After changing into our gym clothes, Elena and I headed toward the gymnasium. The hallways buzzed with students chatting, their voices echoing off the stone walls.
"Louis, how was your dormitory yesterday?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as we walked.
"The facilities were better than I expected," I replied. "I thought it'd be cramped, but it's actually comfortable."
"Right?" Elena said with a grin. "I thought the beds would be hard or squeaky, but they were surprisingly soft! I actually slept well for once."
She spoke in her usual lively tone, her words flowing easily as if we'd been close for years.
I smiled faintly, nodding along, but a thought tugged at the back of my mind.
'Wait… were Louis and Elena this close from the beginning?'
The comic never showed this part.
Everything in the story had been from Ed's point of view, so I'd only seen fragments—moments that mattered to him. I knew that, later on, Louis would start following Elena around, obsessed with her in a way that bordered on unsettling.
But before that? Before he became that Louis?
I had no idea.
Maybe they'd always had this kind of easy, casual relationship. Maybe something had happened between them that I was never shown.
Either way, it was strange.
Too strange.
As Elena laughed beside me, I forced a small smile in return—but I couldn't shake the thought that somewhere between the lines of the original story, something important had been left out.
Well, there's something more important right now.
Today isn't just another day—it's a turning point.
Because today is the day Elena and Ed meet face to face for the first time.
In the original comic, this moment marks the start of everything between them. During the first joint class, Elena notices Ed's swordsmanship and becomes intrigued. From there, their connection deepens episode by episode until—well, you can imagine where that leads.
This is where their story begins.
And as for me? I don't need to interfere.
Actually, the best thing I can do today is stay completely out of the way.
If I can make it through this class without accidentally derailing the plot, that'll be a win.
"Those people must be Class E," Elena said beside me.
"Where?" I asked.
She pointed across the field. "Over there, on the right."
I followed her gaze and spotted them easily. Class E had already gathered together, the group buzzing with laughter and conversation as if they'd known each other for years instead of just a few days.
And at the center of it all stood one person who drew attention like a magnet.
Ed.
He was laughing, chatting, completely at ease—surrounded by a group of girls hanging on his every word.
I felt my eyebrow twitch.
…Of course.
Just like in the comic, the so-called protagonist was already collecting admirers. He looked every bit the typical harem lead—smiling innocently, pretending not to notice the stares, yet basking in the attention all the same.
I clicked my tongue quietly.
Tsk. His attitude's already rotten.
Even before the real story begins, he's off to a shameless start.
Meanwhile, I could only sigh inwardly.
All I had to do was sit back, stay quiet, and make sure I didn't end up accidentally catching any of those girls' attention.
But knowing my luck… fate probably had other plans.
And on the other hand, To think the protagonist is already happily chatting with girls like that.
Forget about a harem—he should hurry up and have a proper, pure romance with Elena instead.
"That person..."
Elena's soft voice drew my attention. She was gazing toward Ed, who stood surrounded by a group of laughing girls.
Oh? Has she perhaps started to take an interest in him already?
"He's really popular," she murmured, eyes lingering on the lively scene.
"The one with black hair?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yes."
It really was him. Good. This was perfect—if she began to notice him now, it would save me a lot of trouble later.
I decided to encourage that spark a little. "Don't you think he's really handsome?" I said with a grin.
Elena tilted her head slightly. "Is he? I'm not sure..."
...Huh? Wait a second.
That wasn't the reaction I was expecting at all.
She didn't seem interested—if anything, she looked mildly puzzled. I'd at least expected a flustered blush or some faint curiosity.
Instead, she just looked… indifferent.
Well, fine. Maybe it's too early for that. She hasn't seen Ed's swordsmanship yet.
The reason she falls for him in the original story isn't because of his looks anyway—it's because of his skill, his determination, that burning sense of justice he flaunts when he's holding a sword.
I let out a small sigh and crossed my arms. "Well, you'll probably change your mind once you see him fight."
Elena gave a noncommittal hum, clearly not interested in continuing the topic.
I decided to drop it. There was no point forcing anything—things had to unfold naturally if I didn't want to disrupt the flow of the story too much.
Just as I was lost in thought, a firm voice echoed across the training ground.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes~!" the students replied in unison, their chatter dying down.
Professor Dominic strode in with his usual confident air, his sharp eyes sweeping across the group like a hawk scanning its prey.
"Then let's begin the class," he said, his tone crisp and commanding.
At his signal, the students began moving toward their designated groups.
I glanced one last time at Ed and Elena before following my group.