This is the story that takes place before Libia and Anje head to the Alzel Republic.
Leon and the others are studying abroad, and the academy is busy changing its policies.
Libia is guiding a student from a commoner background who just enrolled, showing them around the academy.
She’s holding a file with a black bound cover, hugging it with both hands as she leads the way.
Libia looks nervous.
“Th‑this is the school building. Your classes will be held here. Basically, the teachers will come to the classroom.”
Instead of moving to a teacher’s classroom, the teachers come to the classroom and teach. It’s a high‑school‑style system.
A stylish student with his hair swept to the side asks a question to the nervous Libia.
His name is Pierre. Yeah, Pierre. Not the Pierre from the Republic.
“May I ask a question, senpai?”
“Yes, uh…!”
“Thanks. Then—”
Libia’s nerves stem from the fact that they don’t share the same commoner background.
Libia comes from a remote island, while they’re from wealthy merchant families in the royal capital.
“—You free later? Want to grab a bite together?”
At Pierre’s smooth invitation, Libia forces a strained smile.
“I‑I’m engaged, so I can’t. Sorry.”
Pierre looks disappointed.
“That’s a shame. I didn’t know you had a fiancé, sorry for being forward.”
Pierre’s family runs a major trading house, so when the academy accepts regular students, they’re a quick connection.
They’re a merchant family that also rubs shoulders with the nobility, and they’re older than Libia.
The new students are a mixed‑age bunch because they were gathered on short notice.
While everyone chuckles, Pierre shrugs his shoulders.
In the midst of this, a young man watches Libia.
His name is Aaron.
He lets his black hair flow back, his uniform a bit disheveled, giving off a delinquent vibe.
“Smooth talker, huh… And an engagement, too—”
Aaron glances at Libia’s chest, where she’s clutching the bound cover, and gives a small grin.
“Reincarnated into a fun‑looking other world. A little fun wouldn’t hurt, right?”
Libia continues her explanation.
“That’s all for today’s tour. It’s a modest welcome party later, so please come.”
When Libia smiles, Aaron mutters, “Can’t wait for tonight.”
Watching Aaron from above is Clare’s reconnaissance drone.
◇
‘Well, look who’s trying to make a move on Libia now that the Master’s gone missing. NTR is a hard no. Gotta crush this scumbag completely.’
Clare suddenly starts talking, surprising Anje, who’s reading a book.
“What’s with the sudden chatter?”
‘Nothing.’
“R‑right. Then don’t start talking out of the blue. You’re making me jump.”
Anje mutters, “Luxion used to be even quieter.”
Clare throws a question at Anje.
‘By the way, isn’t it true that most people don’t know the Master is Libia’s fiancé? Is the Master unknown among commoners?’
Anje closes her book.
“Got engaged during a chaotic period, so many don’t know. So what?”
‘—No, it’s nothing. All good. No problem.’
“Got it.”
Anje goes back to reading, then remembers,
“By the way, Libia’s coming back late tonight. Nothing’s happening, but keep an eye on her, okay?”
‘Okay.’
Clare spins around happily.
◇
Night.
The izakaya is hosting the welcome party.
Aaron sips his drink, watching Libia.
Around him, other delinquent‑type guys hang out.
“Hey Aaron, you really gonna do it?”
“You’ve got a fiancé, right?”
Aaron smirks.
“Stupid. That’s what makes it fun. Seeing the fiancé’s teary face would be even better.”
One of the guys warns,
“The other’s a noble.”
Aaron doesn’t back down.
“After they’re all disposed of, who’s gonna be scared enough to step in? Besides, I got in here on my adventurer’s record. I won’t lose in a fistfight.”
Because he’s proven himself as an adventurer, Aaron’s enrollment was approved. He’s expected to reach at least a knight‑family status someday.
“If I can make a girl mine, that’s all that matters. Nobles are weak when it comes to women. Anyway, look forward to it. I’ll make it fun for you all too.”
The guys grin, then a voice cuts in.
‘Sorry, you guys—ah‑uh—are…’
Aaron turns, a sweet scent hits him and he suddenly feels drowsy, losing consciousness.
His last thing is a glimpse of a single blue eye.
◇
Libia, busy as the party organizer, checks on things.
“Everyone having fun?”
She spots a few of the guys passed out at a table.
She goes to wake them, but Clare appears beside her.
“Are‑you, Are‑chan, here already?”
‘Anje asked me to keep an eye on Libia, so I’m watching.’
“Anje’s a bit over‑protective, huh?”
Libia looks both troubled and relieved; Clare just says, “—yeah,” then points her single blue eye at the sleeping guys.
‘Better take them back. Actually, the people at the next table are using the same boys’ dorm. Let’s have them move them.’
“No, can’t, Are‑chan. We have to look after them till the end.”
When Libia tries to carry them herself, Clare laughs.
‘Don’t worry. They’ll gladly take them. In fact, they’ll thank you for asking.’
Following Clare’s suggestion, Libia reluctantly goes to the indicated table, where a bunch of guys are hanging out, looking lively.
She calls out.
“Um, excuse me—”
The guys, perhaps wary, go silent and mostly look away.
But one guy fixes Libia with a sharp stare.
“What do you want?”
His bluntness makes Libia uneasy, but she points to her own table.
“Actually, a few of the boys fell asleep. I heard you’re sharing the same dorm—”
When she says that, the guys’ eyes flash.
“What? Oh, that’s it!”
“Leave it to us. We were just about to wrap things up.”
“We’ll move them for you, no worries.”
“This is our job, after all.”
“Yeah, exactly!”
“Relax, we’ve got it.”
They stand, head over to Aaron’s group, settle the tab, and whisk the sleeping boys away.
Libia sighs in relief.
“Phew. That was scary, but they’re kind people, Are‑chan.”
Clare comments on Libia’s smile.
‘Mission complete.’
“A‑re‑chan?”
‘Nothing, really. Yeah, nothing—’
◇
The next day.
Pierre, the stylish one, walks the hallway of the boys’ dorm.
“The roommate didn’t come back. Where could he have gone?”
He notices the roommate missing after last night’s party. While fiddling with his side‑swept bangs, Aaron and the others walk up from the other side, each rubbing their backsides.
“Ouch—yeah, we don’t remember anything.”
“Did we really drink that much?”
“Waking up in the seniors’ room was a surprise.”
Pierre looks at his classmates, a bit shocked.
“You guys okay?”
Aaron runs a hand through his hair.
“What? You smooth talker again? Looks like we over‑drank yesterday. Can’t remember a thing.”
Pierre is puzzled.
“Y‑yeah… (Wait, didn’t I think we got smashed right away yesterday? —Huh?)”
In the dorm hallway, Pierre sees a blue light out a window, looks toward it, but sees nothing.
(Maybe it was just my imagination.)
Aaron keeps rubbing his backside.
“Man, my butt still hurts. We must’ve slammed into something while drunk. It’s that painful? And something feels off.”
The three grumble and head back to their rooms.
Pierre watches the direction they came from.
(—No way…)
He flips his proud bangs back and heads back to his own room.