In the past, the top student at Minerva Academy wasn’t Amy.
“Top of the class again, huh?”
“Amazing. Guess bloodline really does matter after all.”
“What’s so amazing? The professors are royalty anyway and give generous grades.”
However, unlike now where Amy is admired by everyone, the atmosphere back then was quite different.
The most prestigious bloodline in the Empire.
Unreachable talent that no one could touch.
And stunning looks to boot.
It was more than enough to stir up jealousy among the still emotionally immature students.
Though if we’re being honest, this applied to Amy as well…
But there was a difference—Amy was sociable and got along with everyone.
Whereas this girl did not, making it the biggest distinction.
“…”
Clack clack-
Despite receiving countless envious stares, her haughty steps didn’t waver even a bit.
Because she was the sole princess of this vast empire—Lux Stella Sirius.
“Wow~ She’s got charisma out the roof, right, Amy?”
Ariana marveled while watching Lux head toward the library.
Amy beside her glanced sideways and nodded slightly.
“She’s the one who beat me for top spot. Of course she’d have that presence. What do other students’ opinions even matter?”
“But don’t you think she might be lonely inside? I’ve noticed she always walks alone. Eats alone, studies alone…”
Senna couldn’t hide her worried gaze.
Because regardless of how noble or academically gifted someone was, people ultimately couldn’t live alone.
Ariana scoffed, “Why would someone like that care? She’s the princess after all. Probably doesn’t want to associate with people like us.”
“It could be that she wants to get closer but feels too shy to start a conversation…”
“Hmm… Is that really true?”
Still skeptical, Ariana puffed her cheeks.
Her round glasses shifted upward from the puffing.
“People need to reach out first before any relationship can form, just like us.”
“Yeah, but… People are different, right? There are those who don’t want to connect with others.”
“Not true!”
Exhausted by Senna’s persistence, Ariana said dismissively,
“Then how about a bet?”
“A bet?”
“Yeah. You go talk to her. If the noble princess becomes friends with us, you win. If she rejects you outright, I win.”
Confident she’d win easily, Ariana offered what she considered her biggest stake at the moment.
Something Senna wouldn’t dare refuse.
“If I lose, I’ll give you the ‘Magic Muffin.'”
“Huh?! That’s the limited dessert only available one day a week! When you bite into the cloud-like bread, sweet cream mixed with fairy honey flows out, making people feel magical happiness! Are you saying you’d bet THE strongest, highest-class muffin?!”
“Eh? Really such an extreme reaction…?”
Stunned by Senna’s fervor beyond imagination, Ariana reluctantly nodded.
It felt almost like being teased herself.
Senna’s eyes transformed into muffin shapes as she suddenly turned to Amy and asked,
“Are you in on the bet too?”
“… No thanks.”
Though Amy honestly thought Senna would fail…
She decided to step back since getting involved might make her friend extremely unhappy.
Who knew if Senna would grab Lux’s ankle in desperation?
“Alright! I’ll definitely break down that haughty woman!”
With burning eyes that seemed ready to spark flames, Senna dashed toward the library like a commander heading into battle.
“Can she handle it? Maybe this was a mistake…”
Concerned, Amy casually questioned Ariana, whose face was dazed.
“Well, SHE accepted it, didn’t she? Not my fault.”
“Do you really think you can eat that muffin when she’s crying over it right in front of you? I’d feel guilty either way.”
“… That’s true.”
They could already picture Senna shedding tears or drooling as the muffin disappeared into her mouth.
Despite her innocent appearance, Senna had an incredible competitive spirit.
Even if given another chance to eat the muffin, she’d likely refuse out of pride.
“This is problematic…”
Ariana had no choice but to silently pray Senna succeeded.
***
Upon arriving at the library, Senna quietly looked around.
“Lux… Ah! There she is.”
Lux was studying diligently, surrounded by thick books.
Though momentarily discouraged, the thought of losing the ‘Magic Muffin’ made her resolve strengthen.
With determination set, Senna slowly approached.
The table was wide enough to seat ten, yet Lux sat alone.
Other students were packed far away at distant tables.
Clearly ostracized, Lux remained unfazed, focused entirely on her book.
After some thought, Senna sat opposite her.
“Uh, hi…?”
“…”
Ignoring Senna’s existence, Lux quietly flipped the page.
Caught off guard by her intense focus, Senna hesitated.
“To achieve top marks requires this much effort, huh…”
Still unwilling to give up, Senna raised her voice louder.
“Hi!”
“…?”
Finally noticing Senna, Lux blinked and looked at her before scanning the surroundings.
Confirming no one else was present, Lux spoke softly.
“… Did you call me?”
“Yeah!”
“Any business?”
“Eh, uh…”
Having summoned her courage, Senna struggled to find words.
Even someone as bold as her found it embarrassing to directly ask for friendship.
Thinking quickly, she awkwardly asked,
“W-wasn’t this exam difficult?”
“Not really. It only covered what we learned in class.”
The curt response left Senna speechless.
She began to understand why Lux had no friends.
‘She doesn’t know how to hold a conversation…’
Lux’s social skills—or lack thereof—were nearly nonexistent.
Regaining composure, Senna tried again.
“Hem, in that ‘Basic Alchemy’ exam, what question was it… Oh! Question 17…”
“Which herb must not be added when making stamina potion?”
“Yes. Didn’t questions 3 and 4 confuse you?”
“No. I warned you several times it’d appear on the test. Making mistakes on that is practically an intelligence issue.”
“…”
Senna barely restrained herself from yelling.
Right. The topic was the problem.
Thinking this, she persisted with another question.
“By any chance, what’s your hobby?”
“None. If anything, studying.”
“Um, favorite food?”
“None. Eating is merely a bodily function to obtain necessary nutrients.”
“… Then, something you dislike?”
“Corrupt officials.”
“Did you watch the latest opera?”
“No.”
“Iiiik…!”
“?…”
Seeing Senna tremble, Lux tilted her head curiously.
“If you have nothing else, please refrain from disturbing me. I’m not done studying.”
“That, then…”
Desperate to keep the conversation going, Senna unintentionally raised her voice.
PFFT!
A massive paper fan struck her head.
“Ow!”
“Silence in the library!”
Dragged out by an incredibly fit librarian who didn’t seem female, Senna cried out dramatically,
“It won’t end here next time-!”
“Silence!”
PFFT!
“Ow!”
Recalling the scene, Lux blinked.
Then, focusing back on her studies,
“… Heh”
She unknowingly smiled.
***
“Ugh… So frustrating! So frustrating!”
Watching the muffin disappear into Ariana’s mouth, Senna clenched her lips and muttered.
As expected, Ariana shook her head and extended the muffin.
“Just eat it already…”
“No! Do you think I’m doing this because I want the muffin?!”
“Wipe that drool and talk properly.”
Pointed out by Ariana, Senna wiped her saliva and shook her head.
“My pride is at stake. I will absolutely make her my friend.”
“Sure sure… Good luck with that.”
Unable to stop the fiery Senna, Ariana watched helplessly.
Eating muffins alongside, Amy asked,
“What’s your plan?”
“All-out offense is best! Keep charging until we can have a proper conversation!”
“… Aren’t you using the wrong metaphor?”
Looking at unnecessarily serious Senna, Amy sighed.
Burning with determination, Senna declared to her friends,
“Bet! I’ll absolutely make Lux my friend!”
“Go ahead. Only you’ll suffer.”
Thus began Senna’s repeated attempts…
Only after losing four more muffins did she finally befriend Lux.
This marked the beginning of their bond.
“Ultimately, victory is mine!”
Though it was a victory riddled with scars…
Still, achieving her goal made it worthwhile, right?
***
The pinnacle institution gathering renowned mages worldwide—the Mage Tower.
In its exclusive uppermost level reserved solely for the Mage Tower Master, a trembling voice echoed.
“Curses…? What do you mean, Commander?”
“Exactly as it sounds. The princess has been cursed by heretical bastards.”
Looking at Lux unconscious due to magic, Allen bit his lip.
“What… kind of curse is it?”
“You should understand. … A curse amplifying negative emotions and inflicting endless pain.”
“… Pain”
“The princess described it as feeling shards of glass piercing her entire body. To endure these sporadic pains, she relied on specially crafted painkillers.”
“…”
Allen’s lips began bleeding without him noticing.
Seeing this, Erias calmly continued,
“We suspect the curse aims to corrupt Lux. Her royal lineage makes her the perfect ingredient for them. Though we don’t know what phenomenon will occur when she succumbs.”
“Method to dispel?”
“… Currently unknown. This magic is merely a temporary measure to halt the curse’s progression.”
GRIND-
Allen glared at Erias through gritted teeth.
“Aren’t you supposed to be the world’s greatest Archmage… And yet you don’t know?”
“Even I struggle against a first-time curse. Likely one they meticulously devised.”
“…”
Faced with the unbelievable reality, Allen lost his words.
His rising killing intent began shaking the surroundings.
If a master loses control, space itself could collapse.
Noticing this, Erias urgently shouted,
“Calm down! Lux isn’t dying immediately!”
“Isn’t that the same as having a death sentence?”
“We have time. We’ll find a way within that period. Would I let the princess die when I receive support from the empire?”
How much time exactly would that take?
If the curse could only be lifted by killing those who cast it?
If it required eliminating every remaining heretic in the world?
If killing the caster wouldn’t lift it?
All sorts of negative thoughts filled Allen’s mind.
From the depths of despairing thoughts, he retrieved one method.
“No. Fine. From now on, I’ll proceed my way.”
“What…?”
The cold stare prevented Erias from stopping Allen.
He could only blankly follow his retreating figure.
Slowly approaching Lux, Allen placed his hand over her heart.
The overwhelming killing intent had vanished.
“There was a time I didn’t want to get involved with nobility.”
But that only referred to corrupt nobles and incompetent commanders.
He wasn’t cruel enough to leave such a young girl suffering like this.
“Even if we can’t lift the curse… She still needs to graduate from Minerva, doesn’t she? I can’t bear seeing my disciple held back.”
That was his role as a teacher.
“What are you planning?”
Looking at Allen’s determined face, Erias gathered mana, ready to cast spells anytime.
“Nothing special.”
“Surely you’re not offering your life force? That’d be counterproductive since the curse feeds on life energy.”
“No plans to die. I want to live longer. There’s someone I want to see… Too many burdens already…”
Just adding another burden to his already heavy shoulders.
At this point, one more wouldn’t make much difference.
Casually shrugging, Allen activated his divine power.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
The master’s divine power awakened to survive the battlefield.
Strictly speaking, Allen’s divine power wasn’t meant for combat.
Rather, it was simply… flailing to survive.
“… In that case, I trust you.”
Seeing Allen’s resolute will, Erias nodded.
Feeling the oppressive mana dissipate, Allen concentrated and whispered quietly.
“I’ll carry your future.”
… UUUUNG
The bracelet wrapped around his wrist vibrated faintly.
