“Wendy…”

“Nyeeugh!?”

At the sound of someone calling her, Wendy jolted awake, startled.

“Hueh…?”

“Are you okay, Wendy?”

Rubbing her bleary eyes, Wendy saw a familiar girl standing there.

Through her glasses, green eyes reflected Wendy’s image.

“Uh… Lu, Luna?”

“Long time no see.”

It was Luna, the first friend Wendy made on the day of the entrance ceremony.

Wendy hurriedly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.

“Hic… So, sorry… I dozed off…”

“No need to apologize. Class is already over.”

“Hueh? O, over!?”

It was true.

As Luna said, students were already filing out of the classroom.

Someone should have woken her up, but no one did.

Or maybe she was just too deeply asleep.

Luna shrugged and spoke.

“No one in this classroom is bold enough to wake Wendy up.”

“Nyeeh??”

“Look at this.”

What Luna handed her was a newspaper.

A magical newspaper from the university’s broadcasting club, delivering campus news.

The moment Wendy saw the front page, she nearly fainted.

[Exclusive! The Stormy New Student! Cutting through the downpour on her way to school!]

Beneath the headline was an incredibly high-quality illustration.

It depicted a girl descending from the sky, walking through a storm.

Behind her, a rainbow was drawn like wings, making her look almost divine.

The braided hair and outfit were unmistakably Wendy’s.

But her face looked as noble and sacred as someone straight out of a myth.

Wendy, the subject, spoke in a trembling voice.

“Y, you don’t believe this rumor, do you…!?”

“I didn’t see it myself… but is this really you, Wendy?”

“Nooo! I, I don’t look like this…”

“Ah… that part? So, the part about splitting the sky was true?”

“Th, that…”

It was hard to deny.

After all, it was the magic formula deployed by the sage Myohail that caused the incident.

Many students had already seen it.

At this point, even if Wendy told the truth, no one would believe her.

She had no choice but to bear the brunt of it.

Luna took a step back and spoke.

“Wendy, I didn’t know you were such a scary person…”

“Nyeeh!?”

“Just kidding.”

“Heeeng…”

Luna chuckled.

It was a relief that she, who had met Wendy during the entrance ceremony, looked at her without prejudice.

“Still, it’s amazing… What kind of magic did you use to have such power?”

“I, it’s a secret… Maybe…”

“You have a lot of secrets, Wendy.”

Wendy felt a pang of guilt, but there was nothing she could do.

Her simple plan to live a quiet school life had long since gone up in smoke.

As if sensing her thoughts, the voice of Myohail, disguised as a hairpin, chimed in.

‘Hehe. Mysterious, huh? Go ahead and tell this foolish child how great you are as a magician!’

‘Th, that would just shorten my lifespan. Besides, that was all you, Master…’

‘You’ll be able to do it soon too. I just demonstrated it for you. Hoho.’

‘Next time, please warn me before you demonstrate… Please…’

Wendy scanned the newspaper.

Wondering if there were more articles about her.

But the rest were all about the Chairman, Tristan.

[Is the School Mine? A Shocking Analysis of the Chairman’s Remarks.]

[Student Cafeteria on the Brink of Closure!? Chairman Forces Head Chef to Kneel! Students Rise Up Against Chairman’s Tyranny!]

[Mysterious Explosion in the Main Building Restroom. Suspicions Point to the Chairman.]

[Where is Meikhael University Heading?]

Just by reading the articles, it was clear.

What kind of reputation Tristan had in the public eye.

Wendy felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

Was there no way to clear the misunderstandings surrounding her master?

As Wendy pondered, Luna cautiously asked.

“By the way, you seem tired lately…? You’re always sleeping next to your friend.”

“Ah…”

Luna glanced at the seat next to Wendy, where Sia Riumin was dozing off with her head down.

Even in sleep, her posture was impeccable, befitting a lady from a prestigious family.

But dark circles were heavily etched under her eyes.

Likely from overexertion these past few days.

A few days ago, Wendy and Sia had visited the Chairman’s office.

The punishment Tristan gave them was to clean the office after school for the entire semester.

At first, both were speechless at the sight of the massive office.

It wasn’t something that could be cleaned in just a couple of hours.

But there was no other choice.

Wendy, being a maid from a count’s family, started cleaning skillfully.

On the other hand, Sia, who had never touched a mop in her life, found it difficult.

Even for Wendy, who was used to physical labor, it was exhausting.

How much more so for Sia?

After a few days of cleaning after school, both ended up dozing off during class.

Luna looked at them with interest.

“The combination of the Stormy New Student and the noble lady from the Riumin family… No wonder no one dares to mess with you two. When did you get so close?”

“Well, it just happened…?”

After that incident, Wendy and Sia had been sticking together.

Though it was more like Sia following Wendy around.

-You never know when we might run into that man again, so let’s stick together. In times like these, nobles like us should unite, right?

-Uh… Eh? Nobles… like us…?

Of course, there were perks for Wendy too.

Sia often chased away those who suddenly approached Wendy for interviews.

Thanks to Sia, Wendy could maintain a relatively quiet school life.

Luna puffed her cheeks slightly and spoke.

“I’ve been feeling left out, just the two of you hanging out together.”

“Sorry…”

“It’s fine. Now’s your chance to introduce me to Wendy’s new friend. Oh, by the way…”

Luna glanced at the clock at the back of the classroom and asked.

“How long do you plan to stay here?”

“…Nyeeh?”

Luna chuckled.

“It’s lunchtime. Aren’t you going to eat?”

*

The sun was setting.

I stood at the front gate of the Izakhel Mansion.

The agreed time had already passed.

Helga, standing behind me, began to grumble.

“How rude of her to keep us waiting like this. What exactly does the Count see in her? No, actually, shouldn’t the Count be the one receiving proposals? Just saying, maybe I should test the waters and propose-”

“Don’t overstep, Helga.”

I rubbed my temples and spoke.

“Don’t make me regret appointing you as my bodyguard knight.”

“Tch… Anyway, I don’t like her… Just saying…”

“Your opinion doesn’t matter. More importantly…”

My eyes narrowed.

“Is that the skirt you fixed?”

“Yes. Is it better now?”

Helga smiled brightly and showed off the skirt she was wearing.

Honestly, it was… questionable.

It was longer than what I saw in the morning, but still short.

But judging by Helga’s expression, it was probably the longest length she considered pretty.

At her age, it’s natural to want to dress up.

And today, given the occasion, she must have put extra effort into her outfit.

I decided to let it slide this time.

“Fine. It’s passable.”

“Hehe… Feel free to look all you want. My body and heart belong entirely to you, Count.”

Just then.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Count.”

Bella Izakhel approached with quick steps.

Unlike usual, she was wearing a pure white dress, looking radiant.

It wasn’t an extravagant outfit.

But its simplicity accentuated Bella’s charm, making it a perfect fit.

“Long time no see, Count.”

Blanshe, following behind her, was also dressed in a black dress instead of her usual suit.

Her tall frame exuded a mature charm.

The two, dressed in black and white, looked like a pair of close sisters.

Bella spoke to me with an apologetic expression.

“I’m so sorry. I lost track of time picking out a dress… Oh? Who’s this beside you…?”

“Nice to meet you… Princess. I am Helga, the Count’s bodyguard knight.”

Helga bowed her head with minimal courtesy.

Her tone was blatantly rude.

Tsk… She still has a long way to go as a bodyguard knight.

Fortunately, Bella didn’t seem to notice.

“I see. If you’re the Count’s bodyguard knight, you must be quite skilled?”

“…Of course. I’m confident in my abilities.”

For a moment, Helga and Blanshe, standing behind Bella, locked eyes.

The first time they met, things had nearly escalated.

The tension from that encounter must still linger.

Bella clapped her hands as if remembering something.

“Oh! We should hurry, or we’ll be late. Let’s go-”

“Wait.”

I stopped Bella as she was about to board the carriage.

“Yes…? What is it?”

“Give me your hand.”

We were about to attend the Seven Stars Union meeting.

Though not now, in the past, the Seven Stars Union had its share of family feuds.

There were even instances of bloodshed.

I doubt it will come to that… but it’s better to be cautious.

“Hoho… Is the Count escorting me? I couldn’t be happier.”

As Bella extended her left hand, I slipped something onto her ring finger.

“Huh…? This is……”

Bella stared at the object on her ring finger in disbelief.

I spoke to her calmly.

“It’s an engagement ring.”