[Annoying Attention]

The Headmistress didn't even blink at this sudden turn of events. She simply said one thing.

Zap.

It was just a single word, yet it created an atmosphere where everyone felt compelled to obey. Even if she acted like a child at times, it was the dignity befitting the head of Pruynar Academy. However, her opponent was no pushover. Refusing to yield to the pressure, El spoke up.

"Headmistress. You clearly announced two weeks ago that there would be a recruitment for Instructor Yeodre’s course. Classes start next week, and the fact that there’s still no recruitment notice is an unreasonable treatment for the students who want to take Instructor Drae’s class..."

"Ms. Elicia."

The Headmistress smiled gently.

"I will handle it."

"..."

Oh, wow. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Headmistress look this firm and mature. I thought El wouldn't be able to say anything more...

"I just hope you are aware that there are many students waiting for him."

...I thought wrong. She added another remark. She really is something else.

The Headmistress didn't seem offended by the bold El, either; she just smiled brightly.

"I shall keep that in mind."

"However..."

El’s eyes shifted to Prostia, who was standing beside me. Prostia, ignoring El’s gaze, staggered toward me and pondered, "Hmm..."

"This should be fine."

"?"

I was confused, not knowing what she meant. When she moved to hug me, I started to hug her back... but I pulled my hands away when I saw Asita staring at us.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

?

When did you jump in, El? Before I knew it, she had wedged herself between me and Prostia, pushing us apart. I hadn't even seen her move...? I said, conscious of El’s hand resting on my chest.

"Uh... long time no see, El."

"Y-yeah! No, I mean, yes. Instructor Drae."

Elicia answered with her cheeks flushed. Cute. Wait, that’s not the point. Why am I getting flustered by someone who clearly has a boyfriend named Flat?

“But...”

Zap. El’s face twisted as she glared at Prostia, as if she hadn't been blushing just a moment ago.

"Why on earth is Prostia here?"

"Hah? Are you dissatisfied, Light?"

The noble lady looked at Elicia, then at Asita, who was staring right back at her. Asita flinched for a second, but when Prostia turned her head and reached for me again, she stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder, trembling, "Ugh..."

Oh...!! How brave.

"S-she doesn't like it, so get awayyy."

"It’s you."

Prostia clicked her tongue, seemingly remembering Asita.

"Hmph. I am merely here to receive the rightful compensation for our contract."

"Contract?"

When I asked, Prostia nodded triumphantly.

"That thing from earlier."

That thing from earlier must mean the kiss, and the contract... wait, does she mean the favor I promised to grant her? I already used that, you woman.

"Wasn't it supposed to be a one-time thing?"

"Hmm?"

Prostia tilted her head as if recalling what she had said, then chuckled.

"Then I shall change my wish."

"No, you can't do that."

She’s so self-centered. But she possessed a charisma that made that self-centeredness feel natural. Honestly, I want to kiss her too.

"Ki... hu... is... um."

Why can't she say 'kiss' properly? It’s not like someone who has tasted every pleasure in this world would be shy just because she’s actually trying to kiss.

"What wish?"

Asita, hiding behind my back, whispered into my ear. My ear tickled. The shivers running down my body felt good. I wanted her to do it more.

I smiled and answered.

"It’s a secret."

"...?"

Asita made a sour face. Just then, El shoved Prostia roughly.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but stop it. You were an enemy once, and now you're acting all affectionate? Don't you think that’s too shameless?"

Considering the attitude you showed me at first, you’re not one to talk. But Prostia puffed out her chest confidently.

"Not at all!"

Wow.

Not only was her full chest accentuated, but that elegance... Honestly, I’d be the one begging for a kiss.

"You..."

El glared at Prostia, her voice dropping low. She knows how dangerous and powerful she is, so seeing her act so boldly makes her truly brave.

Or is it jealousy? If the Sex Simulation is to be believed, El likes me subconsciously. That’s... no, that’s very pleasing.

"What is it? If you have a complaint, say it with words, Light."

However, Prostia was still Prostia. She looked at El—whose gaze would make even a person with a massive ego cry and run away—with an expression that suggested she found it pathetic.

Zzzzt.

As two charismatic women glared at each other, the atmosphere cooled rapidly. El might not, but Prostia certainly didn't care, yet from the outside, the situation of two women fighting over one man felt incredibly good. I wanted to stop the fight, but at the same time, a part of me didn't want to.

"By the way, Ms. Elicia. How long do you intend to stay in that childish form?"

The Headmistress intervened at the perfect moment... wait, what? That childish form?

"My seal hasn't been fully broken yet."

"Leor, really. To place such a nasty seal just because he was in a hurry."

"......"

What is this? So, El... that loli form isn't her real one? Now that I think about it, I feel like I've heard something similar before...?

El, having shifted her gaze away from Prostia, looked at me again and spoke in a hesitant yet clear voice.

"U-um, Drae! Would... would you like to walk with me for a bit?"

"What are you talking about? That girl has business with me."

"Shut up, Dragon. Go back to where you used to live."

"You’re insolent, little Light. I shall burn you to death right here...!"

The atmosphere changed instantly. Just as the Headmistress and Mullin were about to jump up, I spoke.

"Prostia."

"..."

She wasn't scared, but she looked at me with a 'Why. What. Why.' expression. Her fear of me has faded quite a bit. Well, at this point, I don't even feel like instilling fear into this secretly clumsy dragon.

The Headmistress’s voice echoed in my head. Prostia tilted her head as if she felt the flow of mana, but she didn't press the issue.

I agreed, so I nodded obediently. Aside from the fact that Prostia is beautiful, elegant, and cute, her danger is very real.

"I have about an hour, so let’s go together, El."

"R-really?!"

"What was that?"

I quickly spoke to the displeased Prostia.

"Just for one day, please wait patiently for just one day. Then I will come to see you."

One day is the time it takes for the temporarily increased manifestation rate to subside. Prostia wouldn't be unaware of that intention, so naturally, she growled.

"You say that, but you’ll forget about me and not come for another week!"

Her distrust has deepened... That’s my own karma. Feeling a bit sorry, I made a proposal.

"If I break the promise to come tomorrow, I promise to grant you one more wish."

"...Hmm."

Prostia looked like she was pondering. This time, I’ll really go in a day.

"Hmm... hmm... Fine. Just one day."

"Thank you."

That’s a relief. I expected the price for neglecting her would be high, but this was a smooth transition.

"That being said, Mullin. Please keep an eye on Prostia... for just one day."

I struggled with what to call her in front of others, so I used the neutral 'Ms.' Naturally, Mullin, the fallen nun with a broken personality, made a 'Ugh' sound and showed her clear distaste.

"Me?"

But the Headmistress seemed to be of the same opinion, saying with a bright smile:

"Is there anyone else but you who can stop her in an emergency?"

Mullin, who is weak to the Headmistress, muttered in response.

"I have a mission to monitor Instructor Yeodre..."

"You? You think you can stop me?"

"...?"

Prostia’s arrogant tone. The noble red beauty looked down at Mullin with arrogant eyes, then chuckled.

"Hmph."

Unexpectedly, Mullin didn't get angry; she just snorted and turned to look at me.

"I’m telling you, I have no intention of neglecting my surveillance mission on you, no matter what happens..."

"Hmm. Nanar’s toy, is it?"

At Prostia’s words, the world seemed to freeze for a moment. Kukukuku. Mullin, with a massive power—likely divine power—blooming from her body, grinned.

"...Correction. I will manage you thoroughly for today, Dragon of Ruin."

Mullin’s eyes sharpened, glaring at Prostia as if to kill her. A force incomparable to El’s earlier clash collided. Okay, destroy her, Prostia. This brother gives you permission.

"Prostia. I’m telling you..."

"I know. As if I could forget the vow not to kill humans. I will even refrain from inflicting wounds if you wish."

Surprisingly mature handling. But I want the usual, childishly arrogant her.

"No, even if you don't provoke her first, if she picks a fight with you, you can half-kill her."

"Really?!"

"Instructor Drae..."

The Headmistress massaged her temples, as if her head were throbbing.

"I’m telling you, if anyone causes trouble, I’ll give them a good scolding, okay?"

"Hoho? You, you say?"

"No. Instructor Drae will be the one to scold you."

"..."

Prostia shut her mouth. The Headmistress, who knows how to utilize people well. Amazing.

Anyway, one way or another, El, Asita, and I ended up walking the campus for a while. While ruminating on the concerning phrase, 'Nanar’s toy.'

Walking the campus with two beautiful girls... it feels good!

Moreover, El and Asita, considering me an outcast, took me to a place without people, so it was very peaceful.

Whatever. Let’s ignore that and enjoy the stroll with the two beauties.

"Thank you."

"Uh-huh? For what?"

At my words, El laughed. Her voice sounded excited. Her gait, fitting her current youthful appearance, was bouncy, making her look even younger.

"Well, you came to an area without students on purpose, thinking I might be uncomfortable, didn't you?"

"...Yeah! That’s right!"

"El..."

"Why?"

"Nothinggg."

What is it? Asita had a slightly anxious face, then immediately made an expression that said, 'Well, it’ll be fine!' Her facial muscles are quite flexible.

"Come to think of it, what about Clarire or Meyal? Where did they go?"

"I don't know about Clarire, but Meyal must have gone to her family home."

"Family home?"

"There are... some circumstances."

"?"

Both of them seemed to refrain from further mention. Is it a family matter? I’ve thought about it before, but Meyal—is her family situation really that difficult?

I know that because they lost the unique Ryunar training method characteristic of the Ten Great Families, their status as a Ten Great Family is practically non-existent. I know that, but even so, they say a rich family lasts for three years even after going bankrupt, so I didn't understand how they could be struggling financially.

I should look into Love Yarte.

Clarire? She’ll handle herself fine. I wasn't even that curious about that woman, but Asita told me on her own.

"Clarire has a lot of work to do in preparation for the upcoming semester. Because she’s the president."

"Hmm. That’s amazing. She reached the position of the sole president at such a young age, and she works hard, too."

I gave a dry compliment. That she’s amazing is sincere.

As far as I know, Pruynar Academy goes up to the 5th year. For Clarire, who should be a 2nd year, to be president already... that’s impossible unless she’s exceptionally excellent. Ten Great Families or not, they say that status like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠family background or connections hardly works in this academy, so she must have been elected purely through her own ability.

The fact that she’s called one of the Three Queens is one thing, and while her personality is trash, I have to acknowledge her ability and potential.

"It is amazing. But there are two presidents."

"?"

"There is a president who oversees the 1st to 3rd years, and a president for the 4th and 5th years."

"Oh..."

Why am I hearing that for the first time?

Shut up with the facts.

"But, El, is what you said earlier true? That there are many students who want to learn from me?"

Thinking I was happy, El smiled brightly and said:

"Yeah! Just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from what I saw, I think there are about twenty?"

"Hoho..."

I’m screwed. I don't have the confidence to teach.

"But Drae. Could you possibly come to our house later?"

"To the Graize family mansion?"

"I have something to consult you about... And, Remi said she wanted to see you, too."

"...?"

Remi. That woman said she wanted to see me? Is she crazy? The only connection between that woman and me is the memory of me getting pissed off and punching her in the stomach twice...? Unless she’s lost her mind, is there any reason she’d want to see me? ...Come to think of it, there is one. It’s unlikely, but if she’s a masochist.

I didn't care what happened to Remi, so I just forgot about it.

I was very curious about what El wanted to consult me about, but I could feel from her eyes that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she didn't want me to press her right now, so I kept my mouth shut and said I would go when I had time.

I feel sorry for the happy El, but I hope she doesn't trust an outcast’s 'I’ll go when I have time' too much.

"But Drae. Do you have a schedule later?"

"Yeah."

Asita puffed out her cheeks at my short answer. I want to pop the air in her cheeks with my fingers.

"If you’re not busy~ the semester is right around the corner, so why don't you get to know the students?"

"That’s right, Drae. I heard you’re planning to take classes as a student, too."

Schedule. I have one. Going to Mr. Blan’s house to report progress to Ms. Claire. Actually, nothing much has progressed, so there’s no need for a report, but I was asked to come to the house.

Honestly, I’m half-wanting to go and half-not. Because my heart is pounding with the premonition that something will happen if I go. I’ll keep my wits about me, so that shouldn't happen, though.

I calmed my racing heart and thought about when it would be best to meet the students. Getting to know them would be a necessary procedure to make school life easier in the future.

"Today is tough, but could I ask for tomorrow?"

"Hmm... tomorrow?"

El asked back, and I nodded.

"Yes. Tomorrow."

"Got it! I’ll get it ready!"

A bright smile. Is she really the same El who treated me so viciously at first? Well, most women treated me viciously from the start.

The ones who were affectionate to me from the start were Asita, Meyal, and maybe Lenea. A few other faces come to mind.

However, the ones who were truly good to me, without any understanding of interests and despite my bad reputation, were Lenea and Meyal.

Asita is... a bit ambiguous. I don't know about interests, but it’s a connection that started because I saved her life. Still, she’s a good kid.

"What are you thinking about so hard?"

"Thinking that you’re quite the materialist."

"Ugh."

"You know me well, Drae?"

Listening to El’s giggling laughter, a faint smile formed on my lips for the first time in a while. And so, I enjoyed a stroll with two beautiful girls for about an hour.

Rikka wrote the document based on information given by 'Nakamura' of the main branch. After dividing the list into recommended and non-recommended, and briefly writing about what combat techniques the targets use, she delivered the document to the personnel of the 'Gold Taeyang Clan', about 1,500 people in total.

At the end of that document, it was written like this:

Truly. They were people who didn't know their place.

Still daytime. But the front of Mr. Blan’s house is strangely quiet. I pass the open gate and pull the handle of the front door. Locked. Is no one home? Just then.

Creeeak.

The door opens. Ms. Claire, not with her usual thin eyes, but with her eyes slightly open, peeks her head out.

What is this? That hesitation at the beginning. My heart is pounding. Even while trying not to, I struggle to calm my excited heart and stare blankly at the closed door. I pull the door, and it’s open. What is it, is she in her room?

I open the door and go in. Why? You should live a good life. The most important promise flashes through my mind. And I slowly close the door.