Chapter 5: The Girls Who Dreamed of Me
“The academy… a nostalgic name.”
The imperial princess, Claudia, was steeped in reminiscence.
That day, I met him here.
I thought he was just a capable student.
Someone who could help me surpass my brother and seize full control of the empire.
…Did I only see him as a tool back then?
Not once did I treat him as an equal.
Who could’ve imagined he’d meet such an end?
After ousting my brother and taking the empire, my vision clouded.
I grew displeased with him.
It was because of him that I won the empire, because of him that I defeated the republic and conquered the continent.
Because of him, the empire functioned, because of him, everything was possible.
But I didn’t see it.
Foolishly.
Until the very moment he was cast aside.
Even on the day he was discarded and died, he thought of the foolish, incompetent empress who cast him out.
A girl who didn’t deserve such concern…
But everything will be different now.
The gods have granted me this second chance.
This life, I’ll live to repay him.
“Your Highness, the Princess.”
A small girl appeared before her, bowing.
If he saw her, he’d probably say she was cute enough to hug and twirl around.
But within that youthful appearance was Beatrice, the aged sage and headmaster of this academy.
“No need for formalities. I’m the one who should apologize for coming so suddenly.”
If you know that, why barge in?!
Beatrice wanted to shout but forced a bright smile instead.
“It’s fine. The academy is supported by the empire, after all.”
“And by the republic as well.”
“That’s…”
“Don’t mind it. I’m not here for political matters.”
Then why are you here?!
The princess was embroiled in a struggle with the crown prince over the empire’s succession.
She shouldn’t have time to visit the academy.
“There’s a student I’m interested in.”
“A… student?”
Beatrice had heard Claudia was gathering talent to overpower the crown prince’s faction.
Wasn’t she supposed to attend the academy next year?
Coming here just for one student?
Considering the crown prince’s reaction, that doesn’t seem like a smart move.
I can’t figure this woman out at all.
“Bisus Granginol.”
The name Claudia uttered made Beatrice’s brow furrow.
Bisus? The same student the saintess wanted to take classes with?
He’s just an ordinary, lucky kid with nothing remarkable about him.
Why is the princess so interested in him?
“Your expression says you know him.”
Oh, was it that obvious?
“I’d like to meet that student. Can you arrange it?”
“Well…”
Arranging a meeting is no big deal.
Who’d refuse when the princess herself requests it?
The saintess or the republic leader’s daughter might, but aside from those odd cases, anyone would come running.
The real question is why him.
Is there something I don’t know?
Beatrice was perplexed.
Had her instincts, honed over years of observing students, grown rusty?
“Please. I’ll personally increase the academy’s funding this year.”
“No, there’s no need for that!”
The Iron-Blooded Princess Claudia, acting like this?
Beatrice grew increasingly curious about this Bisus.
“Come inside. I’ll call the student over the broadcast.”
Beatrice sent a broadcast summoning Bisus to the headmaster’s office, served tea to the princess, and seated her in the VIP area.
A long time passed, but Bisus didn’t show.
“Headmaster, why isn’t he here?”
Known for her stoic demeanor, Claudia’s trembling hands and dilated pupils betrayed her intense panic, noticeable even to Beatrice.
“Is he disappointed in me? Should I run to him and beg for forgiveness…?”
Am I seeing this right?
The princess, acting like this over a boy?
Who the hll is this Bisus?!
Is he casting some kind of hypnosis magic?
Knock knock
“Headmaster, it’s Bisus Granginol.”
“Ah!”
Hearing the male student’s voice from outside, Claudia took a deep breath and adjusted her appearance.
Even the Iron-Blooded Princess was still a young girl in her prime.
No one else must have seen her like this.
I need to erase this from my mind, especially since she’s likely to become the next empress.
“Come in.”
“Understood. Come in, Student Bisus.”
Beatrice nodded to Claudia and called out loudly.
Creak
The door opened, and Bisus entered the headmaster’s office.
Arm-in-arm with another female student.
“Haha… sorry, Headmaster. I meant to come alone, but my friend insisted on joining…”
Bisus gave a wry smile.
Ugh, seriously?
I called him for the princess, and he shows up with another girl?
What kind of guy…
Wait a second.
That girl looks familiar.
…Oh, sht.
“Haha, Headmaster, sorry about this. He’s my precious one, you see. I’m his protector, so I couldn’t let him come alone.”
Why Sofia di Lubelion too?
Beatrice was utterly bewildered by the scene.
“…So why is the imperial princess here? I thought the headmaster had business with our Bisus.”
Sofia’s face twisted upon spotting Claudia in the room.
“Sofia di Lubelion? What business do you have with my Bisus?”
Claudia’s face, which had brightened at seeing Bisus, darkened upon noticing Sofia trailing behind him.
“My? That sounds odd. This guy is my Bisus.”
Sofia pulled Bisus close, wrapping him in her arms.
Boom
The temperature in the headmaster’s office plummeted, and the surrounding mana began to surge.
Oh, fck.
Even as an 8th Circle mage, Beatrice couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the standoff between these two young women.
“Hah. No connection? As expected from a republic country bumpkin, no manners.”
What?! The princess is only 6th Circle!
Why is her spatial dominance stronger than mine?
Is this level of mastery even possible at their age?
Beatrice could only gape in shock beside the two regressors.
No way, even Princess Claudia?
Bisus was horrified for a different reason.
Did all three heroines dream about me? That’s impossible.
Even if the others did, why is Claudia, who should be in the capital, here?!
She shouldn’t even know my name!
Crack crack
The clash of their auras began to splinter the walls of the headmaster’s office.
Bisus, startled, looked to Beatrice, but she was frozen, unable to move.
Headmaster, why so useless?! You’re 8th Circle! Do something!
Crack crack crack
Bisus realized things would go south if this continued.
It wouldn’t be surprising if a proxy war between the republic and the empire broke out right here.
Caught in the crossfire of two transcendent beings, I’d be reduced to a bloody mess!
He knew he had to do something.
Anything.
But what could I do without even securing the hidden pieces yet?
What can I do?!
Argh!
Bisus dashed between the two girls, turning his back to Sofia and spreading his arms wide.
“Bisus?”
“Bisus…?”
To Sofia, it looked like he was protecting her, and she was touched.
To Claudia, it seemed he was shielding Sofia from her, and she despaired.
Bisus mouthed something to Claudia.
Let’s meet later.
It was a desperate attempt to delay their confrontation and escape the situation.
Seeing this, Claudia regained her composure.
Of course. He wouldn’t abandon me!
This must all be for my sake!
“Hmph. That’s enough for today.”
Claudia withdrew her aura and left the headmaster’s office.
“Phew…”
Bisus collapsed in relief.
“Bisus! My Bisus!”
But Sofia rushed forward and hugged him.
“Wah!”
“As expected, you’re the only one for me! To think a weakling like you would try to protect me!”
Weakling stings, even if it’s true.
“Uh, Sofia.”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“I need to use the bathroom.”
The tension fading, Bisus suddenly felt an urgent need to pee.
“Oh, sure! Go ahead!”
Tap tap
“Phew… I thought I was gonna die.”
Bisus ran to a bathroom farther away and stood at the urinal.
Trickle trickle trickle
Man, I really thought I was done for.
Why the heck was the princess there?
And with Sofia, of all times!
“Bisus, I understand what you meant. You wanted us to meet here, right?”
Fck, I nearly jumped out of my skin!
Claudia’s voice came from behind, startling him.
He barely avoided splashing himself, suppressing his reaction with superhuman restraint.
Princess, this is the men’s bathroom!
Hastily fixing his pants and turning around, Bisus saw Claudia.
Her face was completely flushed, her hands cupping her cheeks.
“It’s been so long… my beloved Bisus…”