The Saintess and the Prince's Descent
When Saintess Lana Flor left the Academy, the entire student body fell into deep despair. Everyone had adored her. It was only natural. How could anyone dislike a woman of such noble standing as a Saintess, who always listened attentively to others and treated everyone with genuine kindness? Especially when that same Saintess possessed a beauty so extraordinary it was difficult to find her equal anywhere in the world? It was inevitable that everyone would lose their hearts to her.
Because of that, when she departed the Academy, the sense of loss was overwhelming. Among them, some were even moved to tears. Yet where there are meetings, there must be farewells, and where there are farewells, new meetings await. Amid their heavy disappointment, the people began to nurture a small sprout of hope. After all, Saintess Lana’s departure meant a new Saintess would soon arrive at the Academy.
Of course, there was no guarantee the next Saintess would be anything like Lana. The previous example of Saintess Julia had already proven that. Still, humans are far more optimistic and positive creatures than they realize. The people of the Academy pushed aside cold reason and embraced the expectations born from emotion.
And then, when Saintess Alice Blaze of the Bellinu Church finally appeared at the Academy… the students were left breathless. There was no need to ask why. It was purely because of her appearance.
Hair as red as rose petals. Eyes like clear, blazing flames. Features that seemed to embody the very word “perfection,” paired with a body so flawless it might have been carved by the greatest sculptor on the continent with his dying breath. Like the two Saintesses before her, she possessed an unreal, otherworldly beauty. It was as if a goddess had descended directly into the mortal realm.
Even though they should have grown accustomed to such beauty after seeing the previous two, those who laid eyes on her for the first time were struck with tremendous shock. There were two reasons. First, her aura was completely different from Julia’s or Lana’s. Second, her beauty was simply not on a level one could ever become used to.
In that way, Saintess Alice left an overwhelmingly intense impression on everyone’s minds the moment she appeared. Naturally, that only fueled their expectations even further.
What if… Just maybe… I could grow close to a Saintess this beautiful?
Even though they knew it was irrational, they unconsciously held onto that faint hope.
But that expectation was shattered into pieces not long after.
Saintess Alice ruthlessly rejected any approach from others. And it wasn’t a simple refusal or cold shoulder. She drove away anyone who came near her with language so crude one would wonder if it was appropriate for a Saintess to even utter such words.
After this happened several times, the students finally realized the truth. Approaching her was impossible. Becoming close to her was impossible. Saintess Lana had simply been a special case.
And because of that conclusion, one person began receiving a great deal of attention.
None other than Kyle Berwen.
For some unknown reason, at some point Kyle Berwen had begun following behind Saintess Alice like a shadow. It was as if they were traveling companions. Since the Saintess showed no reaction to his presence, it seemed she had accepted him.
Naturally, there was plenty of whispering, but the rumors weren’t nearly as intense as before. The people of the Academy had grown somewhat used to it by now. The fact that the Academy’s greatest troublemaker was close to a Saintess was shocking, but when it happened three times in a row, the surprise inevitably dulled.
Of course, that didn’t mean everyone welcomed the news. Quite a few people frowned deeply upon hearing it. Growing accustomed to something and the emotions it stirred were two different things. There were certainly those who couldn’t understand why only Kyle received such special treatment and harbored jealousy or resentment.
However, there were fewer of them than before. As mentioned, they had grown used to it. Moreover, Kyle had become an extraordinary figure far different from his former self.
The circumstances were highly suspicious, but he had obtained the prestigious title of Honorary Monk. And whether he had been hiding his strength all along or not, he had demonstrated overwhelming power by completely crushing Sebastian, who wore the highest-grade artifact, Eclipse. Just that alone made it difficult to call Kyle an ordinary student anymore.
Surprisingly, people do not feel jealousy toward those who are truly “special.” They may envy their neighbor when the house next door increases in value, but they do not envy a famous person earning a fortune. Kyle Berwen had already become that kind of special existence. He was now too distant a figure to warrant fierce jealousy.
That was why people’s reactions this time weren’t particularly intense. They were surprised, but most simply shrugged and moved on.
However, not everyone could remain so calm.
Bang!
With a thunderous crash, fragments of a desk flew everywhere.
“…….”
The one responsible for the destruction was Ernen Rihel. His vivid golden hair, reminiscent of sunlight, and mysterious purple eyes created a truly handsome appearance worthy of being called a beautiful young man. Yet at this moment, none of that charm could be felt. His expression was far too grotesque.
His face was horribly twisted. It was so disturbing that anyone who saw it would feel an instinctive chill. The emotion fueling that expression was rage. A colossal, blazing fury the likes of which had never been seen from him before.
“Damn it—!!”
Bang!
Once again, Ernen slammed his fist down on the desk. He had struck with all his strength, even channeling his mana. The incredibly sturdy desk shattered instantly. Yet no one paid any attention to the wreckage. Not Ernen himself, nor his subordinate who was watching his master’s actions with an indescribable look in his eyes.
“Why… Why…!!”
Ernen was seething with anger. The cause was obvious. It was Saintess Alice.
To Ernen, Saintess Alice represented his final chance. The last opportunity to fulfill his grand plan of making a Saintess his ally and ascending the imperial throne. That was why he had intended to pour everything into it. He had planned to give it his all. He had meant to win her heart.
Yet, only a few days after Saintess Alice had arrived at the Academy, Ernen was already sensing failure. Her attitude had been far too clear. She showed not even the slightest interest in him.
At first glance, one might think she was similar to Julia in that regard, but she wasn’t. Julia had been indifferent toward him, but she had never outright rejected his approach. Alice, however, was different. She refused to allow him anywhere near her. She wouldn’t let him get close. She wouldn’t even let him speak to her.
It had been that way from their very first meeting. Even though he had approached her first and greeted her, she had ignored him. When he tried to stop her, she had delivered a chilling warning.
It had been nothing more than a warning, but Ernen had felt it. He had understood that it wasn’t just empty words. He still remembered it vividly. The way the Saintess had looked at him with those eyes. The sheer pressure she exuded. It had felt as if a blade were pressed against his throat. The illusion that if he ignored the warning and took even one more step, his head would fly off had been overwhelming.
In the end, Ernen had retreated. It hadn’t been a decision made by reason. It had been pure instinct. When he had hurriedly returned to his quarters, his back had been drenched in cold sweat.
Since then, he had been unable to approach Alice. Even though he knew he couldn’t stay like this, even though he knew he had to act, his body refused to obey. Though he didn’t want to admit it, he had become afraid of her.
This can’t continue.
There isn’t much time left. This is my last chance.
His reason kept urging him to move, but his body wouldn’t listen. Whenever he tried, the image of the Saintess’s flame-like eyes would rise in his mind. That alone was more than enough to gnaw away at his spirit. And recently, something had come along to pour oil on the fire.
Once again, Kyle Berwen had taken the spot beside the Saintess.
“Why…!! Why the hell…!!”
He could not accept it. He could not tolerate it. Why did she push him away so coldly yet allow Kyle Berwen to stay by her side? What was he lacking? In looks or background, he fell short in nothing. No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was superior in every way. So why?
“Kyle Berwen…!!”
Ernen screamed the name as if howling in agony.
Originally, Ernen had simply ignored Kyle. It was only natural. The boy had no redeeming qualities, and he had even lost the one advantage he once possessed—his family background. He was worthless trash.
Yet that same piece of trash had repeatedly pushed him aside. He had stolen the spot beside the Saintess that Ernen desired, not once but several times. The emotions Ernen felt toward Kyle had changed long ago. At first it had been annoyance, then fury. Now it had transformed into something even darker and more viscous. Jealousy, envy, and a deep sense of inferiority.
Of course, he didn’t want to admit that.
If he could, he would tear Kyle apart right this instant. He wanted to use every method available to kill him in the most miserable way imaginable.
But he couldn’t. Because the former worthless troublemaker Kyle had become an Honorary Monk. Because his personal strength had already surpassed ordinary levels. And because this was the Academy.
It would be difficult to secretly dispose of the current Kyle, and if he tried, it would quickly be discovered that he was behind it. That would be the end. Ordering the assassination of an Honorary Monk of the Goddess Church? Especially one who had earned the favor of the Saintesses? The Church would never let it slide. Not even if the culprit was an imperial prince.
It wouldn’t end with simply losing his position. He would either die, or be forced to live a life so wretched that death would seem preferable.
“Haa… Haa……”
In the end, unable to do anything at all, Ernen could only burn with rage toward both the Saintess and Kyle. Along with emotions that grew darker with each passing day.
In this way, Prince Ernen Rihel was slowly, but surely, breaking apart.