Episode 22
“Everyone understands, right?”
It was past the time when all students should have returned to their dormitories.
However, the student council meeting room, which should have been dark, was brightly lit.
Access to this room was strictly prohibited without the Student Council President’s permission, but Aroa possessed a spare key.
A key provided by her father, Duke Greenton.
Gulp—
No one dared to speak after her declaration.
Some nervously swallowed, while others eagerly nodded their agreement.
“I’ll take that as a unanimous decision. From this moment forward, anyone who speaks to or associates with Yurius de Elliot or Basilia Lupin will face consequences from the Greenton Dukedom.”
The proportion of female students at the academy was exceptionally low.
This allowed Aroa to leverage her family name and exert her influence.
“B-But Lady Greenton, what if this reaches the Student Council President…?”
“My dear, have you forgotten that you are under my supervision? Dustin agreed to this arrangement.”
Juggling his duties as an Imperial Knight and Student Council President, Dustin was perpetually short on time.
Unlike his predecessors who wielded absolute authority, he delegated power within the student council.
Thus, he readily granted Aroa, the sole female council member, control over the female students.
From his perspective, Aroa was competent and kind.
“Don’t worry. The Greenton Dukedom will take full responsibility, no matter what happens.”
Despite Aroa’s reassuring smile, the assembled noblewomen understood the truth.
If things went south, she would abandon them without hesitation.
However, they had no choice but to comply.
Refusal meant facing the same fate as Yurius de Elliot and Basilia Lupin.
“Yes, Lady Greenton. We will do as you say.”
Their responses were unanimous.
They knew that being ostracized by this small but influential group of noblewomen would make their lives at the academy unbearable.
“Good. I expect the noblewomen of Class 1-A to handle their assigned tasks effectively.”
After exchanging farewells with Aroa, the noblewomen departed one by one.
Alone in the brightly lit meeting room, Aroa wore a sinister smile.
‘This will ensure no other woman approaches Dustin. They’ve learned their lesson about what happens to those who disobey.’
This was Aroa’s warning, not just to Yuri and Basilia, but to all women.
“I’m tired. Time to head back.”
She switched off the lights, locked the meeting room door, and turned to leave, completely unaware of the shadowy figure observing her from the darkness.
***
Dawn broke, and it was time for everyone to head to the academy.
Celia, having spent the night engrossed in her research, decided to drop by her classroom before returning to the dormitory.
She immediately sensed a strange, unsettling atmosphere.
Normally, she wouldn’t have cared, but she keenly noticed the disdainful glances directed at Yuri’s empty seat, her half-closed eyes widening in suspicion.
‘Something’s fishy about those girls.’
She had no interest in people, finding even acknowledging their existence bothersome. However, when it concerned Yuri, things were different.
“Excuse me, Lady Marina.”
“Celia.”
“Ah, yes, um… Lady Celia. It would be wise to distance yourself from Lady Elliot.”
“Nonsense.”
“Otherwise, Lady Aroa will be furious! Your territory won’t be safe either!”
Despite feigning concern for Celia, their eyes betrayed their mockery.
“I don’t care about Aroa or Aloe or whatever her name is. And I have no interest in your petty family feuds.”
For now, Yuri seemed unharmed.
However, a nagging sense of unease crept into Celia’s mind.
“Lady Aroa is the youngest daughter of the Greenton Dukedom. Someone you insignificant nobles can’t afford to cross!”
“Are you done with your self-introduction?”
“Ugh! We warned you! Whatever happens, it’s your responsibility!”
Celia paid no attention to their pathetic attempts at intimidation.
She assumed Yuri would handle them effortlessly, but there was always a possibility…
‘Master is too kind, too naive.’
Yuri might forgive them and let them off the hook.
Celia resolved to keep a close eye on those girls.
If they crossed the line, she wouldn’t show any mercy.
‘First, I need to go to the dormitory and wake up sleepyhead Master.’
The sharp glint in Celia’s eyes softened as she thought of Yuri.
That’s the effect Yuri had on her.
A calming presence, steadfast and worthy of respect.
While the mere thought of someone targeting Yuri put her on edge, she pushed those thoughts aside and headed towards the dormitory, her body weary from a sleepless night of research.
***
Once again, I’m jolted awake by Celia’s morning call.
She bangs on the door so loudly.
I’m starting to suspect she requested a single room just so she could wake me up like this.
“Ugh, alright, alright. I’m up, I’m up…”
I fling open the door in my pajamas, only to find Celia standing there, wearing the same outfit as yesterday.
“Sleepyhead.”
“I didn’t wake up that late. Why are you still wearing yesterday’s clothes? Did you pull an all-nighter?”
Judging by her cheerful demeanor, she must have been engrossed in her research all night.
Celia was always in a good mood after a night of working in the laboratory.
“Let’s have breakfast before those annoying…”
“Master Yuri! Are you awake! You look charming even in your pajamas!”
“Master, did you cough?”
“Ugh.”
Celia spits on the ground as if she’s witnessed something disgusting, while Dustin and Lia ignore her as usual.
Dustin initially tried to argue with her, but he learned he could never win a verbal spar against Celia.
“I’ll be out after changing. Wait a minute.”
Breakfast is important.
For Koreans, food holds a special significance.
I close the door, take a quick shower, change into my academy uniform, and head back out.
“Your messy hair is charming today too!”
This girl finds me charming no matter what.
Save those compliments for Dustin, you idiot!
“Let me fix it for you.”
I let Celia do as she pleases.
Ugh, I could really use some more sleep.
Food or sleep…
That is the eternal question.
But no matter how much I ponder it, these guys always show up around this time, leaving me with only one option: food.
“I’ll style your hair tomorrow, Master!”
“That’s my job.”
“No, I have a style I want to try!”
“It’s my job.”
“Just let me try it once!”
I don’t understand why they’re arguing over my hair, but hey, I’m not complaining.
I’m grateful for Celia’s help. I have no idea how to style women’s hair, so I would probably always look like a mess without her.
And bringing maids to the academy is forbidden.
I know it’s supposed to be a place of freedom and all, but that’s a bit much, isn’t it?
“I want to style Master’s hair too…”
“Focus on your own hair.”
He’s suggesting to style my hair when his own is a mess.
“Hey, Lia. Can you fix his hair? We can’t let the Student Council President go to school looking like that.”
I subtly nudge Lia, having decided to support her relationship with Dustin.
“Hmm, I’ve never styled men’s hair before.”
But this airhead always misses the point.
I’m spoon-feeding her, but she still needs everything chewed and digested. It makes me wonder what I’m even doing.
“It’s alright. I’ll manage.”
“No, but… Ugh, whatever. Do as you please.”
There’s no point in force-feeding her, so I sigh and head towards the cafeteria.
“I’m considering repeating a year so I can be in the same grade as Master.”
“Student Council President, please stop saying ridiculous things.”
“Please call me Dustin.”
Ugh, this annoying guy.
“I want to be in the same class as Master too!”
Lia wants to transfer classes, even if it means grabbing the teacher by the collar and shaking him, while Celia wears a smug smile, proud of being in the same class as me.
This is a complete mess.
Why do they like me so much?
I’m not as amazing as you think!
“Ugh, you guys are exhausting. Let’s just eat, eat!”
I shovel a spoonful of food into my mouth and chew aggressively. They finally quiet down, but they’re still staring at me with adoring expressions.
I swear, I’m going to choke…
“Just get back to your own classes!”
I manage to finish my meal without choking.
Maybe I’ll get used to this eventually.
At least I get some peace and quiet once those two leave.
“Let’s take a walk before class.”
“Oh, are we going to observe the plants in the academy? It’s been a while since we last strolled together.”
We used to take walks in the garden at the Elliot estate.
Those were good times.
Unlike the others, Celia is quiet and reserved, so there’s no risk of noise pollution.
A bit too quiet, actually.
“Master.”
“Yeah?”
I’ve grown accustomed to the title, and my stomach is full.
And we’re completely alone.
My voice is slow and relaxed.
“You should be more cautious of people.”
That’s an uncharacteristically Celia-like statement.
It sounds like something my mother would say.
“What are you talking about?”
“Just be careful.”
She doesn’t elaborate, simply urges me to be careful, and then walks towards a tree, seemingly communicating with it.
This girl is so strange…
But did I really come across as that naive?
Well, I guess befriending Lia, who spouted that nonsense about me being Dustin’s girl, could be interpreted that way.
But she’s the next Saint.
And she genuinely didn’t seem malicious or hostile.
“Celia, is something wrong?”
As expected, she doesn’t answer.
I shrug, relieved that she’s back to her usual self.
***
“It would be much easier if we could get Celia on our side.”
“But I find that Celia girl unsettling.”
“True, she’s quite eccentric.”
“But she’s recognized by the academic community, isn’t she?”
While Yuri and Celia enjoyed their stroll, the female students of Class 1-A gathered by the window, observing the two.
“Well, all we have to do is follow Lady Greenton’s orders.”
“It’s okay to do this… right?”
“How would anyone know it was us?”
The front door of Class 1-A, still deserted.
Knowing that Yuri and Celia were always the first to arrive, the girls were setting up a trap, smirks playing on their lips.
“Targeting Celia is basically the same as targeting Lady Greenton.”
“So it’s okay to bully her too, right?”
“Hohoho, of course.”
Aroa’s instructions had awakened the demons lurking within them.