Many seasons had passed since that exam.
I was now a first-year in the Middle School Division. Though I had plenty of juniors now, I hadn't actually interacted with any of them yet. Honestly, it was a little depressing.
I’d grown quite a bit taller, and since I spent a lot of time "contemplating" while reading, an "intellectual" persona was starting to take root. Well, it beat being called a "hero" any day. If anyone still tried to call me that, I’d smack them with a legal compendium.
I still relied on Mr. Long-hair to help me with my magical power measurements, and I was somehow scraping by on my other exams.
To be honest, with Elysia and Serena as my teammates every single time, the group exams were nothing but a breeze.
And so...
...Ah, I suppose it was about that time. I was currently in a glamorous room within the Royal Palace. To put it simply, it was a party venue.
Naturally, I was sticking to the corners; the star of today's show was apparently dancing in the center of the room.
Even Yuka wasn't here today. Since attendance was strictly limited, the guest list consisted almost entirely of the nobility.
Looking around, I saw members of the ducal families dressed in glamorous dresses and tuxedos.
I couldn't see very well through the crowd... Sorry, Brother. You'll have to tell me how it went later.
"Luka-sama."
I turned at the voice to find Elysia standing there.
Her long, silver-white hair flowed straight down her back, shimmering faintly as it caught the light.
Her ice-blue eyes, clear as frozen water, were calm as usual.
She wore a pale light blue dress—a color that seemed to give physical form to her translucent beauty.
"As usual, I see. To think you're in the corner again."
As Elysia gave a refined chuckle, another familiar figure stepped up beside her.
"Because it’s just more relaxing, isn't it, Luka?" Serena said with a shrug.
She also had long silver hair, though it was a shade darker than Elysia’s. Loose curls swayed against her back, and her amber eyes, nearly gold, glittered under the lights.
Her deep green dress suited her perfectly.
The two of them together really were a sight to behold.
"...You both really stand out, you know."
"That's only because we're standing next to you, Luka."
That wasn't what I meant; I wasn't that conspicuous. But Elysia gave a small, firm nod at those words.
...Are these two trying to test my mental fortitude or something?
While we engaged in some idle chatter about the academy, a stir spread through the room.
All eyes drifted toward the center.
It seemed the dance had ended.
The wall of people parted slightly, and I could finally see him clearly.
The star of the show: my brother, Noin.
His ash-platinum hair was swept back, and his deep blue eyes quietly surveyed his surroundings.
He was even taller than me now, with a lean, poised posture.
As expected of a Duke's son, he looked like a prince straight out of a storybook.
Beside him stood his fiancée, the Second Princess, Arianna Celestia.
Her soft golden hair reached her waist in gentle waves. Her eyes were a translucent jade, and she possessed the refined features unique to royalty—everything about her was as perfectly balanced as a doll.
I’d seen members of the royal family a few times before, but the sheer perfection of their faces was on another level entirely.
It was the same with Elysia and the others; looking at beautiful people all the time was going to spoil my eyes...
Suddenly, their gaze turned toward us.
...I had a really bad feeling about this. Seriously.
"Luka," Noin said, a smile on his face.
The Second Princess also gracefully lifted her hem and began walking toward us.
The crowd cleared a path for them.
"It has been a long time, Brother-in-law."
Her voice was soft.
"It has been a long time, Your Highness," I replied, bowing.
Even if we were about to become relatives, Lady Arianna was a princess and I was just a duke’s son; there was an absolute gap between us.
Still, she was truly beautiful up close.
As I stood there momentarily captivated, those jade eyes peered quietly into mine.
"I heard you entered the Middle School Division this year. You've grown quite a bit taller."
"Ah, yes. Thank you very much."
Noin placed a hand on my shoulder.
"How have things been lately?"
Those blue eyes peered out from behind his platinum hair, and for a moment, he looked like a regular older brother again.
"The same as usual. I feel like I'm barely scraping by."
"So I've heard."
We shared a laugh. It was a peaceful moment.
Just then, an even softer voice cut in.
"Brother, Sister."
I turned around.
Standing there was the Third Princess of this country, Mireille Celestia.
Her pale blonde hair swayed softly at her shoulders.
She was a beautiful girl with gentle, leaf-green eyes.
While she appeared a bit more youthful than the Second Princess, her features were just as perfectly formed.
She wore a refined, soft, and all-encompassing smile.
"Luka-kun, it's been a long time."
She was two years my senior—a third-year in the Middle School Division—but we’d likely only met once as children.
One heard rumors about the royal family whether they wanted to or not, and apparently, Lady Mireille was renowned in high society as the embodiment of kindness.
"It has been a long time, Princess Mireille."
She turned her gaze toward Elysia and Serena as well.
"I have heard rumors about you two as well—that you are both exceptionally talented."
Elysia gave a quiet bow, while Serena puffed out her chest with a confident smile.
A glamorous corner of the palace—royalty, nobility, and us.
It was a surreal sight, and I wanted to run away immediately.
Then, perhaps sensing my discomfort, Brother Noin spoke quietly.
"Luka. Try to act a little more dignified."
"...That's impossible. Please, just hurry up and go back to the center."
At that, Brother looked exasperated. "The vassals are boring; we don't even speak the same language anyway."
Having apparently overheard our conversation, the Second Princess let out a giggle.
I felt like those jade eyes sharpened just a fraction of a degree.
"—Brother-in-law, please look after Mireille."
They were loaded words.
For a second, I didn't quite catch her meaning... but I think I had the gist of it.
"Sister, please stop that!"
Princess Mireille huffed. Was this sisterly love? (A new door has opened).
I should draw this when I get home today. It would be a picture overflowing with happiness.
I spent the rest of the night chatting until the party ended.
It was supposed to be a celebration for my brother's appointment as Vice Commander of the Knights... but I think we ended up talking about our favorite sweets by the end.
Still, for someone who spent the whole time in a corner, it was a surprisingly fun time.
I’d have to tell Yuka about it when I got home.