Chapter 14
After the bustling entrance ceremony ended, we had a week of free time.
All academy schedules start after the class assignment test. In other words, there were no particular schedules for a few days.
For new students not yet familiar with the academy.
It was the academy's consideration to give a light period of adaptation.
'It feels new.'
This was a part that existed in the original work.
The process where the player explores various parts of the academy and builds relationships with other NPCs. The part where basic settings are unfolded.
In other words, it's the tutorial phase.
It also meant that the story of 'The World as Seen by the Little Prince' that I knew was officially getting on track.
My heart was full of excitement.
How long had I waited for this moment? How bored I had been during the three years since my possession.
I seemed to have done all sorts of things to alleviate the boredom.
'Now those days are saying goodbye.'
The space I had dreamed of so much.
During the week given by the academy, I diligently went around the school.
It was so vast that I had to ride a carriage all day long.
Irene, who was dragged along unexpectedly, grumbled, but she also seemed to be secretly interested.
It's called the continent's best educational institution.
Moreover, it was a space that contained the essence of imperial architecture.
Whee-ee-ee-.
The street trees sway with the gentle spring breeze.
Clear streams flow beside the walkway. On the transparent surface where you can see the bottom, a few baby swans swim leisurely.
It was a feast of the most beautiful scenery.
"This is really nice... I feel like I've missed out on half of my life."
"Hmph. It is nice."
"Miss Irene. I'm sorry to interrupt your cool act, but your tail is wagging too vigorously."
"...That's why I said it's nice."
Irene slightly turns her head at my comment.
Yet unable to hide her emotion, her tail was still swaying.
Pfft, laughter escapes.
She's prickly yet has a cute side. She was definitely a talent worth teasing.
We walked a bit more along the path.
As we were continuing our pleasant stroll like that.
"You there!"
Suddenly, a voice comes from behind.
Who could be calling? With that thought, I turn my head to see a blue-haired girl entering my view.
Could she be calling me?
"...Did you call me, Lady?"
"Yes, I called you. Let's talk for a moment."
Click-clack-.
The sound of heels ringing out confidently.
The girl who had suddenly approached close, stands still with her arms crossed.
It was a gesture imbued with dignity.
"You... You're the eldest son of the Snakers family who entered as the top student, right?"
"That's correct."
"Ha, your grinning face is quite a sight."
Rudeness that throws away manners from the first greeting.
The tone felt somehow familiar. I stared at the girl, belatedly remembering.
"To think such a man represents the students of Galimar Academy."
Blue eyes resembling the sea.
Blue hair reaching down to her back with roll-shaped waves.
A girl with the typical appearance of a villain young lady.
She was someone I knew.
'...Emilia?'
Emilia Beniti.
The eldest daughter of the Beniti Duke family, and an elite who entered as third in this year's class.
In the original work, she appeared as a noble who bullied Regia, a commoner, and was a villain character who tormented the protagonist's group until the middle of the story.
The corners of the girl's mouth twist unpleasantly.
"I'm really disappointed. In the academy's standards too."
It was the sudden appearance of a villain young lady.
***
Emilia was basically a character overflowing with vanity.
She's obsessed with attention from others.
She feels extreme inferiority to those who shine brighter than her.
Since the character she was modeled after in the fairy tale was 'the vain person', you could say she was faithful to the concept.
-To think a mere commoner is running around... I can't accept this.
The reason she bullied Regia in the original work was simple too.
She was jealous of the protagonist's talent, and because Regia received more love and attention than her.
Small feelings of inferiority sprout seeds of conflict.
-Oh my~ What should I do, I'm so sorry? My foot tripped by mistake.
-I told you not to stand out, didn't I?
-For a commoner... Should I take this attitude as a challenge to the Beniti Duke family?
The intensity of the bullying wasn't that severe.
There was no direct violence, and no financial extortion. It stopped at a level that could be passed off as just pranks.
But even that was a great stress for Regia.
-I'm, I'm sorry... Lady Beniti.
-I, I, *sniff*, didn't mean to...
Especially since she had a personality that found nobles difficult to deal with.
It must have been painful to know that the child of one of the top three noble families in the empire was hostile to her.
She even ended up shedding tears later.
Anyway.
The one making a fuss in front of me now was such a character.
A character in the position of 'villain young lady' who mentally shakes our lovely protagonist. An obstacle and a stepping stone for growth.
"You! Did you understand what I said?"
"......"
"I don't know how someone like you became the top student, but don't act arrogantly!"
Unfortunately, Emilia was not at all favorable towards me.
Perhaps it was natural. She showed hostility even to our harmless protagonist, so how would she treat someone who looks as ominous as me?
In the entrance exam, I pushed her aside and took first place.
And in the freshman representative speech, I even put on a cool act...
'Am I marked?'
Actually, I had expected this to some extent.
Even I don't know why I'm the top student, so how much more confused must other students be.
'Still, we're both nobles. I thought she might let it slide, but...'
Not a chance.
Emilia bared her teeth as soon as she met me.
I had to chew on my bitter feelings while roughly agreeing so as not to upset her mood.
Very bitterly.
"Oh my~ I'm so sorry about this."
"What are you sorry for?"
"Because I'm so excellent that I took first place, pushing Lady Beniti aside!"
"What did you say?!"
"I should have restrained myself considering Lady's face, but I didn't think of it. Please forgive me like this..."
I deliberately wipe away tears.
As I'm putting on my best acting, the girl's complexion turns red and pale.
"Are you mocking me? You've been acting like this since earlier...!"
"Mocking? That's unthinkable! It's just that I'm truly sorry you were pushed to 'third place'..."
"Eeeek!"
Emilia now making sounds like a boiling kettle.
I smiled with a thrilling pleasure.
I poked at her a few times for fun, and quite delicious reactions came out. I couldn't help but keep teasing her.
"Ah... I resent my talent. A talent that makes even my closest friend jealous."
"I'm not jealous! And when did we become close friends?!"
"Goodness! Are you saying the 30 minutes we just spent together was all a daydream?"
"It hasn't even been 30 minutes since we met!!"
"Oh my, you're smarter than I thought."
"So you thought I'd fall for that?!"
"A little?"
This is dangerous. It was quite a stimulating fun.
Especially since it was the young lady of a duke family reacting like this, the sense of blasphemy from walking a fine line was no joke.
The blood of mischief boils hot.
"Three three three."
"...What?"
"It means you're third place when added up."
"You... Are you really not afraid of the Beniti Duke family?"
"Of course I'm afraid."
I just pursue fun, that's all.
Besides that, there was nothing left now.
If things go wrong, I can just erase memories with my ability. It's not a method I particularly prefer, though.
"It's alright, Lady. Third place is still an excellent grade, isn't it?"
"I don't want to hear that from someone subpar like you!"
"Third place is still an excellent grade, isn't it? Third place is still an excellent grade, isn't..."
"Don't repeat it three times on purpose!!"
Emilia must be nothing but annoyed.
She came to scold someone she didn't like, but instead she was the one being teased.
How many times in her life has she been mocked?
No, maybe this is the first time in her life.
Meanwhile, I was being careful not to cross the line, so it was awkward for her to respond seriously.
It was just a prank between kids, after all.
'Although it's not known externally... Emilia's position in the Beniti family right now is no different from a kite with a broken string.'
And this is the same for her twin brother.
Originally, the twins were the legitimate heirs of Beniti, but due to various circumstances, they were in a somewhat difficult position.
Well, let's just skip over this.
It gets too complicated if we go into detail.
In short, Emilia doesn't have the capacity to mess with me.
She might be able to punish a mere count's eldest son, but that's only possible with a proper justification.
"I don't understand why Lady is so angry. I'm purely speaking with congratulatory intentions..."
"Don't make such a pitiful expression in the world!!"
"Really... I'm hurt."
"Eek, eeek!!"
Finally, Emilia rages as if sinking.
As I'm savoring happiness after a long time, blue eyes glare at me fiercely.
"Ha! Let's see how long you can maintain such an impertinent attitude."
"I'm honored you'll be watching."
"Rumors are already spreading among the students. Everyone knows you're a terrible bubble top student!"
"Oh my, it's already been found out."
"Then enjoy your composure while you can. It'll all be revealed soon."
The girl smiles unpleasantly.
"The upcoming class assignment test... It's conducted in a duel format, right? I heard your opponent is Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
"Wasn't the duel opponent supposed to be known only on the day of the test?"
"Want to know how I found out?"
"My~ You're scarier than I thought."
"Of course."
She snorts as if looking down on me.
A unique gaze as if looking down on people. Emilia, who had been in confrontation for a while, soon takes a step.
It seems she finally thought of leaving.
"Well, this is a waste of time."
"What disappointing words."
"There's no way a frivolous man like you could handle Her Highness the Imperial Princess. It's a position you'll lose soon, so enjoy it while you can."
With a kind warning behind her, the girl turns her back.
The blue roll-shaped hair moves away one step at a time in the hazy season.
I watched that retreating figure for a moment.
As I was standing lost in thought like that, Irene, who had been watching the situation from beside me, peeks into my view.
"Ah, um, well..."
The fox unusually reading the mood. Why is she suddenly acting like this?
"Miss Irene? Why are you suddenly like this?"
"......"
"Miss Irene?"
"...Are you going to kill that person?"
"Pardon?"
Irene throws out a strange question out of nowhere.
It was a flow I couldn't understand at all. I raised a question mark above my head and asked back.
"Suddenly?"
"She just arbitrarily criticized you. She even looked down on you, calling you a bubble top student."
"No, that's true, but... Why do you think I'm going to kill the Lady?"
"Well, you had an expression like you were bothered. As if looking down on a crawling insect..."
"That's my usual expression, though?"
"Liar."
The fox growls with a voice tinged with wariness.
She seemed to be really nervous, as her forehead was full of cold sweat and her tail was stiffly frozen.
I ask, losing my composure.
"What on earth do you take me for?"
"A monster."
"Somehow it feels like the evaluation is getting harsher...?"
I saved you, fed you, gave you a place to sleep, even protected the children.
I did everything for you, yet you condemn me like this. Is this what they call an ungrateful fox?
"...You have that kind of power."
The power to cruelly murder that girl and cover it up.
I don't know how great the Beniti family is, but at least I don't think you'd lose to them.
"That's why it's scary. Because you'd become a disaster the moment you make up your mind."
"My, my, you seem to be overestimating me too much."
"Are you saying you can't do it?"
"Well, it's up to your imagination."
"See?"
"Huhu."
I pass over difficult questions to answer with a laugh. Mixed with a bit of lie.
"Don't worry. Even I can't handle a duke family alone."
"I guess that's true...?"
"Of course."
-Ding!
[The target's emotions change.]
(Wariness, suspicion -> Slight relief)
[A small amount of lies has been recovered.]
[Current remaining output: 76.4%]
A clear mechanical sound rings in my ears.
A single noise means deception. Between the lips that spout pretense as naturally as breathing, only a snake's flickering tongue exists.
I move my steps while grinning.
"Shall we head back for today? I think we've looked around enough."
"...Okay."
The fox hesitates but comes along side by side.
If you're going to do this anyway, why bother being wary? With an annoyed feeling, I firmly grab the girl's tail.
"Eek?!"
A somewhat cute scream.
I feel a fluffy sensation at my fingertips.
As I fiddle with that luscious ball of fur a few times, the girl's disgusted reaction is heard.
"Wh-why... are you, ugh, touching there!"
"It's punishment."
"Su-suddenly, what punishment! Ah, w-wait, not there...!"
"This is soft."
"At, at least tell me the reason!!"
You don't know the reason?
You really need to be taught a lesson. Today, I'll instill respect for your employer.
The tail experience continued for a while like that.
"Ugh, uugh...!"
"You cry so cutely."
"Re-really... This is the worst!"
"Huhu."
Originally, I was just going to play around for a moment, but Irene's reaction was much more intense than I thought.
I got into it and ended up fiddling for quite a while.
In the end, I let go of her tail when.
"...Pervert."
Moisture had formed in the fox's eyes.
It took quite a long time to soothe her after she was completely upset.
***
After such a hectic week passed, the day of the class assignment test finally arrived.
I thought it was quite a long time given.
But when I actually went around sightseeing the academy, even that felt insufficient.
Still, I didn't particularly feel regretful.
I'll be staying here for the next 3 years, so it's good to get to know it slowly.
For now, it was time to focus on the situation at hand. I lift my lowered head and look around.
"Please be seated here. Check your duel opponent and wait for your turn."
I sat down following the staff's guidance.
The current location is the public training ground near the main building. It was a circular arena large enough to accommodate thousands of people.
As expected, I should say.
It's a scale that always amazes me.
I was briefly distracted but come to my senses.
As I examine the match-up table I received at the entrance, my name catches my eye.
[Test #7]
[Yuda Snakers vs Charlotte Little von Staufen]
"Lady Beniti's words were correct."
My opponent was Charlotte.
I wasn't particularly surprise
I wasn't particularly surprised. If the staff wanted to test me, I expected they would pair me with the strongest opponent.
Our Little Prince would be more than enough for a test.
"Hmm."
"Y-Young Master, are you alright?"
"Ah, Miss Regia."
Pink hair taking a seat next to me.
Trembling is evident in her transparent green eyes. Regia carefully points at the match-up table in my hand and asks.
"Your opponent is Her Highness the Imperial Princess... What should we do? I heard she's really incredibly strong."
The girl slightly glances at me.
Is she worried about me? A creepy smile characteristic of a fan unconsciously escapes.
"This makes me happy."
"Will you really be alright?"
"Is there any reason I wouldn't be?"
"I-I might be overstepping by saying this, but... There are so many rumors about how amazing Her Highness is."
"Hmm hmm."
Come to think of it.
Regia had seen me take the entrance exam too.
Probably because that image remained in her memory, she seemed worried about me maintaining my rank.
Someone like me being the top student is something to be envious of, but how can she be so kind-hearted?
I reassure the girl with a pleased smile.
"Don't worry... This time will be different."
Unlike the entrance exam.
I was already in the top position, and excessive pretending to be weak would only be poison once attention was drawn.
I was thinking of showing a bit of strength.
Not too little, not too much.
Just enough to maintain a high rank in the academy.
"You can look forward to it."
I muttered meaningfully.