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What could have led to this? It’s not the first time I’ve received such looks. No matter which world I go to, I have always attracted attention. Every world needed me.

I honed my powers to save that world. I became stronger than anyone else.

Because, after all, I had to move forward.

But the world was not kind.

Perhaps it was because I repeatedly moved ahead alone that those around me couldn’t keep up.

That’s why I received so much envy and jealousy.

It didn’t stop there; they framed me, insulted my honor, and even stabbed me in the back.

The first time it happened was when I was looking for a vaccine in a world surrounded by zombies.

A companion who was supposed to be my leader pushed me into danger and got me killed. The reason?

He wanted to become the ruler of humanity or something like that, claiming a vaccine wasn’t necessary for that.

The second time was in the Martial Arts world.

I tried to save the remaining children after driving off the demon cult remnants, only to be poisoned by the food they gave me.

I returned to life without understanding anything, realizing only after dying several times that my own faction was trying to eliminate me.

The third time was before I came to this world; it was the world I destroyed.

It all went wrong from the start. The princess had a crush on me, and after I rejected her, she held a grudge and framed me.

I became a fugitive in the country for something I didn’t even do—allegations of sexual assault.

Even while being pursued, I took down the demon race and made companions, gradually clearing up the misunderstandings.

Just before I was about to kill the Demon King in the last moment… my companions stabbed me in the back.

Why does this happen only to me?

What did I do wrong? I worked hard, no matter how much I was hated.

I’ve endured to the point that I can’t even recognize who I am, just to be acknowledged by everyone.

“Why are you doing this to me…?”

I was scared; those stares aimed at me were void of any warmth.

Those cold gazes felt like daggers piercing my insides.

My breathing grew ragged. I could hardly catch my breath.

“Ugh… Huh… Hah…”

I couldn’t hear anything; it felt like I was all alone in the vastness of space.

Am I going to die like this…? It wouldn’t be so bad, I could just start over.

Start over…? Do I have to go through this again? To be the only one who remembers?

“Ugh… no… I don’t want that…”

*

As I sat there groaning, I noticed the bewildered voices around me.

“What’s wrong with her? Is she going to die?”

“She’s probably just putting on a show; does she think that will get her out of this?”

“Ugh… Hah!”

Thud!

Stella, who had been struggling to breathe, soon lost consciousness and fainted.

“What, what happened…? Is she dead?”

“Hey, you do something!”

As she collapsed, those who had mocked her began to fall silent one by one.

Looking at the fallen Stella, they exchanged glances but no one dared to approach her.

At that moment, a scream echoed down the hallway.

“Stella!!”

Siel dashed in, shocked to see Stella lying there.

Seeing Stella fainted with her head and clothes soaked, rage surged within her.

“Who did this?”

The air around her turned icy, immobilizing everyone who witnessed it.

“Who threw the milk…?”

With her glaring golden eyes, she locked onto one boy.

“It’s you.”

“Uh… eep!”

A mystical aura began to radiate from her, spreading in all directions.

In an instant, a yellow sphere formed in her outstretched hand, crackling with electric energy.

“P-please…!”

Bzzzzt!

Just as the sphere was released, a barrier of blood spread between Siel and the boy.

“Are you out of your mind? You know violence on campus means immediate expulsion, right?”

The one who had spoken while pressing a hand to his forehead was Lucid.

“Does that matter? A bug like him should be obliterated immediately.”

“Hah… Anubis…”

“Yes.”

Bam!

In an instant, Anubis appeared behind Siel and struck the back of her neck with his palm.

Supporting Siel, who was about to collapse, he cradled both her and Stella in his arms.

“Take them to the infirmary.”

“Understood.”

As the three vanished without a trace, those left behind stared at Lucid in shock.

“Wow, Lucid-san!”

“You subdued that troublemaker who was wreaking havoc on campus; that’s amazing!”

Each one clung to her, showering her with admiration.

Lucid looked at them with indifference and then posed a question.

“Which of you here threw something at Stella or mocked her?”

Under the icy, devoid of warmth question, the students sensed something amiss and feigned ignorance.

“I-I didn’t do that!”

“I just watched…”

Hearing their responses, Lucid turned quietly to someone behind her.

“Siel.”

“Yeah?”

“Was everyone here?”

Those transparent, white pupils precisely pierced their souls.

Siel’s true sight immediately caught their lies.

“Yes, every last one.”

“E-even the princess…”

“The Ragner Clan.”

“Yes?”

“The Leolpold Clan.”

“Yes, four of them!”

One by one, Lucid listed the names of all the noble families present.

Then she indifferently delivered the verdict.

“To all noble youths present here, a notice will be sent to your families tomorrow.”

“A notice…?”

“From now on, the Vladimir Clan will sever all economic and social ties with your clans.”

“W-what?!”

“Lucid-sama!”

“You there, you’re the Young Master of the Iore Clan, right?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Your clan will probably be gone by tomorrow, so be ready to drop out.”

“Y-yes… huh?!”

Panic-stricken voices erupted from all around.

It made sense—the Vladimir Clan possessed more wealth than any other family among the three great clans.

They were also involved in dozens of businesses, and breaking ties with such a clan meant a threat to their very existence. The students were horrified.

“P-please reconsider just once more!”

“I promise not to do it again, just once more…”

“Make sure to engrave this in your minds. Anyone who insults Stella, no, the Star of the Magic Tower, means turning the Vladimir Clan into an enemy.”

“The Gruwein Clan will be the same; when you come to the North, you’ll face severe consequences.”

Waving her hand dismissively, Lucid said, “Spread this story throughout the Academy. Before I truly wipe you out.”

Hearing her words, the students hurriedly fled as if escaping.

Once everyone had left and the hallway was quiet, Siel muttered softly.

“Unexpected.”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t think you would care for Stella like that.”

“Hmph, I’m just repaying a debt.

By the way, why did you step in? Considering the last incident, your feelings couldn’t have been good.”

“What’s the matter?”

Seeing Siel tilt her head with a blank expression, Lucid sighed.

“I can never figure out what you’re thinking.”

“If you’re asking why I helped, I have a reason.”

“Oh? Are you planning to wipe her debt away or something?”

“I heard Stella hails from the North.”

“?”

“The Gruwein Clan rules the North, and Stella, as well as Nova, are under my domain.

It’s only natural as a princess to protect my people.”

“…What kind of bizarre logic is that?”

*

Anubis, who had carried Stella and Siel to the infirmary, asked the nurse about their conditions.

“What’s going on?”

“They just lost consciousness.

It seems to be due to hyperventilation, but they’re fine now…

This girl… someone must have caused her to faint.”

“Yes, that was me.”

“?”

At that moment, Serena burst into the infirmary, panting heavily.

“They’re here…! Stella and Siel are here!”

“You must be the friend Stella mentioned?”

Seeing Stella and Siel lying there, Serena felt relieved, but her face showed a hint of tension as she asked the nurse.

“…Do you also know about Stella?”

The nurse stroked Stella’s hair and began to speak.

“Of course… I know her quite well… she often came to the infirmary to help me…”

The nurse had said that Stella frequently came to care for injured students.

She had even gained a fair amount of medical knowledge, enough to assist in choosing medicines based on conditions.

“I heard she’s a genius as a Mage; if it weren’t for that, I would have wanted to suggest she try being a doctor.”

Stella, who had been sweating, relaxed a bit at the nurse’s warm touch.

“…Um… about the rumors spreading around the school lately…”

“Of course, I don’t think this child would do something like that. There must have been some misunderstanding.”

“Indeed, the Vice Principal is suspicious.”

“The Vice Principal? I’ve only just seen him enter, though?”

“If Anubis is right, the one captured on video isn’t Stella, is it?”

“That’s right; if that’s the case, there’s a disguised true culprit among us.”

“That Vice Principal had a vibe of intentionally taking Stella away, and right after, she suddenly fainted.”

“So… we just need to deal with that Vice Principal?”

“Looks like it…? Wait.”

Serena’s voice trailed off as she noticed Siel, who had been listening in, suddenly sitting up.

“Let’s go catch that bastard right now!”

 

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