12 – Change – 6

 

“Do you have a reason for passionately guarding this place?”

 

The day after meeting Ingrid and making a deal, Priscilla, who heard about my plan, asked, tilting her head in disapproval.

 

It was understandable for Priscilla not to get it. After all, it was a place I visited every time when I looped in time. And who would want to see a place they’d rather leave behind?

 

Since she met me and gained her freedom, her first intention was to withdraw from the Academy. But upon my refusal to leave, she reluctantly stayed.

 

“Yes.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“If the Academy becomes a total mess, the probability of being sent home will be high.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Priscilla, who knew my grand history of overprotection, sighed. I told her I was a reincarnator from our first meeting, and there was nothing important to hide from each other. That was the result of telling her about this and that.

 

“I was somewhat willing to accept it. I mean, it’s not like I was being tied up and abused or anything. If anything, I was given whatever I asked, three times more than I requested.”

 

When I said I wanted ice cream, they actually set up a whole new section that only deals with the raw materials used in ice cream production. I was stunned.

 

The amusing part is that this new addition is going quite well. I have no idea what’s going on.

 

“As you know, I’ve had my fair share of struggles in the first world.”

 

“Yeah, I remember you telling me about that.”

 

“So I was trying to see all this as some sort of compensation for those hard times, but it turned out to be a bit too much.”

 

Upon reflection, I felt a chill running down my spine, figuring that if I hadn’t tried so desperately to seem fine, I would still be receiving punishment in droves by a squadron of maids at this age.

 

Like being cuddled by Beatrice every time I sleep, listening to a lullaby she sings personally while she pats my back, with several maids always on standby in rotation nearby.

 

The minimum number of maids would be eight and sometimes it would go up to 20.

 

‘There might be people who would like such situation but…’

 

I’m absolutely not one of them.

 

“Can you handle it? Even for us, we can’t completely prevent damages. It’s just the way this world is.”

 

As always in any novel, Belrium Academy was no exception. They were always in danger of being under terror attacks or ambushes. Naturally, it was up to the protagonist and the heroes to deal with them.

 

It not only represented the only academy directly established by the Emperor himself, but also a place where prestigious noble families and talented individuals were gathered. This made it a prime target for terrorists.

 

Since the damage would be enormous if they successfully pulled off a terror attack even once, they would keep trying until they got their way.

 

‘That one time when the attack was successful…’

 

A gate that directly connected the underworld opened inside the academy, resulting in the chairman’s disappearance, over half of the faculty dead, and nearly a hundred students wounded. It was the final incident of the first part of the original novel.

 

If such a disaster occurred, the noble families would rather call me in for help.

 

“As long as no one dies, it’s okay. If a building gets destroyed, we’ll ask father or mother for a donation and it can be settled. As for the rest, we need to fend it off, no matter what it takes.”

 

“Understood. You can ask me anything if you have questions. I can’t guarantee everything will go smoothly though…”

 

“You’ve done more than enough right now. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

 

“Hehe, okay.”

 

As I patted her head, Priscilla managed to smile.

 

“…So, as I was saying.”

 

A figure was approaching from far away. I let out a sigh under my breath and stopped talking.

 

From noble mtl dot com

 

“You didn’t remember the Crown Prince having such a personality, did you?”

 

“Not at all. Definitely not.”

 

Lauura Ercarenchiana Crescent Von Ephelantes Belrium, the cross-dressing beauty with shoulder-length black hair and red eyes, a figure to take responsibility for our current position sitting at the rooftop terrace of the campus cafeteria, was approaching us.

 

She continuously maintained eye contact with a radiant grin as if she was enjoying something greatly. Priscilla, who had described to me the Prince’s behavior during our previous encounter, frowned.

 

“Lets stand up.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Whether he was biased towards us or not, we had to maintain our manners, so we got up from our seats and were about to bow.

 

“You don’t need to be so formal with me. Aren’t we close? Just treat me like you would any other senior and I will do the same for you.”

 

When did we ever become close? I swallowed a snarky retort. Regardless of my feelings, the Prince eyed me blatantly.

 

It was clear in her eyes. It was a gaze filled with desire. I was shivering to my core.

 

‘Just when I thought a lunatic turned out to be the Prince.’

 

If it were any other nobleman, I could have asked Priscilla for a favor to never meet him again, but my hands were tied because the opponent was the Crown Prince. It was an insane and ludicrous situation.

 

“I don’t remember allowing such informality, Priscilla Agnes.”

 

The gentle voice and lingering gaze that had been directed at me were suddenly replaced by a frigid stare and a cold voice. They were addressed to Priscilla.

 

Priscilla bit her lip slightly, seemingly displeased with the current situation.

 

“I greet the Empire’s moon…”

 

She lowered her head and gently lifted her skirt as she crossed her legs and offered a greeting.

 

“…Prince Laurer Kiarantian Crescens Von Yoeferantis Belium.”

 

“How have you been, Mira Crait?”

 

However, despite receiving the acknowledged greeting, the prince ignored Priscilla and spoke to me. The sight of Priscilla forgetting her recent lip-biting and looking flustered was quite surprising.

 

Because Priscilla rarely showed her emotions, people might not realize, she was from the prestigious family of Duke Agnes.

 

In other words, if the prince, a likely heir to the throne, openly ignored Priscilla, it could be interpreted that the Agnes family would be disregarded in the future hierarchy.

 

Fortunately, as the terrace had been cleared in advance, there were no onlookers. It would have caused a great stir if anyone had witnessed this display. It was such a shocking behavior.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“I know. You’ve also been well, Lady Agnes? It’s been a while since the entrance ceremony.”

 

It was only after I caught his attention that the prince responded to Priscilla’s greeting.

 

I felt that it was indignant to curry favor with the rightful heir to the throne, but the prince seemed to not care about that at all.

 

“I consider it an honor to see the Prince.”

 

“Do you no longer cry? Your tears during the entrance ceremony were quite the spectacle. I am pleased to have someone who can fluster Laurer Kiarantian. There aren’t many like that in this world.”

 

“… I will forget your words, Your Highness. I heard all about the aftermath from the one next to me.”

 

“Yes, I will forget everything too.”

 

Priscilla managed to maintain her composure with some effort as she lowered her slightly raised skirt. However, her teary eyes revealed her emotional turmoil.

 

Surely, even the prince had noticed it. Yet, he continued to act as if he didn’t care.

 

“Speaking of which, did you hear that news?”

 

“What news are you referring to?”

 

“The news about Ingrid’s publication of her method for drawing additional patterns in a wide-area annihilation magic circle, causing an uproar in the mage’s association. It forced me to return early.”

 

“Yes, I have heard about it.”

 

The news had taken me by surprise too. If anyone had seen this commotion, the higher-ups would have been flustered. It was such panic-inducing behavior.

 

“The interesting part is that the inspiration for Ingrid’s idea came from a student of the Belium Academy. Ingrid herself acknowledged it. To think a mere student was the source of the inspiration to one of the few archmagi in our empire, quite impressive, wouldn’t you agree?”

 

“…”

 

“My information suggests that the student is a first-year, ranked at the top of his year, from a very wealthy family, with black hair, black eyes, handsome, and tall… I’d like to hear your thoughts on this, Mira Crait. Do you have any idea who it might be?”

 

He made direct eye contact with me as he spoke. The prince laughed cheerfully at my bewildered expression.

 

“Does teasing you never bore me? I wonder why.”

 

“Before that, I would like to know why you summoned us.”

 

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

 

The prince scanned me from head to toe before finally taking a seat. Only then did Priscilla and I relax and take our seats.

 

“You must have heard that a Holy Maiden candidate is coming to Belium Academy next Monday.”

 

“Yes, we are aware.”

 

Priscilla was visibly flustered to find out that the candidate’s arrival was much earlier than in the original story.

 

“Do you know why she is coming here?”

 

“I’m afraid I do not.”

 

“It was due to the monster that showed up in the city recently. ‘Luckily’ Agnes, who happened to be there, was successful in subjugating it, and there were no casualties. Thanks to this, a conclusion could be reached quickly.”

 

The crown prince, making eye contact with Priscilla, raised the corners of his mouth as if to sneer. His obsession to oust the Agnes family from power as soon as he ascends the throne was clearly reflected in his actions.

 

I remember we were not on such bad terms when we parted ways last time. There must have been a change in his feelings during this time.

 

“The chairman himself made a direct request. The woman is known for her rampaging behavior, so while it might sound brazen, he asked to appease her as much as feasible within reason. She won’t be here long anyway, probably gone in three days.”

 

In the original text, she practically transferred to the academy. However, the reason she leaves after only three days seems to be the aftermath of the monster incident ending without any casualties.

 

“It’s a request that hurts their pride, but unfortunately, neither from the stance of the empire nor the academy can we firmly reject the Starlight Sect’s request. As you may well know, the support of the clergy and nuns is essential in maintaining the front lines.”

 

In this world, there was something close to the miracle of medicine called a potion. However, the only method that could heal wounds in real-time was holy power, and a holy woman was a being at the pinnacle of that power.

 

Perhaps even more than the Pope himself.

 

It’s now over a hundred years since, but records remain that during the time when the holy woman was present, the distance the monsters were pushed back was twice as much as what humanity currently achieved alone in the last 50 years.

 

Moreover, considering that we have not advanced even 50km from the land where the holy woman last planted her flag, personality is irrelevant if the candidate for the next holy woman is almost confirmed.

 

“But why us…?”

 

“At first, they suggested assigning a professor. But the woman refused. So, it came down to us three, the most proficient among the students.”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t worry too much. Rumors always have an exaggeration. A woman who tortures a nun under her for fun? A sane goddess wouldn’t choose such a person as a holy woman.”

 

We who knew that there was no exaggeration in the rumor and the fact that she doesn’t end up chosen as the holy woman remained silent.

 

“So like I was saying… Mira Creit. The formal stuff is over, now onto the informal matter.”

 

The Crown Prince leaned elbows on his crossed thighs, tilted his waist and looked me in the eyes, hand under his chin.

 

“I heard you were seen with three different women last weekend, is it true?”

 

There was an emotion in his committed gaze that I couldn’t fathom.