Chapter 7: Deciding to take the Commoner Route

Once Olesia was mentioned, Nomily no longer hid.

She jumped to the front and spoke to Yuriko in a boastful tone.

“Elder Sister is the most perfect existence in the world. She learned to speak when she was only six months old, and by the age of ten, she had already created her own sword technique. She is first in everything she does and is the star that everyone in our Kingdom of Pellan admires!”

“Oh, that sounds quite impressive.”

Creating one’s own sword technique at ten years old was indeed amazing.

Yuriko did not know how to use a sword; she only knew how to swing a mace.

“Furthermore, since Elder Sister enrolled, she has received perfect scores in every subject. She is the universally recognized number one beauty in the school, something unprecedented in the history of the Academy!”

Nomily’s gaze shifted to Yuriko, her expression becoming one of disdain once more.

“So, a maggot like you should stop having delusions. No one in this world is worthy of being Elder Sister’s opponent. You should just go back to wherever you came from.”

As Nomily spoke, she made a dismissive shooing motion, causing a vein to pulse on Yuriko’s forehead.

Being called a maggot was certainly enough to make someone angry.

“Nomily, you are going too far. Have you forgotten my instructions?”

Olesia spoke up to remind her.

“Ugh.”

Nomily instantly wilted.

She lowered her head and retreated behind Olesia, apologizing obediently, “I’m sorry.”

After Nomily fell silent, Olesia gave Yuriko an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry. Nomily just cares about me too much. I will have a proper talk with her later.”

“Uh, I can understand.”

‘I don’t understand at all.’

“Wow, Elder Sister, how can you apologize to someone like this!”

Nomily tried to rush forward in protest again, but Olesia gently held her down, preventing her from making a scene.

“You said those things for my sake. Besides, as your sister, I have the duty to take responsibility for your mistakes, don’t I?”

“Ugh…”

Olesia’s words successfully silenced Nomily.

After soothing Nomily, Olesia looked at Yuriko one last time and said, “In any case, I look forward to your performance. I hope you are as excellent as your sister.”

Leaving those words behind, Olesia left Yuriko’s side and returned to her own seat.

Yuriko watched her go, feeling that the Student Council President was a decent person.

Though there was a hint of conceit, she was indeed outstanding.

It was just the little sidekick next to her who was annoying, always looking for trouble.

Yuriko looked around and realized that Phantom had not returned yet.

‘Is she still angry with me?’

“Phantom hasn’t come back yet. I’m going out to find her,” Yuriko said to Carmilla.

“Do you need me to go with you? You probably aren’t familiar with the way yet, Ruri.”

“No need, I’ll be back soon.”

Yuriko stood up and left the classroom, walking through the Academy with the dignified steps her sister had taught her.

Relying on the connection she shared with Phantom, she eventually reached the Central Plaza of the Academy.

A massive crystal statue stood there; Yuriko recognized it as the Crystal Saint Statue of the Academy.

At the base of the statue sat a small black cat.

She had her head tilted back, gazing up at the Crystal Saint Statue.

‘Found you.’

Yuriko came up behind Phantom and reached out to pick her up, cradling her in her arms.

‘Why are you staring at the Saint Statue in a daze? Did you remember something?’

Yuriko wanted to reach out and stroke Phantom’s fur, but thinking that it might make Phantom’s hair stand on end, she eventually gave up on the idea.

‘It is nothing, meow. I just haven’t been back to see it in a long time. This statue is exactly the same as it was before.’

Phantom pulled her gaze away and lay in Yuriko’s arms, leaning against that soft “pillow” and yawning contentedly.

‘How was your chat?’

‘It was alright. That Wyndham student doesn’t feel like a bad person, but she is so excellent that it makes me a bit uneasy.’

The unease was real.

After all, the other girl surpassed her in every aspect.

She had perfect grades, incredible talent, and high popularity.

She was a great beauty who was not inferior to Yuriko in the slightest.

To be honest, Yuriko felt she was already very beautiful without makeup, but she hadn’t expected to meet someone in the Academy whose appearance was completely on par with her own.

‘Are you afraid?’

‘Perhaps. Although I’m good at fighting, I don’t have the confidence to get perfect scores on exams.’

‘Don’t worry, meow. Am I not here? Perfect scores—I can give you as many as you want!’

‘Eh? Phantom, are you really that amazing? Those are perfect scores we’re talking about.’

‘Hmph, why would I lie to you? Instead of worrying about academic grades, you should worry about your magic and martial arts. Although I can help you, you have to work hard on those two subjects yourself.’

‘True.’

The cherry-haired girl looked up at the massive Crystal Saint Statue and fell into thought.

The breeze stirred her hair, adding a touch of liveliness to the girl.

Those beautiful eyes rippled like clear autumn water.

She unconsciously stroked the black cat in her arms, and for once, Phantom did not hiss.

She lay in the girl’s embrace and allowed herself to be petted.

Students passing by could not help but slow their pace upon seeing this scene, wanting to admire the beautiful sight for a little longer.

‘Yes, I really do need to work hard. I should find a way to increase my popularity first. Let me think… that Wyndham girl seems to be a noble, so I’ll take the Commoner Route and play the role of a friendly and kind commoner girl.’

Having decided on the role she would play, Yuriko snapped out of it, her beautiful pink eyes regaining their luster.

‘Whoa, why are there so many people here!’

As soon as Yuriko came to her senses, she saw a dozen or so students gathered nearby.

They were either walking slowly or had stopped entirely, their gazes lingering on her.

In a situation like this, what should a kind and friendly girl do?

‘Hmm, at a time like this, I should…’

Yuriko looked at the surrounding students and revealed the sweet smile she had practiced countless times in front of the mirror.

That smile seemed to transform into arrows of love, piercing through every student present.

It made their hearts beat a few shades faster; some were even so captivated that the cherry-pink figure would haunt their dreams.

Yuriko did not know how much destructive power her smile held.

Holding Phantom, she walked back toward the classroom.

Phantom poked her head out from Yuriko’s arms.

Looking at those people who wore infatuated or lingering expressions because of the smile, she shook her head inwardly.

‘This girl, Yuriko, really has no idea how high her true charm is.’

Before class began, Yuriko finally returned to the classroom with Phantom in her arms.

The first period was a cultural class related to military affairs.

The instructor lectured on knowledge regarding military operations.

Because it was the first lesson, the difficulty was not high, and Yuriko could barely understand it.

She took out a notebook from her bag and, under Phantom’s guidance, recorded the important points of knowledge.