Case 120: The Third Star – A chaotic exam season.
''Ngah... I hate it!''
Sprawling onto the table, the girl with pale blonde hair and erald-like green eyes wails as if given up on life. It is currently the beginning of February, which is also when Astra Academy holds its major exam for the first sester.
Surprisingly, even after so many unfortunate incidents, the curriculum is only delayed by a week or two.
''You can do it, Claire. I believe in you.''
''Hic... hic... you're my light!''
''Ahahah... wasn't your light Silaerob...?''
Since I can't be the one sprouting such cliché lines, it has to be Nydia instead. The raven-kin, whose social standing is rapidly rising even at this mont, maintains her original attitude as a maid.
Thanks to Nydia's stubborn effort to protect her working ethic, many people have experienced the infamous stomach pain from dealing with ticking bombs.
When she greets nobles respectfully by bowing, she finds those people kneeling on the floor the next second so as not to place their heads higher than the imperial princess's. When she greets commoners casually, many faint on the spot while others tremble so much that bypassers think an earthquake has hit them.
Right now, Nydia is more popular than ever. Reputable news outlets have also taken notice of this commotion inside the academy, and the identity of the third star has pretty much been confird in the public's eyes.
If there is sothing that hasn't changed... I suppose the way our usual circle's mbers don't appear to care that much. Chloe, Luxia, and I are on the sa page about not making Nydia uncomfortable. Scarlett literally doesn't care about princesses or whatnot since she is sothing of a princess herself, and Claire is... well, the heroine.
Ever since receiving the Moon Devourer, Claire has shown the world her imnse potential as a heroine. With her signature light elent, she has participated in nurous raids to gain experience.
If nothing goes wrong, she should be moved to B class soon.
She can theoretically go even further and join A class, as shown in the original ga, but...
''I don't wanna study...''
Different from the in-ga Claire, who values her academic score and future prospects more than anything, this Claire is apparently just a typical student. She whines about studying, and she whines about her busy schedule.
''...Now that I think about it, did you ever et Her Highness Sierra, Nydia?'' Claire says lazily. ''eting your separated cousin at this age is sothing I've never considered.''
''She actually ca to yesterday. We talked... about things.''
Seeing the reluctance on Nydia's face, Claire quickly glosses over the topic. As we continue our small talk while eating our lunch, the matter of nas suddenly pops up.
''Do I want to use my current na...?'' Nydia rubs her chin, seriously pondering over Claire's question. ''Nydia... Nydia Alaina Astra. That doesn't sound too bad. There are lots of 'a,' though.''
''You could go with sothing cool. Like... er... Nydia Lilith Vanderblood or sothing?''
''That's not... how it works, alright?''
''What do you think, Aurora?''
Facing Claire's question, I continue to stare at her while chewing the mouthful of bread I've just bit off. The silence lasts a bit longer than usual, leading to both Nydia and Claire appearing a bit... bothered. Not in the sense that they are irritated.
''Alaina Astra is good.''
Eventually, I manage to give out an answer. I honestly don't care much about her middle and last na as long as she stays Nydia.
After finishing our lunch, we spend a bit more ti talking before the bell finally rings, signaling the start of the afternoon classes. In this case, however, it is the first-year students' written exam instead—one of them.
''Ugh...''
''Good luck.''
''Good luck, Claire.''
''Thanks...''
With ominous steps as if she is walking into the gate of hell, Claire drags herself into the hall to get ready for the exam. She did get encouragent from Silaerob, so I reckon she will succeed.
''Well, then... shall we go down to the town?''
''Mhm.''
Even though Chloe has already brought in a new chef from Luminous Duchy, Nydia is still, temporarily, our cook.
''Hm... what should we eat today...''
''...''
Looking at her with such an ordinary smile, I suddenly feel a bit... sad. Soon enough, the Imperial Intelligence Departnt will co knocking on the door, and Nydia will have to go through a process to verify her bloodline. That is when she will have to stop being a maid.
The closer we get to that day, the more anxiety I see in Nydia's actions. She is now, more than ever, obsessed with her work as a maid. She cleans Chloe's room more ticulously, cooks more frequently and elaborately, and keeps her uniform spotless as if cherishing it.
It seems she doesn't want this life to end... at all.
Have I made the right choice by bringing her past to light?
What if I'm ruining her happiness?
These questions have been bothering for a bit.
''...Nydia.''
''Hm?''
''Do you really want to beco a princess?''
Catching her hand, I lean closer to her shoulder. By now, I have beco accustod to her scent, a... slightly woody, floral one.
In response, Nydia gives a bitter look.
''It would be a lie if I say I want to.'' She shakes her head. ''However... I have found what I want to do with it, so don't worry.''
''Okay.''
...I'm a bit scared to know what she wants to do with so much power in her hands.
February 4th, 1835. Evone Hall.
''Er... let's go over it once more. Just to be sure.''
''Alright.''
In the spacious arena-like space, dozens of academy staff mbers can be seen busy moving around and inspecting the magical hologram devices designed to emulate recorded entities.
This ti, it is especially important since we will be holding class 1-A's practical exam. These devices, which are shaped similarly to a stand, are to be treated with utmost care simply because of their rarity.
Each of them can only hold one type of hologram, and they have different specs like range, imrsion rate, etc.
''Zircon's Basilisk, Wyvern, Zircon's Flying Whale, and... Balnok the Crucifier.''
''Are we really going to include this one, chief...?''
''The head professor says so. It's probably for the Lady of Luminous.''
''Ah... right. She's so ridiculously strong. Are we witnessing the birth of a new grandmaster, perhaps?''
''Maybe.''
Hearing this conversation between two staff mbers, I can't help but notice the changes we've brought to this world. In the ga, 'Zircon's Flying Whale' and Balnok the Crucifier are never introduced as holograms in this exam.
The forr is quite clearly a hologram of Nova's right hand or left hand, while the latter... I suppose they are including it in for Chloe, who has broken the limit to be as strong, if not stronger, than most students present.
''Oh, Aurora~!''
''Senior.''
After working here as a supervisor for a sester, I naturally beca acquainted with so staff mbers. One of them is this bubbly-looking lady who always seems excited.
''Have you eaten yet?''
''I have.''
''That's good. We'll need to focus this ti, after all.''
''...Are you saying you don't focus the other tis?''
''N-No...?''
Light banters like this have beco the norm. Maybe I can actually make friends.
''Oh, right. Have you heard of this rumor, Aurora?''
''Yes?''
''Apparently, there will be a student transferring into class 1-A next sester...!''
''...Huh?''
A... transfer student?
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