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"Ryoji San? Ryoji San?"
A gentle voice drifted into his half-asleep ears, pulling Ryoji out of his doze. He blinked, sat up from his desk, and stretched with a wide yawn.
Morning in Year 1, Class 1 was as quiet as always. Everyone was making an effort to keep the noise down so he could grab some sleep; they were truly considerate people.
"Jeanne?" Ryoji glanced over at the desk beside him.
"Yes, it's me." The golden-haired girl with braided pigtails smiled as she stood by his side, holding out her hand with a persistent look.
"It's Monday. Time to turn in your homework, Ryoji."
"Oh."
Ryoji rummaged through his nearly empty bag and pulled out a few crumpled notebooks.
"Here."
"You… you actually turned it in?"
Jeanne looked startled. She'd fully prepared for the possibility that she wouldn't receive his assignments today.
"Can I take a look?"
"Be my guest."
Ryoji crossed his arms, radiating unearned confidence.
Jeanne murmured softly and began to meticulously examine the notebooks.
"The handwriting's really messy."
"Personal style."
"Seems like a lot of mistakes."
"Not necessarily the optimal solution."
"Why is the process completely skipped?"
"I didn't feel like writing it out."
Jeanne's expression shifted subtly. It looked like the work was done… but it also didn't. You could argue it was unfinished, but technically, the answers were there.
"Are you sure you wrote this?"
"Don't doubt my character!"
Ryoji remembered the pouty face of Ahogeless Alter from the day before and stated with absolute certainty:
I'm always the type who doesn't do homework! That's undeniable!
"…Alright then."
Jeanne, looking utterly perplexed, took the homework and moved on to collect assignments from the others.
"Sleeping in the classroom isn't comfortable anyway."
Ryoji stretched again. If he kept sleeping like that, his spine would definitely protest sooner or later. The infirmary… well, that wasn't exactly a safe place to go, given there was a very peculiar, even frightening, teacher lurking there.
"Doesn't the Student Council have bedrooms?"
He recalled the large, comfy beds on the second floor of the Student Council building, and a surge of energy went through him.
"Good luck, Akick."
He muttered some nonsensical farewell to Akick, who was frantically scribbling to finish his work. As Akick shouted "traitor," Ryoji was already heading for the door.
Skipping class!
Skipping a whole day!
Just this wayward!
"Whoa, the homeroom teacher of Class 3-3 hasn't come to work for days. I heard she's missing?! Is that true?"
Before he left, Suzuka Gozen's exclamation drifted from the front row, where a few girls were gossiping.
"Seems like it's true. I have a friend in that class!"
"Poor Medea-sensei…"
Medea? Missing?
The conversation brushed past Ryoji's ears, giving him a flicker of unease.
But he shook it off, it had nothing to do with him. Besides, maybe she just eloped with her perfect match?
Student Council.
After Mata Hari helped him open the door, Ryoji walked into the first-floor hall.
"You're early today, Ryoji!"
Nero dashed down from the second floor in a blur, snagged Ryoji's arm, and immediately began absorbing energy, her usual greeting.
"Nero, aren't you going to class?"
"Umu, I'm a genius. I don't need the lessons of ordinary mortals!" Nero proudly placed her hand on her chest.
Makes sense.
Attending class would only waste her time.
"Ojou-sama has already completed all high school and university courses; currently, she's studying statesmanship."
Mata Hari followed behind them, her smile perfectly poised and polite.
Statesmanship?
You Roman Consortium folks aren't planning to stage a coup someday, are you? Rome overthrowing Japan? Does Oda Nobunaga know about this?
Oda Nobunaga, by the way, was the current Prime Minister of Japan, reportedly a deeply eccentric person with advisors drawn from the Shinsengumi, the Shogunate, and various other unusual factions.
"Nero, where have you been?"
A commanding female voice echoed down from the second floor.
Shortly after, accompanied by a soft ding-ling sound, a strikingly exotic beauty descended the stairs.
She had long teal hair, matching teal eyes as serene as a lake, and features that hinted at a distinct Middle Eastern charm, yet still gracefully aligned with Eastern aesthetics. Her body was clad in a simple white long dress. Though the hem gave no hint of a brand, the fabric was clearly of the highest quality. Gold jewelry adorned her head, arms, and ankles.
She carried a faint nouveau-riche aura, yet her movements were elegant and composed, giving off the impression of an ancient queen's consort.
"Who is this?"
"Umu, allow me to introduce her!"
Nero stepped forward enthusiastically. "This is my aunt, Cleopatra, not just in name, but in reality! Such a dazzling beauty, even I envy her!"
"Hehe, Nero, you do have a way with words, but even if you say so, this one's beauty cannot be shared with you!"
Cleopatra tossed her silky teal hair, displaying a serene elegance mixed with unflinching, absolute confidence. She clearly trusted in her own stunning appearance.
"I think Nero is prettier."
Ryoji glanced left and right, then spoke his sincere mind.
"Umu! Though I am confident myself, your words make me even happier!"
Nero covered her face, unable to hide her sheer joy.
Truly a cute little emperor!
"So, you're the god this academy talks about?"
"You flatter me."
Cleopatra's attention shifted to Ryoji, her expression filled with admiration.
"So that's how it is, a well-deserved reputation. Even I can't find a single flaw. If I were ten years younger…"
You really shouldn't say that to someone's face.
Better to keep that kind of thought private!
"Has uncle gained weight again?" Nero seemed completely unfazed, not caring at all about the compliment in Cleopatra's words. For her, it was natural that the person she chose would attract admiration; she had absolute confidence in her own judgment.
"More than that, lately he often doesn't return at night. I wonder what he's up to…"
Cleopatra complained about her absent husband, her expression hinting at a subtle worry, a quiet fear of being abandoned.
DONG DONG BOOM!
Just as the two women were about to continue their chat, a rhythmic, powerful knocking came from the door.
Mata Hari bowed slightly, and with Nero's nod, she pulled open the double doors.
"Yahe, good morning!"
Standing at the entrance was a white-haired elder man.
He entered the hall with seemingly graceful movements, yet a faint hint of frivolity lingered, giving him a slightly offbeat charm that could easily attract a few noblewomen's favor. His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on Ryoji, offering a slight smile, then turning to the exotic beauty beside him.
Why look at me again? Ryoji thought, a pang of bitterness hitting him. Don't tell me he wants to drag me back to class…
"Aiya, it's been a while. Lady Cleopatra looks even more radiant than before. Truly makes my heart race!"
Principal Merlin displayed a tender expression, flattering Cleopatra with a smile right in front of Ryoji and the others.
"All conversations at this meeting, I will report truthfully to Lord Romulus."
"Please spare me!!"
(End of Chapter)