At Lumere Academy, power equates to rank.
If you don’t have an impressive background such as royalty or a dukedom, you can be easily overlooked simply for being perceived as weak.
In that sense, Yuren became incredibly popular.
As the chief of the swordsmanship club and the eldest son of a dukedom, his status was formidable.
He was a handsome man, someone who could even be described as prettier than most women.
Previously, people also considered him kind.
In a way that seemed spineless and inadequate but still genuinely well-meaning.
Though now, no one really thinks of him that way anymore.
“Look over here! Just once!”
“Kyaaah! What do we do?! I’ve never seen him up close before!”
The banquet hall, where deans like Sylus and the professors had temporarily vacated their seats.
Lumere Academy encourages student camaraderie.
Thus, every year after the opening ceremony, the leftover time is used to let the students mingle with each other.
The professors left, leaving only the new students in the banquet hall.
Among them were students who welcome the event, and others who didn’t.
Some of the students were social, outgoing, while others were quiet and timid.
And then there were those like Yuren Star Dust, who are naturally popular due to their high status and abilities.
It’s only natural that crowds would gather around such individuals.
“Saint, I’m truly honored to meet you!”
“Miss, do you remember me? I’m Ren from the Scheirlin Viscount family. Thank you for curing my illness three years ago.”
Shirai was no exception.
She had more admirers than Judit, who was in a similar situation.
Although there are two dukedoms, and by numbers alone dozens of people belong to them, Shirai, the saint, is only one. The principle of rarity made more people gravitate towards Shirai.
‘So consistent…’
Nothing has changed from before, the same situation.
Being an invisible side character.
What would others think seeing me standing alone like a lanky weed in the center of the banquet hall?
Well, in the first place, no one really cares about me.
Because I’m not the protagonist of this world.
“Yuren, you seem to be having fun surrounded by all these girls, huh?”
“Sorry, I was just standing there, but the crowd quickly gathered around me…”
It’s like something out of a romantic comedy manga.
Yuren and Judit.
I recently heard the rumor that they got engaged recently. Although it’s unconfirmed yet, it’s just a rumor.
“…”
In the span of a month, I’ve thought so much.
Did I tear up the regression book for no reason?
Maybe I should have tried addressing things through words instead.
But seeing the two so happy, it made me realize I had no choice but to accept it.
That I was just an unfounded troublemaker back then.
There’s no doubt they are a well-suited pair.
It’s as if it was always meant to be.
Judit is happier now than when she was with me.
Looking back, the close relationship between the Stardust and Munderst families goes far back. One of the reasons why Judit’s storyline was considered the easiest in the game was because they were childhood friends.
“As long as you’re happy, that’s enough.”
Tearing up the regression book seems worthwhile now.
Eat well and live happily, my favorite heroine.
While pondering deeply, I took out my student ID from my pocket.
An academy steeped in merit-based ranking, engraving letters indicating class rank. For me, it prominently displays “C Class.”
Xyah being in C Class—she’s someone who revives at her last death point no matter what. Place her resurrection area inside a watery prison that repeatedly drowns her? She’ll still change her resurrection spot automatically, unawares.
How could someone with such a cheating ability be in C Class?
It might make sense for Shirai, who’s blind, but surely Dean Sylus isn’t so gullible?
Muse was nowhere to be seen, either absent from the opening ceremony or elsewhere. Xyah disappeared soon after it ended.
The social gathering is still ongoing. Since there’s no issue with students leaving the banquet hall after the opening ceremony, everything is fine. Probably.
Much better to be strolling around the fountain enjoying fresh air than being trapped in orientation amidst an overwhelming crowd.
“I heard this year’s freshmen only have two students in A Class.”
“With such a lack of talent, only two in the entire freshman year? Last year’s second-years have three!”
“The academy’s future is bleak. Very bleak.”
“Hehe. We’ve got something to tease the first-years over.”
“What did they do wrong to deserve teasing?”
“They aren’t visually appealing. There are too many handsome students.”
“Didn’t they call the freshmen a golden generation when their list was revealed?”
“That seemed fitting. Prince Yuren, Princess Judit, Saint Shirai and the owner of the Frey Merchant Guild, plus that renowned genius sorcerer. The fact that all these incredible people were the same age was astonishing.”
“But why only two people in A Class?”
“Seeing the red pill, the frauds have exposed themselves. Is this the first time incompetent students have revealed their true abilities?”
Is the rumor already spreading? It’s fast. The changes were unexpected. It makes my head spin.
Only two in the A Class? Understandably, some consider the freshmen an abysmal generation.
Though the original five students in the A Class have become just two, I don’t think this will affect the scenario’s outcome.
Sylus already knows that Xyah is indeed an A Class level student. Otherwise, they wouldn’t overlook a delinquent who shows up late and uses impolite language.
Sylus must consider Xyah too valuable a resource to let something as minor as misbehavior get in the way.
The same goes for Shirai and Muse.
While other students might dismiss them as nothing special, Dean Sylus understands their true value.
Evidence from previous events: Shirai and Muse were in A Class last time around.
Shirai even confessed long ago that she was originally in A Class, but chose to switch down to C.
Also, Yuren Stardust, the top of the swordsmanship club, and Alphin the Herta, the top of the magic department, continue to be strong and influential.
Therefore, there’s zero chance that the freshmen will lose standing.
Without dementia setting in for Dean Sylus, this issue isn’t going to disrupt the established flow of events.
Sylus continues to think this year’s freshmen are a golden generation, so it’s unnecessary to overthink things.
Why the change in the five A Class students?
Right now, with no evidence, only one potential reason stands out.
“There!”
“?”
The cat-like lips and pointed canines that some may find annoying and others cute. The hands that a girl of this age might shyly hide behind her back.
The neat bangs contrasting the braided hairstyle—often called a “flower crown”—which she neatly placed atop both shoulders.
Twintails, or something similar?
A mischievous air, combined with porcelain-like skin and radiant gold hair that puts my alchemy-dyes to shame.
The hint of madness in her azure eyes makes it clear. Though not on the level of a main heroine, this is a significant beauty.
“Are you a first-year, right?”
With a cheerful smile revealing those pointed teeth, she continues:
“You guys are called the worst batch of students ever, huh? Incredible.”
This is Princess Nepia Solaris, the third princess.
Nepia Solaris.
A secondary heroine in “Falling in Love at the Academy.”
The keywords of her trauma aren’t about overthrowing the monarchy per se, but about reversing the order. In a kingdom where the first and second princesses are both able and strongly supported, this phrase symbolizes the challenge to overtake them.
In essence, her ultimate goal is to seize royal power.
“Being new, why aren’t you enjoying the social gathering?”
Saying that with mocking sarcasm, Nepia’s hand covers her mouth.
Even opening her fingers slightly to deliberately show her laughter.
All those actions are meant to provoke a rise from me.
“Could it be you came here because you don’t have friends to hang out with? You don’t have the face of a loner though.”
“Your praise overwhelms me.”
Interacting with Princess Nepia requires maintaining composure. Always keep answers brief. Once you start going on tangents, you risk being cornered by her words.
“Honestly, do you also think the freshmen are an inferior generation? Since you won’t tell anyone, be honest.”
With a show of friendliness, Nepia puts her arm around me.
This is the most dangerous moment.
“Your classmates won’t know, trust me. Let’s make it a shared secret between us. Doesn’t it sound romantic, like something out of a manga?”
Her proximity triggers the sweet scent of a girl her age. The subtle exposure between the buttons of her blouse reveals more than appropriate.
She uses this closeness to lower the guard of male students, subtly inducing them to think of her as their equal.
“Call me Nepia, more casually.”
Such lowbrow hobbies of Princess Nepia.
“I’m surprised.”
“Huh?”
“That so many people nearby aren’t shocked to see Princess Nepia associating with someone so humble.”
Never lose sight of the vast disparity in social status just because Princess Nepia seems friendly.
What if you actually called her ‘Senior’ Nepia? The eyes of all these students would ensure your academy life became a living hell.
“Hmm~.”
Since she first approached, her right hand has been suspiciously hidden behind her back. Now, she finally reveals it.
“Ta-da!”
It turned out to be a functioning recorder.
“What a slippery little one.”
“Your praise overwhelms me.”
“How is calling someone a slippery eel a compliment?”
“Wouldn’t it be a pleasure to receive an evaluation directly from Princess Nepia? It’s an honor regardless of the comparison.”
The weakness of Princess Nepia: natural compliments.
“…”
After the silence, Princess Nepia begins to scan me.
Her gaze moves slowly from the top of my head to the tip of my boots.
Just as the atmosphere starts to turn strange, Nepia’s cherry-like lips part.
“I want to dominate you.”
…
Did I mishear that?
“Here, kneel down, and declare you’re my servant.”
Does she really want me to act like some kind of animal?
In front of so many people?
Even while attempting to maintain calm, Princess Nepia comes across as rude. That’s beyond my control.
“Why should I?”
Even brushing my hair aside doesn’t help because the following statement from Nepia is completely over the line.
“You know what’ll happen if you maintain your pride here, right? Your classmates would face a lot of trouble later on, wouldn’t they?”
I understand what she’s implying.
In this merit-based academy, with only two students in A Class.
She means to use this to reduce the standing of the freshmen.
“Impossible.”
Look at the lineup of this year’s freshmen.
While you might consider them foam to belittle them, they are fundamentally different tiers of existence.
“I decline.”
I spoke those short words and walked past her, heading directly towards the main hall and the banquet room nearby.
So what if she’s a princess?
Yuren Star Dust, as the head of the swordsmanship club, still stands firm. Alphin the Herta, known as a genius mage, is the same.
With few supporters, it’s an impossible task for Princess Nepia to reduce the freshmen’s standing.
I thought.
But I was completely, embarrassingly wrong.
Considering Yuren Stardust and Alphin the Herta alone would be enough to withstand Nepia’s pressure,
My prediction wasn’t wrong.
It was merely flawed in the process.
The Alphin the Herta runaway incident.
On that day, the incident caused by Alphin’s outburst became the reason I came to genuinely hate Yuren Star Dust.
![[TS] Became a Peach Saint](https://i1.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737067516-2183-TS-Became-a-Peach-Saint.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] Became a Peach Saint")
