After the new student representative speech ended, the entrance ceremony continued for a little while longer.

There wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy—just standard announcements, introductions of the faculty, and a tour of the facilities. The usual information given on the first day of school. 

The only thing that really caught my attention was the dormitory assignments.

The news that we could move into the dorms starting today was quite useful. It meant I didn’t have to stay at an inn anymore; I could settle into the academy itself. 

It finally felt like the original story was starting. The realization hit me then.

_"With this, the Galimar Academy entrance ceremony is officially concluded. I wish you all the best of luck."_

With the dean’s words of encouragement, the event wrapped up.

Students began to slowly file out of the auditorium.

I followed their lead, moving with the crowd, when I heard someone call out to me.

_"Lord Snaikers!"_

_"Over here."_

The pilot with pink hair and the fox with reddish-brown hair—Regia and Irene.

The two of them were waiting around the auditorium, pacing back and forth, probably looking for me. I waved enthusiastically as I approached.

_"Oh, you both waited for me! I’m so touched!"_

That unexpected title of top student had put me in a bit of a bad mood, but seeing them washed it away instantly. 

After all, here I was being greeted by my favorite characters from the game.

This must be what success as a fan feels like.

_"What are you talking about? You told us to wait for you."_
_"I didn’t realize you both cared about me so much! Are we truly friends now?"_
_"Wait, earlier you—"_
_"Thank you, Irene! I’m so grateful."_
_"...Forget it."_

Despite Irene’s attempt to spoil the moment, I brushed it off lightly.

_"Shall we head back now?"_

Since the dorms were finally open, I figured it was a good time to check out my assigned room. If there were any issues, I wanted to find out early. And since the academy itself was as large as a small city, it was best to familiarize myself with the route to the dorms.

The distance was far enough that taking a carriage was more convenient.

The three of us made our way to the nearest carriage stop.

Since it was Regia and Irene’s first time meeting today, there was still a bit of awkwardness between them. I decided to break the ice with some small talk.

_"So, how did you both find my speech?"_

I threw out the question casually.

I thought it was the kind of speech you’d hear in a coming-of-age drama, and I was curious to hear their thoughts.

_"Eh? Oh, uh, yes?"_
_"Why are you so flustered? I’m just asking out of curiosity, no pressure."_
_"Oh, yes, right... Your speech, Lord Snaikers... It was, um, truly... inspiring..."_

Regia’s reaction was odd. The moment I asked the question, she started stammering and glitching like a broken machine.

What’s up with that? Did I say something wrong?

_"Regia? Is something the matter?"_
_"N-no, um... It was... amazing! Your speech... really moved me!"_
_"Haha! I’m honored you think so highly of it!"_

They say compliments can make even a snake dance. Well, I’m no whale, but I felt like I could tap dance at that moment. I was practically humming with joy when I noticed Irene looking at me with an exasperated expression.

_"You really are something..."_
_"Hm? What do you mean, Irene?"_
_"...Never mind."_
_"Oh?"_
_"Just keep walking. You’ll trip if you don’t watch where you’re going."_
_"Oh my, you’re worried about me? Have you finally opened your heart to me?"_
_"Absolutely not."_
_"How cold...!"_

We continued to banter playfully as we walked, exchanging silly remarks.

Suddenly, I sensed someone’s gaze on us.

_"...?"_

Someone stood in the path ahead of us.

Who could that be?

As I lifted my gaze, I was met with a striking figure—a girl shining with an almost ethereal light. I found myself momentarily speechless.

_"...Oh."_

She looked familiar. Platinum hair cascading to her shoulders and clear blue eyes that seemed to reflect the world around her.

_"Hello."_

Her greeting fell as lightly as a feather.

Even her voice carried a mysterious, calming aura, like the quiet waves of the early morning sea.

I knew this girl.

She was one of the main characters in the original game *The World Seen by the Little Prince*, a player favorite and a character inspired by the Little Prince himself.

**Charlotte**.

The First Princess of the Empire, **Charlotte von Litt Staufen**.

In the original story, she had entered the academy as the top student, but thanks to me, she’d been bumped down to second place.

I immediately knelt before her.

_"I greet the star of the Empire."_

_"It’s nice to meet you."_

Charlotte nodded, her tone casual, her free-spirited personality shining through. She was known for her quirky and unpredictable nature.

But why was she speaking to me?

Charlotte wasn’t one to show interest in others. It was rare for her to approach someone first.

Could it be that she’s upset about losing the top spot and wanted to pressure me?

*No, that can’t be it.*

Charlotte never cared about rankings. In fact, she didn’t care much about anything in the world, except for her precious “rose.”

So why was she here?

As I stood frozen, trying to figure it out, Charlotte broke the silence.

_"I just came by because I was curious."_

She lightly tapped my head a few times, then began absentmindedly stroking my hair as if it was nothing.

Everyone around me seemed confused by her sudden actions.

_"Your hair... it’s soft."_

_"...Pardon?"_

_"Well, see you later. We’ll meet again."_

_"...?"_

And with that, she turned around and walked away, as if her business was done.

She had approached out of nowhere, greeted me, and then left just as quickly. I didn’t even have time to process what had just happened. Was this some kind of Little Prince-style interaction?

I stood there dumbfounded, unable to grasp what had just occurred, watching as Charlotte’s figure receded into the distance.

_"Wait... was it me? Did I not follow the flow of the conversation because I’m slow?"_
_"Eh? Then... does that mean I’m slow too...?"_

Regia and Irene seemed just as baffled as I was.

After kneeling there for a while, I finally let out a small chuckle.

It was supposed to be a historic moment—meeting a new major character—but before I could even feel anything, she was already gone.

_"Well, I suppose that’s part of her charm."_

I stood up, dusting myself off. I could feel eyes watching us, but I chose to ignore them.

_"Shall we head off?"_

I began walking again, and the two girls, still lost in thought, followed behind me.

*But seriously...*

What was Charlotte curious about?

She said she was curious, but didn’t specify what. I wish she’d just told me outright.

I mulled over the odd encounter as we continued on our way.

---

The dormitory building we arrived at by carriage was as grand as a mansion—or perhaps even grander. It was a line of towering buildings, each one impressive.

The facilities were on a completely different level from normal schools.

Since it was Regia and Irene’s first time seeing Galimar Academy, they couldn’t help but be amazed.

Regia stared blankly out the window, and though Irene tried to act indifferent, it was clear she was equally impressed by the scenery.

Well, it’s not something you see every day.

This academy could house up to 5,000 people—it was practically a small city.

*This is incredible.*

Even though I’d seen this setting countless times in the game, seeing it in real life was a whole different experience.

The sheer scale of it was overwhelming.

*Clunk, clunk.*

After a short ride, we finally arrived at the dormitory we’d been assigned to.

Well, at least the dorm Irene and I would be staying in. Regia’s building was located a bit farther away.

So, we disembarked first. I waved at Regia.

_"It was a pleasure today, Regia."_

_"I would’ve been so lonely at the entrance ceremony without you, Lord Snaikers. Thank you so much."_

_"Heh... Please continue to take care of me in the future."_

I added a small lie for good measure.

_"Let’s meet again, my friend."_

_"Friend...?"_
_"Yes, my friend."_

After all, we’ve been through the entrance exam together—aren’t we practically inseparable friends?

As I whispered those words with a relaxed tone, Regia’s initially dazed expression brightened. 

It was meant to increase her favorability, and it seemed to have worked.

Trying to hide her growing smile, Regia nodded.

_"Yes! See you next time...!"_

*Neigh~!*

As the girl waved goodbye, the carriage took off again.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before feeling a poke from the side.

_"Why are you looking at me like that, Irene?"_

_"Oh, nothing... You just had this ominous smile. I thought you might be plotting something."_

_"What do you take me for

?"_

_"Someone untrustworthy."_

_"Ah, this is too much. I’m so hurt I could cry."_

Feigning tears, I put on an exaggerated act. Of course, Irene wasn’t buying any of it.

_"By the way... what did you think?"_

_"Think about what?"_

_"About Regia. She’s a pretty good person, don’t you think?"_

_"She seemed a bit naive."_

_"Well, she’s still young. She hasn’t learned how to hide her feelings yet, so her innocence is on full display..."_

_"You’re young too."_

Irene threw the remark casually. I responded to the fox with a grin.

_"I may be young, but I don’t come across as innocent, do I?"_

A sly smile played on my lips.

Irene looked at my face for a moment, then slowly nodded as if in agreement.

_"...No, you definitely don’t."_

Well, that kind of hurt.

Sure, I had expected her to say that, but it still stung a little.

Judging someone by their looks—is that even fair?

What a shallow world we live in.

One day, I’ll tear it all down.

As I brooded over this injustice, a thought suddenly struck me.

_"Something just occurred to me."_

_"What is it?"_

_"The room I’ve been assigned is probably the largest in the academy."_

Galimar Academy operates on a ranking-based system.

The higher your rank, the more privileges you receive, and the better your living conditions.

The same applies to the dorms.

_"As the top student, my room is going to be enormous. And that comes with a bonus!"_

_"A bonus?"_

_"You’ll have plenty of space to clean. That’s your job, after all—cleaning the entire room, all by yourself, with lots of passion!"_

_"...How exactly is that a good thing?"_

_"It’s good for me. I won’t be the one cleaning, after all."_

_"..."_

I delivered that line without so much as blinking.

Irene’s face twisted in annoyance. We bickered as we walked toward the dorms.

---

After the bustling entrance ceremony, we were given a week of free time.

The academy’s full schedule wouldn’t begin until after the placement exam, meaning we had a few days without any real obligations.

For the new students still unfamiliar with the academy, this was the school’s way of giving us time to adjust.

I welcomed it with open arms.

I’d been itching to explore the academy, and now I finally had the chance.

For three long years, I had dreamed of being in this place.

Now that my wish was about to be fulfilled, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

I wandered around the academy like I was on a field trip, exploring every nook and cranny when suddenly...

_"You! Did you understand what I just said?"_

_"..."_

_"I don’t know how someone like you became the top student, but don’t get too cocky!"_

And just like that, I encountered yet another hassle.