Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Laying the groundwork takes time, but that means the actual meeting wraps up quickly.
The class meeting to decide the cast ended with all of Ekaterina’s proposals being approved with applause. It went so smoothly that she even found myself persistently double-checking—translating her concerns like, “Is this really okay? Isn’t anyone unhappy with this?”—into the polite language of a young noble lady.

.

Her classmates watched her with a mix of amusement and wry smiles.

The duke’s daughter who went out of her way to check in with everyone beforehand about their preferences and availability. To begin with, she had carefully assigned roles that suited each person. For those given unexpected roles, she explained the reasoning in a way that left them satisfied. Besides Yuri, there were several others who were deeply moved, realizing she had viewed them in such a positive light.
So there’s no way anyone would have anything to say about it at this point.

Besides, the Evening of Music Ekaterina hosted became the talk of the entire school, and the whole class was in the spotlight. The class is now filled with anticipation that she might pull off something amazing again this time.

The only complaint, if there is one, is that she herself won’t be performing.

She doesn’t seem to fully realize it herself, but Ekaterina is now the center of attention not only at the academy but also in the imperial capital’s social circles.
Although outsiders are normally prohibited from entering the Magic Academy, the school festival is an exception, and visitors from outside are permitted. Every year, the festival bustles with students’ families and others who come to visit.
It’s not uncommon for families living far away to take this opportunity to visit the school festival while also sightseeing in the imperial capital.

There’s something students in this class really want to do for such families. They point out the center of attention, Ekaterina, to their parents and siblings and say:

“That is Lady Ekaterina of the Jurnova family, a direct descendant of Duke Sergei, the younger brother of Piotr the Great. At first, I thought she was unapproachable, but now we get along just fine as classmates.”

Once they step outside the school grounds, they’re not allowed to chat casually with the daughter of the Duke of Jurnova. That’s why the idea of introducing Ekaterina to their families never even crosses their minds. Still, they want to boast about being in the same class and studying alongside her.

It’s not just about that heartwarming, “parents’ day” kind of atmosphere—there are also rumors that influential nobles are flocking to the event specifically to see Mikhail the Crown Prince and Ekaterina the Duke’s Daughter.
The plays she’s written and the music she’s composed will certainly draw attention, and while it’s true that having Olga and Renat there is reason enough, the thing everyone is most looking forward to is her own performance.

It’d be such a waste if she didn’t perform!

That inner cry was actually shared by the vast majority of the class.
Ekaterina, however, was completely oblivious.

,

“So, it seems there are no objections… Thank you all for your support.”

Reflecting on how a bit pushy she’d been, Ekaterina cleared her throat softly.

“In that case, let’s get right to it and discuss the preparations.
First, the Transcription Department. Please transcribe the script I’ve written as many times as necessary. Everyone here has such beautiful, legible handwriting. I’d appreciate your help.”

This is a world without copiers or printers. Printing presses do exist, but due to cost and other factors, printing the script for a mere class play is out of the question. Therefore, the only option is for people to copy it by hand.

It was a mundane task, but those assigned to it were the envy of the class.
That’s because Ekaterina was going to lend the copy team members her glass pens.

Although they’re a prototype, merely transparent pens that don’t use colored glass, they’re the object of everyone’s envy, as only the top three students—Ekaterina, Flora, and Prince Mikhail—possess them. Even though Ekaterina calls it a loan, she’s told them, “If you like it, feel free to keep using it,” so it’s essentially a gift.

The truth is, since the artisans at the Murano workshop are all eager to learn how to make glass pens, these prototypes are being mass-produced.
Since glass can be easily melted down and recycled, that’s generally what they do. However, Ekaterina thought, “Since we’ve gone through all this trouble, why not have people use them to research the usability and potential issues with each design…?” So she had a variety of designs prepared. She intends to have all the members of the transcription team serve as thorough testers.

Incidentally, Ekaterina handed them out first to the folks in the office—Novak, Khalil, Aaron, and the rest.
But simply asking them to tell me how they felt about using them would have been a bit dull, so she selected designs that seemed to suit each person, tied a small ribbon around them to give them a present-like feel, and handed them out personally with a note saying, “Thank you as always.” Everyone was delighted.

“And now, to the members of the Costume Department. I’d like to ask you to create costumes for our performers.”

At those words, the selected group of skilled seamstresses nodded.
In the Imperial Kingdom, regardless of social status, being skilled at needlework is considered a virtue for women. In this era, it’s not uncommon even for noblewomen to sew their own family’s everyday clothes. Even in Ekaterina’s previous life, it wasn’t until after World War II that it became commonplace for everyone to buy and wear ready-to-wear clothing. Until then, people either had clothes custom-made, sewed them at home, or bought secondhand garments.

Being able to showcase one’s sewing skills in the spotlight is undoubtedly an important and significant way to promote oneself, giving one an advantage in the marriage market.
They were quietly burning with determination.

“To the set design department: Please use your signature artistic style to create the backdrops. I realize it might be difficult to visualize things like rocky mountains or an ominous forest, but I’ll draw what I have in mind and share it with you, so for now, please sketch a small version of your idea each.
“—The prop department is very skilled. While the play’s historical setting is inspired by ancient Astra, it’s perfectly fine if it looks like a fictional foreign land. I’ve sketched out rough designs for the weapons and other items we’ll use in the play, so please think about how to make them.”

Ekaterina is actually quite good at drawing. One of her mother Anastasia’s hobbies was painting, and she taught her how to draw when she was little. Also, in her past life, she was close friends with someone whose hobby was illustration, and that friend taught her the basics of capturing shapes.
She never imagined it would come in handy after she was reborn.

Ekaterina smiled brightly at the rest of the class.

“Now then, let me give you a fresh overview of the play’s plot.”