The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 68: Shining Bright at the Opening Ceremony
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- Chapter 68: Shining Bright at the Opening Ceremony
Arc 4: Second Semester, Sage Festival and Student Council
Chapter 68: Shining Bright at the Opening Ceremony
As the summer vacation came to an end, we reluctantly left the Brave territory and returned to the academy in the royal capital.
The journey back was peaceful, with no special encounters in the train car or with the target characters meant to be pursued.
Chatting about our memories in the Brave territory, indulging in coffee and sweets inside the train car was truly a page out of our youth.
However, having faced assassins before, the absence of any incidents felt oddly unsettling.
Was this the calm before the storm?
Secretly summoning demons a few times, we were fully prepared—bring it on, Patricia or Jelasis.
We’re ready to shut you down completely.
Contrary to our readiness, Patricia and Jelasis were nowhere to be seen upon our return to the academy.
“―The second term will feature the Sage Festival.”
During the opening ceremony, Headmaster Vorsea Gran Cascade announced.
“It’s an opportunity to open the academy grounds beyond the dormitories to show parents and the public how diligently you students are studying and growing healthily. But remember to act like students and not get carried away.”
Sitting in a chair, we had to listen to the headmaster’s speech.
Even as I tried to sense the surroundings, Patricia and Jelasis’s magical presence was nowhere to be found.
It was strange because all the other key characters were there, except for those two.
Normally, at the start of the term, which is an event itself, a villain tends to show up in scenes where all students gather, leading to episodes where the prince charming comes to the rescue.
This marks the start of preparations for the Sage Festival, which is part of the school festival, and we get busy with typical youth drama preparations for the festivities.
Interestingly, there will be stalls, plays, and other cultural festival-like activities that are commonly seen in festivals from my previous life, all following the traditions of ancient wise men.
The highlight is, strangely enough, a handsome men’s contest that only targets males, where the target characters usually rank at the top.
With Edward around this year, it feels like a fixed race that he would take the top spot, but right now, he’s attracting an unusual amount of attention for his baldness.
Given his severe upper body burns, it’s unlikely he’ll participate in the swimsuit competition of the handsome men’s contest.
“I guess you’ll get tired of listening if I talk too long. That’s all from me.”
The headmaster concluded his speech briefly, and the ceremony came to an end.
Everyone started leaving the auditorium, but this time, no one caused any trouble. It felt peaceful, but probably because there was someone else attracting more attention than us.
“I heard his rank in the line of succession dropped?”
“Doesn’t that basically mean he’s been disowned?”
“And I heard he lost all his hair in an accident this summer?”
“That commoner isn’t at school either, I wonder what happened…”
Whispers of gossip from a group of girls could be heard.
Yes, it’s about the Bald Prince.
Despite the option to wear a wig, Edward chose to boldly attend school with his bald head.
After summer, it’s not unusual for students to look a bit different, but Edward’s change was so drastic that everyone couldn’t help but stare.
People would freeze in place with their mouths wide open as they passed by him.
Then, they’d invariably turn around three times to take another look at his shiny bald head.
Rumors spread like wildfire, and soon Edward became the center of all school gossip.
“Hmm, lunchtime. Let’s head back to the dorm, Clive.”
“Sure thing, Your Highness. You’re shining bright today too.”
“Haha, the secret to my shine is daily skincare.”
His overly confident demeanor almost made him seem more royal.
Contrary to expectations that he might be feeling down after what happened in the Brave territory, it seemed not to bother him at all.
However, it was clear that his circle of friends had noticeably shrunk.
Whether it was due to Patricia and Jelasis’s absence or the girls’ rumors about his demotion in succession rights, it’s tough for noble children who must adhere to their parents’ opinions, and such things can happen.
In the midst of all this, Edward values his remaining friend, Clive, even more. What a remarkable Bald Prince.
“Doesn’t it look like a boiled egg from the back?”
Mariana, who came along with Alicia, said this while looking at Edward’s back of the head ahead of us.
“That’s blasphemy, pfft.”
“You’re laughing too.”
Of course.
But it’s true, his head is so smooth and shiny like a boiled egg, it makes you think that those of high nobility must really eat differently.
As we straightened up, Edward suddenly turned around.
The prince, with a big smile.
“Humu~.”
Zowwwwwe!
Suddenly, I felt a chill like never before, as if it was running through my entire body.
I’ve faced battle-hardened soldiers and high-tier monsters, but never felt this kind of mysterious chill.
I could only silently watch Edward as he walked away, as if nothing had happened.
What was that just now?
“Orororororo.”
Ugh, Mariana threw up behind me.
“Geh! Mariana, not here!”
Alicia was splattered at her feet, and her beautiful face twisted into a horrific grimace.
…Edward is truly terrifying.
◇
“I had an egg sandwich for lunch today, but somehow I’ve lost my appetite. Here, Alicia, you have it.”
“I don’t want it for that reason.”
Lunchtime.
Since there were no more classes today, Alicia and I returned to the mansion we’re using as a dorm, where the three of us had lunch together.
The Mariana vomiting incident caused a bit of a commotion, but I quickly isolated the mess with my barrier, and all was well.
I ended up eating Mariana’s egg sandwich since she lost her appetite.
“I’ll eat it. Stuff like that doesn’t bother me.”
Being on the battlefield, eating among blood and guts, or seeing soldiers lose control from fear isn’t uncommon.
After all, if you can eat monsters, you can eat anything.
“Speaking of the second semester, the student council will be decided soon. How did you guys do on your final exams?”
Alicia brought up a new topic.
There’s something called the student council, where the top six students from each grade are chosen and appointed mandatorily.
It seems like an opportunity to learn about the duties of nobility by assisting and managing school events.
It’s a peculiar gathering at the noble academy, but royals usually make it in because they excel.
Surprisingly, aiming for connections with them, everyone studies hard, making the student council an object of admiration.
There’s a target character, the son of the chancellor, who’s really good at studying, and advancing his event can get you recommended for the student council.
The story goes on with uncovering misconduct and advancing love while listening to complaints about the state of noble society after everyone else has left the student council room, but that’s a story unrelated to us.
“I got 2nd place in the written test and around 10th in the practical. How about you, Alicia?”
“I was 3rd in the written test and 13th in the practical. What about you, Ragna?”
“That’s the thing, I’m not sure.”
Sadly enough.
I did take the test and should have scored full marks on the written portion.
I even knocked out the examiner during the practical, but somehow, my notification had “Failed” written on it, crossed out in red, making it all very confusing.
“Look, this.”
I showed them the paper I had in my room.
“Really… what’s this…”
“I didn’t know this could happen…”
Probably some scheme by that examiner who dislikes me, but it seems like Vorsea might have corrected it.
So, I don’t know my rank, but caring about rankings in a children’s playground is pointless.
Only the first place matters.
“Well, it’s not like we could be in the student council given our situation, so there’s no point worrying about it.”
“True.”
We wouldn’t be chosen anyway, not just because we aren’t among the top six performers, but because selections are further influenced by teachers’ preferences.
“But if Alicia wants to join, I wouldn’t mind using a bit of force.”
If you want to prove yourself, it’s fine to aim for the top.
After all, Alicia has the qualities to lead!
“For now, how about we sneak into the teachers’ office to check the student council nomination list and deal with all of them—”
“—House! Calm down. I’m not interested in the student council anyway. I was just curious about the test results.”
“Woof.”
TLN: “ハウス” (hausu) is commonly used as a command for dogs to go into their doghouse or crate.
I’ll behave since it’s been a while since she showed me the collar.
Mariana looks like she’s yearning for something as she bites her finger, but I won’t let her have this spot, no way, you puke girl.
“Actually, I was secretly looking forward to the Sage Festival. What kind of event is Alicia’s class planning to do?”
“Who knows? We haven’t discussed anything yet, so I can’t say.”
Saying so, Alicia continued to sip her coffee.
“Is that so? But please let me know once you’ve decided what to do!”
“Yes, please do the same? I’ll come along.”
Listening to this conversation, I wondered if nobles really come together to do something.
Will there be a tea party, or perhaps a play?
It seems more likely they’d hire a theater troupe to perform for them rather than putting on a play themselves.
However, due to ancient wise men’s traditions, students are compelled to organize events.
Hmm, makes no sense.
—Knock, knock.
As there were no more classes today, we were chatting in the living room when we heard a knocking sound from the entrance.
“Hmm? Who could it be?”
“I’ll get it.”
Opening the door, there stood Vorsea.
“It’s been a while, Ragna Vel Brave.”
“Headmaster.”
It was the headmaster, Vorsea.
Vorsea glanced briefly at Alicia and Mariana in the back, then turned his gaze back to me.
“By someone’s recommendation, all three of you are appointed to the student council. I came to tell you in advance because you all have your respective situations.”