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“Today, there will be a simple general class and a physical examination.

At the last period, everyone is to gather in the training room after the announcement is finished.

If you want to sit down, then go ahead, but during the general class, don’t talk too much in front of the professor.”

With that said, Amelia immediately left her seat.

“Where are you going to sit?”

Stella looked at me, asking back.

“What about you?”

“Me? I think the very back seat is the best.”

“Wow~ That’s a spot that obviously looks like kids who don’t study would love.”

“It’s just that I feel more secure in that spot?!”

At my words, Stella chuckled and casually replied.

“Yeah~ Sure, whatever you say.”

“So where are you going to sit then?”

“The very back seat.”

“…Is that something you should be saying?”

“You need to check if you’re actually paying attention in class!”

“…You want me to sit with you?”

Stella responded in a panic, firing back quickly.

“Don’t… don’t get the wrong idea! Anyway, you don’t know anyone there, so you’ll just end up sitting in a corner alone, and I feel bad for you!”

“Honestly, I’m slightly hurt by that, but you’re not wrong.”

The academy has six classes in a day. Out of those, two are general subjects that everyone must take.

The rest are divided into the Department of Magic, Department of Knights, Department of Holy Studies, and so on. From the second year onwards, it changes to advanced departments like Mage Knights and Holy Knights.

Even if everyone enters paths that suit their talents, the general subjects are mandatory.

They cover topics necessary for nobles, like history, current events on the continent, and etiquette.

Since most of the students at the academy are nobles, many attend without paying much attention or just slack off.

However, for commoners, the academy represents a chance for social advancement, so it’s beneficial to attend if needed.

Stella asked me, “What department are you going into?”

“Maybe the Department of Knights.”

I can use magic, but honestly, if I use a technique once, my mana gets depleted immediately.

I can manage to use the newly learned techniques about three times, but it’s still a disadvantage in long battles.

“You’re going to the Department of Magic, right?”

“Me? Why?”

“Why? Because if a Mage doesn’t go to the Department of Magic, where else would they go?”

Stella looked at me as if she genuinely couldn’t understand.

“So why would I need to go if you’re teaching me? What’s the point of learning?”

…Um, I’m so lost for words. Honestly, she’s not wrong. Given her skills, she probably surpassed a third-year student at the academy already, so that confidence isn’t unfounded.

“Alright, you’re amazing. So where are you going instead?”

“Um…”

At that moment, Shia chimed in.

“Then how about joining me in the Department of Holy Studies?”

In the Department of Holy Studies, you pray to the gods and perform confessions. People usually aim for careers as Priests, Healers, or Holy Knights, and given Stella’s saintly image, it might not be a bad fit?

With a request from Shia, Stella rejected it so firmly that it was almost shocking.

“No way.”

Her expression turned cold and tightly wound, something I’d never seen from Stella before.

“I absolutely won’t pray to the gods.”

“…Haha, well if that’s how you feel.”

Shia murmured, looking quite deflated.

“…So, how about the Department of Knights?”

At my suggestion, Stella pondered for a moment before agreeing with a smile.

“Sure, I’m curious about the swordsmanship in this world.”

“This world?”

“Ah… no, I meant the Empire’s swordsmanship.”

“Do you have a moment?”

At that instant, a person appeared before us. Stella’s face contorted as she recognized them.

“Long time no see, Stella.”

“…Princess.”

The second princess of the Empire, Ariel von Clorind, is currently the highest-ranking individual at the academy.

“I didn’t expect you to come to the academy again, but I’m glad to see you.”

“…I’m honored to meet the Empire’s princess.”

No matter how reckless Stella is, thankfully, she managed to maintain her composure in front of the princess. Her eyelids slightly fluttered, but at least that was a relief…?

“Have you reconsidered our offer from the last time, regarding the court mage position?”

“Forgive me, but I believe the position of court mage is too grand for me.”

To see the proud Stella humble herself like this, it must mean she really doesn’t want to associate with the royal family.

After all, someone who would normally never attend the academy isn’t likely to wanted a heavy responsibility.

“You’re quite humble, Stella. But did you know?”

The princess exuded a noble yet intimidating aura.

“Excessive humility can actually become a poison.”

“…Thank you for your advice.”

…That was honestly terrifying. I was worried she might just drop a bomb, saying, “So what are you going to do about it?”

“Um… Excuse me!”

“Hmm?”

Breaking the tense atmosphere, it was Shia again.

“Greetings to the great sun of the Empire! I am…”

Shia bowed deeply, hurriedly greeting her. Ariel’s expression softened as she responded with a kind smile.

“You don’t need to lower yourself so much, Shia.”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course I recognize you. You’ve traveled from the distant East to this academy in our Empire, haven’t you, Shaman?”

“Th-thank you! I… have something to say to you, Princess…”

“I mostly understand why the Shaman has come. Shall we arrange a time to speak later?”

“Yes… yes! Thank you so much!”

Ariel then turned her gaze from Shia to me.

“You are…”

“I’m honored to meet the princess.”

“Yes, I know. You’re Nova, right? The one who first recognized this incident and dealt with the monster attack?”

“Thank you for remembering me.”

“This year, we seem to have a lot of promising talents. I believe the Emperor will be pleased. Please continue to excel! By the way… are you two perhaps lovers?”

“Ah. No way!”

“Th-that’s not true at all…! No, no?”

“Ah, I see. In that case, we’ll talk again later. It was nice speaking with you. Stella, our royal family is always ready to welcome you.”

“No, I’m not going!”

In that moment, I blocked Stella’s mouth.

“Please just stay quiet!”

Ariel left us with a smile.

“…That was quite an intense atmosphere.”

After Ariel departed, Stella playfully hit Shia on the shoulder and grinned.

“Ha! That was perfect! Your purpose for being here is that princess, right?”

“Stella! How can you talk to the princess like that!”

“Come on, I thought I was going to lose my mind just then!”

Stella brushed it off dismissively with a wave of her hand.

“It’s fine; she can’t really do anything to me.”

“Fair enough for you since she likes you! But for us, we’d get arrested for lèse-majesté!”

Thud!

“Ow!”

Stella cradled her head with both hands, looking incredulous.

“Why’d you hit me?! I thought we were friends who understood each other… Ow!”

“Seriously, this time, you messed up, Stella! How could you make a face like that in front of the princess!”

“Even you, Shia…?”

Shia, whom Stella thought was her ally, flicked her forehead, leaving her in a state of disbelief.

“I think Stella needs to work on her patience.”

“…This is too much.”

*

After the general class ended, Stella stood like a statue outside the girls’ changing room before the physical examination.

‘This really doesn’t feel right.’

For Stella, who had always changed clothes alone until now, the girls’ changing room was a completely unknown territory.

As she pondered how to finish changing before everyone else and hope she wouldn’t be measured today, Shia spoke up.

“Why aren’t you going in?”

“Uh… well, it’s just that…”

“Come on, let’s go in. If you don’t, you’ll be late for your measurements.”

“Ah, wait a minute…”

‘I’m not ready yet!’

Stella’s half-panicked exclamation was stifled by Shia’s hand leading her into the changing room.

“Wow…”

“W-why are you staring so much!”

“I was just thinking that you surprisingly have a nice figure, Stella.”

“Don’t look this way! …W-why are you getting closer…”

“Heh… Stella, you’ve got some cute sides to you, don’t you?”

As her underwear-clad silhouette drew closer, Stella attempted to hiss like an angry cat in resistance, but all that emerged were sounds that resonated in an empty chamber.

*

Just as they were having too much fun at Stella’s expense, Shia noticed something strange.

Right where they had stood earlier, someone was approaching Stella’s locker, presumably to prepare for their physical examination.

At first, she thought this person was just using the locker beside Stella’s, but…

‘That definitely looks like Stella’s spot.’

Suspicious, as she aimed to go back to investigate, she heard a voice.

“Come quickly! The teacher is urging us to get to the physical examination!”

“Ah… okay!”

Reluctantly, Shia entered the examination room with Stella.

 

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