“——— So, how did it go?”
“Ah… I passed with a perfect rank.”
I proudly show my grandfather the acceptance notification with my impressive rank: 514 out of 1000. It’s exactly the rank I was aiming for.
“Well, it’s probably only you who would be happy about such a rank. But… you seem anxious despite your words, don’t you?”
“… It can’t be helped… there were other reincarnators besides me…”
Yes—Kai was indeed a reincarnator like me. Though not confirmed, there’s a 99.9 percent chance he is. After the entrance exam, I went to his village to investigate. Around the age of eight, he suddenly lost interest in others and began going out frequently. Such a clichéd reincarnator behavior—he probably wants to use cheats and do as he pleases, like in the original story. I’m quite similar myself.
But seeing that he hasn’t contracted the divine spirit that the protagonist usually does, he’s not strong enough to form such a bond yet. He likely prioritized his safety and hesitated. I’m relieved he’s only at a mid-story level of strength for now.
“It’s about time, isn’t it?” my grandfather said.
“I know. I’m already prepared.”
I don my academy uniform and put on the bracelet, a sign of being a spirit contract holder. This bracelet must be worn within the kingdom by those contracted with spirits.
“This bracelet is quite bothersome. It’s obstructing my power.”
“Oh? So it has such an effect?”
Upon reflection, it makes sense. Spirit users are dangerous to ordinary people, so there must be measures in place.
“Well, it’s mandatory anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
I wash my face, fix my hair, and make my final preparations. I also prepare concealed weapons and magic scrolls to protect Hera, though I hope I won’t need them. Additionally, I make sure to clean my body thoroughly—I can’t appear filthy in front of my favorite person.
“Alright—let’s go then.”
The story begins—at the entrance ceremony.
Meanwhile, in this world, the protagonist Kai was being berated by a beautiful crimson-haired girl.
“Hey, Kai! Why are you looking at other girls like that? Keep those eyes only on me!”
“You’re being ugly, Aria. Kai prefers me over a flat-chested, sharp-tongued woman like you, right?”
“Who are you calling a flat-chested, sharp-tongued woman? You’re no saint either!”
“Hey, both of you, be quiet.”
““S-sorry…””
At Kai’s single word, the main heroines Aria and Cynthia immediately fell silent. However, their faces flushed, and they looked at him with hearts in their eyes, wriggling in ecstasy.
(So, even the main heroines are so easily swayed. Just a little reminder, and they obediently follow me.)
Originally, neither had high affection for Kai at the start of the school year. Aria’s affection was high because she was a childhood friend, but Cynthia was someone he met at the academy. However, using his past-life knowledge, Kai subdued them. The main heroines are two girls from his class and a transfer student who arrives in the second year. One is a noble, but Kai doesn’t have the strength to pursue her yet.
(Damn it… I should have conquered all the heroines by now… Why won’t the divine spirits contract with me?! I should be loved by the spirits, right?!)
“Uh, Kai… Your face looks a bit scary…” Aria said, peering at him worriedly as his face twisted in anger.
Kai looked at Aria with a vulgar gaze.
(As expected from the main heroine. She’s incredibly beautiful. I wouldn’t have stood a chance in my past life… But I’m the protagonist now. With my knowledge of the original story—)
Kai twisted his face into a grotesque grin.
“———Hera Dragonslay… I’ll make you mine…! I can’t wait to hear the sounds you’ll make…” he muttered softly to himself.
“———Miss Hera, the entrance ceremony is approaching. Don’t forget the weight of the ducal house.”
“… I know.”
While Shin was in the bath to avoid staining his favorite’s eyes, Hera was riding in her family’s carriage, half-listening to the butler’s nagging.
(This butler is always going on about the ducal house… I’m so tired of hearing it…)
Hera sighed. No one in her family paid attention to her; they were only interested in the ducal house’s power. Other people were also more interested in her family’s influence than in her, and some men were simply fixated on her appearance.
Hera knew she had a striking figure that men found appealing, but their crude glances made her uncomfortable.
(But…)
She recalled an odd moment during the entrance exam. She had felt a strange sense of discomfort when she noticed Shin’s gaze. Initially, she thought he was like everyone else, attracted to her appearance. But something in his eyes was different—emotions she had never sensed before.
(Love, respect, a sense of duty, a desire to protect… emotions I’ve never felt before…)
Realizing her thoughts were showing on her face, Hera blushed slightly, embarrassed by these unfamiliar feelings.
“I wonder if he passed…?”
Though unsure about the written exam, she recalled his performance in the magic power and practical tests. He wasn’t someone she had seen at the noble parties, so he was likely a commoner.
(I truly dislike going to the academy… but…)
A small smile crossed her face as she softened her expression.
(But I’m a bit looking forward to meeting him.)
She wanted to speak with him and understand the emotions he had directed at her.
(Though… it might be pointless. If I get close to him, I don’t know what might happen…)
Hera sighed. Dealing with people was troublesome. But perhaps, if no one else was around, she could meet him alone. This was the first time she had ever felt this way.
—The fate of the three would be known only to the gods.
