I stared at the horizon in silence, my mind drifting, thinking about everything that had happened recently. Some of my classmates were whispering about the chaos that struck downtown and the worsening condition of the forest on the outskirts of the city. Of course, that was the attack that involved me and Sylvia.
As I began to doze off, drowsy and lost in thought, the chatter in the classroom suddenly fell silent.
"Hey, why is she here?"
"What's she doing!?"
I heard whispers from the other students, but I ignored them—probably just more gossip.
Just as I was about to lay my head on the desk, a loud thud shook the table.
"Bang!"
"Wake up, you lazy slacker!"
It was Sylvia!
What was she doing here?
"W-what are you doing here?"
"Hmm? Something wrong? I have something for you. Come with me," she said, grabbing me by the wrist.
She dragged me back up to the school rooftop. We talked and had lunch together—it felt almost like a date. At least until I joked about it and she pulled her massive sword on me again.
"Okay, okay! I was kidding! Put that thing down, please!"
"A new teacher will be coming to school."
"A teacher? How do you know that?"
"Are you clueless or just dumb? I'm Sylvia Forte. My family's name is known all over this city."
Right, of course. It's only natural for someone like her to get information early. She always used her family's influence to her advantage.
"So, what about this new teacher?"
"I don't know yet. But I'm asking you to stay alert. That person is still around here somewhere."
"You mean... Elizabeth?"
As I said her name, Sylvia instantly covered my mouth with her hand.
"Don't mention that name aloud," she whispered.
"We don't know who might be listening."
She had a point. As Saints, we had to stay vigilant.
"That's all. I think that's what I needed to tell you."
Tch. I guess I was hoping for something more.
"What? That face... Did you expect me to confess or something just because I brought you up here? Foolish!"
She was brutally honest.
Well, it's not like someone like me would stand a chance with someone like her.
"Nothing, I just thought today would go like any other day."
"Hey! Didn't I tell you to stay alert!? You always take my advice lightly!"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry!"
I returned to class and sat at my desk, staring at the ceiling again. It was a bright day. There's no way someone would attack right now... right?
I really hoped not.
"Hey Andri, what's your relationship with Princess Sylvia?"
A group of boys surrounded me, their faces full of jealousy.
"Relationship? Hmm... I wonder," I replied with a smug smile.
I was just teasing them. It was kind of fun to mess with them.
"You bastard! How dare you steal our school princess!"
"Princess?"
"Yes! That's what we call her out of admiration! She's noble, sweet, beautiful, and wise—she's perfect! But damn it, why is she close to someone like you!?"
They looked genuinely upset.
Just as they were closing in on me, the classroom door opened and the principal walked in—with a beautiful woman in glasses and a ponytail behind him. Could she be the teacher Sylvia mentioned?
Probably.
All the boys were instantly smitten. I had to admit, she was stunning. The glasses and mole beside her eye only made her more perfect.
"Hello everyone. My name is Raya Simon, and starting today, I'll be your new homeroom teacher."
I raised my hand and asked about our previous teacher.
"Your former teacher had an accident. He fell down the stairs and is currently hospitalized. But don't worry, he'll recover soon. Oh, by the way, Miss Raya here is an intern, so treat her kindly, okay?"
After the principal left, boys and girls started bombarding Miss Raya with questions—whether she had a boyfriend, how old she was, where she lived...
She answered all of them with a sweet smile.
But then, I noticed something strange—her eyes shifted toward me. Cold and sharp.
She walked straight up to me.
"Could you introduce yourself, please?"
"I'm Andri—Andri Brandt."
After I spoke, she turned to the rest of the class.
"Alright, everyone, let's all introduce ourselves too," she said with a bright smile.
I was confused. Did I do something weird? Or was it her who was strange? That look in her eyes… maybe I was just imagining things.
Miss Raya walked back to the front of the class, then looked back at me.
"Oh, Andri. Come to my office after class. I'd like a word with you."
"Okay…"
The other boys shot me murderous glares, as if I had stolen their treasure.
Later, I visited Miss Raya's office as instructed.
She was staring out the window, watching the clouds drift by.
"Lovely weather, isn't it?"
"Is there something wrong? Did I do something?" I asked.
"No. I just wanted to see you. Tell me… have you ever felt something strange inside you?"
"Strange?"
"Like… desire. And ego. Flooding through your body?"
"I don't know what you mean. I'm sorry, but I really need to go—"
"Alright then. Sorry for wasting your time. But one last thing—"
"Yes?"
"Be wary of those around you."
I left quickly. That was terrifying. It felt like she was trying to wrap herself around my body with her eyes. Something was wrong with her.
Could she be...?
"Andri!" Sylvia called out from behind.
"Sylvia? What is it—wait!"
She grabbed my arm and dragged me—again—to the rooftop.
This time, she was dead serious.
"What do you think about that new teacher?"
"Yeah! She's seriously weird."
"I knew it. It must be her! We need to make a plan."
"Hold on! If it's really her, why doesn't she have the same mark on her left hand like Elizabeth?"
"Was she wearing gloves?"
"No. And you can't just assume things. What if she's just an ordinary human?"
Sylvia stepped in close and grabbed my shirt.
"Remember. We have to take this risk. If you want to survive, follow my lead."
The next day, I went to school like usual. Sylvia asked me to distract Miss Raya.
I paid close attention during her lesson. She eventually noticed and stared back at me.
"So, Andri... what's your plan now?"
"Huh? Sorry…?"
"You're not listening? I said—what's your plan, Adam?"
One of my classmates suddenly lunged at me with a knife.
I dodged instinctively—barely. He collapsed right after. I kicked the knife away.
Then, the rest of the class stood up—unconscious but moving.
They were being controlled by something.
I spotted fine threads attached to their bodies.
"Damn it… she really is the one."
"Let's see it… summon your Servant!"
Rapid footsteps echoed from the hallway.
CRACK!
The walls and windows exploded. Jeanne d'Arc appeared, slicing the threads and freeing my classmates.
"Ohhh, you finally showed up, Jeanne d'Arc."
"Don't involve innocent people in our battle!"
"Sylvia!"