Chapter 5: The Academy with the Saintess

 

Taken in by the Grand Temple of the Royal Capital, Reina was adopted by a prominent noble family and enrolled in the kingdom’s largest educational institution, the Royal Academy.

Her guardian and adoptive parent was the Laurel Ducal House, a family that had produced the previous Saintess. Reina would now go by the name “Reina Laurel,” but her interactions with the ducal family were limited to a brief meeting. Her actual place of residence was the Grand Temple.

Having been informed in advance of the Saintess’s arrival, the clergy at the Grand Temple harbored various schemes in their hearts.

“Kukuku… So the Saintess has finally been found! I’ll make full use of her to bolster my authority and wealth!”

“Oh my, a Saintess from commoner origins? Simply unthinkable! I’ll use education as an excuse to bully her senseless!”

“If I can brainwash the Saintess and make her obey me, my rise to power will be unstoppable… I’ll manipulate her to my heart’s content!”

The Grand Temple, steeped in authoritarianism, was a hotbed of intrigue, with many seeking to exploit the Saintess for their own selfish desires.

However… When they actually met Saintess Reina, they were struck silent in an instant.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Reina Laurel. I look forward to working with you.”

“““…………!?”””

Stepping down from the carriage was a dazzlingly beautiful girl. A radiant halo of divine power glowed behind her, and several holy spirits floated around her as if guarding her.

In a single moment, with a single glance, they were overwhelmed by the unmistakable difference in her stature as a holy figure. She was truly a Saintess. Whether she was a commoner or not was irrelevant—she was a miraculous existence that stood apart.

Tch… No, her beauty is convenient. I can use that face to gather donations from believers and line my pockets!

A bishop in the Grand Temple schemed as such. However… Reina turned to the bishop with a gentle smile.

“Bishop-sama, I hope for your guidance moving forward.”

“Uurgh…!”

Being gazed upon by Reina felt as though the depths of his heart were being laid bare. A creeping sense of guilt swelled within him, as if he were committing an unspeakable evil, transforming him into the worst kind of villain in history.

N-No… If I use her to make money, she’ll definitely find out! I’ll surely be dragged to the depths of hell and suffer eternal torment!

The bishop, who had long abused his position as a clergyman to commit misdeeds such as embezzlement, suddenly felt ashamed of his actions. He vowed to return the money he had stolen and live an honest life henceforth.

“You commoner-born Saintess! I’ll whip that filthy nature of yours into shape, so prepare yourself!”

An elderly sister, chosen as Reina’s tutor, spoke in a harsh tone as if to steel herself.

“First, solve these problems! Make a single mistake, and it’s the whip for you!”

“Yes… I’ve solved them.”

“Hah! To think you couldn’t even solve such simple problems… Wait, you solved them!?”

Having received a thorough education from Clarel, Reina easily solved the problems presented to her.

“The formula you wrote has two errors, Sensei. Please be more careful.”

“U-Uugh…!”

The sister tutor slumped her shoulders in defeat. Reina’s academics were flawless. Her manners were impeccable, and her mastery of holy arts was unmatched.

There was nothing for the tutor to teach. Every attempt to find fault and punish Reina was thwarted by the holy spirits surrounding her. The tutor tripped while walking, had water inexplicably poured on her from above, or suffered mysterious misfortunes, ultimately leading her to beg Reina’s forgiveness and confess her sins.

“Kukuku… I never imagined a commoner-born Saintess would be such a beautiful girl! With this drug, I’ll make her mine and turn her into my tool—GAAAH!”

“Meow!” “Woof woof!”

A scheming priest was attacked by an unknown assailant and gravely injured. Illegal drugs were found in his room, leading to his excommunication from the Grand Temple and banishment from the Royal Capital.

In the original route, Reina would have been abused and mistreated at the Grand Temple, but no one could oppress the fully awakened Saintess Reina.

“Ever since the Saintess arrived, things have gotten a lot more comfortable around here.”

“Most of the malicious priests have quit, and it’s become so peaceful.”

Those who tried to exploit or oppress Reina largely left the Grand Temple, and the younger priests and sisters grew to adore her.

With the Grand Temple on her side and her influence growing, the day finally came for Reina to enroll in the academy.

◇ ◇ ◇

Wearing the designated uniform, Reina boarded a carriage prepared by the Grand Temple and headed to the academy. Passing through a pathway lined with blooming flowers resembling cherry blossoms, she arrived at the Royal Academy, the stage of The Rainbow-Colored Sparkles From Beyond.

Numerous carriages for drop-offs were parked around, with noble children disembarking and heading toward the school building.

“So this is the academy Clarel-sama attended…!”

Reina’s carriage stopped in front of the school gate, and she stepped down with the help of the coachman. In an instant, the atmosphere at the gate shifted. Students heading to school gasped, captivated by the girl emerging from the carriage bearing the temple’s crest.

“…………She’s lovely.”

A male student muttered, his words spilling out unintentionally, yet perfectly capturing the feelings of everyone present. Her simple act of stepping out of the carriage was so refined that it was as if a divine messenger had descended from the heavens. Her beauty made flowers blush and the moon hide in shame—a phrase that seemed crafted for her alone.

“…………”

Reina walked toward the school building, unfazed by the torrent of admiring gazes raining down on her. Her silvery-white hair flowed in the breeze like fine silk, and she moved so gracefully it was as if she glided just above the ground, her footsteps silent.

“I’ve found her… my destined one…!”

Most students at the gate were enchanted by Reina’s presence, too intimidated to approach her, and left standing frozen. Amidst them, a single young man stepped forward and appeared before Reina.

Golden hair and blue eyes. A refined, princely youth knelt on one knee and bowed courteously to Reina.

“O lovely maiden, might I have the honor of knowing your name?”

“Um… who might you be?”

“My apologies for the delay. My name is Eric Seincle, the crown prince of this kingdom.”

Eric Seincle. The crown prince of Seincle Kingdom and one of the capture targets in The Rainbow-Colored Sparkles From Beyond. Strikingly handsome, he was a gentlemanly, quintessential hero who had perfectly mastered the demeanor of a prince. As the heir to the throne, he was a flawless, beautiful youth blessed with both looks and wealth.

“From the moment I saw you, I knew. You are the newly discovered Saintess…” Eric extended his right hand to Reina, his expression one of enchantment. “Please, let me hear your name from those rose-like lips. And… might I have the honor of escorting such a beautiful and pure Saintess?”

His theatrical gestures might have seemed exaggerated, but performed by a prince with such refined features, they felt strangely natural. The onlookers all imagined the same scene: Reina taking Eric’s hand, the two walking together, the start of a fated romance between a prince and a Saintess.

“I must decline.”

But with an elegant smile, Reina rejected him outright. Her resolute words cut through all expectations as she briskly walked toward the school building.

“Huh……?”

Eric froze, unable to comprehend what had just happened. After a moment of stunned silence, he hurriedly called out to her retreating figure.

“W-Wait! Please, wait a moment!”

“Yes?”

“D-Did I do something wrong!? You don’t have to brush me off so coldly…!”

“With all due respect, you are Prince Eric, correct?”

“Y-Yes, that’s what I said…”

“Then you must have a fiancée. Don’t you think it’s rude to approach another woman and offer to escort her?”

Eric was indeed engaged—to Carrot Laurel, the legitimate daughter of the Laurel Ducal House, who was, on paper, Reina’s older sister. In the game, Carrot was a rival character who stood in the way of the Eric route. She was an antagonist who scorned and abused the commoner-born Reina, but in this world, they had only met briefly, and no such events had occurred.

“W-Well, that may be true, but…”

“It’s disrespectful to your fiancée and to me as well, since you’re essentially asking me to be your mistress. Am I mistaken in any way?”

“N-No, you’re not wrong, but… it’s not that big a deal…”

Eric’s face twitched as Reina calmly delivered her logical rebuke with a serene smile. Her pure, unblemished expression and irrefutable reasoning clearly threw him off balance.

“The one who raised me taught me never to stray from the path of virtue. Cheating is absolutely unacceptable… So, I’ll take my leave now.”

Despite facing royalty, Reina showed no sign of being intimidated and firmly rejected Eric. With a single bow, she left the scene without a hint of lingering attachment. Had Reina chosen the Eric route, the rival character Carrot Laurel would have fallen into darkness out of jealousy, reviving a sealed demon god. This would have caused catastrophic damage to the Royal Capital, but by rejecting Eric, Reina unwittingly averted a tragic future.

“Ah…”

The pitiful crown prince could only watch Reina’s retreating figure, standing like a statue, unable to chase after her.

“Prince Eric is quite the flirt, isn’t he? I’d better steer clear of him from now on.”

Having mercilessly crushed the romantic flag, Reina continued toward the school building. However, one after another, a variety of handsome men stood in her path.

“So you’re the rumored Saintess? How about going out with me?”

A rough, domineering ikemen.

[T/N: Ikemen, a Japanese term to describe an attractive man.]

“You’re Lady Reina, chosen as the Saintess, correct? Would you care to walk to class together?”

A scholarly ikemen with gleaming glasses.

“Hey, you’re the Saintess onee-chan, right? Wanna play with me?”

A small, animal-like shota ikemen.

The capture targets of the otome game appeared before Reina one by one, each using their unique traits to approach her or even try to touch her. Faced with this diverse array of ikemen, Reina responded with a radiant Saintess smile.

“I have no interest in getting close to a man who orders me to date him upon our first meeting. Please learn some manners and try again.”

She swiftly shut down the domineering ikemen.

“You seem to be scheming something, and that’s unsettling, so I’ll pass. Also, it’s inappropriate to call a lady you’ve just met by her first name, don’t you think?”

She logically dismantled the scholarly ikemen.

“You’re a freshman too, aren’t you? Don’t call me onee-chan when we’re the same age. And trying to hug a woman without permission is outright harassment. I’ll report you to the disciplinary committee.”

She deftly dodged the shota ikemen’s attempt to hug her and handed him over to the disciplinary committee.

In the game, these were characters whose affection levels you’d raise to eventually become lovers. But Reina had no intention of pursuing them. By the time she reached the school building, their faces were already fading from her memory, barely registering.

“Clarel-sama… I’ll study hard here and return to you as someone you can be proud of!”

Reina’s mind was solely on Clarel. Paying no heed to the capture targets, she strode confidently into the school building.

◇ ◇ ◇

Having decisively rejected the capture targets on her first day, Reina’s academy life thereafter proceeded surprisingly smoothly.

“Good day, Reina-sama.”

“Good morning, Reina-sama.”

“Good morning. It’s another fine day, isn’t it?”

Greeting her friends with an elegant smile, Reina’s radiant expression was truly that of a divine messenger on earth. Her charm captivated everyone, leaving them spellbound.

“Reina-sama is as beautiful as ever today…”

“As expected of the Saintess… It’s truly an honor to attend the same academy as her.”

A female student, whose greeting Reina returned, blushed and sighed dreamily. Reina’s beauty transcended gender and age, possessing a universal allure. The noble daughters attending the academy were confident in their own appearances, yet none felt jealousy toward Reina.

“Did you hear? Mackenzie-senpai from the third year asked Reina-sama out and got rejected.”

“Oh my, another one? That’s the third this month alone, isn’t it?”

“Reina-sama… She’s turned down so many men, including His Highness the Crown Prince. Could she have someone special in her heart?”

“She’s the Saintess, after all. She must be devoted to her faith and the gods.”

“I heard some people, jealous of Reina-sama’s beauty and popularity, called her to the back of the school building… but they couldn’t say a word in her presence.”

A group of girls had summoned Reina to the back of the school building, intending to accuse her of “toying with men’s hearts.” Yet, upon seeing her face, they were overwhelmed by her pure and divine aura, swallowing the insults they had prepared.

“Not only is she beautiful, but her academics are outstanding too… Truly a child beloved by the Goddess!”

The female students buzzed with excitement over Reina. Unlike in the game, no one scorned or oppressed her for being a commoner. Her overwhelming beauty and Saintess aura obliterated any prejudice about her origins.

“Ha… Reina, how beautiful you are…”

Meanwhile, a man sighed from the shadows of a shrub in the school courtyard. Hiding there for the past thirty minutes, watching Reina arrive at school, was a princely figure with soft golden hair—none other than Crown Prince Eric Seincle.

Eric had been rejected by Reina when he offered to escort her on her first day at the academy. Reina rejected my offer despite knowing I’m the crown prince. Maybe she’s someone who can see me for who I am, not just my title…

As the crown prince and future king, Eric had no one who treated him as an equal. Even his fiancée, the ducal daughter Carrot Laurel, maintained a respectful distance in their interactions. He had no complaints about Carrot. Yet… compared to Reina’s pure beauty and unyielding nobility, she paled in comparison.

“Oh, Reina… Why must you be so… Reina? If only you were Carrot, I could stay by your side forever.”

Eric let out a heavy sigh, feeling a sharp, squeezing pain in his chest.

“…Alright, it’s settled. Tomorrow, we make our move.”

“…Are we really doing this? If we mess up, we’re done for.”

“…………?”

From another patch of shade a short distance away, the hushed voices of a few male students engaged in a secretive conversation reached Eric’s ears. They seemed unaware of his presence, whispering to each other.

“We’re just fallen nobles anyway. Even if we graduate from this academy, we’ll live mediocre lives forever.”

“If we can get our hands on the Saintess, it’s a complete turnaround. Money, power—everything will be ours!”

The Saintess… Could they be planning something against Reina!?

Eric nearly shouted, but managed to stifle his voice.

“We’ll assault the Saintess and take her chastity. Knowing how kind she is, once we’ve taken her first time, she’ll have no choice but to obey us.”

“Heh, just thinking about having my way with that body makes my mouth water.”

“Damn it! Fine, let’s do this… It’s fine, I got the drug from that shady shop in the back alleys! With this, even the most virtuous woman will spread her legs!”

They’re planning to assault Reina… To attack the Saintess, a woman—what despicable scum!

Eric’s mind burned with rage. He wanted to leap out from the shadows and beat the vile conspirators senseless. But just as he was about to act, he stopped himself.

Wait… If I use these guys, maybe I can get Reina’s attention?

If he caught them in the act of attacking Reina and saved her… surely, that would melt the icy wall around Reina’s stubborn heart.

Yes… It’s not like I’m the one who put them up to it. I haven’t done anything wrong.

Eric had good intentions. He had no plans to stage a self-serving act. But… this was merely about catching them in the act and ensuring the thugs faced justice, so he’d let it slide for now.

I’ll protect Reina… That’s right, isn’t it?

Turning a blind eye to the villains before him, Eric gave in to the devil’s temptation.

The next day, Reina was summoned to the back of the school building by a letter. Arriving at the designated spot and finding no sign of the sender, Reina let out a sigh.

“Ha… This is really troublesome…”

Life at the academy was fresh and exciting, filled with so much to learn and enjoy. Making friends her age was a joy. Sharing sweets over afternoon tea while discussing favorite poetry or novels had become a new pleasure for Reina. But… being constantly wooed by men or receiving love letters was far less welcome.

Back in Eggbell, she’d had suitors too, but with Clarel and the townspeople watching, it was never this intense.

“Doing this is pointless… I only have Clarel-sama in my heart…”

No matter how many men approached her, Reina’s heart remained untouched. Her heart was already claimed by one person. The academy had men of higher status, better looks, and greater wealth than Clarel, but none could fill her heart the way he did.

“I’ll have to turn them down again today… I feel bad about it.”

The letter summoning Reina had no sender’s name, but her decision to refuse was already made. Thinking of the futile effort ahead, her expression darkened.

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, something was thrown at Reina’s feet. A palm-sized container rolled on the ground—a glass bottle with a black label, its lid open, spilling a pink liquid onto the earth.

“Kyaa!?”

In the next moment, a pink vapor billowed into the air, enveloping Reina’s body.

“Ah…!”

Surrounded by the pink mist, Reina collapsed to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut.

“Yes! It worked!”

“Alright! Let’s take the Saintess!”

Several male students emerged from nearby bushes, cheering triumphantly. The substance was a drug purchased from a shady merchant in the back alleys—a blend of an aphrodisiac and a sedative. Even a Saintess, once exposed to this, would become dazed, unable to resist, and reduced to a wanton woman who’d accept any man.

“The Saintess was a piece of cake! We’ll show everyone who mocked us, fallen nobles!”

“Hey, I get first dibs, that was the deal!”

“We’re all sharing this woman, right? Haha, what a luxurious harlot!”

With vulgar grins, the men crept closer to Reina, their hands twitching eagerly, reaching for the beautiful girl who now lay defenseless, like a fish on a cutting board.

“Stop!”

Just before their hands could touch her, a man’s voice echoed through the back of the school building. Appearing with a gallant flourish was the golden-haired prince—Eric Seincle, who had overheard their plot and had been waiting at the scene.

“Wha—!?”

“W-Why is Prince Eric here!?”

The men panicked at the sudden appearance of the crown prince.

“That’s enough! I won’t let you lay a single finger on her!”

“Tch… If it’s come to this…!”

“Yeah, let’s do it!”

Normally, they wouldn’t dare raise a fist against the crown prince. But, like cornered rats biting a cat, they were already ruined the moment their plan to assault the Saintess was exposed. In their desperation, they abandoned all restraint.

“If we can make the Saintess ours, it’ll all be worth it! Who cares how great a crown prince is!”

“Royal or not, I don’t give a damn! Take him down!”

“Tch… You fools! I’ll put you in your place!”

Eric lunged at the men charging toward him. Trained in self-defense as part of his royal education, he was far superior to these mere thugs, swiftly knocking them down one by one.

“Almost there… Hold on, Reina!”

Victory was within reach, but suddenly, a blinding flash of light tore through the back of the school building.

“““““Huh…?”””””

Eric and the men turned toward the source of the light. Despite its dazzling intensity, it was strangely soft, not burning their eyes—a peculiar phenomenon.

“Truly incorrigible… Utterly hopeless.”

The voice belonged to Reina, who was supposed to have been knocked out by the drug. Enveloped in a soaring pillar of light, she floated in the air, her uniform skirt fluttering gently.

“S-Saintess…”

One of the men who had planned to defile her muttered, awestruck by her ethereal form. They had intended to taint this beautiful maiden, but now, for the first time, they truly grasped that Reina was the Saintess. Realizing they had dared to touch an untouchable being, their faces paled dramatically.

“R-Reina…”

Eric, too, was stunned, his face mirroring their shock. He had planned to swoop in like a hero and save Reina. She was supposed to blush and offer him a sweet, melting smile in gratitude.

But… what is this scene…!

Before him was the Saintess, glowing and floating in the air. She didn’t need saving. As the Saintess, she was a being protected by the heavens.

“It seems you all require punishment.”

Reina murmured, raising her right hand before the dumbfounded group.

“O great Goddess, lend me your mighty power. Send forth a valiant warrior to vanquish the armies of demons… Mon Ange!”

Bathed in light, Reina lifted her right hand. From the pillar of light stretching to the heavens, something descended, as if using the light as a staircase—a being with white wings. It was undeniably holy and sublime…

“Kuma!”

“““““A bear!?”””””

It was a bear. Adorned with white wings and clad in majestic armor. Its head was that of a plush bear, its body that of a muscular, winged warrior. A comical, nightmarish, miraculous bear-headed angel appeared, standing protectively in front of Reina.

“A b-bear?”

“No, an angel?”

“An angel bear?”

“I’ve never seen an angel before, but is this what they look like…?”

The thugs and Eric voiced their confusion. Though enemies moments ago, their hearts inexplicably united in bewilderment as the angel, bathed in their perplexed gazes, raised its right hand.

“Kuma kuma!”

In the angel’s right hand was a silver sword, its tip crackling with white lightning.

“To the fools who dare defile a woman, the Goddess’s judgment…!”

Reina glared sharply at the men and declared, prompting a powerful bolt of lightning to shoot from the angel’s sword.

“Holy Lightning!”

This was an attack spell Reina acquired midway through the game’s story. It summoned a guardian angel to strike the Goddess’s enemies—namely, monsters—with lightning.

Its drawback was that it was less effective against non-demonic foes, such as human characters who weren’t inherently evil.

“““““GYAAAAAHHHHHH!”””””

However, it proved devastatingly effective against the fools who tried to defile the Saintess with drugs. Struck by the lightning from the bear angel, the men were charred and collapsed.

“Phew… I managed it just as Clarel-sama taught me.”

Reina nodded with satisfaction, looking at the crater formed behind the school building and the smoldering, charred men.

Listen well. If anyone tries to harm you, strike back without mercy. Humans can sometimes be far crueler than monsters. You don’t need to show compassion just because they’re human! Don’t worry about defeating them!

This was one of the lessons Clarel had imparted during her five years of education. In the game, several events involved villains standing in Reina’s way, and her hesitation to harm them often led to her own injuries or harm to innocent people. To prevent Reina from suffering in this world, Clarel had deliberately taught her that it was acceptable to defeat humans in self-defense.

“Ugh…”

“Ow, it hurts…”

The men struck by the angel’s lightning were still alive, somehow. Divine punishment was just. Since their crime was only attempted, their lives were spared.

“Kuma.”

Incidentally, the angel wielding the sword and casting lightning was not a bear-headed figure in the game. Its bear-like appearance was a reflection of Reina’s imagination.

“Ugh… Wha… What happened to me…?”

“Oh, you were there, Prince Eric…… Ah.”

Spotting Eric sprawled among the villains, Reina’s face twisted into an awkward grimace. Caught up in the moment, she had struck him along with the others. Though Eric wasn’t a direct perpetrator, he had known of the plan and failed to intervene until the last moment, making him a target. Fortunately, his damage was minor. Unlike the others, he wasn’t charred—just left with a frizzy afro hairstyle.

“Um… This is quite a mess, isn’t it, Your Highness! I’ll go get help, so please wait here!”

Reina spoke evasively, hurrying away from the scene. Brushing off the fact that she’d accidentally attacked the crown prince, she fled the back of the school building.

“Reina…”

Watching her retreating figure, Eric clutched his chest. His heart wouldn’t stop racing. Thinking of Reina had always made his chest ache, but now, a new, overwhelming emotion surged within him.

“It’s like I’ve been struck by lightning… Is this true love…?”

He had indeed been struck by lightning, but with half his memory gone, Eric didn’t even realize why his hair had turned into an afro. Thus, Reina successfully fended off the thugs who targeted her chastity, but in exchange, Crown Prince Eric fell even deeper into the quagmire of love.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Hey, is it true that the Saintess was almost attacked?”

“Seems like it. You know, after school yesterday, didn’t you see that weird pillar of light shooting up from the academy?”

“I didn’t see it, but… I heard the Saintess summoned an angel to defeat the attackers.”

“Huh? I heard it wasn’t an angel but a bear.”

“Why a bear!?”

“Who cares about that? The guys who tried to attack the Saintess got expelled.”

“Thank goodness… I’m so relieved Reina-sama is safe…”

“Seriously… I can’t forgive anyone who’d try to harm such a holy figure.”

“By the way… Did you notice the crown prince’s makeover? Why’s he rocking an afro?”

The students at the academy couldn’t stop talking about Reina. Words of praise circulated for Reina, who had summoned an angel to fend off attackers, and… a small handful of chatter about the crown prince’s mysterious makeover.

“Tch… What an uncute woman.”

Overhearing such rumors, a tall, red-haired boy clicked his tongue loudly. His name was Vincent Flame, one of the capture targets and a wild, domineering upperclassman. A year above Reina, he was the son of a knight commander and the academy’s strongest swordsman.

“Saintess, my foot. Just a cocky girl with a pretty face.”

Stomping down the academy corridor, Vincent spat out the words irritably. When Reina first enrolled, he had approached her, only to be promptly shot down. Since then, he’d mocked her as an “uncute woman” while secretly keeping tabs on her every move.

“Still… she almost got attacked, huh…”

Eavesdropping on the rumors as he walked, Vincent furrowed his brow. The thought of Reina being targeted in a place where he wasn’t present gnawed at him inexplicably. He shouldn’t care about her at all. She was just some lofty Saintess, an “uncute woman” who acted superior. Yet… he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He even felt an urge to sprint to the first-year classrooms and confirm her safety with his own eyes.

She’s supposed to mean nothing to me. There’s no point getting involved with an uncute woman like her…

It itched. It irritated him. If he’d been at the scene of the attack, he would’ve beaten every last one of those thugs to a pulp.

Damn it! Why the hell am I so pissed off!? This is all, all that arrogant woman’s fault!

“FUCK!”

“Eek…”

A nearby male student flinched in fear at Vincent’s frustrated outburst. When Vincent glared at him, the intimidated boy scurried away down the corridor.

“Tch…”

His anger didn’t subside in the slightest. Shoving both hands into his trouser pockets, he strode forward, cutting through the air with his shoulders.

“Huh?”

But… from the opposite end of the corridor, a familiar female student approached. Silvery-white hair. Jade-green eyes. Pearl-white skin. It was the Saintess Reina, a peerless beauty.

“…!”

The sudden appearance of the girl he’d been thinking about hit Vincent like an arrow through the chest. Though she’d nearly been attacked, she appeared unharmed. Holding textbooks in both hands, Reina walked with two female classmates, chatting amiably.

“So, Reina-sama, my little brother was…”

“Is that so? Having siblings sounds challenging.”

Engrossed in conversation, Reina hadn’t noticed Vincent yet. His face twisted, and he clutched his chest with his right hand.

Damn it… Showing up out of nowhere like that! How am I supposed to talk to her… I’m not ready yet…!

Panicking, Vincent quickly shook his head, questioning why he was so flustered.

Why the hell am I freaking out!? It’s not like we’re anything to each other!

That’s right… They weren’t anything. He’d only spoken to Reina once when she enrolled. There was no reason to be shaken.

But, y’know, we’re kinda acquaintances, right? Ignoring her when we pass in the corridor would be kinda immature. As an upperclassman, it’s not weird to casually say hi to an underclassman, is it?

Reina approached from the other side of the corridor, about five meters away from passing him. With his heart pounding like a drum, Vincent steeled himself and raised his right hand toward Reina.

“Y-Yo! You’re looking pretty lively, huh!”

“Still, I’m a bit jealous. When I was little, I always wanted a younger sibling.”

“……………………Huh?”

Despite mustering the courage to call out, Reina passed by without so much as a glance, as if he weren’t even there.

“Wha……?”

Unable to process the situation, Vincent froze in place.

“I lived in a town called Eggbell, but… I didn’t have any siblings. I wasn’t very close with my adoptive parents either.”

“…………!”

Hearing Reina’s voice fade as she walked away, Vincent’s mind finally caught up with reality. Realizing he’d been ignored by an underclassman girl, his head boiled with rage.

“H-Hey! You, stop right there!”

“By the way, the teacher for the next class…”

“I said stop, damn it!”

Furious, Vincent stormed toward Reina’s back with long strides, reaching to grab her arm.

“Huh…?”

“…!?”

Reina deftly pulled her arm back, dodging Vincent’s grasp.

“I’m sorry, is there something you need?”

“You… If you heard me, then stop!”

“Even if you say that… I didn’t realize you were talking to me.”

Reina narrowed her eyes suspiciously, looking up at the tall Vincent from below. “Being called ‘you’ by an unfamiliar upperclassman doesn’t exactly make me think it’s directed at me, does it? If you have business with me, could you please call me by my name?”

“U-Unfamiliar upperclassman…?”

“Huh? This is our first meeting… right?”

Reina tilted her head curiously. She didn’t seem to be feigning ignorance—she genuinely didn’t recognize Vincent.

She doesn’t even know who I am… You’ve gotta be kidding me!

Vincent felt as though he’d been struck on the head. True, they’d only spoken once, and he hadn’t even introduced himself. But… he’d been worrying about her safety, and she didn’t even register his existence.

“R-Reina-sama… That’s Vincent Flame-senpai.”

“He’s the knight commander’s son, a year above us. He’s famous for being a master swordsman, you know?”

Reina’s classmates chimed in with explanations. Nodding at her friends’ words with an “I see,” Reina turned back to Vincent.

“So you’re Flame-senpai? Nice to meet you, I’m Reina Laurel… So, do you have some business with me?”

“…………!”

Being formally introduced like that, Vincent’s forehead twitched with a vein. Grinding his teeth, he barely suppressed the urge to yell at her.

Calm down… Getting worked up over a girl is pathetic. Stay cool, stay cool…!

“Y-You… I heard you got attacked by some weirdos recently, huh?”

“It was just an attempt.”

Reina’s eyes narrowed slightly as she firmly corrected him. For a woman, the difference between “attacked” and “attempted attack” was significant and non-negotiable.

“Whatever, details don’t matter! You got into that mess because you’re too careless, aren’t you?”

“Is that so?”

“W-Well, even an uncute girl like you is still my underclassman. If you beg me, I could, y’know, act as your bodyguard from now on.”

“Um… No, thank you. I’ll just take the sentiment.”

“…………What?”

“If that’s all, I’ll be going. I’m in a hurry for my next class—it’s in another room.”

Reina gave a slight bow, turned, and walked away briskly. Her two friends glanced nervously at Vincent before following her.

“H-Hey, wait!”

Face flushing red, Vincent chased after the departing Reina. “I’m the academy’s strongest swordsman, and I’m offering to protect you! What’s with the attitude!?”

“Attitude or not… I don’t see why an upperclassman I barely know needs to go that far for me.”

“Don’t mess with me! Hey, just stop already!”

Irritated by Reina’s retorts without pausing, Vincent reached to grab her shoulder to forcibly stop her.

“Ponpokorin!”

But just before he could, a small shadow darted out from Reina’s uniform pocket. It was a palm-sized stuffed toy, modeled after a foreign animal called a “tanuki.” The tanuki plush scampered up Vincent’s outstretched arm and delivered an uppercut to his jaw.

“Gueh…”

An unexpected blow. The brain-rattling uppercut sent Vincent staggering, his balance crumbling.

“Ah, Senpai…!”

Reina let out a startled cry. Vincent collapsed onto the corridor floor, losing consciousness.

“…!?”

Vincent jolted upright, finding himself surrounded by white curtains.

“W-Where… No, what happened to me…?”

“Oh, you’re awake.”

The curtain was pulled back, revealing a woman in her thirties wearing a white coat. A familiar face—she was the academy’s nurse and a female teacher.

“You passed out in the corridor from anemia, I hear. No serious injuries, but I cast a healing spell just in case. How do you feel?”

“N-No… I’m fine, but…”

“Good. You might’ve hit your head, so if you feel ill later, go to the temple. Now, off you go.”

The nurse waved him away dismissively, her curt attitude grating on Vincent’s nerves. But more than that, something else bothered him.

Anemia? Me, passing out from anemia?

Anemia was the last thing Vincent would associate with himself. If anything, he had too much hot blood coursing through him.

No… That’s not it. I was definitely hit by that thing…!

As expected of the academy’s strongest swordsman. Though mentally immature in many ways, his combat potential was among the best in the story. Even while being knocked out, he’d seared the image of his assailant into his mind.

“A raccoon…!”

“Huh? Did you hit your head?”

“It’s nothing… But have you ever seen a doll this big moving on its own?”

Vincent gestured with his thumb and index finger, indicating a size of about ten centimeters. The nurse shrugged, looking at him with pity.

“…I’ll write you a referral to the temple. Wait here.”

“I said it’s not like that! I’m being serious!”

“That’s why it’s a problem. Don’t worry, I know a specialist for head issues.”

“Don’t start acting all kind now! Damn it!”

Yelling in frustration, Vincent pictured the mysterious “raccoon” in his mind. That thing landed a hit on me… I won’t forgive it. I’ll get my revenge, no matter what! With burning determination in his eyes, he clenched his fists tightly.

From the next day, Vincent began hounding Reina.

“Hey, you! Come here for a sec… Gufuh!”

“Let me talk! That raccoon… Gahah!?”

“Come at me, you bastard… Gohaa!?”

Whenever they crossed paths in the corridor, he’d try to drag her somewhere. He’d barge into her classroom, attempting to pull her outside, insisting on having an important talk alone. But to Reina, there was no way she’d be alone with a rough upperclassman she barely knew.

“…Can you please stop? You’re kind of scary, Senpai.”

“Ponpokorin.”

A small guardian chirped from Reina’s pocket. The tiny stuffed toy was another gift from Clarel, modeled after a foreign animal called a “tanuki.” After the recent incident where she was nearly attacked by some male students, Reina had started carrying this plush imbued with a holy spirit, keeping it hidden in her pocket.

Every time Vincent approached, the tanuki would leap out to fend him off. Sometimes it struck his jaw, other times his stomach… and once, it even kicked him in the groin, knocking him out cold. Despite its small size, the tanuki’s power and speed were top-notch. Only the person being attacked seemed to notice the tanuki, while surrounding students and teachers had no idea what was happening. To them, it probably looked like Vincent was fainting on his own.

As a result, rumors swirled that Vincent might have some serious chronic illness.

“Go to the temple? I don’t have time for checkups! That bastard… I’ll crush it for sure!”

“Crush… You don’t mean the Saintess, do you!?”

“Cut it out, Vincent! Stay away from Reina already!”

Not only the teachers but also the recently restyled Crown Prince Eric reprimanded Vincent for trying to approach Reina. But, ignoring the warnings, he kept charging at her.

“Hey, you! Get over here for a sec!”

“…You again, Flame-senpai?”

Called out while walking across the courtyard, Reina turned around with an exasperated look. There had been persistent suitors back in Eggbell, but none as relentless as Vincent, who kept coming back despite being knocked down repeatedly. She felt no masculine charm in him whatsoever, but she couldn’t help but be grudgingly impressed by his unyielding spirit and relentless toughness.

“Can you just stop already? What kind of grudge do you have against me?”

“Grudge? I don’t have one… I just can’t forgive anyone who makes a fool of me. That’s all.”

“…I don’t recall ever insulting you.”

“Maybe not insulted, but you don’t even see me, do you!? You always look at me like I’m some pebble on the roadside!”

“That’s not my intention… I’m just not interested.”

“See, you don’t even care about me! You and that raccoon bastard, at least show some interest in me!”

Vincent barked, his face contorted with frustration. To Reina, it was baffling why he was so angry with her.

Like Reina, Vincent was born out of wedlock and had been treated coldly by his family. In his harsh circumstances, he honed his swordsmanship relentlessly, proving his worth through skill to establish his place. Because of this, he had a personality that couldn’t tolerate being ignored or treated lightly.

“I won’t forgive anyone who mocks me…! I’ll make you eat your words, no matter what!”

“Kyah…!”

Roaring, Vincent reached out toward Reina. As he lunged at her in anger, she let out a small squeak.

“Ponpokorin!”

But, as expected, he couldn’t touch her. The tanuki plush instantly leaped from Reina’s pocket, aiming a kick at Vincent’s face to protect her.

“Kuh…!”

The kick was delivered at blinding speed, but Vincent instinctively raised his right arm to block it.

“Whoa…!”

However, he couldn’t fully absorb the impact and fell backward onto his rear. This was the first time he hadn’t fainted from the tanuki’s attack.

“A-Are you okay, Flame-senpai?”

“…I did it.”

“Huh?”

“I blocked it! I freaking blocked it! Your attack, you raccoon bastard!”

Still on the ground, Vincent shouted with a triumphant grin. “A strike like a gale, like a thunderbolt… I caught a piece of it! I’ve gotten stronger, so take that!”

“…………”

“I’ll definitely surpass you! Just you wait!”

“Ponpokorin.”

Accepting Vincent’s challenge, the tanuki plush in Reina’s pocket let out a small chirp, as if to say, “Bring it on.”

“…What is this?”

Witnessing this incomprehensible male bravado, Reina looked skyward, utterly bewildered.

◇ ◇ ◇

Two months later.

Despite being approached by Eric, Vincent, and other game capture targets, Reina remained completely unmoved, thriving in her academy life.

“Reina-onee-chan! Let’s play togeth—ow!”

While walking through the academy courtyard, a petite boy tried to hug Reina casually. Though technically a capture target, he was instantly struck by the tanuki plush that intervened, rolling across the ground and crashing into a fountain.

“Good grief… Another noisy day.”

Reina didn’t even know the name of the boy floating unconscious in the fountain’s water. She vaguely recalled him as a classmate who’d approached her a few times, but that was it. He left no lasting impression on her.

“As expected, students are just children. I wish I could brew Clarel-sama’s nail dirt into tea and make them drink it.”

Sighing softly, Reina walked through the courtyard. The mere act of her wistful sigh was so refined that it made nearby students blush.

A renowned poet once said that time apart nurtures love, and Reina was feeling that truth keenly. Three months had passed since she left Eggbell for the Royal Capital. Her feelings for Clarel hadn’t diminished in the slightest—if anything, they’d grown stronger.

The final exams are coming up soon… and after that, summer break. Just a little longer to endure…!

During summer break, she’d return to Eggbell. She’d go see Clarel. The Cardinal and others at the Grand Temple might object, but she was determined to go back.

I want to throw myself into Clarel-sama’s arms soon… take a bath together, sleep in the same bed, and breathe in the scent of Clarel-sama’s sweat…!

“Laurel-jou.”

“…Yes?”

Interrupted mid-fantasy, Reina frowned suspiciously and turned around.

“You’re… Rilays-san?”

The voice came from a male classmate. With refined features and silver-rimmed glasses, it was the intellectual ikemen Will Rilays, another capture target.

“Good day. Do you have some business with me?”

Even though Reina had no interest in men other than Clarel, she could at least match faces and names with her classmates. She responded politely.

“The final exams are coming up soon. I hear you’re quite the academic star, Laurel-jou. You must be confident, right?”

“Well… I’ve been studying for the tests, sure.”

“In that case… how about a competition? Let’s see who scores higher on the final exams.”

Will pushed up the bridge of his glasses, making the lenses glint. “If I lose, I’ll do anything you ask. What do you say?”

“Even if you say that… I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in such things.”

“Oh? Could it be you’re afraid of losing? As the Saintess, you’re supposed to be a role model for everyone, so it’s a bit troubling if you’re not more confident.”

“Even if you put it that way…”

Reina was genuinely perplexed. She’d spoken to Will a few times as classmates, but they had no deeper connection. There was no reason for him to challenge her to a competition or for any rivalry to exist.

“No need to worry. Even if I win, I won’t demand anything from you, Laurel-jou. This is just a playful way to motivate myself for the exams.”

“…Is that so? Then do as you please.”

“Very well. I look forward to a fair fight.”

With another glint of his glasses and a sardonic smile, Will walked away.

“Um… Reina-sama, are you alright?”

As Will left, a few female students rushed over.

“Did Rilays-san say anything harsh to you?”

“No… nothing particularly harsh.”

“I see… That’s a relief.”

The girls sighed in relief at Reina’s response.

“But… he’s a bit of an odd one, isn’t he? What kind of person is he?”

“Rilays-san is the son of the Prime Minister. He’s incredibly studious and is said to be a candidate for the next Prime Minister.”

“Apparently, he passed the royal palace’s civil service exam with a perfect score while still a student. They say he’ll serve His Majesty as a bureaucrat right after graduation.”

“I see… So he’s quite accomplished.”

Reina nodded thoughtfully at the girls’ explanations.

“But… his personality isn’t exactly great.”

One of the girls made a sour face. “Once, I asked him for help with something I didn’t understand in my studies, but he said things like, ‘You can’t even solve a problem like this?’ and ‘I don’t have time to deal with people who can’t keep up.’”

“Oh, I get it. I saw a girl crying after he said something similar to her.”

“No matter how smart he is, that arrogance… It’s best to steer clear.”

“…Is that so?”

Reina sighed, glancing in the direction Will had gone. It seemed she’d caught the attention of a troublesome person.

Really… Why are there so many people like that around me? If only I had Clarel-sama, that would be enough…

No matter how many boys her age gathered, they couldn’t hold a candle to Clarel. Shaking her head in exasperation, Reina turned away.

“Reina-sama, would you like to study for the exams together after this?”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.”

Turning her back on reality, Reina walked away from the courtyard.

It worked… Now I can face Laurel-jou head-on in a real competition…!

“Heh, hehehe…”

Walking down the school corridor, Will let out a stifled chuckle. He had long wanted to compete with Reina academically. When he first saw her at the entrance ceremony, he was captivated by her flawless beauty. Still, he initially dismissed her as just a pretty face, blessed with otherworldly beauty by divine favor—a girl who was merely lucky.

But… I was wrong. Laurel-jou isn’t just beautiful—she’s intellectually perfect too…!

Being in the same class revealed that Reina was exceptionally bright and high-achieving. It wasn’t just her excellent memory or ability to score high on tests. During debates, she’d approach problems with astonishing perspectives, demonstrating a clear gap in ability compared to those around her.

I’ve always wanted it… A rival who can stand toe-to-toe with me. Someone chosen, who can see the world from the same perspective as me…!

Will Rilays was a born genius, smarter than most. He never forgot anything he saw, and he could solve any problem in half the time it took other kids his age to do so. Even his father, the Prime Minister, was merely “better than average” in Will’s eyes. To him, everyone around him seemed like monkeys. As a result, Will had no friends, enduring a lonely existence, stacking stones in endless darkness.

But… I’ve finally found her. My equal. Someone with a mind that towers above others…!

Will was certain. Reina was his kindred spirit, standing on the same lofty plane as him. She was the one he’d waited sixteen years to meet, the person who could fill the void in his heart.

I already know… So hurry up and realize it too! That I, Will Rilays, am the one destined to stand by your side…!

He would win the upcoming final exams against Reina, no matter what. If he did… surely Reina would see it too. That Will Rilays was her equal, a worthy partner.

“Hehehe, hahahahaha!”

“Eww…”

“Creepy… What’s that guy laughing about…?”

Oblivious to the strange looks directed at him, Will laughed gleefully.

And so, the day of the final exams arrived. While all the students tackled the exams, Will was burning with more determination than anyone.

Here we go. I’m going to beat Laurel-jou, no matter what…!

Will furiously filled in his answer sheet. Normally, he breezed through tests with ease, but it had been a while since he felt this fired up. While stoking his competitive spirit, he took care to avoid mistakes, double-checking his work after solving every question.

This question, that question… All of them are weak, weak, weak, weak! Every problem is a cinch. A hundred percent correct is guaranteed!

He’d prepared thoroughly for the exams, more obsessively than ever. He’d memorized the entire textbook and even analyzed the tendencies of the teachers who made the tests.

It’s perfect… Even if Laurel-jou gets a perfect score too, it’ll be a tie. There’s no way I’ll lose…!

Will was certain of his victory. The boy who’d tasted loneliness due to his overwhelming talent had found a rival in Reina Laurel and threw himself into the exams with unprecedented seriousness. All to show Reina his brilliance. To prove to his first true rival that he was her equal.

And… A few days after the exams ended, the results were posted in the corridor.

─────────────────────────────────────
First-year Final Exams
1st Place　Will Rilays　500 Points
2nd Place　Reina Laurel　492 Points
・
・
・
─────────────────────────────────────

Facing the expected results, Will clenched his fist triumphantly.

I won… It’s my victory…!

“That’s incredible… Rilays-kun got a perfect score!”

“Reina-sama is amazing as always, but… as expected of the Prime Minister’s son. Impressive.”

“They say even the Prime Minister is in awe of his talent. He’s the only one fit to support Prince Eric’s reign as the next Prime Minister…”

Classmates around him spoke words of awe and admiration for Will’s perfect score.

I’ve shown these mediocrities the difference in our caliber… Now, where’s Laurel-jou…

Scanning the crowd, Will spotted Reina a short distance away. Like the other students, she was looking at the exam rankings posted in the corridor. Her face showed no emotion, but Will assumed she was quietly grappling with her defeat.

Well then… Shall I, as the victor, offer a few words?

With a smug grin, Will approached Reina. He’d praise the second-place Reina for her effort, receive her congratulations in return, and they’d vow to keep pushing each other to greater heights, shaking hands to affirm their status as equals meant to stand side by side.

“Hehehe…”

Puffing out his chest, Will raised his right hand toward Reina.

“Hey, Laurel-jo…”

“Reina-sama!”

“Guheh…!”

Just as he was about to speak, someone shoved him aside. His frail, unathletic body was pushed to the edge, nearly crashing into the wall.

“Y-You… What are you…!”

“Thank you so much, Reina-sama! Thanks to your tutoring, I made it into the top twenty!”

“Me too, Reina-sama! Now I won’t bring shame to my family!”

“I was so worried my father, a civil servant, would scold me for ranking low. Thank you so much!”

Classmate girls swarmed around Reina, showering her with gratitude.

“W-What… What’s going on?”

Will blinked in confusion at the scene. The answer came from other students nearby.

“Oh, didn’t you hear? The Saintess was tutoring the girls in our class.”

“She must be busy with her duties at the temple, but she still made time to hold study sessions.”

“It’s amazing. Not only studying for herself, but also helping others? I could never do that.”

“What… did you say…?”

Will felt as if he’d been struck on the head. While he had been studying relentlessly to beat Reina, she had been teaching her classmates.

She wasn’t even trying to beat me… No, she wasn’t competing at all…?

“Reina-sama, let us treat you to tea as thanks for helping us study!”

“We’ll prepare snacks too. Come on, let’s head to the terrace!”

“Oh, I’ll take you up on that. Since the finals are over, shall we have a tea party with everyone?”

Reina was surrounded by her friends.

Will had thought Reina could understand the loneliness of being a genius, the emptiness that plagued him. He had believed she, too, was a solitary figure, standing at the pinnacle with no one to understand her.

But… why does she have so many friends around her?

Will was stunned. He had thought Reina was like him. Alone. That’s why he believed they could be equals, filling each other’s loneliness…

Was I the only one who was alone…?

“It’s nice weather today. I’m sure it’ll be a fun tea party.”

Without sparing a glance at Will, who had slumped against the wall, Reina left with her friends. She had probably forgotten about their so-called competition entirely.

“I was wrong… I was lonely because I never tried to reach out to anyone.”

The loneliness of being a genius. Will had indulged in that lofty phrase, shutting out those around him. If he had opened his heart and accepted others, perhaps he, too, could have been surrounded by people like Reina was.

“Laurel-jou…”

Gazing at Reina’s back with a wistful look, Will bit his lip tightly.

◇ ◇ ◇

Having cleared the final exams, Reina and her friends sat at a round table on the terrace, holding a small tea party.

“By the way… summer break is coming up soon.”

“Do you have any plans to go somewhere, Reina-sama?”

Her friends sipped tea and nibbled on cake, asking about her summer break plans.

“If you don’t have any plans, why not come to my family’s estate? It’s a summer resort with the sea and mountains—perfect for enjoying the season.”

“Sorry, but I’ve already made plans for the summer.”

Holding a teacup, Reina replied apologetically. “I’m planning to go back home for the break. I’ll be returning to my hometown, Eggbell.”

“Is that so… That’ll be lonely.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you delay your plans just a bit? I got tickets to a famous play in the Royal Capital…”

“Hmm… It’s a kind offer, but I’ll have to decline. I want to get back to my hometown as soon as possible.”

“Oh, is there some special reason?”

“…………”

To her friend’s curious question, Reina’s lips curved into a crescent-shaped smile. A radiant yet chilling smile, reminiscent of frost in the dead of winter. The deep, intense emotion in it sent a shiver down the spine of the noble girl sitting with her.

“R-Reina-sama…?”

“Recently… it seems some bugs have been buzzing around my precious person.”

“B-Bugs…?”

“Yes, bugs.”

With a beautiful yet terrifying smile, Reina stated calmly. “I’ve been diligently swatting them away. Helping a lover go missing in a boating accident, supporting a forbidden romance across social classes, or giving divine guidance in dreams to help someone pursue their dream of living for work. But… just recently, it seems a rather large bug has popped up, so I need to hurry back. I want to go back, I want to go back, I want to go back so badly, I can’t stand it…!”

Reina stabbed her fork into the cake with a loud crunch, as if plunging a blade into the body of a hated enemy, her eyes gleaming with the dark intensity of a yandere heroine.

“His Eminence the Cardinal may oppose my return, but… I’ll go back no matter what. No matter what.”

“““…………”””

Her friends’ faces stiffened. What had happened to the usually flower-like, butterfly-like Saintess? They were dying to know, but they sensed something they absolutely shouldn’t pry into.

“W-Well… you know…”

“S-Summer does bring out the bugs… Gotta be careful…”

“We’ll look forward to seeing you after the break…”

“Yes. Please take care of yourselves too, everyone.”

“““Yes…”””

Seeing Reina return to her usual gentle smile, her friends breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief.