[Alterisa POV]

Hm... It's so quiet... So peaceful... How strange...

Somehow, despite Aria's presence in the academy, I was having quite a peaceful life in the academy... Which is unsettling.

The first few weeks of the academy was supposed to be an event flag galore where the heroine would trigger all the capture targets' flags before choosing a route she wanted to dive into later on. It was basically a reverse harem until she picked a route.

That means, she should've been triggering flags left and right, and I would definitely notice it because some of them would be directly related to Alterisa...

For example, in the first few days of the academy, Aria would've coincidentally met with Alex frequently when he was trying to avoid Alterisa.

Because of those meetings, Alexus, who was tired of being pestered by the overbearing, spoiled, and annoying Alterisa, would feel healed by the heroine's innocence, honesty, and cheerfulness. And when Alterisa found out he had been meeting with the heroine, she would begin bullying her, making Alexus despise her even more.

Similarly, Lucas would also find the heroine's presence healing and comforting because he had been dealing with Alterisa's shenanigans.

But now, none of that happens. Or rather, Alexus was the one who'd always approach me to have lunch or to walk around the academy garden after school.

Lu-nii was also trying his best to avoid her. After all, he already "belongs" to Lily (Hana) and he doesn't want any business with the reincarnated heroine. But the heroine did nothing to chase after him...

No, maybe she tried when I wasn't looking, but nothing seemed to come out of it.

The same thing has been happening to the other capture targets.

Keith has been approached multiple times, but he kept avoiding her and nothing happened after that. Luke has been escaping with his speed every time she tried approaching him, which was quite effective, given no one is faster than him aside from me and maybe Alexus.

While Wilhelm was cooped up in the library or engrossed in his magic training that even the heroine wouldn't even be able to find him even if she wanted to.

Even so, knowing that heroine's personality, it's hard to believe that she'll just give up like that...

In fact, I've noticed her becoming more and more frustrated as days passed. She had been saying things like "How unlucky am I getting?" or "What are the f*cking chances of that?!" and the like...

Well... I should be happy that none of those events are triggering, right?

Umu. I'm getting the peaceful school life together with my best friends that I have been wishing for. I should have fun.

Of course, I would still be cautious and prepared in case the heroine decided to do some drastic things.

On a brighter note, I've been noticing something... interesting.

I've seen Evelyn meeting up with Keith recently. Well, I've actually only seen it once, but it was still pretty surprising.

Ever since I've introduced both of them to each other when they coincidentally visited me at the same time, I've never actually seen them together alone without me. They're friends because of me, sure, and their relationship as the children of a ducal household may bring them closer together. But none of them have ever told me about each other.

If I wasn't the one who introduced them to each other, I would've thought they're mere acquaintances.

But yesterday, I saw them talking to each other in the hallway while I was on my way to the dining hall along with Illya, Valerie-chan, Celine, and Elise. They're pretty far away and pretty hidden behind a pillar, so I don't think anyone but me noticed them.

They seemed to be talking very seriously with each other, and they're being very secretive, so I didn't say anything to the girls.

But... I'm still quite curious about what they're talking about.

I mean... Evelyn is the villainess in Keith's route in the otome game. She's supposed to be his fiancee until the heroine ruined it and stole Keith away. Although they're far from being engaged in this world, it still makes me wonder if they have some sort of special relationship with each other...

No, it might also not be romantic at all. I mean, they looked super serious when they're talking to each other.

Is it some sort of trouble? No way... Is Evelyn in some sort of trouble?

Uuuuhh... She has always been like this. She never wants to "trouble" me with her problems, even though I wouldn't be troubled at all. I would've loved to help her with anything!

Evelyn is my best friend. We're sisters in everything but blood. Her problems are my problems too! And I'll destroy everything that's bothering my ara-ara onee-sama!!!

Umu, I've decided. I'll invite her for tea in private and ask her about it!

"Anne!"

"Yes, Alterisa-sama?"

"Can you send this letter to Evelyn after I'm done writing it? Ah, and do it secretly too, okay? I want to talk to her alone."

"Of course, my lady. But if you wish for it to be done in secret, I think Maria-chan would be more appropriate for it?"

"Hm? Okay... Then can you ask her?"

"I understand, my lady. I shall see to it."

"Thank you~"

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Evening.

A few hours after dinner, Evelyn came to my room full of smiles. She was wearing an absolutely adorable, light blue nightgown with white flower patterns at the end of her long dress. Her hair, which was usually braided and hung over her shoulder, was freed, swaying gracefully behind her as she walked.

"Risa-sama~! Good evening~ Thank you very much for inviting me~"

"Evelyn~ Good evening~ I'm glad you can come~ Come and sit here~ Anne and Maria-chan just finished brewing some Earl Gray and prepared some scones for us~"

"Yes~ Then, please excuse me~"

She came to the table, dragged her chair closer to me, and sat down. We're sitting side by side on the fairly large round table.

She must be feeling a bit cold. I mean, she came here all the way from her room in a nightgown.

"I'm sorry for calling you this late into the evening, Evelyn."

"Ufufufu~ Please do not mind it, Risa-sama. In fact, I'm very happy to be able to spend this night alone with you~"

Evelyn smiled brilliantly as she giggled.

Ah~ What a good girl~ I feel so blessed to be in the presence of such a cute girl~

We then chatted over some tea and snacks, talking about our school life so far, and how excited we are for future events that would be held in the academy.

If I remember correctly, the closest event we have would be... the annual Royal Academy tournament.

It's a tournament held for the students of the Royal Academy to show off their skills in magic and combat that they've trained for in the academy.

Anyone who wants to join, can join, and there are some who were also recommended by instructors to join in the tournament. And since it's a tournament that involves the entire school, there's normally a lot of participants.

That's why preliminary matches are held first to cut down on the number of participants until there are only 24 students, who will be appearing in the royal tournament.

Those who received recommendations from the academy wouldn't need to participate in the preliminary matches and can immediately participate in the main tournament.

In total, there'll be 32 students who'll be competing in the main tournament.

This annual tournament also happens in lovely happenings, but the game didn't really focus on the fighting part so much.

The capture targets and villainesses, except for Alterisa, were naturally recommended by the teacher body to participate in the tournament due to their skills. The heroine was also recommended, but she declined the invitation since she disliked fighting and harming others, even if it was a tournament.

Instead, she will be supporting the capture target whose route she has chosen, and that capture target would be the winner of the annual royal academy tournaments.

At this point in time, I don't know if Aria had chosen a capture target to focus on, or who she chooses if she had. I need to try and find out about it first, because I need to destroy this flag.

If the capture target the heroine chose loses, then her progress through his route would be halted, if not, fail altogether. This would be the best case scenario since it would save me and my best friends from being dragged through the tragedy the otome game bestowed on our respective game characters.

Well... If I can't find out who she's aiming for until the tournament, then I'll just destroy everyone and win the tournament myself!!!

Honestly, I think I have a shot.

Luke is good with his sword, but I have defeated him in a duel without magic. If I fight him with magic, then it won't even be a contest, especially if I can fight with Fubuki.

Wilhem is also not a problem. Although his magic is strong, he sucks at close combat, so I can just close the distance and beat him up with my fists.

Lu-nii doesn't seem to be interested in winning, so I can just make our match a show if we end up against each other. After all, I have to help Lu-nii maintain an image and boost his reputation in high society so he can be with Lily. Then, I'll defeat him.

Keith is also not a problem.

The girls... I hope I don't match up against them. But if I do, I'll defeat them as painlessly as possible.

The biggest problem is Alexus... Seriously, he's a monster...

His mastery over Ice magic isn't as good as mine. But he also has his extremely powerful lightning magic.

Honestly, he's such a problem. Every time I fight against him, I need to be extra careful and play more defensively than usual. I can't just skate around or fly around and shoot ice spears at him.

That is why, I've been practicing hard and creating an ultimate skill to fight against him. Since his lightning magic consumes a lot of mana... I'll make him drain his own mana and then strike him when he's weakened.

Kukuku~ Just wait for it, Alex~ You won't know what's coming until it's too late~

"Ufufufu~ Oh, that's right! Risa-sama, you told me in your letter that there's something you wish to ask me? May I ask what it is?"

Ah! That's right! I forgot about my original intention!

"Oh, that's right!"

I turned to her and assumed a serious expression. I then took her hands and held them tightly, causing her to shriek and blush.

"R-Risa-sama?!"

"You're right, there's something I wish to ask you..."

"W-W-W-What could it be?"

Her face was blushing super redly. I can also feel her hands sweating. Is she nervous? No... Is she anxious about her problem? Does she not want me to find out?

I stared at Evelyn's blushing figure for a moment.

I want to respect her privacy... I do. But I can't stand just watching her be in trouble... I want to help her in any way I can.

Ah! Here it goes!!!

"...I saw you talking with Keith with a serious expression."

"...Eh?"

Her eyes widened in shock, and the blush on her face quickly disappeared.

"Are you in some sort of trouble, Evelyn? Is that why you're talking with him? Were you consulting with him?"

"R-Risa-sama?"

I pulled her into my embrace and hugged her tightly.

"Hya!"

"Please tell me if you're having trouble... I'm your best friend, aren't I? I care about you as much as you care about me. So please tell me, so I can help you in any way I can..."

I don't want her to get hurt... That time was the first time I've ever seen Evelyn talking with such a grim and serious expression.

She must be really troubled... And I want to help alleviate some of her pain. I don't want her to hide the thing that pains her from me.

I don't care if she troubled me. I just want to help her.

Evelyn fell silent.

Hah... even now, she doesn't want to talk, huh?

Anne and Maria-chan, who had been silently serving us, also stopped and stared at us with helpless smiles.

Yeah... This girl is really helpless huh?

"Uhm... Risa-sama?"

"Yes, Evelyn? Tell me what's been bothering you, and I will erase it."

"U-Uhm... T-There's nothing troubling me..."

"You don't need to hide it anymore, Evelyn. I'm here with you now! I will help you!"

"P-Please listen to me, Risa-sama! I-I really don't have anything that's troubling me!!!"

"Eh?"

I backed away and saw her smiling at me helpless, just like Anne and Maria-chan.

"Really? You don't have anything troubling you?"

"I might have a few little things, but they're not something that would make me turn to Varion-sama for help."

"Eh? Then why did you talk to him..."

I thought for a moment, before an idea popped in my mind.

"Ah... Do you have a special relationship with hi-"

"Absolutely not."

Evelyn said resolutely with her usual smile.

T-Though why do I feel like her smile is... colder than usual?

"R-Really?"

Evelyn pouted and glared at me adorably.

"Geez... The only one in this world that I adore and love with all my heart is you, Risa-sama! So please don't ever think for a moment that I have some kind of romantic feelings for that red head!"

"I-I see..."

Eeeehhhh...? Then what were they talking about...?

AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!