Bianca Kaslana.
A Higher Primordial Species, an S-rank Valkyrie (an internal combat rating at the academy), President of the St. Freya Academy Student Council and its strongest member (among both faculty and students), holder of multiple Abyss records (having broken her mother Cecilia's records), and Kiana's biological older sister (as well as Sirin's older cousin).
A step behind Bianca's side stood the Student Council Vice-President, Rita Rossweisse, her face a perfect smile, her demeanor humble and graceful.
However, despite both being S-rank Valkyries, Rita's fame was incomparable to Bianca's. Back when she was just a first-year student, Bianca had single-handedly charged into the Quantum Sea to rescue an entire grade of graduating students, including the then-Student Council President, who had become trapped due to a sudden incident.
In the process, Bianca obtained the holy sword "Durandal" and the glorious title of "Lady☆Bi☆an☆ka☆." The world bubble where the incident occurred even anchored itself within Bianca's body… which was the reason her hair color was different from the rest of the Kaslana family.
Her name was known not only throughout St. Freya Academy but was even whispered among the highest echelons of the Empire.
The moment she saw her sister, Kiana instinctively shrank back. Because Bianca was often away from home, combined with the pressure that her various prestigious titles put on her "little sister"... in Kiana's mind, her older sister was a far more terrifying presence than her mother.
As for Sirin, who had just cried out "Lady Sister"… it was perfectly normal given their familial relationship. What Kiana didn't know, even to this day, was that the main reason for Sirin's hostility was pure, unadulterated "envy."
"You two have not yet officially enrolled."
"Before you step through the school gates, as the Student Council President, I have no authority over you."
"But!"
"Meow~"
"…"
Bianca pushed the head of the little cat, "Stan," back down as it popped up over her shoulder. Though it looked harmless, this inconspicuous little cat's strength was not the least bit inferior to Rita's; it was a bona fide [Primordial Species].
"Ahem!"
"But—"
"I feel it is necessary, in my capacity as your older sister…"
Bianca glanced at Rita behind her. Judging from Rita's slight nod, there was likely enough time before the entrance ceremony began.
"…to teach you both a proper lesson!"
---o---
Kiana and Sirin were dragged away by the scruff of their necks by Bianca.
However, the commotion caused by this scene was already spreading by word of mouth among the new students who had witnessed the "family disciplinary session" firsthand.
"Big Sister Bronya."
"Are those the ones ranked ahead of us?"
"Mn."
Bronya Zaychik and Seele Vollerei.
They were ranked 4th and 6th in the St. Freya Academy entrance exam, respectively. Incidentally, Bella was ranked between them, and Bronya had achieved the highest score on the written exam.
"Ehh~"
"They don't look all that strong. If Liliya could have helped me—"
"You idiot, Rozaliya, competing together would have gotten our scores nullified."
Rozaliya Alyn and Liliya Alyn.
They were a pair of twins who, despite not being powerful individually, possessed an extremely special ability. The two had a unique "fused state" that could simulate the "Collapsed State" power of the Ashvins from their genetic factors.
"Huh? Oh!"
"Of course I knew that!"
"But exams and stuff should be flexible depending on our results! For special cases like us—"
"Bzzzt-doot-doot-doot!"
Rozaliya's words were cut off once again.
"Pfft!"
Seele couldn't help but let out a giggle.
"Huh?"
"Project Bunny, what did you just say!?"
"…"
"Don't argue, Rozaliya."
"Project Bunny said: even if the exam rules were flexible, Rozaliya's zero on the written test would only drag Liliya down."
Sin Mal, dressed in androgynous clothing, lazily helped Liliya finish the thought.
"Hahahaha~"
Amidst an atmosphere that was cheerful for everyone except Rozaliya, the group of six stepped through the main gates of St. Freya Academy together.
---o---
The entrance ceremony for St. Freya's new students was underway.
As the Student Council President, Bianca did not take the stage to speak on behalf of the current student body. That duty fell to her aunt's daughter, the second-year student and Student Council Secretary, Theresa Apocalypse.
Incidentally, her aunt's full name was Kallen Kaslana, the current Headmaster of St. Freya Academy.
As for her husband…
"Otto."
"Welt. It's been a while."
Within a massive metal corridor in the Ninety-Nine Chambers of the Throne, two men, accompanied by their subordinates, happened to meet at a corner.
"I'm surprised you can still smile."
Welt's expression was nowhere near as relaxed as Otto's.
"This proposal of yours—"
"The Eighth Chamber is indeed willing to support you, but this proposal… I'm afraid it won't even get past your father-in-law, will it?"
"You've worked so hard to finally get the right to speak at the Joint Meeting. The Fifth Chamber must have plenty of good ideas that urgently need support."
"…"
Otto's expression remained unchanged, but instead of answering his friend directly, he addressed the two people beside Welt.
"Do you two think so as well?"
"It's not just us."
Lieserl Albert, sporting a messy mop of turquoise hair, scratched her head and answered Otto's question in Tesla's stead.
"Before we ran into you,"
"We just saw Merlin and Iselin from the Nineteenth Chamber."
"They also hold opposing views on your proposal. And you should know, they represent all the 'allies' you have left in the Ninety-Nine Chambers."
"As for the Kaslana family's opinion…"
Lieserl paused for a moment.
"You'd be burning high incense if they simply chose not to oppose it."
---o---
"It seems,"
Otto's voice sounded a bit helpless.
"You all think the prospects for this are rather bleak?"
"What else?"
Tesla, who had been listening for a while, scoffed without reservation.
"I think the moment you open your mouth with that proposal, forget about it passing the Joint Meeting. You'll be lucky the Regent-Consuls don't have you arrested on the spot."
"Alright."
"To be honest, from the very beginning, I never expected the Joint Meeting to approve this proposal."
"?"
"Are you saying…"
After a moment of processing, Welt began to understand Otto's meaning.
"That's right."
"All proposals at the Joint Meeting are recorded and brought to the attention of the Regent-Consuls, no matter how absurd they may be."
Otto said with great seriousness.
"Which means…"
"His Majesty, the esteemed Emperor, might very well see them."