Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The Stolen Protagonist
When Idnia went to her assigned seat and sat down, the girl next to her—the original protagonist—greeted her.
“Hello.
My name is Mari, from Astraea. You’re also a saint candidate, right? It’s nice to meet you.”
This girl was Mari of Astraea, the heroine of the game.
She had the typical protagonist appearance.
The kind who looks plain at first, but shines with striking beauty during key moments.
‘Seeing her in person… this is moving.’
Idnia greeted her sincerely.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Idnia Katche Betelgeuse.”
“I heard you’re the Duke’s daughter of Betelgeuse. You’re of such high status, yet you speak to a commoner like me…”
“We’re both students of the same academy now. I look forward to your guidance.”
Idnia smiled and observed Mari’s reaction.
Nothing.
If Mari were a reincarnator or transmigrator like herself, there should have been some kind of reaction—but there wasn’t.
‘Hmm… should I test it? It’s a bit embarrassing, though…’
Idnia softly hummed a tune.
It was the main theme song of Awakened Maiden Concerto.
Honestly, it was embarrassing.
Humming out of nowhere like this… even she felt awkward.
If she found it ridiculous herself, surely the listener would react, right?
But Mari showed no reaction at all.
‘So… she’s just a normal person. No, not a corpse—just a pure native. That’s actually worrying.’
Idnia grew uneasy.
‘In this brutal pay-to-win world, someone without game knowledge or foresight won’t survive easily. Still… if she’s a saint candidate, maybe she has incredible base stats? Magic, divine power, physical ability…’
Originally, Idnia had planned to leave everything to the protagonist and live quietly in the countryside.
But fate intervened.
She herself had received a divine revelation as a saint candidate.
Since she was already growing bored of rural life, she decided to come to the capital and observe the situation.
‘And… I couldn’t refuse that generous funding.’
For now, it was enough that the protagonist didn’t treat her as an enemy.
At that moment, the cathedral’s pipe organ began to resonate.
The bishop entered.
The entrance ceremony began.
********
Unlike the brief depiction in the game, the Academy’s entrance ceremony was elaborate.
There was a consecration mass, hymns, and then the freshman oath.
The student representative was none other than Crown Prince Rudolf Rosenbaum Caliestra.
“Ah…”
Idnia admired him.
Wearing his imperial uniform, Rudolf looked like a young officer—handsome and refined.
‘So this is the Crown Prince.’
In the game, he was designed to be universally loved, which ironically made him feel bland.
But in reality…
A genuinely kind, handsome, and sincere person was ideal.
“Wow…”
Mari, beside her, was clearly captivated.
Not just her—many students had already fallen for him.
‘She really does seem like a normal girl…’
Idnia felt uneasy.
‘Worst case… I might have to become the saint myself.’
She shuddered.
She hadn’t developed any saint-like abilities—no magic, no divine power.
She didn’t even know why she had been chosen.
‘Well… Mari is the true protagonist. She must have talent.’
She reassured herself.
********
After the oath, Emperor Franz himself gave a speech.
He appeared young and charismatic.
Idnia watched him coldly.
‘He gave my father only 50 shillings a month…’
It was a humiliating amount for such a noble house.
After many speeches, it was time for the top student’s address.
‘That should be Mari.’
But the name called was unexpected.
“Miss Isolde Polzen.”
A beautiful girl with elegant black curls stood up.
‘Who…? I’ve never seen her in the game.’
Then—
Isolde waved at the Crown Prince.
And he smiled back.
They knew each other.
‘Wait… did Mari lose the top spot?’
Idnia was shocked.
If so, Mari wouldn’t even get noticed by the Crown Prince.
‘This is going off-script.’
********
After the ceremony, only the freshmen remained.
The doors closed.
Professors appeared.
Now, the real beginning started.
“Such young students this year,” Gibbs muttered.
Then a strict-looking woman stepped forward.
Professor Deneuve.
“Your attendants will stay outside. You will live in dormitories.”
“Dormitories?!”
“Two people per room.”
Idnia thought it sounded fine.
But the others were shocked.