“Ah, this is troublesome…”
From the room where Torlin had been confined came a lethargic voice.
“I thought with just a little push, your passion would lead you to accomplish anything…”
In the pitch-black darkness, the appearance of the woman who emerged held no significance.
But she always favored wearing intellectual glasses.
While adjusting her sparkling golden-rimmed glasses, the woman approached the crystal orb that Garitos had used to monitor Murmur.
“In the end, we failed to uncover the secrets of the Holy Sword… and we didn’t even manage to trouble the Demon King…”
The woman muttered regretfully. She was dressed in tight-fitting leather pants and a snow-white blouse.
With every step she took, the sound of her high heels clicking filled the room.
The woman lazily extended her gloved hand to caress the crystal orb.
“It seems expecting diligence from humans is indeed a difficult task.”
The woman smiled faintly as she gazed down at the orb in her hand.
Within it was engraved the calm figure of Murmur confronting Garitos.
“But still, it appears you’ve worked diligently.”
While adjusting her intellectual glasses, the woman swayed the tail attached to her hip.
“If only the Demon King were to return to Maleficium, the secrets of the Holy Sword would become trivial matters.”
As she observed Murmur rushing to save her friend from Garitos, the woman murmured.
What a magnificent Demon King!
What a formidable being!
Behold this genius who makes noble sacrifices to save someone precious.
“Still…”
The woman glanced sideways with an evil glint in her eyes, examining Citrine.
“No matter how lazy one might be when using the staff, there should be no accidental activation of rune magic…”
Citrine, unaffected by the sinister black magic meant to put humans to sleep.
Murmur’s devoted helper, willing to do anything for her.
“Fate is truly… both lazy and diligent.”
What is Citrine’s true identity?
The intellectually-glassed woman instantly realized.
For ‘Diligent Belphégor’ was the most diligent of demons in such matters.
*
“Last year and this year! I deeply apologize to all the professors for causing so much trouble!! I was foolish!”
From far down the hallway came a voice echoing loudly, surprising everyone—it was Garitos.
Despite her ears and nose turning bright red and sniffles escaping her, Garitos knelt down and bowed deeply, apologizing sincerely to the faculty members as she moved around.
This kind of behavior had been going on for a whole week now.
“Why does she work so hard apologizing if she’s going to misbehave in the first place?”
Esme turned her face away while observing the snowflakes falling heavily outside.
“It’s the result of Nicasia’s efforts.”
“Effort? That’s what people normally call it.”
“N-no, please don’t embarrass me like that!”
Nicasia’s ears turned red as she covered her face with her hands.
“Ahh! Still, it was incredibly impressive! Nicasia kicked Garitos-senpai, who was crying and covered in mud, right in the foot!”
“It really was an amazing sight!”
Esme and Citrine were genuinely excited about the grand scene.
Just as Torlin and we began preparing, Garitos appeared trembling and pleaded for our forgiveness.
She cried out that she didn’t want to die, didn’t want to be disowned, begged us to say good things to Nicasia, and continuously apologized and pleaded for mercy.
“T-that’s not exactly how it went.”
“I’ve never seen Nicasia use the princess’s power like that before!”
“Ah, but it wasn’t really that serious! Just a bit of posturing!”
Though Nicasia tried desperately to explain, Citrine wouldn’t let up.
“That’s right! Our princess has never shown her true strength yet~”
“Citrine!”
“R-really?! So if Nicasia gets angry, she becomes even scarier?!”
Nicasia finally covered her face with both hands.
“But Murmur knows. Nicasia merely told her mother about the troublesome senior bullying her friends.”
“M-maybe! You’re right, Murmur! I never asked to be scolded or requested anyone come here. And I never said Garitos-senpai was bad.”
Nicasia chattered on as she squatted down and hugged me, Murmur.
How embarrassed can she possibly be? Her soft cheeks are burning bright red, radiating immense heat.
“But isn’t that essentially asking to be disciplined?”
“There’s a huge difference between me saying it directly and what happened.”
Citrine snorted with laughter.
“Not entirely wrong, though.”
I never imagined Nicasia would discipline Garitos-senpai like this, but I’m satisfied with the outcome.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry…!”
Even though it’s the start of winter and snow is falling heavily, here she is moving around trying to collect “forgiveness stamps.”
Especially Professor Malea ignoring Garitos’ apologies feels almost heroic, making me wonder when this stamp collection will ever end.
─ Creak!
“I’ve successfully finished my exam!”
Finally, Monica opened the classroom door after waiting so long.
“Monica! Did you pass your exam?”
“Great job! Monica, you worked hard!”
After finishing the retake for Professor Aphrodite’s exam, our Saintess entered with evident pride on her face.
“I sang my heart out! I passed the test magnificently!”
Monica exclaimed, her golden eyes gleaming as she clenched her fists.
“I’m worried about Professor Aphrodite’s ears right now.”
“Citrine! But I can sing well now!”
Monica puffed out her cheeks, but Citrine shook her head side to side.
“Still, since you passed, I think we should praise you greatly,”
Nicasia said with a smile.
Although Monica was the only one required to take the retake for Professor Aphrodite’s vocal exam, there’s no need to mention that fact.
I, Murmur, knew from the start Monica was a catastrophic tone-deaf singer, so I wasn’t surprised, but Nicasia and Citrine’s shocked expressions are unforgettable.
“I hope you’ll be able to sing more gracefully and beautifully in the next exam, Saintess Monica.”
Professor Aphrodite, walking out of the classroom, gently patted Monica’s head and spoke.
Professor Aphrodite always wears elegant dresses and has shimmering honey-colored blonde hair.
“Enjoy the upcoming winter break with your friends.”
“Yes, Professor Aphrodite!”
“Thank you for today’s effort!”
“Thank you very much!”
After receiving greetings from her friends, Professor Aphrodite elegantly waved, briefly looking down at me, Murmur.
“Gulp…”
Just feeling her deep blue gaze directed at me made my body tremble uncontrollably, as if I needed to pee.
It’s scary. Just being looked at gives me goosebumps for no reason.
“Student Murmur also worked hard this time. I heard you saved student Torlin; such a courageous act deserves to be immortalized in song.”
“Murmur is happy.”
Contrary to my worries, Professor Aphrodite pressed down on my head affectionately, petting me vigorously before giving a small smile and walking off toward Garitos, who was earnestly apologizing far away.
“Ugh…”
Did I receive recognition after all?
I feel proud for some reason.
“Anyway, as Professor said, the winter break is coming up the day after tomorrow, right?”
At Esme’s words, Monica clapped her hands.
“That’s right! Winter vacation is approaching!”
“Are you not going anywhere, Monica?”
“That’s right! I’ll always be with Sister Anna at the Tower of Capella.”
Smiling brightly, Monica replied, and Esme scratched her cheek as she looked at her.
Perhaps she wasn’t expecting that kind of answer. Maybe she hoped Monica would say something like visiting Grace Holy Nation.
But to be honest, Monica really isn’t going anywhere.
“I’ll also be staying at the Academy this winter, just like during summer break.”
“How about you, Esme?”
“I have no special reason to return home this time. The family issues have been resolved.”
Nicasia nodded and clapped once.
“Then why don’t we spend this winter break together?”
“Together?”
“Yes, I’ll ask Riola if there’s a nice chalet where we can all spend the winter break.”
The princess is truly on another level.
It’s not that there’s a chalet somewhere, but rather that there are so many chalets they need to search for one—how luxurious.
Hmm, but based on this atmosphere and flow, it seems we’re heading into an event where we spend the winter break together at a chalet with friends.
This is definitely a fun event with plenty of rewards!
There’s just this minor issue of getting stranded.
“Murmur thinks it’s a good idea.”
Before other opinions could emerge, I quickly grabbed Nicasia’s hand and said so.
“I agree with Murmur-sama too!”
“The chalet is a bit far from the Academy, right? It sounds perfect for Murmur!”
Unlike Citrine and Esme who were smiling, Monica fidgeted with her fingers.
Her lips moved cutely, and her golden eyes blinked rapidly.
“Murmur will help persuade them.”
I, Murmur, quickly grabbed Monica’s hand.
“Ah, Murmur-sama?”
“Monica, you’re probably worried because Sister Anna and Paladin Irene haven’t approved, right?”
“Caught red-handed!”
I anticipated this minor dialogue event!
“I’ll help, Murmur. With Nicasia around, we can get approval.”
“That’s right! Let’s enjoy this winter break to the fullest!”
“Oh-ho ho ho! Since Nicasia secured the location, I’ll help with the other fun parts!”
“Don’t worry, Monica. We will definitely play together at the chalet!”
Nicasia smiled and said.
“About twenty adults will also be joining us, so it won’t be dangerous at all.”
Certainly intended as reassurance, Esme and Citrine reacted with wide-eyed shock.
“Is that many people really coming?!”
“You might as well call it a caravan!”
“A-anyway! It’s not a situation where Sister Anna and Paladin Irene would worry!”
Monica tightly held hands with the late-to-realize embarrassment of Nicasia and me, Murmur.
“I’m already looking forward to the winter break!”
Even though we might get stranded, it’ll be alright! Monica, keep your hopes up!
