Graduation and Return
Four strong, nine medium, three weak.
It was a rough way to classify the national power of countries on the continent, excluding the strongest nation, the Glazer Empire.
There were a total of seventeen nations in all.
That didn't mean every single one was located on the continent proper—down in the southern reaches, there were even nations that worshipped the demon gods. But the continent where most countries were situated was vast, with plenty of capitals to match.
In other words, it meant there were a ton of distinguished guests Han Siu had to greet with a smiling face as the graduating class representative.
'Damn it...'
He subtly touched the corner of his mouth with his hand.
The fact that he could feel his fingers meant the paralysis hadn't set in yet, at least.
But it felt like only a matter of time before it did.
'Who knew I'd ever come to respect politicians and celebrities in my lifetime.'
How the hell did they keep smiling all day long?
Truly impressive professionalism.
"Haha, having a tough time?"
As he sat on the sofa catching his breath, the director of the Hero Academy approached with a chuckle and settled beside him.
Priscilla Elbton, countess.
A veteran who'd been running the academy for nearly four decades.
She had a bit of a chatty streak, but aside from that, she was a solid person. Especially how she kept a proper distance from the rotten Glazer imperial family and maintained strict neutrality. Of course, there were limits since she was under the empire's umbrella.
"Are there... still a lot of guests left?"
"Just a few more. Normally, we don't get this many, but... it's all because of you, Candidate Siu."
"Haa."
The fate of a popular guy, it seemed.
"At least the greetings aren't dragging on forever. I haven't even memorized all the names and faces yet."
"You handled it pretty well for someone saying that."
"It's thanks to you, Director. And some good luck, too."
Objectively speaking, Siu wasn't all that smart. He knew it himself.
The reason he'd managed to greet the guests so smoothly was largely due to Countess Elbton's guidance at his side. Plus, these were high-status figures, so his knowledge from the first timeline had helped quite a bit.
"Hehe. Too much humility isn't a good look."
"...Think whatever you want."
He had no desire to argue over something like this, so Siu just gave an awkward smile and wrapped it up.
Countess Elbton smiled warmly at the weary Siu, then glanced at the clock. It was nearing evening, but one more group remained for today. The rest were tomorrow.
"Just my personal hunch, but... I think you'll like the next guests, Candidate Siu."
"Pardon? Like them? What do you— Ah. No way?"
He looked at her in surprise, but the countess just wore a mischievous grin. If anything, that confirmed it for him.
Elbton was neutral, but as academy director, she had thick ties to the imperial family. Meaning any news related to heroes reached her ears. She'd been instrumental in him taking on the imperial assignment in the first place.
'She knows about the engagement.'
His guess was spot on.
Soon, the parlor doors opened, and three women entered.
Helena Glazer, the Iron-Blooded Princess.
Her blind bodyguard knight.
And finally, Helena's loyal aide.
Helena flinched slightly upon spotting Siu as she entered.
She'd known he was inside, but seeing him after so long threw her off. Especially since her retinue knew about the engagement, and they'd been yapping about it nonstop, making her hyper-sensitive to anything Siu-related.
'Ughhh. Why does seeing his face make me so embarrassed...'
The more she tried not to think about him, the more she did.
"Long time no see, Princess."
Siu greeted her with a bright smile.
"Eek...!"
"...?"
"O-oh, y-yes! Long time no see... Siu."
Her response was so awkward it bordered on dopey.
Behind her, the bodyguard and aide were desperately stifling laughs.
'What the...?'
"Not feeling well today?"
"Ah... Y-yeah. But... it's work, so. Of course, I had to come."
"Haha. As expected of the princess."
Oblivious to Helena's odd behavior, Siu carried on the conversation normally.
The princess managed to exchange words with him despite her fluster. Her responses were awkward, but coherent enough.
The bodyguard and aide stood silently supporting her as usual, but one person couldn't process the scene.
"......???"
'Am I dreaming?'
Countess Elbton couldn't believe her eyes.
The Iron-Blooded Princess, nervous? Because of a man?
'Because of a man... right?'
She'd chimed in on Siu's words, claiming she felt off, but Elbton knew that was bullshit. She'd met the princess just hours ago, fit as a fiddle—and sharp-eyed, inspecting the academy no less.
'Never thought I'd see that expression... Heh, live long enough and you see everything.'
Still, she felt relieved deep down.
The princess, whom she'd thought would forever charge alone like a lone wolf, was capable of such a womanly face.
Her burning ambition for the throne and power had always worried Elbton that she'd crash someday. The unyielding princess who only looked up, never down. But now, it seemed she had a man to support her from below.
'Truly a relief.'
Elbton gazed at Siu with the fond eyes of a mother watching her grown daughter.
Sensing something off, Helena glanced her way mid-conversation with Siu and startled.
'Wh-what? Why that look...?'
"Ahem. Anyway... congrats on graduating, Siu."
"Still three days left."
"Three days fly by."
"Our engagement will, too."
"......"
Helena froze at the sudden jab.
Her heart, which had calmed during their chat, started racing with awareness of him again.
The engagement.
The date was set.
One month after graduation.
It would be a modest affair—not a full wedding, just the betrothal ceremony—but as Glazer imperial royalty, even if the family disliked her, they wouldn't skimp on face. No half-assed event allowed.
"Looking forward to it. Our betrothal, Princess."
"Ah, y-yeah. M-me too. A lot..."
Truth be told, the engagement wouldn't change Helena's life much.
Siu was tied to Palania Kingdom and would stay there; she had her own territory. Engaged or not, they'd see each other once every few months, same as always. But the feeling was different.
"...Siu."
"Yes, Princess?"
"What you want from me... is my body, right?"
"Pardon? Wrong."
"Wrong?"
"I told you, didn't I? What I want is you, Princess. Think I'd settle for just your body?"
"Huh? ...Ha. Haha."
Helena let out a scoffing laugh.
Hearing him say it so matter-of-factly made her heart pound in all sorts of ways. Not her body, but her. A big difference. Of course, to fully claim her, he'd need her heart too—but she had no intention of handing it over easily.
"Siu. How about a little bet?"
"Hmm, a bet? What kind?"
"Something light. Who falls for the other first?"
The three women in the room—excluding Siu—went slack-jawed at slyly smiling Helena. The same thought crossed their minds.
'Does she not realize she's already fallen?'
"Sounds fun. But isn't it too easy on my conscience?"
"That's what makes it fun. It means you're so hooked you can't fool them."
"Sure, I'm in. Though it'll probably drag on awhile."
"Right? Hehe."
The Iron-Blooded Princess proposed the bet with a now-relaxed heart.
She'd planned to use this man Siu to get closer to the throne, but passively taking it wasn't her style. Might as well make him fall so hard he couldn't live without her.
But she never imagined it'd take less than a week for Siu to unsettle her heart. Of course, even then, Helena wouldn't admit it.
After hashing out bet details, evening arrived.
They decided to dine together and left the parlor.
Siu spent the next three days in a whirlwind.
Guest greetings wrapped after one more day, but graduation prep ramped up, making it even busier. Rehearsals in the auditorium were endless—by the time the event started, he already felt graduated.
Of course, they didn't rehearse everything.
Time constraints skipped some, and others were impossible to practice. So the actual ceremony held some anticipation. More the latter than the former.
"Phew, that got me tense."
Stepping offstage, Siu wiped sweat from his brow—not kidding about the nerves. Hildear pulled a handkerchief from her bosom and dabbed it away.
"You did great."
"No slip-ups?"
"None. Excellent speech."
"Man. Can't believe they make us do this."
"Hate to say it, but... it's a check. To confirm new heroes aren't just in it for perks. They expect as much as they give."
"Such a hassle."
Siu shook his head with a wry smile.
The hero-state relationship was way too convoluted.
"Haa, graduation's almost over."
"One last part remains..."
"Yeah. The one I'm most looking forward to. The big finale."
"......♥"
The knight blushed, eyes shyly downcast.
The graduation public sex was the hero party formation declaration. Traditional, but optional. Siu's official party was five members.
Elaine had yielded to Hildear today and skipped; the other three followed suit—not absent like Elaine, just watching from backstage.
Today was purely Hildear's day.
She was unambiguously the star.
"Feels... weird."
"Yeah?"
"Until recently, I never imagined this day..."
Her cheeks as red as her teary eyes.
Siu pulled her into a tight hug.
"Eek. S-Siu, no. The suit... makeup and tears..."
"It's fine. We'll strip soon anyway."
"Ah.... Haah...♥"
"Sounds like it's wrapping up. Shall we?"
"...Yes♥"
The two clasped hands and headed onstage together.