The auditorium of the Imperial Academy, where the entrance ceremony was being held, was bustling with people.

Academy students chatted while waiting for the ceremony to begin, then noticed ‘someone.’

A sophisticated beauty wearing a white veil hat, escorted by knights in white uniforms, took a seat in the VIP section.

“Oh my gosh, Nel.”

A female student sitting just behind the VIP section smacked the shoulder of her friend beside her.

“Miriam, that hurts!”

“Look. The person sitting in front of us! Isn’t that ‘her’? Mirabell Pearl.”

The two students didn’t notice the delicate shoulders of ‘her’ flinch.

“Mirabell Pearl? The CEO of ‘The Destiny’?”

“Yeah, Nel. That tycoon.”

Nel stood up, her chair scraping backward.

Miriam, who noticed her first, tugged on Nel’s collar and said, “See? That wavy auburn bob, it’s her! I saw her in a magazine.”

Unable to confirm the face of the figure presumed to be Mirabell Pearl, Nel sat back down and replied, “Come on. That hairstyle became popular because of Miss Mirabell. It’s probably just someone copying it.”

“Nel, the row in front of us is for VIPs. Why else would there be guards? Didn’t you hear the rumor that Miss Mirabell is getting a merit award today for donating over ten billion gold in total?”

The frail shoulders of the ‘person in question’ flinched again, but the two students didn’t notice.

“Really? I had no idea. I’ve been so focused on finding my ‘Name Mate’ that I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Nel, did you find your Name Mate? You’ve been so anxious about not finding them.”

“Yeah. The name suddenly appeared on my body. It was terrifying, but I’m okay now. I registered for a premium membership at The Destiny and found them.”

A mixture of emotions crossed Miriam’s face as she replied to her friend’s explanation.

“That’s really great. You found your destined one so quickly.”

“So Miriam, you should hurry too. Didn’t your name appear even earlier than mine? You said the name ‘Thomas’ appeared on your shoulder, right?”

“Hey, quiet! I already like someone else.”

“…Huh.”

Miriam mumbled, her cheeks flushing, avoiding Nel’s surprised gaze.

“A-And besides, The Destiny’s registration and maintenance fees are expensive. I don’t have the money.”

“Miriam, they offer installment plans. You never know when the mana inside you will run wild. Aren’t you scared?”

“I am scared. But… I already love another man…”

“You fool. What are you going to do then?”

“Sob. What do I do, Nel?”

Miriam choked up, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand as tears welled up.

Flick.

Just then, a hand slipped a business card between the two of them.

“50% off.”

The two students opened their eyes wide and stared at the owner of the hand.

“M-Miss Mirabell Pearl?”

Mirabell had turned her entire upper body from the VIP seat to face them. With her clear, gray eyes welling with tears, she slowly nodded.

“That’s right. I’m Mirabell Pearl.”

With wide gray eyes, Mirabell continued speaking. Her voice seemed to tremble slightly.

“Miriam, I’ll give you a special discount in honor of my merit award and entrance valedictorian.”

“Huh? Oh, but I—”

“Our Destiny has recently begun research into Name removal as well.”

“R-Really?”

“We’re just getting started.”

Mirabell wiggled her fingers still holding the business card. Nel nudged her friend’s arm.

“Hey, Miriam.”

“O-Okay… Thank you.”

Miriam reflexively received the business card with both hands.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. You know that, right?”

Seeing the two students nod, Mirabell winked.

“Still, personally, I hope things work out with the man you truly love rather than with your fated partner. Fighting!”

When Mirabell raised her two white fists, the two female students clumsily mimicked her with both hands.

“F-Fighting?”

“Don’t die!”

“Y-Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t die…”

Tears suddenly poured from Mirabell’s clear gray eyes.

“Oh dear, I have really bad hay fever in spring. Excuse me.”

Wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks with a handkerchief, Mirabell straightened her turned body.

***

‘So sad. What a cursed novel setting!’

I hurriedly wiped my tears with a handkerchief.

I didn’t mean to cry, but the overlap of Miriam and my favorite’s death burst my tear ducts.

This world has a peculiar setting.

It’s called “Name Mate.”

Suddenly, red letters—like they were written in pen—appear on your body. The name of your one destined partner.

‘Especially for mages and magic scholars.’

Those who use mana enjoy its benefits but also face a threat to their lives.

Unlike ordinary people, the more they use mana, the more likely it is to go berserk.

And the only way to suppress that mana is to meet your Name Mate.

And Nathan Christopher’s Name Mate was the imperial princess Ratina.

‘So I wished for things to go well between them too…’

But Ratina was an ordinary person unrelated to the Name Mate system, and she married the male lead, Northern Grand Duke Calesto.

‘It’s only natural for the female and male leads to end up together. If only I hadn’t possessed a child’s body.’

It took too long. To reach a position where I could come to Nathan’s side and help him.

My mouth tasted bitter, but it couldn’t be helped.

Nathan was merely a second male lead.

It’s probably right after the ending of the main story [For Princess Ratina] and the start of the epilogue now.

At the end of the epilogue, there’s a brief mention of Ratina attending Nathan Christopher’s funeral with her husband.

———–

With vacant eyes, Ratina took off her coat. Calesto approached her.

Looking at him, Ratina asked in a trembling voice, “What did they say Nathan died of? I was too heartbroken to hear it properly.”

“Unfortunately, it was the berserk mana that afflicts those who use magic.”

“What? He never found his Name Mate?”

“Perhaps not.”

Thud. Ratina collapsed to the floor.

Calesto supported her as she let out a wail.

“Ratina!”

“C-Could it be, it’s my fault? Because I didn’t give Nathan a chance? I’m sorry, Calesto. But my heart hurts so much. Sob.”

“No. Ratina, it’s not because of you. Please don’t cry.”

Nathan Christopher’s body was in such a state, they couldn’t even perform an autopsy.

———–

You evil author, even if he’s a side character, did you have to kill off a heartbroken man like that?

I cried my eyes out reading the epilogue. When mana goes berserk, do you know how gruesomely someone dies?

At least pair him with a kind and pretty girl! Why did Nathan have to die a bachelor?

‘Ugh. Isn’t that too cruel?! That beautiful gene has an obligation to be passed down!’

Wait, what?

Burning with anger, I jumped up without realizing it.

Murmur murmur.

“Huh?”

Why is everyone looking at me?

The ceremony must have started already.

“Freshman representative, Miss Mirabell Pearl. Please come up to the stage.”

“Wha? Yes.”

So embarrassing… I’m going to lose it.

Unable to even hide my reddening face, I lifted my head and had to walk toward the stage.

‘When did the ceremony start? This is all the male and female leads’ fault!’

They’re probably living happily ever after. And our poor Nathan suffered alone.

I will absolutely erase the name “Ratina” engraved on Nathan’s body and find him a match!

‘Speaking of which, where’s Nathan?’

Climbing the stairs up to the stage, I scanned the audience for Nathan.

Seated perfectly straight among the neatly arranged faculty seats, Nathan sat upright.

In his double-breasted ceremonial uniform, his blond hair glowing, Nathan looked unbearably handsome.

That such a handsome man would die from a mana berserk incident, it’s just heartbreaking.

“N-Nathan… Professor Christopher!”

Worried I might cause him trouble, I lowered my voice and made eye contact with him.

Nathan’s eyes widened instantly, then he looked away, visibly annoyed.

‘Ah, right. Unlike me, to Nathan I’m just a complete stranger. Calm down. Calm down.’

“Before the welcome speech from the current student and the freshman representative’s reply, we’ll first present a special merit award.”

I gave a slight nod to the professor hosting the ceremony and stood on the stage.

“Distinguished guests, returning students, and new students who have joined us today, welcome. I’m Mirabell Pearl.”

Wowww!

Suddenly, the auditorium was filled with hot applause and cheers.