The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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Stephanie looked at Georg.

Georg also looked at Stephanie.

They both understood, perhaps all too painfully, the necessity of this tedious task, even though it had already been agreed upon beforehand.

“Who did worse?” and “Who will take responsibility?”

The reason why figures in black clothing surrounded them in silence from a distance was precisely this.

A raven trial.

They gathered those who needed to be held accountable, made them sit, let them slander each other while confessing their sins, and once emotions had swept through them and they spilled all their hidden information, the ones in black clothes who served as both jurors and judges would then decide the sentences.

At that point, if one side was judged to be more at fault, part of their sentence would be transferred to the other side.

This malicious method was rather well-known as a trial technique in noble society.

“…Field Supervisor. There have been consistent statements from the examinees that you did nothing when the beasts attacked the exam site. How will you explain this?”

In the heavy atmosphere, Georg seized the initiative first.

“I was tracking the demons. Since they were roaming the exam site and summoning beasts, it was necessary to eliminate them as a priority.”

As she spoke, Stephanie presented evidence. Photos of dismembered bodies beyond recognition and a bag containing a burst, twisted heart.

“…As you can see, I successfully killed the demons. However, it took quite a long time, and because of that, I couldn’t lead the examinees at the scene.”

She proclaimed the truth as if showing off to the crowd far away.

Of course, it was a bright red lie.

“Excellent job capturing the demon, Miss Stephanie. However, it’s quite regrettable that you prioritized demon elimination over the safety of the examinees. I never expected such a poor decision from a wise student like you.”

With Georg’s attack completed, it was now Stephanie’s turn.

“If the safety mechanisms had worked properly, I wouldn’t have needed to guide them. I made that judgment on the premise that the safety mechanisms were already activated. Given the unprecedented breach of beasts during the exam, isn’t it a correct call to summon all examinees immediately?”

“That’s true. Hence, we immediately halted the exam and gathered all students.”

“Then, you activated the mandatory summoning feature of the safety mechanisms, didn’t you? Am I right?”

“Yes, just as you said, that function was activated, and all the examinees from the west exam site returned immediately except for a few. The safety mechanisms in the east exam site failed to activate, which is why this mess occurred.”

“Failed to operate based on the area… Surely, it can’t be attributed to the designer’s lack of ability. After all, Georg, who was a member of that hero party, designed it personally.”

“That is correct.”

“Then why didn’t the safety mechanisms in the east exam site work?”

“Circuit damage due to mana. If it had been any normal mana, it could have held up, but there was such dense mana that it felt like the demon itself had descended upon the east exam site.”

Countering Stephanie’s attack, Georg pulled out a stack of documents and threw them onto the table.

“The analysis results of the soil and air quality from the east exam site, along with the data left by the medical team while treating the examinees. Here, take a close look.”

As he said that, Georg levitated each document into the air, placing them before the eyes of the figures in black clothing.

“The analysis detected levels of mana that humans could not withstand. At such levels, it would be sufficient for a human to turn into a demon within minutes. In fact, there are several examinees suspected of mana erosion or demonization, causing significant challenges for the medical staff treating them.”

“Indeed. In such an environment, it’s no surprise things would break down. Everyone knows that mana contaminates magic. It’s rather impressive that even the tracking function remained operational. Thanks to that, all have been found without any missing persons.”

“Exactly.”

Pretending to attack while cleverly defending each other, they had finished their points and looked around.

Some were busy typing away, wearing expressions of frustration, while others remained expressionless, calmly determining right from wrong.

Though no one spoke it aloud, they all understood.

It was a success.

—

While such things hadn’t occurred near us, apparently, the number of dead was countless.

It wasn’t in the triple digits, but combined with those who were disabled, about one and a half had vanished, making it a palpable reality.

…I hope the kids in my class are okay.

Though we were strangers, if I had gone to class and found a somber atmosphere with a flower placed on one desk, I think I would feel quite sad.

“What do you mean you don’t know how the class is doing?” you might ask. The reason is that academy was closed for a week after that incident.

I can’t say it was a blessing, but at least I got to enjoy my weekend.

If the exam had proceeded normally, I would have had to camp out over the weekend and go straight back to class the next day.

That weekend would have been just rolling around on my bed anyway.

If I were to make excuses, being an outsider and experiencing such a major adventure should be enough reason to stay out.

Dokan had also returned yesterday and was utterly exhausted, lying around like a rag doll.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had sprawled on this bed so comfortably since coming to the academy.

“…Yawn.”

Lately, I hadn’t had much time for myself either.

During the weekdays, I had to help the kids with their question sheets, and on the weekends, I was off running around with Dokan.

…Except for what happened by the river. I didn’t mean it in that sense.

Just when I thought I could stretch out lazily for a while, someone knocked on the door as if to say I shouldn’t be resting.

Who is it, being a nuisance? I wish they would take a hint and leave me alone.

“…You awake?”

Since it was a voice I had never heard before, I felt no need to respond.

I ended up waking up for no reason. Just as I was about to get irritated, something plopped in through the mail slot on the door.

Oh. What’s this? A letter for me?

There shouldn’t be anyone coming. It can’t be a tax notice or anything like that.

If it were from my hometown, it would only be my parents, and that wouldn’t work since I have my diary for that.

A week ago, my mother said that my father was still at war, so it can’t be from him either.

Come to think of it, I had told my mother everything except for what happened by the river during the athletics exam, and she seemed pleased, so that seemed like enough.

I did show Dokan some cool moments, so I guess that’s right…

…But really, who is this from?

All I felt was anxious thoughts. It could be a crazy stalker’s letter or something weird. Just when I thought about that, I saw the sender’s name, and I sighed without meaning to.

Stephanie.

I felt bad for putting her off for a month, but at this point, it would be nice to let it go.

“Ugh.”

But as I tore the letter open and skimmed through it, it was different from what I had imagined.

Freshmen! Since there was a big incident, I’m throwing a party to cheer everyone up, so if you want to join, come!

That was the content.

…

Wait, are they really planning to throw a party when someone has died?

I don’t quite get nobles, but if I had to understand, I guess it’s something like, “Even in tough times, a smile brings blessings…” or something like that.

Nope, not going.

If Stephanie had sent this wanting to meet me one-on-one, I would’ve gone just out of guilt, but since it was just thrown out to many people like this, my absence wouldn’t be noticed.

Although it’s just six days from now, I’m still not going.

Instead, I’ll just hang out with Dokan or do nothing and laze around.

Of course, right now I needed to wake up that guy Dokan and head out for breakfast.

With the way he was snoring like a chainsaw yesterday, I figured he wouldn’t stir until one or two without me.

I could wear casual clothes instead of the uniform, but if I were the only one in Eastern-style clothing, I thought it would stand out too much, so I just wore my uniform.

Besides, it’s way more comfortable.

Now, naturally, when Dokan opened the door, he was sprawled out asleep in the exact same clothes from yesterday.

“…Wake up.”

I tickled his nose with my tail, and Dokan sneezed grandly as he woke.

“Who… Ah. Ho-Yeon… Is it already breakfast time…?”

This idiot seems to have started seeing me as the one who tells him when it’s time to eat.

While I was looking at the mess of his room with disdain, I noticed a familiar letter near the entrance.

Since Dokan was still half-asleep, I thought it might be the same letter I received, so I checked, and it was indeed.

Not a single character was off.

…Hmm. Then Anya might have received it too.

Thinking back, I had never partied with friends throughout my entire life.

If not for this opportunity, when would I ever get to do something like this? The thought of going with the three of us didn’t seem bad at all.

“Ho-Yeon, that letter you’re holding, isn’t it for me…?”

“Yep.”

“…Why were you looking at it…?”

Isn’t that something friends can do? It’s not important, just a letter that was tossed to everyone.

“It’s no big deal. Just wanted to check if that annoying girl sent a letter to invite the freshmen to a party, and it was confirmed.”

“Annoying… girl? Lemme see that.”

“Here.”

Dokan’s expression, which still seemed to be wandering in a dream, grew increasingly serious as he read the letter.

“…This is from Stephanie!”

Why is he making such a fuss again?