Just Take the Exams
I'd been worried that classes might be tough since our class was decided purely on practical skills without any written exams, but surprisingly, being early in the first-year semester, they weren't bad at all. Learning things like mana flow or basic swordsmanship felt easier than expected. After all, I'd already drilled theory to exhaustion under Duncan and Estelle. If anything, I'd been bracing for math or science to be the real killers, but those turned out to be optional electives for anyone interested—which was perfect for me. I'd been a math-hater and science-phobe since childhood, after all.
"So, Iris, you're taking all the math and science classes?"
But our brilliant crown princess, who had to inherit an entire empire someday, was indeed signing up for everything.
"Yes. His Majesty the Emperor expects top marks across the board, after all."
Oof, seriously. No wonder not just anyone can be crown princess. She'd probably had early education drilled into her since childhood, and now she had to retake it all, take exams, and prove herself on top of that.
"Then I'll sign up for all the classes with you too, Iris!"
And right beside her, eyes sparkling, was Lina declaring she'd do the same. Lina seemed to prefer cozying up to Iris over the saintess Estelle. Honestly, before getting close, Iris probably seemed more approachable than Estelle, who bluntly threw shade right to your face.
"Ugh, why would anyone take math or science? You guys have weird tastes."
"Oh, Estelle, you don't like math or science either?"
"Nope! You too, Theo?"
"Haha, not bragging, but I've hated them since I was a kid."
"Ack! Me too! They just never clicked with me growing up~"
Estelle and I were bonding over our shared misery, chattering away excitedly, when Iris suddenly leaned right into my face.
"M-Me too…! I don't really like them either, Theo…!"
"Oh, really? That must suck big time. Poor you."
I knew from the game that Iris was a whiz at math and science, but hearing she hated them and forced herself anyway was new. Nothing's more infuriating than doing stuff you loathe, especially math and science. Talk about tragic.
"S-So… if you really feel bad for me… it might be boring, but could you maybe take them with me, Theo…?"
Maybe because she was asking someone who hated those subjects too, Iris looked genuinely apologetic, a far cry from her usual composed self.
Ugh. I did feel bad for her, but forcing herself into unnecessary classes? That seemed way too extreme…
"Did His Majesty specifically tell you to take them?"
Thinking back, she'd said he expected good grades, but not that she had to attend.
"No, not exactly."
"Then don't take them with the lectures."
"What?!"
Iris looked shocked, but there was no reason to be.
"His Majesty didn't order you to attend, right? You've already mastered all this stuff. Why retake the lectures? If you need the grades, just sit the exams."
The academy required exams for enrolled students, but non-attendees could take them just to score points. I remembered Estelle suggesting this to Iris in the game when she didn't want solo lectures. Estelle wasn't offering now for some reason, so I stepped in.
"Oh, right. That's an option. As expected of you, Theo… you're amazing."
Okay, telling her to skip lectures and getting called amazing felt kinda weird. But if Iris was happy, that was what mattered.
"Hmm, too bad."
Estelle smacked her lips like she'd lost something, but didn't push it.
"His Majesty didn't order you to attend, right? You've already mastered all this stuff. Why retake the lectures? If you need the grades, just sit the exams."
Lina stared at Theo in utter disbelief.
Is it because he's a commoner? His thinking is on another level—literally.
To her, Theo's suggestion was absurd. Skip lectures and just take the exam for the score? Among nobles, that was unthinkable. Sure, the academy allowed it, and commoners did it plenty, but nobles saw it as rude and improper. For Theo to openly suggest it to the crown princess? He just looked utterly classless.
But.
"Oh, right. That's an option. As expected of you, Theo… you're amazing."
Iris's response was the total opposite of what Lina expected. An option? Theo's amazing? It was so ridiculous she couldn't speak—but she had to say something. Losing alone time with Iris was a massive blow, etiquette be damned.
"But Iris, skipping lectures and just taking exams is mostly what commoners do. Wouldn't that look bad…? If it hurt your reputation, I'd be so worried."
Her tone, expression, even her body language screamed genuine concern—no one could accuse her of selfishness. A perfect mask of false sincerity.
"Reputation… yeah, that could be an issue."
But it was Estelle who responded, not Iris.
"The Ermunt crown princess loves that reputation crap so much, after all. So why not just go to the lectures anyway, Iris?"
Lina's face twisted at the blatant sarcasm.
"Estelle, are you insulting the Empire…?"
"Insulting? I'm just stating facts."
Estelle shrugged like it was no big deal.
"You said 'loves that crap so much.' Talking about the Empire like that is unacceptable."
"Oh please. What are you gonna do if it's unacceptable?"
"Hey, Estelle. Why pick a fight with Lina all of a sudden? Calm down."
As things heated up between Lina and Estelle, Theo stepped in to mediate.
"Ah, Theo. Sorry. I was too blunt about your homeland."
Estelle's face fell the moment Theo intervened, and she apologized. She'd said it hoping to send Iris and Lina off to class for alone time with Theo—but the Ermunt Empire was his home too, so she figured he'd have strong feelings.
"No need to apologize to me. Maybe to Iris?"
"No, Theo. I'm not offended. I know the Ermunt Empire obsesses over reputation."
Lina was baffled. She was on Iris's side, the Empire's side. Estelle's comment was straight-up disrespectful, yet Iris brushed it off?
What's going on? This isn't the crown princess I know.
The rumors painted Iris as a fiercely patriotic princess who'd outshine any emperor before her. But the Iris before her seemed to criticize the Empire instead.
"…You don't care much about reputation, Iris?"
Lina's voice trembled slightly at this un-noble-like princess.
"I don't not care. Higher reputation is obviously better. But doing things just to show off, wasting time with people I like? I'm not sure it's that important."
Watching Iris speak her mind freely, Lina thought:
…So cool. Sticking to her guns like that…!
The confusion faded; she was just in awe. If Theo had said it, she'd have scorned him. But Iris's status had her starstruck—everything she did looked amazing.