I Became an Academy Counselor

Stella exuded confidence.

She said she wouldn’t fall under hypnosis.

Even if she did, her personality wouldn’t change.

…Well, I didn’t particularly want to refute that.

She really never changed her mind no matter what.

‘Yes.’

Even if she lost the imperial succession battle and her fate became unknown.

Stella’s final fate was never properly revealed.

It just ended with a description of the world moving on as if the person named Stella had never existed.

Users could only speculate about Stella’s end.

Maybe she was killed by a prince after losing the succession battle.

Or perhaps she was locked away in some secret room.

There were even stories that she might have been sold into slavery. Because of her personality that would break before bending, Stella’s fate became unknown.

“That spirit is certainly admirable, but…”

Of course, I didn’t dislike the personality itself.

It’s what completes her character, after all.

Someone who passionately likes Stella as a character would probably respect that aspect of her.

…But that wasn’t what I wanted.

Of course, I knew well that this was her true self, and that she would hate it if I forcibly tried to correct it.

If I just restored her consciousness now, she would probably shout:

What on earth are you doing? Don’t do such things to me.

She might even find it horrifying.

If she somehow noticed this situation, she might really try to kill me.

“Now, Stella. From now on, repeat what I say.”

“I repeat…”

“You start to suddenly notice the good points of people you didn’t pay attention to before.”

“…”

“Repeat after me.”

“I start to suddenly notice the good points of people I didn’t pay attention to before…”

Still, I didn’t want to stop.

What I want is a happy story without tragedy for the characters I like.

Even if I have to use somewhat forceful methods, if there’s no other way…

Then I won’t hesitate.

I’ve always liked happy endings.

I want to throw out depressing tragedies and have everyone reach a happy conclusion.

I want the characters I liked to experience a youth filled with laughter and happiness, not blood and tragedy.

Not because they want it, but because I want it.

So, even if they don’t want it, I don’t care.

This is my goal.

“That’s right. You don’t want to use your ability on anyone except those you’ve acknowledged. I’m not trying to deny that.”

“…”

“Then, how about becoming someone who can acknowledge others, even for small things?”

Most of her problems stem from the fact that she doesn’t acknowledge most people. Unlike other playable characters, her personality alone is the issue.

She’s not the type who’s trapped by past incidents or showing problems due to unavoidable circumstances.

But if I openly adjust that personality, someone might notice something strange.

This is counseling. Nothing should change dramatically.

For the sake of the students, and for my own sake.

Like how drizzle soaks into clothes, it needs to seep in slowly and surely.

“It’s okay if you can’t find anything. You just need to take one more look at others, that’s enough.”

“…Yes.”

“Good. That’s all for today’s counseling.”

I smiled gently as I tapped Stella’s forehead once.

A change that’s not big, but definite.

As such changes accumulate, someday she might become an empress loved by all.

I’d like to see such a scene with my own eyes.

That’s what I thought.

“…?”

“Don’t fall asleep, Stella. Do you remember what I said?”

“Um, umm…?”

Maybe it was the shock from when I tapped her head.

Stella tilted her head blankly as if she couldn’t understand what had happened.

Everyone always reacts like this when the hypnosis wears off.

But there’s no need to worry.

Soon, she’ll modify her own memories according to the hypnosis I’ve set, and come to terms with it.

“Don’t belittle others. And make sure to apologize properly to the principal. Understood?”

“Ah, I understand…”

“Good. Then, that’s all for today. It would be nice if you came to the counseling room whenever you have time.”

“What, what?! I’m normal! I don’t need any more counseling…”

“It’s the principal’s orders.”

“…Urgh.”

That’s a lie.

The principal never gave such an order.

She only said one thing. Fix the princess’s rotten mindset.

…Well, I don’t think her personality is rotten, but still.

Anyway, Perhaps because she had already heard a plausible story?

Stella’s mind seemed to have changed her memories and come to terms with it on its own.

“Ah, I understand… That old ha-“

“Ahem.”

“…If it’s the principal’s words, I have no choice.”

‘Mm, good.’

The principal would be satisfied to see this rebellious girl properly calling her ‘principal’.

Even if Stella were to ask why she gave such an order, she would probably let it slide.

That’s just the kind of person she is.

…Alright. Let’s try one more thing.

“Then, shall I give you some homework before your next visit to the counseling room?”

“What? Wait, I never heard anything about-“

“Give someone a compliment once a day. Easy, right?”

“H-How dare you give such a thing to me, a princess…!”

“Well then, I’ll be going now. See you next time, Your Highness.”

Slide.

I bowed my head slightly to indicate I had nothing more to say and left the principal’s office.

Now, what will happen?

I started to look forward to what was to come.

How will the people around her react?

Imagining the expressions of those around the princess as she suddenly starts going around complimenting people, I couldn’t help but chuckle after walking a short distance.

“…What’s with you, teacher? Why are you laughing so suspiciously there?”

“Ah, Orca… Suspicious? That’s rude.”

“You were laughing really suspiciously, you know? Anyway. Let’s go back to the counseling room quickly. Light the incense.”

“…”

“What are you doing? I’m sleepy. I’m going to sleep… Look, I washed up. That’s good enough, right?”

When did she leave the counseling room?

Orca started urging me to return to the counseling room, showing me her hair that wasn’t even properly dried.

Where did that gloomy look from earlier go?

Her childlike appearance as she pestered me, saying she was sleepy, seemed no different from a young child.

…It seems Orca hasn’t noticed yet.

The fact that she fell asleep during the practice match.

Is it because she’s an insensitive person that she hasn’t realized it wasn’t the incense that relieved her fatigue?

Well.

I’m not sure about that.

One certain thing is that Orca seems to have become much more comfortable.

To think she would sleep soundly with someone next to her when she’s suffered from insomnia her whole life. Even a person from the church who had always looked at her with suspicious eyes stayed beside her.

It was something that should have been impossible originally.

But it happened. Thanks to hypnosis.

Surely, a sense of ease has started to grow in Orca’s heart.

…It can’t be wrong that she’s able to sleep comfortably now.

I smiled at Orca, who was looking at me with a sulky expression.

“Always saying you’re sleepy. Sometimes I really wonder if you’re not actually a child.”

“…What are you saying?”

“Should I hug you? Do you want some milk?”

“What are you saying! Shut up!”

“Hehe.”

***

Charlotte’s POV

“…Your Highness, what are you doing there?”

“…”

“If you have something to say, just say it. This isn’t like you at all.”

I was perplexed as I looked at Stella, my childhood friend.

I thought she couldn’t hesitate when she had something to say, always being so assertive. Wasn’t she in high spirits just the other day after winning the competition, even though there was no reward?

…I thought that would last at least a week.

What’s going on?

I started to worry as I watched her.

It’s not common for my childhood friend to show such an appearance. For the confident princess to be reluctant to speak.

What could it be? What’s happening?

…Surely she hasn’t discovered a secret organization plotting to overthrow the empire?

I wanted to believe that wasn’t the case, but seeing my childhood friend who had lived confidently all her life worrying like this made my expression grow serious as well.

“What on earth is going on? I’ll listen if you’re okay with me.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. What are friends for? Even if my father isn’t as powerful as yours, he still has some influence, so he should be able to help with most things.”

“…”

Even though the ducal family and the imperial family are outwardly in opposition, there were ways I could indirectly help her through my connections, if not directly.

What could have happened to make her worry like this?

As Stella seemed to have made up her mind and swallowed hard before looking at me, I started to feel tense as well.

What kind of story is she going to tell me?

“You, you’re so kind today too!”

“…Pardon?”.

“As expected of my childhood friend! That kind nature, I can truly say you’re someone I acknowledge!”

“?”

“Well then!”

I stared blankly at the retreating figure of my childhood friend who had disappeared in a flash. What just happened? I couldn’t understand the event that had just occurred at all.

It took a very long time for me to realize what my childhood friend had said by piecing together the words that had just come out of her mouth.

…Did she eat something wrong?

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TL CORNER:

I apologize about so many errors from chapter 16 – 17. The problem with chapter 18 was it was accidentally got put into chapter 17. I’ll post chapter 19 today as well. I’m really sorry! I’ll improve myself as I go on with posting since this is my first translation work :< – Mhoki