At Celestine Crocus's appearance, Rodele clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Celestine. Don't interfere!"
"What you're doing is violence! Do you intend to be punished right at the start of your enrollment!?"
Celestine came walking over, her heels clicking sharply against the classroom floor.
Celestine's entrance was later than the other students'... but she had most likely been speaking with the faculty about the incident at the entrance ceremony.
"Count Dora's son! Can't you hear me telling you to let go!?"
"............Hmph."
When Celestine issued her sharp command, the large man in Rodele's entourage—a burly bald fellow who seemed to go by Dora—released his grip.
Rest landed on the floor and observed the situation.
(Lady Celestine was this idiot prince's fiancée, wasn't she... As his fiancée, maybe she can put a stop to his rampage?)
"Your Highness Rodele, you were assigned to Class D, weren't you? What business do you have in this class?"
"...Class D is beneath me."
In response to Celestine's question, Rodele answered with obvious irritation.
"Me being in Class D is wrong. The injustice must be corrected. Don't get in my way, or I won't forgive you."
"This is the result of a fair and rigorous examination. What exactly do you have to complain about?"
"I scored 200 points in marksmanship! I'm telling you I exceeded the passing line!"
"Indeed, I've heard that Your Highness's practical examination results were quite outstanding. However, you left your written exam answer sheet almost entirely blank, didn't you? Shouldn't you be grateful that you were able to enroll at all, even in the lowest class?"
"You...!"
Rodele's expression twisted.
At the same time, a stifled burst of laughter could be heard from somewhere in the classroom.
"—!"
When Rodele glared, the Class A students all looked away in unison.
"Normally, Rodele Highness's grades wouldn't even reach the passing line. The only reason you were able to enroll was out of consideration for the Queen Dowager and the consort. If you have complaints about the class placement, why not study hard enough to move up to a higher class on the final exam?"
"You want me to resign myself to the lowest class for four months... You dare say that to me, when you're my fiancée?!"
"It's precisely because I'm your fiancée that I'm telling you what's right. Or perhaps... you lack the confidence to earn good grades on the final exam?"
"You—!"
Rodele's face turned bright red as he lunged at Celestine.
Celestine didn't move. Whether it was because she was too slow to react in the sudden moment, or because she deliberately intended to expose herself to Rodele's violence— ([Freeze]) The one who moved in her place was Rest.
Using magic without being noticed, Rest conjured ice beneath Rodele's right foot just as he stepped forward.
"Ngh!?!"
"Ah—"
Stepping on the ice just as intended, Rodele slipped and lost his balance.
Rest quietly reached out, grabbing Celestine's arm and pulling her toward him, and at the same moment Rodele tumbled forward with a thud.
"Guh... aaah...!"
"Th-Your Highness! Are you all right?!"
"H-Highness!"
The two lackeys hurriedly rushed to Rodele.
Unable to even break his fall, he plowed headfirst into the floor, slamming his face hard against it.
"Bwah!"
"Fufu, ahahaha!"
In an instant, involuntary laughter burst out from every corner of the classroom.
Comedy is all about tension and release.
Laughter rose from all around at the sight of a prince who had tripped on his own just when things were getting tense.
"Kuh... Y-You...!"
Rodele staggered to his feet and glared at the students of Class A... but blood was dripping steadily from his nose, and not a single person was intimidated by that sight.
"Y-Your Highness! We need to get you to the infirmary right away!"
"Eek, b-blood, aaaah!"
"D-Damn, you low-born scum..."
With those parting words from a thug, Rodele was ushered out of Class A's classroom by his two lackeys. The classroom was further enveloped in laughter.
"Um... What was all that commotion about?"
"Rest?"
Viola and Primula tilted their heads as they returned to the classroom.
Behind them, Yuri was blinking repeatedly, looking just as puzzled.
"Ah... I'll tell you about it later when I get the chance. More importantly..."
The clock on the wall clicked forward, and the pre-class bell rang.
"It's time for guidance to start. Shall we hurry to our seats?"
Rest smiled wryly and urged them to take their seats.