Chapter 10
“…It looks like Bella might come looking for you herself soon. I’ll take my leave first.”
As soon as Diehl’s name came up, I decided to excuse myself before saying anything that could be misunderstood.
Besides, who knew what the princess might say about Diehl? I couldn’t just sit there and listen.
Of course, part of it was also that I thought staying here and engaging in meaningless conversation was a waste of time.
Anyway, after that first tea party of the day…
“Hi, Shua!”
“Yeah… good to see you, Lala.”
Since I kept visiting the Imperial Palace regularly, I eventually surrendered to Lala’s insistence that she’d make a sculpture of my face as a birthday gift.
‘How did I end up surrounded by so many rich lunatics? Why…?’
“Hey, don’t get distracted when I’m talking to you.”
I had my chin propped on my left hand as I looked at Lala, who was speaking cutely, when I caught sight of a shadow darting past behind her.
And after that unknown figure passed, a diamond necklace suddenly appeared in Lala’s once-empty right hand.
“Don’t act all shy and try to hide it, Lala. I saw the Shadow Unit hand you that necklace. I told you I don’t need jewels.”
As expected, the figure was indeed from the Shadow Unit, the imperial family’s secret guard assigned to protect the prince and princess. Lala pretended to look dejected.
“You’re so mean.”
Lala was another type of friend compared to Bella. They both liked me, but where Bella was a tsundere…
“You useless things. What good is your stealth if you can’t even discreetly hand over a necklace properly?”
…Lala was the type who seemed like she could turn yandere at any moment.
“Shua, have you decided on your major yet? Literature? Martial Arts?”
“You’re not even considering magic, right?”
“Of course not. You don’t have a shred of magical talent. Unlike your beloved…”
“Quiet. I haven’t decided yet.”
Sometimes, Lala would tease me by pairing me up with Diehl.
Since it wasn’t good for rumors to spread about two unmarried nobles being “close,” I always had to shut her up before she said too much.
“What about you? Business administration?”
“Who knows~ I’d tell you, but I kind of want to see your surprised face later.”
“You’re not talented in magic either, so it can’t be that.”
Whenever I asked about her major, Lala would always give me that sly smile and dodge the question.
She clearly didn’t have any magical ability either—so what kind of non-magic major would surprise me?
“Anyway, there’s only a month left before we start school. Think carefully.”
“So, basically, you’ll tell me in a month.”
“See? This is why I like you, Shua. So proper and adorable.”
“Don’t you ever get embarrassed?”
At my words, Lala just laughed brightly. I patted her head and popped the last piece of chocolate cookie into my mouth.
It was just an ordinary day, one month before entering the academy.
* * *
“Shua, I heard Lady Beth is this year’s freshman representative. Who knew someone that pretty could also be smart…”
We were lined up for the entrance ceremony at the academy when Bella said that, making me blink in surprise.
“W-Who’s the freshman representative?”
“Lady Beth. The tutors from each noble house submitted temporary academic assessments, and she scored the highest.”
That wasn’t what happened in the original story.
In the original, the freshman representative was—
“M-Miss Tevion, why are you looking at me like that…?”
—that blue-haired girl, Haver.
“I just thought, since we’re all freshmen now, we should drop the formalities. Remember, I told you to call me by my nickname?”
“Ah, r-right… Shua…”
Haver was still as shy as ever.
Not just with me, but with anyone who made eye contact—she’d immediately blush and stammer.
She was even softer than the original heroine, so I couldn’t imagine how someone like her would ever become the head of a merchant guild.
“Haver, what’s your major?”
“E-Economics. You?”
“I’m still thinking. Haven’t found one that fits.”
Beside us, Bella was fidgeting with her new uniform awkwardly while I continued talking with Haver.
“Students, the Student Council President will enter shortly. The ceremony will begin once the Headmaster arrives. Please wait patiently.”
Bella whispered that the pretty senior speaking was last year’s top student.
‘She’s like that “Friend A” who explains the school to the transferred heroine…’
As I chuckled at my own thought, I suddenly grew curious about Bella’s information network.
“Bella, how do you know all this stuff?”
“You know Erne Daily, right?”
“There’s not a single person in the Empire who doesn’t.”
“It’s published by the House of Viscount Erne. I’m friends with the daughter.”
“…Since when?”
“Back during your debutante ball—you were busy wandering around, remember?”
If Bella had been born on Earth, she would’ve been the kind of social butterfly who knew everyone, seniors and juniors alike.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Kashenio, your Student Council President.”
As in the original, the president was my older brother.
Thankfully, unlike in the story, the heroine didn’t seem to fall in love at first sight this time—probably because I’d interfered earlier.
“Next, the freshman representative will take the oath.”
But since the heroine was the representative now, I had no idea how things would unfold.
“I swear. I, Lunasion, along with 212 other students, hereby pledge to uphold the academy’s regulations and fulfill our duties as students.”
“We swear!”
Still, nothing particularly dramatic happened.
My brother simply handed her the document and maintained a perfectly professional demeanor—no romantic glances, no sparks flying.
The heroine was also serious and stiff, reading the oath in a perfectly flat tone, her arm raised at a precise ninety degrees.
‘…Well, that was anticlimactic.’
After the oath, the Headmaster gave a long speech.
Apparently, principals and deans are the same in every world—long-winded and sleep-inducing.
“Bella, aren’t you getting sleepy?”
“Completely. My family’s butler is bad, but this is another level.”
“At this rate, I’m going to—whoa!”
“Hey, you—!”
What started as pretending to collapse from boredom turned into actually falling backward.
Bella reached out to grab me, but I was already tipping over too fast.
‘Bella, you were a good friend…’
“…You should be more careful.”
“Ah…”
But before I hit the ground, someone caught my shoulder—Yuth.
He froze in place, still holding me, stiff as a board.
Watching him reminded me of how, in the original, he used to get flustered just from brushing hands with the heroine, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“You said we’d end up seeing each other at the academy even if we didn’t meet earlier. I didn’t expect it to be like this, though. Haha.”
“I don’t know what’s so funny, but if you don’t stand up in three seconds, the Headmaster’s glare will find you.”
I quickly got up, just as the speech ended.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I thanked Yuth quietly—only for Bella to nudge me.
“Hey, aren’t you going?”
“Huh? Going where?”
“Room assignments and the entrance banquet, obviously.”
“Ah, right.”
After the ceremony came the dorm room assignments and the welcome banquet.
* * *
“Before we assign rooms, we need to confirm your majors. If you’ve already chosen, follow the Vice President here. If not, follow me.”
As the Student Council President, my brother looked incredibly dashing.
And the glasses he’d started wearing made him look even sharper.
In the original, it was said that once he became Chancellor, he wore glasses daily—and honestly, I could see why.
‘Black hair, red eyes, and glasses… and he’s my brother? That’s criminally unfair.’
“So you still haven’t picked a major?”
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking, but nothing feels right.”
“Well, maybe something will catch your interest during the introductions.”
Following behind my brother, I sighed softly.
Even after poring over the academy’s guidebook that Emily gave me, I hadn’t been able to decide.
I’d never been the studious type, and magic was impossible. As for swordsmanship… I’d just be a burden.
“We’ll now explain all the majors available at the academy. Any student who still can’t decide afterward will be placed randomly into a department that’s short on members. So please make your decision as soon as possible.”
We arrived at the Grand Training Hall—the largest in the entire academy.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Kashenio, head of the Political Science Department and Student Council President.”
“I’m Irel Blanchet, head of the Swordsmanship Department.”
“…I’m Diehrden, head of the Magic Department.”
The last speaker was Diehl—slightly taller than when I last saw him.
“Our Martial Arts departments allow you to choose any weapon you prefer. We also host a special preliminary tournament during the Academy Festival.”
While the Swordsmanship head rambled on, holographic text appeared above him listing all the martial-related departments.
One in particular caught my eye—the Marksmanship Department.
I’d learned to shoot using the gun my father gave me as a gift.
‘Didn’t expect that. They actually have a shooting department?’
The academy guidebook I’d read last year hadn’t mentioned it—it must’ve been newly established this year.
Still, it felt nice to finally find something that suited me.
“My name is Shua Nergoh. I’ll major in Marksmanship.”
After I spoke up, the remaining undecided students followed suit, all choosing combat-related fields.
“Excellent. No one will need random assignment, then. Now, let’s move on to room allocations. For example, Business majors Ruta and Serena will be assigned to Room A-501 on the first floor of the main building…”
They continued calling names, but mine wasn’t mentioned until the very end.
“Shua, the Marksmanship Department only has one other member. He’s two years older than you and a boy, so you can’t share a room with him.”
“Okay.”
“So you’ll be rooming with another student from a different department who still needs a roommate.”
“Who is it?”
‘Please let it be someone normal… please…’
A wave of unease washed over me.
