The news of Princess Eliana's death shook the Academy to its core.
The royal family immediately declared a period of national mourning. In accordance, Arcana Academy suspended all classes and entered a state of solemn observance. The students were submerged in grief; the atmosphere on campus grew heavy and cold, as if the very air had become saturated with moisture. Conversations were reduced to hushed whispers, and the more sensitive female students could be seen covering their faces, moved to tears.
For better or worse, she had been a person with an undeniable presence.
With the school in mourning, the Academy transitioned directly into winter break. The silence that had gripped the halls gradually shifted into a sense of desolation as the students departed.
Perhaps this long period of absence would help alleviate the oppressive atmosphere hanging over the school.
—The first day of winter break.
I was currently in a carriage bound for the House Kronstadt Mansion in the Royal Capital. Unlike summer break, there was no "training camp" scheduled this time. Things felt a bit frantic—I knew that from here on out, many events would likely set into motion, leaving me without a moment to catch my breath. Because of that, I had decided to spend this winter break relaxing within the comforts of my family's spacious estate.
Wrestling with a sense of ennui, I gazed out the carriage window—
"Ahahaha! It feels amazing up here, Lord Albert!"
Suddenly, Milia’s head dropped into view outside the window, completely upside down. She was currently perched on the roof of the carriage, peering in at me from over the edge.
I knew she was up there, but it was still a shock when she appeared like that without warning.
"I see. Glad you're enjoying yourself."
With those words, I turned my attention back to the interior of the carriage.
Silvia, Luna, and Kaname sat across from me, while Aristia was slumped beside me.
The plan was for all six of us to stay at my mansion together.
I had organized this on a bit of a whim, but looking at them now, I wondered if I’d brought along a few too many people.
The three girls across from me were staring intently at Aristia, who was currently fast asleep and snoring softly at my side.
Silvia was the first to break the silence.
"So, Albert, is she really the top of the grade? This Aristia-chan?"
"Yeah, that's her. Her hobby is magic research, which apparently leaves her chronically sleep-deprived. Just ignore her while she's out."
"You two have been hanging out a lot lately. Did you become friends?"
"Something like that—"
I hadn't properly introduced her to the others yet. From Silvia’s perspective, Aristia was just a mysterious woman with bird-nest hair and deep circles under her eyes. It was only natural they’d be wondering who on earth she was.
Before we’d boarded the carriage, she had given a rather suspicious greeting: "I'm Aristia. Let's be friends, ehehehe."
This trip was actually a good opportunity to formally introduce her.
"Her status as top of the class isn't just for show. She's transcendent when it comes to magic theory. Right now, she’s helping me with my own research."
"Heh? What kind of research?"
I could hardly tell her it was research into a spell designed specifically to kill Verdict, the ancient entity currently possessing Knight Klaus.
"It's a secret for now. Just look forward to the results."
"...Are you going to become even stronger, Lord Albert?"
Luna’s eyes were shining with an intense light. As always, she was obsessed with power.
"That's the plan. I'm aiming for even greater heights."
"I, too, wish for even greater strength."
Luna looked down at her tightly clenched fists.
"During the Hunting Battle where Princess Eliana passed away, I killed several demons... and it felt truly wonderful."
Hey now, I wasn't so sure about her saying such disturbing things with such a blissful expression.
Luna was a woman who lived for the sole purpose of exterminating the Demon Race, after all.
"Please, guide me again. Perhaps I should try asking Aristia-san for advice as well."
"...My research with her comes first. Once that's finished, then you can talk to her."
I shuddered to think what would happen if Luna found out Aristia was actually a Demon King. The thought was enough to send a literal chill down my spine.
Next, Kaname spoke up.
"Is Lord Albert accumulating even more power? If so, I can only expect the potency of your lightning bolts to increase as well—slurp."
Wait, why was she swallowing her saliva? And why did she have that same ecstatic look on her face?!
"Ah, the mere thought of the taste of Lord Albert's powered-up lightning... I can hardly contain my anticipation."
I forgot—!
This girl was a total deviant who derived pleasure from being struck by my lightning bolts—!
"I humbly request that you grant me more of your 'Hot Guidance' very soon!"
Silvia and Luna, who had both witnessed Kaname gasping and crying out under the force of my lightning, looked at me with eyes reserved for a pervert.
No, you've got it wrong! I'm not the pervert here, Kaname is!
As we continued our conversation, the carriage finally arrived at the House Kronstadt Mansion in the Royal Capital.
It was an imposing estate located in a prime location right in the heart of the Noble District.
The carriage passed through heavy stone gates to reveal a meticulously maintained garden. Even in the dead of winter, the evergreen hedges—preserved by magic—were vibrant and beautiful. Straight ahead stood the grand, three-story Main Building.
"Hey, wake up, Aristia. We're here."
"Nnh..."
Aristia opened her eyes with a dazed expression, her mouth hanging open like an idiot.
As I stepped out of the carriage, the household staff was already lined up to greet me.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Margarete, the Head Maid, stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.
Looking at the staff, I saw none of the fear they used to harbor for the "Naughty Boy Albert von Kronstadt." To them, I was now the brilliant heir who held the top grades at Arcana Academy and continued to achieve one spectacular feat after another.
"Thank you for the welcome."
One by one, Silvia, Luna, Kaname, and Aristia climbed out of the carriage behind me. Finally, Milia hopped down from the roof, completing our group.
Margarete's expression turned slightly bewildered.
"That is... quite a large number of guests you've brought with you."
"Yeah—"
Come to think of it, I’d only sent a brief message saying I was bringing some friends home. The number was high, but a Ducal House had more than enough rooms, and the kitchens were always stocked to handle unexpected guests.
Margarete lowered her voice and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"...Pardon the uncouth question, but... are these ladies all the Young Master's lovers?"
!?
I suppose a boy bringing five girls home all at once would raise some eyebrows. And since I was a noble, having multiple lovers wasn't exactly unheard of.
But now that she mentioned it, five girls was a bit much, wasn't it? What exactly had I been doing with my life at the Academy?
"...It's not that kind of relationship. Don't go imagining things."
"My apologies. It is simply a matter of room assignments. For example, whether I should prepare one large suite for everyone, or..."
Good grief, she really thought this was a harem. An overwhelming, blatant harem.
Is that really how people see me?!
"Individual rooms will be fine."
"In that case, please list the ladies in order of your preference. I shall arrange their rooms to be closer to yours—"
Being a Head Maid for a noble family was apparently a lot of work in ways I hadn't expected!
"You really don't need to overthink this. Just treat them as normal guests. Understood?"
"Understood, sir."
Despite her verbal agreement, the Head Maid looked deep in thought. She was almost certainly trying to decipher the "true meaning" behind my words. Please! Stop reading between the lines! I mean, I know I brought five girls home and claimed I have zero ulterior motives, but still!
After the chaos of our arrival, I finally managed to catch my breath.
To wash away the fatigue of the journey, I headed for the mansion's Grand Bath. The name was no exaggeration; the stone tub was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate more than ten people at once.
As I soaked in the warm water, I felt a deep sense of bliss.
Having been Japanese in my previous life, I was—true to the stereotype—a man who loved his baths. There was nothing like a wide, open tub to help the mind unwind.
—Things had been beyond hectic since I'd enrolled in the Academy.
I wanted to use this winter break to truly rest my weary bones.
To prepare for the days of fierce combat that were surely coming...
From that perspective, I couldn't help but feel like I might have brought the wrong group of people along for a "peaceful" break. Though a little noise wasn't all bad, I really did want some quiet time.
Just then, I sensed a presence in the dressing room.
Someone had clearly entered and was starting to undress.
...Who was it? And why?
The Grand Bath at the Ducal House of Kronstadt was open to the servants, but their hours were strictly limited to late at night before the water was drained. During this time of day, it should only be accessible to those of the direct Kronstadt line or their personal guests.
The only direct family member currently at the mansion was me. If it were a guest, it would be Silvia or the others, but the baths were strictly separated by gender. I should have been the only one authorized to enter the Men's Bath at this hour—
So, who on earth was stepping inside?
The sliding door rattled open, and the figure walked in.