Team Formation

Felix took me to a secluded garden on the eastern side of the academy.

The prince, whom everyone wanted on their team for this special practical exam, always had people coming up to talk to him, so if he wanted to speak quietly, he had no choice but to move away from the students’ usual living area.

Seasonal flowers bloomed in beautiful abundance.

A famed designer had planned it, and excellent gardeners maintained it, shaping this garden full of color.

(It’s pretty, but I prefer vegetables. They taste good.)

As I was thinking that it would be nice if flowers were not just pretty but edible too, Prince Felix stopped walking and said,

“I am willing to let you join my team.”

His condescending tone irritated me quite a bit, but even more than that, what bothered me was why he was inviting me in the first place.

“You seemed awfully popular. So why me?”

“With the others, I’d have to keep too many things hidden. You’re the easiest.”

I understood.

Because we had already shown each other our true selves and fought in the shadows, it seemed there was an advantage for him in not having to put on airs around me.

“Then shouldn’t you just make other friends like that? I think this would be a good opportunity.”

“Given my position, it’s not that simple. A lot of people have ulterior motives and want to build ties with the Third Prince, and even if the person themselves doesn’t think that way, their parents start sending absurdly expensive gifts on their own.”

“Isn’t it possible that my father would send things like that too?”

“My brother said you’d be fine.”

“Huh? His Highness the Second Prince?”

We were not supposed to have met, so I had no idea where he had gotten that kind of impression of me.

“In any case, you’re teaming up with me. I’m the strongest in this year, and Roy is the second strongest. Even if you can’t do a single thing, we’ll still be the ones who win. And considering appearances, since we’re supposed to be dating, it’ll also save us from attracting weird suspicion or speculation. It’s not like there wouldn’t be major benefits in this for you too.”

“That may be true.”

“It’s me we’re talking about. I’m personally offering to team up with you.”

Prince Felix said,

“This is a chance everyone wishes for. It’s ridiculous that someone with no accomplishments like you would get it in the first place. Be grateful.”

“Yes, that’s true. Thank you for choosing me.”

“Then we’ll fill out the form and submit it.”

“But I refuse.”

“…What?”

Prince Felix glared at me and said,

“Do you even understand what you’re saying?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then why?”

“Because I don’t like the way you talk down to people, and because the way you never once doubt that you’re the one doing the choosing annoys me. Also, this is just a matter of personal taste.”

“Personal taste?”

“I prefer standing above others to serving under someone. Pawn, knight, bishop, rook—I refuse them all. If you want to invite me next time, do it with me as a king or queen. Lower yourself and say, ‘My dear queen, please lend your strength to insignificant little me.’”

“Are you sure? You’ll regret this.”

“I won’t. Regret is what you feel when you bend yourself out of shape.”

I said,

“Let’s have a good match. I’ll be happy to face you as an enemy.”

I turned my back on him with flair and left the garden.

(Today’s performance was pretty perfect, wasn’t it…!)

My cheeks loosened with satisfaction at my own conduct, and the moment I turned past the hedge, I broke into a full sprint toward the south wing where F-Class was.

I ran down the hallway while the students stared wide-eyed at me, heading straight for the F-Class classroom.

I put a hand on Claris’s desk, where she was reading by the window, and said,

“We’re teaming up for the special practical exam. Okay?”

Claris blinked in surprise and said, “Huh? Huh?” before nodding. “Y-yes.”

(Good, one secured!)

If I left her alone, Claris seemed like the kind of heroine who might get approached by some prince-type guy saying she was “interesting.”

Maybe that would be better for the protagonist’s story, but more than anything else, I wanted to fight together with the friend I had become close to.

“I’ll submit the form, so see you later!”

I ran out of the F-Class classroom.

As I kicked off the ground and headed back toward the clock tower where S-Class was, I thought,

(The problem is the other one. Kate.)

From the moment the format of the special practical exam had been announced, I had already decided that I wanted to team up with Kate.

That was why Kate’s reaction at that moment had left no small wound in my heart.

“…Sorry, but I…”

The way she had said that and looked away.

(I wonder if there’s someone else she wants to team up with.)

The thought made a sharp pain prick deep in my chest.

I had thought we had become close—close enough that maybe she could even become my best friend.

That was exactly why the reality of being turned down hurt.

(If Kate won’t join me, I don’t have anyone else I could team up with…)

It reminded me of the ballroom in my previous life, when no one needed me and all I could do was tremble.

Remembering that tragic dark history made my heart sink, but I quickly shook my head and pulled myself together.

(Anyway, I’ll try asking Kate one more time.)

If it doesn’t work the first time, then try again.

My refusal to give up was my weapon.

The S-Class classroom.

Tall, cool, beautiful, and stylish.

And yet, somehow slightly isolated in class, with a lonely-looking back.

I called out to her.

“Kate, team up with me.”

Kate turned around and looked a little troubled.

“But His Highness the Prince invited you, didn’t he?”

“I turned him down.”

“You turned him down!?”

Kate looked shocked.

“You should reconsider while there’s still time. The prince’s team is definitely the strongest contender in this special practical exam. It also gives you the highest chance of staying in S-Class.”

“It doesn’t suit me to be carried to victory by someone else.”

“Even so, you should team up with the most capable people in S-Class that you can.”

Kate said,

“I know because I came up from A-Class. S-Class is completely different in terms of how people evaluate you, how you’re treated, and your future prospects. Just being enrolled in it carries huge meaning. You belong in S-Class, Mythia. That’s why you should team up with stronger people. I’m not that good at magical combat.”

“Were you trying to turn me down out of consideration for me?”

“…………”

Kate lowered her eyes.

That silence was an answer of yes.

(So it wasn’t that someone else had invited her.)

Relief washed over me.

This girl had been trying to step aside for my sake.

Even though, in this classroom, she should have been the one least likely to be chosen by anyone.

At the same time, I also felt a little irritated.

What was with her deciding things on her own for my sake?

Grades, records, strength.

Evaluation, popularity, class hierarchy—I did not care about any of it.

—I decide for myself who is best for me.

“I just invited Claris, the dead-last student of F-Class.”

“…Huh? Claris?”

Kate said it with a stunned expression.

For Kate, who had absorbed the academy’s common sense, it must have seemed like an unbelievable choice.

“I’m dead last in S-Class with no record. Claris is dead last in F-Class with no record. Well? It’s a shockingly weak team in terms of achievements. There is no one who would want to join our group. If you don’t join us, we’ll end up like abandoned kittens mewing inside a box.”

“Even though His Highness the Prince invited you, why…?”

“I don’t want to go down the path everyone says is the right one. I’m aiming to be a villainess. Besides, wouldn’t it be cooler to win by doing it the way everyone says you shouldn’t?”

“…Honestly, this girl.”

Kate laughed in exasperation and then said,

“All right. Then I, who have achievements but am still dead last in S-Class, will join your team.”

“That completes our team of dead-last girls.”

I smiled back at her fearlessly and said,

“Let’s win this thing and overturn all those stupid hierarchies.”