[Shortly afterward, in the temporary lounge on the first floor of the Old School Building at Esdinas Academy.]
The students at the Academy range in age from 17 to 21.
If one enrolls at the minimum age for admission, they can graduate as soon as they turn 20. If someone enrolls at 19, they will become an adult—20 years old—while still studying.
This situation inevitably leads to a particular concern for the Academy.
Young men and women around the age of 20.
They are not only good-looking but also possess considerable basic qualifications.
Moreover, due to the nature of the Academy’s education, which often involves physical activities, one might wonder what happens.
‘It’s almost like an Olympic village.’
Various interactions between men and women are bound to happen.
Of course, it’s not like scenes from foreign dramas or movies, or those college training parties where everything seems to be happening.
“I thought Esdinas Academy was very strict and reserved, but I didn’t know there were regulations in place.”
Right now, as Yunia sits on the sofa with a bewildered voice.
“Even if it’s a place for nobles or children of the wealthy, it doesn’t mean such things never happen.”
I gestured broadly to indicate the entire building while sitting across from Yunia on the sofa.
“The dormitories are separated by gender, and instructors patrol Esdinas, keeping a watchful eye. However, when people fall in love, history can be made anywhere, anytime.”
“Is it okay to speak so freely about this?”
“I’m speaking from an academic, political, and practical perspective, Miss Yunia. Even if the content is somewhat s*xual in nature.”
Yunia looks at me with a complex expression.
“This’s…”
“Here, the expression someone might use is a legally sanctioned ‘breeding ground for superior specimens’.”
Perhaps the expression was too blunt. One staff member passing by outside the lounge stiffens at the words.
“So be careful, Miss Yunia. Men who have their eyes on you could rush at you at any moment.”
But soon, upon hearing my continued words, the staff member relaxes and moves on down the hallway.
“…Should we close the door?”
“Leave it open. They’re probably concerned about such things happening, so they’re just being cautious.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. As long as nothing violates the regulations, you’re fine.”
“That means…”
Yunia pointed to the book on the table in front of us, which seemed to be over 700 pages.
“As long as it doesn’t violate what’s written here, someone might interpret that anything goes, as long as they don’t face punishment…?”
“That’s possible.”
I opened the book and pointed to the section where Dean Ederson had issued a warning.
“Do not become pregnant while enrolled at the Academy. If you do, you will need to focus on raising the child, which will obviously have a significant negative impact on your studies.”
“…”
“It’s a warning of sorts and a red line. This is something that must not happen. It’s clearly stated so that everyone understands.”
“As long as you don’t get pregnant, it’s okay.”
Yunia swallowed hard.
“…Is it allowed after graduation?”
“By then, you’re an adult, and in any case, about one-third of the students entering Esdinas do so with that purpose.”
That purpose.
Yunia bit her lower lip tightly.
“…So, people come here to find a good partner.”
“Yes. Hmm, let’s use a more realistic and proper term.”
Staff members passing by outside—those not involved in cleaning the Old School Building—keep walking past the lounge.
They’re busy with the cleanup, but they’re also keeping an eye on us, the ‘first residents’, to ensure we don’t engage in any peculiar behavior.
“Esdinas Academy is a place where exceptional men and women gather. If we talk about it in terms of the marriage market ‘specs’, it’s like everyone is somewhat well-rounded in all six aspects.”
“Six aspects?”
“Appearance, wealth, education, talent, status, and lineage. That’s how it can be described.”
“……So, choosing a partner with the best indicators among these aspects and marrying right after graduation is one way to see it.”
“Exactly. That’s one form of ‘graduation.'”
Graduation from Esdinas Academy has two meanings.
“Most students aim to obtain their diplomas. However, some students aim not just for the diploma but also to envision their future life as an adult, starting from 20, living with their partner.”
“So, the Academy becomes a huge… social venue.”
“Similar.”
When social events are held, various nobles and ladies throw glances at each other and so on.
The Academy is similar.
It doesn’t just ‘tolerate’ but somewhat ‘encourages’ such interactions.
“The academy creates an environment where men and women can develop romantic relationships on their own, so there’s no need for families to spend money on hosting events and inviting people.”
“Instead, here you meet people who have been filtered and vetted.”
“Exactly.”
In modern terms, it’s like a school district for the children of conglomerates, politicians, prestigious families, and celebrities.
Why do they send their children to such schools?
It’s not only about wanting their children to grow up in a better educational environment but ultimately about exploring potential ‘partners’ for their children starting from the ages of 17 to 19.
“The Academy already has many royals. Most are nobles, and even commoners among them are wealthy enough to be noticed by those nobles. They might be the sole disciple of a Grand Mage or descendants of merchants who can cause a noble family to fall with a single contract.”
“Um, I see…”
“And among these individuals, we are quite out of place.”
I pointed alternately between Yunia and myself.
“We’re not from any particularly special noble family, are we?”
“…”
“At least, from their perspective, our appearance passes the standard. In fact, they might even envy and be jealous of us.”
Even if it doesn’t apply to me, Yunia will attract attention from peers and seniors once her appearance is known.
“Actually, information about us is probably already leaking out.”
“Information?”
“About you and me. After all, staff and faculty members are people too.”
I noticed a few people outside stiffen when they overheard us.
“For example…”
“Excuse me.”
Or that woman who confidently entered the lounge just now.
“Instructor Esta…?”
“Already calling me an instructor? Not bad. I actually prefer it that way.”
White Sword Saint Esta, closed the lounge door behind her.
“I had a lot to explain, but it seems I don’t need to give various warnings myself because you’re already being so kind and thorough.”
“I like explaining things.”
I responded respectfully to Instructor Esta.
“…?”
Esta stared at me intently and tilted her head.
“Is something wrong?”
“Have we met somewhere before?”
Esta looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“We met at the train, right?”
“No, before that.”
“Before that.”
I shrugged lightly.
“If you remember, then it must have been fate. If you don’t remember, then I was just one of many people you passed by.”
“…”
“I’m joking. We met for the first time on the train. You haven’t heard of the name ‘Red Sol Phoenix’ before, have you?”
“That’s right.”
Esta nodded calmly and took a seat on one of the remaining spots on the sofa.
“After all, you entered pretending to be a noble.”
“Wait a moment! That’s…!”
Yunia waved her hands, flustered by Esta’s comment.
“So, this person is…!”
“It’s okay, Miss Yunia. There are quite a few people like that at the academy.”
“What?”
“Even the Crown Prince of the Empire once disguised himself as a commoner to enter, using a noble family name no one had heard of.”
Esta, as if finding the matter trivial, picked up a teapot and poured tea into her cup.
“Esdinas Academy does not particularly distinguish between nobles and commoners. What matters is your performance at the academy and the proof of your abilities and talents.”
Having filled her cup with herbal tea, Esta lightly tapped the cup with her finger.
“Someone who entered as an ordinary commoner can become a Sword Master by graduation, and many nobles will be eager to have them come to their countries. Those who are confident in their abilities might even declare before entering that they will become the head of a newly created family.”
“Oh, I see.”
Yunia sighed with relief at Esta’s explanation.
“Excuse me, Instructor?”
“Yes?”
“We were wondering if you came here to explain our situation.”
Esta raised one eyebrow and smiled.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, until now, other instructors and staff members have just passed by. You’re the first to come in personally.”
“That’s right. You’re correct.”
Esta took a sip of her tea and set the cup down.
“I’m not just here to give a first-time explanation. I’ll be living here with you in this old building.”
“…What?”
Yunia’s expression hardened.
“What’s wrong?”
Esta smiled as if it were obvious.
“There’s no way you could leave 17-year-olds alone in an old building in the forest. An adult has to be present.”
“An adult…”
“And most importantly, there’s a reason I’ll be staying with you.”
Esta pulled out a necklace from her pocket.
“I’ve become your ‘professor’.”
“Professor?”
“Yes.”
Esta held up four fingers.
“16 students form one special class, which is then divided into four ‘groups’ for different types of education.”
“Oh…”
“Details will come after all 14 special admission students join, but I came to tell you what you should know in advance.”
“And at the same time, are you trying to ‘scout’ us?”
Esta paused briefly at my question.
“Scout?”
“…It seems like you know something, or maybe you just have a good intuition.”
“It feels like some kind of preliminary contact.”
“Is that the intuition of a former mercenary? Even though you don’t have any record of mercenary work?”
“Haha.”
So, the background check is already complete.
“Are you here to check on me, who has no past at all?”
“That’s part of it.”
“What if someone has to hide their past so thoroughly that they erase all traces of themselves?”
“Well, that’s something to determine while you’re at the Academy.”
Esta twisted the corners of her mouth into a provocative smile.
“At least it shouldn’t be something that would prevent admission, right?”
“Th-that’s…”
Yunia raised her hand quickly.
“I-I can vouch for it!”
“…W-What?”
Esta looked surprised.
“You two…?”
“No, that’s not it.”
I waved my hands to dismiss Esta’s misunderstanding.
“Not yet.”
“…”
“Ah, but no one knows what will happen after graduating from the Academy, right?”
This is Esdinas Academy.
“It’s not unusual to start alone and end up leaving with others.”
“…”
“Didn’t the current Emperor of the Empire return with seven of his seniors and classmates after graduation, taking them as concubines?”
“That’s true, but…”
“As for me.”
I held up my fingers.
“I’m aiming to challenge the record for the highest number ever.”
“…”
“Please don’t look at me like I’m a crazy person, Instructor Esta. And you too, Miss Yunia.”
I must have a harem.
“Nobody can predict how things will turn out.”
Otherwise, they would be the ‘end’.
“This is all for the peace of the world.”
Until they are ‘purified’ by me, they are all beings that carry the ‘Seed of the Apocalypse’ within their bodies that will potentially destroy the world.
Heroines.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
If they become the heroines of the protagonist, they would be akin to world-ending bombs.
They could destroy the Middle World and even the Demon Realm I came from, annihilating all demons.
Therefore.
‘Until the fuses are removed, they are potential enemies.’
Heroines are enemies of the world and of me.
‘They are the vanguards of the Goddess and could kill me at any moment.’
Both Yunia and Esta before me, and indeed all other heroines, are the same.
‘When the Angel descend, they will no longer be the people I once knew. They will merely become instruments of mass destruction for the world.’
Persuasion or brainwashing won’t work.
The other name for the Apocalypse is ‘GAME OVER.’
If.
Whether it’s Yunia, Esta, or any other heroine.
‘If they fall in love with the original protagonist and suffer mental anguish, eventually becoming an Angel of the Apocalypse.’
Then, there will be no choice but to kill them.
However.
If they cease to be heroines.
If they have bodies and minds that cannot be called the original heroines.
If they wish to become ‘my women’ rather than the original protagonist’s?
Then, they are merely beautiful women.
As Changyeom once said.
– She’s not your woman until she’s marked.
Before they become my women, the original heroines are always potential puppets of the Goddess and potential women of the protagonist.
– Only when they are marked, will they become your women. Phehe.
