Rezia Pilartz.

The protagonist of The World Seen by the Little Prince, Rezia held a top spot in Class A with her exceptional grades. At the same time, she was considered the greatest summoner of her generation—a talent unparalleled in its potential.

Yet, just as a good seed does not always bloom, even the greatest talents require time to mature. Being young and inexperienced, Rezia faced numerous challenges.

Her most pressing concern recently had grown increasingly profound.

"What should I do…?"

The root of her dilemma lay in her abilities. Since the day she first began to bond with her summoned creatures, she had struggled with a persistent issue: she could not summon freely.

The miracle of a dragon—an existence of transcendence. Such power naturally came with its own price.

After all, a being capable of overturning the natural order with a single breath was not something a delicate girl could entirely contain. It was akin to trying to pour the ocean into a single pot.

"I… I did it. I succeeded… It was terrifying, but I overcame it."

"I wanted to help you, even just once."

Rezia had, in her way, already overcome this limitation. She had learned how to bloom despite walking a path as precarious as a knife's edge. This growth was driven by her deep affection for someone she held dear.

However, her dependency on this person had grown in the process. The young girl found that fear disappeared only when that person was by her side. In other words…

"When I'm alone… I just can’t."

Her entire emotional state now revolved around him. This dependency made controlling her abilities even more difficult.

While the act of summoning was successful each time, sustaining the summoned being in the present world depended solely on the summoner's capability. Often, the entities disappeared within mere seconds of being called.

For Rezia, it was like rolling dice. Her ability to maintain her summons fluctuated wildly depending on her condition. Some days, she succeeded for longer periods; other times, they vanished before exhaling a single breath.

Her unstable power mirrored her inner turmoil.

But things were different when she was with him—the Snake.

"I have no doubt about it. If it’s you, Rezia, you will become a star brighter than any other."

"Until that day, I will stay by your side."

Perhaps it was because those words were seared so deeply into her memory that his presence was uniquely comforting. When she was near him, it felt as though the worries of the entire world dissolved like dust.

With all her fears scattered to the wind, the sound of his breathing grounded her. In his presence, Rezia could summon flawlessly, sustaining her creatures in their best condition.

"Because you were there."

He was the one person who believed in her, no matter how insignificant she felt. The one who helped her forget her weakness.

And so, Rezia couldn’t help but give her heart to him. She couldn’t avoid the dependence.

"Um, excuse me… Sir Snake?"

"Rezia? What is it?"

"About the practical exam… I-I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

This end-of-term exam was vital to her. It was an opportunity to prove herself before the entire student body—a chance to silence those who mocked her.

She needed an overwhelming performance to achieve this.

Though she would not be expelled, given her admission through the headmaster’s recommendation, she didn’t want to remain in Class A as an underperformer. She wanted to stand proudly and assert her worth in front of those who looked down on her.

And most importantly, she wanted to stand beside him. She wanted to contribute, even in some small way, to his brilliance.

Thus, she made her request.

"Would you… come watch my practical exam tomorrow?"

A step forward. A plea for him to witness her awkward, faltering efforts to grow.

***

The Day of the Practical Exam

The public arena where the exam was taking place was crowded with a large audience. Even discounting the students waiting for their turn, the seats were packed with students from other grades and faculty members alike. The wide spectator stands buzzed with lively chatter.

Everyone had come to watch. Eyes brimming with anticipation, they all focused on the circular arena below. As one of the academy’s most notable events, it drew interest from every grade, and the first day’s matches promised to be particularly captivating.

"The sixth match will begin shortly."
"Participants for this match, please proceed to the designated area as per the announcement."

The upcoming sixth match was the main attraction.

[Match #6]
Rezia Pilartz vs. Britten Bladers

As always, duels were brutally honest in exposing the gap between opponents, starkly revealing who was stronger and who was weaker. This particular match, pitting Rezia, the lowest-ranked student in Class A, against Britten, the top student of Class B, drew immense attention.

The stakes were high. The results of this exam could influence the class placements for the next semester.

"If Britten performs well, he might get promoted to Class A."
"And the loser gets demoted to Class B?"
"It’s not that simple, but if Britten dominates the match, it might happen."
"That seems likely—Rezia is way too weak."

Rezia Pilartz.
The name carried many whispers.

Though she had proven her abilities by summoning a dragon in a distant desert, most of the academy knew little about her. The last image most students had of her was from the placement exams at the beginning of the semester—a battered girl humiliated by a vicious noble. Her inability to control her powers left her branded as a fraud.

"Who are you betting on this time?"
"Obviously Britten. There’s no competition."
"Rezia hasn’t shown us anything. Meanwhile, Britten hasn’t lost his top rank all semester."
"She doesn’t have the overwhelming presence of the other Class A students…"
"Seriously, how did she even pass the entrance exam?"
"Who knows? Beats me."

In a fiercely competitive environment like Galimar Academy, Rezia was an easy target. Rumors painted her as a commoner trying to mingle with nobles like Yuda or Emilia—way out of her league. A person seen as weak is always the first to be attacked.

"I heard she summons something incredible."
"A wyvern? Isn’t that just a rumor?"
"There’s a lot of speculation. Some say she controls a dragon but lacks skill, while others say the rumors are completely made up."
"Either way, Britten winning feels like a foregone conclusion."
"Agreed."

Many students even doubted the legitimacy of her abilities. Since inter-class training exchanges were prohibited, only her own classmates could confirm the rumors, and by now, the opportunities to showcase her skills had long passed. It wasn’t surprising that skepticism lingered.

"Let’s see how badly she gets crushed."
"I’ll bet five minutes for Britten to finish her."
"Five minutes? I’ll take three."
"I just hope she doesn’t embarrass herself."

The muttered conversations around the arena shared a consensus: Rezia was like a flower already trampled underfoot.

But they didn’t know.

They didn’t know that even under the shroud of a dark dawn, that flower had grown and was ready to bloom. The shift in perception would not take long.

"Participants, please take your positions."
"The match will be conducted as a duel. The match ends when one participant is subdued or incapacitated."
"Additionally, a voluntary forfeit will also conclude the match."

The announcement signaled the beginning.

And as the voice faded, the next words hung heavy in the air.

"Ready… Begin!"

Before her opponent could even act, Rezia whispered something faintly, her lips moving with barely audible words. The soft echo carried an unyielding power, momentarily stilling the air around her.

"Lend me your strength."

She transcended.

"Ephry."

A moment later, a deafening roar shook the skies.

The massive creature descended, cutting through the white clouds with a single beat of its wings, landing precisely in the center of the circular arena. Its sheer presence turned the crisp autumn air into suffocating heat. Gasps and cries of shock erupted from the stands.

But even the startled noise of the crowd was silenced by the next sound—a bone-shaking bellow.

The dragon’s roar.

"Kuo-o-o-o-o!"

The entire arena seemed to tremble under its terrifying majesty. Before the bowing head of the dragon stood a girl with pink hair, her hand calmly stroking its nose. Her eyes glowed as if reflecting the dancing flames around her.

The shift in atmosphere was palpable, gripping every spectator’s attention.

Rezia extended her hand.

"All of it."

And with her command, the order was executed.

"Burn."

A guttural growl rumbled from the dragon as flames coiled within its massive maw. The next instant, a blinding flash of fire erupted, engulfing the arena in a radiant inferno. It was a dazzling spectacle, as if the brilliance of the sun had been split in two.

***

Ten Seconds.

That was all the time it took to end the match.

"Burn it all."

By the time Rezia whispered that incantation, her opponent was already collapsing unconscious. The pressure she unleashed was beyond anything a student could endure. Even a brief exchange of glances was enough to send Britten Bladers, the top student of Class B, foaming at the mouth as he fell.

The spectators were not spared either. Though protected by the arena's barriers, some students in the stands complained of nausea, their faces pale.

"Stop! Match over!"

The match supervisor finally intervened, clearly recognizing the danger. A professor observing the exam leapt into action, conjuring a massive shield to block the flames unleashed by Ephry. The magic-coating minimized the damage, but the surface of the shield still melted, warped by the intense heat.

"What… what is this…?"

The professor was visibly shaken. Had Rezia not restrained herself at the last moment, even their reinforced defense might not have been enough. A cold sweat dripped down the professor’s brow as the reality of the situation sank in.

Meanwhile, the dragon roared again.

"Kuo-o-o-o!"

I watched quietly, standing nearby as Rezia’s match unfolded. As an assistant to the head instructor, I was tasked with overseeing this test. More importantly, I was here because of a certain request.

"Would you… come watch my practical exam tomorrow?"

Her shy plea had caught me off guard at the time. After all her deliberation, that was all she asked? It was almost underwhelming. Still, I had intended to observe the matches regardless, so I readily agreed.

That decision had certainly paid off. This was turning out to be quite the spectacle.

"The match has concluded. Britten Bladers is unable to continue. The winner is Rezia Pilartz."

The announcement rang out, but it was unsteady, as though the speaker had trouble maintaining composure.

Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.

"W-what did I just see?"
"A wyvern…?"
"She actually summoned one?! I thought that was just a rumor!"
"I told you it was real!"
"Just its roar felt like it was crushing me… I couldn’t even breathe!"
"I think I… might’ve wet myself."
"You’re disgusting, man."

The tide of reactions turned in an instant. The ridicule that had filled the air moments earlier vanished, replaced by awe and reverence. Overwhelming power silenced all derision.

But the center of it all, our protagonist, seemed oblivious to the shifting mood. The match over, Rezia dashed toward me, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I did it, sir! I did it!"

And then—woosh.

She threw herself into my arms with all her might.

The sudden embrace caught me off guard, but I decided not to comment on her unexpected display of affection. This moment called for encouragement, not critique.

"You did wonderfully. Truly impressive."
"Hehe…!"
"You really shine when it matters, don’t you?"
"That’s… because you were here, sir."
"Ah, and now you’ve mastered humility too."

I wrapped my arms around her, her slight frame fitting snugly in my embrace. Her warmth seemed to chase away the chill of autumn, and I gently stroked her soft hair as if we were lovers in a romantic tableau.

We stayed like that for a few moments.

"…Oh."

Rezia suddenly froze, realizing the situation.

Her gaze darted to the large screen above the arena, which was broadcasting the two of us in an unmistakably intimate pose. Before the eyes of the entire student body, our bold display was on full view.

"Ah, uh, ah…?"

Her pale face turned a vivid shade of red, like a ripened tomato.

Flustered, she awkwardly tried to pull away, but I held her firmly, teasingly locking her in my arms to ensure she couldn’t escape the frame.

Her frantic squirming was quite the sight.

"S-sir?!"
"Oh dear, you’ve expended so much energy. You really should rest. Please, lean on me and relax."
"N-no! This isn’t the time for that!"

A little chaos ensued, but behind the playful banter, the practical exam ended successfully. It had been a truly triumphant day.

***

Meanwhile.

After all the practical exams had concluded:

"So… it’s you? The one they say is my doctor’s lover?"

The voice came from Elise Rose von Staufen, her piercing gaze fixed on the hunched figure before her.

Despite leaning in a wheelchair, her eyes, resembling sharp-edged leaves, glowed with an intimidating light as she looked down at Rezia.

Her cold, scornful stare stabbed into the trembling girl.

"Eep…!"

Rezia shrank back, fear evident in every movement. She tried shaking her head to deny it, but the thorns of Elise’s icy tone pierced through any attempt at explanation.

"I-it’s not like that… I was just so happy, I couldn’t help myself."
"And why should I care?"
"… …"
"It’s not like I asked for a reason."
"Sniff…"
"Why are you crying? I haven’t even said anything yet. Or do I really seem that insufferable to you?"
"N-no, not at all…!"
"Then what is it?"
"Ah… uh… Sir Snake, please help me, I beg you…"

Her desperate plea for rescue was met with silence. Rezia, the fragile protagonist, could only cower, overwhelmed by the suffocating presence of the Second Imperial Princess.