episode_0148

“Huh…?”

Contrary to my confident expectations, no one stepped forward. Of course, I knew it wasn’t easy for anyone to openly declare they’d partner with me in a place like this. But didn’t these girls have no other choice?

The moment I thought that, Cecilia raised her hand and spoke.

“President, if it’s alright with you, may I make a suggestion?”

“Go ahead.”

“As you said, it would indeed be ridiculous for the student council members, who have a duty to guide the students of this Fiend Academy, to skip the ball simply because they lack partners. But regardless of how we feel, you must understand that no one has applied to pair with us precisely because they’re intimidated by our status, right?”

“True. It’s something I’ve never considered before… but hearing you say it, I suppose that’s the case.”

“So here’s my proposal—why don’t we take on the role of escorts for this ball instead?”

“Escorts?”

“Yes. You’re aware, aren’t you, President? That the Fiend Academy’s ball isn’t just for students or lovers to indulge in—apologies—to strengthen their friendships?”

The upperclassman nodded.

“And who usually guards the hall outside where the ball is held?”

“The Imperial soldiers. Handpicked elites, at that. So what you’re saying is, since no one will choose us, we might as well become the guard dogs of the estate? Hard to believe those are the words of a saintess.”

“My, wouldn’t it be excellent publicity for both the academy and you, Elia, if we stood alongside the hardworking soldiers outside, showing our unwavering spirit? Without even needing to step inside.”

“Wait, being escorts means we’d be standing guard with the soldiers?”

“Yes. Not to sound arrogant, but… is there anyone here who couldn’t handle the role of a single Imperial soldier?”

I immediately raised my hand.

“Cecilia, I think your standards are way too high right now. An ordinary academy student wouldn’t even consider facing off against an elite Imperial soldier.”

Excluding the four who retained their memories from previous loops—and even the current president, who could easily replace a soldier in combat—I was different.

“I’m just an ordinary student who can see a bit of the future. If you put me against any random soldier, my head would fly off in under ten seconds.”

“I know. But my explanation isn’t over yet, so could you wait a moment?”

“Hmm.”

Well, someone like Cecilia wouldn’t have overlooked me. And with that, Cecilia spoke again.

“We’ll submit an application with one person partnering with Eric to protect him. The rest of us will take on the role of academy escorts. Wouldn’t that be a plan convincing enough for everyone?”

“Hold on. You’re saying only one person partners with me? How do you decide who that is?”

I could guarantee it—if anyone here openly went to the ball with me, all eyes would turn this way. Sure, there’d be pity for my partner, but even more so, there’d be scorn and jealousy directed at me, the weakling. At this rate, I’d have to worry about being assassinated inside the ballroom.

“Obviously, it should be the strongest person here. I’m well aware of how weak Eric is, you know? While it’s hard to imagine anything happening inside the ballroom, just in case, Eric’s escort should be the most reliable among us, right?”

“Are you talking about Luciella?”

“……”

Elia glanced at Luciella as she spoke, but the latter only clutched her sword tightly, staring at the floor.

“I won’t attend the ball.”

“What are you talking about, unnie? Who here is stronger than you?”

“You expect me to go to the ball with Eric and dance together in front of everyone? If we’re not laughed at, it’d be a miracle.”

“But—”

“I don’t care if I’m the one being mocked, but I can’t accept Eric suffering the same. Find someone else.”

Against all expectations, Luciella resisted far more stubbornly than any of us had anticipated. Even without having obtained the Holy Sword at this point, her personal combat prowess surpassed everyone here. Cecilia let out a light sigh.

“If you’re that against it, then there’s nothing we can do. What about you, Eric?”

“Well, if Luciella refuses, I’ll just have to accept it. It’s not like I can force anyone to partner with me.”

Luciella must’ve judged that being seen with me would only harm both of us. It wasn’t an unreasonable stance, so I decided to respect her decision.

“In that case, the next candidate would be—”

“Wait!”

“Yes, what is it, President?”

“Let me handle it!”

“You, President?”

The upperclassman vigorously shook her head.

“Hmm, protecting Eric should be the top priority for everyone here. Even without his prophecies, we must prepare thoroughly—after all, the continent’s political landscape could flip in an instant depending on whether his information exists or not. So, we can’t afford to let too much attention fall on Eric during this ball.”

“I fail to see how that justifies you being the one. If you’re planning some melodramatic act of mercy—like the student council president graciously partnering with a problem child who got lucky—then spare us.”

“Don’t be absurd. I deeply respect Eric, and I acknowledge the resolve he’s shown in keeping his secrets all this time. Do you really think I’d consider something so shallow?”

“Then what?”

“It’s about promoting Eric. Not just to the other academy students, but to those who’ll hear about it from them.”

“That’s the complete opposite of what you just said. Wouldn’t it be better for you to just stand guard outside with me, then?”

“That’s not it. Right now, Eric—and I’m sorry to say this—is all talk with nothing to show for it. You’d agree, wouldn’t you?”

“That’s true.”

I admitted it plainly. Though I’d boldly declared my intentions to change at the start of the semester, in reality, little about me had actually changed since entering the academy. The most I could say was that I’d stopped causing trouble and behaved quietly—but that was something most academy students were already doing, so it wasn’t anything remarkable.

Sure, some might’ve looked at me differently after seeing the notorious troublemaker turn over a new leaf, but in the end, that was it. No one seriously believed my words or showed any expectations of me. They just watched me with suspicion, waiting for me to cause trouble again.

And then, I got dragged into that large-scale incident with Chris and Cecilia, so in reality, my standing within the academy hadn’t changed at all.

“We had to downplay Eric’s role in defeating Fairchild.”

“It was too big of an incident. We couldn’t afford to reveal his existence so soon in a place like that.”

“Elia’s right, that time was unavoidable, but…”

“Now, now. Regretting the past isn’t what we should be doing right now!”

The upperclassman clapped her hands lightly, lightening the mood.

“Anyway, at this ball, I’ll take Eric with me and have him speak in front of everyone! About what kind of man he is, what he envisions, and how he plans to change. That’s the plan.”

As she said this, she gave me a meaningful glance, and only then did I understand why she’d insisted on partnering with me for the ball.

“Planning to plant some agitators too?”

“Of course! There are quite a few students in the academy who owe favors to our faction. It’s not like I’m asking for anything too difficult.”

“Understood. I’ll need to prepare an impressive speech, then.”

“Mhm. I trust you. If even a fraction of your first-year eloquence remains, this should be no trouble for you.”

“W-wait a second!”

Chris suddenly cut into our conversation.

“What are you two talking about? A speech? Agitators? Hold on.”

Mid-question, Chris seemed to piece it together herself, muttering under her breath.

And seeing her reaction, the other three seemed to catch on as well. They’d always been smarter than me, so with just this hint, it was only a matter of time before they figured it all out.

“Probably exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Seriously? Oppa’s going to do that?”

“Well. It’s not that hard. At most, it’s just giving a grand speech targeting the academy.”

The ballroom would inevitably be filled not just with academy students but also teachers ensuring nothing went wrong. In such a place, with the president’s backing, I’d stand before everyone and declare—I’ve changed, I was a fool in the past, and here’s my grand confession and resolution.

‘They’ll have no choice but to acknowledge it.’

And with Dave and Cheryl’s help, the upcoming newspaper coverage would seal the deal. With the academy and public opinion on my side, I’d be unstoppable.