Chapter 4: The Death of Low Profile

Sigh…

“As such, you all, as members of Lichten Academy…”

Sigh…

The lecture began, and the professor entered to start the orientation.

But the other students’ gazes were fixed on me and Sofia.

“Ehe?”

If you’re talking about the most prominent student in this academy right now, it’s probably the girl sitting next to me.

Not even listening to the lecture, just staring at my face.

“Hehe.”

A prodigy who reached the rank of Sword Expert at a young age, with the potential to become the youngest Sword Master.

A rising star of the continent and the only daughter of the republic’s leader.

Poke

This girl, poking my cheek with her finger…

Honestly, it’s absurd that the sole daughter of a nation’s leader, one of the major powers shaping the continent, would even attend the academy.

Sending a daughter who could be in danger due to the rivalry with the empire to a place like this?

Even if Lichten Academy is neutral, doesn’t that defy logic?

But this novel, Eclipse, resolves that logic with Sofia’s overwhelming strength.

Who would’ve thought a first-year student could defeat an academy professor in a duel?

Even if it’s not actual regression, her physical prowess last night—sneaking into and out of my room—makes sense.

Of course, it was just a dream, not real regression.

Thank goodness I sat in the back.

Even now, with me in the last row, students are craning their necks to gawk at me and Sofia.

If I’d sat in the front, every move I made would’ve been scrutinized.

It’s not just about being the center of noble gossip.

That faction scheming within the academy might take an interest in me too.

If I’d built up more strength, I could handle their attention, but right now, it’s a problem.

“Phew…”

“Ah, you startled me!”

Suddenly, Sofia leaned in and blew into my ear.

I almost yelped but managed to swallow it.

“W-What are you doing, Sofia?!”

“Hehe… Are the other students’ stares bothering you that much?”

She just grinned at me.

“They don’t bother me at all. The only one who can make me self-conscious is you, Bisus.”

This girl… was she always like this?

At this point in the story, wasn’t she supposed to be colder, more rigid?

“Sofia.”

“Yes?”

“Call me Sofia. You’re the only one who can call me by my name.”

She paused, then added, “Oh, right. At this point, Father’s still alive. I can introduce you to him.”

Her cheeks flushed, which was so out of character.

…This is unbelievable.

Am I hallucinating?

Sofia, who never once blushed until the novel’s end, is blushing so easily?

What kind of dream did she have?

“S-Sofia…”

“Drop the formalities too. We’re that close.”

“…That’s—”

“Do it.”

“Alright.”

She smiled brightly, satisfied with my low murmur.

In Eclipse, she didn’t even smile when her arc ended.

Is this really the Sofia I know?

“By the way, I heard the saintess visited your room last night.”

She spoke to me casually, ignoring the professor droning on at the front.

…How does she know that?

The saintess came long after Sofia left.

“What was that about?”

Her voice, usually warm, suddenly felt cold.

Was that my imagination?

“Late at night. What reason could the saintess have to visit your room?”

“She said she sensed something… impure.”

“Impure?”

Probably because of Sofia’s visit.

But I couldn’t say that outright.

For some reason, I felt like admitting that would mean I wouldn’t see tomorrow’s sunrise.

“Yeah, she said she detected something impure in my room. That’s why she came to purify it at night.”

Not the full truth, but based on truth.

“Hmm…”

Sofia cupped her chin, looking skeptical.

As if she was trying to gauge whether my ridiculous story was true.

“You have a habit of looking slightly upward when you lie.”

What?

I have that habit?

How does she know?

“…But your eyes were a bit ambiguous, so I’m not sure. I thought I knew everything about you.”

She smirked.

“But you wouldn’t lie about something like this. I remember you swearing to protect only me. You wouldn’t betray me for another woman.”

Phew…

Did I dodge that bullet?

But, to be clear, I didn’t do anything!

It’s not even cheating! I’m not involved with either of them!

“However, if you ever deceive me and cheat…”

Crunch

The desk crumpled like paper under her grip.

“Then I’ll have to crush your peanuts and retrain you as my personal pet.”

Her words didn’t sound like a joke at all.

Lichten Academy, Headmaster’s Office

“Why not?!”

“As I’ve explained, the academy’s course schedules are set before the semester begins. That’s why course registrations are finalized in advance. Changes to a student’s courses after the semester starts are rarely permitted.”

Saintess Artoria stood in front of someone’s desk, arguing.

Her target was Beatrice, the headmaster of Lichten Academy and a sage.

Despite looking like a 10-year-old girl, she was a genius who reached the 8th Circle of magic, an academy alumna.

“But I heard you can change courses during orientation week in unavoidable circumstances!”

“That’s correct.”

“Then can’t I change my courses?”

“Well…”

Beatrice felt a headache coming on.

When she heard the saintess of the Holy Kingdom and the daughter of the republic’s leader were enrolling, she knew this year would be tough.

Even though the academy hosts highborn royals, having two continent-shaking figures enroll was unprecedented.
She’d been thinking of retiring after this year…

And now, one of them, the saintess, barged in demanding to change her courses.

To take classes with some student named Bisus Granginol.

“As I said, it’s only for unavoidable circumstances—like issues with the professor or conflicts with peers. Not just to take classes with someone you want to get close to!”

Requests to change courses to be with a crush were common.

The students were young, hot-blooded, and often highborn.

It’s natural, but granting every request would disrupt the academy’s order.

That’s why such requests were always denied.

Thankfully, the students who made such demands were usually suppressible by the academy’s authority.

Highborn royals wouldn’t stoop to asking for course changes over a crush, right?

So why is it the saintess? Why her, of all people?

“It’s not like that!”

Not like that? Your face screams lovestruck maiden.

“My lord husband is already my destined partner, chosen by Deus. We’re already close…”

Artoria blushed, twisting her body shyly.

Ugh, what a mess.

“Anyway, unless there’s an unavoidable reason…”

“No, really, you can’t!”

Fine, whatever.

Do what you want.

Beatrice brushed off the saintess and ushered her out of the office.

Phew.

Time for a break…

Bang

“Headmaster! Emergency!”

Her assistant burst through the door.

“What emergency? Can’t you see I’m resting? Who said you could barge in without knocking!”

Do I need to discipline the staff now too? Tsk.

Why is everything so stressful lately?

“It’s… it’s…”

“What? Spit it out.”

“The imperial princess…!”

“The princess? What about her?”

Wasn’t there talk about her coming to the academy next year?

“The princess is at the academy’s front gate right now!”

…Oh, Deus help me.

I need to quit this headmaster job.