Chapter 1: Lily: "Hugh Probably Prefers Them Small." Lugue: "Pfft!?"

The Prince Slay faction was commanded by Ann Torage, the Prince Blut faction by Brown, and our Prince Lucas faction by Lily. We immediately left the classroom and moved to the school's Forest Training Ground.

According to Alyssa-san, the Forest Training Ground is only about a thousand meters per side, half the size of the real battle field. Since it was an artificially created forest, it was characterized by a lack of steep terrain and few cover points to hide.

It was hard to attempt an ambush or a surprise attack by moving unnoticed. This terrain made a head-on collision inevitable.

"Has everyone received their weapons? Right then, the Prince Slay faction moves to Point A, the Prince Blut faction to Point C, and the rest move to Point B."

After taking up their preferred wooden weapons from the storage room, we split up as instructed by Alyssa-san.

Points A and C are on opposite corners, and the point B assigned to us is the corner between A and C. It is close to both and makes an encirclement highly likely in this three-way mock group battle.

Point B's flag was placed on a small hill with no trees, offering a good view, almost at the edge of the Forest Training Ground. We, all five of us, had to defend this spot at all costs.

A ten-minute preparation period was set before the start of the mock group battle. In that time, the five of us—me, Lugue, Lily, Lecty, and Idiot—gathered near the flag to discuss strategy.

"Even so, with only five of us, our possible strategies are limited."

"We have no choice but to commit to a defense."

The Prince Slay faction had fifteen people, and the Prince Blut faction had ten. The numerical disparity was three to one and two to one, leaving us overwhelmingly disadvantaged.

"Why, you can leave it to this Idiot Hortness! Hugh and I shall easily overturn this minor difference in numbers, shall we not?"

"Don't drag me into your delusions... Are you planning to rush their positions alone? Our defense will be weakened."

I had dropped by the bathroom on the way to switch my Skill to 〈Swordsmanship〉, so perhaps Idiot and I rushing one faction might crush them.

However, this mock battle is a three-way conflict. If the other faction attacked while we were away, Lugue, Lily, and Lecty would be forced to defend by themselves.

"Mhm... Lily Puridy. Your Skill is a 〈Job Skill〉, is it not? Does it not also encompass powers suitable for combat?"

"I've tried all sorts of weapons, but sadly, I never developed an affinity for any of them. I receive no benefits from 〈Body Enhancement〉, either, and my poor physical coordination has troubled me since childhood. Do not count me as a combat factor."

Lily sighed, sounding annoyed. Apparently, her lack of athletic ability is a complex for her.

However, her 〈Strategist〉 Skill is powerful enough to make up for that shortcoming, and then some. It's excellent, as it automatically identifies friends and foes within a 1,500-meter radius and displays them from a bird's-eye perspective. Furthermore, since she can even read complex terrains like the internal structures of buildings, ambushes and surprise attacks do not work against Lily.

Lily became the chief scorer on the entrance exam—which gathers students based on their potential for Skill deployment in warfare—likely because she was assessed as a commander rather than a soldier. If not for that, Idiot, who possesses superior raw combat power, should have been the one to score highest.

"Then it's my turn to shine! I'll defend our position with my Skill while you guys are on the offense!"

Lugue puffed out her chest with confidence. Lugue's 〈Tempest〉 Skill is a powerful ability that generates a wide-area gust of wind. It could certainly be expected to perform well in a defensive battle, but...

"I don't think you can handle that many people by yourself. No matter how powerful your Skill is, you can't use it forever, right?"

"Ah, right..."

Lugue's shoulders slumped. Lugue's 〈Tempest〉 is strong but doesn't have enough power to fully incapacitate an opponent. If they allow the enemy to close the distance while she is unable to use her Skill, she would be completely overwhelmed.

I had recently learned in class that using a Skill puts both a physical and mental burden on the user. 〈Nature Skills〉, like 〈Fire Kinesis〉 and Lugue's 〈Tempest〉, are said to be especially strenuous to use.

We should avoid any strategy that forces Lugue into continuous Skill usage.

... Thinking back, when Lugue was kidnapped, I was overwhelmed by a splitting headache when I tried to increase the number of targets for the 〈Brainwash〉 Skill. In retrospect, that might have happened because the burden of 〈Brainwash〉 on my brain exceeded the tolerable limit.

So far, I haven't felt a burden when using 〈Ninja〉 or 〈Clairvoyance〉, but maybe switching to certain Skills places a significant burden on the mind and body...?

"Then, the one we can expect the most from in defense is perhaps Lady Lecty..."

"Fweh, m-me!?"

While I was lost in my thoughts, Idiot called out her name, and Lecty shouted in surprise.

She was clutching a wooden club in her hands.

... Unknown to others, Lecty's 〈Saintess〉 Skill actually incorporates a 〈Clubbing Skill〉, giving her an affinity for weapons like clubs and staves.

Plus, she gets the bonus of 〈Body Enhancement〉. She probably has a higher base combat power than even me without my 〈Brainwash〉 Skill active.

Now that I think about it, Lecty even managed to run away from Idiot when he chased her through the city. She must have been using 〈Body Enhancement〉 unconsciously then.

"However, pushing the burden of defending the position onto Lady Lecty would be... Muuuh."

Idiot crossed his arms and fell into thought.

"In the first place, I think the task is too heavy for Lecty's personality."

When I pointed that out, Lecty nodded vehemently in agreement. Just because she has an affinity for clubs doesn't mean she can actually bring herself to hit a person with one.

"Hmph... then, it cannot be helped. I shall valiantly cut through the enemy ranks alone!"

"Dismissed, Idiot. If my prediction is correct, we do not need to move from here."

"What? Lily Puridy, what do you mean by—"

As Idiot asked his question, a bugle call sounded in the distance.

It was the signal marking the end of the preparation period and the start of the mock group battle.

"It has begun. Hugh, will you lend me your arm so I can use my Skill?"

"Ah, got it."

I moved next to Lily, and she grasped my arm with both hands, wrapping it up to her chest. Her taut, generous cushion was pressed against my arm, and I was enveloped in a sweet scent like peaches. I was reminded of the sensation from my lips that day.

"...Tch."

Lugue cast a suspicious, narrow-eyed gaze at me, as I had instinctively tensed up.

"Hugh? What's wrong? Why so tense?"

"N-Nothing. Nothing at all, Lugue."

"Hmph~?"

Ignoring Lugue's gaze of suspicion, I supported Lily so she could use her Skill. When she activates her Skill, her view switches to a bird's-eye perspective, making her unable to see normally. She needs to either be seated or supported like this to use her Skill safely.

"Can you see...?"

"Wait a moment. It's right on the edge of the range, so it's a little hard to see... Yes, I can see. Both factions are heading straight toward the center of the area."

"In that case, we were ignored."

If they were targeting us, the Prince Slay faction would have moved south, and the Prince Blut faction would have moved east. But according to Lily, they weren't moving in those directions.

"They've been continuously hostile toward each other. They likely never had any eyes on us from the start... Phew. Thank you, Hugh."

Lily smiled sweetly and released my arm.

She then leaned in to whisper something to Lugue, who made a noise like "Buhoh!?" and blushed beet-red. Hey, the Princess just made a noise she should absolutely never make! What did you whisper to her...?

"So, what shall we do? Should we rush the enemy's positions?"

"How much do you want to rush them, Idiot...? Still, it might be easy to attack and overthrow them now. Lily, how many people are left in the enemy camps?"

"Zero."

"... Huh?"

Taken aback by the unexpected reply, everyone present besides Lily tilted their heads. Even Lily herself looked exasperated, placing a hand on her forehead.

"The defending forces for both positions are zero. Both sides, including the commanders, have charged into the center area."

"They're not just ignoring us, they're not even planning on winning!?"

"Perhaps both sides predicted the other would target us, so they aimed for the enemy position instead. ... No, even if that were the case, they would normally leave a defending force. I expected both sides to clash, but both sides going all-out charge is completely unexpected..."

Lily shook her head, sighing in genuine incomprehension. Was it possible that both factions colluded behind the scenes to meet in the center and attack us together...? No, that's unlikely.

Even if the bad blood between the Prince Slay faction and the Prince Blut faction classmates is real, they're being too reckless...

When I was fifteen in my past life, neither I nor anyone around me cared the slightest bit about politics.

"... Why are they so hateful of each other?"

Lecty murmured quietly.

Idiot answered.

"In the case of the Prince Slay faction, there is a sense of urgency, no doubt. Gried Lecherie's grave crime and Prince Blut's criticism of the nobility were so shocking that they threatened existing aristocratic privilege. I do not know about our parents' generation, but we have many opportunities to interact with commoners at the Royal Academy. We have no choice but to be sensitive to the shifting public sentiment toward the nobility. To defend their identity as nobles, they must be aggressive toward commoners."

"And the commoner side must have endured the nobles' abuses for so long... Lecherie's crime must have exceeded the limit of their patience. Their anger is justified."

"... But that will just lead to continuous conflict. They're still classmates right now...!"

Lecty clenched her hands in front of her chest. Just as she said, if things continued like this, the conflict would likely escalate until it hit rock bottom.

"Lady Lecty, what do you want to do?"

"Eh...?"

"I will move as you desire."

Idiot knelt on one knee before Lecty, asking his question. His earnest expression, as he looked straight up at Lecty, was a little different from his usual bombastic demeanor.

"... Yes. Let's have Lecty decide our future course of action. Is that alright?"

When Lily asked, Lugue and I both nodded.

"E-Eh!?"

"It's alright, Lecty. We're not trying to push responsibility onto you. We feel the same way you do; we want to hear your words."

It's probably Lecty's words, not mine, not Lugue's, not Lily's, or even Idiot's, that will hold meaning here.

Lecty nodded with a tense expression and began to speak.

"This fighting... it's wrong. I... I want to stop the conflict!"

We all nodded in response to the words Lecty bravely spoke.

"It's settled then."

"Yeah, we absolutely have to stop them. ... I feel a sense of responsibility, too."

"We should hurry. The battle should have already begun."

"Yes...!"

"Fear not, Lady Lecty. This Idiot Hortness shall put a stop to their conflict!"

We immediately left our position and headed toward the center of the area.

Idiot and Lecty, who possess 〈Body Enhancement〉, took the lead, with Lugue and I following close behind. I told Lily, who struggles with physical activity, not to overexert herself, but she was desperately trying to keep up. Even so, she fell quite a distance behind...

The distance to the center was about seven hundred meters. After running for about two minutes, we finally reached the main battlefield. By the time Lugue and I arrived, the battle was already mostly over.

"Wow..."

Lugue let out the word unintentionally. I also wanted to hold my head.

The scene that unfolded before us was not quite littered with the corpses of the fallen... but injured classmates were sprawled everywhere.

The decisive battle, where both factions clashed head-on, seemed to have ended in an extremely short time.

... At this point, no one can be worried about the mock group battle or who the commander is.

Lecty had already begun tending to the injured, so Lugue and I decided to split up and start the rescue work. Idiot had gone off to mediate between those who were still fighting.

"Lecty, are you alright?"

"Y-Yes! Hugh-san, please support this person's body...!"

"Got it."

The student Lecty was about to treat was a noble boy belonging to Prince Slay's faction. He was one of Idiot's former followers, now clutching his leg and crouching down.

"I am going to treat you. Please show me the wound."

"Kuh... Don't touch me so casually, you low-born!"

The boy tried to violently push away Lecty's hands as she attempted to treat him.

"You—"

"It doesn't matter!"

The moment I frantically tried to stop him, Lecty, who usually never raises her voice, spoke up loudly. The male student opened his eyes wide in astonishment.

"Low-born, noble, commoner—I do not care! I have the 〈Saintess〉 Skill, which can heal injuries, and you are an injured person. Therefore, I will heal you. Show me your injury!"

"... Ah, alright."

The male student seemed pressured by Lecty's fierce spirit; he stopped resisting and showed her his wound. The affected area was turning bluish-purple and greatly swollen, with blood seeping from the wound. It looked like a fracture, but...

"〈Heal〉."

The injury instantly recovered under Lecty's Skill.

"This is the power of the 〈Saintess〉 Skill..."

The male student who had been watching muttered quietly. Once Lecty finished the treatment, the discolored skin returned to its original color, leaving no scar behind.

"I think you're alright now, but since the wound just closed, please rest for a while."

"Ah, alright..."

Moving away from the dazed male student, Lecty headed toward another nearby classmate—a commoner girl. The girl quietly received Lecty's treatment, then posed a question to her.

"Why are you healing a noble? You're a commoner, aren't you...? Don't you resent the nobles?"

"... If I said no, I would be lying. I have felt terrible and fearful things. But Lily-chan and Hugh-san, who helped me, are both nobles. I don't believe they helped me simply because they were nobles and I was a commoner. That's why I also want to help people, whether they are noble or commoner!"

"............ I see."

The girl seemed to be deeply considering Lecty's words. She silently continued to watch her wound heal.

... You're wrong, Lecty. On the day of the entrance exam, I was so afraid of the 〈Brainwash〉 Skill being revealed that I tried to abandon you when Idiot cornered you.

Because Lily was there, I ended up helping you, but if Lily hadn't been present, I probably wouldn't have saved you.

I'm not the noble person you hold up as an example, Lecty.

... So, at least, I'll strive to become that kind of person, starting now.

While Lecty was going around treating injuries with her 〈Saintess〉 Skill, Lugue and I focused on providing first aid to the injured. We wrapped the wounds of the bleeding students with cloth and secured the fractured limbs with splints. In cases of severe injury, we called Lecty and prioritized treatment.

After we had treated about half of the injured, we heard the sound of tree branches snapping and a heavy impact that sounded like something significant had dropped far away.

What was that...?

I might have been able to pinpoint the source with the Ninja Skill, but I currently have my Skill switched to 〈Swordsmanship〉. While my senses are sharpened compared to usual, I couldn't immediately pinpoint the location.

"Someone—!"

Next, a girl's scream was heard. I told Lugue to step away slightly and ran toward the direction of the scream. About fifty meters away, I spotted a fallen tree and a girl crumbling nearby.

Is that Ann Torage?

She's one of the central female students in the Prince Slay faction. When she noticed me approaching, she screamed, "Help me!"

"Brown jumped in front of me and is trapped under the tree—!"

"What—"

Rushing toward the fallen tree, I saw Brown, lying face down, pinned under the wood with a look of agony on his face.

"H-Hold on, Brown! Wait there, I'll get you out right away!"

"Hugh... Pnocis, is it. A noble... helping a commoner...?"

"This isn't the time to talk about nobles and commoners!"

I immediately tried to lift the tree pinning Brown, realizing it was far too heavy for one person. Carelessly trying to move it could cause even more damage to Brown.

What do I do!? Should I switch my Skill right now!?

No, calm down! If I did that, the reveal of the 〈Brainwash〉 Skill would be unavoidable. Am I willing to throw away my entire life just to save Brown!?

But I can't just leave him to die...!

"Hugh-san!"

"Hugh, what happened!?"

My hand was reaching for the mirror in my chest pocket as I struggled internally when Lecty and Idiot rushed to my side. Saved!

"Help me! Brown is pinned under this tree!"

"That's terrible...!"

"Kuh, let's hurry!"

Lecty and Idiot lent their strength to move the tree, but even with the two of them and their 〈Body Enhancement〉, the log barely budged. If we could just lift it a little, we could drag Brown out!

The commotion must have drawn attention. The classmates Lecty had treated began to gather.

"Someone, anyone, help us!"

At my call, no one moved immediately. But among them, two students headed toward us: the noble boy who received Lecty's treatment first, and the commoner girl. Following them, the other students also rushed forward to help lift the tree.

"Lift it all at once! Ready, set, heave!"

Coordinating our efforts, the tree finally lifted as ten people worked together. In that moment, Ann and the female student from the Prince Blut faction pulled Brown's body free.

"Brown, stay with us!"

"Ugh..."

Brown's response to Ann's call was weak. His face was pale, and he was spitting blood. He must have sustained internal injuries. His torso, which was pinned, likely had fractures, too. Even if we rushed him to a medical facility now, the injury didn't look survivable.

Now is the time to use the 〈Brainwash〉 Skill, I thought. But right then, Lecty rushed toward Brown.

"I will absolutely save you...! 〈Heal〉!"

Lecty activated her Skill to treat Brown.

But she had already used her Skill dozens of times to treat injuries. The burden of continuous use was definitely taking its toll on Lecty, and her expression was clearly etched with fatigue.

"Don't push yourself, Lady Lecty! You'll collapse, too...!"

"... Please. Don't stop her, Idiot."

"Hugh!? But—!"

I understood Idiot's feelings. Seeing Lecty's pained expression, I wanted to switch my Skill and take over the healing immediately.

... But I had never seen Lecty so desperate. Perhaps she was trying to break past her own shell right now. If that was the case, I didn't want to interfere.

If Lecty collapses halfway through, I'll take care of the rest.

So,

"Just a little more...! Hang in there, Lecty!"

"Kuh... Hold on, Lady Lecty...!"

Following me and Idiot, the other classmates, who could only watch, loudly cheered Lecty on. Brown's wounds were slowly but surely healing, and his color gradually returned.

Meanwhile, Lecty's face was visibly worsening.

"Uck, uuhhhhhh!"

In the final moments, Lecty clenched her teeth and continued to use her Skill right up to her limit, letting out a soft grunt.

And then,

"It's over—"

"Lecty!"

Lecty's body started to fall backward, and I caught her.

Lecty had large drops of sweat on her forehead, and her face was pale with fatigue, yet she bore an expression of total accomplishment. Brown remained unconscious, but his visible wounds were healed. His color looked fine. Lecty had completed the treatment.

"Good work. You did great, Lecty."

"Yes...!"

She smiled and nodded at my praise. Lecty then slipped into unconsciousness, her expression filled with a sense of fulfillment.

◇

After that, we carried Lecty and Brown to the Academy's infirmary. Both were unconscious and laid on a bed, but the school doctor diagnosed that they would wake up soon.

Lecty had already healed most of the other classmates' injuries, so only minor treatment was needed, without resorting to the school doctor's healing Skill.

Around the time the treatment of the classmates was finished, Brown woke up first.

Lecty's treatment seemed perfect, as he felt no pain or discomfort. However, the school doctor told him to rest a little longer, just in case, and Brown, who was trying to sit up, sank back into the bed.

The students who caused the fallen tree apologized to Brown, and he accepted their apology. After that brief moment, the classmates returned to the classroom.

Although they had just been involved in a bloody conflict, they had cooled down and showed no sign of fighting each other anymore. The mock group battle seemed to have been a good way to release steam. Could this have been exactly what Alyssa-san intended...?

Only the usual members—me, Lugue, Lily, and Idiot—remained in the infirmary, along with Ann Torage. Ann was sitting on a chair next to the bed where Brown slept, gently wiping his forehead with a wet towel.

"Stop that, Miss Torage. I didn't help you so you'd feel obligated to do things like this."

"Are you trying to make me a disgrace to the Torage family by doing nothing in return for saving a life? Stop resisting and be quiet."

"Mmm..."

Brown averted his gaze, allowing Ann to do as she wished. His cheeks looked a little flushed; I must not have been imagining it.

"... Say, why did you help me? You hate nobles, don't you?"

"I didn't try to save you. I didn't even know who it was in that situation. My body just moved on its own."

"Hmm. Is that so... Brown, you're kind."

"... Tch. T-That's enough! My injury is healed, thanks to Lecty! I'll be returning to the classroom now!"

Unable to bear his own embarrassment, Brown, with flushed cheeks, leaped out of bed. He was about to leave the infirmary but stopped and returned.

"Hugh Pnocis. Is Lecty still asleep...?"

"Yeah. But her color is slowly returning. She'll probably wake up soon."

"I see... I would have liked to express my gratitude right away..."

"There's no need to rush. You're classmates; there will be plenty of opportunities, won't there?"

"That's true. ... Also, I need to thank you. Thank you, Hugh Pnocis. You were the first to try and help me, right? Your words and actions opened my eyes in many ways. While I don't feel entirely different about nobles, I will stop blindly hating them just because they're nobles."

He added that he didn't want to be an ingrate, smiling shyly.

He then bowed his head to all of us.

"Everyone, I apologize for causing such a disturbance this time. We will concede the victory in this mock group battle to you. I will persuade my comrades to support the leader you choose. ... Well, I will be returning to the classroom now."

Brown glanced at Ann and then left the infirmary. Following him, Ann approached us.

"Brown already said most of it, but we also concede the victory. We will follow the leader you recommend. ... Lily-san, I am sorry for saying something so terrible as 'traitor' earlier. If I were in your position, I likely would have just collapsed in grief and never been able to fight for an annulment... So, well, the truth is, I..."

"It's alright, Ann. Thank you. I can tell, even without you saying it."

"... Hah. I've always wondered this, but are you really the same age as me? You're so grown-up, it doesn't feel like I'm talking to a peer."

"Is that so? If we talk more about different things, perhaps that impression will change. For instance... boy talk."

"Eh? Boy talk? The Lily Puridy!? Tell me more about that!"

Ann was incredibly keen, clearly captivated by Lily's love life. When Lily told her, "Later," Ann exclaimed, "You absolutely have to tell me!" before running back to the classroom. I hope I'm not in the line of fire for that conversation...

Brown and Ann left, leaving only the usual group in the infirmary.

"Should we head back to the classroom, too? It's probably strange for so many of us to stare at someone while she sleeps, and I am curious about the class atmosphere."

"That's right—Oof!"

I was elbowed in the flank just as I agreed with Lily. It didn't hurt at all, but what was the matter?

"It would be sad for Lecty if everyone left her alone, wouldn't it? Hugh, you stay and look after her."

"Ah... alright."

Since Lily specifically nominated me, there must be a reason. I have no reason to refuse, so I'll stay and watch over Lecty until she wakes up.

"Then I, too, shall remain here!"

"No, Idiot. You need to gather up your followers and organize them, once and for all. They look up to you, one way or another."

"Mmm... But Lady Lecty..."

"Now is the time to think about the class, not Lecty. Thanks to Lecty's hard work, the scattered class is just starting to unite a little. We cannot miss this opportunity. ... Or are you going to let Lecty's efforts go to waste?"

"Mhmmm... It is true that they might be able to understand my position now... Ugh, it cannot be helped. I leave Lady Lecty to you, Hugh."

"Ah, I'll rely on you for the class."

I can't deal with repeated brawls like that. It will be reassuring if Idiot manages to unite the Prince Slay faction students during this opportunity.

"Then I'll stay with Hugh—"

"Lugue, over here."

Lugue, who was about to say she would stay, was called over by Lily and whispered to. She isn't filling her head with strange things again, is she...?

"Eh? Lecty is...?"

"Yes. So, can I ask you to do it?"

"Yeah, I understand. If that's the case, I'll cooperate."

From what I could overhear, they seemed to be having a normal conversation this time. Soon, Lugue exchanged a nod with Lily, smiled at me, saying, "Take care of Lecty," and then left the infirmary with Lily and Idiot.

I wonder what they were talking about. I'm a little curious.

Afterward, the school doctor also left the infirmary for his report, leaving just Lecty and me inside. As expected, Lecty, being asleep, was utterly defenseless.

Her pale, light-blue hair shimmered, catching the sunlight from the window. Her finely sculpted face was beautiful, and I could understand why Idiot described her as angelic. There was no trace left of the skinny, unhealthily dirty girl I met initially.

Her beauty was such that I felt I could gaze at it forever.

... No, no. It's creepy to stare so intently, just because I have nothing to do. I looked around the infirmary to kill time and picked up a thick book that caught my eye.

"Is this the Divine Grant Religion's Sacred Scripture..."

The school doctor must have been a devout follower of the Divine Grant Religion.

The Divine Grant Religion was also worshipped in the Pnocis Territory, but my parents weren't particularly fervent believers. So, we didn't have a Sacred Scripture at home, and this was the first time I'd ever held one.

I'll read the Sacred Scripture to pass the time until Lecty wakes up.

I opened a page, finding the word count per page was surprisingly low. In this world, they don't have block printing yet. Books and newspapers rely on manuscripts and wood carvings, so the size of each character is often large. The text was probably deliberately written even larger so that people of all ages could read it easily. It looks like I could quickly get through this.

The Sacred Scripture's content began with the Creation Myth by the One True God, and as I read on, a story began about a Saintess chosen by God, traveling through different regions and helping people.

This seemed to be the only chapter mentioning the Saintess in the Sacred Scripture. The Saintess was devotedly traveling, helping people and healing the injured everywhere. From what I skimmed, there didn't seem to be any mention of the 〈Saintess〉 Skill.

It only described the achievements of a young girl who received a recovery-type Skill.

I recall the children's fairy tales were where the 〈Saintess〉 Skill made an appearance. If that's the case, did those fairy tales create the 〈Saintess〉 Skill based on this Sacred Scripture? Since no one believed such a thing could actually exist, its sudden appearance during the entrance exam caused a commotion.

I made a mental note to read those fairy tales sometime.

I had been reading the Sacred Scripture for a while when Lecty suddenly woke up.

"Huh, where am I...?"

"You're awake, Lecty. Good morning."

"Hugh-san...?"

Lecty looked groggy after waking up. Her amethyst eyes stared intently at me. I feel tense when I'm stared at like that...

"I was in the mock group battle, treating everyone who was hurt..."

"You collapsed from using your Skill too much. This is the Academy infirmary."

"The infirmary... Ah!"

She must have recalled the memory leading up to her collapse. Lecty sat up in a panic. I reflexively caught her as she was about to fall off the bed.

"How is Brown-san! How are Brown-san's injuries!?"

"Calm down, Lecty. Brown is fine. He completely recovered thanks to your Skill. He's regained consciousness and is back in the classroom."

"Is that so. Good..."

She must have been truly relieved. Lecty let out a big breath, relaxing her rigid body, and then leaned against me as I held her.

"Um, Lecty...?"

"Hweh?"

Me holding Lecty, and Lecty leaning her body against mine. Anyone seeing this intimate position would think we were a couple meeting for an tryst in the infirmary. What kind of misunderstanding would this cause if anyone saw us...?

"A-A-A-Awawawawa! I-I didn't mean to—!"

"Calm down, Lecty. Everything's fine, so gently get back in bed."

"Y-Yes...!"

I calmed Lecty, who was still half-fallen out of the bed, and guided her to sit deep on the bed. Once I confirmed she was settled, I pulled away, and Lecty pulled the blanket up to her nose to hide her beet-red face.

"I-I'm so sorry, Hugh-san! For clinging to you like that!"

"No, there's no need to apologize. I was the one who grabbed you; weren't you uncomfortable?"

"Absolutely not!"

"I-Is that so."

She denied it with incredible vigor. Did I try to be too cautious? In my past life, and even in this one before coming to the Royal Academy, I had virtually no opportunity to interact with girls my age... I still can't quite grasp the right balance.

"Um, Hugh-san. What about the others..."

"Lugue and the others went back to the classroom already."

"I see..."

Lecty fell silent, thinking deeply, her face half-hidden by the blanket.

I was thinking about suggesting we return to class since she seemed better, but then I remembered Lily's vague reasons for keeping me here. Curious about that, I sat back down in the chair where I had been reading the Sacred Scripture.

A short wait later, Lecty threw back the blanket, clenched her hands tightly in front of her chest, and declared firmly, as if resolving herself,

"I look up to you, Hugh-san!"

"Look up to me...?"

Does that mean she likes me or something like that...?

"A-Ah, well, when I say I look up to you, I don't mean anything strange! It's more like I want to be like Hugh-san, or I respect Hugh-san!"

Ah, that kind of thing... It seems I was getting ahead of myself, what with Lugue and Lily showing their affections recently. It's not good to jump to conclusions. I need to reflect...

(T-Though, of course, I do feel some of that other feeling...)

Lecty muttered something quickly and incoherently. I might have caught it with the 〈Ninja〉 Skill, but since I still had 〈Swordsmanship〉 active, I couldn't clearly make it out.

"Um, I appreciate the sentiment. But... have I done anything worth looking up to or respecting?"

Since I was genuinely unsure, I took the liberty of asking her directly, despite feeling bad about it. Lecty's eyes widened in surprise, and then she let out a small, sweet giggle.

"Hugh-san, you saved Lily-chan, didn't you?"

"A-Ah..."

I certainly hadn't forgotten, but I was surprised by the connection.

"I'm Lily-chan's friend, but I felt so helpless when she was in trouble. She put on a brave face for me, but I knew how much pain she was truly in..."

Lily must have not wanted Lecty to worry about her. But Lecty noticed Lily's subtle changes and felt guilty for being unable to do anything for her.

"Lily-chan's problem was resolved, and I was so relieved she was well again. ... Yet, there was a part of me that wondered if relief was enough. I kept agonizing over whether I should have done something, too. When Lily-chan told me that Hugh-san saved her, I thought I wanted to be like Hugh-san."

"I told Lily this, but I didn't do anything that major to save her. I can't talk about the details, but a different person entirely created the path to rescue Lily."

I only connected Lily and Prince Lucas, and didn't directly rescue Lily myself. Though there's no doubt my actions were motivated by the desire to help her...

"That's not true! Lily-chan was incredibly, incredibly grateful to Hugh-san! Even if Hugh-san doesn't see it that way, Lily-chan was saved by Hugh-san! Over-humility is rude to Lily-chan!"

Oh-oh. My bad...

“Honestly!” Lecty crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

I never thought Lecty would get mad at me. Now that I think about it, Princess Lucretia was also exasperated by me before... Is being too humble a weird habit left over from my previous life...?

"It's not just the Lily-chan matter. Hugh-san defended me from Idiot-san and even pretended to be my boyfriend... Hugh-san was also the first one to try to rescue Brown-san. Seeing Hugh-san take action for others made me want to become a person who can help, like Hugh-san."

"I see... So that's why you were so desperate to treat the class earlier."

"Yes... I don't know if I did a good job or not, but..."

"You can definitely be confident in that, you know?"

Brown's injury would normally be fatal. But now there wasn't even a residual pain, let alone an aftereffect. The injuries on the other students were mostly the kind that only Lecty could have healed, too.

"I-Is that so? Ehehe..."

Lecty smiled shyly.

I was curious that she seemed more active than usual, but I never considered that my actions had inspired her. I don't think I'm the type of person Lecty should look up to, but saying that to Lecty would probably be wrong.

What I should convey is a firm resolve.

"It is a little embarrassing, I must admit... but I'll strive to continue being someone Lecty can look up to."

"Me too! I will try even harder!"

We both declared we would try our best, which somehow felt so ridiculous that we ended up bursting out laughing.

"Hugh-san, shall we return to the classroom soon?"

"Sounds good. Do you feel alright?"

I asked Lecty as she started to climb off the bed. She smiled and answered, "You worry too much, Hugh-san," before adding,

"This is totally fin—kyaaa!"

Just as she was about to walk, her feet tangled, and she stumbled toward me.

"Woah!"

I had been halfway out of my chair and failed to fully catch Lecty, tumbling backward and landing hard on my ass with her in my embrace.

"Ow, ow... Are you okay, Lecty?"

"Y-Yes. I'm sorry—"

I realized Lecty's face was right in front of mine. We were close enough to feel each other's breath directly. Her amethyst eyes were impossibly wide.

"I-I-I-I-I'm SO SORRY!!!"

"My bad, too... somehow."

We decided to head back to the classroom after waiting for Lecty, whose face was completely flushed and frantic, to calm down.

We walked up the stairs to the third-floor hallway when I heard Idiot's voice from a distance.

What the...?

It didn't sound like an argument, but his voice was extremely loud. As we got closer to the classroom, the voice became clearer and clearer until I could make out the words.

"Listen up! The Saintess’s blessing is upon us! Now is the time for us to unite under Lady Lecty and dedicate the victory in the Class-to-Class Battle to her! All glory to our Saintess, Lady Lecty!"

"OOOOHHHHHHHH! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY! LEC-TY!"

What the hell is this...? Have they all been Brainwashed?

My classmates, who were in a bloodbath just a few hours ago, were now completely united in worshiping Lecty. Just because half the class was treated by her, and almost everyone witnessed her dedication to their healing, did it normally lead to this level of cult-like devotion?

We were halted by the utter strangeness of the situation when Lily appeared from the classroom, looking severely exhausted. She must have sensed we were approaching with her Skill.

"Lily. What is this...?"

"I'm the one who should be asking you that... Ah, no, I know the course of the conversation, but I just haven't been able to comprehend it yet."

Lily sighed heavily and explained the full story.

Right after Lily, Idiot, and Lugue returned, the discussion about who would command the Class-to-Class Battle started in the classroom. Ultimately, our third faction won the mock group battle, so Lily took the lead in the discussion.

"At first, I intended to volunteer as commander. Then Idiot just interjected, saying, 'If we are to unite the class, Lady Lecty is the most suitable commander!'"

"EEEeeh!? Me!?"

"I tried to stop him because I knew Lecty would be uncomfortable with it. But then Brown was the first to agree with Idiot, and then the other students Lecty treated also said they would follow Lecty if she was the commander... I'm so sorry, Lecty-chan."

"W-What can I even say...!"

Lecty covered her mouth with her hand, completely aghast.

... Well, most of the class received Lecty's treatment, and almost everyone saw her dedicated efforts. It's natural for them to think, "I want to work hard for this person." I felt the same way.

Using Lecty as a rallying cry to unite the class is quite sound, if you ignore her personal feelings.

"I understand how Lecty was chosen as commander. But how did it escalate to this riot...?"

The class chorus of "LEC-TY! LEC-TY!" was still audible from the classroom.

"... A few students raised an objection, citing Lecty’s low birth. These were noble students who barely fought and didn’t get hurt in the mock battle. After hearing their arguments, Idiot launched a rebuttal—or rather, an oration on Lecty’s brilliance—and it slowly morphed into something bizarre... The class clowns and Lecty's secret admirers jumped in, and this is the result..."

"Uwaaa..."

The sheer wretchedness of it all made me groan, completely taken aback. Lecty’s face was beet-red, and she was trembling with tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

"I absolutely hate Idiot-san!"

... Yeah, well. I guess that's the only natural conclusion.

The "Lecty chant" finally came to an end when the enraged Lecty charged into the classroom and slapped Idiot at full force, with 〈Body Enhancement〉 active.

However, we ultimately concluded that Lecty was the only one who could serve as commander and unite the class for the Class-to-Class Battle. After pleading from Lily and me, Lecty reluctantly accepted.

Class 1-A would face the Class-to-Class Battle with Lecty as its commander.

On a side note, Alyssa-san, who had been watching the entire exchange leisurely saying, "It's youthful, ya know," was later handed a pay cut for neglecting her safety management duties and allowing a large number of injuries. She was seen sobbing, "These injuries are commonplace in the Knight's order, ya know!"

... I'm absolutely making sure I never get scouted by the Royal Knights.