Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Summer Vacation (2)
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Stella Academy's summer vacation had begun.
Most cadets packed their bags to return home for some rest or to help with family matters.
In the game's storyline, all the major and supporting characters left the academy due to their own circumstances.
But I didn't have a particular hometown to go back to.
Even in the game, there was no information about Jeron's hometown...
And after possessing this body, I learned the truth: it had no parents.
It was something I'd confirmed in a conversation with Professor Kate long ago.
So in reality, I was someone with nowhere to go.
Of course, the academy kept some dormitories open during break for cadets like me.
I'd planned to apply for that, but it turned out I wouldn't need to.
Leonhardt, whom I'd grown a bit closer to after occasionally meeting up post-comprehensive evaluation.
It happened recently in the dormitory hallway when I ran into him.
"What are your plans for break, Jeron?"
When he asked about my vacation plans, I vaguely explained my situation.
"Then, would you perhaps like to stay at the imperial palace?"
His eyes lit up as he made the offer.
Summer Vacation Event: Invitation to the Imperial Palace
📍 Goal: Visit and experience the imperial palace!
🎁 Reward: ???
⚠️ Note: Accepting this quest will prevent participation in other event quests.
The imperial palace invitation event.
It was an essential event for clearing the Myth-class quest, and with the restrictions, I could only choose one event anyway.
On top of that, staying at the palace made it a great opportunity for me.
In the original game, it was just a short visit, but now they were letting me stay there entirely.
There was no reason to refuse.
And that was why I was now heading to the imperial palace with Leonhardt and the imperial escorts.
The imperial palace was quite a distance from the academy, but using the teleportation station and then boarding the waiting imperial carriage got us there quickly.
The imperial carriage was, naturally, top-class—unlike the cheap ones I'd ridden before, it was smooth and nausea-free. I had no idea what magic tech they used, but it worked wonders.
"Is everything comfortable, Jeron?"
Leonhardt, sitting across from me, asked.
"Yes. It's great."
I meant it.
At this rate, I could probably sleep like a baby all the way.
"Haha, good to hear. I can't be neglectful on a trip with a friend."
He looked pleased.
"How much longer until we arrive?"
"Not long. Feel free to sleep if you're tired."
"Then I won't hold back..."
I slowly closed my eyes.
Then I heard a scratching sound from ahead, like someone writing.
'...What’s he writing?'
Peeking through slitted eyes, I saw Leonhardt pulling out a notebook and diligently jotting things down.
I could make out the first line.
[Observation Log: Jeron relaxes his spine at the optimal angle even in a carriage for rest.]
'......'
A bit burdensome, but whatever. Let him be.
If it raises his affinity, it's good for me.
How much time passed like that?
"We've arrived, Your Highness, and Your Highness's friend."
The carriage stopped, and the door opened.
I rubbed my eyes and stepped out.
Bathed in sunlight, the sight before me unfolded.
"Oh..."
An exclamation escaped me unwittingly.
It was enormous.
Exuding the empire's imperial dignity, a massive fortress adorned in pure white marble and gold loomed majestically.
At the entrance, imperial guards in full armor stood in formation.
"We welcome the return of His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Their resounding salute echoed.
The imperial palace, which I'd only seen in game illustrations.
Seeing it in person made its grandeur and scale hit even harder.
'This is exciting.'
And above all, the final key for the Myth-class skill was right there.
"Jeron, let's go."
"Yes."
I followed behind Leonhardt as we entered.
But then.
I felt gazes from around us.
Especially the imperial guards—they all seemed a bit agitated.
Their eyes were trembling slightly.
...What's going on?
That's when I caught my reflection in a smooth marble pillar.
'Ah.'
Only then did I realize.
Snow-white hair and violet eyes.
A languid, decadently beautiful face.
[Hiyuuung...]
[Hoo, so this is the human palace.]
A nine-headed snake draped around my neck like a scarf.
Gliding smoothly atop my moving shadow.
I hadn't noticed at the academy since I always looked like this...
But thinking about it, I made for a highly suspicious, noteworthy figure.
Suddenly, I recalled what Karen had said.
That I looked like a black幕 villain...
"This way."
Leonhardt, completely oblivious, smiled brightly and beckoned.
"...!!"
The people stared at me with even more uneasy eyes.
A suspicious guy hanging around closely with His Highness the Crown Prince.
From their perspective, it was cause for concern.
'I'm not that kind of person.'
It was a misunderstanding.
Rosendal family, the family head's office.
A blue-haired girl stood there.
It was Artel.
She had just submitted her grade report for the semester to the family head.
Albert Rosendal, the family head, nodded as he skimmed the documents.
"I see... You took first place in the comprehensive evaluation?"
A faint satisfaction crossed his stern face.
"You've lived up to expectations this time. Excellent practical combat grades too. You're finally becoming a successor worthy of the family name."
It was praise.
Coming from her usually strict father, it was quite generous.
Artel bowed calmly.
"Thank you."
"Keep striving. You may rest now."
"Yes, Family Head."
The door creaked open.
Artel gave a polite bow and left the office.
Once alone in the hallway with the door closed, she stared at it for a moment.
'......'
If it were before, a single word of praise like this would have made her truly happy.
How much blood, sweat, and tears had she shed since childhood to earn this recognition?
She'd skimped on sleep to practice magic, gripped pens until her hands blistered.
But.
Upon actually receiving her father the family head's approval,
Surprisingly, she just felt calm.
She even felt like cold neglect wouldn't have changed much.
Because now, she had someone far more important.
'Jeron.'
A certain man floated into her mind.
It was all thanks to Jeron that she'd achieved such great results.
He'd trained her, yielded his own merits during the evaluation to let her shine.
He recognized her hidden efforts and taught her so many new things.
And... the one who kept confusing her.
'......'
Honestly, Artel had become aware of her own feelings by now.
They'd surpassed mere friendship, senior in magic, or teacher.
She couldn't deny that she harbored affection for Jeron.
She gently touched the necklace hanging preciously around her neck.
It was a shame he hadn't come with her.
He surely would have loved seeing the Rosendal family's ice festival together.
She could have spent even more leisurely, extended time with him than at the academy.
Still, it was fortunate he'd chosen the crown prince's invitation over other girls'.
And the reason was the imperial beds being super fluffy.
It was so very Jeron-like that she smiled.
She imagined him sleeping in an imperial bed with the sleep incense from their comprehensive evaluation lit.
At first, it made her chuckle...
But recalling sleeping next to him during the evaluation sent her thoughts in a strange direction, flushing her face.
"...Hoo."
She truly hadn't expected herself to end up like this.
Lately, though, something worried her.
A strong, attractive man like Jeron would naturally draw others' interest.
Especially Karen and Ciel...
Those two were major threats to watch.
Yuria too.
She had the closest relationship with Jeron, and he treated her comfortably.
'I can't just sit still.'
A sense of crisis welled up.
But while she was well-versed in magic, she knew little about romance.
How to win a man's heart, what dating even entailed.
The library's magic books didn't cover that.
So she needed to learn.
A large bookstore in the territory.
Artel entered cloaked in a large robe, hiding her identity.
Normally, she'd head straight to the magic or academic sections, but today was different.
She glanced around and made for one corner.
'Practical books...'
The area with light magazines and how-to guides that commoners often browsed.
Artel carefully scanned the shelves and picked one up.
How to Get Close to Men
It seemed the most basic, so she grabbed it first.
Then her eye caught the one next to it.
Various Techniques to Satisfy a Man
'Hmm...'
The title was vague on what it meant exactly, but it looked similar.
More reference material was better, so she took it too.
As she headed to the counter, a book in the adjacent pet section caught her eye.
How to Raise a Cat
The cover featured a cat illustration.
A white cat half-closing its eyes, yawning on a cozy sofa.
"......"
...Should she reference this too?
Artel pondered seriously.