The Academy Entrance Ceremony
It was the day of the entrance ceremony at Saint-Criat Academy.
Marie and I had put on the school uniforms we'd specially commissioned.
Truth be told, the academy had no dress code to speak of — but we were students now, so we'd decided to dress the part.
I'd drawn the designs myself, dredging up the memory of the uniforms I'd created in my previous life and placing the order accordingly.
The main color was, of course, rose red: a short bolero jacket over a white blouse with a ribbon tie, paired with a red skirt.
Marie's was similar in cut, but teal served as her primary color.
"Mmm, it suits you wonderfully."
"You designed these yourself… Franc, that's incredible!"
"Oh ho ho. Mere basic accomplishment, my dear."
"Shall we be off, then?"
"Gladly~"
Saint-Criat Academy's main plaza.
Three hundred new students, Marie and myself among them, sat in neat rows.
We stood side by side and surveyed our surroundings.
The ceremony proceeded much like a high school entrance ceremony from my previous life. For all that this was a talent-cultivation institution that accepted students of any age, it had been built from the school-day memories of its setting creators — and so it was, in the end, nothing more than an ordinary school.
Behind the seated first-years, the plaza was packed with people who had come to watch. The parents' section, essentially.
Lucien, Sebastian, and Sally were all there.
"Document this historic moment thoroughly."
"Yes, my lord."
Lucien was the picture of stern gravity. Sebastian raised his camera with equal seriousness and fired off shot after shot in rapid succession.
When the appointed hour arrived, Principal Leopold mounted the dais and began his congratulatory address.
"I offer my heartfelt congratulations on the admission of every new student here today."
"Saint-Criat Academy is not merely a place for nurturing the gifted."
"It is a hall of learning that bridges the kingdom's future with the intellect of our age."
"Whether noble or commoner — what you prove within these walls depends entirely upon your own will."
Haaawn. Even in another world, the principal's lecture is deadly dull.
"…May blessings accompany you on the road ahead."
A soft ripple of applause rose from the first-years. I yawned and clapped a few halfhearted times.
Franc! You mustn't fall asleep.
Marie whispered a quiet warning. But it really was that boring…
"Next, representing the incoming class, our top-ranked entrant — Erika Lumenhart de Springfield — will deliver the student address."
The chairman stepped down from the podium, and a girl with short-cropped blonde hair not unlike my own took the stage.
Her pristine white uniform suited her impeccably upright posture to perfection.
"Hello. I am Erika Lumenhart de Springfield, speaking on behalf of the new students."
She looked bright as sunlight itself, and she continued her address without so much as glancing at a script.
"First, allow me to express my gratitude to everyone who guided me to this place of honor."
As she carried on with her dazzling speech, I sensed something hollow in her — a blankness, as though someone had shoved her forward from behind.
Hmm… Marie, doesn't something feel off?
Pardon? You mean Miss Erika, over there?
So you felt it too.
Yes. But I don't think we should jump to conclusions so easily.
Once the student address, the oath, and the closing formalities were all finished, I was thoroughly exhausted. Taking part in an event like this for the first time in so long had even stirred a faint touch of old trauma.
"Congratulations on your admission, my lady."
Sebastian presented us with bouquets.
Oh — roses!
"My, thank you, butler!"
"Shall we take a commemorative photograph? My lord, if you would step this way."
"Mmm, yes! Come, come — my dear daughters!"
Lucien planted himself between Marie and me with a brilliantly cheerful expression. Since we were taking a picture anyway, I decided to make it cute.
"V~"
"Hm? What sort of gesture is that?"
Lucien looked thoroughly baffled by my V-sign.
Ah. So they don't have this here.
"It's a peace sign~ A wish that our school days ahead will go well!"
I'd really just done it because it was adorable.
"Oh! I see! V-V!"
Lucien thrust both hands up in V-signs of his own.
Please maintain some dignity, Head of House…
"Hehe. Then I'll…"
Marie shyly raised one hand and made a V-sign as well.
Click—
After an absolute deluge of photographs, Lucien had urgent business to attend to and returned to the manor first with Sebastian and Sally.
There were no classes on entrance day, so free time stretched until the dormitory assignments were issued.
Going home would have been fine — but having come all this way, I found myself wanting to look around a little.
"Shall we take a tour of the academy?"
"Yes… ah — over there…"
Marie spoke in startled tones. I turned my head in the direction she was staring.
A man of noble bearing was walking straight toward us.
Ah. I know him.
His name was James Moncler de Roseln — the Second Prince of the Valgrand Kingdom.
In the story's settings, he was the character who appeared when the Albert family stood trial on charges of treason. Among the nobles' testimony, he was one of the precious few who still placed his trust in House Albert.
That was all, though. I hadn't written any further detail for him beyond that.
And look at that — he looked exactly as I'd designed him.
"Good day. So this is where you were."
Even his voice was splendidly refined — a clear, luminous tone that could set any maiden's heart aflutter.
"Franc, that man is…!"
"Yes, I know."
Marie and I immediately bowed our heads in formal greeting.
"We trust Your Highness is well."
"Haha. Please, don't stand on ceremony. Within these grounds, all are equals."
"Oh ho ho. Is that so?"
"F-Franc!"
After a light exchange of banter, James explained why he had sought us out.
"I have heard a great deal about you both. You have my deepest thanks for your efforts."
"My, what an honor~"
"The reason I've come is this — would you be willing to visit our student council for a short while?"
"The student council…!"
"Someone recommended Miss Francoise and Miss Marie. The details can be discussed in the council chamber."
"Gladly!"
"Y-Yes!"
When we entered the student council room, Charles was lounging at his ease.
"My, Senior?"
"Hey! You made it."
Charles gave us a casual wave in greeting.
"So you're on the student council as well, Senior!"
"Hahaha, that's right. Remember when I said I had one hell of a proposal ready for you?"
"You did! Don't tell me…!"
"Bingo. This body of mine went out of his way to pull some strings and get you juniors called up here. Be grateful!"
James neatly summarized the situation.
"The gentleman here is Charles Langrend de Leonbrün, vice president of the student council."
"Having heard of you from Charles, I brought you to this council."
"I see!"
"And I am James Moncler de Roseln — president of this council, and chairman of the academy."
Student council president and academy chairman. As expected of a prince.
"Right, then — let's get to the point, Mr. President!"
Charles straightened his posture and sat properly.
"Yes. Miss Francoise, Miss Marie — please, have a seat."
Marie and I sat down before the table. James walked over to the window and gazed out at the view beyond as he spoke.
"As Miss Francoise and Miss Marie are no doubt aware, the kingdom has of late been greatly shaken by the incursions of magical beasts."
"For that reason, this academy must redouble its efforts in cultivating talent."
I already knew all of this. Still, with special demonic beasts appearing among the ordinary monsters, it was fair enough that things had grown rather troublesome.
"And the most important matter of all—"
"Is putting everyone… at ease, I imagine."
I finished the thought as though murmuring to myself.
"Precisely so. I have judged that coordination is needed between every academy event and every activity mounted against the magical beasts."
James turned from the window to face us.
"Having already experienced combat against magical beasts, Miss Francoise and Miss Marie are, in my judgment, well suited to this role."
"I see…"
"Franc, what will you do?"
"Hmm…"
This would be a chance to grow close to the elite noble students — and the royal family — all at once.
"Very well. Would you grant us membership?"
"I-I think it's a good idea too!"
James smiled.
"Excellent. I shall ensure the position is arranged so as not to burden you."
He inclined his head.
"Congratulations on joining the student council."
"Looking forward to working with you, juniors!"
"And we with you~"
"We look forward to working with you!"
Marie and I bowed our heads in thanks as well.
"In due course, we shall introduce you to the rest of our council members. Thank you for making the time."
"Oh, right — dorm assignments should be finished by now. Check your status windows."
Charles settled back into a more comfortable posture as he spoke.
I opened my status window.
"Status window! Here we go~"
Dormitory assignment complete.
Building 1 — Room 307
The third floor? I wonder if Marie got the same room.
"Marie, what number did you get?"
"I-I'm in 307 as well!"
James spoke with a bright expression.
"Knowing you would join the student council, I made a special request so that you might support each other while carrying out council duties."
"Thank you!!!"
"F-Franc?!"
I bent at the waist in an overwhelming display of gratitude.
The morning after we returned to the manor, Lucien was weeping openly.
The reason, of course, was that his daughters would now be living in the dormitory rather than at home.
"My lord, do not take it so hard. The young ladies will manage splendidly."
Sebastian offered what comfort he could.
"Come home… even just on weekends… sob sob…"
I picked up my luggage and spoke.
"My, how dramatic. Papa will have plenty of reason to visit Saint-Criat anyway, will he not?"
"Hehe. We'll come back often, Father."
Leaving Lucien behind as he waved vigorously in farewell, we boarded a magical carriage bound for the dormitory that would be our home from now on.
Hmm. We can't bring attendants, so how are we supposed to manage our grooming…
We'll just have to do it for each other!
I may not look it, but I'm confident I can fix Marie's hair at least as well as she can fix mine!
"You'll have to roll my curls properly, all right?"
"Of course, Franc. Hehe."
Wait a second.
Does that mean I'll also see Marie changing clothes?
Marie hesitated, then opened her mouth. A faint flush had risen to her cheeks.
Did she pick up on something too…
"Um… when I'm getting dressed, please turn your head away…"
"Ah— a-all right."
A peculiar atmosphere settled over the carriage.