This is the Royal Claulight Academy. Only those of the royal family, nobility and a few wealthy commoners attend here. It's an institution for nurturing the next generation, starting from the age of twelve and ending at sixteen. A wide variety of topics are taught, ranging from the history and culture of the Kingdom of Claudis, etiquette, world events, economics, political sciences, tactics, magic—Students were given top-class education based on their respective capabilities.
"Fuaaa..."
"Fran, you look rather tired."
The day after the storm. There was herbalism practice in the morning. Refining potions.
This resembles those witches from that picture book I saw in my previous life... and the like, Francesca thought.
It's not like she disliked herbalism class. She had been addicted to herbal tea and aromatherapy in her past life, it was the lesson she looked forward to the most.
If it were the usual Francesca, even if training started early in the morning, she would have stirred the pot with sparkling eyes.
But, the circumstances were different today.
"Hnnn..."
Sleepy. Very sleepy. Was Leonhart's《Rest in Peace》still in effect? Francesca, since earlier, was drifting between dreams and reality.
Yesterday's downpour had disappeared, outside spread the clear blue sky. If she lied down on the grass and rested her eyes, she would surely fall asleep.
The autumn wind lifted the curtains and caressed Francesca's cheeks. Every time it happened, her eyelids would become heavy with drowsiness.
"Fran! Fran! Please wake up! We have class!"
Her practice partner yelled loudly beside her. The Duke of Valeria's daughter, Tricia.
They became friends when they sat next to each other during the entrance ceremony, it's been two and a half years already. Associating with another Duke's daughter, usually, seeds of rivalry would sprout. Actually, in the beginning, Tricia and I had some conflicts. However, a certain incident made us forge a long lasting friendship.
"Practice... magic... ea–"
"Fran! There's too much, you're using too much magical poweraaAAHH!"
Boom!
Francesca had the highest magical capacity in the kingdom. With normal magicians, when making an elixir, it would require ten people, but she could finish by herself. Now, imagine this sort of person pouring an excessive amount of magic into her potion due to sleepiness.
Conclusion. It's a large explosion.
"That, that was terrible!"
"Sorry, Tricia..."
"Look at my clothes, the teacher even got angry! ...Hey, turn around! Our backs are still wet!"
Tricia used magic to dry off their uniforms. Comparing it to modern Japan, it was like using a dryer.
"But Fran, it's unusual for you to be so tired. What were you up to last night?"
"Um..."
During the storm, my fiancé, Leon suddenly pushed me onto my bed. I was kissed, and my ears were licked... my body heated up. Just remembering it made her cheeks grow warmer.
I can't tell you this.
"Hmm..."
Tricia nods, as though in understanding. The wind blew at her long crimson hair and she pulled back a strand.
"Is it because of His Highness, Leonhart?"
"Ha...!"
Bulls-eye. Francesca was amazed, but then her body trembled. Her face was so red, it seemed ready to burst.
"Oh, is it getting hot in here. How enviable."
"That's wrong. It's nothing like what you're thinking..."
"And how would you know what I'm thinking?"
"That, um..."
Francesca was frantic, and her head was spinning. Tricia smiled while watching her.
"In any case, as long as you're happy, I won't complain. But if you're having any troubles, please tell me... Also, speaking of Prince Leonhart, it seems that he'll definitely become the next student council president."
"Yes. Although, I thought it would be Prince Christopher..."
Christopher di Claudis. The first prince of the Kingdom of Claudis and Leonhart's older brother. In the game, he was also one of the capture targets, he served as the student council president.
Yes, the student council president was supposed to be Christopher. But for some reason, Leonhart also ran for the position, and attracted a large amount of support. It was not the same as the original. Francesca was puzzled.
"As the student council president, Leon will be shouldering many responsibilities, it's not like him."
At least, according to the original. Leonhart di Claudis was a free soul, he did not even want the title of Second Prince. The game even had an ending where he threw away the Claudis family name and lived as a commoner.
Game Leonhart. Real Leonhart. The two did not fit together.
"That's right, Prince Leonhart has changed. He seems to be a different person compared to the carefree one we saw at the entrance ceremony... Would you happen to know why?"
The hot air stops as the clothes have dried up. Tricia straightens out the wrinkles on Francesca's clothing as she speaks.
"Well... no..."
"Oh, so Prince Leonhart isn't getting a reward for all this."
Tricia giggles.
"Men are like predators chasing after their prey. Prince Leonhart is one too, remember to watch your back."