By some twist of fate, I found myself walking through the campus holding hands with Tiana Algren, the younger sister of Ariane Algren.
Since it was currently a holiday, there weren't many people around, but the preliminary rounds for the Magics Chevalier were being held at this academy as well.
I suspected the crowds would increase in the afternoon.
I wanted to make contact with Ariane Algren before then. And if possible, I also wanted to observe the matches held later today.
Even if I couldn't watch them, simply seeing the girl in person would provide a significant amount of information. While rumors about her preferred magic and combat style had already spread, what I really wanted was more personal data.
"Hey, Lily-oneechan, you’re so tall!"
"I suppose so. I think I'm on the taller side for a woman."
"And your legs are so slender and super pretty!!"
"Fufu. Thank you. You're very cute too, Tiana-chan."
"Really!?"
"Yes. I’m sure you’ll grow up to be a great beauty."
"Yay!"
I couldn't exactly tell her that the reason for my height was that I was actually a man, so I simply continued walking through the campus while holding Lady Tiana's hand. Though the students I occasionally passed looked startled, they mostly just ignored us, which was a relief.
Still... the sight of my current self walking with a young girl was bound to be somewhat conspicuous.
I wanted to find Lady Ariane quickly, but...
"My lady, where might you be heading?"
As the two of us chatted, we encountered a group of boys. The one who stepped forward to address me was a student who looked like the textbook definition of a "pretty boy." Judging by his bearing, there was no doubt he was a noble.
"I’m looking for someone."
"Ho. I see. For the sake of two such beautiful ladies, shall we lend you our strength?"
"No. I couldn't possibly trouble you..."
"Not at all. For a lovely flower blooming in this academy such as yourself, we shall give our utmost effort."
"Is that so? Thank you."
When I gave them a sweet smile, the faces of every male student there instantly flushed bright red.
This felt incredibly satisfying.
In a way, it felt like I was opening a door that should never be opened... but it further validated my pride in the perfection of my crossdressing skills.
Just as I was about to continue the conversation, a group of female students appeared.
"You boys! You're troubling Onee-sama!"
"Mu... Onee-sama... you say?"
"You lot just back off!"
The girls dispersed the boys and approached me. One of them gently took my hand and spoke with a soft smile.
"Onee-sama, what is your name?"
"I am Lily White."
"Lily-oneesama..."
Her eyes were completely captivated. To think I would charm not only the opposite sex but my own as well... Hmph, my beauty is truly a troublesome thing.
As I was thinking "good grief" internally, I suddenly noticed something.
"You, your tie is crooked."
When I reached out and adjusted the slightly askew fabric, the female student collapsed on the spot in a show of gratitude.
"Lily-oneesama... how precious...!"
"What a wonderful person!"
"And that beauty...! Ah, I want to be stepped on by those beautiful legs..."
Yeah... well, maybe I overdid it a little.
As I reflected on my behavior, Lady Tiana tugged on my sleeve.
"Lily-oneechan, you're really popular!"
"I suppose so... I'm a sinful woman, aren't I?"
"A sin-foo woman...?"
"Yes. But more importantly, we must find Tiana-chan's sister."
Since I didn't have time to waste here, I politely bid farewell to both the men and women and departed.
"How lovely..."
"Aahn! Onee-samaaa...!!"
I decided to pretend I hadn't heard those voices.
I had been a bit too enthusiastic.
I really should reflect on this...
◇
"Ah! It's Big Sister!!"
Saying that, Lady Tiana let go of my hand and went running off.
At the end of her gaze was a woman sitting on a terrace, sipping tea while wearing sunglasses.
Even though the sunglasses obscured her face, I understood immediately that she was Ariane Algren.
Her platinum hair was wound into elaborate vertical ringlets, a distinctive look that was quite eye-catching. Furthermore, her proportions were excellent—curvy and toned in all the right places.
Knowing the effort required to maintain such a physique, I felt a sense of admiration.
I followed Lady Tiana as she ran across the grounds and approached the terrace where Ariane Algren sat.
"My! What has happened!? Tiana, why are you here!?"
"Ehehe~, I came to see you~"
"Do Father and Mother know about this?"
"I came in secret!"
"Sigh... you really are a handful."
"Because I want to see Big Sister's match! I came to cheer for you! Oh! And also, that lady over there helped me!"
"Lady...?"
Lady Tiana, who was jumping up and down excitedly at Lady Ariane’s side, pointed at me. Ariane's gaze shifted my way.
First impressions are everything.
I gave a polite bow as I approached and introduced myself.
"Nice to meet you. I am Lily White."
"Was it you who brought her here?"
"Yes. Lady Tiana was crying in front of the school gate, so we came here together."
"My! How very kind of you... thank you for taking care of my younger sister."
"No, not at all. It was no trouble. Tiana-chan was a very good girl."
Lady Ariane bowed her head to me without hesitation.
I see... she isn't necessarily a haughty young lady. As I analyzed her character, she made an offer.
"I would like to thank you. Will you join me for tea?"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. As a reward for bringing Tiana this far, it is my treat."
"Then, I will take you up on your kind offer..."
Once we were seated, Lady Ariane went to the nearby stall to buy drinks. I had heard she usually had a group of followers around her, but today she seemed to be alone.
This was dangerous.
Talking directly like this significantly increased the risk of my disguise being exposed. Originally, I had planned to blend in with the crowd and gather information from a distance.
However, I had been prepared for this since the moment I chose to help Lady Tiana. Besides, it would be unnatural to leave now.
Well, even if I were exposed here, at worst I would just be kicked out.
As I was thinking that, she returned.
"Is black tea alright?"
"Yes. Thank you very much."
After receiving the tea, I took a light sip. I felt Lady Ariane’s gaze sharpen.
"Tiana. Go play over there for a bit. You may practice your magic."
"Really!?"
"Yes. But be careful."
With that, Lady Tiana ran off to a spot a short distance away.
"Now then. Let me ask you point-blank. You are not a student of our academy, are you?"
A direct hit.
I noted the information that she wasn't just a noble lady, but an intelligent one as well.
"...No, actually, I’ve been sickly and haven't been able to attend classes much..."
"No. That is a lie. Your gait and your bearing—you don't seem sickly at all. Furthermore, if there were a woman of your beauty in this academy, there is no way I wouldn't know of her."
"...You are perceptive, Lady Ariane."
"Naturally. For I am the one who possesses everything. I would appreciate it if you didn't underestimate Ariane Algren."
The way she casually brushed her platinum hair back showed her immense confidence. She was the polar opposite of Amelia.
Amelia still had hesitation. I could see that even during our training over the past few weeks.
But Ariane Algren was different. Every word and action overflowed with confidence. It wasn't conceit; she displayed it as a pure matter of fact. She understood her role as the eldest daughter of House Algren, one of the Three Great Noble Families.
Realizing it would be impossible to continue deceiving her, I decided to come clean. I had anticipated this possibility, so I didn't hesitate much.
Apparently, this kind of infiltration was traditionally expected, so she would likely be understanding.
At most, I would just be kicked out.
If I hadn't met Lady Tiana, things would have gone more smoothly, but I suppose this was fate. There was no option for me not to help her.
"So, which academy are you from? There have been many spies lately... but I shall neither run nor hide. That is why I believe you should be honest as well."
"Yeah. I’ll do that. I’m sorry for deceiving you, Ariane Algren. You are a truly noble person. I honestly respect you."
I dropped the female voice and spoke as the usual Ray White. The moment I spoke in my natural voice, Lady Ariane stared at me, dumbfounded.
"...Hah?"
"What's wrong?"
"N-No... your voice..."
"Hmm? Ah. Sorry. I forgot to mention it. I'm Ray White, a student at Arnold Magic Academy. I'm male, so keep that in mind."
"M-Male...? Please wait a moment... while your height was indeed quite tall... weren't your skeletal structure and muscle distribution that of a woman...?"
"This is an application of Inside Code. It doesn't last very long, though."
"Your... your voice! How are you doing that!?"
"This isn't magic. In the modern era, the technique for a man to produce a woman's voice has already been established. Controlling the Adam's apple is the trick..."
"I... I see... no, well... are you really a man?"
"Indeed. I was crossdressing to hide my identity... but for Lady Tiana's sake, it couldn't be helped. I hadn't actually intended to make contact so directly."
"I am grateful for that, but... Ah!"
Lady Ariane suddenly raised her voice as if remembering something.
"...Ray White. I know that name. I heard rumors of a student who was the first Ordinary at their academy, yet possessed high combat skills."
"Oh. I didn't expect such rumors to reach even this academy. This is a bit embarrassing..."
"The gap between your appearance and that voice is just too large... I feel like I'm going crazy..."
"Then, how about this?"
"...You can switch back to a female voice immediately, can't you? Just who are you?"
"I am an Ordinary, and also a member of the Management Committee for the Magics Chevalier."
"I see... so you're nothing more and nothing less than that."
"Yes."
"I was a bit taken aback... but I've taken a liking to you. While other spies have been far too secretive, in gratitude for being so open for my sister's sake... you may observe my match later. Oh, naturally, please stay with Tiana."
"That is a delightful proposal. But are you sure? Even allowing me to see your match."
"I don't mind. In the first place, if I were to lose just because I was researched, then that's the extent of my ability. I shall show you the style of a ruler."
"I look forward to it."
Her presence was exactly what one would call the style of a ruler.
I could feel a faint trace of Prima Materia leaking from Lady Ariane’s body.
Given her personality and the information I had gathered, there was no doubt she was the top candidate for victory. The opponent Amelia had to overcome was even more formidable than I had anticipated.
I was about to see Ariane Algren's true strength with my own eyes.
Well, also... thinking back, I had overdone it a bit since it had been so long since I last crossdressed... but I’ll consider the end result a success.