Noah Beselion played a massive role in the original work.

This novel is a tragedy disguised as a romance fantasy.

The titillating relationship between the two leads changes greatly after the female protagonist’s coming-of-age ceremony.

On that day, demonic beasts that had long been reduced to mere bogeymen to scare children thanks to the efforts of previous generations, invaded the empire.

The reason the chaotic situation could be quickly resolved was thanks to the Blue Falcon Knight Order directly under the imperial family, to which Noah belonged.

Of course, Noah played the most active role. During the first attack of the demonic beasts, Noah was the first to grasp the situation and cut down a demonic beast, allowing the situation to be quickly resolved without major casualties.

Thanks to Noah’s continued activity afterwards, the empire was able to defeat the demonic beasts even faster than expected.

Living up to the nickname “Mad Dog of the Temple”, it was Nigel who caused the demonic beasts to rampage, and the novel ends with Noah slaying the mad dog Nigel.

All of this was due to his efforts after confirming his love with the female lead and joining the imperial knight order to undergo harsh training.

Not Sienna, which was at best an academy level no matter how prestigious.

‘…Why exactly?’

Why did he come to Sienna instead of joining the Blue Falcons like in the original work?

Why?

I thought everything would work out if only the variable and villain – myself – was removed.

Unanswerable questions chained together and dominated Nigel’s mind.

“Are you… alright?”

A gentle voice came from above.

It was too careful and warm to be the voice of one who would slay tens of thousands of demonic beasts.

“No… I’m not alright.”

Where did things go wrong?

What was it…? What could it be…?

Was it quietly hiding in Tillin instead of being dragged to the temple, needlessly evading the temple’s eyes for 17 years?

Nurturing the dream of attending the imperial academy despite being an orphan?

Or… being born into a novel?

“Don’t tremble. It’s alright, there are no signs of anything around here.”

He mistakenly thought Nigel was afraid there might be beasts nearby.

Not realizing she feared your very existence before her eyes.

“Why are you here…”

“I like the forest, that’s why.”

A coat still warm with body heat was draped over Nigel’s shoulders.

As he said he liked the forest, a faint cool forest scent could be smelled from the coat.

The scent of Tillin… it was Tillin’s scent.

…Blink, blink.

At the familiar and longed-for scent, Nigel’s eyes regained focus.

“I’m glad you seem to have regained your composure. Don’t worry, nothing happened.”

Noah met her gaze and gave a slight eye smile.

Noah’s words were right.

Nothing had happened yet.

Not the demonic beasts attacking the empire, not the whole empire becoming a wasteland, none of it had happened yet.

There was still time left.

Nigel, having come to her senses, lowered the high heels she had been holding up and stuffed them back onto her feet.

The throbbing pain that flooded in simultaneously pulled Nigel fully back to reality.

‘…Allen!’

Only then did she remember her promise with Allen.

Allen would still be waiting for her in front of that wretched golden dragon statue.

Dong. Dong.

In the distance, 7 bell tolls rang faintly. She had overshot the promised time by a full 30 minutes.

Feeling urgent, Nigel addressed Noah.

“Are you a new student?”

“…Huh? Yes.”

Noah’s eyes widened at Nigel’s suddenly changed attitude.

“Then do you know where the banquet hall is? Let’s go together if you’re headed that way. Ah, nevermind if you’re here because you don’t want to go to the party.”

“No, I’ll… go with you.”

“Good. Oh, and thanks for the coat.”

Nigel took off the jacket from her shoulders and handed it back to Noah.

“And please keep what just happened a secret.”

Nigel unconsciously held out her right pinky finger.

It was a habit picked up at the orphanage.

Noah hesitated before linking his finger with Nigel’s expressionless face.

“…?!”

“…?!”

And they simultaneously pulled their hands away, as if on cue.

Noah’s eyes flashed with wonder, while Nigel’s flashed with fear and realization.

“Where on earth is Nigel?”

Allen looked around at the base of the golden dragon statue.

More than 10 minutes had passed since the clock tower bell rang 7 times, but there was no sign of Nigel anywhere.

“I should have listened to Sebastian. I really should have said to meet at the main gate instead of the statue…”

He had known Nigel was directionally challenged since their first meeting, but he didn’t think it would be this bad.

The golden dragon statue was prominently located in the plaza just a short walk from the entrance. It would be harder not to find it.

By this point, all sorts of thoughts were running through Allen’s mind – had something happened to Nigel on the way? Was she lost and wandering around?

“Well… I’m sure nothing serious has happened!”

Allen smiled as he thought of his straightforward friend who always spoke her mind, effortlessly carrying that heavy luggage.

Besides, Sienna was plastered with protective barriers from the imperial mages, to the point where there were jokes that Sienna was even safer than the imperial palace, so nothing major could have happened.

“…Huh? Isn’t that Allen?”

“I think it is.”

Just then, a group of four boys approached Allen. Allen vaguely recalled exchanging brief greetings with them about a month ago.

“We saw you at the New Year’s party, right? It’s even nicer to see you here.”

“How is your father doing?”

“Hey, why are you asking that? Of course he’s doing well. Everything he touches turns to gold.”

“True. Be sure to give him our regards.”

They were too busy giggling and chattering amongst themselves to notice Allen’s stiff expression.

“But why are you here… Don’t tell me you’re waiting for someone?”

“Wow− Allen, I can’t believe you’re actually waiting for someone. How surprising.”

“Come on, why don’t you come in with us? The party’s about to start anyway.”

“That’s a good idea. We have so much to talk about that we couldn’t at the New Year’s party!”

“No, I…”

They grabbed Allen’s shoulders without asking for his opinion.

‘I should have exercised more like Sebastian said…!’

Allen thought of the resolution he always made but never followed through on, as he was weakly dragged into the banquet hall.

When he came to his senses, Allen found himself surrounded by people. They were all busy asking after his parents.

Although it was said to be a party for students to socialize, it wasn’t much different from a social gathering. People flocked to those who could benefit them.

‘Nigel. When are you coming…!’

Allen, who usually enjoyed being the center of attention under the colorful lights of the chandeliers in the grand and beautiful party hall, found the party tedious today.

He missed Nigel, whose attitude didn’t change even after seeing his outward appearance and wealth, unlike those who approached him for ulterior motives.

When they received no response from Allen despite trying to engage him in conversation, they started to read the mood and began chattering about recent successful business ventures and happenings in high society.

As Allen was sipping his few glasses of tart fruit ade, a hush fell over the previously bustling banquet hall.

The cause was a man who appeared in the middle of the hall.

With hair grown long to his waist being the first thing to catch the eye, he was Widrun, known as the Sage of the Continent and the Dean of Sienna Academy.

“To our newly enrolled students, and to our current students gracing this occasion, I sincerely welcome and bless you all.”

Snap!

As Widrun snapped his fingers with a crisp sound, a fresh scent of roses suddenly enveloped the hall.

“Look up!”

At someone’s shout, everyone raised their heads.

White rose petals were fluttering down from the ceiling, scattering in all directions.

“Wow. It’s so beautiful…”

“Are these real?”

A tall boy reached his hand up towards the ceiling to touch the petals.

“…No. They disappear when I touch them!”

“It’s a large-scale magic circle. For this scale, it would have either drained someone’s magic to near death, or required a fist-sized magic stone.”

The girl standing next to the boy explained with a serious face.

As the magic petals faded away and sighs of disappointment broke out here and there, Widrun opened his mouth again.

“White roses carry the meaning of new beginnings. I hope all of our students starting this semester will approach each day with a fresh mindset. And… although this old man was originally planning to step out around now, there is one piece of celebratory news that cannot be easily passed over.”

Widrun smiled gently as he looked at the varied faces of the students.

“For the first time in a long while, we have a perfect scorer on the entrance exam.”

The atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted once again at Widrun’s words.

“Of course it must be a new student in our politics department.”

“Naturally. Our department is on a different level from those kids who are nothing without magic and swords. It’s all about ‘this’.”

A girl tapped her finger against her head.

“Wow~ They say empty wagons make the most noise, but here we have kids who don’t even know the first thing about magic running their mouths. Do you know how delicate the work of controlling magic is?”

“You get it? They probably think it’s easy because they’ve only used magical tools. As expected of the politics department, they only think about themselves.”

“Oh my, is the magic department so great that you won silver at last year’s thesis competition with a paper on magical tools?”

As arguments broke out simultaneously in various spots as if on cue, the new students looked on blankly wondering what was going on, while the students carrying swords watched the situation silently with disgruntled expressions.

“Now, now. Everyone, please be quiet. Would the new student with the perfect score please come forward?”

About a minute passed. But no one came forward to Widrun.

“Oh dear, did I put too much pressure on you? It’s alright, don’t be shy, please come out comfortably.”

BANG!!

Just then, a loud noise came from the doors of the banquet hall.