Two weeks had passed since the exchange program began.
"...Wow, this is incredible."
The words escaped my lips before I could stop them.
Spread out before me was a space that made the Academy’s auditorium look small by comparison—a grand hall designed with pristine white as its base. It featured high ceilings, exquisite decorations, and—
"...There are way too many people."
People who appeared to be nobles or high-ranking officials stood in orderly lines throughout the hall. Among the crowd, I even spotted a few familiar faces.
"Those are the Hero Candidates," Yuka said quietly beside me. "Your friends are here as well."
"Ugh... Can I go home yet?"
"You've come all this way, so please just endure it."
Why though? I’d say my 'friends' Leonis and Elphiria barely met the criteria.
"Today’s invitation came directly from the Saint herself," Yuka reminded me.
"I wonder what would happen if I bolted out of the hall right now?"
"I wouldn't recommend it."
I figured as much. I wasn't actually reckless enough to try it, anyway.
"Luka."
From my other side, Selena called out softly. Like Yuka, she was acting as my escort. Apparently, she’d had some kind of contest with Elysia and was here as the victor. Nanalicia’s invitation had capped the attendants at two, after all.
"It’s starting soon."
I followed her gaze toward the far end of the platform, where a seat was positioned even higher than the rest. And there—
"...Ah."
There she was. A girl clad in pure white garments. It was Nanalicia—she truly looked the part of a Saint. She possessed a quiet, serene presence that set her apart from everyone else in the room.
In that moment.
"—Luka."
Our eyes met. Despite the distance between us, I felt the strange illusion that she was standing right beside me. And then—
She gave a tiny, subtle smile.
"...How?"
To spot me from this far away... what is she, from some eagle-eyed tribe?
"Does the Saint... have feelings for Lord Luka?" Yuka asked with her usual lack of inflection.
"...I don't know. Maybe she just took a weird liking to me."
But Nanalicia had been that way from the start... from the very moment we met. Had she really not changed at all since then?
Nanalicia looked over for a split second, almost as if confirming something to herself, before quietly averting her gaze. That was all it took for the atmosphere in the hall to stir.
"It seems you’ve incited some jealousy," Yuka noted.
"Yuka, you’ve changed lately."
Was she always this observant of such things?
"—Today," a man’s voice echoed from the dais, "we gather to demonstrate the well-being of our Hero Candidates and to deepen our friendships with our neighboring nations."
A series of stiff, formal explanations followed.
"...In short?"
"It’s a debut ceremony combined with a diplomatic gathering," Yuka provided a textbook summary.
Even as we spoke, I felt eyes on me. Many of the Hero Candidates were looking in my direction.
"...Why me?"
"Likely because Lord Luka is here."
That wasn't an answer.
"Because you were personally invited by the Saint."
Ah... right. That would do it.
"...What a pain," I muttered from the bottom of my heart.
It was then that the atmosphere shifted again.
"—The delegation from the Edelgrat Empire has arrived."
All eyes turned toward the entrance. A group dressed primarily in black emerged, moving with practiced, efficient motions. They carried a unified, imposing aura.
"...They’re kind of intimidating."
"...It’s alright. I am here with you."
Yuka’s voice dropped just a fraction lower. I felt bad always relying on her for protection... wait.
Was Yuka trembling? Was she actually scared? That was a rare sight.
"They are a nation that prizes rationality and strength above all else," she explained.
"I see."
One person among them—a youth standing in the center—slowly scanned the room. For a fleeting instant, his gaze landed on me.
"...Lord Luka."
Yuka didn't say anything else, but she slipped slightly behind me as if to use me as a shield. I felt her fingers tighten their grip on my sleeve.
"...Yuka?"
"My apologies. Just... for a moment..."
It didn't seem like she was feeling ill. But come to think of it, she hadn't given her usual immediate response when the invitation first arrived.
"...It’s fine. Don't push yourself."
It seemed my turn had come to protect her; I wouldn't let any of these people lay a finger on Yuka. Still... was she really going to be okay?
"—Next, the Dragon Kingdom of Dragvel."
The voice boomed again. This time—the Dragon Kingdom? Wait, the Dragon Kingdom?!
A stir went through the crowd, a quiet wave that felt almost like awe.
"...What’s happening?"
I looked toward the entrance as a flamboyant group appeared. Naturally, my eyes were drawn to one person in the center. She had vivid purple hair and amber eyes. And—
"...A tail?" I whispered.
It was swaying naturally behind her. She made no effort to hide it, carrying it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Dragonkin," Selena said quietly. "A mark of royalty. She is a human who carries the Dragon's Blood."
"Are you serious..."
My inner monster-girl enthusiast was thrilled! It wasn't exactly 'furry,' but surely this counted? My instincts told me she wasn't just human—she was 'beast' enough for me (an outrageous leap of logic).
The girl slowly moved her gaze across the room.
For a split second, our eyes met.
It was so brief it could have been my imagination, but I knew for certain that I had been "seen."
"...She definitely just looked at me, right?"
"Yes."
"She was looking."
"Right!?"
Hell yeah! Being recognized by a dragon girl is a rush!
However, the girl looked away immediately as if nothing had happened.
Still... I really wanted to touch that tail.
The hall gradually began to settle back into its formal rhythm. Various positions, various motives—unseen agendas were intersecting all around us.
"...This is exhausting."
"It has only just begun."
I wished Yuka would stop hitting me with reality.
"—Luka."
This time, the voice came from right behind me. I turned to see a familiar, pleasant smile.
"Leonis... seeing you is actually a relief."
"How is it? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"I want to go home. I'm not cut out for this."
I didn't even have to think about my answer.
"Haha, you're honest." Leonis chuckled before adding, "The Saint is calling for you."
"...Huh?"
Without another word, I was half-forced toward the front of the hall.
"Wait, hold on!"
"It's fine, it's fine."
What was fine?! All eyes were on me now. Stop it, I want to go home! I’m far too sensitive to people's stares!
I was brought directly before Nanalicia.
"...Luka."
She spoke my name softly.
"...H-Hello."
What was with this sense of proximity? She was way too close.
"I am happy you came," she said with a gentle smile.
There was a naturalness to her warmth that felt surprisingly comfortable—enough that I almost forgot about everyone else’s stares.
...Almost. The surrounding gazes were still incredibly painful. Were the two people standing behind Nanalicia also Hero Candidates?
And then there was Leon. He was glaring at me with enough intensity to kill. Scary, scary.
But Nanalicia didn't seem to notice or care. She simply looked at me, appearing genuinely happy. After that, I was ushered to a seat of honor as a guest, where I spent the rest of the time just drinking my beverage.
◇◇◇
A short while later, the formal greetings concluded, and the atmosphere in the hall became a bit more relaxed.
"...I'm beat."
The words came from the very depths of my soul.
"Good work," Yuka said, standing beside me. "That was quite the ordeal."
"Seriously... Too many stares. I really am a protagonist in this world, aren't I? I can't help but stand out!"
I hate it! Standing out when you're supposed to be a background character is just wrong!
Suddenly, Yuka looked up as if she’d noticed something.
I followed her gaze toward the Imperial delegation. A youth from their ranks was walking straight toward us. He was the Imperial Prince, if I remembered correctly. What was with that look on his face? He looked absolutely desperate.
Yuka’s expression shifted. It was only for a split second, but her composure wavered.
"...Yuka? Are you okay—"
I was about to ask what was wrong when a low, quiet voice spoke.
"—Aurelia...?"
It was the prince.
"Is it really you, Aurelia!?"
Wait, what? What was going on here?
Yuka slowly turned around. In her eyes, her usual stoic mask was gone. For just a moment, they were trembling.