Chapter 3: The Encounter of the Queen and the Princess

In a corner of the passageway through the spectator stands of the bustling magic tournament arena, filled with academy students.

There stood an odd pair—a man and a woman—clad in matching black suits and overcoats.

One was a young man in his early twenties. His sharp, hawk-like eyes glinted from behind long, indigo-tinged black hair. Tall and lean yet sturdy, his demeanor felt less composed and more coldly detached, exuding a lethal edge hidden somewhere within, like a knife that must not be touched—an aura that defined him.

The other was a girl in her mid-teens. Her unkempt, free-growing blue hair was carelessly tied back at the nape, and her striking lapis lazuli eyes were perpetually half-lidded, as if sleepy. Her delicate, petite frame and finely sculpted features evoked an antique doll. A smile would surely make her captivating, but her face was utterly devoid of expression, not a trace of emotion visible.

Their overcoats were reinforced with metal plates, rivets, and protective rune engravings, clearly designed as robes for magical combat.

Their presence stood out starkly amidst the lively crowd of students in the stands. It wasn’t just their attire but the aura they exuded—clearly not that of ordinary folk.

Yet, strangely, no curious glances fell upon them. It was as if they were mere pebbles by the roadside, their existence unnoticed.

“—Glenn, huh.”

The young man muttered coldly under his breath.

“…Yeah. No matter how you look at it, it’s Glenn.”

The girl responded in kind, her murmur devoid of any emotional hue.

Their gazes fixed on Glenn, who was currently in the central arena where the ‘Mental Defense’ event had just concluded, caught in a heated exchange between two girls—one blonde, one silver-haired.

“To think he left without a word to us… and ended up in a place like this.”

The young man spoke with the cold, predatory stare of a raptor sizing up its prey. Beside him, the girl silently began walking toward the central field where Glenn and the others stood, her steps soundless.

“Wait.”

With a hard, intimidating voice, the young man reached out and mercilessly grabbed the girl’s tied-back hair.

Her head jerked back, tilting sharply.

“…What are you doing, Albert?”

Expressionless, without a hint of feeling, the girl questioned the young man.

“That’s my line. What are you planning, Re=L?”

The young man, his fierce raptor-like expression unchanging, shot back curtly.

The girl called Re=L answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“It’s obvious. …I’m going to settle things with Glenn.”

With a tug, the young man—Albert—yanked Re=L’s hair harder.

“That hurts. Why are you pulling?”

Contrary to her words, Re=L responded flatly, as if she felt no pain at all.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Have you forgotten our mission?”

“Mission?”

Re=L paused, as if pondering.

“…Settling things with Glenn?”

“…”

Albert’s stern expression didn’t waver as he fell silent. A heavy silence hung between them.

“…This time, we’ve been given two missions. One of them is to monitor the Royal Guard currently protecting Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Why? They’re our comrades.”

“We’re not a monolith. The royalists, the collateral royal faction, the anti-royalists, the radical far-right, the conservative feudalists, the Macbethian reformist left, the Imperial National Church’s right wing… and within each, the blue bloods and the red bloods… The Alzano Empire is a chaotic den of swirling ideologies and factions.”

“I see. I don’t really get it, though.”

“Figures.”

Another silence settled between them.

“The leading right-wing faction, the Royal Guard, has been showing unsettling movements lately, according to intelligence. It’s become especially pronounced since a new bill regarding the discrimination of ability users was proposed at the Round Table.”

“Why?”

“In the public’s eyes, ability users are believed to be reincarnations of demons. Laws are enacted in the name of Her Majesty the Queen. Thus, legally protecting ability users under her name is seen as tarnishing the sacred prestige of the royal family.”

“I see. I don’t really get it, though.”

“Figures.”

Yet another silence stretched between them.

“Hence, we’re monitoring the Royal Guard. The chances are near zero, but there’s a possibility they might take action against Her Majesty during her visit to the academy. If such a situation arises, it would have a significant impact on the factional struggles within the government’s upper echelons.”

“Got it.”

Re=L nodded once, as if it all clicked into place.

“To sum it up, I need to settle things with Glenn… Is that it?”

“…”

Albert’s stern expression remained unshaken as he fell silent again. Another silence enveloped them.

“…Alright. I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t do your best.”

As Re=L started walking again, Albert ruthlessly yanked her hair once more.

“Does Albert not want to see Glenn?”

Interrupted twice, Re=L asked flatly.

“…Don’t be ridiculous. I have plenty to say to that guy.”

A faint trace of anger seeped into Albert’s tone as he spoke.

“I see. Then I’ll beat Glenn up, and then Albert can say whatever he wants.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to wait. It’s better if we don’t meet him.”

“Why?”

“Seeing him after all this time made it clear. The world where he belongs… it’s not the blood-soaked darkness we dwell in.”

They turned their eyes back to the arena. For some reason, Glenn was now groveling at the silver-haired girl’s feet. The blonde girl seemed to be saying something, trying to calm her down.

“That’s where he belongs. That dazzling place bathed in sunlight, is likely where Glenn truly comes alive.”

“At a girl’s feet? That’s rather peculiar.”

“…”

Albert’s stern expression didn’t budge as he fell silent. Another silence lingered between them.

“…?”

Re=L tilted her head slightly at Albert’s demeanor…

In the end, a strange silence continued to drift between them.

The magic tournament was divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with a roughly hour-long lunch break in between. The students gathered in the arena began dispersing—some heading to the academy’s cafeteria, others to restaurants outside, and some with homemade bentos—moving in droves.

The students in Glenn’s class also temporarily disbanded, scattering to grab their lunches.

“Haa… So… what am I gonna do…?”

Glenn muttered, looking utterly exhausted, as if he’d resigned himself to some epiphany.

He was starving. Absolutely ravenous. No joke, his stomach felt like it was sticking to his spine.

Some of his students were already spreading out their homemade bentos right there, flaunting them. Staying in this spot was mentally torturous.

But he had no money, so no prospects for food. With no other choice, Glenn stood up, planning a tactical retreat from the delicious aromas wafting around, aiming to pick up some Silotte branches—his emergency food—yet again.

“Um… Sensei…?”

Suddenly called, he turned to see a petite girl with a small-animal-like aura. It was Lynn, one of the students in his class.

“…What’s up, Lynn?”

“W-Well… I wanted to talk about something… Um…”

“Talk?”

Glenn scratched his head, glancing around.

“…Is this talk something we can’t have here?”

“Huh? Um, yes… If possible, somewhere with fewer people…”

Honestly, it sounded like a hassle. He barely had the energy to deal with consultations right now.

But seeing Lynn’s teary expression, even Glenn, the world champion of deadbeat men, couldn’t bring himself to brush her off.

“…Alright. Let’s move somewhere else, then.”

And so, Glenn took Lynn with him, leaving the arena and heading toward the academy’s courtyard.

The lush green lawn, well-maintained trees trimmed by gardeners, and colorful flowerbeds blooming vibrantly at the edges—an all-too-familiar sight.

Normally, this place would be packed with students eating lunch, but today, with the arena open, many were eating there instead. As a result, the courtyard was deserted.

“So? What’s this talk about? If it’s not about money, I’ll hear you out.”

“W-Well…”

Lynn fidgeted, slowly piecing her thoughts together as she spoke.

“Um… I’m supposed to compete in the ‘Transformation’ event, but… I don’t have any confidence.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ve been practicing transformation magic really hard, but… today, I got so nervous… and now I can’t get it right at all… So, I was wondering if you could replace me with someone else…”

“…”

“Everyone in the class is working so hard together to win, but… if I mess up and hold them back, I’d feel so bad… So… please… replace me with someone else…!”

Her shoulders trembled, tears welling in the corners of her eyes as she pleaded.

Glenn scratched his head, letting out a sigh.

“…Is that really okay with you? Don’t you actually want to compete?”

“W-Well…”

“Figure that out first. Otherwise, I can’t say much.”

For a while, Lynn fell silent, as if searching her heart, and then—

“Honestly… I do want to compete… But I don’t want to burden everyone…”

“Then it’s settled.”

Glenn placed a hand on Lynn’s head with a gentle pat.

“Compete. No problem.”

“Huh!? B-But! If I compete, I’ll just burden everyone—”

“Look, the magic tournament? It’s a festival. There’s no such thing as holding people back or being a burden at a festival.”

“B-But everyone’s so excited about aiming for the win… You said so too, Sensei…”

“…Ah, crap. That’s what’s got you so worked up, huh…”

Glenn now slightly regretted his careless words.

“Sure, I got carried away and said that stuff because of some selfish reasons. But forget it. Doesn’t matter anymore. The most important thing is that you all have a blast. If you can win on top of that, awesome. That’s about it. Don’t sweat it.”

“…Is that… how it is?”

“Yup. So stop worrying about holding anyone back or winning. Just have fun. You love transformation magic, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes… I’ve always been timid and indecisive, but… transformation magic… it’s like I can become someone else…”

“Then that’s all you need.”

Even after all this, Lynn still seemed uneasy.

“…Alright, fine. Let’s have a little special lesson, then.”

Feeling whimsical, Glenn decided to meddle a bit with the unconfident Lynn.

Lynn looked up at him, her downcast eyes wide with surprise.

“…A special lesson?”

“Yeah. Alright, Lynn, let’s review. There are two types of transformation magic, right? [Self-Polymorph] and [Self-Illusion]. Can you tell me the difference?”

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Lynn answered.

“Um… [Self-Polymorph] is white magic, and [Self-Illusion] is black magic.”

“Haha, that’s a sixty out of a hundred.”

“S-Sorry… Um… Let’s see… [Self-Polymorph]… It’s a magic that physically restructures the body to transform… and [Self-Illusion] is an illusion magic that manipulates light to make it look like you’ve transformed.”

Flustered by Glenn’s critique, Lynn hurriedly corrected herself.

“Close enough. That’s why [Self-Polymorph] is white magic that manipulates body and mind, while [Self-Illusion] is black magic that manipulates motion and energy.”

Glenn rolled up his right sleeve and chanted a spell with three rune segments.

His right arm began to transform with a creaking sound. Muscles bulged, black bristles sprouted thickly, claws extended… and in moments, it became a wolf’s foreleg.

“[Self-Polymorph] is determined by the spell formula. For example, if you transform into a wolf, it’s the [Self-Polymorph] for becoming a wolf; if you transform into a dragon, it’s the [Self-Polymorph] for becoming a dragon. There’s a risk that if you fail, you might not be able to return to your original form, but you can gain the abilities of whatever you transform into. If you turn into a horse, you can run at a horse’s speed; if you turn into a bird, you can fly; if you turn into a dragon, you can breathe fire.”

Glenn chanted again, and his wolf-arm reverted to normal.

“But [Self-Illusion] doesn’t work like that. It just manipulates light to make it look like you’ve transformed. So, even if you ‘turn’ into a horse or a bird, you won’t run faster or fly. So, is [Self-Polymorph] superior as transformation magic? Not necessarily. Let’s see… For example…”

Tapping his temple, Glenn chanted the [Self-Illusion] spell.

The space around him shimmered for a moment… Glenn’s form blurred… and when it came back into focus—

“R-Rumia…!?”

Glenn was gone, replaced by Rumia, arms crossed and smirking confidently. It didn’t look like an illusion at all—her texture was so real, it was as if she were truly standing there.

“Well, something like this.”

Even his voice was Rumia’s. He’d improvised changes to his vocal wavelength and frequency on the spot.

“Unlike [Self-Polymorph], which has a one-to-one correspondence between spell and transformation target, [Self-Illusion] incorporates a formula that reflects the caster’s imagination. That means you can transform into anything, depending on your image. It’s just a facade, though.”

In Rumia’s form and voice, but with Glenn’s mannerisms, he continued his explanation matter-of-factly.

“In conclusion, if your [Self-Illusion] transformation isn’t working, it means your image is still vague. Conversely, if you solidify your image, it’ll definitely work. I’d bet my neck on it.”

With a smirk, Rumia-Glenn grinned confidently.

“Now, Lynn. You’re participating in the ‘Transformation’ event with [Self-Illusion], right? What are you planning to transform into?”

“Huh? Um… I was thinking of transforming into an angel… The ‘Angel of Time,’ La’tirika-sama…”

“Geez, picking a legendary figure as your basis? That’s a tough one… But alright. In that case, head to the academy’s library right now and borrow a holy art collection. Keep staring at it until the event starts. It’ll make a big difference.”

“G-Got it. I’ll try it right away.”

Finally, Rumia-Glenn turned to face Lynn directly and said:

“Listen, Lynn. You’ll be fine. You’re way more capable than you think. You’re just a little short on confidence. I’ll vouch for your skills.”

“S-Sensei…”

“Don’t worry about failing. I said aim for the win, but it’s just a festival. Nobody’s gonna die, and nobody’s gonna complain. If someone gives you grief for losing, I’ll knock ’em out myself. So relax, got it?”

At that, Lynn couldn’t hold it in anymore. Clutching her stomach, she let out a soft, muffled giggle.

“…Why’re you laughing?”

Annoyed that his serious talk didn’t land, Glenn sulked.

“B-Because… Sensei saying all these cool things in Rumia’s form and voice… It’s just so funny…”

“Ugh… Y-Yeah, fair point…”

He couldn’t argue. He should’ve dispelled the magic before getting serious.

With a sigh, Glenn scratched his head, about to undo the spell, when—

“Rumia, there you are! I’ve been looking for you!”

Sistine had appeared in the courtyard out of nowhere.

“Oh, Sistie! What’s up?”

Lynn, noticing Sistine first, responded.

“Haha, I just needed to talk to Rumia for a bit.”

“Oh, no, I’m—”

Before Glenn could reveal himself, Sistine smiled at him and said:

“Let’s eat lunch quick, Rumia. I told you, right? I made enough for both of us today. I even included your favorite tomato sandwiches!”

“Huh…? Lunch…?”

Glenn noticed Sistine was carrying a large basket.

(No way… Is that…!?)

He couldn’t help but gulp.

“Now, about that guy… Where the heck did he wander off to…?”

Sistine muttered something incomprehensible, but Glenn wasn’t listening.

Sistine, who’d brought a homemade lunch, mistook Glenn—transformed into Rumia via transformation magic—for the real Rumia… This was, perhaps, an incredible opportunity, wasn’t it?

If he played his cards right, he might just score those sandwiches Sistine made!

(…No way, get a grip, Glenn.)

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he laughed off the wicked thought in his mind.

(A teacher tricking a student to steal their lunch? That’s gotta be the lowest of the low! No matter how desperate I am, I’m not sinking that far! I refuse to sink!)

“Rumia?”

Sistine tilted her head as Glenn, in Rumia’s form, turned away, clutching his head and muttering to himself.

(Besides, this is all my own fault, isn’t it? Taking it out on my students… As a teacher, as a man, as a human, how could I? It’s a golden chance, but I should just dispel the magic and handle this like an adult…)

And then—

Grrrrrr~

Glenn’s stomach let out a thunderous growl.

“Pfft, haha! Rumia, are you that hungry?”

(…Yeah, screw it. A man’s gotta eat. I’ll sell my soul to the devil.)

Rumia-Glenn strode up to Sistine, grabbing her shoulders.

“…Let’s eat right now… I mean, eat, Sistie! I’m… er, I’m super hungry, haha, hahaha…!”

“W-Wow, you’re really desperate…”

Sistine, sensing an odd intensity from Rumia’s form, broke into a nervous sweat.

“Oh, but wait a sec. We need to find that guy first.”

“Huh? That guy?”

“Yeah, him. I mean… I made lunch for us, and, well, I made some for him too, just because I was already cooking… Really, just on a whim, no big deal…”

Turning away with a huff, a faint blush colored Sistine’s cheeks.

“No need to find him! I don’t know who ‘that guy’ is, but we don’t need to find him!”

“Rumia?”

“If Rumia catches me doing this… No, wait! I-I’m already super starving here! If I don’t eat soon, I might actually die for real! So—”

“Um… Sensei…?”

Lynn pokes at Glenn’s back, who’s acting way too desperate.

Instantly, Glenn clings to Lynn, rapid-fire whispering so only she can hear.

(Please, Lynn-sama! Have mercy! Let it slide!)

(No, that’s not what I mean…)

(It’s fine! I swear I won’t eat all of Rumia’s share! Just a slice, maybe two, just a little taste! So please! Just this once! Just this once—!)

(Um… it’s hard to say, but… the real one…)

“…Huh?”

That’s when Glenn freezes solid.

“Oh, Sistie, you’re here?”

A familiar voice comes from behind.

“Sorry for making you wait. I had some errands to run… Huh?”

Rumia, trotting over, tilts her head at the sight of someone who looks exactly like her standing there.

…

An overwhelmingly awkward silence blankets the area.

“W-What’s going on… I… There’s two of me!? N-No way, one of us is a fake… This is bad! They’re so identical, how can we tell which one’s real…?”

“《Return to nothingness》”

Sistine mutters, casting [Dispel Force].

In an instant, the transformation magic on Glenn is neutralized, and his disguise peels away.

“…Well, there you go.”

With a huff,

Glenn, now exposed, flashes a brazen grin, runs a hand through his hair, and spins on his heel.

“Glenn-sensei’s making a cool exit!”

He starts walking off like nothing happened, but…

“You absolute moron—!”

Sistine’s [Gale Blow] unleashes a merciless gust that slams into Glenn’s back…

“Gyaahhhhhhh—!?”

Glenn lets out a pathetic scream as he’s blown away.

“Unbelievable! Disgusting! A teacher trying to swipe a student’s lunch!? That’s beyond low! I woke up early to make this… Hmph! I’m done with you!”

Sistine’s face is beet red as she rants. Lynn sighs.

Rumia, still not quite grasping the situation, blinks in confusion.

Recovering from the spell’s damage, Glenn decides to go scrounge up some lunch.

That said, penniless Glenn can’t afford a proper meal. For the past few days, his only food has been Shirotte branches.

Shirotte is a deciduous tree with distinctive star-shaped leaves. Its young branches contain sugary sap, and chewing them provides a modest amount of sustenance.

A week ago, Glenn found a Shirotte tree near the entrance to the so-called “Forest of the Lost” in the northern part of the academy grounds. Since then, he’s been frequenting the spot during lunch, collecting young branches to stave off hunger.

“That said…”

Glenn, having gathered some Shirotte branches, slumps onto a bench in the academy courtyard, sticking a branch in his mouth.

“I can’t shake the feeling I’m falling further and further from human decency… Damn it… I’m never gambling again… sniff.”

Teary-eyed, Glenn chews the branch, staring into the distance with a gloomy, clouded gaze.

“Heh… My eyes keep getting dust in them today…”

As Glenn wipes his eyes, his stomach lets out a loud growl.

“Oh, Sensei~!”

Rumia, who’d been looking around for something, spots Glenn and hurries over, clutching something carefully in her hands.

“…Rumia? What’s up?”

“Um… I brought you a little something.”

“A little something?”

Glenn eyes her warily, and Rumia holds out a cloth-wrapped bundle.

“It’s a sandwich. You’ve seemed really hungry lately, so I thought, if you don’t mind—”

“Thank you, angelic saint! I humbly and joyfully accept—!”

With wild glee, Glenn snatches the bundle from Rumia’s hands and tears it open. Inside are ordinary sandwiches—tomato, ham, nothing fancy—but to Glenn right now, they look like a royal feast.

“Ohhh! Being alive is so freaking amazing—!”

“Haha, you’re so dramatic…”

Glenn dives into the sandwiches. The juicy tang of tomatoes, the savory saltiness of ham, the rich depth of thinly sliced cheese—they dance in perfect harmony on his starving tongue. The spicy kick and aroma of coarsely ground black pepper flood him with overwhelming emotion.

Rumia settles onto the bench beside him, watching with a wry smile as Glenn, sobbing, devours the sandwiches.

“By the way… Did you make these?”

“I’d love to say I made them for you, but… it wasn’t me.”

Rumia flashes a mischievous grin.

“Haha, I’m kinda clumsy, so cooking’s not my thing…”

“Really? Then who made them?”

“That’s a secret. The person who made them insisted on staying anonymous… Let’s just say they’re from a certain cute girl in our class.”

“Huh. Well, I don’t really care where they came from.”

“Here’s the thing… That cute girl made them for a guy she’s kinda interested in, as a thank-you for something he did for her. She got up early and worked really hard on them, but she’s not the most honest type, so she ended up chickening out and didn’t give them to him…”

“Whoever she is, that’s rough…”

Glenn lets out a sympathetic sigh.

“Man, the guy’s kind of a jerk, huh? If a girl went through the trouble of making him lunch, he should’ve picked up on it… Geez, what a clueless Casanova. Bet he’s no good anyway. That girl’s got bad taste in guys.”

“Ah, Ahaha…”

For some reason, Rumia’s sweating nervously, but Glenn doesn’t notice.

“Well, anyway, she was about to throw the sandwiches out, which seemed like such a waste, so I took them and brought them to you.”

“Tch… So I’m a garbage disposal, huh? Whatever, I’m not complaining. Saved my life.”

Glenn snorts, acting sulky, but keeps munching on the sandwiches.

“Hey, Sensei. How are they? Are the sandwiches good?”

At her question, Glenn pauses to savor the flavors spreading through his mouth.

“Delicious.”

He says exactly what he feels, plain and simple.

“No frills, but they’re made with care. Classic, but insanely good.”

“Hehe, good to hear. I bet the girl who made them would be happy to know that.”

Rumia beams, as if she’d been the one praised for cooking.

It’s almost like she made them herself.

Before long, the bundle, packed with a generous amount of sandwiches, is completely empty.

“Phew, I’m stuffed… Thanks for the meal.”

“Hehe, you’re welcome… Wait, that’s not my line!”

“Think I extended my lifespan by three days… Alright, I can just barely keep going…”

“…?”

Rumia tilts her head at Glenn’s cryptic mutter.

“Well, I’m feeling human again, so let’s head back to the arena.”

“Okay!”

Glenn and Rumia stand up from the bench.

That’s when—

“You’re Glenn, right? Um… Could I have a moment?”

A woman’s voice suddenly calls out from behind them.

Glenn, clearly annoyed, turns around.

“Yeah, yeah, not a good time—We’re super busy—Wait, whaaaaaaat!?”

When Glenn sees who it is, he lets out a ridiculous shriek.

“Y-Y-Y-Your Majesty!?”

Standing there is none other than Alicia VII, Queen of the Alzano Empire herself…

“So, did Alice manage to make contact?”

At the balcony-style VIP seats, Celica sips her tea, enjoying a refined moment.

“That was hilarious, though. The looks on the Royal Guard’s faces when they realized Alice was gone!”

Unable to hold back her laughter, Celica’s shoulders shake.

“You’re as fearless as ever, Celica-kun…”

Even Headmaster Rick looks exasperated by her attitude.

“Haha, what’re you talking about, Headmaster? If you ask me, humans are way scarier than gods. Gods just have overwhelming, absolute power and are stupidly strong, but humans, on the other hand—”

Just then, as Celica’s in high spirits,

“Celica-sama…”

Eleanor approaches, her expression grave.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Something serious has happened… I need to tell you.”

“…What is it?”

Sensing the urgency in Eleanor’s demeanor, Celica’s face grows serious.

And then,

“The thing is…”

As Eleanor whispers in her ear,

“W-What!? No way, that’s—!”

Celica’s face pales, her eyes wide as she stares at Eleanor in shock.

“H-H-How could someone as noble as you be in a place like this, mingling with commoners, without any guards!?”

Faced with the sudden appearance of the queen, Glenn is utterly flustered.

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry for being rude earlier—!”

His usual arrogance and brashness are nowhere to be seen.

Glenn kneels respectfully, bowing low to the ground.

“Please, raise your head, Glenn. Today, I’m not Alicia VII, Queen of the Empire. I’m just Alicia, a citizen of the empire. Come on, stand up.”

“N-No, but still… P-Pardon me…”

Glenn stands up nervously, still shrinking back.

“Hehe. It’s been a year, hasn’t it, Glenn? Have you been well?”

“Y-Yes, doing great. Y-Your Majesty seems as radiant as ever…”

“…I’ve always wanted to apologize to you.”

Suddenly, Alicia lowers her gaze.

“A-Apologize…? N-No, that’s…”

“You worked so hard for me, for this country… And yet, we had to discharge you from the Imperial Court Mage Corps in such a dishonorable way… I can’t express how ashamed and sorry I feel for my own inadequacy…”

“No, no, I don’t mind at all! Seriously! Honestly, I just quit because I got sick of the job! I’m just a pathetic slacker, really!”

Waving his hands frantically, Glenn brushes off Alicia’s apology.

“You’re right… I relied on you too much and never understood your pain or struggles… I’m a failure as a queen. Thinking back to three years ago…”

“No, no, no, no! A queen like you shouldn’t be bowing to a social misfit like me! What if someone saw!?”

Glenn glances around nervously. Conveniently—almost too conveniently—no one else is around, but he’s still on edge.

“So, uh, Your Majesty… What brings you here today…?”

“Hehe, well…”

Alicia shifts her gaze to the side.

Her eyes land on Rumia, who’s standing there, stunned.

“…It’s been a while, Ermiana.”

Alicia speaks to Rumia gently.

“…”

Rumia’s gaze lingers silently on Alicia’s neck, where a gold necklace with an emerald gem rests. Confirming its presence, Rumia lowers her eyes for some reason.

“Have you been well? My, you’ve grown so tall since I last saw you. Hehe, and you’ve become so beautiful. Almost like me in my youth, if I do say so myself♪”

“…Ah… Um…”

“How’s life with the Fibel family? Are you comfortable? Are you eating properly? You’re still growing, so no crash diets, okay? And no matter how busy you are, you have to bathe every day. You’re a young lady of marriageable age, so you need to take care of yourself…”

“…Ah… W-Well…”

While Rumia stiffens, Alicia continues, genuinely delighted, stringing words together.

“It feels like a dream. To be able to talk with you like this again…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Alicia reaches out to touch Rumia.

“Ermiana…”

But—

“…If I may, Your Majesty.”

Rumia steps back, as if escaping Alicia’s hand, and kneels respectfully.

“!”

“Your Majesty… I’m sorry, but you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

At Rumia’s quiet words, Alicia, who had been so happy, freezes.

“I am Rumia. Rumia Tingel. I fear Your Majesty has confused me with Her Highness, Princess Ermiana El Kel Alzano, who passed away three years ago. You must be weary from your daily duties. Please take care of yourself…”

“…”

Rumia’s polite words leave both Alicia and Glenn in awkward silence.

“…You’re right.”

Alicia gives a faint, lonely smile, lowering her eyes.

“That child… Ermiana passed away three years ago from an epidemic, didn’t she… Oh my, how could I make such a mistake? Hehe, getting old is no fun…”

Glenn scratches his head, his expression complicated, at Alicia’s melancholic words.

Rumia continues calmly.

“Even if it was a mistake, for someone as lowly as me, a commoner with red blood, to be spoken to so kindly by Your Majesty… I have no words to express my gratitude for your boundless compassion…”

“No, no, I’m the one who should apologize for making you uncomfortable.”

For a while, a heavy silence dominates the air.

Rumia says nothing. Alicia opens her mouth as if to speak, then closes it, as if giving up. The cycle repeats.

And then—

“…It’s about time.”

As if shaking off lingering attachment, Alicia turns to Glenn.

“Glenn. Take care of Er—… Rumia, okay?”

“…Understood, Your Majesty.”

As Glenn watches her go with a conflicted expression, Alicia quietly departs.

Soon, Alicia’s figure disappears from the courtyard.

“…”

Rumia, still kneeling respectfully, never once looks at the retreating figure…

“As expected, she won’t acknowledge me as her mother… Of course not…”

Alicia trudges toward the VIP seats at the arena, her shoulders slumped.

Despite walking openly through the crowd, no one notices her. Celica’s advanced warding magic is working perfectly.

“Ermiana…”

She recalls her daughter, who acted like a stranger the moment she tried to reach out.

Whatever the reasons, Alicia did betray and abandon her daughter. She erased Ermiana, denying the life she’d lived as that girl.

Ermiana is a clever girl. She likely understands that her mother, also a queen, had no choice. But understanding with the mind doesn’t mean accepting with the heart. Especially since Ermiana was so young when she was exiled. Reports say that after being cast out from the palace, Ermiana was quite troubled for a while. At such a tender, sensitive age, being abandoned by her mother would make anyone feel that way.

Even so, she grew into a kind girl loved by everyone. Not because she lived as Ermiana, the abandoned princess, but because she chose to walk a new path as Rumia, a member of the Fibel family.

Thinking about it that way, the girl standing before Alicia earlier was truly not Ermiana… but Rumia.

“…What a shame. Truly…”

If meeting her would cause such painful, miserable feelings, maybe she should’ve listened to Celica and Eleanor and just watched from afar. The thought crosses her mind.

But she can’t blame them. In the end, it was her own desire to see her daughter. Celica and Eleanor only acted out of consideration for the feelings smoldering in Alicia’s heart.

As Alicia walks toward the magic tournament arena, weighed down by dark thoughts,

“…Your Majesty.”

A voice calling her name makes Alicia look up.

Scanning her surroundings, she spots a familiar figure in the shade of the trees lining the path.

It’s Zelos, the captain of the Royal Guard.

His expression is urgent, almost grim, as he watches her.

(That’s odd. How could he recognize me? Celica’s magic should still be active…)

While puzzled, Alicia addresses this fiercely loyal guard.

“Oh my, I’ve been found out, haven’t I? Sorry for wandering outside without permission, Zelos. By the way… is something wrong?”

“I have something to discuss, Your Majesty.”

Zelos steps silently from the shadow of the trees, standing before Alicia and raising his hand.

Was that a signal?

“—!?”

Several guards appear from nowhere, surrounding Alicia in an instant.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

Unfazed by the tense atmosphere, Alicia asks calmly.

“Please forgive our rudeness, Your Majesty. For a time, we will restrain you, even if it exhausts our strength. However, this act of insolence is by no means an act of hostility toward you or the empire. I ask you to understand it as purely an act of loyalty to you and our homeland. So, please bear with us for now.”

“Zelos…”

Alicia is no novice. Though far from Celica’s level, she is a mage of considerable rank. She can more than defend herself against common thugs.

But surrounded at such close range by several elite guards, clad in anti-magic gear and skilled in close combat, there’s little she can do.

“…Very well. I’ll hear you out first.”

Resigning herself, Alicia decides to follow Zelos.

“…Unbelievable.”

Contrary to his words, Albert speaks in a perfectly calm and composed tone, stating matter-of-factly.

“What’s wrong? What did you see with your far-sight magic?”

“The Royal Guard—they’ve made their move.”

“…? Of course they’d move. They’re living people, after all.”

“…”

Albert remains silent, his stern expression unwavering. A silence falls between them.

“…The Royal Guard has used force to place Her Majesty under their full surveillance. This is effectively house arrest. But Zelos, the commander… I didn’t think he was the type to act so rashly. It seems I need to reassess him.”

“I see.”

Hearing this, Re=L immediately starts walking without hesitation.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Albert reaches out and grabs Re=L’s hair from behind.

“It’s obvious. I’ll cut down every single enemy.”

“Wait. There are too many of them. Even you can’t handle that.”

“If the enemy’s forces are stronger, we just need to surpass them.”

“Planning to call for reinforcements?”

“Nope. Sheer willpower.”

“…”

Albert falls silent again, his stern expression unshaken. Another silence stretches between them.

“…The Imperial Royal Guard is the leading faction of the direct line, the most loyal to Her Majesty. It’s unthinkable they’d directly harm her. There must be some intent behind this reckless action. We need to uncover their hidden motives and act to resolve the situation.”

“I see. I don’t really get it, though.”

“Figures.”

Silence. The odd scene of a man holding a girl by her hair freezes in place.

Re=L is the first to break the quiet.

“I’ve got a plan. I charge straight at the enemy. Albert, you charge straight in after me.”

“…”

Albert remains silent, his stern expression unmoved.

As always, silence settles between them.

The Magic Tournament’s afternoon session begins.

The first event of the afternoon is “Remote Weightlifting,” a competition using telekinetic object manipulation. Using the White Magic [Psy-Telekinesis] spell, competitors lift lead-filled sacks into the air without touching them. The heavier the sack lifted, the more points awarded.

After his secret meeting with Alicia, Glenn returns to the arena with a dejected Rumia. While the class buzzes with excitement, Glenn, distracted, gazes absently at the weightlifting competition.

Naturally, his thoughts drift to Rumia and Alicia.

Glenn is among the few privy to Rumia’s true identity and the complex circumstances of her past, having been secretly informed by government officials after the incident a month ago.

He understands Alicia’s desire to meet Rumia, despite the risk of their relationship being suspected, given her position as the empire’s queen. He also vaguely grasps why Rumia rejected her.

He gets it, but—

(…What am I supposed to do about it?)

Ultimately, the issue between those two can only be resolved by them. No matter what an outsider says, it would ring hollow. Since the root of the problem lies in emotions, not logic, no amount of reasoning, persuasion, or comfort will help.

“…Tch, what a mess.”

Glenn lets out a deep sigh. Problems keep piling up, leaving him no time to catch his breath. The overly hyped-up classmates around him feel like they belong to another world.

While Glenn is lost in thought—

“…Sensei.”

Sistine, puffing her cheeks in a sulky pout, suddenly calls out to him.

“Whoa!? W-What’s up, White Cat!? You wanna throw down!?”

Recalling their lunchtime exchange, Glenn instinctively raises his fists in a boxing stance.

“…Rumia’s gone.”

“H-Huh!?”

“Now that I think about it, ever since she went to see you and came back, she’s been acting strange.”

“Wait, how do you know I met with Rumia?”

“Shut up!”

“Eek! Sorry!?”

Sistine snaps back sharply, and Glenn shrinks pathetically.

“She doesn’t have any events in the afternoon, but she’s not the type to skip out like that. So, I thought it was odd that she disappeared without saying anything.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Like Glenn, Sistine is one of the few who knows about Rumia’s circumstances.

However, she doesn’t know that Rumia secretly met her real mother—the queen—just moments ago. Her concern must stem from a general sense of unease.

Sistine is involved in this too. She deserves to know what happened, Glenn decides.

“Hey, White Cat. Come here. Lend me your ear.”

“…?”

Glenn quietly recounts the earlier events between Alicia and Rumia to a suspicious-looking Sistine.

“That’s what happened…”

Learning everything, Sistine wears a deeply complicated expression.

“So, her disappearing…”

“Nine times out of ten, it’s probably what you’re thinking. In that situation, even I’d want to be alone.”

With a weary sigh, Glenn shrugs.

“But while wanting to be alone is understandable, isolating yourself too much isn’t good. It won’t solve anything, but being with friends and making noise might distract her a bit. It’s not like moping alone will fix this. I’ll go find her and bring her back.”

Scratching his head with an annoyed grumble, Glenn stands up.

“White Cat, you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll—”

Sistine starts to nod reflexively but stops.

“—No, I’ll stay here. Sensei, you go get her. I’ll keep the class together until you return.”

But, for some reason, she says this instead.

“Oi, that’s cold. Aren’t you two best friends?”

“It’s because we’re best friends.”

Sistine turns away with a huff.

(…Who does she want most by her side right now? As much as it pains me…)

Her profile, muttering something under her breath, is a mix of anger, resignation, sulking, jealousy, and complex emotions.

“I don’t get it, but you’re leaving it to me, right?”

As Glenn starts to walk off to find Rumia—

“…Hey, wait a sec.”

Sistine suddenly tosses out a remark.

“What?”

He glances back, turning only his head. Sistine still looks grumpy.

“I’ve got one question. Did Rumia… give you anything?”

“Huh? Oh, she gave me a sandwich. Said she salvaged it from some jerk who was about to toss it. Why?”

“So… how was it?”

“Huh?”

“I bet it was gross, right? Hmph… pathetic trash cleanup duty, huh?”

“…Nah, it was actually crazy good.”

Instantly, for some reason, Sistine spins around, turning her back to Glenn.

Frowning and scratching his cheek, Glenn offers her some advice.

“…Look, I don’t care, but you shouldn’t say stuff that’s rude to the person who made it. That’s not like you. You’re supposed to be nice to everyone—except me.”

“I-I know that! Just go already!”

Her sharp retort came without even a glance his way. Whatever part of his words ticked her off is unclear, but her ears were red with anger.

“Tch… what a mess.”

Sistine is one girl Glenn just can’t figure out. He has no clue what she’s thinking, and she gets mad at the drop of a hat. If only she had even a fraction of Rumia’s clear, cute charm, it’d be a lot easier.

Mulling over such wishful thinking, Glenn heads out of the arena.

Rumia isn’t at the courtyard from earlier.

With no other choice, Glenn wanders the academy grounds on instinct.

“This is bad… where the hell did she go…?”

He circles the main building, west wing, and east wing, hurries past the academy library and its front plaza, checks the entrance to the Forest of the Lost, the herb garden, and the magic experiment tower.

But Rumia is nowhere to be found. Undeterred, he keeps roaming the now-quiet academy grounds, aimlessly searching as the tournament draws crowds elsewhere. He searches endlessly.

Just as Glenn starts to feel real panic, at the southwestern edge of the academy grounds, near the iron fence and evenly spaced trees, he catches a glimpse of familiar blonde hair in the shade.

“…Found her.”

Glenn approaches the tree’s shadow.

There, leaning against the trunk, Rumia gazes solemnly at something in her hands.

“…Rumia? What are you looking at? …A locket?”

He didn’t mean to peek, but the angle of his approach and their height difference let him accidentally see her hands.

In Rumia’s small hands is a simple locket pendant. She has it open, staring intently inside.

“This locket… it’s empty.”

Noticing Glenn’s approach, Rumia snaps the locket shut and grips it tightly.

“I feel like it used to hold portraits of people who were dear to me… but at some point, they were gone.”

“…”

In the silence before Glenn, Rumia smiles sadly, slipping the locket’s chain around her neck and tucking it into her clothes against her chest.

“It’s not even valuable… it’s strange, isn’t it? That I still carry this thing with me, never letting it go.”

“…Ain’t strange at all.”

Glenn looks away, scratching his head and replying gruffly.

“I don’t know how you lost what was inside, but even now, isn’t it still filled with something important to you?”

“…Sensei.”

As if resolving herself, Rumia pauses, then asks.

“You know, don’t you? …About my relationship with Her Majesty.”

“Yeah. After that incident last month, some bigwig from the government filled me in.”

Then, Glenn spins on his heel, turning his back to Rumia.

“But who cares? C’mon, let’s go, Rumia. Everyone’s waiting for you. The super fun Magic Tournament’s second half is about to kick off!”

He starts to walk away, but…

“Hehe, you’re always you, Sensei.”

With a soft chuckle, Rumia gives a faint smile.

“This is the part where you’re supposed to say something kind to a girl who’s feeling down, you know?”

“Honestly, I got no clue what to say.”

Glenn shamelessly admits his uselessness.

Seeing him like that, Rumia giggles softly.

“Then… could you stay and listen to me just a little longer?”

“…Sure.”

Rumia leans back against the tree, and Glenn, still facing away, looks up at the sky.

Rumia begins to speak, her words halting and meandering.

She talks about trivial things.

About when she was still a princess. About her kind mother, who made time to play with her despite being busy with state affairs. About her gentle older sister, who always looked after her. Days as a direct royal daughter, where she lacked nothing yet felt constrained in some ways. Still, those were undeniably happy memories—

These are likely the memories Rumia, stripped of her princess status and banished from the palace, tried to forget as she joined the Fibel family—yet couldn’t, still smoldering deep in her heart.

“…What should I have done?”

After sharing her memories, Rumia quietly asks Glenn.

“I understand why Her Majesty abandoned me. It was something necessary for the royal family, for the future of the country. But still… deep down, I couldn’t forgive her… I think I’m angry with her…”

“Yeah, stuff like that ain’t about logic.”

“But I also want to call her Mother again, to be held by her… that feeling’s in there somewhere too… I’m so unfair, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, logic’s got nothing to do with it.”

“But if I call her Mother, it feels like I’d be betraying Sistie’s mom and dad, who took me in and loved me like their own… and I feel so guilty…”

“Yup, it’s not about logic.”

Rumia lowers her eyes.

With an exasperated sigh, Glenn speaks.

“Here’s my take. Humans are creatures doomed to regret and get hurt no matter what choices they make in life. People always say to make choices you won’t regret, right? I’m telling you, that’s a lie… or rather, it’s impossible.”

“Is that… true?”

Glenn nods and continues.

“Don’t you think God’s a real jerk? When there are two paths in front of you, no matter how much you agonize and choose one, you’ll end up regretting not taking the other. And if you avoid choosing altogether, you’ll just torment yourself later for not picking one. It’s a crap design.”

Glenn pauses, reflecting on himself.

Once, he dreamed of becoming a heroic mage from a storybook and set out to be one. Now, he bitterly regrets that naive choice. He’s thought countless times that he picked the wrong path, that he should’ve chosen differently.

But—if he’d abandoned his dream and taken another path, would he have been free of pain and regret? No, he’d probably still agonize over not pursuing his dream, regretting that choice instead.

“That’s why I think being true to yourself matters.”

“…Being true to myself?”

“Yeah. If you’re gonna regret either way, don’t you think choosing the path that’s honest to your heart makes it a bit better? Doesn’t it feel like you could move forward after all that regret?”

“B-But… I don’t even understand my own heart…”

Scratching his head, Glenn says.

“I used to be a mage in the imperial army. …Bet that surprises you.”

Rumia blinks, confused by Glenn’s sudden confession and its unclear intent.

“And because of my job, I had to visit the palace pretty often. I saw someone important there wearing the exact same locket you were just staring at so fondly. …You get what I’m saying, right?”

“…!”

Rumia gasps, instinctively clutching her chest.

“That matching locket you’ve kept close all this time, never letting it go. You’ve had plenty of chances to toss it. …Don’t you think your answer’s already clear?”

“My answer…”

“Whether it’s resentment, complaints, or whatever, just start by throwing your words at her. Running away from facing her like you did earlier won’t change anything. …Says the guy who’s spent his life running from confronting stuff, so take it with a grain of salt.”

Rumia falls silent, head bowed.

Glenn, still facing away, waits quietly for her response.

Then.

“I’m… scared.”

In a faint, trembling voice, Rumia murmurs.

“Until the day before I was banished, she was so kind. But on the day I was called to her, all these stern-faced important people were gathered… and she looked at me with such cold eyes… like she was a completely different person…”

“…”

“She was so kind earlier, but… I’m terrified that she might suddenly turn those cold eyes on me again… So… that’s why…”

With resolve, Rumia looks straight at Glenn’s back.

“Sensei, will you come with me?”

“…Man, you’ve got a childish side too, huh?”

Glenn shrugs with a wry smile, turning to face Rumia.

“Alright, I’ll tag along.”

“Is that true?”

“…If I said it was a lie now, I’d just be some heartless villain, wouldn’t I?”

“Oh, come on, Sensei.”

Glenn lets out an exasperated sigh, while Rumia giggles with amusement.

Glenn starts walking, with Rumia by his side.

The air between them is calm and easygoing.

That said, how am I supposed to set this up? Glenn realizes another troublesome task has piled onto his plate and starts racking his brain again.

—But then.

“…Hm?”

Glenn suddenly notices a strange group appearing in their path.

The group is entirely clad in lightweight armor protecting vital points, draped in scarlet surcoats, with rapiers sheathed at their waists.

Their number totals five.

Forming a crescent-shaped formation, they approach swiftly from the other side of the street.

“Those surcoats… the Royal Guard?”

The elite of the imperial army, composed of those most loyal to Her Majesty the Queen, tasked with prioritizing the protection of the royal family above all else—these are the guardian deities of the royal house, the Royal Guard.

As such, during Her Majesty’s visit to the academy, the Royal Guard should naturally be patrolling and protecting the queen’s vicinity—

“So why are these guys slacking off on Her Majesty’s protection and wandering around a place like this?”

Tilting his head in confusion, Glenn watches as the Royal Guard members come to a halt before them, silently and swiftly fanning out to surround Glenn and Rumia with precise footwork.

“Rumia Tingel… is that you?”

The guard who appears to be the leader of the squad, standing directly in front of them, asks in a low voice.

Glenn and Rumia exchange a glance.

“…You are Rumia Tingel, correct?”

“Uh? Y-Yes… that’s me, but…”

To the question pressed a second time, Rumia responds, her voice tinged with confusion.

The very next moment.

The guards, like coiled springs unleashed, draw their swords in unison, pointing their blades at Rumia.

“—!?”

Faced with the sharp tips aimed at her, Rumia freezes instinctively.

“…What’s the meaning of this, you lot?”

At the same time.

Glenn, shielding Rumia behind him, growls at the guards with a menacing tone.

“Hear us. We are the executives of the Queen’s will.”

The apparent leader of the squad glares at Glenn with irritation before proclaiming loudly:

“Rumia Tingel. For the heinous crime of secretly plotting to assassinate Her Majesty Queen Alicia VII and scheming to overthrow the state, there is no room for excuses! Thus, you are hereby charged with high treason and rebellion against the state, to be struck down on sight. This is the direct edict of Her Majesty the Queen!”

The reality is so utterly surreal.

Glenn and Rumia can only stand there, frozen in shock.