I Became an Academy Counselor

Stella’s POV

“…Useless.” 

“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Are you getting up?”

“Yes. There’s no point in waiting anymore”

“How about waiting a bit longer? Some might come back, even if not all.”

“That would be nice, but it seems they were more incompetent than I thought”

“?”

The magic isn’t being transmitted.

All the magic paths I had connected to those who stood up to help me have been cut off.

Of course, I didn’t cut them off.

They were forcibly severed.

“…That.”

“Yes. It seems they’re all lying down somewhere” 

“Aw, and I thought this would be easy…” 

“We shouldn’t rely on incompetent ones.”

I know better than anyone that what I just said is ridiculous.

Incompetent ones.

Well, it’s not wrong.

They couldn’t even do what I expected, so they have no right to complain if I call them incompetent.

They’re still inexperienced, after all.

However, it’s not that they lack skill.

It’s just that not much time has passed since enrollment, so the differences between students aren’t that big yet.

Except for a few outstanding ones, their skills are all about the same.

That’s why I accepted just about anyone as an ally. It wouldn’t make much difference who I brought along.

But they all lost.

They were supposed to be hunting other students in groups.

It wasn’t even a case of being picked off one by one.

Judging by the time the magic paths were cut, they were all taken at once.

…It means they were defeated by an extraordinary existence.

“The Observer?” 

“Probably. It would be good to keep that lowly one in mind as well.”

“Ah… Right. She was here too.”

I really can’t understand what Father and that old hag who kept pretending to be young was thinking.

Why did they let such a living bomb into the academy?

That old hag might have easily allowed it, always going on about how children are innocent and whatnot…

But to think even Father would bring in a demon’s spawn.

“But she’s been pretty quiet lately, hasn’t she?”

“…Hmph. It must be because of the new teacher that the old hag brought in. She does have a good eye for people.”

“Your Highness… Calling the principal an old hag, that’s…”

“But she is an old hag. Everyone knows she’s already ancient.”

I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t call that old hag an old hag.

No matter how I look at it, that old woman is just too frivolous.

“She’s already over a hundred and still pretending to be young, it’s nauseating. Sometimes when she passes by, the smell of decay…”

“Y-Your Highness! Isn’t that going too far?!”

“What? It’s the truth. No matter how respected an old person is, being old doesn’t change…”

Crash.

One of the earrings on my ear shatters with a loud noise.

“Well, it’s a respectable experience. Sometimes I’m proud to be well-acquainted with such a person.”

“Your Highness…”

“W-What? Why?”

“You should have stopped when I told you to…”

“What? I, I didn’t do anything!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

…Damn that old hag.

How long had she been watching?

Shouldn’t this be a busy time for her?

There’s no way it was a coincidence that a single magic bullet suddenly came down from the sky and grazed my earring.

She must have been watching.

She’s sensitive about age-related topics, even if she doesn’t show it.

My academy life is going to be tough from now on.

Should I throw a tantrum later?

I’m already starting to get a headache at the thought of having to appease her sulking.

***

Ophelia’s POV

“…”

“…”

“Why is everyone’s mood like this? Haha, the appearance of young students is so fleeting! It’s best to enjoy it while you can! Time flies so fast!” 

The principal’s voice, seemingly cheerful, echoes through the situation room.

But no one thinks that laugh is genuinely happy.

Well, it’s understandable.

Such abusive words were hurled right in front of the principal who suddenly barged into the situation room saying she had some spare time.

Just as we were wondering if that was okay, she heard it herself.

Her judgment is really quick.

She gathered magic in her hand, and bang, all at once.

The sight of the magic bullet piercing through the wall and instantly shattering Stella’s earring.

There must be quite a distance from here to there…

As expected of the principal.

She’s terrifyingly strong.

“…Ah, Ophelia, let’s talk face-to-face. There’s a student whose mental state I’d like you to overhaul.”

“Understood…”

The other teachers are giving me pitying looks.

…If you’re going to look at me so sympathetically, couldn’t you help me out?

I turned my head towards the teachers, asking for help, but they avoided eye contact with me. Those terrible people.

I feel betrayed.

***

Stella’s POV

“Well, fine. What’s done is done, let’s think about it later.”

“Your Highness, you have no plan…”

“Shut up. I didn’t think that old hag would be listening.”

Why did she suddenly drop by here when she’s always so busy?

Of course, I’m also scared of the aftermath that will come later.

…But, it’s not something I can solve right now.

For now, it’s right to deal with what’s in front of me.

“Get ready, Charlotte. They’re coming this way.”

“Just because we’re childhood friends, you can’t always boss me around… I’m also a duke’s daughter, you know?”

“Enough, just get ready. There’s no one left to help us now. Since it’s come to this, we might as well have a go at it.”

“Sigh, my fate…”

Crack, crack.

As I’m stretching to prepare for the upcoming battle, Charlotte speaks to me with a fed-up look.

“Your Highness, but don’t you think it’s a bit odd no matter how you look at it?”

“What is?”

“I mean, does it make sense for a princess to fight with her fists? Why don’t you learn swordsmanship or something? Or spearmanship. There’s archery too!”

“Not interested.”

“But why?!”

“I’m comfortable with this.”

Everyone goes on about manners and whatnot…

But such things are useless in battle.

The dignity of a princess, sure, that’s fine.

But in battle, instead of thinking about such things, you should be thinking about landing one more hit.

It’s more shameful to lose while trying to maintain dignity by using a sword that doesn’t suit your body.

“…Sigh. I don’t know anymore. Just cast your enhancement on me.”

“Alright, knight. It’s the queen’s procession. Protect me.”

“Yes, yes.”

After casting enhancement on myself and Charlotte, a few minutes pass as we wait.

A woman in pure white nun’s clothes with silver hair, and in contrast, a student dressed all in black appear before us.

“…As expected, it’s you two.”

“Ah, hello, Your Highness.”

“Nice to see you. …There should have been a few students around you.”

“Ah, those guys? They’re probably sleeping soundly.”

“…”

As expected, our prediction wasn’t wrong.

For some reason, a fight must have broken out while that ominous thing and the Observer were together.

…Those fools.

They should have avoided the fight.

If they had targeted just one person, they wouldn’t be able to take them down, but at least they could have worn them out.

As expected, enhancement isn’t always a good thing.

It makes you feel like you can do things you can’t, being immersed in a sense of omnipotence.

Being able to do things you normally can’t, you don’t even notice the difference in skill with your opponent.

There were several enhanced students around, so they must have rushed in without thinking.

Without realizing that they were facing beings they couldn’t defeat regardless of such buffs.

“This works out well. Since there are two of them, I’ll take on that ruffian. Charlotte, you handle the Observer.”

“Huh, why?! I, I can’t hold out for long!”

“It’s fine. I’ll deal with mine quickly and join you.”

Perhaps hurt by my words, Orca smiled fiercely.

“That’s some nerve you’ve got. Is it because you’re a high-ranking person? Your arrogance reaches the sky.”

“This isn’t arrogance, it’s called confidence.”

“Everyone who’s talked to me like that ended up kissing the ground. Want to try?”

“…Fine. I like that spirit.”

The situation is on a knife’s edge.

As we’re both sensing the impending battle and looking for openings, the silence is broken by an unexpected presence.

“Hey, Leo… Can’t we just go back?”

“Shh, be quiet…! We might be noticed… Ah, we’ve already been noticed…”

“…What’s this, you two?”

“Ah, hello… Haha. We’ll just pass by, so can’t you just continue what you were doing?”

That guy, I remember him.

Leo, was it?

I found it strange that an orphan with no background had a relic, so I had him investigated.

There were possibilities like him being a secret underling raised by an assassin, or a disciple of a reclusive eccentric.

But what was surprising was that there was nothing at all.

He must have enough potential to enter the academy, but…

His skills are still nothing special.

That girl being carried by Leo is…

“Eileen, is it?”

“…”

“Weren’t you not planning to enroll in the academy? I never thought you’d go back on your word.”

“…I was forced to enroll.”

“I see. Didn’t I tell you it would be better to give up?”

“…”

Tsk.

She’s still not in her right mind.

Where has her past glory gone?

Of course, even a rotten croaker is still a croaker, so she might be somewhat capable…

But her body has been rotting for years.

She’s not the same as she used to be.

“If you’re not going to fight, get lost immediately. Useless things. You’re in the way.”

“Stella. You…”

“I know, Eileen. This makes you angry, right? There’s no way you wouldn’t be angry, is there?”

I smirked at my old friend, like I used to provoke her when we were young.

She was always like this.

Even if she turns her head as if she’s not interested, she’s easily provoked with a little stimulation.

…Like this.

“You know me too well…”

“Huh, huh? Miss Eileen? What are you…”

“Die!!!”

“Uwaaaah?!”

“Haha! Charlotte! Stop those guys! The charge is attempted regicide!”

“Haah…”

***

TL CORNER:

Join the discord and the prof-reader will give you guys a cookie