“It’s a fine day, Lady Emilia.”

I greeted her smoothly, hiding Regia, who was trembling in fear, behind me. In front of us stood the villainess with striking blue hair.

I smiled leisurely.

“It’s an honor to meet you again.”

“Ha.”

Emilia’s lips twisted in a sneer. Her mockery was blatant.

“To think you’d protect such a pathetic coward… Birds of a feather, perhaps?”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Which part?”

“Being someone who matches Lady Regia is the greatest honor in life.”

“More like the greatest disgrace.”

“Well, I suppose that depends on the person.”

“Hmph.”

Emilia tapped her lips with a condescending smile. Her distinct air of arrogance was unmistakable. The tension between us lingered strangely, and her blue eyes gleamed with poisonous malice.

“Being in the same class as someone like you makes me feel like my own standards are lowering.”

“I’m equally pleased to have you as a classmate, Lady Emilia.”

“You’re insufferable.”

She clicked her tongue, her disdain evident.

“The top student… Don’t fool yourself into thinking that position truly belongs to you.”

“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

“I have to give you credit for your shamelessness.”

“Hm?”

“If Her Highness, Princess Charlotte, hadn’t suddenly withdrawn… You wouldn’t be in that position.”

Ah, so she can’t accept the results of the class placement exam. I expected as much. While the teachers could observe everything inside the barrier using magical tools, the students didn’t have that luxury. To them, it must’ve looked like Charlotte was going easy on me.

That’s why I’m still called the “bubble top student.” I hadn’t shown enough to justify my position, and since this academy is filled with prideful geniuses, this reaction was inevitable.

“You don’t belong in that position.”

“To think you’d say something so hurtful… I consider you a worthy competitor, Lady Emilia.”

“How unpleasant.”

Emilia was no different from the others. She couldn’t acknowledge me—no, it’s more accurate to say she *wouldn’t* acknowledge me.

“If you want to be considered my rival… shouldn’t you at least have the skills to match?”

Her blue eyes gleamed with a venomous light. At first glance, it might seem like she was angry about the unfair result, but I knew the true nature of her emotions.

What she felt was none other than…

*Inferiority.*

It was an inferiority complex born from a desire for recognition. People like her, who were obsessed with others’ opinions, often lost themselves in jealousy, which in turn led to negative actions. Emilia was a textbook example.

“I can’t believe I’ve been knocked down to third place because of a nuisance like you.”

Ah, vanity. Vanity is a craving for recognition, and when deprived of attention, it leaves a deep wound. It’s a disease carried in one’s heart.

“Lady Emilia.”

There’s a way to deal with people like her.

“You are already in a remarkable position.”

The method is simple: offer sincere encouragement.

Although her words made me want to cast an illusion spell on her right then and there, I reminded myself that she was simply a wounded soul. I didn’t want to be too harsh.

“Hehe.”

I smiled sweetly, satisfying her need for validation. In the original game, her thirst for recognition led her down a twisted path, but maybe this time it could be different. Maybe if I filled the void within her…

“What an absurd situation, don’t you think?”

“I don’t understand.”

“What?”

“You are in third place, after all. So it seems odd to criticize the top student.”

“What did you just say…?!”

Emilia’s response was intense. Perhaps my compliments had embarrassed her. But I had no intention of stopping now.

This was a perfect opportunity to humble her under the guise of praise.

“Third place is still a commendable achievement, don’t you think? Even though I’m the top student.”

“Third place… what an exemplary position for students to look up to.”

“You’re the one calling me the ‘bubble top student,’ aren’t you? I can’t help but laugh at your sharp insight.”

“I expected better from the daughter of House Vanity, but seeing you in person, I now understand the true level of your family.”

Seeing Emilia’s face turn red, her slender shoulders twitching, I wondered if perhaps I had overdone the praise. It might have been humiliating for her, especially with other students listening.

“Hic.”

For some reason, Regia, who was standing behind me, suddenly started hiccupping. She looked pale as she stared at me, seemingly panicking.

“Dare you… a lowly snake like you, to insult the daughter of House Vanity…!”

“I merely stated the truth.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think you can insult me and get away with it?!”

“An insult? That was the best praise I could offer you, Lady Emilia.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!!”

The villainess, trembling with anger, glared daggers at me. It seemed my flood of compliments had shattered her composure.

How amusing.

As I looked at her with a satisfied smile, her trembling lips parted with an indignant voice.

“We’ll see how long that arrogance lasts!”

“I’m flattered by your attention, but if you come any closer, I might get embarrassed.”

“Ha.”

As I smiled awkwardly, the villainess’ eyes turned cold.

“You should watch yourself. Before I destroy you.”

“Oh, how terrifying.”

“You could end up dead.”

Dead, huh? I do have some experience with killing, but…

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“I hope so. Soon, everyone will see how worthless you truly are.”

With those cold words, Emilia turned her back on me and led her followers away.

“Did I go too far? She seems rather upset,” I mused, watching her bun bounce as she walked away. Just as I was tilting my head in thought, I felt the stares of many others.

“Hm?”

“…”

The students, all wide-eyed like rabbits, stared at me in stunned silence. Even Regia had the same reaction.

“Why is everyone looking at me like that…?”

Had I done something wrong?

I blinked innocently, my signature shamelessness on full display.

Regia stared at me blankly for a moment, but as she saw my sly smile, her tensed heart gradually eased. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, the cold sweat on her forehead finally dripping to the ground.

 

 

"Why is everyone looking at me like that...?"

The tension that had filled the air just moments ago, as though on the verge of snapping, was now completely gone, as if it had been a mere illusion. I asked with a calm expression, feigning innocence, though I knew full well the impact I had caused.

Regia stared blankly at me, her mind struggling to catch up with the events. Watching me grin mischievously, her previously stiffened heart started to loosen. The breath she'd been holding escaped her, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down to the ground.

"…"

Even with all the emotions churning inside her, she found her voice frozen, only managing to blink in confusion. Regia, who had been petrified just moments ago, couldn’t tear her gaze away from the sight of my smiling, narrow eyes. It was as though my nonchalant demeanor had somehow drained away her anxiety, little by little.

The students’ gazes—astonished and frozen—added to the surreal scene.

- "A perfect match, aren’t they?"
- "One’s a fake top student… and the other doesn’t even know her place."

The venomous words of Lady Vanity echoed in Regia's mind. She remembered the paralyzing fear she had felt when Emilia first confronted her, her body frozen, her thoughts turned blank. Her fingertips still trembled as she recalled that day.

- "Know your place. This academy is for those who deserve to be here. Commoners like you don’t belong."

Regia remembered all too well the recent defeat she had suffered during the class placement exam. The humiliation had stayed with her, leaving an imprint of fear.

- "Leave, outsider."

Those cold, piercing blue eyes, and the soft-spoken words that had crushed her spirit—every moment had been etched into her memory with painful clarity. That’s why she had been so terrified just now.

Standing in front of Emilia’s scornful gaze had been suffocating. Her heart had pounded violently, as if about to burst. But just before she collapsed under the pressure…

- "Shh."

...it was the boy with narrow eyes who had saved her.

Again, today, Yuda had stepped in. Without hesitation, he shielded her from Lady Vanity’s venomous attacks, facing the noble heiress head-on.

- "It’s a fine day, Lady Vanity."

The Snaikers family, with their long history and prestigious name, held a lofty position in the empire. Even so, they paled in comparison to the duchy of Vanity. Born with the limitations of his bloodline, most people in his position wouldn’t even dare meet Emilia’s gaze.

But Yuda had stepped forward, confronting her malice directly, engaging in a battle of wits with her. 

- "You should watch yourself. Before I destroy you."

- "Oh, how terrifying."

- "You could end up dead."

- "I’ll look forward to it."

It was a dangerous act. His opponent was the eldest daughter of the most powerful duchy in the empire. Gaining her ire was asking for trouble. Yet, Yuda had continued to defend Regia without hesitation.

'Why... why would he do this?' 

The question lingered in Regia’s mind. This wasn’t the first time. Every time she had been with Yuda, she found herself asking the same thing.

'Why is he being so kind to me?' 

From their first meeting, his attitude had been incomprehensibly kind. Time and time again, Yuda had gone out of his way to look after her. Most notably, just a few days ago, during the rainstorm, he had come to her with an umbrella in hand, seeking her out.

The words he’d spoken then still echoed clearly in her mind.

- "How about it, Lady Regia? Will you allow me to stay by your side?"

She couldn’t understand him at all. She wanted to ask him outright: Why was he doing this? Why was he being so considerate of someone like her, who was weak and insignificant?

“Lady Regia?”

“Ah, yes… Sir Yuda.”

Regia was jolted from her thoughts as Yuda gently tapped her on the shoulder. He smiled at her warmly, his eyes curving in that signature narrow way.

“It seems we’ve lingered here for quite a while… Shall we head back now?”

“Y-Yes…!”

Regia quickly gathered herself and nodded, her heart still racing. They turned toward the carriage station and began walking. As they moved, something soft brushed against the top of her head.

“Huh… Sir Yuda?”

It was Yuda’s hand. He patted her head playfully, that familiar teasing smile playing on his lips.

“There’s no need to be so frightened.”

“Huh…?”

“Lady Vanity, of course. You seemed worried about her.”

“Oh…”

Had it been that obvious? Regia hurriedly tried to compose her expression, but she felt her cheeks growing warm with embarrassment.

Yuda’s voice was soft as he continued.

“If anything happens, I’ll protect you. So, there’s no need to worry too much.”

“….”

“We’re friends, after all.”

Pat, pat.

His touch was light, but the warmth behind it was unmistakable. As his hand ruffled her hair, an odd fluttering sensation filled her chest. The word “friend” felt strange, almost too sentimental.

“...Thank you.”

Regia averted her gaze slightly, feeling both embarrassed and grateful at the same time.

'He really is an enigma…'

The thought passed through her mind as she mulled over her mixed emotions. With her feelings still in turmoil, Regia followed Yuda, her steps quiet but steady, as they made their way toward the carriage station.

Meanwhile, in a narrow alley near the dormitory building, a girl was taking out her anger on an innocent wall.

*Thud!*

Her fist struck the hard surface with force, leaving behind a dull ache. Despite the lingering pain, the girl with blue hair continued punching the wall, as if her frustration hadn’t yet been fully vented.

*Thud! Thud!*

“How dare he…! A bubble top student, of all people!”

Her eyes burned with venomous fury. Though her knuckles were now bleeding, she gritted her teeth and kept going.

“A worthless snake like him! How dare he insult a noble like me, of House Vanity!”

That detestable narrow-eyed face lingered in her mind. She clenched her fists, gnashing her teeth as she replayed the mocking words in her head. Her pupils glistened with hatred.

- "Third place, huh? How exemplary, truly a position for students to admire."

- "I had such high hopes for the daughter of House Vanity… but seeing you, I now understand the true level of your family."

*Grit.*

Her teeth ground together.

Yuda Snaikers. The boy she now referred to as the "bubble top student." His condescending insults had cut deeper than any blade. She recalled the moment vividly.

- "I’ll look forward to it."

The boy had smiled at her ominously, fueling her desire to rip that smug expression from his face.

“He may be riding high now… but let’s see how long that lasts.”

Her muttered words dripped with murderous intent. She wasn’t going to let this slide. She was determined to set things right.

She would drag him down.

“Duel… I wonder if that worthless snake would even dare accept.”

With a bitter sneer on her lips, she turned and stormed off.