Several days had passed since the Midterm Exam, and the students’ results had finally been posted.
The Notice Board was packed with people, but Liyakade stood on the outskirts of the crowd, tiptoeing and straining her eyes to see the scores.
If anyone unaware of the situation—be it a student or teacher—had seen her, they would surely think Liyakade was a diligent student who cared deeply about her grades.
But in reality, Liyakade wasn’t looking for her own name at all.
She just wanted to find Alice’s.
In fact, she was even more concerned about Alice’s ranking and score than Alice herself.
“Sigh.”
Before Liyakade could spot Alice’s name, Alice squeezed out from the crowd ahead, looking a little downcast.
“Oh, Alice, you’re here. Did you find your ranking?”
Liyakade asked directly since Alice had already stepped away from the Notice Board.
“I’m somewhere in the lower-middle of the class. Not last, but not very good either,” Alice shook her head, clearly unsatisfied with her results.
Nice!
Hearing Alice’s words, Liyakade breathed a silent sigh of relief and cheered quietly inside.
Of course, she wouldn’t show it outwardly.
Her happiness wasn’t born of malice toward Alice but because of Irina Zi-sama’s orders.
She still had no idea whether Irina Zi-sama was satisfied with Alice’s performance or not.
“Sigh… Miss Liyakade helped me get a perfect score in the Practical Combat, yet my overall score is still this poor,” Alice said dejectedly.
In truth, the score Alice now had was already far above her real ability.
But even so, being placed in the lower-middle made her doubt just how weak she really was.
“If it weren’t for Miss Liyakade’s help… I can’t even imagine how badly I would have done.”
“Don’t belittle yourself, Alice,” Liyakade comforted her.
Since Liyakade’s intervention hadn’t lowered Alice’s score but had actually improved it, she felt somewhat reassured.
“You’re a commoner, and before entering the Academy, you had no exposure to Noble Etiquette or Magic.
Even though you have a talent for Light Attribute Magic, starting late means it’s only natural that you’re struggling to catch up.”
“Besides, this was just the midterm exam.
If you work hard, Alice-chan, you’ll come back strong for the finals.”
That said, Liyakade didn’t believe Irina Zi-sama wouldn’t throw another curveball at them come the finals.
She was already bracing herself to wrestle between orders and morals once again.
“Hmph, now I’ve surpassed you,” Field Princess came over, scowling at Liyakade.
She still seemed resentful that Liyakade had declined her invitation to stay at the Royal Palace the other day.
“Y-yes, Her Highness Field is the top of the class—very impressive,” Liyakade nodded and praised her like coaxing a child.
Although Liyakade’s magic power was higher than Field’s, a first-year’s perfect score level was exactly Field’s level.
No matter how strong Liyakade was compared to Field, she couldn’t get a higher score.
Both had perfect magic power tests, and since they were in the same group for practical combat, the only place to decide the winner was the written test.
But Liyakade had barely tried during the written test, scribbling down things from memory without much care, so her total score ended up lower than Field’s.
“Miss Liyakade… please tutor me!”
Alice suddenly turned to Liyakade, her eyes sincere and voice serious.
She must have made up her mind to improve her abilities.
“Eh?”
Liyakade was a little confused.
If she remembered the original story correctly, wasn’t this Field’s responsibility?
“What?”
Field was immediately displeased, her tone sour.
“Why ask Liyakade to tutor you?
I’m clearly first place, and Liyakade is below me!”
“Besides, if you want Liyakade to tutor you, it has to be somewhere like the classroom. We’re in the same dormitory, so I can just teach you right here!”
Field argued, unsure whose jealousy she was feeling.
“But, but…”
“Can’t think of any other reason, huh!”
Field raised her head slightly, confident.
“See, tutoring me is all benefit and no harm.
Don’t trouble Liyakade.”
“But…I just want Liyakade to teach me.
Actually, I don’t mind coming to Miss Liyakade’s dormitory for tutoring…”
“Absolutely not!”
Both Liyakade and Field shouted simultaneously.
Field didn’t want Alice running over to Liyakade’s dorm every day.
That day, Liyakade had said she had “important matters” to discuss with Alice.
Who knew if they’d come to any conclusions?
If they just let Alice and Liyakade cling to each other as two lonely girls, who knew what forbidden things might happen.
Liyakade was even less willing to let Alice come to her dorm.
Honestly, tutoring was fine—even better if Liyakade pretended to be strict during the lessons so Irina Zi-sama’s eyes would think she was bullying Alice.
But letting Alice into her dorm was like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den.
Alice was the lamb to be slaughtered, and Irina Zi-sama was that she-wolf.
Irina Zi-sama frequently came to Liyakade’s dorm.
If Alice showed up, she’d definitely get caught.
Once Irina Zi-sama saw how close Alice and Liyakade were, she would realize Liyakade had been deceiving her all along.
Then the furious Irina Zi-sama might reveal her true nature in front of Alice.
Worst case, she could use Spell Command to force Liyakade into doing something irreversible to Alice.
If that happened, Liyakade’s life would be utterly ruined.
“Ugh…” Alice looked a little downcast after being refused by both of them.
In the end, she accepted Field’s offer.
“Alright then, Her Highness Field, you can tutor me.”
“D-don’t worry, I’m first in the class, so I’m definitely capable of teaching you well.”
Field looked a bit sorry for the disappointed Alice but steeled herself to ensure nothing forbidden happened.
As long as Alice could see progress and results from the tutoring, that was good enough.
“Clap clap—”
“I just thought of a great idea,” Liyakade suddenly said, clapping her hands to grab their attention.
“Why must it be just two people tutoring?
Why don’t we hold a study group instead?
The three of us studying together can satisfy everyone’s wishes.”
Alice and Field exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
Liyakade’s plan sounded feasible.
“That’s great, being able to study with Miss Liyakade.”
“Even though you’re second in the class, there’s still a gap between us.
Let this princess teach you well.”
“Then the study group will be held at your dorm.
It’s convenient for both of you.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Liyakade smirked inwardly.
Irina Zi-sama, you despicable creature.
I’m not going back to the dorm anymore.
Let’s see how you’ll find me then.