[No title provided]
Astraia von Kailum. The second princess of the imperial family, which our family barely clings to as part of. One of the original heroines.
Born to a low-ranking maid who served the emperor, she was a bastard daughter who shouldn't have had any claim to succession. But from a young age, she showed remarkable talent in politics, and more importantly, all her half-siblings were utter idiots. So there was a lot of talk about her ascending to the throne.
She herself had a thirst for power and a personality that wouldn't rest until she got what she wanted. Realizing her ambiguous origins and precarious position in the imperial family, she poured all her efforts into gathering talented people who could become her strength.
The fact that she, who didn't need to attend the academy, was here meant she was scouting for talents to become her limbs. And while she was at it, looking for a suitable husband.
"The second princess is the student council president? That's so cool……."
Yeah. This guy next to me, blissfully admiring her without a clue.
As the second princess raised her hand with a smooth motion, the thunderous applause cut off instantly, as if it had never been. It was the moment I truly felt the force of her charisma, manipulating the crowd with a single gesture.
"……Dear students."
Her speech began with the familiar greeting. The content was the usual welcome for a freshman ceremony, mixed with a subtle warning that it wouldn't be easy.
Not just nobles, but commoners too (as long as they could pay) were free to enroll. Amor Academy, which had produced historic figures generation after generation, was renowned among countless educational institutions on the continent.
Academy education wasn't mandatory, so not enrolling due to family circumstances or personal reasons caused no issues. But if you fell short academically mid-semester or got expelled for misconduct, people tended to view you as a disgrace to the empire.
Of course, graduating from the academy was an incredibly valuable credential, earning respect everywhere, so most nobles treated it as a custom. Plus, high-achieving commoners got their names known and a chance at social advancement, making internal competition fierce. Students' passion to not fall behind lit up the campus every day.
Well, for me, I'll just coast along and graduate~
Not worried about grades at all, I leisurely let the student council president's speech flow in one ear and out the other, reliving school days after so long.
"Thus, our academy…… is……?"
Scanning the audience as she continued, our princess's gaze reached my side, and suddenly her words slowed, then her train of thought ground to a halt.
"Why is the princess acting like that? Is she unwell?"
Sick? Yeah, lovesick. Your looks are causing serious emotional damage to women—a deadly disease.
"A-hem, ahem! My apologies. I wasn't feeling well and made a mistake. Sorry. Continuing—our academy—"
But like a pro, she smoothly recovered and finished her speech, stepping off the stage unscathed.
Our eyes seemed to meet as she descended, but she was looking at this guy, not me. The person in question was oblivious, focused only on what came next.
While someone like me struggles for even a speck of her attention no matter what antics I pull, this idiot steals her heart with his face alone. My life difficulty is hellish…… This needs a balance patch, stat.
I ignored the princess's burning gaze as best I could and prayed the ceremony would end smoothly soon.
On the way to our assigned class after the ceremony.
They said freshmen don't have classes on the first day—that's the way of the jianghu. How could we defy heavenly principles…….
"Hehe. I can't wait to see what we learn at the academy. Exciting, right, Mars?"
At this point, it's scary. He's a wide-eyed maniac for the learning process. For Polo, who loves acquiring knowledge, even this wait was enjoyable.
Ah, Master Confucius…… Your theory of human evil nature was right…….
-Nyaaang…….
"A cat?"
A faint, weak meow triggered my cat radar, turning my head automatically.
Looking toward the sound, about 20 meters away under a flowerbed tree, a limping cat was visible.
Not much blood, so no major injury, but scratches everywhere, matted fur, and a hurt leg. Probably fell fighting birds up in the tree.
It hurt my heart to see, but the academy infirmary wouldn't spare a bed for a stray cat. And taking it there might make us late for first period. Swallowing my regret, I tried to pass by.
"Too bad, but that's nature's way, so…… Hey! Where are you going!?"
Tak-tak-tak!
Before I could stop him, Polo rushed to the cat, calmly checked its condition.
"You okay? Does it hurt a lot?"
-Nyaaaa…….
"Don't worry. I'll take you to the doctor right away."
"No need."
A sudden woman's voice startled me as I hurried after Polo—we both turned to see a mysterious silver-haired beauty approaching.
"The cat for a moment……."
"Ah, sure."
Overwhelmed by her aura, Polo handed over the cat meekly.
-Nyaang…….
"There, there. It's okay. No pain at all."
Hwaaaa—
"What the hell……."
Silver hair, sleepy half-lidded eyes. And immense holy power shining like a halo…….
Another original heroine, different from the princess.
"The Saintess……."
Hertia, the Saintess. Abandoned by her parents and raised in a monastery, she awakened vast holy power young and was named Saintess.
Too young for friends, her mentor—the current Pope, like a parent—suggested academy life. That's why she's joining us this year…….
The Saintess is a bit uncomfortable…….
As someone serving God, her faith is devout. Not a fanatic forcing it on others, but she changes when religion comes up, which is awkward for an atheist like me.
Plus, I have bad memories about religion…….
Funny, reincarnated in another world yet not believing in gods. They exist, but I don't think they're trustworthy.
-Nyaa? Nyaa!
The cat, healed by her touch, bounced happily, rubbing against her ankle—cats' way of showing affection.
"Hehe, so cute."
"Thank you for healing the cat. I wasn't much help……."
"Not true. I saw you rush to check the moment you noticed it was hurt. Valuing life like that makes you wonderful."
Polo blushed at the Saintess's words.
Kids. Pink atmosphere is nice, but we're gonna be late?
I don't wanna stand out with tardiness on day one. I want a quiet academy life!
"Polo! Hurry, or we'll be late!"
"Oh, right! Sorry, gotta go! Thanks for the cat!"
Polo gave a quick bow and dashed with me to the classroom.
The Saintess watched us oddly, but I had no time to notice, just hoping to arrive on time.
"Huff! Huff! Not late?"
Classroom had students chatting in groups; no one at the front podium yet. Teacher must be delayed.
Sighing in relief, Polo and I took middle empty seats side by side.
A small stir at Polo's looks, but familiar to me. Sitting by the window, I gazed outside, hoping the day would fly by.
"Hey, commoner."
Commoner, huh. Tuition's steep; must be talented to enroll.
"You, commoner."
……Why so close?
Following the voice, a sharp-eyed petite beauty with flowing brown hair glared at me.
"Finally looking this way?"
"……You calling me commoner—"
"Who else here?"
Goddamn it. If reincarnating me, at least let me customize looks. Setting my appearance worse than a bullseye is cruel.
Already classmates mistaking me for commoner based on face. Take responsibility.
"Sorry, but I'm a noble. Baron, though."
"What? With that face?"
Sorry this face offends you, bitch. Think the emperor hands out titles by looks?
"Hmph, whatever. Get out of that seat."
"Pardon?"
Swallowed a curse. She's Duke Euse's precious daughter.
Viscounts like us can't even look up; Euse family, emperor's right hand, founding contributors. Pissing her off makes academy hell.
Plus, last of the heroine trio, fated for Polo. Antagonizing her tsundere ass could go wrong.
"Understood. Sit here then."
I yielded to power, slinking to another empty seat.
Thud—
Thud—
……?
Why stereo? Sensing oddity, I glanced—Polo sat beside me, beaming.
"……Why'd you come?"
"Hm? 'Cause Mars sat here?"
Mountain's there, so you climb? Idiot, that's the duke's daughter's prime seat.
"Why not sit by the duke's daughter and come to me?"
"Huh? She wanted your seat? I wanna sit by Mars?"
……This guy isn't that way, right? Didn't play the game fully; maybe dark ending 'cause of it. Him sticking to me is suspicious.
He hides naughty pics from back alleys, so he likes girls…….
Whoosh—!
"Ah."
Forgot men's primal fear. Duke's daughter, thinking Polo stolen by me (in her mind), glared with rage and jealousy.
If eyes could burn, I'd be a dried roast already—scorching intensity.
"You—!"
Scraaape—
"Oh, everyone's here? Sorry I'm late. I'm Idrus, your Class A homeroom teacher."
Timing perfect; teacher blocked duke's daughter's tyranny.
A bit later, and my family would've been blacklisted by dukes.
Thus began academy intro and light first lesson. Ignored duke's daughter's piercing glares midway.
Today, I'm model student.
"Mars, looks like the duke's daughter is into you~ Keeps staring."
……How to deal with this oblivious protagonist…….