After spending a pleasant time with her family, Li had completely recovered from that little shock… or so she believed.

Today as well, she was attending classes at the Academy in high spirits.

Days heavy with lecture-based study were dull.

After all, Li had already completed the foundational level and was even studying specialized courses.

It was simply the result of following her curiosity wherever it led.

That did not mean there was nothing new to learn.

Several years had passed since she last studied certain fields.

The Academy properly incorporated the latest knowledge.

So Li listened to the lectures earnestly.

Just as the day was drawing to a close—

“Li Earlychar Karasebed Quewa.”

The male instructor’s drawn-out voice echoed through the classroom.

Being called by her full name was long and cumbersome, so Li suggested he simply call her Li.

“Mmm, I’ll think about it.”

The instructor brushed her off lightly.

“More importantly, about that application you submitted the other day—”

At those words, every girl in the classroom turned their gaze toward him.

“You’ve received approval from the Headmaster. Starting today, you may use the room on the third floor of the annex building.”

The classroom erupted in cheers.

The instructor handed the key to Li.

“We did it, Lady Li!”

Alberta rushed over.

“Li Onee-sama!”

For some reason, Patricia spun around in place.

“At last, our Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross begins!”

The Saint seemed even more enthusiastic than Li had expected.

“Muuh. That’s unfair, Li!”

The one who poured cold water over the girls’ joy, as usual, was the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, it is not only Lady Li. If Your Highness submits an application for your own extracurricular activity, that would suffice.”

Alberta responded calmly.

However, her expression was clearly frosty.

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted sharply.

“Then! Let us also apply for an extracurricular activity of our own!”

At the Crown Prince’s declaration, his entourage responded with a chorus of “Oh!”

On the other hand, some boys quickly averted their eyes.

They were the boys not part of his entourage.

To apply for a new extracurricular activity, at least ten participants were required.

There were exactly ten boys in this class.

In other words, unless all of them joined, they would need to recruit participants from other classes.

The four boys outside the entourage avoided eye contact for reasons tied to their families.

They had been instructed from home to join specific activities.

“Hey! You guys will join too, right?”

The one designated Red called out to the boys looking away.

“Sorry, but we can’t give an immediate answer.”

“Well, that’s understandable. Each of them likely has matters dictated by their respective houses.”

Blue showed understanding, but the Crown Prince shattered that calm at once.

“Whyyy is that?!”

He likely meant to ask why, but his words tumbled over themselves.

“Your Highness, they have their own circumstances.”

“No, I—the Crown Prince—am saying I will create a new extracurricular activity! Would that not be a splendid opportunity for them as well?”

In a sense, his words were not entirely wrong.

However, the nobility of the kingdom was not a single, unified block.

There were others besides the Crown Prince who held rights of succession.

Without naming names, there happened to be an incomparably beautiful girl with slightly bluish silver hair and aqua-blue eyes.

At present, however, the Crown Prince held a considerable lead over any rivals.

The title of Crown Prince carried weight, but it was not absolute.

“Your Highness speaks reasonably. However, as they have obligations to their families, they cannot respond immediately.”

“Then if I ask tomorrow, I shall receive a favorable answer?”

At that question as well, the boys looked away.

Their families were high-ranking nobles.

Depending on official duties, some might even be away from the Royal Capital.

Others might be focused on managing their territories.

So if today was impossible, that did not mean tomorrow would be feasible.

“Now, now, Your Highness. They aren’t saying they won’t participate. Let’s reach out to other classes as well.”

Green spoke in a somewhat familiar tone.

He was the Crown Prince’s milk brother^[1].

“You’re still unfair, Li!”

Perhaps he could not ignore Green’s words.

In any case, his irritation shifted toward Li.

Watching the Crown Prince sulk and complain, the light faded from Li’s eyes.

[1] Milk brother = Same wet nurse growing up