After the announcent, our group of six made its way toward the Academy's exit. The crowd was thinning, with most candidates who were confident of their selection dispersing to celebrate as the assessnt ended. Just as we neared the grand gates, a commotion erupted behind us.
Curious murmurs rose like ripples in a pond. Turning back, we saw a cluster of candidates—mostly commoners—gathering around soone. Their excited chatter hinted at admiration, bordering on idol worship. Nobles, of course, wouldn't lower themselves to such displays.
From the heart of the bustling crowd ca a sweet, lodious voice, clear and commanding despite its polite tone.
"Can you please let us pass? We have sowhere else to be."
The words, though phrased as a request, carried an unmistakable authority. The noise hushed instantly, and the crowd parted like the sea, forming a path for the speaker.
That's when I finally saw him.
Alex Stale, the chosen hero of this world, stepped forward. His presence was magnetic, his confidence radiating like the sun. He stood tall, his blond hair shimring under the light, tousled in that perfect, effortless way that only protagonists seed to achieve. His sharp, angular features were striking, as if carved by the gods themselves. His golden eyes shone with a mysterious allure, piercing and captivating, drawing attention from everyone around him.
He was, by all accounts, ridiculously handso—exactly what one would expect from the protagonist of an eroge ga. After all, in such gas, a charming face is often the most critical asset.
However, my attention wasn't on him. It was on the ladies accompanying him.
By his side was his sister, Cassandra Stale, a stark contrast in deanor but equally srizing. She moved with a fluid grace that seed almost otherworldly, her form-fitting attire daringly cut to accentuate every curve. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, framing a flawless face that seed designed to invoke both innocence and temptation. Her large, dark eyes sparkled with intrigue, adding a dangerous allure to her already striking appearance.
And then there was Eveline Vale, the saintess. She appeared even more radiant than when I first t her at the Ludwig estate. Her luminous white hair frad her delicate features like a halo, and her piercing blue eyes glowed with benevolence. Her pastel gown, with its soft hues and elegant, layered hem, gave her a divine aura. A semi-sheer hooded cloak rested on her shoulders, fastened by an ornate silver brooch.
Of course, the saintess could never be without her knight. Her personal knight, Althea Hart, followed closely behind, her cold, stoic presence forming a stark contrast to Eveline's warmth. Althea's petite fra belied her commanding deanor, and her short, silvery hair frad a face as sharp and stern as her gaze. Her grey eyes carried an intensity that could silence even the rowdiest crowd. Her outfit was both practical and daring, designed for mobility but revealing much of her smooth, fair skin. She wore a fitted, sleeveless tunic that ended mid-thigh, the dark fabric hugging her slender figure. High leather boots reached just above her knees, leaving her smooth thighs bare, while a pair of fingerless gloves covered her hands.
As I observed the group, Saintess's eyes landed on . Her expression softened with recognition, and a graceful smile spread across her lips. She stepped forward, her presence radiating warmth.
"Mr. Arthur, it's a pleasure to see you again," she said, her voice lodic. "We t at the Ludwig mansion. Do you rember?"
I nodded, offering her a polite smile. "How could I forget soone as stunning as you?"
Eveline's cheeks flushed lightly, but before she could reply, Cassandra approached, her curiosity evident.
"Who are your friends, Lady Eveline?" Cassandra asked, her tone polite but tinged with interest.
Eveline turned to her, smiling. "This is the young man I ntioned—Mr. Arthur Ludwig, heir to the Ludwig Duchy."
She gestured toward the blond-haired boy standing beside Cassandra. "And this is Alex Stale. He recently awakened as a Hero."
At the ntion of his title, Alex straightened, his pride practically radiating from him. Eveline ignored his reaction and continued, motioning to Cassandra.
And this is Cassandra Stale, Alex's sister. They'll be joining the Academy this year as well."
I took the chance to step in, offering a friendly smile as I addressed Eveline. "You can drop the formalities, Lady Eveline. We're going to be fellow students soon, so no need for the 'Mr.' thing."
Eveline raised an elegant eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smile. "If that's the case, then you should drop the honorifics too. Just call
Eveline."
"Deal," I replied with a chuckle, eting her gaze with a grin. "Eveline it is."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Alex stiffening. His glare was sharp, almost comically so, as he watched
converse casually with the saintess. The air around him seed to bristle with unspoken annoyance, his heroic pride clearly bruised.
I fought the urge to smirk. Was it my ease with Eveline, or was he just not used to sharing the spotlight? Either way, his irritation only made the mont more amusing.
I ignored his glares and extended a hand toward Cassandra with a friendly smile. "Hello. You can call
Arthur. Nice to et you"
Cassandra shook my hand, her gaze lingering on
longer than necessary. "Oh~ So you're the one who killed a demon even before awakening," she said, her voice tinged with fascination.
"Hah~ Well, I had so help," I replied modestly.
"That's exactly what I was saying to the saintess!" Alex chid in, his voice rising slightly. "How could an unawakened person possibly defeat a nether demon?"
Why is he so worked up about this? I wondered, raising a brow.
Lira, standing beside , decided to cut in. "Don't be modest, young master. Even without our assistance, you completely dominated that demon."
Cassandra's expression grew more intrigued, while Alex's grew gloomier.
Hey, why are you looking at
like that? I haven't even done anything yet! I thought, trying to suppress a sigh. The tension in the air was palpable, but all I could do was brace myself for whatever ca next.
As we continued our conversation, Alicia, who had been patiently standing at the back and listening, finally spoke up.
"Hello, everyone. It's great that you're all getting acquainted, but would you mind moving elsewhere? My legs are starting to hurt," Alicia said with a playful tone, breaking the flow.
Eveline glanced at her, puzzled by the interruption.
"She's my friend, Alicia Raven," I explained, gesturing toward her, "and this is her brother, Cedric Raven. We were heading to her place."
Eveline's expression softened as she extended a hand. "Oh, hello. Nice to et you."
Alicia accepted the handshake with a polite smile. "Nice to et you too. The invitation to my place extends to you as well."
"So other ti," Eveline replied, her tone warm but firm. "I need to return to the church to prepare for moving into the dormitory."
"Oh~ you seem pretty confident about being selected," Alicia teased lightly.
"Of course," Eveline said with a small laugh, and the two shared a mont of mutual amusent.
"Too bad you can't join us this ti. Till we et again," Alicia said, waving cheerfully.
Just as they finished, Alex took a step forward, his signature smug expression in full display. Extending a hand toward Alicia, he said, "Hello, Miss Alicia. I'm Alex. I'm free now—would you like the honor of accommodating the Hero?"
Smugness radiated from him, as if expecting Alicia to be floored by his presence.
Alicia, however, didn't even blink. "No," she said bluntly, turning away without another word. She clasped my hand and began walking toward the academy gates, her grip firm and her stride confident.
My maids followed behind
closely.
"Next ti, make sure to co to my place!" Alicia called out cheerfully, waving at Eveline and Cassandra as we departed.
I glanced back briefly. Alex stood frozen, his outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air. His expression was priceless—embarrassed and stunned. For the first ti since awakening as a Hero, soone had completely ignored him.
"Ha… ha… sorry about that," Cedric mumbled, trying to break the tension as he followed his sister. "My sister doesn't get along well with strangers."
The awkward silence that followed was palpable.
"We should also leave, Saintess," Althea, Eveline's knight, suggested, her voice calm but firm.
"Yes, let's go," Eveline said with a nod, turning toward Cassandra. "Goodbye for now. I'll see you soon."
"Bye, Eveline," Cassandra replied softly as she watched them leave.
After they departed, Cassandra turned to her brother. "Let's head back, Alex."
Without comnting on the earlier incident, she began walking toward their carriage. Alex followed in silence, his usual bravado noticeably absent. For once, the Hero had been left in soone else's shadow.
Reviews
All reviews (0)