“I know~ But she’s so pretty, it’s hard not to keep calling her that, right?”

I shook my head and stared at David. It seemed like I had to keep talking about this woman who was the vice president, or else things would get explosive.

“In fact, bringing freshmen to the student council from the entrance ceremony is not a common occurrence in the history of the academy. Still, I suggested it. Beatrice de Dalia. Will you become a member of the student council?”

There was no need to hesitate. The original Beatrice was part of the student council. Not only for that reason, but also because I needed an opportunity to reverse my image at the academy. An opportunity like the student council. I needed to find a colleague to help me rebuild my empire at the academy. There probably wouldn’t be anyone willing to join me, the villainous young lady, right now. So, I need the student council.

“Why are you giving me such a rare opportunity?”

“The director, of course, and the audacity not to cower before me. That level of boldness that doesn’t back down even in the fight against the first class.”

“I’m picking based on looks~”

It seemed like someone added something behind, but I ignored it. Looking at David, it seemed like there was more to it than the surface reason he mentioned, but it didn’t seem necessary to delve into it right away.

“Okay. I’ll do it. Student council. But! Don’t expect special treatment from me as a senior. I will treat you just like now in the future.”

“Wow, it’s impressive that you even set conditions.”

David lowered his hand with the chin rest.

He stood up and reached out his hand to me.

“Welcome to the student council. Beatrice de Dalia.”

“I’m counting on you~”

Scarlett said with a smile.

“Don’t mention it. It’s my pleasure.”

I shook hands with David.

That’s how my academy life began.

It was a really long and lengthy entrance ceremony.

Academy life starting as a despicable villainess. But it’s okay. I can slowly change my image starting with the student council. There’s still plenty of time. Time to gather allies to reclaim the empire.

Anyone is fine.

Any method is fine.

As long as they can help me with my revenge.

I promise to give you everything you want.

Within this grand academy.

I will find you all.

Those who will be my family in the future.

Noble lady of the academy.

-End