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Just as the Chairman and I stepped out of his office into the hallway together, I caught sight of Cestlavie and his dorm roommate—um… what was his name again? Eli… Something Jan·Device… no, that wasn’t it. I only remember the “Jan” part. That rather plain-looking male student was shuffling toward us.

“—Ah, Princess Shrine Maiden!”

Yan’s eyes lit up instantly. The Chairman was standing right next to me, but since I was wearing a rather girlish dress—presumably my casual clothes—at first glance, I must have looked like nothing more than the daughter of a wealthy family who’d come to tour the school.

“Good afternoon. Is something the matter? What brings you here?”

When I asked, he blushed shyly and said,

“Uh, well… um, Cestlavie fainted again, so the instructor told me to go pick him up.”

Ah, I see.

“Come to think of it, you share a room with Cestlavie in the dorm, don’t you? But isn’t it hard to handle this all by yourself?”
“You remember me!?”

Instantly, a beaming smile spread across his face—he looked genuinely delighted. …I’m sorry. The only thing I remember is that you’re “Cestlavie’s roommate.”

“Well, yes. I believe you are Lord Jan, yes?”
“That’s far too much honor! I’m just the third son of a baronet family, so you can just call me Elias without any titles.”
“So, Sir Elias, are you going to carry Cestlavie all the way to the dorm by yourself?”
“You don’t need to call me Sir either… Ah, no, the dorm director should be here soon, and we’ll be able to borrow the academy’s wagon to get to the dorm, so it’ll be fine.”

“Well, instead of a horse-drawn wagon, it’s actually a rickshaw pulled by a golem built by the academy,” Chairwoman Mei casually remarked.

Just as I was thinking, “Well, I suppose I’ll just make small talk until the person Elias is waiting for arrives”—

“Ho-ho-ho-ho! A secret rendezvous with a regular student in a place like this? And from a woman who is none other than the Shrine Maiden Princess herself!”

Accompanied by a high-pitched laugh that sounded very familiar, a petite female student with a broad forehead—Miss Estelle Liese Berenz, dressed in her school uniform—approached, flanked by several other female students.

“Oh, Estelle. Good afternoon. Are the girls with you your friends? I’m so glad to see you’ve managed to make some friends after all.”

Given how single-minded Estelle was—she was completely fixated on Luke and nothing else—I’d been worried she might be an outcast at school, but it seems my concerns were unfounded.

“Yes, thanks to you—no, wait! What’s with you, you flighty woman! Bringing a guy along to a place like this. I knew it—Luke just isn’t right for you!”

We’re just standing here chatting in the hallway, and she’s already accusing me of cheating…? And seriously, I think it’s a bit odd that no one seems to have noticed Chairwoman Mei standing right behind us.

“Anyway, let me introduce you to them!”
“Ah, yes. I’d be honored.”

Following Estelle’s cue, they stepped forward one by one and bowed.

“I’m Lizya Rufina Kreinev, from the Duchy of Remington.”

She was a female student of about twenty, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a ponytail—a full head taller than me (meaning she was nearly two full mertes tall).

“I’m Kaya Anneliese Schnabel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

A female student of about eighteen with red hair, freckles, and an intelligent-looking face.

“I’m Aurelia Églantine Baillot. It’s an honor to meet you.”

An athletic-looking female student, about sixteen years old with chestnut-colored hair and tanned skin, flashes a cheerful smile.

“Elma Frederic Barquenende. Let’s fight fair and square.”

A stern-looking female student, about fifteen years old with black hair and dark eyes, gave a knightly bow.

“Ousa Edith O’Glaine. Well, I suppose this is just how things turned out.”

A girl of about fourteen with green hair raised one hand listlessly.

Judging by the fact that all five of them have two-part names—a first name and a surname—they all seem to be nobles. Yet, I don’t recall seeing any of them in the noble class. Just as I tilted my head in confusion, Elias, who suddenly seemed to realize something, whispered an explanation to me.

“Shrine Maiden Priestess. They’re all daughters of lower-ranking nobles—from baron and knight families—who attend the General Class. On top of that, every single one of them is an outstanding student, excelling in both academics and sports.”

“That’s right!”

Perhaps having heard Elias’s explanation, Estelle stepped forward with a look of triumph on her face.

“Even though they’re talented, they’re hidden flowers who, year after year, were too shy to join the Noble Class and couldn’t even be wallflowers at the Imperial Festival. But this year is different! Under the slogan that we’ll defeat you, this is the Princess Candidate Team that agreed with my plan and decided to cooperate with me!!”

Estelle puffed out her chest as if to say, “Take that!”

“—Is that how it is?”

When I asked the girls over her head, they all exchanged glances with wry smiles.

“Well, she said she’d cover our tuition if we participate,” said Leegia.
“And apparently, food, training, and miscellaneous expenses are free too,” added Kaya.
“And she’ll even provide us with dresses,” added Aurelia.
“Besides, it might be fun to aim to be the Princess of the Imperial Festival at least once,” said Elma.
“Well, to be honest, we were all scouted for the money,” Ousa summed it up bluntly.

“So, yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend! We’ve all come together as one to make you eat your words!”

Estelle declared this with absolute confidence, but even though it’s been quite a while since she labeled me her romantic rival, I’m still very much her rival—and “yesterday’s enemy has never become today’s friend.” I suppose that day will never come, not even in a million years.

“So, we’re not going to waste our time sitting through boring lectures—we’re planning to train hard for next month’s Imperial Festival. You, on the other hand, might as well just sit back and rest on your laurels. Ohohohohoho!! Alright, everyone, let’s go!”

As usual, with her energy at max and laughing loudly, Estelle turned on her heel, and everyone followed her—bowing properly to us as they left.

Watching them go, Chairwoman Mei said only one thing:

“No, they still have to attend the lectures. Otherwise I’ll expel them.”

She made the obvious remark.