Saint, You Should Quit Smoking

Morning, with sunlight coming through the window.
I was organizing information about the Academy Special Class members. This work, for the imperial command of ensuring everyone’s successful graduation, had now become a daily routine every morning.
The subject I was currently writing about in the documents was the Sage, Adela Ciadelia.
[Immediate task: Seal the lips of the Sage who has learned the imperial secret]
I crossed out with two lines what I had written during my second meeting with the Sage. This task was now resolved.
Below that, I wrote a new sentence.
[Special note: The Sage’s abnormal level of affection towards me]
What could this be? Even after thinking deeply, I couldn’t find a proper answer.
I couldn’t understand what Adela saw in me to harbor such affection. I was a bit surprised when she said she fell in love at first sight, but there must be a reason.
My personal conjecture is that it might be connected to the cause of her being labeled a troublemaker.
I put down my quill pen and briefly relaxed my body. Though I record the progress made toward achieving my goals every morning, so far no significant results had emerged.
“The first priority would be to locate the Sword Star’s whereabouts.”
I’ve successfully silenced the Sage. And though I didn’t particularly intend it, considering that the Sage herself has affection for me, there should be no issues with our friendship.
Then the next task is to meet the Sword Star and assess her current situation.
Just as I was organizing my thoughts, there came a knock at the door.
“Your Highness. Are you inside?”
“What is it?”
“I’ve come to inform you of an announcement for the Special Class students from the Academy.”
“Enter.”
Soon the door opened, and the head maid approached silently.
She bowed deeply and spoke methodically.
“I’m relieved to see Your Highness’s complexion looking well.”
“Yes. So, what have you come to tell me?”
“Your Highness may not be aware as you’ve only recently transferred to the Academy. The Academy usually holds friendly duels around this time to verify students’ capabilities.”
Friendly duels, is it?
It probably doesn’t refer to friendly duels organized voluntarily by students.
“You mean the Academy directly organizes it. Then are the students who will duel selected by the Academy?”
“That’s precisely right. The Academy assigns appropriate opponents for each student by year. So originally, students don’t have the opportunity to choose their opponents themselves. However…”
The head maid stopped there, but I could sufficiently guess what would follow.
“For the Academy Special Class, it’s different. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
She quietly nodded.
“In the case of Special Class students, since each individual’s capabilities are outstanding and not suitable for regular students, assignments are made within the Special Class.”
“Hmm.”
So. Me, Rinet, Adela, and the Sword Star.
It means these four people have to engage in friendly duels.
The moment I recognized this fact, my mind started spinning rapidly.
This could possibly be an opportunity. An opportunity to easily solve the task I had just set.
Meeting the Sword Star.
I immediately confirmed the necessary details.
“Then, like other students, can’t the Special Class students choose their opponents themselves?”
“No. While we’ll need to discuss this further, my expectation is that if Your Highness wishes, you could directly choose your opponent.”
“I see.”
I nodded at those words. It was a satisfactory answer.
Finding the Sword Star, whose whereabouts are unknown, would be quite a struggle.
The better strategy would be to create a situation where the Sword Star has no choice but to meet me.
I also checked if the Sword Star might not participate.
“Can a student refuse the friendly duel if they don’t want it?”
“No. This is something all students must participate in, so there’s no right of refusal.”
The head maid then pointed out what she knew I was curious about.
“In case the Sword Star doesn’t appear, the headmaster said he would personally ensure her participation.”
“Hmm.”
That’s reassuring. If Kunimunt personally seeks her out, even the Sword Star couldn’t avoid it.
And one more thing. I added an additional request to the head maid.
“And head maid.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Can you inform me about competitions or incidents occurring outside the Academy?”
“Outside the Academy, you say?”
“Yes.”
While events inside the Academy, like the friendly duels the head maid just mentioned, would be more convenient.
‘Since Rinet personally requested it.’
Remembering her desire to go outside the Academy, I mentioned this to the head maid.
Since I can’t employ servants to gather information, it’s appropriate to entrust her with it instead.
“Understood. If there’s anything outside that might be helpful to Your Highness, I’ll record it and let you know.”
“Good. You may leave now.”
“Yes.”
I dismissed the head maid and decided on my next destination.
Rinet and Adela. I needed to meet and talk with them.
To instruct them on what stance the Special Class should take in these friendly duels.

Bardishe Bar.
Perhaps there were lingering effects from when I punished the Northerner that day. The number of students had decreased slightly, and the noise also diminished when I entered.
Disregarding such reactions, I approached Adela. The hooded woman, recognizing my visit, waved her hand slightly at me.
“What brings you here?”
For someone who had acted drunk again the previous day, she seemed quite normal. The honey-like resonance could be felt in her voice as usual.
It seemed she had regained her composure now.
“Have you heard the news about the friendly duels?”
“Ah. That.”
Though it was dim inside the hood, Adela appeared to smile slightly.
“I didn’t want to do it because it’s troublesome, but the head maid informed me that participation is mandatory. Is there a problem?”
“I’ll be straightforward.”
I looked directly at her and said.
“We should aim for a draw.”
“Pardon?”
To Adela, who tilted her head at my words, I repeated what I had told Rinet before coming here.
The graduation condition for the Special Class is an achievement system.
For events like friendly duels where achievement is demonstrated, it’s better to avoid poor performance even if good results aren’t necessary.
And since we are each other’s duel opponents, the best approach is a draw where neither party incurs a loss.
Additionally, as I had previously told Rinet, I asked her to participate in the task I was proposing for all Special Class members.
After carefully listening to everything, Adela answered without hesitation.
“Alright.”
“…”
I was the one whose mouth closed at her answer, given without a moment’s hesitation.
She then supplemented her thoughts.
“Well, intentionally defeating someone in a duel isn’t really my style anyway. If Your Highness wishes for it, I see no reason not to comply.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
I was somewhat moved by how readily she trusted and followed me.
Though she had been troublesome in some ways, the fact that she wasn’t causing headaches in such matters was unexpected but not unpleasant.
However.
“S-so…”
“Yes?”
At that moment, Adela hesitated. The earlier honey-flowing, relaxed attitude was gone, and she was quite hesitant.
“Is something the matter?”
“…Can I drink?”
“I can’t hear you clearly. I apologize, but could you please repeat that?”
At my urging, Adela took a deep breath. Though I couldn’t see inside the hood, I could guess her face had turned crimson.
“A-ah, would it be okay if I drink alcohol by your side from now on?”
“…”
Suddenly.
She was asking me if she could drink alcohol by my side, which left me puzzled.
Seeing my silence, Adela quickly continued, seemingly anxious.
“The day I visited Your Highness’s room. I couldn’t resist and drank again, ending up acting drunk again, which was truly shameful.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“I don’t want to be disrespectful to Your Highness, but suppressing my desire to drink is also too painful…”
With that, Adela bowed to me. It was an attitude unthinkable for a Sage who stands on an equal position with me.
Flustered, I quickly rose from my seat to stop her. Although the identity of the person inside the hood wouldn’t be known, I was severely concerned about the gazes of other students in the bar.
“Sage. Please calm down.”
“How could I!”
Adela’s shrill cry echoed. Though I couldn’t see behind me, I could feel the students’ gazes shifting towards us.
Regardless, Adela grabbed my collar and shook it. Simultaneously, she shouted at me as if bearing a grudge.
“I thought five glasses would be fine, but I got drunk! I’m gradually losing my heart to Your Highness!”
“Your voice is too loud, Sage. First, please calm down.”
“Now I can’t break away from Your Highness’s side! I can’t give up either alcohol or Your Highness!”
-Who is that person?
-I don’t know. But it seems she’s got something going on with the Prince?
-How long has he been at the Academy, and he’s already got a woman? Really, that’s the imperial family for you.
Adela’s cries echoing throughout the bar and the whispers of students from behind.
I ended up feeling dizzy.
‘It seems she enjoys giving me trouble.’
I just hope the Sword Star isn’t like this.

The day of the friendly duel.
I hurriedly walked towards Bardishe Hall, where the matches were being held. I had just finished running simulations on how to deal with the Sword Star when I met her.
Based on my encounters with the other two Special Class members so far, I had an intuition that the Sword Star would also be an extraordinary individual.
And I didn’t ignore my intuition but diligently prepared plans. I wouldn’t be flustered by any unusual situation.
As I reached the entrance, a professor standing guard there spoke to me.
“Welcome. It’s my first time meeting you, Prince.”
“Yes.”
“If you go inside, you’ll see dedicated waiting seats for Special Class students. Please wait there.”
“Have the Saint and Sage’s duel not started yet?”
“That’s correct. For your reference, the seats in the waiting room are appropriately arranged for students appearing from the left and right sides. Please be aware.”
I nodded and passed by the professor to enter.
As the professor had said, upon entering, I could immediately identify the location of the waiting room used exclusively by the Special Class. I moved towards it without delay.
‘Since Rinet and Adela’s match is first, the Sword Star should be waiting now.’
I felt a bit nervous at the thought of finally seeing the Sword Star’s face.
The fact that I was becoming slightly anxious, unlike my usual self, was because the Special Class classmates I had met so far were such extraordinary individuals.
The smoking Saint, Rinet.
The drinking Sage, Adela.
If even the Sword Star had some quirk, it would be quite painful for my heart, despite its dullness.
I arrived at the waiting room. Upon entering, one side was open, offering a clear view of the dueling ground.
In the distance, I could see Rinet and Adela preparing to enter the dueling ground.
But, first, let’s meet the Sword Star.
I shook my head and looked for the Sword Star. The headmaster said he would personally ensure her participation, so she should be here.
Since I was to appear from the left side, the Sword Star should be sitting in the chair corresponding to the right side. I directed my gaze to the right-side chair.
However, no one was there.
“Hmm?”
For a moment, I was slightly confused and turned my head again. Why isn’t the person assigned to appear from the right side in their seat?
Perhaps the headmaster failed to bring the Sword Star. Just as I was thinking that.
I discovered where the Sword Star was.
The left-side chair. The very seat I was supposed to sit in.
The Sword Star was sleeping in it.
“…”
Only breathing sounds echoed in the quiet waiting room.
Hush- hush-
No, to be precise, she wasn’t dozing off but sleeping deeply.
Why on earth was a small-framed girl in deep slumber in the seat I was supposed to sit in? Surely she must have been told to be careful about the seating.
To begin with, how could she fall into such a peaceful sleep when the duel was about to start? It was incomprehensible.
Silver hair that gleamed white like fallen snow. And though they were closed now, silver pupils barely distinguishable from the whites of her eyes.
That was my first meeting with the Sword Star, Silvia Isolde.
“…”
It was also a meeting where I realized that any plan crumbles in the face of overwhelming absurdity.