"As we explained before, today's meeting is about the match happening next week."

A female teacher, who seemed to be in charge, looked at me.

Maybe she thought that as a newcomer, I might feel out of place?

I smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry. I’m well aware of the annual event. I’ve read the materials you sent and have already grasped the details."

"...Good."

Not only did I grasp the details, but I had also gone over it countless times.

There’s probably no one here who knows more about this match than I do.

I played it so many times that I memorized the locations, the students' positions, and the weapons they used.

If the prologue was just a prologue for new players, this match is the first chapter.

It lets players control their chosen playable character and get a feel for them while showcasing other characters.

So, in the first chapter, all playable characters make an appearance.

"As stated in the materials, the purpose of this match is to measure the students’ combat abilities."

"Ah, it's that troublesome time of year again..."

"...Ian, are you really saying that?"

You seem to enjoy it more than anyone.

A teacher at the meeting sighed, and Ian, the one being addressed, laughed heartily.

"Haha! I do enjoy it a bit! You know, watching the weak ones struggle is the most fun!"

"Sigh..."

"...But it is troublesome. Every year at this time, students’ morale plummets."

"..."

"The ones who are praised daily for being geniuses get utterly defeated, and their spirits break... It’s a headache."

"That’s..."

Ian’s bitter tone left everyone silent.

According to the academy’s setting, all students are talented individuals recognized from various parts of the empire.

Even if they’re portrayed as weak extras in the game.

Of course, that's because the playable characters are too strong. Even those extras are talented compared to ordinary people...

But you can't solve emotional problems with logic.

Even if you're tenth out of 300 students, if you’re last in a class of ten, you’re still at the bottom.

Students who’ve never experienced failure before often break down after their first big defeat.

There’s a related NPC in a side story, so I know well.

"Teacher Ophelia, we’re counting on you. We have high expectations."

"...Leave it to me."

Ugh.

Seeing someone much stronger and more experienced looking at me with hopeful eyes made me feel nauseous.

I should’ve taken a calming pill...

"...So, you ended up dating him?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"..."

Stella, the second princess of the empire, looked at her friend in disbelief.

She confessed? Really?

She came to confirm the rumors, but even seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn't believe it.

No way.

Charlotte Ober, the prideful lady of the Ober family, confessed first?

The same girl who refused to confess, saying it would hurt her pride to confess to a commoner?

...Suddenly?

"Well, congratulations, I guess..."

"What’s with the ‘I guess’? Don’t tell me you’re after my love too..."

"No, that's not it."

Stella wasn’t the type to steal her friend’s lover.

Having heard continuous and unusual love advice, she wouldn’t think of taking her friend’s lover.

Besides, the boy wasn’t her type and, as a commoner, couldn’t even date her.

Hearing this, Charlotte sighed in relief.

"That’s a relief, Your Highness."

"...So? What changed? You’re not the type to confess."

As her childhood friend, Stella knew Charlotte’s personality well.

Charlotte wasn’t someone who could confess her love.

More likely, she’d reject a confession until someone else took the person.

Yet she confessed?

...Something’s definitely up.

"The counselor’s gift helped."

"...Counselor? Ah, I heard about that."

"Yes. I went to see him, and it was wonderful."

The rumored counselor who tamed the demon possessor.

I thought he was just a skilled counselor...

Seeing it firsthand, it seemed more than strange.

Can a person change so much after just a few counseling sessions?

Is that even possible?

"He gave me this doll and said it would give me courage. Thanks to that, I could do it."

"...A spell, huh."

Stella wasn’t a magician like the royal magicians.

But as a royal, she was quite capable.

The doll Charlotte proudly showed didn’t seem to have any magical properties.

It was just a cute penguin doll.

"...There's no magical treatment on this."

"Huh? What? Maybe it was just encouragement?"

"..."

No.

Stella was sure.

Charlotte, who was unnecessarily shy and extremely prideful, couldn’t have gathered the courage from mere encouragement.

There must be something more.

But there was only suspicion and no evidence, so Stella awkwardly smiled.

"Right. Maybe that’s it."

"I should thank the counselor sometime..."

As Charlotte chattered away, Stella pondered.

...What did the counselor do to make her confess?

Stella decided she needed to visit the counselor herself.

"So, she..."

"Yes, Watcher. The other sisters confirmed it, so it seems true."

"..."

In a church adorned with beautiful stained glass, a beautiful girl kneeling in prayer smiled faintly.

"I never thought that delinquent could be reformed like that."

"Oh."

"...I will be careful, Watcher."

"Yes. It’s not good to speak ill of people."

The girl referred to as the Watcher smiled playfully.

Despite the playful smile, the atmosphere remained benevolent.

"I always believed that no matter what, human goodness always exists."

"Forgive me, but I still don’t understand. Why do you trust her so much?"

"...Why trust, huh."

For a moment, a shadow passed over the girl’s face.

But it was fleeting.

Whether it disappeared quickly or was obscured by the white cloth over her eyes, the follower didn’t notice.

"Of course, it’s because following the will of God is what we should do. Anyone can become good if they repent for their past mistakes."

"As expected of the Watcher. I still have much to learn."

"..."

The girl repeated her own words.

Yes. If one repents for past mistakes, anyone can become good.

That must be true.

"Yawwwn..."

What nice weather.

The girl, Aileen, lay on the grass, using her sword sheath as a pillow, and yawned widely.

Why does good weather make you so sleepy?

Nod, nod.

Aileen didn’t resist her heavy eyelids.

Well, it doesn’t matter if I know why.

This leisurely feeling is nice too...

"You shouldn’t sleep here."

"...You again?"

"That’s my line, Miss Aileen. Is it you again?"

What a hassle...

The boy, who used to be busy chasing demon possessors or whatever, now started following me.

Is it because he’s been consistently attending classes?

Tsk. I wish that counselor was a bit incompetent.

If he were useless...

Now that kid’s interested in me.

"I attend classes properly. Can’t you let this slide? It’s break time."

"I wouldn’t say anything if you attended classes properly. But you were napping during class too."

"...Caught me?"

"I’m seriously questioning your mental state if you thought you wouldn’t get caught..."

Ugh, such a hassle.

Aileen clicked her tongue and got up lazily.

"It’s good you understand. From now on, attend class...?!"

"Heh, I can manage without attending classes!"

"...Stop right there!"

"Will I?!"

Ah, this is going to be a bother.

Aileen smiled bitterly and quickened her pace.

How long until this kid gives up on me?

Hopefully, not too long.