In front of where Boyle was pointing to count the number of people, Catherine and her entourage of students, along with several other students from the Cielo Dormitory, were lying around. Among them were Melissa, the current student council president of Lumiest, whom Boyle had taken a particular liking to, and her secretary. While Catherine, as a new student, was one thing, Boyle couldn’t hide his confusion at the fact that Melissa, who boasted top-class skills among the upperclassmen, was dizzy along with the other students.
“Even Melissa, who aims to be the valedictorian… ! B-Belle, let me ask you again. What on earth is the meaning of this disaster?”
“A disaster? I haven’t injured anyone, and they’re all just quietly taking a nap, so I don’t think it’s a disaster.”
“Belle!”
“Boyle Dorm Chief, your face is too close.”
“That’s irrelevant! I need an explanation of the situation as soon as possible!”
“I said your face is too close, didn’t I?”
“Ah, yes…”
Boyle took about three steps back, intimidated by Belle’s sudden shift from a smile to a serious expression. He was remarkably obedient.
“Ahem. Then, let me explain again. The cause of all this was Catherine. Perhaps she didn’t like my greeting at the entrance ceremony, but she lightly provoked me. I wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible, so I tried to keep my distance for a while… but it seemed that my attitude didn’t meet her intentions, and it eventually led to a duel. Yes, this glove was thrown at that time.”
Belle said, holding up Catherine’s pristine white glove. Meanwhile, it was perhaps some kind of irony that Catherine, its owner, was covered in dirt at the very bottom of the human bench.
“So, you accepted the duel and defeated them?”
“I never accepted a duel. After we talked thoroughly, it seems they understood their position, as you can see. I was just taking a pleasant walk in the forest with Catherine and the others. And they were so comfortable that they decided to take a nap like this. Isn’t that right, Catherine?”
“Y-Yes…”
“See, she says so herself.”
“That’s just her rambling, isn’t it!?”
“It’s probably just your imagination, yes.”
Boyle’s retort was only natural. However, Belle seemed determined to get away with this excuse and began to plaster a blinding smile on her face again.
“And what about the other students? If my eyes aren’t failing me, I see student council president Melissa over there?”
“Indeed, Boyle Dorm Chief, it seems your eyes are not failing you.”
“You’re finally spewing venom with a smile, Belle!?”
“Heh, it’s just a devilish joke. Please don’t mind it.”
Apparently, a real devilish joke includes a kick.
“As for Student Council President Melissa, I was a bit unsure how to respond.”
“…What do you mean?”
“When I tried to have a friendly forest walk with Catherine and the others, the student council president called out to me. I was greatly moved by that fact, but at the same time, I got nervous. I couldn’t speak properly.”
“I-I see.”
Boyle understood that she had essentially ignored her.
“However, even so, the student council president continued to talk enthusiastically. She said something about wanting me to join the student council and help run the organization together, or that as a future student council president candidate, I should be an apprentice in the student council now.”
“Oh, you’re being personally scouted by Melissa, that must be truly moving. So, how did such a beautiful story lead to this scene?”
“Boyle Dorm Chief, isn’t it true that you have to be at least in your second year to officially join the Lumiest student council?”
“Yes, the academy has set that rule. That’s why Melissa would have recommended you work as an apprentice for the student council.”
“In that case, it’s impossible. I’m aiming for early graduation as valedictorian. If I graduate with Student Council President Melissa, there would be no point in working as an apprentice, would there?”
“W-Whaaaaaaat!?”
After that, Belle apparently told Melissa what she had said and politely declined the invitation. Whether she knew Melissa was aiming for valedictorian or not, she said something like, “Valedictorian is probably me, but I am honored to be able to graduate together,” ending her words like that.
“Then, President Melissa suddenly wanted to test my strength. This time, I received this white glove. The secretary and Melissa’s entourage also seemed like they were about to jump in, and it was quite a scene.”
Belle produced another white glove, separate from Catherine’s. Indeed, on the back of this white glove, Melissa’s family crest was drawn. It seemed Belle had been challenged to duels one after another. Boyle put his hands to his head, imagining what the next development would be.
Melissa was beautiful, skilled in both academics and martial arts, and as the student council president, she possessed a level of skill that represented the Cielo Dormitory. She came from a truly noble family, which attracted many fans both inside and outside the Cielo Dormitory. Boyle guessed that the students who challenged Belle after Melissa was defeated were likely her fans. And his guess was spot on.
“…But you’re saying that after talking thoroughly again, everyone lying here was convinced? And then you all went into the forest bathing and nap time, is that what you’re trying to say?”
“You’re amazing, Boyle Dorm Chief. You seem to understand well what I was trying to say. It’s very helpful.”
“…It’s not helpful at all!? Hey, wait, what are you doing!?”
Boyle’s soul cried out.
“As I said, they are just napping.”
“There’s no way that napping will pass! Defeating ten people on your first day of enrollment, that’s not even in the rules—”
“—That’s why I’m telling you it’s not a problem, isn’t it? Be quiet for a moment, you pig.”
“Hmph!?”
Boyle flinched, startled by the sharp whisper right next to his ear. Belle’s voice was so low that it was barely audible to others, so only Boyle could hear this whisper.
“This isn’t a duel, it’s just us playing around as close friends. It would be more convenient for you if we went with that explanation, wouldn’t it?”
“B-But what about the students Belle defeated? No one will accept such a ridiculous reason!”
“They will accept it. Rather, they’ll have no choice but to accept it. They challenged a new student to a fight and were easily defeated without being able to do anything. Such a dishonorable fact, proud seniors wouldn’t want to spread it, would they? In that case, they’d think it’s overwhelmingly better to spread the lie that they were deepening their friendship with me. Fortunately, the only witnesses are the students in this dormitory. You should publicize that what happened today was exactly as I said, and ensure that the dormitory residents do not speak of it. I remember the faces of everyone who saw us playing, so I’ll handle it if anything happens.”
“Eh, ah, yes… Belle, what exactly are you aiming for—”
“—If you want to reach the top quickly, grasping your opponent’s weakness is standard, isn’t it?”
On this day, Belle had risen to the top of the school hierarchy on her very first day of enrollment.
