The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy

The class was boring as usual.

It was nothing that could get me interested in since I already had knowledge about the things the professor was currently teaching us.

The mana flow theory.

"Yawn..."

I let the sound slip out softly, not even bothering to hide it anymore.

"Someone's not paying attention~"

A gentle voice whispered from beside me.

I turned my head slightly and met a pair of vivid green eyes.

Maria.

Her long green hair was tied lazily to the side, some strands falling freely to frame her warm, smiling face. She had this relaxed, almost untamed charm—like she belonged barefoot in a field of sunlight and wind, not stuck inside a classroom.

"Sorry, Maria," I muttered with a smirk, "didn't know you were a fan of mana theory lectures."

She leaned in a little closer, whispering to me in a teasing tone.

"I'm not. But watching you slowly die from boredom is entertaining enough."

I chuckled lightly.

"Glad I could provide the show."

Her eyes sparkled.

"You always do."

I didn't respond, but I could feel the warmth of her presence next to me.

She had that kind of effortless energy—like the kind of girl who'd drag you into a river just for fun and then complain when you didn't smile enough.

I liked that about her.

And yeah… I knew.

She liked me.

It wasn't just friendly teasing.

Her glances lingered too long, her smiles were too soft, and different when they were meant for me.

And I…

I wasn't sure what to do with that.

Because there was also Mia.

I really care about them—both of them—but of course, my love debts are too expansive. I've already got three lovers in the capital.

There's even Alaine back in the hotel, although our relationship isn't exactly confirmed, and Christina, who should be heading to another academy right at this moment.

So yeah, I don't think accepting all of them could be a good choice.

That would make me have... seven lovers... without including my fake relationship with Ella.

Oh...

There's also Rose... damn it.

That would make... nine in total?

Nah.

There's still Vivian.

Fuck, this is just making the situation worse than before.

What should I do about them all?

I honestly don't know what to do about them.

"You're spacing out again." Maria nudged my elbow, breaking my thoughts.

"I'm allowed," I whispered back. "My brain's already three chapters ahead."

"Oh? Then maybe you should teach me later," she said, her lips curling slightly.

"Privately."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You trying to seduce your tutor?"

"What if I am?" She gave a playful wink.

I snorted quietly, unable to help the grin forming at the corner of my mouth.

But before I could reply—

"Mr. Aestrea?"

The professor's voice broke through the moment like a sword swing.

I glanced up lazily.

"Yes?"

"Could you tell me the purpose of stabilizing your mana core during a high-speed step technique?"

"This is what you get for flirting." Maria leaned in, whispering behind her hand.

I smiled at her words.

"To keep your guts from turning into mist when you land wrong," I finally answered in a voice loud enough for the class to hear.

A few students laughed.

"…Yes, but with less drama next time." The professor sighed, furrowing his eyebrows although he couldn't exactly hide his small smile.

I leaned back, shooting Maria a sideways look.

She grinned.

The professor droned on again, and the moment he turned his back to scribble more useless theories on the board, Maria leaned in once more.

"Hey," she whispered, brushing her green hair behind her ear. "Be honest… do you always answer questions like that? Or were you trying to sound hot on purpose?"

I glanced at her.

"Do I need to try?" I said with a smirk.

She blinked once, then huffed through a laugh.

"Cocky."

"Confident." I corrected.

"Same thing."

"Not when you can back it up."

Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to come up with a smart retort, but then she shook her head with a soft smile.

"Ugh, you're impossible."

"Many thanks."

We sat in silence for a few seconds before she poked me lightly with her pen.

"Alright, genius. What's the difference between a condensed mana spiral and a dispersed channel?"

I tilted my head, looking at her with curiosity.

"You really asking, or are you just trying to look interested?"

"Maybe both."

"Then mayhaps I'll answer if you treat me to lunch."

She gave me a sly look. "Bribery? I thought you were better than that."

"I never said I was good."

"You're definitely not," she said with a giggle.

"But you're still asking me out."

Maria clicked her tongue.

"Dammit. Caught."

I leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Flirting with me during class, trying to schedule private sessions, and now planning lunch? Someone's bold."

She leaned in closer, her breath almost touching my ear.

"I don't play fair," she whispered.

I turned my head slightly toward her, my lips curving lazily.

"Neither do I."

Her eyes widened just a little before she chuckled again, clearly flustered but trying to hide it. Her cheeks had a faint pink tint now.

Unfortunately, before she could fire another line—

RING~!

The bell echoed through the room like a liberation chant.

Class was over.

Students started packing up, buzzing with small talk and laughter as they moved to leave.

Maria stood up beside me, slinging her bag over one shoulder, her posture confident, her energy still dancing in the air.

"So," she said casually, brushing her bangs aside, "wanna grab lunch together? You know… just the two of us."

I blinked once at her words before replying directly.

"I'm sorry, but I already have plans."

Now, if I didn't have a date with Ella, I'd probably go with her. But unfortunately, I already had plans, so I had to refuse the free food.

Maria's lips parted—clearly surprised—but she masked it well.

"Ahh..."

"Thanks for the invite, though," I said, shouldering my bag without explaining further.

With who? She didn't ask.

And I didn't say.

Her gaze lingered on me for a second, then she smiled again, softer this time.

"Alright. Next time, then."

"Sure."

She gave me a wink, turned, and walked away. I stood there a moment longer, staring at the door she'd just walked out of.

She wasn't exactly angry, maybe just a little disappointed.

And that made something twist faintly in my chest.

'One of these days, I'm going to have to stop acting like this. I'll need to confront their feeling directly, but I hope that day... It's still far away.'

"Now... where is Ella?" I mumbled to myself.

Beep~

My phone rang.

I opened it and saw a message from Ella.

[I'll be waiting for you on a bench located in the center of the Academy.]

Seeing this, I turned around and headed towards the academy's central part. It took me about three minutes to get there.

Ella was already there.

Sitting on a bench beneath the shade of a flowering tree, her long silver hair fluttering softly in the breeze, catching the afternoon light like spun moonlight.

She turned as I approached, her soft light blue eyes locking onto mine.

"You're here," she said with a smile that seemed to have warmed her whole face.

I shrugged casually, slipping my hands into my pockets. "Would've been rude not to. Besides, I'm curious what kind of date a princess plans."

She blushed immediately, looking away.

"D-Don't say it like that."

I sat beside her, close enough to brush shoulders.

"You're the one who asked me out."

"It wasn't like that!" she insisted, flustered. "Besides, since we're together now, maybe… we could get to know each other better."

"Oh? And what would you like to know?" I leaned in, smiling softly.

She glanced at me from under her lashes.

"Anything you're willing to share."

"That's a dangerous answer, Princess." I chuckled at her words.

"I like danger," she whispered, surprising even herself.

I blinked as her eyes widened at her own response.

Then I smiled.

"You're full of surprises, Princess."

We both laughed softly.

Then an awkward silence settled for a moment.

Then, Ella pulled out a small basket she had kept tucked beside her, wrapped in a pale blue cloth.

"I made lunch."

I stared at it, then at her.

She turned red again.

"Don't look at me like that! I know it's probably not perfect, but I wanted to—"

I reached out and took the basket.

"Thank you," I said simply.

To my words, her expression quieted down, a small breath escaping her lips.

"You're welcome."

We opened it together, sitting on the bench like something out of a painted scene.

The food wasn't perfect, but it didn't matter.

It tasted good, especially coming from a Princess.

Between bites and light conversation, Ella's hand brushed mine once.

Then again. And the third time, I didn't let go.

And she didn't pull away either, making me able to feel her warm and delicate fingers interlacing with mine.

"Ella."

She glanced at me with a small smile.

"Mhmn?"

"Do you always fall for men with pretty faces?"

She looked down, smiled shyly.

"No… just you."

That hit harder than I expected.

I could even imagine a life with her, without the Emperor or the countless organizations trying to get my head.

A normal life.

But of course, reality was never so kind.

Not to mention that I'm rotten to my core, and although I don't want to admit it, my heart is always divided into multiple pieces.

Of course, some of them are already occupied. The only problem would be... them meeting each other...

And that's going to be a big problem, especially with both Yara and Zeva in the case.

'Eh... save that for my future self.'

Putting my thoughts aside, I kissed the back of her hand gently, teasingly.

And whispered, "Then I'll do my best to be worthy of that."

She turned crimson, hiding her face behind her other hand.

"Aestrea…"

I stood, brushing my coat.

"Well then, Princess. Where to next?"

Ella blinked, standing too.

"There's a lake nearby. It's quiet, and no one goes there."

"Oh? Trying to get me alone?"

She pouted.

"That's not what I—!"

I grinned.

"Relax. I'm just teasing you."

"Mhmpf."

Her cheeks puffed out.

...She's truly different when she's in love; it's completely different from her cold face that I'm habituated to.

It gives me flashbacks from the first time I met her.

She looked as shy as she is now.