Everyone Wants to Follow Me Home
Something felt lacking, but the order came to return. There would be no more battles. The students were to head back immediately. Upon receiving the principal's announcement from the academy relayed through Ludwig Rich, Abel had to swallow his disappointment. He'd heard that they'd even identified the key figures among the Ability Supremacists. But they had already fled the capital toward the border, making pursuit difficult.
He'd thought maybe they could still make an effort somehow, but the academy had shut it down right away.
It'd be too much of a burden otherwise. I expected as much. At least we gained some real combat experience out of it.
He'd heard that nothing was set in stone yet regarding the academy's future. Even if they decided to reopen, more than half the place needed repairs and reconstruction. Even mobilizing ability users, it would take at least a few months—so normal academy life was practically impossible.
That sparked a brief curiosity in Abel. So what now? In a romance fantasy, the academy was a crucial setting. It was where the heroine and male leads deepened their bonds and faced various incidents. If it couldn't operate normally, how was the story supposed to proceed...?
"Abel. I just heard from Kalligo. The nations have agreed to reopen the academy."
"...Pardon? No, Seria. Weren't there still all sorts of opinions flying around?"
"I'm not sure on the details, but that's the outcome. Students who want to return are already on their way back."
Abel stared at Seria for a moment before nodding as if it all made sense. Of course. A romance fantasy without the academy would feel off. Plus, it had the ability user tag as a side element. How could anyone live without it? He'd worried for nothing. With enemies targeting the academy first and foremost, it couldn't just close its doors after one hit—plot logic be damned.
"Not right away, though. There's about a month for repairs. Kalligo mentioned it and suggested I stay in the capital for a bit."
"..."
So that was the real goal. Kalligo, you sly one. Telling him about the reopening wasn't about the academy's importance—it was to give Seria a reason to stay here. Abel had to applaud the prince's dedication. A guy who planned to lay low had accessed key info ahead of time and shared it, despite the risk of suspicion. It went against his own desire to stay quiet.
With this level of sincerity, he might just fit as the first male lead, Abel mused.
"Seria. Just to check—does Flam, Portus, or Rel know about this?"
"Ah, well..."
"Don't tell me Kalligo said to tell them as late as possible. Or to keep it secret until the capital stay is decided."
"H-how did you know?"
He'd suspected as much, and there it was. Abel rubbed his forehead without thinking. He understood Kalligo's position. No matter where he looked, rivals eyeing Seria surrounded her. And as a prince, he had to tread carefully. He was on the verge of losing her without a fair shot. So he'd resorted to a slightly underhanded tactic.
The problem was, the other three wouldn't just laugh it off with an "Aigoo, the prince is desperate, haha." They'd see it as a declaration of war and pull out all the stops to monopolize Seria for that month.
"Seria. You're not seriously considering Kalligo's offer, are you?"
"Of course not. I said I'd think about it, but I'm not leaning yes. I'm not the capital of Ascal Kingdom—what would I even do in the Empire's capital? He says it's fine as a guest, but it'd feel so awkward."
Instead, she'd rather stay in the academy dorms and refine her ability a bit more—that was Seria's take.
"You'll be staying in the dorms too, right, Abel?"
"Yeah. After this real battle, I need to ingrain it perfectly or it'll be a waste. A month's just the right amount of time."
"Then I can train my ability with you... "
"No."
"Nope."
Irshu and Tarshu appeared behind Abel. Their approach had been so stealthy that neither Seria nor Abel had noticed.
"Abel. Come with us."
"One month. Plenty of time. Let's go."
"Go where? What are you..."
"What do you mean by that, Your Highnesses?"
Before Abel could finish, Seria asked the duchesses, her voice laced with wariness. Suspicion filled her eyes. As Abel tilted his head at the scene, Irshu stepped forward.
"Winter Duchy."
"Winter Duchy... your homeland?"
"Yeah."
Why would I go there? Abel opened his mouth to ask, but Seria beat him to it, cutting them off incredulously.
"A month is tight just for travel."
"We have teleportation magic."
"...Ah."
Maybe because she'd never used teleportation magic before. Seria had overlooked the basics. She panicked briefly but shook her head and spoke up again.
"Y-you should spend time with family! With a month off, wouldn't it be better to head home, even briefly, and be with them?"
"Abel sis. Stay here."
"Stay here. With Abel's family."
"I mean your parents!"
People naturally missed their families, especially their parents' embrace. Even a man as iron-willed as Abel—tougher than steel—would feel it. So a month off meant heading back to Ascal Kingdom, of course. Spend time with family, then return to the academy. Which meant, during the trip home, she'd be the only one by Abel's side—that was Seria's conclusion.
"That's a block. Obvious."
"Obvious block."
"W-what? I just think others might feel burdened, so I'll quietly head to my territory with Abel."
"...?"
Suddenly, the air turned icy. Why? Abel glanced between Seria and the two duchesses. What was this ominous, familiar scene? Hadn't the genre been fully revealed? A romance fantasy with one heroine, Seria, and four male leads tangled up?
Abel had read all sorts of novels indiscriminately. His main genre was ability user stories, sure. But he'd sampled similar vibes in other frameworks.
So he'd pieced together the truth of this world a bit late: not pure ability user fare, but a romance fantasy disguised as one. The romance was the main plot, so he'd planned to ignore it and focus on his own survival.
Is it that kind of plot?
Sometimes stories had this flow: male leads vied for the heroine, but her heart went elsewhere. That recipient was fated not to entangle with her, serving instead as a tool for the male leads' growth or psyche shifts. Nicely put. Bluntly? A side character who popped up to heighten tension and vanished. No—extra. That fit better.
...That's me?
Wait. Then what about these duchesses? Oh, the ones making the heroine abandon her extra path and return to the male leads? Portraying them as insurmountable rivals?
But the vibe was too intense. Seria and the duchesses showed no sign of backing down.
The best option was holing up in the academy for the month, quietly. Abel wanted that. Normally, he'd pick it and ponder ways to make his name next. But this flow demanded a choice. Staying meant no good end—he was sure. Not physical threat, no. Mental exhaustion to the max.
"Indeed. Seria's right."
The four male leads were a burden even for him. For Seria? Unimaginable. Romance fantasy or not, she needed breathing room.
"A month's plenty. The principal said it's our free time, so visiting home isn't bad."
"Right?!"
Seria beamed. Now she could return with Abel. The duchesses couldn't object anymore.
"Fine."
See? They nodded, conceding reluctantly...
"Then, Abel."
"We'll come too."
"To Abel's home."
"To Abel's house."
"Wait!!"
We're going to Winter Duchy—why follow us?! Seria yelped in shock, but Irshu and Tarshu replied as if it were obvious.
"Abel's going."
"So we're going."
At that moment, Seria's mind raced. And she blurted something she'd never say normally.
"M-me too! I want to go to Abel's territory!"
"...Pardon?"
"Gratitude! I owe you so much—I need to give proper thanks...!"
What genre even was this? Couldn't it be just one? Abel could only blink at the three girls in stunned silence.