So...

If someone out there was watching or controlling this world, I really wished they’d stop playing these pranks already.

Not that it mattered much even if the girl in front of me wasn’t originally part of the main story. It’s almost a cliché in novels or games like this—getting to befriend characters who didn’t appear in the original but have incredible abilities.

I still didn’t know what kind of abilities this girl, Lena Meyer, might possess.

I’d only just learned from her that she was the daughter of the commander of the Riklant Autonomous State. Given that Riklant was one of the places heavily hinted to appear in the sequels, it wasn’t too strange to be meeting someone like her. Maybe she wasn’t just an extra-game character, but someone intended to be added in a future installment.

In the main story, even though they defeated the emperor and thwarted his schemes, several heroines and key characters perished in the process. Despite that, the world itself wasn’t truly concluded, which meant that another conflict would follow in the sequels, something beyond just the emperor’s schemes.

I wasn’t quite sure what that new threat was, but...

Anyway, the fact that the daughter of the Riklant Autonomous State’s commander had come all the way here likely meant that I was now seen as someone to be watched carefully by Riklant. Considering what I’d done, it made sense.

...Well, it sort of made sense.

“The noble A-Class is already full, though.”

In the sequel, it was natural for transfer students to join because some of the heroines had died, leaving spaces in the class. There’s a line in the original where one of the nobles leaves the academy due to family matters, which is how Claire was transferred in.

But as of now, no one had left the academy. If Lena Meyer joined, the class would be over capacity.

“Thanks to the governor’s grace and His Majesty’s generosity, I’ve been permitted to transfer to the Royal Rondarium Academy.”

“...Is that so.”

Her responses were brisk and formal, showing no hint of ill-will toward me. I didn’t know what Lena’s father or this governor had in mind, but at least this girl didn’t seem to hold any particular feelings toward me.

Our meal was steak, which Lena Meyer ate with impeccable decorum. She sliced her meat with such precision that the knife barely made any sound on the plate. Just by her table manners alone, it was clear she’d been raised under strict guidance, close enough to a noble’s upbringing.

“Do you have any objections to attending the academy?”

“No.”

Her hand paused for a second in response to my question.

Then she looked up at me, her face devoid of any apparent emotion—

“The Royal Rondarium Academy isn’t just the best in the Empire but in the world as well. No one would dislike the opportunity to study there.”

If it weren’t for the peculiar intensity in her tone, I would have thought she’d rehearsed the line.

Even without visible expressions, emotions can still be conveyed through one’s demeanor.

What I sensed from her was... anticipation.

“...”

Could Alice have detected my own shifts in demeanor that easily?

If Alice could sense that same pressure every time I told her she could be the next emperor, it wouldn’t be surprising if she could read my expressions alone.

Sooner or later, the others might be able to read me as well.

“And...”

And?

The typically stoic girl showed a moment’s hesitation, so I waited.

“And, I consider it an honor to meet you, Princess. I’ve heard about your feats on the battlefield. There aren’t many heroes in the world like you. From the perspective of our state, you’re also a benefactor to countless citizens.”

“...”

For a second, my hand nearly slipped off the utensils.

What was this?

Why did talking with her keep giving me déjà vu?

It felt oddly familiar, as though I’d spoken like that before.

...

Of course, Alice’s face flashed in my mind.

“I’m sure it’s because you have the blood of the Pengryphon line that you’ve achieved such greatness. To be able to study alongside such a person—it’s an unmatched honor.”

Well, not a drop of that blood flows through me. If not for Lucas, I’d be a stranger.

But I couldn’t just say that out loud.

Two nearby noble students, who’d been lounging earlier, were now paying close attention to our exchange.

“I’ll go have a word with them,” Lena offered as she noticed my glance.

“That’s not necessary.”

I said it quickly, relieved I hadn’t sounded too hurried.

Lena, who had been about to stand, looked at me intently.

Her demeanor certainly conveyed emotion, but her face remained neutral, creating a jarring, almost endearing awkwardness. Despite her mature expressions, mannerisms, and speech, her words were still a bit unpolished.

It was cute. But getting caught up in such “cuteness” felt humiliating.

In a situation that felt like it might trigger a cold sweat, I tried to calm Lena Meyer down.

“Reacting to every single thing like that, to every word and gesture, isn’t necessary. The school you’re attending is the Royal Rondarium Academy. There are many noble students there, which means plenty of people are always paying attention. If you respond to each and every situation, school life will quickly become exhausting.”

Lena Meyer nodded at my advice.

“Thank you for the counsel.”

“...”

Was this part of her act?

I honestly wondered.

No matter how I looked at it, her expression and demeanor seemed out of sync.

...

Could it be that I’m this obvious too? Are the others all just pretending not to notice?

Thinking that sent a chill down my spine.

“Then, are you traveling with us today?”

“Yes.”

Lena Meyer spoke in a firm voice.

“My belongings are packed and have already arrived at the station.”

“...”

Oh... well.

I see.

“Just to confirm,” I asked Lena Meyer, still a bit tense.

“Which class will you be studying in?”

“The noble A-Class.”

“...”

Ah...

I see.

Alright.

...I wasn’t sure what else to say.

---

“Eeeeek!”

A girl raised her arms and let out a cheer as she entered her room.

Quickly covering her mouth, she glanced around. Naturally, the room where she would spend the morning was private. No one was around, and the door was thick enough that it was unlikely anyone outside had heard her.

Still, feeling a bit uneasy, the girl cracked the door open and peeked out.

No one was there.

Closing the door again, she shouted once more, this time with confidence.

“Awesome!”

Lena Meyer had spent her childhood near military bases, following her father, a commander in the Riklant Autonomous State’s military.

Though there were other children around, she couldn’t play freely. Her father, a trusted associate of the governor, was strict, and everyone treated her cautiously. Her daily life was almost indistinguishable from a military routine.

To avoid trouble, she wore a figurative mask and imitated a stiff, soldierly demeanor, earning praise as a dignified and capable heir to the commander’s lineage.

But that didn’t mean she was a soldier to the core.

Lena leapt onto the bed, wriggling with excitement.

Her father had been strict, but her mother had always indulged her. Until her mother passed away three years ago, Lena had been just as playful and innocent as other children her age.

Since then, though, her moments of fun were in private, alone.

That didn’t mean she resented the military; quite the opposite, she admired it. Having grown up around it, she saw it as a noble profession.

And today...

Lena Meyer had met a hero.

According to her father, Princess Sylvia Pengryphon was a legendary hero.

There had been reports from Riklant’s soldiers who had fought alongside the Empire’s army and surviving mercenaries, and Princess Sylvia’s name had come up several times.

Overcoming trenches, breaking through from within to secure victory—the very image of a true soldier.

And when she’d met her today, she’d seen the majesty of a royal, a figure truly unmatched.

“...”

Would she actually be attending classes with such a person?

“Uuuuugh!”

Burying her face in the bed, Lena let out a muffled squeal, kicking her legs in excitement.

On her desk, a small stuffed dog stared blankly at her—a doll modeled after a character from a famous comic known for being a master digger.