‘Why on earth am I even…?’

Nathan felt his mood sinking.

He couldn’t understand why he was stuck here like this.

‘Am I just tired?’

His bluish gaze toward Mirabell Pearl was furrowed.

Feeling stifled, Nathan spotted a wine glass on a nearby table and picked it up.

Meanwhile, the game started up again.

“It’s my turn now, right? I can’t be the only one. Fold a finger if you’re Mana Control Level 5.”

“Senior, that’s not fair. That’s cheating. You’re revealing everything.”

“Quiet. Fold it. If you don’t like it, say something yourself.”

Several freshmen folded their fingers. So did a number of upperclassmen.

‘A freshman having Mana Control Level 5 at that age means they must’ve been called a prodigy.’

Nathan thought as he sipped his wine.

Since it’s the Department of Magic, mana control is fundamental.

The lowest level is 1, the highest is 15. Out of the total 15 levels, students at the academy can only have up to Level 8 mana.

‘I wonder what level Mirabell Pearl is.’

Mana control levels are personal information, so unless the person says it themselves, no one knows.

“Surely, no one here is Level 6, right?”

“Junior, as far as I know, no one in our department is Level 6 or higher.”

“Then, I’ll switch it up. Fold a finger if you’ve had your Name appear.”

Everyone held their breath.

It’s something everyone avoids mentioning, like an Achilles’ heel for those who use mana.

“Me.”

“Me too.”

“Why are we doing this? It’s just a game.”

Quite a few people were folding fingers.

“Huh? Mirabell, you didn’t fold?”

“No. Not yet. But there is someone I hope will appear.”

“Wow. Now I’m even more curious.”

“Who could it be? Okay, then it’s my turn. Hehe, fold a finger if there’s someone here you like.”

Mirabell sweetly folded her thumb.

“Kyaaah! Really?”

“Oh my gosh. Mirabell unni—no, junior!”

“Oh my Megas.”

Someone even invoked the emperor’s name.

“Yes. There’s someone I like at the academy.”

Mirabell’s coy voice rang in Nathan’s ears.

“Pfft—”

Nathan, who had been trying to swallow the last of his wine, ended up spraying it forward like a sprinkler.

“Oh. Professor Christopher—”

Just then, President Avent Yuval, stroking his pure white beard and holding a wine glass, had approached Nathan and became collateral damage.

Red wine trickled down his beard, dripping from the ends.

“P-President Yuval… sir?”

“Hohoho. Is this a new kind of game? Feeding the president?”

***

The students playing the game with me were in an uproar.

“So, Mirabell, you enrolled in the Imperial Academy because of someone you like?”

“Yes, senior. You could say that.”

Just saying it out loud like this felt so satisfying.

Not being able to say my favorite is my favorite, not being able to call Nathan my favorite… it was killing me.

“Wow. Whoever that person is, I’m jealous.”

“Seriously.”

The students didn’t dare ask me directly and just glanced around before refocusing on the game.

“Fold a finger if you plan to stay up all night here!”

What?

I was about to fold a finger but looked over to one side of the banquet hall.

I’d already known Nathan was there.

How could a fan not know when her favorite is standing right there?

‘But why is the president here? Do presidents usually come to freshman welcome parties? No way.’

That president is going to say something again!

I sprang up from my chair.

“Junior, what’s wrong? We were just getting to the fun part.”

“Yeah, Mirabell.”

“J-Just a moment. I need to go thank the president. How’s my ribbon? Pretty?”

“Huh? Uh-huh.”

I brushed my hair back behind my ears with both hands and lifted the hem of my skirt slightly.

‘Ugh, this school uniform is so annoyingly long.’

Then I marched resolutely toward where Nathan and the president stood.

It looked like Nathan was apologizing to President Yuval.

Before long, their voices became clear enough for me to hear.

“So, President, why are you here?”

“Hoho. I’m still young at heart. I’ve been secretly making the rounds by department.”

“You’ve never done this before.”

“It’s the trend among academy presidents these days.”

“Name the royal or imperial academy that’s doing that.”

“You really haven’t changed since you were young… ahem.”

President Yuval, trying to gloss over the moment, coughed awkwardly before finally speaking.

“So, Professor Christopher. About Director Pearl.”

That old man! I knew it—talking about me again.

“What about her? She looks like any other student to me.”

“That can’t be. She’s sharp, capable, and even humble. Isn’t she remarkable?”

Oh, that one’s not too bad.

“She probably named me to use in her business.”

There it is.

“Still, thank you for conducting the interview well.”

“Wasn’t it a perfect score? It’s because she was capable. I’m someone who separates business from personal matters.”

“About what I suggested before, I’d like to hear your answer…”

“That won’t be possible. A mouse that hears nighttime talk is here.”

“Hm?”

“Student Mirabell.”

Does he have eyes on the back of his head?

I deliberately approached from behind, yet Nathan turned exactly in my direction.

“Professor, President, good evening.”

I greeted them with a relaxed smile, feigning ignorance.

“Oh, Director—no, Miss Mirabell. When did you arrive?”

Why is your beard red? President Yuval wiped it with a handkerchief as he welcomed me.

“I saw you two from across the room.”

“Hoho. Thank you. I’m from the Liberal Arts Department, so I’m not sensitive to presence. As expected, Professor Christopher is quite sharp. Hohoho.”

Honestly, President Yuval is a very nice person, but his loose lips are the problem.

‘But what exactly did he say to Nathan before?’

I’m dying of curiosity.

“I’ll take my leave now. I’m tired.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Please return to your lodging. I’ve specially arranged a professor’s villa for the winter break. How is it?”

Oh my, Professor, so your lodging is on campus.

President Yuval, I hope your lips stay loose forever.

I’ll forget the past for you.

“Yes, the facilities are… fine.”

Despite the warm answer, Nathan’s gaze was sharp. He must’ve instinctively sensed that I overheard something I shouldn’t have.

I instinctively began acting.

“Oh my, come to think of it. I think I have a slight fever. Where’s the dormitory? It’s my first day, so I’m not sure where anything is.”

I brought a hand to my forehead as I looked at President Yuval.

“Oh, is that so? Professor Nathan Christopher, new students must be unfamiliar with the campus layout. Could you escort her? It’s not far from the professor’s villa.”

“You mean me?”

Nathan opened his eyes wide in surprise and raised both brows at me, while I gently clasped my hands and looked up at him pleadingly.

“Professor, I feel dizzy. May I ask for your help?”

Yes, you.

Who else but you, Nathan Christopher?

But the stone wall that is Nathan fixed his eyes on me and said clearly, “Even if the President asks, that would be inappropriate. Escorting a student personally?”

Ugh. I stood frozen, hands still clasped.

My charms aren’t working on him at all.

‘Tch. If I were Ratina, he’d have volunteered first.’

I pouted.

“Then should I ask those students, Professor Christopher?”

President Yuval glanced toward the center of the banquet hall. The other students were still playing games.

Anyone could see from their slouched or sprawled posture that they weren’t in their right minds.

After-effects from too much penalty wine.

‘This wasn’t intentional, but what a lucky break!’

“Those students look like they’re the ones who need help. Leave them to me and take Miss Pearl.”

‘President, I love you.’

I’ll donate more in the future.

“Understood.”

Even the stone wall Nathan raised the white flag.

He extended his arm to me. “Take my arm, Miss Mirabell Pearl.”

I don’t particularly like being addressed formally as a student every time.

Still… is this a dream or reality?

“Thank you.”

In a daze, I placed my hand on Nathan’s extended arm.

The soft texture of the ceremonial uniform’s fabric was vivid against my skin.

‘This is a jackpot. Nathan is escorting me!’

Calming my excited heart, I followed the cold Nathan outside.

A large, white moon hung above the spire.

“Wow.”

‘So romantic. Look how bright the moon is.’

Through my parted lips, the cool night air and the scent of fresh flowers slipped dizzyingly into my lungs.

“This way.”

“Yes, Professor.”

I stepped onto the polished stone path alongside Nathan.

Thump.