The Academy curriculum included an event known as the Dungeon Practicum. Its purpose was to give students a chance to put the magic they had cultivated in the classroom into practice against actual monsters.
One might wonder why a school for nobles would include such a dangerous requirement. The justification usually boiled down to some vague tradition established by the Ancient Sage. While the faculty mobilized in full to ensure safety, it remained the kind of lesson where a single lapse in concentration could result in a life-altering injury.
In the original game, this was where an accident occurred. Alicia was supposed to have planted a Teleportation Magic Circle that would warp the protagonist and whichever Capture Target Character had the most flags triggered deep into the dungeon's lower levels.
With the villainess gone from this world, I found myself curious about who would step into that role. The members of the Academy’s reverse harem were currently the picture of tranquility. While Lady Ekaterina had been promoted to the role of antagonist—frequently lobbing snide remarks at the heroine—I doubted she had the nerve to set a trap that could potentially kill a high-ranking noble.
"I’m so nervous! But since I’m in the same class as Alicia, I’ve also been really looking forward to this!"
"As have I. Since this exercise is too dangerous to tackle alone, I’m glad we were combined."
Mariana was chatting with a tense expression, her hands clutching the hilt of her sheathed sword. Beside her stood Alicia, radiating confidence. She stood with her arms crossed in an imposing, dignified stance.
Seeing them in light armor instead of their school uniforms was a refreshing change. Alicia looked magnificent with her long silver hair tied back. The combination of that burn scar over her eye and her powerful posture gave her the aura of a veteran adventurer. I felt my heart racing with a level of excitement I could barely suppress.
Of course, since it was a joint session, Patricia and her band of suitors were also present. I had a nagging premonition that chaos was about to erupt.
"Patricia, I will protect you no matter what. Please, rest easy."
"Edward..."
"Hey now, don't go forgetting about the rest of us."
"That’s right, Your Highness. We are all going to protect Patricia-san together."
"Don't try to play the lone hero. You shouldn't push yourself too hard."
The conversation continued in that vein. They radiated a saccharine, rose-colored aura, completely indifferent to the stares of everyone around them. Was it actually rose-colored, though? To me, their aura looked like some much more idiotic color.
The dungeon event was supposed to be a pivotal moment where the characters discovered a hidden Holy Artifact in the depths. I wondered what that fake girl planned to do about it.
"What is with that equipment? It is entirely inappropriate for a dangerous dungeon! For someone claiming to be the Sage's Disciple, are you only here to be protected by others?"
"O-Oh, well..."
A sharp voice echoed from the tiered entrance. Ekaterina was accosting Patricia.
"But His Highness said we should go together..."
"Hmph! You are taking this practicum far too lightly. Someone like you will do nothing but put His Highness in peril!"
The nuances were slightly different, but those were the exact lines Alicia used to deliver as a villainess. Back then, Alicia had been possessed by a grudge that made her truly terrifying; she didn't just offer warnings or threats, she actively sought to create lethal situations.
"That is enough, Lady Ekaterina."
"But, Your Highness!"
"I was the one who invited her," Edward said firmly. "I understand that Patricia has been isolated in her class due to her status as a commoner. As a member of the royalty tasked with protecting the people, I cannot allow her to face this dungeon alone."
"Guh..."
Ekaterina’s face twisted as she glared at Patricia. At the receiving end of that look, Patricia let out a soft "Hie!" and shrank back into Edward’s shadow. Since there were no Magic Insects around, Ekaterina was simply picking on her like a normal bully.
"Instead of engaging in such petty harassment, why don't you try to show some grace?"
"Exactly. Why do you think His Highness is going out of his way to bridge the gap between us?"
"The Sage's Disciple may be a commoner by birth, but she was chosen by the Ancient Sage himself. I believe there is much we could learn from her, don't you?"
The rest of the suitors chimed in one by one. They stood before Ekaterina like a superhero squad lining up to defend their princess.
"H-Hmph! My mood is utterly ruined! Let us go!"
Buckling under the collective pressure, Ekaterina spat out a final insult and retreated. I watched the scene unfold, noting how closely it mirrored the game, and sank into thought.
In the game, Alicia had been driven by a toxic cocktail of jealousy and vengeance after the annulment of her engagement, which was why she obsessed over the heroine. But what was Ekaterina’s motivation? She used to be one of Alicia’s followers. Did she really care this much about Patricia being "unsuitable" for the prince?
The Academy’s leadership had made it clear that status didn't matter here, yet she went out of her way to be nasty. I could understand her discriminating against me or Alicia because she simply had a rotten personality, but this was truly twisted.
"The atmosphere has turned quite sour, hasn't it?" Mariana remarked, looking troubled.
Alicia, who had been watching the exchange in silence, replied simply, "That was just the norm for me."
Sensing she had more on her mind, I leaned in toward her.
"It’s the complete opposite of the Brave Territory. Here, no matter how foul the atmosphere gets, you won't die. In the Brave Territory, the air is pristine, but if you let your guard down for a second, you’re dead."
"...Pfft. That Brave Joke was actually funny for once."
Wait, that wasn't a joke; it was a cold, hard fact. Regardless, I felt I’d done a good job since I managed to make her smile.
"I-Is it really such a scary place?" Mariana asked.
"It’s not scary at all; it’s wonderful," Alicia assured her. "I’ll be returning there with Ragna for Summer Vacation. If you’d like, why don’t you join us?"
"Wait, is that really okay!?"
"It’s fine by me," I added.
It would be more convenient for Volsea that way, too. Besides, I planned to introduce her to Onyx and let some of the dragon's lingering scent rub off on her. Dragons were superior beings—the pinnacle of strength. I hoped that being near one might bolster her own sense of destiny.
"My, my. I thought I smelled something foul. It seems we have a piece of damaged goods, a monkey from the abandoned land, and a commoner. What a pathetic collection of outcasts."
Ugh. Ekaterina had spotted us. I’d expected this since there was nowhere to hide, but the woman truly never learned. As I considered how to handle her, Alicia stepped forward to shield Mariana before I could even move.
"You really are a glutton for punishment, even after being rebuked by His Highness."
"Guh! How dare a piece of damaged goods who lost to a commoner speak to me! It is your fault these low-born creatures think they can swagger about the Academy. How do you intend to atone for that?"
"I have already faced my punishment. I no longer have anything to do with His Highness."
Standing tall in her imposing stance, Alicia didn't flinch. Ekaterina’s face twisted further. It had been contorted with rage for so long that I half-expected her to suffer a permanent cramp.
"Do you have any idea how much shame we’ve had to endure because of your pathetic defeat? After we spent so much time elevating you!"
"Your habit of being patronizing hasn't changed, I see."
"Why, you... you damaged goods!"
"Malign me all you like," Alicia said with icy resolve. "I did things that warrant it. But those days are over."
She stood her ground with a look of absolute steel.
"If you truly feel so strongly, then risk your life to offer the King your counsel. Or challenge someone to a duel. I don't think you could win, and frankly, I no longer care about the outcome of such petty squabbles anyway."
"Oh? Does the damaged goods think she can act superior just because she’s managed to tame a wasteland monkey and a dowdy commoner? I suppose it's a fitting match! Go spend the rest of your lives drinking coffee or whatever it is you do. Ugh, the stench of coffee is positively unbearable!"
"I happen to like coffee, so yes, I intend to keep drinking it."
"Tch! You’re boring! We’re leaving!"
Completely outmatched by Alicia's composure, Ekaterina retreated in a huff. Alicia looked incredibly cool when she was being that resolute. Just as I thought, she was a strong woman. I found myself falling for her even harder. It was almost painful.
"I’m sorry you both got caught up in that because of me," Alicia said.
"Don't be. You were amazing. You acted like a true member of House Brave."
"Fufu, thank you."
"By the way," I said, my voice dropping. "She called you 'damaged goods.' Should I just kill her?"
"House."
Woof.
Why was she treating me like a dog and where did she even get an imaginary leash in a dungeon? Regardless, I was mostly joking. As long as Ekaterina just slunk away like a loser, I wouldn't touch her.
However, if she tried to use a Teleportation Magic Circle to actually hurt Alicia, I would crush her. I didn't care if she was a fellow student or not.
"Um, Alicia..." Mariana’s voice was uncharacteristically low. "That person just now... she mocked coffee, didn't she?"
"Eh?"
"Hmm?"
I felt a sudden, sharp surge of killing intent. It was coming from Mariana.
"She insulted my friend... and she insulted coffee. I cannot forgive this. Even if she is a noble, I absolutely will not forgive her."
"Mariana? Calm down, okay? Just take a breath."
As expected of a girl obsessed with the bean. In the common tongue, she was truly becoming a Monster of Coffee.