Chapter 59
The girl with her hair in a roll-bun lifted her chin high.
“Even if you were adopted into a duke’s family, that filthy blood of yours won’t disappear. You don’t have the right to even mention nobles!”
Yeah, sure.
I ignored her and moved forward. Betty, who had been holding onto my sleeve, panicked and stammered out little noises. Of course, the one most shocked was Roll-Bun herself.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! Where are you going!”
“You told me not to mention nobles. I was just passing by. Is that a problem?”
“…What?”
“Oh, or did you mean I was supposed to just stand here listening? You should’ve said so. I’m not so cruel that I’d just walk away from a lonely kid talking to herself.”
“Y-you—you little…!”
“What, now that I’ve set the stage, you’ve got nothing to say? Oh, I get it. Such precious words ought to be heard by more people, right?”
Feigning innocence, I clapped my hands. Even the kids who had been deliberately turning their heads away from our quarrel ended up glancing back unconsciously.
“Alright, everyone! Our Lady… Croissant has something to say! Ah, but only commoners listen—nobles, please keep walking!”
I couldn’t remember her name, so I just called her Croissant based on her hairstyle. Turned out that was a surprisingly effective insult.
Roll-Bun’s face flushed scarlet, and laughter spread among the surrounding students—at least until she took a step forward.
Betty, even more startled, let go of me completely and hid in a corner. Hah. Not exactly reliable friend material.
Anyway, what was Lady Croissant trying to do with that hand she had raised in front of me?
“Is that a high five, or are you asking me to dance?”
“You’ll pay for mocking me, you lowborn!”
“Don’t know if being an orphan makes me lowborn or not. But right now, I’m a member of the Duke’s household.”
“You think you’re really one of them? If you were treated equally, why would you be enrolled in this… this glorified public school?!”
“…”
I wanted to retort, That applies to you too, doesn’t it?—but I didn’t get the chance.
A priest came running and wedged himself between us. He turned his back to me, blocking Roll-Bun.
“What on earth is going on in the corridor!”
“Move aside! That commoner insulted me, a noble! I don’t care if Grüner Bant is a school for everyone—insubordination can’t be laughed off—!”
“C-commoner?”
The priest blanched.
“My lady! I believe you’re mistaken. Lady Sol Schleiger is the adopted daughter of House Schleiger.”
“She’s adopted!”
“Regardless, she’s still their daughter.”
“You think just handing over the family crest makes someone a noble? If she’s dumped into a school like this, then—!”
There she goes, self-destructing again.
The priest was at a loss for words. His ears turned bright red—well, hearing your school insulted will do that to you.
But then another figure appeared to handle the situation: a high-ranking priest, his silver-lined stole gleaming luxuriously over his shoulders.
“Well, well. I came out because the students were delayed, and what do I hear but words I cannot overlook. Would you care to explain, Lady…?”
“Countess Fruling’s daughter!”
“Yes, Lady Fruling. I recall Count Fruling personally asked me to teach you proper manners of apology.”
“Guh…”
“And Duke Schleiger himself earnestly entrusted Lady Sol to our care—even going so far as to donate a relic of the Saint!”
His jubilant voice boomed down the corridor. Clearly delighted to have such a chance to boast.
So that thing the duke casually handed over at the entrance ceremony—the one he claimed he just ‘picked up in the desert’—wasn’t ordinary at all, huh?
The surrounding students began whispering.
“He’s right, I saw it too.”
“If he donated something like that, there’s no way she’s a castoff.”
“Maybe he’s trying to strengthen ties with the Temple?”
Oho, absolutely not, but hey—no need to correct them if it’s a good misunderstanding.
Soon, the high priest fully stepped in front of me, shielding me completely. Outnumbered three-to-one, Roll-Bun’s eyes grew wet and red.
“Th-that trinket… you’re using that to insult the Fruling family’s daughter?!”
“Let’s get it straight. At most, it could be said you’ve insulted Grüner Bant, this prestigious academy. Certainly not me.”
“It’s Fruling!”
“Yes, yes. Just make sure you’re not late to your first class.”
With a sharp turn, the high priest strode away, deeming further words unworthy. The first priest gave me a light pat on the shoulder.
“Well handled, my lady.”
“Ah—thank you for your help.”
The bell rang, urging students to class. Children scattered toward their rooms.
Meanwhile, Roll-Bun—face red, eyes brimming with tears—bolted off toward the dormitories. Skipping her very first class, huh? Great future ahead of you.
Alright then. I should head to class too—
“…Betty?”
“Eek!”
“Why are you creeping around? Straighten up, walk proud.”
“Th-that’s…”
“You feel guilty for hiding behind me and then ditching me, don’t you? Right?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Betty bent almost in half, even using honorifics. Yeah, not much chance of getting close to her.
But it’s fine. I don’t need her as a friend—just as a dictionary when needed. Instead…
“Betty, I have a request for you.”
* * *
During the dull lesson, I realized something very important.
Wanting to return to school life… doesn’t actually mean I wanted to study!
The first class was theology, and most students were either zoned out or asleep.
Except one girl. She sat there, eyes sparkling, like she was hearing the most precious story in the world.
I tapped her shoulder lightly. Her golden hair brushed my hand, and Seraphina’s green eyes turned to me.
“Hm…? What is it?”
…Wow. She was truly beautiful. The kind of beauty where you could say, ‘She was chosen as Saint just for her looks’—and no one would argue.
I shoved aside my dazed thoughts.
“Hi, I’m Sol Schleiger!”
“Ah, hello. I’m Seraphina Tillon!”
Even at hearing ‘Schleiger,’ Seraphina didn’t flinch—she simply smiled.
Yes. To her, Schleiger was just one among thousands of surnames. No prejudice.
“What is it, Sol?”
“Wanna be friends?”
“Of course.”
No hesitation. A Saint who accepts everything.
Her answer was so quick it startled even me. But I had no doubt she wouldn’t regret befriending me.
So, I made sure to show off my knowledge every moment I was with her.
“See that old man watching us from the rooftop of the Grand Sanctuary? He’s the High Priest—basically the headmaster of this school.”
“Oh, really? To watch over us even during breaks, what a kind man!”
“That girl who skipped class today? She’s the second daughter of Count Fruling. She has a habit of beating her maids—huge problem even at home.”
“Oh dear, she really ought to change her ways.”
“They say a boat rental will open soon at the nearby lake! Going with friends would be so much fun.”
“Wow, you know so many interesting things!”
“Of course! If you’re ever curious about anything, just ask me, Seraphina!”
I gave her a big thumbs-up.
Behind her, poor Betty glared at her back like she’d swallowed a lemon.
When Betty had apologized earlier for running away, I’d given her two conditions:
One—answer any of my questions.
Two—for at least a month, don’t befriend Seraphina.
In the original story, despite being a noble herself, Seraphina was kind, beautiful, humble, and instantly adored on her first day. The one who first became her friend? Chatty Betty. Not because Betty was kind, but because the author needed someone to ‘explain things’ at the heroine’s side.
But hey, anyone can play the info-dump role, right?
Seraphina gazed at me with eyes like a newborn duckling.
“You’re amazing… Honestly, I grew up in the outskirts, so I’m not used to city life. Do you think I could rely on you?”
“Of course! I’m from Flogel myself, so I don’t know much about the capital either. Let’s explore it together!”
We shook hands.
Perfect! I became the heroine’s first friend!
And unless I go around tormenting old people for fun, Seraphina won’t ever cut ties with me.
She smiled softly.
“Thank you for the offer. By the way, I’ve promised to volunteer at the Grand Sanctuary every recess. Would you like to join me?”
“…No.”
Sorry. But volunteering after every class? That’s a literal Saint’s schedule.
Thankfully, Seraphina wasn’t offended.
“That’s fine. We don’t have to share every moment to be friends. Let’s just talk later about how it went, okay?”
“Seraphina… Yeah. Have a good time!”
“Hehe, thanks for understanding!”
Like a butterfly, the Saint—no, the angel—fluttered out of the classroom.
After being surrounded by the dark faces of House Schleiger all my life, suddenly meeting a Saint felt like purification. Me? I could never be a saint, not even if I were reborn.
I shook my head and turned back toward my seat—
When a cold voice hit the back of my skull.
“Hey.”
Even shorter now?
I turned. There she was—Roll-Bun, radiating bloodlust.
“What’s that in your hand?”
“What, is a lady not allowed to enjoy teatime?”
“How would you drink it without a cup?”
“You’ll be the one drinking it, so it doesn’t matter.”
What she held was a teapot. Wow. Usually, villains throw water cups—this one went straight for the whole pot. Was she serious?
The priests were nowhere in sight. The classmates either slept or quickly looked away, too scared to interfere.
Roll-Bun smirked triumphantly.
“You think anyone’s going to help you? When a noble disciplines a commoner for insolence, it’s completely legal.”
“Did you forget—”
“Yes, yes, the great House Schleiger. But if an adopted daughter drags the family name into a petty student brawl, won’t that tarnish your house’s honor?”
“Oh? That’s actually an interesting perspective. You’ve got a point.”
“Why are you analyzing it so calmly!”
What? I meant it as a genuine compliment.
House Schleiger’s notoriety is well known. My father, the Duke, subdued countless regions with his armies. My brother, Benen, is a ruthless strategist with no pity or mercy.
But for such infamous figures to step into a childish school fight? Embarrassing.
So yes—this was something for an embarrassment like me to handle.
“You must’ve had a rough time just to get admitted here, huh? I understand, Lady Frutling.”
“What-what?!”
