Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

I slept really well.

Today marks the fateful start of the otome game—Entrance Ceremony day. Even though I’d worried I might not be able to sleep from the nerves, I fell right asleep. I’m strong, but it’s complicated.

Ekaterina looked around her unfamiliar dorm room, feeling more puzzled than anything.

“Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning, Mina.”

Mina drew open the curtains, letting sunlight pour into the spacious bedroom.
*‘Spacious.’ ‘Bedroom.’*
You get what I mean, right?
The room I had been given was way outside the concept of a “dormitory.” It had not only a bedroom but also a large living room-slash-study, plus a small chamber for her maid and even a kitchenette.
Apparently, among the roughly thirty dorm buildings, these kinds of special rooms existed in only the ten oldest buildings—each one reserved for members of the imperial family or the children of dukes.

“For breakfast, would you like to dine in bed, or shall I bring it to the study?”
“Oh my, aren’t we supposed to eat in the dining hall?”
“For the special rooms, meals are sent up by lift directly from the kitchen.”

How do I say it… The class system here is *really* something. Is it really okay to treat students this differently? In my previous life, when people talked about elite schools, it was usually Eton in England—but even there, royalty and exchange students like the Japanese crown prince were said to live under the same conditions as everyone else.
Then again, if we’re talking about people who will become—or might become—emperors or empresses, precautions against poisoning and such probably make sense… I think? My brother likely does actual work in his room, so maybe he needs all this space anyway.

In the game, the dorm rooms were cozy little one-room apartments. I remember thinking, *“Wow, since most students are nobles, even a single room is such a luxury!”* Oh, past me—you had no idea.
Well, at least this place is perfect for holing up if things go wrong!

After eating breakfast in bed and changing into my uniform (or rather, being *dressed* by Mina—the design was cute, though I’m not entirely sure it suited a villainess), I headed for the entrance ceremony.

.

In the game, the “Entrance Ceremony” was a narrated prologue introducing the world and story.

This time, though, it was a real event—apparently just like a typical Japanese school ceremony. New students first gathered by dormitory, then marched into the auditorium to applause from the upperclassmen and guests, and took their seats.
As the daughter of a duke, Ekaterina was naturally seated in the front row. Good thing I’d slept well last night—falling asleep here would’ve been mortifying.
After the musicians in the orchestra box (*yes, the auditorium had one!*) played some grand piece (*probably the national anthem or something?*), and the headmaster and guests gave their speeches, came the welcome address from the representative of the current students.

“Representing the current students, His Grace Duke Aleksei Jurnova.”

*WAT!?*

(*Wait, isn’t this kind of thing usually done by the student council president!? Why my brother!? Is it because he’s the highest-ranking and top-performing student!? Or is the president sick and he’s filling in!?*
*Also, are they really addressing a student with a full noble title!?*)

Aleksei appeared on stage.

(*Kyaa—! Onii-sama’s so cool!*)

It was her first time seeing him in uniform, so Ekaterina couldn’t help but get excited.

Aleksei always wore the uniform in the game, but seeing it in person, in the same world as I am, is completely different. The academy’s male uniform was technically a blazer, but it had a crisp, military-inspired design (with all the decorations and ornaments, though, maybe it’s closer to military dress?) Coupled with his monocle, it perfectly complemented Aleksei’s slightly sadistic aura.
He was tall. Long legs. Compared to the headmaster and the guests who spoke before him, his proportions stood out even more.

You’re actually quite lean and muscular, huh, Onii-sama!
In this world, noblemen were expected to learn horseback riding and swordsmanship; Aleksei could split a target cleanly in two with a single sword strike during morning practice.
Broad shoulders! Firm chest! Well-developed muscles!
That posture with his back straightened—perfection!!

With his expressionless, fair-skinned beauty, he radiated an authority no student should have. As Aleksei strode casually to the podium, everyone’s eyes in the hall were irresistibly drawn to him.

Standing before the lectern, he slowly swept his gaze across the hall from end to end. Even from afar, his pale blue eyes—like glowing paraiba tourmaline—were clearly visible. The already-quiet students fell completely silent, a reverent hush descending over the room.
Then, Aleksei opened his mouth to speak.

“First-year students—”

A deep, resonant voice filled the hall.

The content itself was the usual kind of speech for this sort of event—something like “Welcome, as new members of our glorious Imperial Magic Academy”—but the way he spoke carried real weight.
So capable. How are you so capable, Onii-sama?

Ending his speech—neither too long nor too short—Aleksei left the podium amid applause and began to walk back.
Just then, he glanced this way, and Ekaterina discreetly waved her hand.
For an instant, Aleksei smiled.
It vanished right away, but in that brief moment, his usually expressionless face turned gentle.

*Kyaah! That’s the Gap Moe!*

“Kyaa!”
(*rustle—*)

Oops! My voice came out!
No, that wasn’t me! It came from somewhere behind me, right? People were murmuring, too. Did something happen back there?

While I was wondering that, the announcer’s voice rang out again.

“Representing the new students—His Imperial Highness, Prince Mikhail Jurgrahn.”

*Eek!*
The representative of the upperclassmen is a duke, and the new student representative is a prince!? What kind of *Noble vs. Royal* showdown is this? An entrance ceremony turning into *Noble vs. Royal*—really!?

“Kyaa!”

This time, it was an unmistakable cheer. Amid it, Prince Mikhail appeared on stage.

Blue hair like a summer sky, blue eyes. A handsome face that carried both dignity and warmth, with a touch of boyish cheer. He was already fairly tall, though his figure was still slender with room to grow.
Even standing before the entire student body, he showed no sign of nervousness—impressive indeed.

Ekaterina smiled faintly.

(*Nope… thank goodness.*)

He really was stunning, she knew that. Super handsome. Compared to the cool and intimidating Aleksei, it was easy to see that many girls would prefer Mikhail’s softer charm.

But honestly! Coming from someone who was in her thirties in her past life, fifteen-year-olds are just out of the question!
My type is *capable men*!
Even if I myself am fifteen now, I couldn’t possibly feel romantic about such a cute kid!

My brother, on the other hand, *looked* like he was in his twenties and had the calm maturity to match—I could fangirl over him all I wanted without it being weird. But with an age-appropriate boy like Mikhail, there are no love flags rising here. None. If anything, they are sinking into the abyss.
I’d been a little worried that meeting the prince might make my heart race and cause me to go off the rails, but nope, nuh-uh, no way. Not happening. Thank goodness~.

The hall that had gone completely silent for Aleksei was now, while not noisy, filled with a fluttery, excited energy. The girls were clearly swooning en masse. Considering that they’d cheered even before his appearance, that wasn’t surprising.

Although… Come to think of it, that first cheer earlier—wasn’t its timing a little odd? Maybe that had actually been for my brother? Could he have secret fans too? Well, he’s ridiculously handsome and high-ranked, so of course he could.

Yep. Super handsome, top of the class, one of the highest-ranked nobles in the country, and absurdly loaded.

And on top of that… both parents (meaning no meddling in-laws) and even the terrifying old bat (dowager) were already gone. From a marriage-market perspective, that’s a huge plus…
Sure, he can’t beat the prince’s rank, but plenty of girls would probably rather be a duchess than deal with the pressure of being Empress someday, so…?

Oh…oh no…
Onii-sama—what an absolute premium catch you are! (in the marriage-market sense!)

No doubt about it, that earlier reaction was from girls aiming for my brother!
This is bad! I have to protect him!

…Wait. Hold on, me.
You’re his sister, me.
He’s obviously going to get married someday.
Unless someone’s actually troubling him, chasing away every girl who approaches would just be annoying, no?

Wait—right! Even if there’s no mother-in-law or old-hag-in-law, *I* would be the sister-in-law!
If I treat my future sister-in-law like an enemy, that’s just in-law bullying!

Ugh, it hurts, but I have to watch over him quietly. I just hope he finds a kind woman who’ll make him happy. I’d love to support him in that, but… Since noble marriages are mostly arranged between houses, my opinion probably wouldn’t matter anyway, right?

…Actually, wait *again*, me.
With my brother’s status, it wouldn’t be strange if he already had a fiancée.
He’s never mentioned it, but that could just mean the engagement’s already been arranged—maybe even down to the date! It’s totally possible!
What do I do? I have to find out—

Applause rose around her, snapping Ekaterina back to reality.
The prince’s speech was already over.

Ah… I didn’t hear a *single word* of it.
Sorry, Prince.