Chapter 157
The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide
Chapter 150: Welcome Party
It was the first holiday since I enrolled in the academy. During the day, I spent time shopping and eating in the Imperial Capital with Fiera and the others, and we also borrowed the academy’s training grounds for some light exercise.
As evening approached, it was finally time for the welcome party, and I was waiting for Iris near the girls’ dormitory.
“Lord Lewis. Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“Nah, I wasn’t waiting long, so don’t worry about it.”
Iris arrived wearing an adorable yellow dress adorned with frills, approaching with a cheerful smile.
“It suits you very well, Lord Lewis.”
“Thanks! You look great too, Iris.”
“Oh, thank you!”
I was currently dressed in white attire sent by my parents in the Duke’s Territory, embellished with blue embroidery and intricate decorations typical of a noble family.
For this welcome party, nobles were expected to adhere to the dress code, aimed at clearly distinguishing their social status from that of the commoners.
Although the Suzette Imperial Academy operates on meritocracy, it can’t protect its students outside of the academy or after graduation.
Thus, the dress code for nobles exists to help commoners recognize who the nobles are, allowing them to protect themselves. Nobles are required to dress formally, while commoners can attend in casual clothes or uniforms.
(It’s a hassle, but it can’t be helped.)
The academy strives to treat everyone equally regardless of status, though perfection in equality doesn’t exist in this world.
The very fact that there’s a hierarchy within the academy and that people are divided by status outside shows this clearly.
Because of that, it’s considered vital for students to learn how to navigate the outside world beyond just academics.
“Shall we go then? May I have your hand?”
“Yes.”
I extended my hand to Iris, who shyly took it, and we made our way to the venue hall.
Upon entering the hall, it was already bustling with students, naturally separating into nobles and commoners.
“Let’s go over there.”
“Yeah.”
As we stepped further into the venue, we headed toward a gathering of noble students.
“El.”
“Fiera. You’re already here?”
“Yeah. I just came with Shuvina and Sonia.”
“I see.”
This time, I was escorting Iris, so we arrived at the venue separately from Fiera and the others. However, Fiera immediately came over to talk to me.
“Hello everyone!”
“Hey! Iris, you totally rock that dress!”
“It looks wonderful, Iris!”
“I think I’m pretty cute too.”
Fiera and the others each commented on Iris’s dress, but they also looked stunning themselves.
Fiera wore a deep blue dress with a slit, her white, supple legs occasionally visible, making her quite alluring.
Shuvina was in a green dress matching her eyes, which, combined with her elven beauty, gave her an incredibly mystical aura.
Sonia wore a primarily red dress with a flared hem, decorated with black lace, giving her a mature vibe that was quite sophisticated compared to the others.
“You all look amazing in your dresses too!”
“Thanks! We need to thank El’s parents.”
“Right? I didn’t think we’d get dresses sent to us too.”
“I feel kind of bad for receiving one, to be honest.”
The dresses for Fiera and the others were provided by my parents, and I heard that my mother was especially enthusiastic about preparing them.
“Don’t worry about it. Mom did it because she wanted to.”
“Yeah, and please convey our gratitude to her.”
“Got it.”
For a while, we chatted as a group of five, but I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of eyes were on us, likely drawn by the appearance of Fiera and the others.
“The princess has arrived.”
About ten minutes after we entered, Sharueina appeared on the raised platform at the back of the hall in formal attire.
“Thank you all for coming today. New students, this welcome party is for you. It’s a great opportunity to interact with students from other classes, so have fun! And to the current students, I’d like to take this chance to express my gratitude to you for helping prepare this welcome party for the new students despite your busy schedules. Now, enjoy making wonderful memories tonight!”
As Sharueina concluded her speech, the upperclassmen smoothly began to partake in food, drinks, and conversations, while the new students nervously started chatting and eating with their classmates.
“It’s a hassle, but should we go talk to others? Would you mind, Iris?”
“Yes, I’d be happy to join you!”
“Thanks. Fiera and the others, feel free to enjoy your meal. And Shuvina…”
“What is it?”
“You look great tonight. Just don’t overeat, okay? If you’re still hungry, grab a bite back at the dorm later.”
“Wh-What?! You jerk! I will definitely be careful!”
“Alright then. And Sonia…”
“What?”
“Since Fiera and the others aren’t used to this scene, you take the lead in handling things. If something odd happens, just drop the name of the House of Valentine.”
“Understood!”
“Okay, I’ll be off then.”
With Sonia, who seemed more accustomed to these situations, taking charge of Fiera and the others, we headed toward conversations with other noble heirs, which I would need as the heir of the Duke’s family.
“Sigh. I’m worn out.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Lewis.”
I had just finished chatting with the sons of noble families friendly with the Duke’s family and was taking a break in a quieter area with Iris.
After two years of no social activities, talking to so many people left me exhausted, and a sigh escaped me.
“Thanks, and sorry, but I’m going to take a breather outside for a bit.”
“Alright. I’ll wait for you here.”
“Got it.”
After parting with Iris, I stepped onto the terrace, taking a deep breath under the moonlight.
“Need something, Director?”
“Oh, you caught me!”
She appeared with a refreshing voice, a beauty dressed in black with black hair, accentuated by her white skin.
Unlike Fiera and the others, who still had a hint of youthfulness, this woman exuded an adult kind of beauty. She was the current director of Suzette Imperial Academy, Mejina Markuri.
“Well, with that kind of proclamation, it’s hard not to notice.”
“I don’t think so. No one else here noticed but you, right?”
“Who knows?”
“By the way, when did you realize?”
“From the very beginning.”
“So, you mean right when I walked into the venue?”
“Yep. The moment I entered the hall, I felt like I was being watched.”
Since stepping into the venue, I had felt someone’s gaze upon me.
However, with someone using magic to conceal themselves and eluding even my magic detection, I could only have assumed it was the director.
“So, anything you want to tell me?”
“Nope, I just came to see your face. I’m curious about the child who hit all the right numbers in the exam.”
“Is that so? What do you think of me now that you’ve met me?”
“Hehe, you’re very interesting. You’re still a child, yet you’re not childlike, and your magic power and skills are exceptional. Truly intriguing.”
“I’m glad you find me interesting.”
“Yeah. I’d like to have a proper conversation with you sometime, so when you have the chance, stop by the director’s office. I’ll always make time for you.”
“Understood.”
“Hehe. Well, I’ll be heading back now. It’s your welcome party, so enjoy yourself!”
With that, Mejina vanished like mist, leaving me alone on the terrace.
“Phew. I should head back now.”
After resting for a bit, I turned back to the hall. It seemed a little more lively than before.
“Stop it! She doesn’t want it!!”
(This voice…)
The moment I heard the familiar voice echoing through the hall, I couldn’t help but smile at that unwavering sense of justice.
(Hehe, that’s right. You… you never change.)
That voice was the same one that had sent me to my doom countless times, carrying an unsettlingly steadfast sense of justice.
No matter how much this life may change, that young man’s unwavering spirit truly made me feel he was the hero of this world.
“Well then, I guess it’s my turn.”
Remembering that Iris was still there, I made my way towards the gathering crowd, heading to meet the current hero of this life.
