The event began and continued as usual, boring and lifeless. The Host was a teacher who talked a lot and members of the Academy City Council were asked to give a speech and "impart their vast knowledge" to the new students.

​Quash’s brain had already gone to Mt. Fushigawa in the Eastern subcontinent for a hike. But he was pulled back when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked over and found Eleanor slightly leaning over. Quash sighed and sat up straight, he was literally slouched on the Throne, disregarding his drip completely.

​Who cares about looks when your mental health is taking a hit? But regardless, he lent his ear to Eleanor.

​"You shouldn’t sit like that, that’s very inelegant!"

​She said with a serious expression. Quash gave her a deadpan.

​"You think I’m some kind of princess?"

​"Shh-! Keep your voice down! What if the teachers hear!?"

​She hissed. Quash looked around for a moment before snorting.

​"They have been hearing from the moment you started talking. They don’t care."

​Quash said and pointed his thumb at a teacher who briefly turned their eyes towards them. As if surprised by Quash’s comment.

​"See?"

​Eleanor looked a bit uncomfortable. Likely not being able to comprehend such an idea. Where they are doing whatever they want in front of authority.

​But Quash briefly looked over to the Top 3. And his eyes met with the Vampire Princess again. He ignored her and studied the 3rd Rank. He really looked similar to Eleanor. Well, only has the same features. Golden Hair and Eyes.

​He leaned over to Eleanor while pointing at the dude who was busy trying to think of a way to strike up a conversation with the Vampire Princess.

​"Is he your brother?"

​"Pointing at people is rude, Quash! And yes. He is. He is my little brother. I’m older than him by 3 months."

​Quash was looking at the brother with a weird gaze. His expression also weird. But Eleanor didn’t notice and sighed.

​"He has been fascinated by the Princess since he had seen her on her 15th birthday. He has been trying to capture her heart since. I mean who wouldn’t? Even a Prince from another continent is after her. Pursuing her openly. And who knows how many high-status people are after her? Honestly, I’m worried about his future."

​"Rather than worrying about his future, you should worry about his mental health. That dude looks gone."

​At Quash’s comment, Eleanor couldn’t help but sigh. Looks like they were aware of it as well.

​"Imperial Father even sent a marriage proposal between them. Even though he knew it would not be accepted, just to show Shwan that they can’t be together and as a reality check but... sigh~."

​Eleanor expressed her worry. Quash could feel the care she had for him. Even though they may not be from the same mother since he didn’t think kids are born with a 3 month difference from the same mother.

​But the world is weird, anything is possible. So who knows?

​Quash felt the Vampire Princess’s eyes on him, she was clearly interested in him for some reason. It wasn’t romantic by any means. It was more like amusement. She looked bored. So maybe she finds his attitude refreshing or something?

​Quash didn’t really care what she thought of him.

​What he cared about was...

​’Can I get her as my Workshop’s sponsor somehow?’

​He couldn’t help but think internally. He locked eyes with her for the second time with a small smile on his face before he chuckled and looked away.

​Eleanor of course noticed it. She was looking back and forth, wondering what did she just see?

​She looked over again and found the Vampire Princess smiling a little as well then looked back at the stage. Her eyes widening slowly in some spiritual realisation.

​But before she could be enlightened, Quash chopped her head lightly.

​"What weird thing are you thinking?"

​Eleanor grumbled without saying anything. She just sat straight again. Her elegance returning. Making Quash impressed.

​"You know that she is the beloved Daughter of the Strongest Human Empire right?"

​Alicia suddenly chimed in. Her eyes glaring at Quash. Making him really wonder what did he do to her? He gets that he may have punched her in the face and split her in two with a chain, but hey! That was fair play! And also inside a Virtual Space!

​He couldn’t understand where this hate was coming from nor did he want to at the moment. Her existence served no purpose to him at the moment. So she could hate him all she wants. But he still answered her.

​"Yes?"

​Quash’s answer made both Alicia and Eleanor, who was pretending not to listen, stunned a bit. Unable to find a retort, Alicia turned her head away.

​Quash shrugged his shoulders in amusement at her antics. Silence returned in that section of the Throne lines. The speeches from the old fogeys continued. Quash didn’t know how long it would be before he was given rewards. He already had an item he wanted. So he couldn’t wait to get his hands on it.

​"By the way Quash, are you and the Princess close?"

​"Huh?"

​Quash was interrupted mid monologue once again. He looked over to her Throne and his, the distance was barely a foot. He wondered what this girl was talking about.

​"Not me idiot! I’m talking about her! The Vampire Princess! You two made eye contact, even smiled at each other. I’ve never seen her smile, let alone at a boy. I heard she is totally indifferent to the opposite gender!"

​"Maybe because she is a lesbian?"

​Eleanor: "..."

​Alicia: "..."

​Quash: "..."

​"Just what is wrong with this guy?"

​Alicia said with a very displeased voice. Even the ever so Elegant Eleanor shook her head in disbelief.

​"What?"

​Quash asked confused. He didn’t understand why they were reacting like that. If a woman is indifferent to men, isn’t it common sense that she may be interested in women? Are the Elite children that innocent? Or was he the vile one?

​"Anyway, no. We are not. I don’t even know her name."

​Quash said as he rested his head on his hand. Although Alicia didn’t believe him and thought he was lying, this was something Eleanor could believe. Or even expect from Quash.

​Regardless of what they thought, the ceremony continued. And it was time for Saffron Fruma to appear. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

​The wait was over. Quash could take his reward and go back to the Inn. He sat at attention because this old man deserved respect.