363 Insensitive Weiss

Preparations for the School Festival were humming along without a hitch.

While we didn’t have any major exams on the horizon, the sheer amount of classroom time had increased to compensate. Now that we were intermediate-year students, we were spending a lot more time studying the core principles of magic.

Cecil still hasn’t clued me in on her progress, but I have a pretty good feeling she’s further along than anyone else.

Before long, I was sure other standout talents would start emerging too. Actually, that progression was exactly what made the Noblesse Oblige game so engaging in the first place.

Magic is, in a sense, fairly one-dimensional.

You shoot fire, or you shoot water.

But there’s a way to take it to the next level. Luna’s Black Ball and Olynn’s Perfect Tame are perfect examples of that.

And then there was one more person who had developed their Gift much faster than I ever could have imagined. To be honest, they were the last person I expected.

“Weiss... what exactly is the meaning of this?”

We were training together late one night. Lately, Cynthia had been practicing a way to weave ice and healing magic together.

It was a total game-changer.

By cladding her body in ice, she could drastically increase her defensive power. But it didn’t stop there; she was also constantly boosting her natural recovery. To put it in perspective, it was like taking Priscilla or Neil and making them even sturdier.

Man, she might actually be the most formidable opponent I know.

And then...

“This combination of magic has triggered an explosive evolution,” I noted. “A half-baked attack won’t even leave a scratch on you anymore.”

“Is that so? I’m... so happy.”

“Me too. With this, you’ll get even stronger—”

“No, that’s not it. I’m happy because... I’ll finally be able to fight by your side.”

Cynthia always puts me first. I truly appreciated that about her.

“Cynthia.”

“Weiss...”

I stepped closer and gripped her shoulders.

And then...

“It’s decided. You’re going to be the Ice Princess.”

“...Eh?”

I never could have imagined she’d be able to literally shroud herself in ice. With this, we can win. We can achieve a level of cosplay that transcends mere costumes!

In other words, this is another successful alteration of the Original Story. As expected of Cynthia, my fiancé.

Wait... why is she glaring at me?

“Is something wrong, Cynthia?”

“It is nothing.”

The female heart is a complete mystery to me... Wait, why is it suddenly getting so cold around my feet—?