The experiment class, held under the guise of open exchange, ended with the bell. The white-haired girl packed her equipment and sighed.

Her results were utterly disastrous.

While most students proudly showed off their masterpieces, Moyu Manatsu could only present a blob of static.

"Lunorette, are you running a fever today...?"

"Luno-chan, did you eat something weird...?"

Facing her two friends' horrified stares, Moyu Manatsu didn’t want this either.

A dunce is a dunce; it really can’t be helped.

Even in Lunorette’s body, Moyu Manatsu remained herself. She could never become Lunorette.

In contrast, her companion Wensidia excelled. Handing her finished magic crystal to the professor, she earned expected praise.

Yet Chief Student Lunorette, hailed by all, presented only static...

"Even geniuses have off days..."

Most thought so.

With Lunorette’s strength, this shouldn’t happen. Most believed it was a slip-up, not intentional.

Only one disagreed: Theos, the academy’s perpetual runner-up. He watched the white-haired girl silently, deep in thought.

"It was the same recently. Like she became someone else—her basic combat style changed. And now... Lunorette, who exactly are you? Or rather, who is this person?"

His eyes seemed to see through everything. Yet Moyu Manatsu, at the center, knew nothing...

"You seem off, Lunorette."

Wensidia spoke to her for the first time after class.

Moyu Manatsu felt awkward. Using Lunorette’s body to cause this mess, Lunorette would surely make her pay later. Now the princess approached her first—stress mounted.

"Yes, I’m very sorry..."

Her work was beyond saving, dragging down both their scores. Guilt pricked at her.

"It’s fine. Even a genius is still human."

Wensidia didn’t mind the result. Her serene smile shone like the sun, bright as tomorrow’s sunrise.

"Besides, I’m already surprised you achieved this much today. This little thing isn’t a big deal to me."

Moyu didn’t fully grasp the princess’s meaning but was grateful she overlooked the mistake.

After packing up, Wensidia left the classroom. Moyu tidied up and escaped the heavy atmosphere.

"Lunorette."

Wensidia called out again.

"I truly admire you. You have nothing, yet you’re stronger than anyone. You obtain what others cannot. You’re exceptional. As a student and as the empire’s princess, I want you."

The girl’s tone was serious, without a hint of flattery, stating her thoughts directly.

"I invite you again: join the student council and serve me, Lunorette."

Wensidia extended her right hand, smiling, watching the stunned girl.

Moyu Manatsu knew Lunorette’s excellence. Having occupied her body, she knew Lunorette’s strength was incomparable.

Such an outstanding person—anyone would want her. Especially an empire’s princess. A capable subordinate would greatly benefit her future rule.

But...

Moyu Manatsu was Moyu Manatsu. She wasn’t Lunorette. She couldn’t decide for her.

"Sorry, senior Wensidia."

In the end, she made the other show regret.

"I’m not suited for the student council."

Moyu Manatsu preferred simplicity. If possible, she’d stay a shut-in forever—if not for the body swap.

"I’ll be back."

With those words, Wensidia left. Her expression was probably grim, Moyu thought.

Watching the student council president go, Moyu adjusted her collar ribbon and prepared to leave.

"Senior Lunorette~!"

A petite figure rushed at her, hugging and rubbing against her. Rarely touched by girls, Moyu blushed furiously and pushed the head away.

"Josephine, men and women shouldn’t be too close!"

This underclassman Josephine adored Lunorette but was overly enthusiastic.

"Senior, what nonsense are you saying?"

Josephine shook her head.

"Aren’t you a girl? What’s wrong with girls hugging?"

Well, she was right.

Moyu had overreacted.

But... Moyu’s soul was male...

"Ahem, Josephine, don’t hug suddenly next time. You’ll scare people to death."

"Oh, okay. But senior, you seemed off today... Ah, not badmouthing you! Even amazing seniors like you have accidents. I used to fail magic all the time. This is nothing big!"

She came to comfort her...

Such a good kid.

A bit airheaded and naturally cute, but truly kind.

I really want her as a girlfriend. Moyu Manatsu couldn’t help but think that.

Rockefeller Academy was four-year. Josephine was a freshman, a minor noble’s daughter with average grades. She adored Chief Student Lunorette.

That was all Moyu knew. To her, the girl wasn’t exceptional—but that made her feel real.

This girl was like Moyu Manatsu—ordinary. But Josephine worked harder to chase excellence.

"Josephine, thank you. But I’m fine. Don’t forget who I am."

After thinking, Moyu decided to keep playing Lunorette’s role.

"Right! Senior Lunorette is a genius. How could she fall from one failure? I won’t give up either!"

"Don’t suddenly get fired up. That’s straight out of a shonen manga protagonist’s lines..."

"Eh? What does that mean, senior?"

"No, nothing. Forget it."

As they spoke, Caina and Saria emerged from class. They exchanged puzzled glances.

"Lunorette, do you know this kid?" Saria pointed at Josephine.

"Yes, this is Josephine Leotier, a freshman. Josephine, these are my friends."

"N-nice to meet you! I’m Josephine Leotier!"

Josephine seemed very nervous. Understandable—Saria and Caina were top students with legendary tales.

"Such a cute junior~ When did Luno-chan start kidnapping people~?" Caina teased.

"Don’t say such scary things..."

Moyu silently mocked the young lady Caina.

Seeing it was late, Moyu suggested:

"Josephine, let’s have lunch together. My treat."

Anyway, it was Lunorette’s money. She might as well splurge, Moyu thought.

"Eh, really? I..."

"Of course! Since you’re Lunorette’s friend, you’re mine too~" Saria chimed in.

"Having a cute junior isn’t bad, right Luno-chan~?" Caina added.

"Then let’s go."

Unconsciously, Moyu Manatsu had made friends in this other world. Even as Lunorette, she truly felt friendship’s warmth.

Perhaps this world was more interesting than her original one. Unnoticed by herself, in this world without internet, she hadn’t even thought about gaming.

After the four left, a blonde girl silently watched their backs. She emerged slowly from behind a stone pillar.

Her gaze fixed on the white-haired girl—her expression, her eyes, the slight curve of her lips—everything etched into her mind.

Only when they vanished did she sigh and turn away.

The midday sun was fierce. Scorching earth burned through boots. Under harsh light, the girl shaded her eyes and walked toward the small grove opposite.

The academy was large enough for a lunchtime stroll. Yet it couldn’t erase the morning’s events.

"Lunette Orpheus..."

Wensidia murmured the name, feeling strange emotions. After finally sharing a class, she gained nothing. The other had no interest.

But she really wanted to get closer—even just as senpai and kouhai...

It was impossible. Wensidia knew that well.

If a Hero truly existed in this world, please come help me.

The girl had walked enough and wanted to change paths. Suddenly, rustling came from the grove.

Wensidia tensed instantly, drawing her dagger, alert all around. The noise grew louder, strange sounds echoing.

She swallowed hard. Unease spread in her chest. Not knowing who it was, she dared not act rashly.

"Meow~"

As her nerves tightened, a cat crawled out of the grass and walked past her.

"What was that? Overreacting..."

She sighed in relief. Getting tense over such a small thing—was she too stressed lately?

However, a dark presence suddenly attacked from behind. Her wary expression came too late. The moment she turned...

The black-clad man struck with a hand chop. Wensidia’s consciousness blurred. In her last moment, she saw his eerie smile...