Chapter 47

With the end-of-term exams over, I managed to finish at the top of my year.

It was a moment of pride for the prince.

"...Shin, you didn't get any of the test questions in advance, did you?"

In front of the posted test rankings, Jack, who had narrowly avoided remedial classes, said this with a sly remark.

"I had already completed all the studies we do here before entering this academy."

"Isn't that kind of cheating?"

"…Don't you think it's like studying twice as much?"

"There's no way I can compete with you!"

Hartheis, who was looking at the test rankings with us, laughed and said, "Still, second place, Hartheis. You're really talented. You're on par with me, who has received better palace education than ordinary students and studies twice as much."

Serea is also working hard. She's in twelfth place.

The heroine, who is from a commoner background and has received no noble education, is around fiftieth out of 120 first-year students, which is a middle level. It might be considered remarkable. According to Serea, it depends on who you aim to win over in the game, but it's possible she could surpass me. I can't let my guard down.

With the school term coming to a close, we all head to the library.

I've become good friends with the library committee members and the literary club members, so I spend more time in the library after school.

"How are you all planning to spend your summer vacation?"

Hartheis asks in a friendly manner. It's really soothing. We are always under tension within the academy, so having such friends is a blessing.

"I have to make up for the official duties I neglected due to school, so I won't have much of a break... In fact, I won't have any break at all."

Life as a prince is tough.

"Does that mean you can't come to my place this year?"

Every year, Serea and I would visit Jack's Wyls family for a summer retreat. It has become a tradition.

"I can't go. It's a shame, but I'll try to make time next year."

"Really... I was looking forward to the master's boot camp."

"If it happens, maybe Schartz will take over from this year."

"That sounds fun too. It's a shame..."

"What's this boot camp, anyway?"

Hartheis asks.

"It's a secret. It's a surprise for those who participate. You should come next year."

It's a daily physical training program. Swimming, horseback riding, archery, and swordsmanship. Hartheis might cry.

Jack has completely accepted Hartheis as a friend, which is surprising. Despite Jack's rebellious nature and Hartheis's scholarly type, they seem like oil and water, but the current Jack is no longer rebellious.

Jack's fiancée, Silfa, is... in remedial classes. She has to stay in the school dormitory and study. She was looking at the rankings on the bulletin board with a pale face.

"Hey... Silfa, don't be discouraged. I won't be going home this year either, so I'll stay in the dormitory with you..."

I didn't expect Jack to be so considerate. He has really grown up.

"No, it's fine. Everyone, please go on the summer retreat with Jack-sama..."

"No, it's your first time in the capital since entering the academy. It's much better to spend the summer in the capital than to go back to that dreary countryside. Besides, Shin, Serea, and Hartheis will be here too."

Yeah, Jack, that's the right attitude. You should always support her. Jack no longer acts coldly towards Silfa. They are a really cute and reassuring couple.

"...I wish I had a wonderful fiancé like you two."

"Hartheis, don't you have one?"

"No, I don't. I'm the third son, so I'm always last in everything at home."

That's dangerous. You're a prime target for the heroine.

"But I haven't seen many couples who are engaged and actually get along well. This is a noble academy, so there are many students who are already engaged, but many of them ignore their fiancés and play around during their student days, thinking 'I should fall in love now while I'm a student.'"

...That's true. The heroine has a chance to take advantage of that. Look, there's the pink-haired girl in the library already!

She's peeking at us.

"Hartheis, what are you planning to do for the summer?"

"The observatory has completed a large telescope, so I'll be helping my father all summer."

Ah, that's the celestial telescope developed by Professor Newton, the physicist!

It's a reflecting telescope, which has less chromatic aberration than a lens-based one. It can be made with a larger aperture, so it can be more powerful. The academy has built a larger version, and it will start operating this summer. I'm looking forward to the results!

"...Hartheis, have you heard of 'Gulliver's Travels'?"

Serea, who has knowledge from her past life... No, that's not right.

Serea brings the book "Gulliver's Travels" from the library shelf.

"Oh, it's a children's fairy tale about a land of little people and a floating island..."

"In this book, according to the scientists of the floating city of Laputa, Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos."

"That would be amazing if it were true."

"Although 'Gulliver's Travels' is a work of fiction, it seems to contain some truths. I really want you to investigate it."

"That would be an incredible discovery! I'll investigate it first!"

Hartheis is very excited.

"Se-ra, how do you know about this?"

The pink-haired girl, who has somehow sat at the same table, rests her chin on her hands and asks innocently with a smile.

When did the heroine get here?

"Oh... Hello. I borrowed this book from the library before and remembered it."

"Hmm, you're impressive, Se-ra-sama."

She's clearly trying to provoke me. I need to be careful.

"By the way, in the academy, we prefer not to use 'sama'... We are all students here."

"I think Se-ra-sama is so mature and admirable. Sometimes I even wonder if you're actually older. Inside, I mean."

What do you mean by "inside"?

No, that's not true. I can say with certainty, having grown up with her since we were ten. Serea has always been a child my age. There was nothing unnatural about it. I might be a bit old for my age, but that's because I've worked with adults.

"...I think you're the one who seems childish. Lina."

Yes, it's as if you're playing a role. It's like a grown-up pretending to be a student. You seem like a villain who manipulates young targets.

"It's Linse! L-i-n-s-e! You're doing it on purpose, Prince!"

"I just can't remember it. It's too difficult."

"Where is it difficult!"

"Excuse me, Linse. Just because Shin doesn't mind, don't get carried away. You'll make a mistake someday. Show at least some respect."

When Hartheis scolds her, she says, "I already made a mistake! In the city the other day. I'm sorry," and giggles, tapping her head and sticking out her tongue. Stop it, that's really annoying.

"Everyone, what are you planning to do for the summer?"

Why are you asking such personal questions?

"I'll be studying and working on official duties. I won't have any time to play."

"I'll be with Shin-sama."

"I'll stay in the dormitory to keep Silfa company."

"...I'll be in remedial classes. I'm embarrassed."

"I'll be helping my father, so no break for me."

There you go, the heroine's summer vacation is over. Go and pursue other characters.

"...You all seem to get along so well..."

Then, she salutes and smiles, "I'll leave you alone now," and leaves the library.

"...What do you think of her?"

I ask everyone.

"She's cute and attractive. She's popular with boys. But I'm not really comfortable with her. It's fine when she comes to ask for help with her studies, but she keeps inviting me to go places together, which is annoying. I don't know why."

Hartheis seems to be okay. Not everyone likes the heroine just because she's a target. Some people are not easily swayed by her innocent remarks.

"Actually, me too..."

So she's been approaching Jack too!

"'How did you become friends with the prince?' and 'Why don't we go get fried chicken together sometime?' She's been pestering me. I ignored her, thinking that if I'm friends with the prince, I'll have to deal with people like her. A lot of girls come to me because of Shin."

I feel bad for Jack, who has been dealing with this without my knowledge.

"I told her, 'I have a cute, cute fiancée named Silfa! I'd rather go out with her.' She hasn't come around since then."

Silfa blushed. Huh, she's blushing and tearing up.

"Jack"

"Hmm?"

"You really have no tact at all."

"Shut up. Don't expect that from me."

He huffed. Oh, you're so cute, Jack!

"...Does that girl have a desire to marry a noble?"

Hartheis whispers.

"...Probably."

Jack leans in and whispers.

"I was told, 'You don't have to be tied down by a fiancé just because you're a noble, Jack-sama. You can fall in love freely.' 'It's so sad to have a fiancé already decided. It's better to marry the person you truly love and be happy,' and so on. It's none of her business. What's wrong with falling in love with your fiancé? Right, Shin?"

"...I was told the same thing."

Serea is surprised. It happened when we had a near-miss a few years ago. I don't think I told Serea about it.

"She seemed happy when I said, 'I agree.'"

"...That's scary. She's clearly trying to steal you away."

"Well, I'm going to marry Serea."

I already said it.

"By the way, Shin, you said, 'It's more beneficial because you won't have to suffer from unrequited love or heartbreak.'"

"You really have no tact at all!"

Serea glares at me.

What should I do?

Next time: "47. Observatory"