Reina von Wolfgang, Kalen Snowwhite, Millije Heilo

Unless some major upheaval happened, these three—Reina von Wolfgang, Kalen Snowwhite, and Millije Heilo—seemed destined to be fixed members of my party.

The "party" in the Salenium Saga consisted of six frontline fighters and two in the rear or as substitutes, for a total of eight slots. I had no idea who would fill the remaining "fated companion" spots, but candidates were lined up at least through the third position. On top of that, Reina von Wolfgang was all but confirmed for the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠second slot and had even risen to the level of my "partner."

Even after I was disowned by my family, she took my goal of reclaiming the marquisate seriously—without ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a hint of mockery—and declared she'd stand with me. Her house, Wolfgang, was a vassal to Repelheit, so helping me meant betraying the family that raised her. But Reina had declared boldly, "So what? I'm just doing what I want."

That... was really okay, right? I'd heard her dorm was overflowing with letters urging her to break off the engagement, and that she gathered them up, burned them, and sipped tea amid the flames...

In any case, she was a lifesaver. Sure, as a veteran rotten to the core in this world, I could've bulldozed through solo. But doing it alone and having even one reliable ally were worlds apart.

"Hmm, I see. Adrian doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation at the academy. Oh, and lately there's talk of the young ladies from the western houses holding a tea party centered around Sub-Marquess Ebnis."

Probably. That rumor was likely fact. There was a side ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠quest tied to Ebnis involving a tea party, after all.

"I can't think of any quick fixes right now. But Adrian, you've laid solid foundations with other matters, haven't you?"

True enough. I'd taken charge of Princess Lijelilias's imperial throne race, subjugated the "Puppeteer"—a second-act boss and one of "Darkness"'s executives. The magic department's fourth-year top student and current grad was under my command too. My network wasn't vast, but I had ties to key figures.

"It's impressive you've racked up these achievements before the first semester even ends. Student opinion is fickle as reeds—it sways with a mere breeze. But yours is holding firm now, so we should watch and wait a bit longer."

"I see."

"Exactly. If Sub-Marquess Ebnis focuses on student sentiment, you can target other spheres. Her current base of student support will become a creeping liability down the line."

Reina adjusted her glasses—don't know when she'd put them on—with a smile, then carefully folded them and tucked them away.

"The situation's better than it seems. The only real issue is..."

"Sub-Marquess Ebnis enjoying overwhelming student attention."

"Yeah, pretty much. Some of her extreme fans are already calling her the next student council president."

Top of her year. That overwhelming strength crushing Cheseok in the midterm duel. Stellar bloodline. An appearance I hated to admit was flawless. And various other factors had made Ebnis wildly popular at the academy.

"Good. Looks like no one's lurking, watching me anymore."

Thank goodness.

"Ahaha..."

Reina laughed awkwardly and waved first.

"You've got Basic Swordsmanship Theory next, right Adrian? I'll head to the self-study room. Don't get hurt—stay safe."

"Got it, Reina. You too."

We parted, and I headed to the small training hall for Basic Swordsmanship Theory. Pushing open the door, a familiar face—who was already warming up—greeted me.

"Oh, Adrian. You're early."

Vibrant green hair. Long ears.

"Relbrian, just you and me again today?"

"Seems like it."

As I'd mentioned before, mages in this world hated moving their bodies. Basic Swordsmanship Theory—teaching swordplay in a magic department class—was the polar opposite of their nature. It was insane drilling, nonstop. Miss one lecture, and Professor Bedel made you do double for the absence.

Thus...

"...Everyone else dropped besides us. I was worried even you might skip today."

"No need to fret. I'm no scoundrel who'd abandon a friend and ditch class."

Relbrian's eyes widened briefly at that.

"Hehe... Friend. Yes, that's right. Friend."

She covered her mouth, smiling, then spoke. We met every class, chatted effortlessly, bantered lightly—weren't we already besties?

"Adrian, got time after class? There's something I want to show a friend."

Oh. This was it.

"A side quest, huh."

"What? Side chest?"

Professor Bedel appeared out of nowhere, stretching every which way, then nodded. His bronze scalp gleamed under the sun.

"Tch, only two students left. They tried to cancel the class, but I shut that down. Who're they to decide? Alright, let's begin hell."

We rolled until we nearly died. Rolled some more until we did nearly die.

So my chest hurt.

It hurt so much.

"Better than last time, though, right?"

"I'll take that as a joke."

"Ahaha."

Leaning against the wall, half-dead like always, Relbrian brought me the water bucket again.

"Relbrian."

"Hm?"

"You should wash up before going."

"Eh, wh-what...?"

At my sudden words, Relbrian's ear tips flushed crimson as she sniffed her sleeves and here and there.

"A-Adrian, um, d-did I...?"

"...I'm drenched in sweat, so I figured you'd be uncomfortable with me nearby. But why're you sniffing like that?"

"N-no, it's nothing. Really."

What was that about? Anyway.

Relbrian's side quest. Gift for a Friend, Part Two. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠In the game, she showed a lush forest and asked your feelings. Two choices led to different rewards: massive affinity boost, or a skill rank up with a slight affinity dip.

Community was split; no consensus.

Anyway, as I started to rise...

"It's fine, isn't it?"

"Hm?"

"I said I'm not bothered. Not unpleasant at all. My first friend is Reina von Wolfgang, and my second is you, Adrian."

Well... yeah.

"You said you had something to show?"

"Yes. I think you'll like it."

What? My heart was pounding.

"Let's go then. Oh, don't come too close."

"Got it."

Our destination: Lubrium Hall.

"...Why'd you bring me here?"

"Shh, follow quietly."

She led me deftly. Lubrium students glanced our way as I trailed her to the garden, drawing all the stares.

"Hide here."

"Something we have to watch secretly?"

Crouching beside her, Relbrian giggled.

"Not bad, just... feels like sneaking around for childhood mischief."

Moments later, she pointed.

"That's..."

Terrace. Enjoying a light tea time there was none other than...

"Reina...?"

"Shh, watch closely."

She wove a subtle mana thread, amplifying my hearing with an auditory enhancement spell.

She peered at her arm, chuckled, then pulled out a bundle of hundreds of letters from somewhere.

"What..."

"Now's the highlight."

Whoosh!

Flames erupted from the hundreds of letters. Burning sheets scattered on the wind, crumbling to ash.

Utterly... third-rate villainess-lady vibes.

"...See that?"

"Saw it."

"Word is, her family urges breaking the engagement daily. Hundreds arrive weekly."

Relbrian looked grave, then smiled.

"But Reina burns them weekly during tea time. What do you think, Adrian? Your thoughts?"

Uh... well... um...

"Very... happy? Yeah, she looks happy."

"Ahaha, knew you'd say that. With a fiancée like her, you're truly blessed by the World Tree. As your mutual friend, I'll keep cheering you both on."

Definitely. In the game, it was showing a lush forest and asking, "This is my favorite spot. What about you?"

Content changed, but... not a bad feeling.

"Thanks, Relbrian."

"What're friends for?"

Wait. What?

"...Deep Forest Elves?"

"What's wrong, Adrian?"

"No, nothing. It's fine."

So... if I got it right, the Deep Forest Elves would be neutral toward me? For real?

Those who loathe humans so much they fled this world—not killing me on sight but hearing me out was huge. And I had confidence in my words. I could debate the final boss and win.

Plus, that message meant elves existed in this "world." Finding them would be like plucking stars, but they were real.

Meaning, via Relbrian, I could build friendly ties with other elves. No clue when, but possible—that mattered.

"By the way, Adrian, this might not suit here, and sound weak, but..."

"Go ahead."

"I thought you'd quit. Hearing you were disowned and became a commoner, I figured you'd hit rock bottom."

I see.

"But you didn't."

She gazed into my eyes.

"As classes dragged and people dropped one by one, I thought you'd bail soon too."

"And?"

"But you kept showing up—next day, day after—never late, never absent, swinging that wooden sword with grunts. Watching, I thought..."

She chuckled softly. The half-elf swordmage said,

"You're someone reliable. Ahaha, embarrassing to admit."

What? She thought that?

"Honored. Without your support beside me, I might've quit ages ago. So have confidence."

"Mm..."

Relbrian hesitated.

"Th-then... I wouldn't deserve showing you this..."

Why? What happened?

"If it's trouble, I can lend an ear for advice."

"Ah, n-no. It's fine. I'll head in first. See you later, Adrian."

She bolted like the wind.

What... was that?