"Do... do what you want."

Even then, she didn’t outright refuse.

It was her pride—so deeply ingrained it had become second nature.

Her reaction was so revealing of her character that I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.

There was something both pitiful and endearing about it.

"Heh… Then I won’t hold back."

I slowly extended my hand.

Her delicate shoulders trembled, as if she couldn’t bring herself to stay calm.

Her tightly shut eyelids quivered slightly, betraying her nerves.

Emilia fidgeted with her sleeves, clearly trying to distract herself while awaiting the inevitable touch.

As the presence of my hand drew nearer, her thoughts must have raced.

Where?

She wondered.

Where would that shameless hand land?

Her chest, soft and full like a cushion?

Her slender waist, curving with elegance?

Or her beautifully shaped hips, perfect to the last detail?

Her entire body was hyper-aware, bracing for the moment of contact.

"Lady Vanity."

Of course, none of those guesses were correct.

I bypassed all those possibilities and gently placed my hand atop her head.

I began softly ruffling her dark blue hair.

Swoosh.

"…?"

The unexpected touch startled her, and she cautiously opened her eyes.

Reflected in the blue surface of her gaze was my face, and only my face.

Meeting her eyes, I offered a warm smile and leaned close to her reddened ear, whispering softly.

"It’s a word of encouragement: you’ve done well."

"What…?"

Her confusion was evident, her expression marked by a big question mark.

I continued.

"I heard how hard you worked for this exam. Regardless of the outcome, I just wanted to acknowledge your effort."

Even though she often masked her struggles with pride, I knew better.

Emilia had always worked twice as hard as the average student, even if she never showed it.

For her, it was about clawing her way forward.

Recognition from others was her driving force in life.

And to earn that acknowledgment, she poured in the effort worthy of applause.

She lived in that endless cycle every day.

"You’re always trying your best."

I wanted to tell her.

That her rank didn’t matter as much as the fact that there were people cheering her on.

And among those people, I was one of them.

Pulling my hand away, I took a step back and carefully articulated my words.

Each one carried a gentle resonance.

"…You truly are…"

Would those words reach her?

The villainess murmured faintly, her emotions a mixture of embarrassment for her earlier misunderstanding and satisfaction at being acknowledged by someone close to her.

Her flushed cheeks were the result of those complex feelings, a blend of shame and contentment that filled the void she had long felt.

Her soft breath carried the warmth of this moment like a delicate snowfall.

"You’re so unpredictable… How am I supposed to keep up with you? It’s annoying."

"I apologize if I overstepped."

"That’s not what I meant. You’re just… so sly."

Pouting slightly, she pushed her lips forward in a mock display of irritation.

Even that awkwardness felt transparent, as if she didn’t truly mind.

After hesitating for a moment, she looked away, breaking our shared gaze, and mumbled.

Her voice was faint but carried a weight that could color the entire world.

"Thank you."

The words left her rosy lips.

"…Yuda."

The two syllables of my name, so unfamiliar in her voice, were both strange and strangely amusing.

"Hm? Is this the first time you’ve called me by my name?"

"Be quiet!"

"It feels nice to be acknowledged. I’d appreciate it if you called me by my name instead of stiff titles from now on."

"I have no intention of doing that, so don’t get any ideas!"

Emilia immediately rejected the idea, her tone sharp.

Even so, she made no move to push away the hand that continued to pat her head.

It made me realize how much the distance between us had closed.

With our usual bickering, we walked side by side down the path, our conversation full of playful barbs and laughter.

***

A Few Days Later

With the written exam results officially announced, the practical exams were now just around the corner.

As usual, we spent time in the library.

"The practical exams start tomorrow," Emilia said casually.

"Indeed," I replied.

The group—consisting of the snake, the pilot, and the vain one—had become something of a regular trio by now.

Originally, the rose and the little prince might have joined us, but today they had taken time off to acclimate to the academy. They mentioned exploring the shopping district on the outskirts of the campus.

Of course, we weren’t doing anything significant either.

The day before the practical exams was designated as a rest day. Overexertion was risky, and conserving energy was crucial.

Even so, our habit of gathering after lectures led us to sit together and exchange casual conversations. Unsurprisingly, most of our talk revolved around the upcoming exams.

"Do head assistants also take practical exams?" Emilia asked.

"Of course," I answered. "Even as head assistants, we’re still students. However, our exams are structured differently from those of regular students."

That was true.

The head assistants’ practical exams had a distinct purpose compared to those of the general student body.

While regular students’ exams were purely evaluations, the head assistants’ exams felt more like exhibition matches.

In fact, the head assistants’ practicals didn’t even have a failing threshold.

Their skills were already proven, so there was no need for meaningless grading. Instead, they were required to participate in a unique exam.

"It’s called the Faculty Showdown."

The Faculty Showdown was a traditional event where the head assistants and their supervising professors participated together.

It had been a part of Galimar Academy since its founding.

The top-tier individuals of the academy—head assistants, professors, and more—competed in this event.

The purpose was to provide students with insight and inspiration through observation, cultivating their understanding of excellence and encouraging their growth.

Of course, there were political undertones as well, such as showcasing the professors’ prowess to bolster the academy’s reputation.

But there was no need to delve into such details now.

"You can think of it as an exhibition duel among faculty members. The head assistants are simply an extra part of the show."

"Isn’t that unfair? There’s no way assistants can match professors," Emilia said, frowning.

"Precisely. The point is to demonstrate the vast gap between students and professors. And who better to fill that role than the academy’s most skilled students—the head assistants? Participants in the showdown typically receive near-perfect scores for their practical exams, so there’s no need to worry about grades."

I kept my explanation brief, skipping over the rules and match structures for now. After all, the event wouldn’t start for another week.

For regular students, the practical exams began tomorrow, so that was a more pressing concern.

"So, you don’t have a practical exam tomorrow?" Emilia asked, her tone indifferent.

"Correct."

"Hmph."

"Since I’m directly under Professor Selena, I’ll likely be participating in the Faculty Showdown alongside her."

"Being a head assistant doesn’t sound enviable after all."

"Every position comes with its responsibilities."

Although I saw the event as a lighthearted engagement, it seemed like a daunting task from the students’ perspective.

After all, the professors were legends in their own right—heroes from the Great Purge, former imperial knights, elders of the Mage Tower, and cardinals of the Church.

Each name was as grand as the next, highlighting why Galimar was regarded as the continent’s premier educational institution.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I said, "Well, with the practical exams scheduled throughout the week, I might as well watch the other students' matches."

"For your information, mine’s tomorrow," Emilia said.

"Of course, I’ll be there to cheer you on."

It seemed I wouldn’t be bored after all.

As our conversation drifted back to the general topic of practical exams, a girl sitting across from us suddenly spoke up.

"U-um, Lord Yuda…"

"Miss Rezia?"

Her voice was soft and timid as always, but today, it seemed even more hesitant than usual.

She fidgeted, clearly struggling with something she wanted to say.

When I encouraged her to speak freely, she clenched her fists as if summoning courage and began to speak, her stammering gradually forming coherent words.

"About the practical exam… I have a request."

"A request?"

I was intrigued.

In nearly six months of knowing her, it was rare for Rezia to ask anything of me.

She was the type to avoid relying on others, making this moment all the more unusual.

I leaned in slightly, eager to hear what she had to say.

"Tomorrow, during the practical exam… could you…"

Hesitating, she finally let her words out, her eyes almost brimming with tears.

When I heard her request, I couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow.

It was completely unexpected.

"Excuse me?"

What on earth could this be about?