Back at the academy.
Landon immediately found Leisha and asked about Isabella’s whereabouts.
Learning that Isabella was at the Student Council, he was a bit surprised but quickly calmed down.
Isabella was a princess herself, and many of her royal brothers also attended the Imperial Academy of Wen Er Dun.
She naturally symbolized power and class, so joining the Student Council made perfect sense.
He arrived at the Student Affairs Office, which was the Imperial Academy’s Student Council.
The ceiling was made of gilded gold, looking extremely luxurious and grand.
Even the seats for students waiting in the reception area were the kind Landon had only ever seen in theaters.
“The Student Council is so rich.”
As soon as he walked in, Landon couldn’t help but exclaim.
This was even more luxurious than his own room at home.
Since coming to this academy, he’d been enjoying himself so much he’d almost forgotten to go back.
“Of course. Our Student Council has royal sponsorship. Even some members of the royal family come here often. To entertain them, it’s only natural to keep things upscale. Uh… who are you looking for?”
A voice came from behind him, tinged with surprise.
“I’m looking for Her Highness the Princess. Is she here?”
Landon turned around with a smile.
He looked at the student wearing a Student Council badge on his uniform—Ximiya.
“Her Highness is inside handling some student matters. She’s still in there right now. You can push the door open and see her in a bit. Why don’t you have a seat in the waiting area first? Would you like something to drink?”
Ximiya walked to the front desk, his attitude toward Landon improving noticeably.
“Coffee would be fine.”
Landon nodded.
Ximiya promptly brought over a cup of coffee.
He walked toward the waiting area, sat down to rest, and his mood brightened along with the aroma of the coffee.
Before long, two figures emerged from the inner door, each holding a stack of documents.
Smiles hung on their faces, and they seemed to be in good spirits.
It seemed Isabella handled these matters quite skillfully.
She truly was an outstanding princess.
Landon stood up, gently placed his coffee cup on the table, and pushed open the inner door of the Student Council.
He then stepped forward and pushed open the inner door, revealing the scene inside.
Beneath the towering magical lamps, Isabella sat gracefully upright at a desk.
Her posture was elegant and poised, radiating the aura of a princess.
She held a quill in her hand, recording something.
“Are you handling all these matters alone?”
He asked with a smile.
“If you have something to discuss, please fill out the form and explain the situation first… Huh? Landon?”
Isabella recognized the newcomer, surprise flickering in her eyes.
“Phew.”
She stretched lazily, setting the quill aside, allowing herself a rare moment of relaxation.
For some reason.
In front of Landon, she always found herself relaxing involuntarily.
When Landon approached her, only then did he notice something different about Isabella.
Isabella wore a golden gauze dress, her soft light-golden hair tied back.
Seeing Landon, she showed a rare smile.
“You don’t have to wear the academy uniform?”
Landon was a bit surprised.
It seemed like ever since the Sage Institute class, he hadn’t seen Isabella wearing the academy uniform.
“It’s one of the Princess’s little privileges.”
She curled the corner of her mouth, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
“I see. So does the Princess have other privileges as well?”
Landon’s tone suddenly became a bit hesitant.
“Hmm? You seem off. You want something from me again, don’t you? I already gave you those gold coins last time. I can’t just open doors for you for no reason.”
Isabella sensed Landon’s shift in demeanor.
Her expression grew serious.
She knew Landon.
Whenever he used that tone of voice, he was probably about to do something… unexpected again.
“Ahem, no, it’s not that. It’s just that recently, I’ve been feeling a bit lost in my life at the academy. I want to get involved in more interesting things.”
Landon sat down across from Isabella.
He decided to take a gradual approach, slowly breaking down Isabella’s defenses.
The light in the room dimmed slightly, casting shadows over both of them.
“Oh? If you’re bored, you could join the Student Council. I guarantee you’ll be disillusioned with campus life in a month.”
Isabella laughed.
“Forget joining the Student Council. But that’s the general idea. I want to get to know my classmates better, understand their preferences and such. Do you have records of the students from other departments here?”
“Uh… what do you need that for?”
Isabella grew wary.
These records were confidential, protected by the Student Council.
Even she couldn’t access them freely.
“I want to start a team specifically for new students. To do that, I need to understand my classmates. Right now, I’m only familiar with the Magitech Institute and the Sage Institute. I need to get acquainted with students from other departments too.”
This was the second time Landon had lied to Isabella.
The first time was about Leisha.
And after a second time… there would be countless more.
He let out a sigh.
“Ah, you know how it is. Magitech Institute students are never welcomed into teams. So I want to create my own group.”
“I see.”
Isabella looked into Landon’s sincere eyes, hesitating.
“I’ve already spoken to Leisha about you. She understands your feelings now…”
Landon decided to pull out his trump card.
“Huh?”
Isabella lowered her head, then suddenly realized something was off.
She lifted it sharply, her small eyes filled with big doubts.
She felt like Landon was tricking her.
What did Leisha have to do with this at all?
“Tch.”
Landon clicked his tongue.
After last time.
Isabella’s scam-awareness had gotten pretty strong.
He wondered who taught her that.
“Fine. If you really want to start a team, I have a simplified version of the records here. It generally lists the outstanding students from each department. If you can actually get them to join your team, that’ll be your own skill.”
Isabella let out a resigned sigh.
“Wouldn’t a simplified version lack precision…?”
Landon hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his head.
He was immediately met with Isabella’s “friendly” gaze.
Isabella stared at him fiercely, her eyes gleaming with dangerous intentions, as if she wanted to devour him.
She had actually spent time with Leisha since then, and that feeling hadn’t reappeared.
She felt like she was being led around by the nose by Landon.
“This will do. Thank you. You’re the best Princess.”
Landon beamed with joy.
With that, Isabella pulled out a file and handed it to Landon.
He flipped through the records, confirmed they were correct, and thanked Isabella again.
“Thank you.”
Landon smiled sincerely.
“On one condition. Later, when I need your help, you have to follow my arrangements.”
Isabella’s smile turned sly, carrying a hint of cunning and brightness, as if she were getting back at Landon for rejecting her during that Sage Institute class.
This was also the first time Landon had seen her smile so mischievously.
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and waited for Landon’s reply.
“No problem.”
He smiled sincerely.
After Landon left.
The light in the room grew dimmer, as if coated in a layer of gray.
“You only come to me at times like this.”
Isabella slumped into her seat, her golden hair spilling across the floor.
She murmured softly, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
Landon closed the door behind him.
With a thud, the inner door shut tight.
After watching Landon leave.
She turned back to the pile of documents on her desk.
Something felt unsettled in her heart.
Outside the inner door.
“Ah, all this hard work I’m doing… and who is it for? It’s all for you, a defeated princess. I’m worrying myself to death over you.”
Landon couldn’t help but mutter quietly.