The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

---

“Hello, everyone. Due to the tragic incident during the midterm exams, we will be conducting this physical test indoors for safety.”

At Georg’s words, the atmosphere in the room sank. At least for our group, it didn’t change much since it didn’t really apply to us.

To be precise, it didn’t apply to Hoyeon. She didn’t raise an eyebrow and just looked bored, as if she was curious about when it would end.

“…Yawn. I really don’t understand why humans feel the need to add unnecessary comments.”

Though she was quiet enough that those around couldn’t hear, she was yawning and making her disdain obvious.

Not a human, but an elf. In Hoyeon’s eyes, maybe it was all the same.

“People are always curious about ‘why’ things happen. You may not know this back in your hometown, though.”

“…We’re curious too, you know? Like, what’s up with the movements of the stars, or how a chunk of iron can fly through the sky… that kind of stuff.”

Isn’t that a bit different from this? With that response, Hoyeon seemed to have nothing more to say and started kicking at the dust on the ground.

“…Hmm. Are there no people in your hometown who question the intentions of the gods or rulers?”

I could guess what it might be like from her vague comments, but still thought it would be better if a local spoke directly, so I asked her.

“…Why should we be curious? If we just follow along, everything goes smoothly.”

Hoyeon showed no signs of feeling uncomfortable. I felt relieved that all I sensed was pure curiosity, but also a bit bitter.

They wouldn’t even question a dictatorship. In that case, if I had someone presenting me with a perfect schedule, I suppose I wouldn’t ask either.

“Is that so… Oh, look over there. They’re showing us what we’ll be doing?”

It seemed that this time they were particularly focused on safety, as there was no direct competition. Hoyeon still showed little interest, but she was watching as if she would at least listen since they were talking up front.

“…Obstacle course, long-distance running, pull-ups… what’s this? Aren’t they overly cautious? It was a big deal last time, but they seem way too timid this time. I wonder if they’ll even be able to properly filter this out.”

I thought the same, but I could understand on some level why they might be that scared.

The reason the academy could treat students equally was because of a treaty, and that treaty also guaranteed the safety of the students.

Parents’ complaints must have been quite serious. Moreover, they weren’t just any parents, they were all influential figures, so no matter how prestigious the academy was, it would be a burden to deal with.

…Speaking of which, the Eastern region seems to have been completely left out of that treaty. I mean, it’s a fictitious enemy state, so there wouldn’t even be a reason to include them in the treaty, and they wouldn’t send people to negotiate.

Is that why teachers have no real authority over Hoyeon? It felt like aside from Georg, everyone was accommodating her.

“Still, thanks to that, we can take the test easily. A good deal is a good deal.”

“If you think so… then I guess that’s how it is.”

While chatting with Hoyeon, I noticed that people had already started gathering on the track, jogging in groups.

To be fair, they did seem to make some consideration, grouping mana breathers together and regular folks together before ranking them.

Moreover, it seemed that the scoring criteria for mana breathers were different too. It felt like they had carefully adjusted things so that even regular student didn’t feel discouraged.

Yet there would always be outliers, and some kids brought others down with them, equally distributing the feeling of deficiency.

Like Anya beside me. There was also Eric, but since Anya was established in the original story as being superior, I could only shake my head at her physique.

“Oh, Hoyeon! And Dokan! What a surprise to see you here…?”

But it was Hoyeon who seemed most taken aback. I could understand why I wasn’t paired with regular students since I manipulated mana, but she had never shown any of that before.

“…Hmm. Feels like I’ve seen you quite often.”

Hoyeon seemed a bit dazed, not knowing why she was there, but she appeared more alert after spotting a familiar face.

“Positions, athletes.”

But Georg didn’t allow for chit-chat and urged us to get in position quickly.

Hoyeon tossed her coat onto the grass beside the track and got into her stance. I was curious how she was going to run in that outfit, but… well, she’d figure it out.

“Ready… go!”

And with Georg’s command, everyone shot out, cutting through the wind.

– – – –

“…Hah… Hoyeon, are you actually a mana breather…?”

“No.”

After the test ended and everyone was panting, Hoyeon didn’t even break a sweat.

Though her speed was mid-range and slower than mine, that meant she was faster than those without any breath control—essentially the average ones.

What she exhibited was nothing short of absurd stamina.

Even during the obstacle course, long-distance run, and pull-ups, she may have shown signs of struggling, but she never appeared tired.

So that’s how she could squeeze me so mercilessly.

“Whew, huff… I see… your stamina is something else…”

Anya, by this point, looked utterly exhausted during the pull-ups. I wondered if Hoyeon had any limits.

Suddenly, I felt worried about my future.

“…Huff. It seems I’m lacking in more than just intellect compared to others. I see, I’ve witnessed something very valuable, Hoyeon.”

“What on earth are you talking about?! Are you saying my head is lacking? Yours must be the one that’s lacking!”

“My dear. I absolutely cannot let this slide…!”

Watching Eric and Anya bicker was amusing, yet also a bit bittersweet.

“…Dokan. Why are you staring so hard? Jealous?”

As I stared blankly, Hoyeon suddenly scooted closer and warmed my side.

“No, it’s not exactly jealousy… um, it does feel a bit like it.”

I tried to think of other words, but “jealousy” felt like the best fit. With Hoyeon around, there wouldn’t be much to envy, yet humans always want “more.”

“…Well, there’s nothing to be done. So go ahead and pet me.”

Hoyeon said that and placed her tail in my hand. I hadn’t asked, but still appreciated her consideration.

It was a bit funny how she offered her tail as if doing me a favor. Still, it was outside, and we had to be mindful of others watching.

Clearing my complicated thoughts, I absentmindedly stroked Hoyeon’s tail, marveling at its unique texture.

Petting in the right direction felt like caressing silk, while stroking against it felt like petting a prickly hedgehog. The major difference was that it didn’t poke me.

She seemed to prefer the right movement, and every time I went against it, she lightly flicked her tail as a warning.

However, that rough texture was oddly addictive, and though I felt bad for overdoing it, it was hard to restrain myself.

Initially, I was just lightly shaking her tail, but at some point it started bouncing vigorously, and only then did I finally pat it as she wished.

Meanwhile, the earlier childish arguments between Anya and Eric went quiet, and when I looked over, it turned out they were staring at us with flushed faces.

“…Oh, no. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or anything…”

“Ahem…!”

I wasn’t sure when it happened, but it seemed they had paused their bickering to watch as I stroked her tail.

But is this really such an unusual sight? Yet seeing Hoyeon, I understood why they were staring.

“…Huff.”

It didn’t take long to realize that the reason they were breathing with flushed faces was because of how I was stroking her tail.

“…I’m so sorry, Hoyeon. I’ll stop…”

“Keep… huff… going.”

I seemed to have flipped a dangerous switch.

– – – –

Where is this…? Waking up in a strange place, she forced her weak body to sit up.

Still hazy, she tried hard to recall what had happened.

So, after summoning the goddess, that poor girl…

Right, what happened to Stephanie? She tried to get up but felt dizzy, only then realizing there were several cords attached to her body.

As she began to pull them out in annoyance, she soon recognized a familiar face entering the recovery room.

“Ena, you’re awake!”

“Ethan, where are you rushing off to so quickly…? And who is that…?”

“…Could you please keep it down, Decatria? My head’s pounding.”

Despite bringing in a strange elf, Gloria steadied her hazy mind and asked Ethan the question that needed an answer.

“…More importantly, what happened to Stephanie, Decatria?”

To ask what happened rather than how long she had been out; Ethan admired her resolve but answered her question readily.

“She’s missing. We found large amounts of blood in her room, so we think she’s dead.”

I see, that’s a relief. Yet she felt an uneasy sensation for some reason. She had almost killed her herself, but she couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that she might still be alive.

“…Is that so?”

“You’ve been asleep for several months. Please take it easy.”

“Wait…? Several months? Who is this person to…?”

“…Then… yes. Perhaps we should rest a little longer…”

With Cecilia’s questions piling up, the disciples continued their conversation.