Several days had passed since Third Prince Rodel Aiwood’s rampage.
With the idiot prince—the root of all the trouble—gone, academy life returned to a peaceful, uneventful rhythm. Rodel had been suspended and was currently confined to his home, the royal castle, under house arrest.
The male student from Class D who had been burned was reportedly recovering well. Thanks to the prompt treatment from the academy’s nurse, he was left with only minor scarring and no permanent injuries.
Meanwhile, the identity of the individual who had pummeled Rodel and his two lackeys remained a mystery. Unauthorized magic use was a violation of academy rules regardless of the reason; however, given the circumstances, the faculty seemed content to simply issue a general notice asking the culprit to "come forward voluntarily" rather than actively hunting them down.
"Rest-san, do you have a moment?"
It was after school one afternoon when Celestine Crocus, the daughter of a Duke, approached him in the Class A classroom. While Celestine maintained polite relations with all her classmates, it was rare for her to seek out a specific individual.
"Is there something you need?" Rest asked.
"Yes. I have something to discuss with you, and I was hoping you could come with me..."
"I don't mind, but... what is this about?"
"It’s a bit difficult to speak here..." Celestine said, her gaze casually drifting around the classroom.
Recognizing that it was likely a sensitive matter, Rest stood up from his seat. "Alright. Let's find somewhere else."
"May we join you as well?" Viola asked.
"I’d like to go too..." Primula added.
The Rosemary sisters stood up in unison. Celestine gave them a gentle nod. "Yes, of course."
Led by Celestine, Rest and the sisters left the classroom and began walking down the hallway.
"You’ve been quite active lately, Rest-san," Celestine remarked as they walked.
"What do you mean?"
"The rumors are everywhere. They say you defeated Danila Betras, the son of a Count and the second-ranked student in the first-year Knight Department, during a swordsmanship class."
"Oh... that guy was a Count’s son?"
Rest recalled the student he had faced in the first mock battle of the term. He hadn't known the boy's full name, but it seemed it was Danila Betras.
"Count Betras is a prominent figure in the Knight Order. His son, Sir Danila, is the third-born, but he is incredibly gifted with a blade and has a bright future ahead of him. For a student from the Magic Department to defeat him... well, it has caused quite a stir among the knights."
"I see..." Rest murmured. He hadn't realized his opponent was that high in the rankings. He knew the boy was reasonably skilled, but rank two was a surprise.
"Well, if it’s Rest, that’s only to be expected!" Viola said, puffing out her chest.
"It is Rest-sama, after all. We couldn't be prouder!" Primula added.
The sisters beamed, clearly delighted that Rest had achieved something that drew the admiration of the other students.
"And then," Celestine continued, "there is the matter of Prince Rodel the other day."
"Huh...?"
"I’m sorry it took me so long to say this, but thank you for resolving that business with His Highness."
"...I’m not sure what you’re talking about," Rest said, feigning ignorance.
"There’s no need to hide it. A few of us have already figured it out."
"Figured it out?"
"You are more highly evaluated by the faculty than you realize, Rest-san. After all, you performed a high-tier technique that would put a Court Mage to shame during the entrance ceremony."
"Ah..."
Rest had used the Quartet technique during the exam. Most examinees hadn't even noticed, but the Academy Director—who had been acting as a proctor—certainly had. The information had likely been shared among the staff.
"To use a smoke screen to neutralize His Highness without revealing your identity... that isn't something just anyone could pull off. Given the location and the timing, if the culprit wasn't a teacher or an upperclassman, the list of candidates is very short. The faculty is simply choosing not to make it public. Among the teachers, it’s considered an open secret that the one who took down Prince Rodel was you."
Rest made a grimace. He had thought he’d covered his tracks well, but it seemed those with eyes to see had seen right through him.
"Um... I understand how the teachers might know, but how do you know all this, Lady Celestine?" Primula asked, raising her hand modestly. It made sense for the Magic Department instructors to know Rest’s capabilities, but she didn't see how the information had reached Celestine.
"I am a scholarship student in the Magic Department, and I am also Prince Rodel’s fiancée. As a supervisor for the student body, I am kept informed of such matters."
"I see..."
"There is one more reason... Ah, we’re here."
Rest had assumed they were headed to a shop, the cafeteria, or perhaps one of the campus salons. Instead, Celestine had led them to a different building—the one housing the staff rooms and club offices.
"Wait, where exactly are we going?"
"I’m sorry," Celestine said. "The truth is, I’m not the one who needs to speak with you. It’s someone else entirely. I’ll let him explain the details."
"Someone else?"
The fact that a Duke’s daughter like Celestine referred to this person with such deference suggested they were of very high status.
"This way."
They stopped in front of a door labeled 'Student Council Office.' Celestine knocked, and a voice immediately called out, "Come in."
"Excuse us," Celestine said as she opened the door and ushered Rest and the Rosemary sisters inside.
Three people were in the room.
The first was a male student sitting at a desk in the back. He was an upperclassman with short blond hair and handsome features, though his build was noticeably muscular and well-honed.
Standing by the walls were the other two: a rugged, broad-shouldered man with brown hair on the right, and a cool, silver-haired woman with a tall, slender model’s physique on the left.
Since this was the Student Council Office, Rest assumed these were the council members. The man at the back desk had to be the president. Rest had never met him, but he knew the name.
"I’m glad you could make it. It’s a pleasure to meet you." The man stood up from his desk and offered a greeting. "I’m Andrew Aiwood, this term’s Student Council President. I’m a third-year in the Knight Department and, for what it’s worth, the Second Prince of this kingdom."
Second Prince Andrew Aiwood.
He was the half-brother of the idiot prince, Rodel.