As we arrived at the hall for the school entrance event to begin properly, I noticed that there were more things off than expected. The knight portion was... a good amount larger than it should have been. Not just from a sudden boom in knight students from our fief, but also from the west-most of the northern Marquess territories.

While I suspect that 'Augustus' have inspired a good deal of young men, likely even outside our own fief... that cannot be the only explanation... though, I suppose that since I did save a lot of civilians back then, that the possible amount of boys is higher than it was in the story. Though, even then I have had no effect on our neighboring fief of Lord Stanbell... but Eric has...

Eric visits there once in a while and appears to be exchanging letters with the oldest son, Wolfram Stanbell. Since Eric changed our military after seeing my methods, he may have made a change to their military as well. Since the northern territories are very turbulent, a big change could cause a shift in power. If this shift in power has lead to an increase in population dying from war... then that could explain why there is twice as many from that fief compared to the other two.

So, another young man standing out between the group of ash mantled young men would be Wolfram. As expected for a novel for young girls, he is handsome... nothing new... with a pale, and almost ashy cyan hair he stands out among the young boys as blessed by the element of air. Honestly it's amazing he hasn't been killed, the rivalry of their houses considered... or... was he supposed to have died?

In the book the northern territories were never really mentioned, so I'd assumed they would be average at best if they even appeared. Since that is not the case, then Eric might indeed have changed something that let Wolfram live through the chaos.

Other than that one... There is an awful lot of foreign students... since none entered the harem or were mentioned, I didn't expect there to be any, at least not any in the knight class.

I glance to a blonde unnatural curl bouncing a bit a few rows ahead of me. Somehow... by the book standards I feel like I just found another villain... also, she appears to be lacking in the chest area as well. I feel like she may have been mentioned once in the book somewhere... but I can't seem to remember where.

Perhaps I'll ask the heroine's ginger friend, Helena Fox. Her family runs a paper printing company, and as such they also deal in news. I think they call her sort 'journalists'... I'm not familiar with the term from my former life, but they're basically the center of information and gossip. Ever wondered how the heroine managed to capture the hearts of all six of them? A certain someone came with some clever little hints and pretty much hinted at what troubled each of their hearts, and told her where to find them whenever she wanted to talk with them. If you truly wanted the heroine to fail, then you'd start out by parting her from Helena, no one ever did though. After all, Helena likely has dirt on everyone.

She's likely the most terrifying side character ever... though... interestingly she never stopped the bullying of the heroine though she should have been able to with all of her knowledge. I suspect her of trying to befriend the heroine and making her rise in the ranks to reap the harvest of their friendship later. So much for your closest friend, Claire-chan...

---*---

William takes the podium as the first year with the highest scores in our year. My own results were not bad by any means, but as you may know I have other studies I prefer more.

As I don't care for William I decide to ignore his emotional speech and see if I can spot other irregularities while our heroine Claire-chan goes teary eyed at the speech and charms William who notices her cry and show emotion in public from being touched by his speech.

Ah~ actually, I'm not sure it'll turn out that way. I'm not sure William ever got a trauma, or rather, it may have been overwritten with anger. Ever since William decided to pick a fight with me while I was feeling distressed, he's been picking fights with me at nearly every opportunity. Of course I respond immediately. There are only three responses to an insult: 'Ignore', 'Insult Back' or 'Duel'. I do not have the patience for the first, nor am I a man so I cannot duel anyone. That leaves 'Insult back'.

Either way, William seems to have changed a little. If nothing else, then only towards me.

I get the nagging feeling of someone staring at me and peer around cautiously.

Is that you, Gil?

To my pleasant surprise it isn't Gil, but a second year knight judging by the mantle. Furthermore, he's leaning slightly to the side to get a view of me since he is far away and the first years are blocking the way.

Who... is that?

I can't remember anyone in the book that would try to see me that desperately. In the end the person gives up and I smile to Lumere who swims down from my shoulders and down around my legs instead. He isn't visible to others right now, but he likely still feels cautious.

...

Other than the things I've already pointed out, there appear to be no notable oddities as of now.

---*---

With the speeches over we are to leave to our respective classrooms. We've already received the class numbers by letter so they will merely guide us to the right hallway. Meanwhile Heroine Claire-chan will not have gotten said letter, and Soleil will approach her with his usual arrogance and declare her a member of his class... our class... Of course I compared class numbers with everyone I know... not only do I have to deal with Claire, but I have also been separated from Magdalin...

I am dissatisfied with this. I am the villainess, you should accommodate for my cute 'follower' to be in the same class as me. At least Alstair and Lionel are in another class... but that still leaves me with Gil, William and Soleil.

At least Helena isn't in our class, so I'm not the only one who is alone... or perhaps it is so Claire doesn't depend on Helena but the guys instead?

As I play with this thought we fill our auditorium styled classroom where I seat myself around the middle level. I suppose it is effective for these elevated seating places, however, it really does not allow for a lot of movement or shifting.

I've just about seated myself when the curly blond haired girl appears in front of me with tightly pressed lips and a scrunched up nose.

"I will never get along with you!" She declares at me proudly, and in an instant she's caught the attention of every student in our class.

Ara?

What is this? No, I mean, I don't even know who she is... but she certainly is a rude one. I have behaved quite nicely for the last eight years too, I didn't think I had any such dedicated enemies left other than Bridgette, who is also in my class... I've just decided to ignore her.

"As you already appear to know who I am, I am left in suspense for knowing yours, miss. Though, I agree, I am quite certain we will not get along either."

She realizes her mistake a moment too late but then straightens up.

"I am the fiancé of the prince of Headal, daughter of Duke Steuan Polliet, Jesmaine Polliet" she presents herself with a composure she didn't have before. Headal was the country we border on the east. In other words, the enemy we face about once a year...

Why is the enemy prince's fiancé here? Does this mean we won't be attacked for a while, or an attempt to make us kill her? I understand the reason Lionel specifically has been placed in another class. Those two would not get along at all. I give a soft nod to accept her introduction and then ask my next question bluntly.

"So, I assume you are in love with his Highness Alstair?"

I feel no shame for asking. I just wanted her reaction, as it was one of the few reasons I could think of for her, a person I've never met, to hate me to this extent. Furthermore, I am a Celeste that guards the western border, so we have no family issues.

The only thing left is my status as Alstair's fiance.

As a response her lips twitch and a gentle red spreads on her pale cheeks. Her green eyes round at me with hints of surprise and worry.

I want to sigh.

"Well then, I assume we are done here. Please find a seat, Lady Jesmaine. I believe you have caused enough of a disturbance to solidify your dislike of me."

I cut off any further conversation short with a smile. I could have expanded upon her jealousy, but there was no need. I could already hear the mutters after all. All I needed to do was to point out what I assumed to be the true reason she caused such a scene. I don't know when, but this girl intends to take me down and squirm her way to Alstair's side.

"As always you are so cruel, Lady Lily." Bridgette decides to enter the fray on Jesmaine's side. Jesmaine stares at Bridgette in confusion at the sudden intervention.

"To ask such a question of the poor Lady, surely you did it to shame her, did you not?" Oh~ you are quite spot on, Bridgette.

I glance to the two girls appearing behind Bridgette. Did she take over the role of villainess?

My lips curl into a smile, and it reaches my eyes. For Bridgette to take the role of villainess, how unexpected.

"My my, I was merely puzzled by her unwarranted dislike, so I merely assumed her to have the same reason as you, Honorable Bridgette Bryar." I didn't need to glance at the audience to know that they'd forgotten all about Jesmaine in an instant. It was public knowledge that Bridgette and I had been childhood friends after all. Personally I'd say I fended off her comment quite well, but it was a smooth move from Bridgette's side.

"I believe there to be no girl in this country who does not admire his highness, Lily-sama" she defended herself brilliantly.

"Certainly that is so, Bridgette-chan. However, it is shameful to act upon jealousy." She may try to twist the words, so let's use the word directly. Bridgette looked annoyed that I used -chan as honorific, but she held back brilliantly.

I didn't want this to continue any further though.

"At least you, Bridgette-chan, has learned of your mistakes in the past, yes? It was such a hard hit for your Father. Let's hope nothing like that happens again, would you not agree?" I finish off satisfied with my argument.

Bridgette hesitated for a moment.

"T-that was merely the act of a child. You should not bring up such events just to win an argument, Lady Lily." She defended herself admirably. As expected I can't mess with them as easily anymore.

I just smiled at her sweetly with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Indeed, that was the act of a child, however.

"I heard they never confirmed what poison it was you tried to use on me because Lord Tepet and my Father graciously gave into your father's insistent begging to keep things quiet. To think you nearly ended up poor Lionel Tepet as well."

As I said earlier. There are only three responses to an insult, and by bringing Lionel's name into it the girls will perk up. He is admired as well, after all.

"I-It was just laxatives..." she says out, not sure where I am going with this. In fact, she thinks this is better for her, that her little thing got blown up. It could be, and honestly I was just attempting to probe for a weakness. Though it is faint, I think I may have found one.

"So you merely intended to humiliate me out of your admiration towards my fiance? However 'just' you say... and just now you were attempting to show me as cruel. Perhaps you haven't actually learned anything from your mistake?... How frightful your admiration is, Bridgette-chan."

With that we've made a full circle. She can't deny calling me cruel, nor can she force me to admit to being cruel, as I already made my counter arguments. Her eyes flicker as she try to find more arguments, and she even glances to Jesmaine for help. Jesmaine, however, just watches as if she's suddenly on the side line. Certainly you are now on the sideline, Jesmaine, however, this was originally about you, you know?

Then everything goes quiet as our bright heroine enters this tense atmosphere with her bright eyes and chiming voice with Soleil and William by her side.