"First-year Class E, huh!"
In the administration building's main hall, Alicia held a giant meat bun in her hand, nibbling at it while staring at the announcement board displaying the new first-year class assignments.
"Class E, huh? What a pity! Looks like I won't be in the same class as 'Ali-san'!"
Standing beside her, Alice Tutt brushed her long hair back and sighed. "Ali-san" was the nickname she'd given Alicia.
"It's fine! Alice, you can still come find me to hang out anytime!" Alicia quickly finished the last of her meat bun, then asked, "Oh, right, Alice—which class are you in?"
"Class A," Alice said, pointing to the board at the front with mild distaste. "I took a look; everyone there seems so boring. None of them are as interesting as you, Ali-san."
"Hehe (๑❛ᴗ❛๑), I'm not as great as you make me sound, Alice!"
Hearing herself called interesting made Alicia blush immediately, and seeing her like that, a murky shadow flickered within Alice's violet eyes. Her lips curved slightly as she chuckled softly. "You really are interesting, Alicia."
The darkness in Alice's gaze didn't escape Yuui's notice, though he chose not to say anything. After all, this was Alicia's first friend at Saint Fusion Academy; if he misjudged and spoke out of turn, it might hurt her confidence in making friends.
"...Alice Tutt?"
A sudden, unfamiliar voice interrupted. Both girls turned toward the sound and saw two young men standing at the entrance to the school building—one blond, one black-haired.
The speaker was the blond youth—the Third Prince of the Bredt Kingdom, Autrys Bredt.
Standing behind him was his attendant, Carl Owens.
Seeing Autrys, Alice's delicate brows twitched slightly. Then she lifted her skirt and curtsied gracefully. "Your humble subject greets Your Highness, Prince Autrys."
Watching Alice's formal gesture, Alicia looked toward Autrys as well—and suddenly recognized him as the boy who had summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon yesterday.
So he was the Third Prince of Bredt Kingdom!
For a second, Alicia froze on the spot, unsure what to do.
Her hesitation immediately drew the ire of Carl, who prided himself as the prince's loyal retainer.
"Impertinent girl!" Carl barked. "You stand before the Third Prince himself—why have you not paid your respects!?"
"Uh, um, I…"
Alicia panicked, glancing toward Yuui for help. But Yuui only shrugged helplessly… people used to bow to him, not the other way around. He had no idea what to do!
"Maybe… just imitate Alice?"
Yuui's advice seemed reasonable enough. So Alicia at once lifted her skirt and bowed like Alice had.
Although before she could finish, Autrys waved his hand. "No need. We're all members of Saint Fusion Academy now—our titles outside the academy don't matter here. Still, I'm a little surprised, Alice. I didn't expect you to be with her."
At that, Alice lowered her skirt and stood upright again, a bewitching smile curling on her lips. "Nothing surprising about it, Your Highness. Ali-san is a very interesting person… we've already become good friends!
"Isn't that right, Alicia?"
Saying that, Alice suddenly pulled Alicia into her arms. The unexpected closeness made Alicia's face turn bright red—she had never been this physically close to anyone before.
Watching their intimate display, Autrys shook his head a little in regret.
Then he turned with Carl to examine the announcement board for their own class assignments. After confirming both their placements, he looked back toward Alice and Alicia.
"Well, we won't interrupt your friendly chat any longer. By the way, Alicia—"
Hearing her name suddenly mentioned, Alicia lifted her head in confusion, looking toward Autrys.
Autrys gazed at her for a moment. This time, he didn't sense the same fierce fighting spirit from her that he'd seen during her duels yesterday. Still, he said evenly, "I watched both of your duels yesterday. Your dueling style is quite interesting. I hope we get the chance to duel someday."
Alicia blinked in surprise, then nodded. "Sure, if there's a chance, let's duel!"
Autrys smiled faintly, then added, as if in warning, "Good. I hope you'll stay careful in the days ahead."
With that, Autrys left with Carl, who wore a slight frown.
Alicia: "Yuui-san, what did he mean by that just now?"
Yuui: "Who knows? Maybe he's warning you about beating Kexi Arce yesterday."
Alicia: "(°ヘ°) Hmm, somehow it feels like he meant something else…"
Yuui glanced at Alice, who was still holding Alicia like a plush toy, and said in a low voice, "Alright, don't think too hard about it. Let's head to class before we're late."
"Yeah!" Alicia nodded, then turned to Alice. "Alice, let's hurry! We've already wasted some time—we don't want to be late!"
Hearing Alicia's voice, Alice withdrew her gaze from Autrys's departing figure and nodded with a gentle smile. "Alright, you're right… we really should get going."
The two girls walked side by side toward the classroom building.
However, just as they exited the administration hall, three figures in white lab coats—one man and two women, all exuding a cold, eerie aura—approached from afar.
Upon seeing them, especially the middle-aged woman leading the trio, Alice's expression changed in surprise.
"Instructor Claire! I can't believe I'd see her here!"
"Instructor Claire? Who's that?" Alicia looked at the woman, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.
"She's the youngest instructor at Saint Fusion Academy. Her strength is said to be within the academy's top five, and her intellect is just as remarkable. She's published several papers solving problems that baffled the entire continent… a duelist of both great power and wisdom."
"Wow, that amazing?"
As Alicia expressed her astonishment, Yuui—upon noticing the trio—immediately retreated into Alicia's Deck, hiding his presence completely.
His sudden action caught Alicia's attention. She immediately asked in her mind, "Yuui-san, what's wrong?"
"Be careful, Alicia. Those three… they've been possessed by the Three Sacred Beasts!"
"Wah!!!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]