Published: December 19th 2024, 6:29:06 am
An Unexpected Turn of Events
This is an unforeseen situation.
Just when I thought things were going well, to realize I was actually disliked—what a shock.
But what really piqued my curiosity was Craig’s relationship with Connie.
Professor Craig had his arm around Connie’s shoulder, and she didn’t seem to mind.
A teacher at the academy being that close with a student?
Could it be… a forbidden romance!?
Is Connie the type to be drawn to such scandalous situations?
… Wait.
I need to stay calm.
It’s not time to panic just yet.
I must find a way to recover before the ball.
Should I steal Connie away from him?
… No, that would be far too crude.
Besides, that kind of tactic wouldn’t inspire genuine loyalty.
I have no need for subordinates who are loyal in appearance only.
I need people who will revere me from the depths of their hearts, who will work tirelessly for me without hesitation, finding joy in their service.
Without that, they wouldn’t truly qualify as devoted retainers.
Stepping back gracefully might be the more honorable choice, but I simply can’t bring myself to let her go.
Her mana and her talent for handling magic ore are far too valuable to give up.
Letting things stand as they are isn’t an option.
—Besides, I don’t think I’m completely out of the running.
This is absolutely not just sour grapes.
It’s because of how Connie looked when she learned Craig had come to the workshop.
For just a moment, her face stiffened, as if silently asking, "What are you doing here?"
And the timing was suspicious too—Craig visited the workshop immediately after Connie turned down my dance invitation.
"… Lucina."
"Yes."
"Keep an eye on Craig Beckart."
"Why him?"
"He might be threatening Connie for some reason. Otherwise, there’s no way she’d refuse my invitation at that moment."
It’s a rather forceful assumption, but someone like Lucina is perfect for handling this kind of logic.
"I see. Indeed, in this world, no one would dare refuse Master Lake’s invitation. It’s only natural to assume there’s something deeper at play. I’ll investigate immediately."
See?
She accepted it with some outrageous reasoning of her own.
It’s a relief, though—I just need her to take action, no matter the justification.
◇◇◇
Lucina shadowed Professor Craig, gathering as much information as she could.
Her efforts were so thorough that they bordered on stalking, but thanks to her persistence, she uncovered a shocking plan Craig was orchestrating right here at our esteemed academy.
Time was running out before he could put it into action, but this was my chance to flip the situation.
In the meantime, rumors of my rejection by Connie had spread throughout the academy, turning me into a laughingstock.
Honestly, this was a blow to my ambitions of forming favorable ties with the nobility, but I can always rebuild my reputation in due time.
For now, I came up with a strategy to break through this predicament.
To execute it, I commissioned Lucina to craft a specific item.
"Can it be finished in two days?"
"One day will be enough."
"Good. Then finish it in one day."
"As you command."
The preparations seemed to be coming together.
However, the opponent is a teacher specializing in magic.
It’s possible he’s laid his plans so carefully that he left no obvious traces.
Until the item is completed, I’ll conduct some investigations myself to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Alright, time to turn this situation around. Let’s make this a comeback for the ages.
----------
[Interlude] My Hero
I have almost no memory of my childhood.
When I came to my senses, I found myself crying in front of a church.
Everything before that moment was completely gone.
The only thing I remembered was my name: Connie Lyle.
Where I was born, who raised me—everything I should have known was wiped away.
The people of the church, who took in someone like me with no past, earned my deepest gratitude.
To avoid any suspicion about my circumstances, they even altered my story, saying I had been abandoned at the church as an infant.
When it was later decided that I would attend the Royal Academy due to my unusually high mana, the sisters who had cared for me all wept with joy.
The other children living at the church also celebrated, saying they wanted to follow in my footsteps and attend the academy one day.
The admissions officer, Mr. Craig, even said, "If you work hard, I'll see what I can do to help other church children get into the academy as well."
I was overjoyed.
For the first time, I felt like I could truly help someone else, despite having been useless for so long.
If I could prove myself at the academy, I could become a beacon of hope for others.
Knowing firsthand the prejudice faced by orphans, I wanted to pave a way for all the children to follow.
That was why I resolved to assist Mr. Craig in his research.
So, though it pained me deeply, I declined Young Master Lake's invitation.
I truly wanted to dance with him.
But even if he wasn’t technically a noble, his family was of distinguished lineage.
Someone like me, raised in such a different world, had no right to presume to enjoy his company.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder: why did Mr. Craig visit the workshop at that exact moment?
This wasn’t the first time.
Whenever I spent time speaking with someone, Mr. Craig would appear as if out of nowhere and call me away to assist with his research.
Was he… watching me all the time?
Even if he couldn’t do it himself, it would be possible to use a familiar to keep an eye on me.
“Excellent… simply excellent! Magnificent!”
This was Mr. Craig's lab, tucked away in one corner of the central school building.
While he usually taught history of magic, his true expertise was in magic pharmacology.
His lab was stocked with a variety of potions, all of which he had personally created.
At the moment, he was grinning in satisfaction after measuring my mana.
“I’ve never seen numbers like these before. The academy’s investment in enhanced facilities has truly paid off.”
Muttering to himself, he scribbled notes onto a piece of paper on his desk.
“Um, Mr. Craig…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“May I go now? I really need to return and work on my assignments.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
But Mr. Craig stepped closer, his gaze turning unsettlingly strange.
His eyes weren’t focused, and his breathing had become disturbingly heavy.
It was the kind of look you’d expect from a ravenous predator eyeing its prey.
“M-Mr. Craig?”
“Before you go back to the dormitory… how about doing me one more favor?”
With that, he reached for my uniform and ripped it apart, buttons flying everywhere.
Even my undergarments were torn, leaving me scrambling to cover myself with my arms.
This reaction seemed to excite him further, his heavy breathing growing more audible.
“With such a luscious body, you’ll be perfect for easing my research fatigue.”
“N-no!”
I struggled desperately, but against the strength of an adult man, I was powerless.
As I began gathering my magic to defend myself, I realized he had already anticipated this.
“Are you sure you want to defy me?”
“W-what?”
“For years, I’ve overseen admissions to this academy. Do you understand what that means? I could make sure not a single child from the church ever gets admitted again.”
“Th-that’s…”
“What a shame. All you’d have to do is endure this, and the others could’ve had a brighter future.”
“Ah… no…”
The depravity of his words left me speechless.
This… is the reality of this world?
The strong take whatever they want, leaving nothing for the weak?
Does that mean orphans like us can never find happiness, no matter what?
Without status or power, even finding work after graduation would be impossible unless you excelled academically or earned the favor of the right people.
I finally understood.
This world is unforgivingly cruel.
“Ah, you’ve finally grasped the situation. I admire intelligent students.”
My spirit broke, and I ceased resisting.
At the very least, I refused to see his smug face, so I shut my eyes tight.
I’m sorry, Young Master Lake.
Just knowing that people like you exist among the elite was a small comfort.
“Well then, let’s get started—”
Before he could lay a hand on me, a loud crash echoed from the entrance to the lab.
“What!? What’s going on!?”
Mr. Craig’s voice was panicked and shaken.
“Impossible… how are you here!? That barrier spell was impenetrable, especially for someone who can’t use magic!”
Magic? No magic? Could it be… but how?
“Even as an extracurricular activity, this is taking things too far, Mr. Craig—or should I say, Mr. disgusting pervert?”
“Y-you dare speak to a professor like that!?”
“Are you saying this act qualifies as education? Perhaps I should share the recorded footage and audio with the Headmaster and other staff, and let them decide.”
That gentleman, who shouldn’t be here… Young Master Lake stood at the shattered doorway he kicked open, calm yet imposing.
Beside him was his maid(?), Miss Lucina.
“W-what do you mean, recorded footage—wait, no! You can’t mean…!”
“Exactly. You should be aware of the effects of the crystal in my aide’s hands, right? Now, surrender.”
“Guh!?”
That crystal… a magic tool that captures both sound and movement?
I saw it at the workshop… I see. Young Master Lake must have found Mr. Craig’s conduct and gaze strange at that time, and prepared it to expose his evil deeds.
Amazing.
He planned so far ahead, gathering undeniable evidence to present to the academy.
No matter how influential Mr. Craig’s connections were, this would be inescapable.
“You’re safe now, Connie. Leave the rest to me.”
He offered me his jacket, covering my shoulders, and smiled.
That smile, so pure and unwavering, convinced me of one thing.
This man will become a great hero someday.
----------
The Three Great Houses Make Their Appearance
It was great to have invited Connie to the ball, but now a new problem had surfaced.
It was about the dress she would wear.
While a young lady of noble birth might have several dresses to choose from, that wasn't the case for her.
However, I had already anticipated this.
After all, I had gathered all the necessary information about Connie before enrolling.
—But here, an unexpected complication arose.
Her figure had grown significantly (mainly her chest) beyond what my prior research suggested, and the dress I had prepared no longer fit.
With Lucina's help, she tried on the dress in the academy's fitting room, but every attempt ended in failure.
At first, I was overwhelmed with a mix of astonishment and delight, thinking, "She's still growing, huh..."
But I quickly regained my composure, realizing this was no time for such feelings.
Without a dress, she couldn't attend the ball.
This was a golden opportunity to make our Gallard Company known to many young nobles.
I couldn’t let it slip away.
But contacting my father now would be too late.
"I'm so sorry, Young Master Lake... My growth hasn't stopped since about a year before entering the academy... Even my undergarments need frequent replacements, so lately, I've been forcing myself into them..."
Connie confessed her growth struggles tearfully.
This was beyond her control.
In fact, as someone who prefers larger chests, I found it a joyous development.
… But still, this was a real problem.
At this rate, we would have to decline attending the ball.
To think such a pitfall awaited us!
"Oh my, is there some trouble?"
As I fretted, a voice called out to me.
One of the female students had entered the fitting room, accompanied by numerous maids.
It was an unexpected person.
"! Lady Tricia."
The moment I saw her face, I instinctively stiffened.
Standing before me was Tricia Heartland, a senior two years above me and Connie, and the young lady of the Heartland family—one of the Three Great Houses, wielding immense power in this country.
Moreover, she was the student council president of this academy.
What made her even more remarkable was that she was the sole decision-making member of the student council.
Apparently, she rejected others from joining, preferring to manage everything exactly as she wished.
The academy respected her wishes.
As an educational institution, one might question such an approach, but in this world, her preferences prevailed.
If this were my previous life, it would have undoubtedly caused a massive social media uproar.
The trending tag would surely be "One-Woman Student Council President."
That said, her resolve was impressive.
Tricia herself possessed qualities that made her a potential pawn in my plans.
Convincing someone from one of the Three Great Houses wouldn’t be easy.
But she would be worth the effort.
In any case, Tricia Heartland was someone one must not cross or displease within the academy.
The fact that she could have so many attendants when most students were allowed only one already marked her as extraordinary.
Judging by the dresses her maids carried, she had likely come for a fitting as well.
Although the ball was primarily a welcoming event for first-year students, as the student council president, she would likely attend to give a greeting.
Still... her beauty lived up to the rumors.
The tear mole beneath her right eye added an air of allure.
Intelligent, a master of both swordsmanship and magic, and with a remarkable family background.
There's a saying, "Heaven does not bestow two gifts," but seeing her makes that feel like a complete lie.
Among the students, she’s rumored to be the reincarnation of a goddess, and it’s not hard to believe.
Tricia, with her long blue hair tied back, seemed to grasp the situation with a single glance at us.
"Could it be that the dress doesn’t fit?"
"You-You can tell just from looking—"
"And you have no replacement, correct?"
"Y-Yes."
Tricia cut me off and continued the conversation herself.
I had heard the rumors, but her presence was truly overwhelming.
It became clear why she was considered the most difficult to deal with among the Three Great Houses.
Yet, upon learning the reason for our predicament, Tricia took an unexpected course of action.
"If you’d like, I could lend you one of my dresses."
"““What!?”””
A shocking proposition.
"I have over two hundred dresses with me at the academy, and I’ve already decided what I’ll wear tomorrow. You’re free to choose from the rest."
"But we couldn’t possibly—"
"Are you concerned about the difference in our status?"
Once again, she interrupted me.
She wasn’t wrong, so I let her continue without objection.
"Unlike other events, tomorrow’s ball is a once-in-a-lifetime experience during your academy years... To miss it over something trivial and regret it forever would be heartbreaking, even for me as the student council president."
An exemplary answer.
Though whether it was her genuine feeling remained uncertain.
After all, she belonged to one of the Three Great Houses, full of quirks.
At the same time, she was someone I wanted to find a way to bind during our time at the academy.
Given that, rejecting her goodwill outright wasn’t wise.
She had approached us willingly; I couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.
"Connie, let’s accept Lady Tricia’s kindness."
"I-I understand."
Though tense, Connie chose a dress, then entered the fitting room with Lucina to try it on.
I was left behind with Tricia and her numerous maids.
… This was completely her turf.
As I tried to ease the heavy atmosphere with some conversation, she struck first.
"I’ve heard about your recent encounter with Professor Craig. They say it was a brilliant maneuver."
"That was just luck."
"You’re too modest. —Though I do have one point of curiosity."
Her gaze sharpened instantly.
"Professor Craig was researching magic at this academy. He must have realized how damaging it would be for his position if the incident became public. He likely tried to capture you—or perhaps even used offensive magic to eliminate you."
Tricia drew closer, almost within earshot, before delivering her pointed question.
"How did someone without any means to counter magic manage to repel Professor Craig?"
Her interest lay there.
The truth was, I had defeated Craig’s magic thanks to my magic gun.
But I had no intention of revealing its existence yet.
The magic gun was poised to become the flagship product of my trading company.
I couldn’t risk it being copied by other merchants.
In this era, concepts like patents and copyrights didn’t seem to exist.
"Winner takes all" held even truer here than in my previous life.
That’s why, until mass production was secured, I intended to use it sparingly.
While I would love to show it off, I had to hold back for now.
There would be plenty of opportunities to unveil it later.
Losing profits due to impatience wasn’t an option.
Given that I had already lost my cards in the underground arena and against the Beckart family, I needed to be more cautious.
—So, I had to deceive her here.
"At that moment, I acted on instinct and don’t remember much. I must have tackled him before he could use magic. It was pure luck."
Craig had already been expelled, making it hard to track him down.
The lack of his testimony worked in my favor.
"I see... I’d love to have a proper chat with you over tea sometime."
"To be invited to tea by the lady of the Heartland family is an honor beyond my station. I’d be delighted to join you."
Just then, Connie emerged from the fitting room wearing the dress.
I showered her with praise, expressed our gratitude, and quickly left the room.
Tricia Heartland—what was her real motive in approaching us?
----------
[Interlude] The Lady’s Schemes
"… Was I too forceful?"
She murmured, staring at his back as he fled from the fitting room.
Lake Gallard.
His family runs the Gallard Company, which boasts the largest market share in the country.
Their extensive information network and supply chains have even led the nation to entrust them with "special missions" as a means of handling unsavory tasks.
What his father does could be called a necessary evil.
The operation of a state sometimes requires more than just clean and upright measures.
However, if it were revealed that the royal family was directly involved in such activities, citizens unaware of the details might lose trust in them.
No matter how sincerely it is explained, suspicions cannot be fully erased.
That is why entities like the Gallard Company are indispensable.
Since even before the current king ascended the throne, they had maintained a close relationship.
Out of a desire to help, Robert Gallard willingly took on the role of the dirty hand.
Perhaps even his son, Lake Gallard, is unaware of this.
But eventually, he too will inherit that path—to be one who sullies himself in the name of upholding justice.
Signs of it are already beginning to show.
Thus, despite being a commoner, he is a man of immense utility.
That is my straightforward evaluation of him.
However, the recent rumors about him paint a picture far removed from that of a villain.
The destruction of an underground fighting ring that even the Knights Order and Magic Corps could not handle.
And now, the exile of Craig Beckart from the country.
If he were truly the successor to the infamous merchant, he wouldn't have acted to eliminate these two highly valuable opportunities.
Moreover, Connie Lyle becoming attached to him was entirely unforeseen.
A commoner with extraordinary aptitude as a mage.
It was she who forced the academy to create a special slot, disregarding its usual concern for appearances.
Additionally, she is likely one of the rare survivors of “that facility”.
If that’s the case, she may have compatibility with what has long been considered a legend.
… Though, based on my conversations with her, she doesn’t seem aware of it yet.
At the very least, the academy’s upper echelons must have recognized it and allowed her to enroll.
The Beckart’s family’s foolish son nearly ruined everything, but once again, Lake Gallard saved the day.
Still, why did he approach Connie Lyle?
Pure coincidence?
No, that seems far too convenient.
Could it be… because she’s his type?
—No, that’s absurd.
He’s not the sort to be driven by such base desires.
… But it’s frustrating.
Originally, I should have been the one to invite Connie Lyle to the ball and slowly groom her with care.
All of this is because of that incompetent, perverted professor.
And then, there’s that maid he brought along as his caretaker—I find her intriguing.
I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before, yet I can’t clearly recall where. It’s unsettling.
Still… what is that man planning?
A hero trying to save the masses?
Does he seriously intend to reform this corrupt world?
Or is he merely gathering talented individuals to make an easy fortune?
… Surely, he isn’t that shallow.
If his priority were profit, he could have manipulated the underground fighting ring’s manager into selling the weapons his company produces or used Craig’s weaknesses to blackmail the Beckart family.
Well, it doesn’t matter either way.
To me, that man’s existence is insignificant.
If he dares to interfere with my plans, I’ll deal with him accordingly.
Should he resist, I’ll crush him mercilessly under the name of the Heartland family.
"I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s ball."
For now, I shall calmly watch from my vantage point above it all.