"You—what kind of trouble have you stirred up this time?"
Inside a café on Academy grounds.
Elizabeth suddenly pressed me with such a question, causing me to tilt my head slightly.
"What do you mean by trouble? I've only just returned from the dispatch class. Even a rogue needs some rest."
"…That's true, I suppose."
She spoke as if it were natural for me to have caused some incident again.
'Well, it's not unreasonable to think that way.'
Just within the Academy alone, I had already caused a stir—disciplining Liura right after enrollment, the trial over Ricky's kidnapping, and so on.
Even so, her suspicion this time was rather sudden. Her reluctant agreement only made me more curious.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?"
Propping my chin on my hand and tossing a dessert into my mouth, I asked. Elizabeth sighed in reply.
"…You remember? The time when Luciana and I had a private tea party."
"Of course. You mean the occasion when the other servants entertained in my stead, correct?"
Elizabeth and I stood in a delicate ally-like relationship.
As Luciana's devotee, she needed the occasional carrot to keep things balanced. For example, giving her private time alone with Luciana, without me.
"Yes, that's the one. During that, Luciana suddenly said something strange."
Elizabeth sipped her tea slowly before recounting the story, brushing back her soft, pink hair with a coy gesture.
—"Hans is certainly a capable servant. But Lisa, he must be quite the headache for you."
—"…Hm? Why is that?"
—"Lady Evergreen from the South is exceptionally beautiful, isn't she? Especially watching her dance with him earlier—I thought perhaps you should be on guard."
'So Luciana cares for Elizabeth more than I thought.'
Worrying about such trivial matters. But unlike Luciana's assumptions, Elizabeth and I were bound only by a contract. Freesia Evergreen was no issue at all. Elizabeth, who was retelling this conversation, nodded in agreement.
"Well, as a fiancée, it was a situation one might feel jealous about. Ah, Luci, she worries about me so much…."
"Interesting. So, are you jealous?"
"Would you like me to be?"
"I'll pass. Jealousy can be a charming emotion in its own way, but I've already seen enough of it recently—from some pompous nobleman with no taste."
Elizabeth gave me a wry smile at my reply.
"Honestly. I wouldn't bother being jealous of someone who treats emotions like meals."
Elizabeth Frontal was a merchant at heart, knowing precisely where to draw the line in business relationships.
"So, was that all you wanted to discuss with me?"
"…Not only to show off that my engagement with you is still intact, but also because I have information to pass along."
Information? If it could have been said at the Academy, why bring me out to a café?
"Is this confidential?"
"Of course. You think I'd share grade-related information where competitors might overhear?"
She pulled a sheet of paper from her bosom.
At the top, clearly visible words: "Academy Curriculum Schedule."
"Well? It's incomplete, but even so, isn't this enough reason to meet here?"
"Indeed."
Wherever she got it, it was certainly a big lead.
"…What's with that lukewarm reaction?"
"Should I be leaping up in shock?"
Truthfully, the information didn't interest me much.
'Around this time, wasn't there supposed to be the survival group assignment?'
Since I already knew the flow of the original story, the intel she'd dug up didn't hold much value for me.
…Or so I thought—until I saw the bottom of the page.
[Student Council Exchange]
"…Why is this appearing so soon?"
That episode wasn't supposed to unlock until the second semester. I wasn't the only one unsettled.
"Exactly. First the dispatch class, and now this? Why is everything moving so fast? All the information I gathered before admission is useless now."
Her grumbling overlapped with my sigh, echoing through the café.
"You will now be meeting the members of the Student Council."
Sure enough, Professor Marks dropped the bombshell, and the classroom erupted.
"Ugh… A Student Council exchange? Why already?"
"Damn, I should've requested a few more relics from my family."
"Tsk. It's early, but maybe this is good. I need to make a good impression on the Council members…."
Everyone's interests clashed noisily.
Yet amidst the uproar, some students remained silent.
Commoners, who had no access to last year's information.
And—
"The Student Council? What's that? Why is everyone making such a fuss?"
—non-humans.
To Freesia, who had only just entered, it was incomprehensible that one sentence from the professor had thrown the class into chaos.
"The Student Council is the Academy's highest authority, second only to the Headmaster."
"Oooh… so basically, we'll be greeting the highest nobles, right?"
Her wide, eager eyes sparkled with curiosity. Even two mercenaries seated nearby turned their heads at her question.
'Not wrong, but….'
"It's a little more violent than a simple greeting, Lady Evergreen."
"…Violent?"
"Yes. You mustn't take 'exchange' at face value here in the Academy."
Hadn't we learned that during our introduction to the second-years?
Here, "exchange" meant swords and magic crossing. A vicious form of education.
'Though this time, the purpose is somewhat different.'
With second-years, it was purely for academic scores.
With the Student Council, it was about proving oneself.
Noble rank still carried weight here, but far less than outside.
Paradoxically, for noble heirs, the Student Council was the best chance to demonstrate ability beyond titles.
Show exceptional skill in a duel, catch the Council's eye, and one moved closer to true power within the Academy.
That explained the nobles' mix of anxiety and ambition.
"You need not think too deeply. Just give your all in the duel, Lady Evergreen."
"A duel… Like the sparring I did with Mother?"
"Precisely. It should make for a fine match."
This time would be nothing like the trashy second-years.
Our opponents were second-year A-class students—and even third-years, seasoned by countless trials within the Academy.
"…Noisy."
Even amidst the commotion, Luciana remained composed.
'No… not just composed.'
Her face was frozen like ice, but her eyes blazed with intensity.
And I could read that emotion clearly.
In this Academy, where grades decide everything, the Student Council members were powerhouses.
"What better chance to test the Student Council's strength?"
Politics, authority—none of that.
'A battle against the strong.'
Clang—
Luciana rose from her seat, eyes burning with fierce flames, striding to follow Professor Marks out the door—the first to leave. Her boldness stood in stark contrast to others scrambling in panic to prepare.
And—
"Follow me, Hans."
"As you command, Lady Luciana."
"Oh-ho. The top two students setting an example."
Professor Marks chuckled in admiration, making me smirk.
Against the demon kings of the Student Council, such a hero must of course have comrades at her side. To serve Luciana was my duty, my obligation, and my right. Just imagining the power she would unleash after her growth during the dispatch filled me with sweet anticipation.
Then—
"I know well the strength of you both, but may I offer some advice?"
"Speak. If it comes from a warrior of your stature, it's worth hearing."
"In this Academy, there are no distinctions of status. That applies to years as well. That's what I wanted to remind you."
Professor Marks' lowered voice was clear enough. Just like before.
'This old fox wants to use us as tinder again.'
No status distinctions, even among years. Meaning: skill was everything. Don't hold back out of courtesy.
But if Luciana were to actually defeat a Student Council member?
Their prestige would plummet—losing to a first-year who had just enrolled.
Truly cunning. After stoking conflicts between nobles and commoners, now he fanned rivalry between years.
"Hmm. Intriguing words. Don't you agree, Hans?"
His whisper poured fuel on Luciana's fire. Her blazing eyes now roared like an erupting volcano.
"Are you certain? Upperclassmen won't look kindly on this."
There was always the option of putting on a good show and then losing. Just showing skill against the Student Council would prove her ability. Her spot as top student wouldn't be threatened.
Yet Luciana's firm gaze left no doubt.
"Your point is valid. But as a member of House Speda, I must always aim for the top."
"…So you've set your sights that far."
Indeed, there were pros and cons. But the value of victory here would be immense.
'A first-year defeating the Student Council….'
That title alone would be an honor.
"Will you fight with me?"
"Haa… troublesome indeed."
I understood what she wanted. In fact, the original story had followed a similar path.
'And that's part of her charm.'
Ambition? Greed? Those words didn't do justice to Luciana's resolve.
To rise to the station her house deserved—how dazzling was her striving! It was pure self-proving.
"I will gladly follow."
"I knew you would say so."
Her smile at my answer was radiant. Day by day, her expressions grew more vivid, and for a moment, my breath caught.
It was the sweetest reward my favorite character could grant.
"So, these are this year's golden rookies."
"Yes, Madam President."
Reisia Parnell scanned the lineup from right to left.
The heirs of four ducal houses.
The Crown Prince and imperial blood.
A saintess and members of great count families.
"Impressive roster. Most of them even outrank me in title."
"No one would dare look down on you for being a viscount's daughter, Madam President. This is the Academy."
Reisia smiled faintly. By the third year, one understood.
Here, the most important things were grades and raw ability.
Of course, noble background still mattered. But here, all ran on the same track, and victory was decided by merit alone.
That was why the Student Council President's seat, despite her lesser title, belonged to her.
"Let's go down."
"There's no need for you to greet them in person…."
"There is someone I want to see with my own eyes."
A faint warmth stirred in her heart. Among the lineup was someone closely connected to the benefactor who had raised her to this position.
—"Parnell, don't brace against every blow. A shield's true purpose is to deflect. Focus on flowing gently."
She remembered the warrior who had driven her, parrying her clumsy strikes with ease.
When no one else had recognized her potential, he had seen it, nurtured it. How could she forget such a precious memory?
To repay him, she wished to meet his descendant.
A budding sprout that so closely resembled her benefactor's light.
'Ah, Sir Speda. Just as you once guided me, I too….'
Yes. Even as Student Council President, she was still a young noblewoman, full of girlish fantasies.
Her thoughts flowed endlessly, cheeks tinged red, a dreamy smile on her lips.
Luciana Speda. She imagined teaching her, building ties, and eventually—
—"Madam President. This debt of gratitude…"
—"Oh, call me sister instead."
Her face flushed, as pink as her hair.
'Hehe, I'll make sure we get along well.'
With the Council's power, aiding Luciana would be simple. Or so she thought.
But she was forced to rethink, the moment Luciana spoke.
"…What?"
"I'll say it again. Lady Parnell, as Student Council President, I challenge you to a duel."
Luciana extended her glove—not casting it aside rudely, but offering it forward. Yet the meaning was the same.
She, a mere first-year, had challenged the Student Council President.
And it didn't end there.
"You once told me to catch up to you. To do so, I have no choice but to make reckless challenges."
At her side, the vice-top student also handed over his glove.
'First-years… challenging the President?'
Stunned gazes bore down on them.
Reisia Parnell struggled to keep her composure, reeling at the sight of the two audacious juniors defying all her expectations.
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