The sky gleamed with an especially intense sunlight.

It was the heat that announced the season of strengthening solar energy was gently approaching. Though the southern continent was usually known for its mild climate and lack of distinct seasons, the Pendragon territory stood out for its scorching summers. Scholars speculated that the fire energy emanating from the nearby "Mount Vulcan" amplified the summer heat, making the weather in Pendragon noticeably warmer than in other places.

However, in a continent filled with magic, mysteries, and the occasional prank from fae creatures, this was hardly unusual. Few were unsettled by strange weather phenomena; indeed, compared to the East, which experienced a six-month "Great Rain Season" when magic failed, or the central continent, which faced a year-long "Great Snowfall" after angering the fae, Pendragon might even consider themselves lucky to only have an intense summer.

Thus...

"—Though we call this a summer recess, many of you know that we’ll be holding rituals for the fae and other beings like Vulcan over the next two months. We must remember that humans are not the only inhabitants of this continent. We are merely one of countless groups coexisting here, and unlike the arrogant Empire, we must not behave as if we own the land...!"

…or so the dean proclaimed.

Summing it up, even the oppressive heat was something to be grateful for.

"When will this end?" one cadet whispered.

"Shh, what if he hears you?" replied another.

"Honestly, I might collapse from dehydration at this rate."

"Maybe you should just faint. They’d take you to the recovery room."

"...Are you a genius?"

The cadets listening to the dean’s long-winded speech had expressions of pure agony. Although they were gathered in the auditorium, the crowded room with hundreds of people made it unbearably hot. After over an hour of listening to the same message repeated in this sweltering environment, it was no wonder the cadets were visibly struggling. Yet none dared to openly complain to the dean.

After all, who would risk arguing with the former chancellor, once hailed as the Empire’s wisest minister?

In such conditions, it wasn’t surprising that some cadets began to feel faint.

"Lady Karin, could you maybe persuade the dean? He is your grandfather, after all," one cadet suggested.

"Believe me, I would if I could, but once Grandfather starts a speech, even family can’t stop him. It would take one of his old friends making a surprise visit to cut him off."

"Who would that be?"

"Well, possibly the former Lord of Tristan, the current King… or perhaps even Lady Felicia."

"...So, we’re better off listening till the end."

Bringing in one of those people would only lead to greater chaos. Abandoning their last glimmer of hope, the young noblewoman sighed in resignation.

Karin, her violet eyes gleaming with a polite, almost mask-like smile, sat with restrained poise. Her smile lacked the liveliness it had when she interacted with a certain shy, gray-haired boy.

Just then...

"Ugggh…."

"……."

"Siiigh…."

"Lady Irene?"

"Hmm? Did you call me?"

"Haha, you seem to have something on your mind."

When addressed as "Lady," she didn’t respond, but she did react to her name.

Karin, who had never felt her looks were lacking, found herself feeling somewhat overshadowed by the girl beside her. Irene Wendler’s ethereal blue jewel-like eyes and gold-threaded hair, reminiscent of the fair folk, would captivate any woman, let alone men.

Irene Wendler—hailed as the most talented mage of her generation, possibly of her era, and widely known as the adopted daughter of Duke Galahad.

Since most others felt intimidated sitting near such a renowned figure, Karin had taken the spot beside her. She was now wondering if that had been a mistake.

"Ah, well, you were sighing so much that I thought something might be wrong…."

With Irene openly showing her melancholy, Karin felt compelled to speak.

Then…

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be obvious about it. I just… have something weighing on my mind."

"I see. That sounds rough."

"It’s just… Oh, never mind."

"Of course."

"But still!"

"……."

...This girl is going to be a headache.

Karin immediately sensed that this girl was likely to be a nuisance despite her appearance. Speaking to her had clearly been the wrong choice.

‘I miss Derrick,’ she thought.

Karin preferred enjoying the innocent reactions of a certain gray-haired boy, rather than playing counselor to a girl she barely knew.

But—

"Lady Karin, are you feeling hot?"

"Huh? Oh... well, yes, a bit."

"In that case…"

Snap!

A cool breeze swirled around her.

"Oh my!"

"Hehe, refreshing, isn’t it?"

"Yes, it really is…."

With a wave of her hand, Irene’s water magic swept over her, cleansing not only the sweat but also dust and grime, leaving Karin feeling as fresh as ever.

The coolness lingered, enhancing her comfort.

"I am, after all, a mage of water and wind. This much is simple, haha."

"Wow! That’s really impressive!"

Karin decided it might not be so bad to pamper this troublesome girl a bit. After all, it’s human nature to feel positively toward those who do nice things for you.

Karin Alencia de Guinevere thought she might even manage to become friends with this exasperating girl.

 

Irene’s worries weren’t anything too serious.

‘Don’t you think I’m starting to lose my presence?’

Maybe it was about her standing, or the fact that opportunities to talk with the guys she liked were decreasing…

It was… troubling.

[Your presence has faded. It’s like a cameo in a movie, where you appear once and then disappear.]

‘Ugh!’

The ghost’s blunt comment struck home!

Irene wanted to wallow in self-pity.

But…

‘I don’t want to seem petty. I’m glad Revi’s safe, but….’

The issue was that someone—a certain Revi Folt, who had recently returned to the academy unharmed—was unknowingly dampening Irene’s confidence.

‘…Am I being too narrow-minded?’

[You’re only realizing that now?]

‘Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?’

[What would be the point?]

‘...Geez.’

The world seemed particularly cruel to Irene.

 

Revi’s safe return to the academy had happened just a week prior, and everyone celebrated her return.

– “Bear Cub, are you okay now?”

– “We’re so glad you’re safe, milady.”

– “Please, don’t disappear without a word again, young lady.”

For a while, Revi received a mix of concern, relief, and a bit of light scolding. She accepted it all with a bright smile.

– “Thank you… and I’m sorry, everyone.”

It had only been a few days since they’d last seen her, yet her friends noticed she seemed more mature. They chalked it up to the hardships she’d gone through in the meantime.

No one asked for details, simply assuming the instructor had played a role in bringing her back.

And, as expected—

– “Instructor?”

– “W-why are you covered in bandages?!”

– “…Did you fight a hundred trolls or something?”

Their instructor, appearing wrapped head-to-toe in bandages, stunned the cadets who knew of his strength.

They even suspected that an ancient sealed monster might have been unleashed.

But he dismissed their concerns, as usual.

– “Adults have their own matters that children can’t understand. Don’t pry too much.”

His usual stern tone squashed further questions.

– “…That’s not exactly a reassuring example, Instructor.”

– “Ahem!”

– “……”

– “Anyway, let it be known that Bear Cub never submitted any resignation forms. She simply had a ‘rebellious phase’ and skipped a few classes.”

– “At her age?”

– “Everyone experiences it differently; some early, some late. Bear Cub’s phase just came a bit late.”

– “……”

– “Answer.”

– “Y-yes, sir!”

Thus, Revi’s brief disappearance was brushed aside, though many questions lingered.

Why had the instructor returned so injured, and why had Revi Folt…

– “Oh, and please don’t refer to me by the surname Folt anymore. …I’ve discarded it.”

…discarded her family name?

Many mysteries remained unsolved, but the cadets left their questions for another time.

The important thing was that she was back.

However, it wasn’t long before—

– “Instructor, where can I apply to become an academy assistant?”

They couldn’t ignore her anymore when they saw her pursuing an extreme path.

Watching Revi… no, just “Revi,” applying for an assistantship left everyone in shock.

Especially—

– “L-Lady Revi! Why would you willingly step into this nightmare?!”

Damien Pollett, Ihan’s assistant (some would say “slave”), who had started as a refined young master, now looked as ragged as a ghoul. This was largely because Ihan assigned him an endless stream of duties, though not all assistants shared his fate.

Everyone knew why Revi wanted to become an assistant—to be by Ihan’s side.

Damien tried to dissuade her.

The warning was simple.

“Turn back. Ahead lies hell.”

Yet, despite their worries, Revi handed in her application and joined the assistant program with a cheerful smile, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

– “Hmm, it’s easier than I expected.”

– “Huh?”

Had Damien been exaggerating? No.

Even with two assistants, the workload remained grueling.

But to Revi, whose life had been a daily grind of hardship for nineteen years…

– “I’m surprised how easy it is, haha.”

– “……”

Yes, it was just that simple for her.

Later, they’d say that this was the moment Damien Pollett began to fear and respect her. Revi quickly adapted to the new role, showing a renewed determination.

She trained harder, mingled with the cadets more warmly, and gave her utmost effort…

– “Master, how should I do this?”

– “Master, aren’t you tired?”

– “Master!”

With genuine care, she attended to the instructor with dedication. Watching her, one couldn’t help but think of the lush vitality of flourishing greenery.

The cadets grew curious.

What exactly had happened between the instructor and Revi?

And as Irene Wendler watched…

– “Huh?”

She noticed a pure, almost unyielding affection in Revi’s gaze.

An affection aimed at…

– [Irene, you seem to have gained a formidable rival.]

– ……

…an unshakable knight.

Irene felt an overwhelming sense of crisis.

Why did yet another formidable competitor have to appear, when she already had to contend with the adorable Golden Retriever-like maid, blessed with an almost fae-like charm?

So…

"—So, you’re feeling conflicted because your friend has become your romantic rival."

"N-no, it’s not like that…."

"Of course it is. It’s obvious."

"……."

"Interesting."

What a delightful twist!

Karin had initially only listened out of mild curiosity, but now she found herself genuinely intrigued. After all, a fresh, innocent love story was far more engaging than the dean’s hour-long lecture.

And she couldn’t help but admire Revi’s new suitor.

Apparently, this mystery man had captured not only the academy’s top beauty but also its most coveted “first love,” Lady Revi.

‘Young Lord Roen… I didn’t realize he could win hearts like that.’

Unaware that the object of Irene’s affection was a certain knight with his unique charm, Karin admired Roen’s unspoken prowess in winning over female hearts.

 

Meanwhile, the knight had decided to skip the graduation ceremony. Though he was known for his disregard for conventions, skipping such an event might have led to another summons by the dean. Thankfully…

“Heh heh, I knew I’d run into you soon enough.”

“……”

…he wouldn’t have to worry about being summoned, thanks to some “connections.”

Marquis Jenimia.

…He had come to meet Ihan.

Ihan didn’t bother to hide his discomfort as he asked, “Have you come… for revenge?”

“Haha, enough with the formalities. It doesn’t suit you and just feels awkward.”

“Well, it’s easier for me.”

“Impertinent, aren’t you? Hahaha! Yet, for some reason, it’s strangely pleasant to hear.”

“……”

Ihan subtly took a step back, feeling a bit awkward as the marquis approached so amiably.

“You were bold as a lion yesterday, yet here you are today, acting all restrained, heh heh.”

“Even I know when to mind my manners.”

“A man who knows manners, and yet you still went and beat up my knights?”

“No one died, did they?”

“…Such cheek! It’s truly infuriating.”

But soon enough—

“Though I find that, too, quite charming.”

The marquis, already fond of Ihan as a knight, had no complaints about his behavior. The arrogance of the incompetent is revolting, but the arrogance of a strong and capable person is simply confidence.

So the marquis continued.

“I’m not much interested in revenge. I can’t say the same for our knights, though—many of them are already back in training, injuries and all. Next time, you’ll have a harder fight on your hands.”

“That’s… something to look forward to.”

It was, indeed, a satisfying thought. They didn’t want to run away; they sought a rematch.

It was certainly welcome news.

…But then—

“...What?”

Ihan suddenly closed the distance between them at the marquis’s next words.

The marquis spoke bluntly, “Neither of us is one for long speeches, so I’ll get to the point. The girl who was supposed to marry me? I’ve decided to take her in as my daughter instead.”

“…You skipped over too much of that story.”

He was spouting nonsense that was hard to believe.

Had this man… overheated in the sun?

Once again, Ihan found himself giving the marquis an irreverently suspicious look.