Qualifications

Ellie and Luna managed to find an empty classroom nearby. This classroom, often used only for alchemy lab sessions, contained nothing but long desks and chairs.

It was lunchtime, so there was no chance of anyone stumbling upon this classroom by accident.

Sitting down in chairs facing each other, Ellie spoke.

,Hi, we’ve met before, right? We saw each other once before. It wasn’t exactly a situation where we could exchange greetings, though.”

Luna nodded slightly, watching Ellie start off with those words.

She hadn’t forgotten what happened when Princess Bella, also a senior in the Department of Magic, had summoned her. Luna clearly remembered that Ellie, unlike her own timid self that day, had maintained a confident demeanor in front of the princess without showing any signs of intimidation.

She wondered if she could become like that too, secretly envying Ellie.

,Yes, I remember.”

,Then let me properly introduce myself. I’m Ellie. Ross’s childhood friend, the top student in the Department of Magic… and the top freshman. Nice to meet you.”

As she introduced herself, Ellie extended her hand, but it was her left hand.

Luna, flustered, just stared at the offered hand. Ellie, noticing this, twisted one corner of her mouth and switched hands.

,Ah, I heard you weren’t feeling well. My mistake. Sorry.”

Seeing Ellie offer her right hand while saying that, Luna forced a smile and shook it, trying to appear okay.

,It’s alright. I’m Luna. From the Department of Magic, and…”

Luna didn’t have anything like being the top student like Ellie. However, for some reason, Luna felt like she really wanted to say this to Ellie.

,I’m Ross’s girlfriend.”

Luna could feel Ellie’s hand, which she was holding, twitch slightly.

,Yeah, I heard about it from Ross. That you two are dating…”

Ellie, having released her hand, wore a relaxed smile.

It was a look that clearly established who had the upper hand in the conversation, just with a smile.

,I want to ask you something. Do you happen to know why Ross is in the infirmary?”

,No. I don’t really… know either.”

As Luna shook her head weakly, Ellie tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

Each time her head moved, her black hair swayed, making her look cute, but Luna felt a strange sense of wariness.

,Didn’t Ross say anything? Like where he was going… or if he had something to take care of.”

,He didn’t say anything like that. He just disappeared without a word…”

At Luna’s answer, Ellie sighed.

Then, she chuckled softly, loud enough for Luna to hear, and muttered to herself.

,I thought that as his girlfriend, you might know something… Hmm, I guess you two aren’t that close yet.”

Ellie was speaking as if joking around with a friend, but for some reason, Luna felt like she was being mocked.

Because of that, she didn’t intend to get angry, but a chilly voice slipped out of her mouth without her realizing it.

,I guess so. I’ve never heard Ross mention having a childhood friend either… But it’s okay. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

Hearing those words, Ellie wiped away her relaxed smile and stared intently at Luna.

,Yeah, whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

Ellie, seemingly surprised by Luna’s reaction, said that and paused for a moment, maintaining eye contact.

Shining her obsidian eyes and wearing a gentle smile, Ellie leaned slightly forward and whispered to Luna.

,I like Ross.”

***

,Hoo.”

A sigh escaped involuntarily. He didn’t know how many beads he had picked up so far. Surely it was over a thousand?

He had no way of knowing how much time had passed, which made him feel even more bored.

The beads that had been pouring down from the sky had stopped, but the ground was still covered with them. No matter where he turned his head, all he could see was beads.

Just in case, he tried using magic, but nothing happened. As a result, he couldn’t use his spatial storage either.

If he could take something out of his spatial storage, he could sort the beads more easily. But, as a penalty, it seemed he had to solve it manually.

He didn’t need to drink anything, and he didn’t break a sweat. He didn’t feel tired even if he didn’t sleep, so he just picked up beads repetitively like a machine.

A world without any sound or wind, except for the sound of picking up beads.

Because of that, he had a lot of thoughts in his head. Feeling a strange sense of déjà vu in this situation, he rummaged through his memories and remembered the time when he used to work part-time at a convenience store.

A day spent repetitively stocking shelves, while his mind continued to wander.

There was a time when he would come home after his shift and write down those fantasies.

Even after being possessed by Ross, that habit hadn’t disappeared. However, he wasn’t creating new stories like he used to.

He was in a situation where he had entered the novel he had created. In a situation where something he had only imagined had become reality, there was no need to come up with other fantasies.

He couldn’t check the setting details, but his thoughts kept spiraling.

Dwinn’s death. With the spy who had infiltrated the academy now vacant, what actions would the Order take?

How would Roel react to the fact that Bella had been attacked by the Order and that he had collapsed trying to stop it?

Looking back on the past now, there were definitely things he regretted. He sometimes regretted not planning more meticulously and safely.

But he had no intention of wasting time being caught up in regrets. Now was the time for him to fully focus on growth.

In six months, from the moment Roel became a third-year and he became a second-year, the Order would directly confront the Empire.

Those who had made contracts with demons had also begun to operate, and the continent was gradually falling into chaos.

He had to erase the names written in the Book of Death while living his academy life, and he also had to prevent the emperor, who had made a deal with an immortal, from committing crazy acts in advance.

He chuckled at the thought that he might become skilled at picking up beads by then.

When he looked up, he saw the ground covered with beads. He felt a sense of futility at the sight of how little it had decreased despite his hard work, but if it meant picking up beads instead of dying, he was grateful and willing to do it.

Let’s think positively. He repeated that to himself and started picking up beads again.

The inside of his pocket must have been a subspace, because no matter how many beads he filled it with, it didn’t bulge. As a result, he couldn’t even tell how hard he had worked.

While thinking about artifacts and opportunities to give to the club members, he soon thought of Luna, as was his habit.

He didn’t stop his hands while thinking about a gift to give to Luna, who would be away for a while during the vacation.

Because he had a place to return to.

***

Luna blinked for a moment at Ellie’s bombshell. ,I like Ross.’ She didn’t understand those short words.

Ross was her lover. Logically, liking someone else’s lover was a bad thing.

She asked, wondering if the meaning behind Ellie’s words about liking Ross wasn’t the absurd thought that was popping into her head.

,What do you mean…?”

,Just what I said. I like Ross. Not as a friend, but as a romantic interest.”

It was Luna who lost her composure and became flustered at Ellie’s confident voice, which accurately conveyed her meaning.

She had never once thought about losing Ross. Not even to someone’s sudden intrusion.

,Wh, what are you talking about? Ross and I are da, dating.”

,I know, but so what? I’ve been really worried because I didn’t even know what my feelings were all this time. But now I know, I like Ross. He’s too good to just remain friends. So I’m going to like Ross openly.”

As Luna looked at her with wavering eyes, Ellie wore a gentle smile and spoke soothingly.

,Don’t worry. I’m not trying to break you two up. I’m just going to be a new lover by Ross’s side, like Roel Oppa. It’s a harem, you know? Isn’t that what all guys dream of?”

Ellie laughed brightly, as if it were nothing.

,Th, that’s!”

Luna, who had unknowingly shouted, bit her tongue and looked at Ellie with tearful eyes, covering her mouth tightly with one hand.

She had never imagined that someone would suddenly intrude on the happiness she had dreamed of with Ross. She had thought they would be happy together for a long time…

Ellie said with a nonchalant expression.

,To be honest, I don’t think you’re qualified to be Ross’s girlfriend.”

,Excuse me…?”

Luna momentarily wondered if she had heard a hallucination and asked back in a daze. She couldn’t think of any reason why she would be told by someone she was talking to for the first time that she wasn’t qualified to be by Ross’s side.

But Ellie shrugged without any guilt.

,Ross is the top student in the Combat Department and the runner-up freshman. I’m the top student in the Magic Department and the top freshman. But you… I might hurt you if I say this, but I’ll say it for your sake. You’re not helpful to Ross at all.”

Luna clutched her skirt. She bit her lip tightly to suppress her emotions as her breathing quickened and her vision blurred, but her eyes were already filled with tears.

,Do you know why you were called to Bella that day?”

,That’s… no.”

Luna trailed off as she answered Ellie’s sudden question.

,You were called because you’re Ross’s lover. I was called because I’m Ross’s childhood friend.”

Luna didn’t understand Ellie’s words. Why would being Ross’s lover be a reason to be bullied?

,Aren’t you curious why Bella offered to guarantee us the top student positions? The answer is simple. If we accepted the offer, she would have used it to blackmail us. Because Bella is trying to bring Ross down no matter what.”

Ellie added with a grin.

,I overcame whatever dirty tricks Bella played and became the top student of the year. But you… frankly, you’re not feeling well, and you’re not that skilled. If Bella does something like this again… can you handle it? Can you do it on your own? I’m just saying this because I’m worried. You never know what Bella might do to your family next time.”

,I, I’m…”

As Luna mumbled in confusion, Ellie continued to press on.

,Ross has been through a lot. He was constantly compared to his brother and felt inferior his whole life, and he lived a depressing life. I was always by his side. In a situation where Bella has a grudge against Ross, I think the person Ross can rely on… is me, as always.”

Tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks. Luna, startled, raised her hand to wipe away the tears, but they continued to flow.

Ellie stroked Luna’s shoulder as if to comfort her and said in a low voice.

,I have no intention of interfering with your love. But, if you really care about Ross… I want you to allow me to become Ross’s new lover. Ross needs someone to lean on comfortably, too.”

Saying that, Ellie got up from her chair and said her last words.

,It might sound like bragging, but I’ve become a disciple of Headmaster Nelson. A disciple of the Archmage, the top student of the year… I’ll grow even more in the future, and Ross will grow even more than he is now. Put aside your selfishness and think about it. From Ross’s perspective, who would be more helpful?”

Leaving those words behind, Ellie left the classroom with light steps.