At this very moment, every student from first-year Class Five of the Swordsmanship Academy at Sanctum University—gathered for the Theology Day lecture—was utterly astonished.

Most hailed from families of status and influence, far from ordinary commoners.

They all recognized the holy maiden glimpsed long ago at Creation Square on New Year’s Day:

Christine, Vestal Candidate serving under the Third Cardinal Bishop, Ron.

True, though they held high standing in Saint Louis, few besides Siman had ever stood this close to Christine.

Let alone someone like Hale, casually exchanging words with her.

After the initial shock, strange expressions surfaced—jealousy twisting faces beyond recognition.

Especially Lenny, who’d suspected Hale’s clash with the Church yesterday involved Christine.

He couldn’t accept it.

Absolutely not.

This was a scene straight out of hell—Satan walking among mortals!

“No… impossible. Why is Hale talking to Christine? Maybe it’s about his father…”

Lenny clung desperately to that thought.

Siman’s expression turned complex. Yesterday, Hale had been evasive. She’d assumed he’d spoken disrespectfully to Christine. But now?

The maiden stood beside Hale with a poised smile. Even Maria had never been this near to Christine.

Though approachable, the Vestal Candidate—epitome of purity—rarely interacted with men.

Perhaps they discussed mundane things: Christine asking Hale to greet his father, or Lorin’s stellar grades earning her Vestal Candidate candidacy last month.

That was why Siman had warned Hale. Any misstep harming Lorin’s path would be a grave loss for House Faxius.

But the real question returned: Had Hale not been late… but invited by Christine yesterday?

Because Christine now stood in the auditorium.

Had it all been arranged the day before?

For a fleeting second, Siman’s breath hitched.

She gripped her skirt hem, eyes locked fiercely on the distant pair.

…

Everyone had pieced together most of the story.

But Hale himself felt deeply uneasy.

He’d been heading to class under his umbrella when Christine and Maria intercepted him.

Christine had Maria call him over. They proceeded straight to the auditorium—refusing would’ve been awkward anyway.

Yet he wondered: Why was Christine paying him attention?

Yesterday, she’d even mentioned dating him.

Could she know about his ability to replenish mana?

He had to find out. His safety depended on it.

Beside him, Maria watched him like a dangerous threat.

“Regarding yesterday’s matter, Baron Hale—have you decided?”

“Yesterday’s matter?”

Hale shot Maria a glance, feigning confusion at Christine’s words.

Maria’s wary stare screamed: *What did Lady Christine say? Confess!*

“Oh… so Baron Hale is refusing me?”

Christine stepped back half a pace, peripheral vision fixed on the auditorium entrance and clock.

The lecture was starting—no time for chatter.

Still, she’d noticed Siman’s gaze. *Interesting.*

“Obviously.”

Hale had to refuse. Agree? Never.

“Is it… because I’m inferior to *her*?”

He followed Christine’s gesture. His eyes met Siman’s across the crowd.

Tension thickened.

One man. Two women. A silent triangular stare.

Then—a new presence cut through.

From the auditorium’s right-side door.

Hale’s class had arrived late already.

Could another class be later?

That door was reserved for distinguished guests.

Hundreds of seated students turned instantly.

Only one figure stood there.

A petite girl with rose-colored hair.

Letitia.

The heiress whose marriage promised a nation’s wealth—like Christine, a name known campus-wide.

Yet Letitia’s attendance was near-mythical. Even those hunting glimpses of House Childe’s young mistress rarely succeeded.

She never attended Theology Day.

As head of House Childe—a figure even the seven Cardinal Bishops courted—why bother?

Commission a church in Saint Louis, and landless priests would swarm her doorstep. District governors would offer land at cut rates.

Everyone knew Letitia disliked crowds. She’d never come.

So why was she here today?

…

“Oh, my dear Head Letitia! Had you planned to attend, why not send word ahead?”

Before Hale or Siman could react, the white-haired gentleman chatting with Maria earlier stepped forward.

Vice Chancellor of Sanctum University—Count Reed.

Hale’s mood darkened.

*In-game, this old man was the Quest Master.*

Approach him at university? Trigger an early quest. Complete three side quests? Risk his death event.

Then Sanctum University gets infiltrated. Forced into a brutal branch path. High-level enemies. Easy Bad Ending.

Seeing Christine with Reed made Hale wonder: *Did I just accept his first quest?*

Now Reed approaching Letitia? Even more doomed.

He didn’t care if the old man lived—but not before he’d slipped away.

Then Letitia spoke, voice clear as crystal:

“I am here for Hale. I wish to sit beside him for today’s special Theology Day lecture.”

So clear, he knew—every soul in the auditorium had heard.