NOVEL WEB Chapter 79
Chapter 79: What Is an Academy? (3)
“Seriously, what’s wrong with those two? They’re so obvious, yet they don’t even realize it. Are they idiots?”
Violet couldn’t understand it. Though the lecture was ongoing, the content barely registered in her mind. Her attention was entirely focused on Leopold and Astrid, seated in the front row.
Astrid, as usual, stared blankly out the window, her lack of interest in the lecture evident.
Leopold, on the other hand, would occasionally glance at Astrid, smile faintly, and then return to listening to the lecture.
Occasionally, Astrid would turn her head toward Leopold, scratch her cheek awkwardly, and then go back to staring out the window.
Anyone could see it—they’re clearly into each other.
“Why did they even bother with this Crown Princess competition in the first place?”
The competition had attracted three official participants:
-Akemilla Uraid,
-Emilie von Jorgien,
-And herself, Violet de Autria.
Of course, Violet had no genuine interest in the competition and was only participating out of curiosity. Akemilla and Emilie, however, seemed far more serious about it.
This was where Violet thought the real issue lay. To her left, Akemilla glared daggers at Astrid with eyes full of hatred. To her right, Emilie sat listening to the lecture with a calm, unreadable expression.
Even though Akemilla was a commoner, she was a descendant of one of the empire’s founding heroes, meaning she was influential enough to be granted nobility soon. Emilie, on the other hand, was beyond question—an aristocrat of impeccable standing.
If either of these young ladies felt insulted or humiliated by the competition, it could escalate into a significant problem.
Does Leopold really not see this? Violet wondered. It seemed unlikely that someone as sharp as the Crown Prince could be unaware of the tension.
As these thoughts occupied her mind, the lecture ended. Violet couldn’t recall a single detail of the lesson, but it didn’t bother her.
She’d just skim through the textbook later. After all, first-year coursework wasn’t particularly challenging.
With the lecture over, so was the day’s schedule. Having already fought off drowsiness through the post-lunch class, Violet stretched and began packing her books.
“What should I do for fun tonight?”
That was her biggest concern. When she first arrived at the Academy, everything had felt fresh and exciting.
But after two months, the novelty has worn off. Classes were repetitive, and she wasn’t particularly worried about the upcoming midterms.
Her family often encouraged her to host soirées or build connections with other noble heirs, but Violet found those pursuits dull.
“Alright, Astrid, let’s go,” Leopold’s voice rang out.
“Wh-what? Again?” Astrid stammered.
Oh right… that.
Violet’s eyes lit up with interest.
There’s still that for entertainment.
“What should I do? Follow them secretly or just ask outright where they’re going?”
As she mulled it over, Leopold grabbed Astrid’s hand and began striding purposefully across the lecture hall.
If I think too long, I’ll lose them.
Making up her mind, Violet quickly packed her bag and followed them at a distance.
***
“Excuse me, Cadet Violet?”
“…Yes?”
Just as she exited the lecture hall, a voice stopped her in her tracks.
Turning around, she saw a staff member—a messenger often seen delivering urgent news or packages within the Academy.
“What is it?”
“There’s a package for you. You can pick it up at the post office by the main gate. Make sure to bring your ID. If it isn’t claimed within a week, it’ll be discarded.”
“A package? I wasn’t expecting anything…”
“I wouldn’t know, but please make sure to retrieve it.”
When the messenger’s task was complete, they left. Violet turned back to look for Leopold and Astrid.
Gone.
The two had vanished without a trace.
“Ugh, not again.”
She had missed yet another chance to witness their antics.
Last time, she had been equally disappointed not to see what everyone else had gossiped about.
Though frustrated, Violet knew it wasn’t worth scouring the campus for them. With a resigned sigh, she decided to head to the post office instead.
Meanwhile, in an Empty Classroom
“Astrid, do you realize how unacceptable this is?”
“B-but… heroes don’t need to study…”
Leopold stared at Astrid, dumbfounded. He couldn’t fathom where such nonsense came from.
If anything, a hero needed to study even more. Long gone were the days when heroes were simply celebrated for their strength.
In the present age, a hero needed to be knowledgeable in strategy, tactics, and a wide array of subjects.
“You do realize that you’re supposed to become the Mother of the Empire, right?”
“T-that’s…”
Astrid’s face turned bright red. Leopold found it difficult to stay angry when she looked so flustered.
Even during class, it had been obvious that Astrid couldn’t focus. He wasn’t sure what was occupying her mind, but this couldn’t continue.
That’s why he had brought her to an empty classroom after the lecture, determined to personally tutor her.
Leopold had been patiently explaining the lecture material, but Astrid’s expressions made it clear that she found it utterly unbearable.
***
“Do you have any idea—”
“W-what do you mean?”
Astrid’s face grew uneasy.
Seeing her expression, Leopold suddenly felt a strange pang in his chest.
Her face seemed anxious, almost fearful.
Fear? Astrid?
Was the mighty Astrid actually afraid of him?
“A Strange Feeling”
Leopold couldn’t quite put a name to the feeling stirring within him.
It was almost like a sense of euphoria, a ticklish sensation fluttering faintly in his chest.
But it didn’t quite fit the atmosphere of the situation, and so he forcibly suppressed the emotion.
“You should finish your sentence,” Astrid urged.
“R-right.”
Leopold stammered, momentarily losing his train of thought. He had been so distracted by the odd emotion that he forgot what he’d been about to say.
“Next month is the midterm test. It’s an official exam, and the results will be publicly posted. At this rate, the honor of the Miterien Ducal Family will be utterly trampled. You’re aware of this, aren’t you?”
“I-I’m more of a hands-on type…”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
“But it’s true…” Astrid puffed her cheeks, her voice trailing off in frustration.
“Do you realize that your current grades are enough to make the Academy mock you, if not for your title as the daughter of the Miterien Ducal Family?” Leopold pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily.
The Miterien Ducal Family was renowned even in Einthafen for its prestige.
However, that reputation would mean little at the Academy if its representative heir had grades so abysmal that it was faster to look for her name at the bottom of the rankings than the top.
That was Astrid’s current situation—a future ripe for ridicule, and one that Leopold could not accept.
“That’s why I’m offering to personally tutor you. Do you have a problem with that?”
【Of course, there’s a problem… A huge problem.】
‘Yeah… no way there isn’t.’
Even Astrid couldn’t deny that her current grades were a ticking time bomb.
Two months of lectures had gone by, and she hadn’t retained a single thing.
She didn’t understand the material and, frankly, didn’t want to.
‘I think this is your fault…’
【And why would it be my fault? Are you incapable of taking responsibility for yourself?】
Astrid had once been a man.
It wasn’t something she ever forgot—not even for a moment. But in this bizarre situation, she found herself recognizing how far she had strayed from her original goals.
From the moment she entered the Academy, her sole purpose had been to find a way back to her original world.
Buying time to avoid the engagement and marriage was just a means to that end. If she failed to return, her backup plan had been to annul her engagement with Leopold.
That had been the plan.
Yet, where had that plan gone?
What was Astrid doing now to achieve her goal?
Leopold, who had once agreed to annul the engagement, now looked at her with heated eyes. And Astrid, who was supposed to work toward breaking things off with him—
Even though she had been under the influence of a lust spell, she had pounced on Leopold and licked the sweat from his skin.
‘This is your fault! You’re the one dragging me into these feelings!’
【Don’t be ridiculous. I’m merely a presence lingering in your subconscious. Your emotions are your own. Stop blaming me for your actions, you shameless libertine.】
‘D-don’t call me a libertine!’
Astrid sank deeper into self-reproach, overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of her situation.