Early the next morning, everyone was shocked by the gaping hole in the side of the teaching building and the massive footprints outside. However, under the principal's quiet suppression of the incident, no one investigated too deeply. All the students' enthusiasm instead shifted toward the upcoming Familiar Performance Contest.
After the afternoon lessons, the second-years gathered in the courtyard to train their familiars. Kirche worked in sync with Flame, creating extravagant shows of fire magic. Tabatha sat quietly on her wind dragon's back, reading as always. Meanwhile, Louise clung stubbornly to Sora's back, insisting he participate in the contest.
"I said no, and the answer is still no. I'm not doing something that embarrassing."
"But you're my familiar! Everyone else's familiars are competing!" Louise's eyes filled with tears—big, shimmering ones—so pitiful that Sora didn't dare look directly at her for fear he'd give in immediately.
"Why don't you let Delphlinka do a comedy routine with you instead?" Sora tapped the sword at his hip.
"What!? I'm a weapon for real combat!" Delphlinka protested indignantly.
"What kind of comedy routine? Only commoners do stuff like that! Please, just enter the contest," Louise begged.
Sora glanced at Kirche and Tabatha for help. One found his misery amusing, the other didn't care enough to intervene. Neither lifted a finger.
"Fine, here's the deal," Sora said with a sigh. "I'll store some magic power in Delphlinka first. Then when I'm on stage, I'll release it as part of a performance."
"Really? Really really really!?" Louise lit up instantly.
"It's true. But I'm saying this now—I don't guarantee any ranking."
"That's fine!" Louise beamed.
Sora's expression softened despite himself.
Three days passed like this, with no sign of Fouquet. Then the long-awaited day arrived: the princess's visit.
All academy staff gathered outside to welcome her, forming three long lines—students on each side of the road, principals and teachers at the end.
In the distance, the princess's procession appeared: a lead carriage followed by the princess's ornate carriage, drawn by four white unicorns.
When the princess stepped out, draped in a purple cloak and wearing her signature lavender hair, she greeted everyone with a warm smile. The students erupted in cheers.
"Oh, so that's the princess." Among the crowd, Sora studied her openly. Not bad at all—her face and figure both matched the rumors. A proper princess indeed.
"This is Tristain's princess? I'm prettier than her, right, Sora?" Kirche asked sweetly, pressing Sora's right hand against her chest.
Sora squinted appreciatively. "Hmm… Well, Kirche's breasts definitely win."
"P-Pervert! Obscene!" Louise stomped on Sora's foot hard. Then, turning toward the princess, her expression softened with longing and her face flushed slightly.
You really like that princess, don't you, Louise…Could it be? Sora wondered if he was witnessing the blooming of a lily right before his eyes.
After the welcoming ceremony, the principal spent the afternoon giving the princess a tour of the academy. That evening, she dined with the students in the first-floor hall. Everyone was amazed at how approachable she was. Many of the boys—including Guiche—were completely entranced, sighing over how wonderful it would be to befriend a princess.
While watching her chat with the principal, Sora felt something wasn't quite right. Her smile looked… forced. But since he had promised not to "go after" her, he shrugged it off and focused on enjoying the plentiful food.
Later that night, Sora visited Kirche's room to learn new spells. Despite Kirche's disbelief, Sora had gained enough magic power the previous day to officially qualify as a Dot-class mage. Tonight, he was practicing the most basic fire spell—Fireball.
Time slipped by, and Sora didn't return to Louise's room until the middle of the night.
What he saw made him stop in his tracks.
Louise and Princess Henrietta—whom he had only seen earlier that day—were curled up in Louise's large bed, holding each other tightly. Their delicate faces were pressed together as they slept. Louise wore pure white pajamas; Henrietta was dressed in purple lingerie, her discarded cloak tossed near the bed.
Well… not bad.
Sora walked closer, studying their sleeping positions with great interest. Almost unconsciously, his hand reached toward Princess Henrietta.
Don't do anything to the princess. She's important to me.Louise's voice echoed in Sora's mind, stopping him cold.
What the—? Did you "design" this on purpose because you knew she'd come to your room!?
Resentful, he pulled his hand back and pinched Louise's soft cheek a few times just to vent.
Louise shifted, hugging the princess even tighter and murmuring, "I like you best, Henrietta…"
Henrietta hugged her back. "Don't leave me, Louise…"
What! Hey!!?
Sora froze.
Before his eyes, the two girls seemed to transform into blooming white lilies.
Wait—if the princess and Louise have this kind of relationship…Then wouldn't it be possible to get close to the princess through Louise?
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Comforting himself with that thought, Sora went to the corner of the room, lay down on the single bed Louise had bought for him, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.