Luciana, it says you're third in our class.
Well, you're tenth, Luna.
You're plenty amazing.
Our class had the best scores among the three first-year classes.
What wonderful results, you two.
We can't compare to you and the Crown Prince, Lady Anna-Marie.
His Highness is number one, and Lady Anna-Marie is number two, after all.
I suppose all the desperate cramming was well worth it, then.
You desperately cram, Lady Anna-Marie?
My, I did study very hard.
No, seriously, I worked really hard on it!
New Otome Game
I was an unexceptional otaku in my old world, too.
The Anna-Marie in the game didn't have grades this high either.
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And yet...
As expected, Your Highness.
I suppose all that desperate cramming was well worth it, then.
Oh, Your Highness.
It's infuriating that I lost to that idiot!
Besides that, since she placed third,
does that mean dear Luciana is our "stand-in heroine"?
In the game, the heroine's midterm exam result was set to third place.
With no heroine present,
different people have taken on the heroine's role here and there.
Does this mean the story will now revolve around Luciana?
Originally, Luciana was the first mid-boss: the "Jealous Witch."
Last Boss
I see. You're the one who's been glaring this way...
Olivia Rincot'dor, daughter of a duke.
Episode
A Knight's Reunion and the Wavering Pride of a Maid
Hmm.
Applied Arcane Studies, huh?
I'm interested in it, but I can't use magic.
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{\fs24\fnComic Sans MS\blur4\bord1.5\b1\3c&HB933E5&\frz346.1\t(0,14390,\fs16)\move(136.667,70.666,292.666,157.333,0,14374)}Applied Arcane Studies
{\fs24\fnComic Sans MS\blur4\bord1.5\b1\3c&H89B7FB&\t(0,14390,\fs16)\move(-34,275.999,146.999,290,25,14390)\frz354.2}Matters of Etiquette
First-year students at the Royal Academy
{\fs24\fnComic Sans MS\blur4\bord1.5\b1\3c&H6069C2&\t(0,14390,\fs16)\move(-54,138.999,100.666,192,0,13664)\frz350.1}Chivalry
are required to take both core and elective courses.
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There are various subjects available as electives,
such as Applied Arcane Studies, Chivalry, and Matters of Etiquette.
If it's your first term,
you can do a trial enrollment in elective courses.
The formal decision is made during the second term, after all.
You're going to choose Medicinal Chemistry, right, Perriand?
Y-Yes.
My father is a pharmacist...
I plan to... take over the business, so...
Did you decide, Lucif?
No. We're merchants, who serve the nobles.
So I plan on prioritizing socialization.
Then was accepting our invitation to lunch a part of that as well?
That is a part of it, too, but I simply wanted to talk to both of you.
It seems my servant has become acquainted with your servants, you see.
Oh, really? I heard Luna's maid became friends with mine, but...
It seems he was already acquainted with Lady Luna's two servants.
So, the household that their childhood friend served
was your household, then, Lucif.
Yes. My servant is quite capable, but he does have a rather difficult personality,
and he's claimed to have become friends with a very interesting girl...
Huh?!
So this servant you refer to has shown interest in my maid?
You can't possibly mean in a romantic sense, right?
N-No, not at all!
Strictly as a friend!
He's interested in her as a friend!
Is that so? That's a relief.
I've decided that if any man were to hit on my Melody,
even if he were a knight, I would tear him limb from limb.
Just what knight could she be referring to?
Achoo!
Luciana, why don't we head home, too?
Sure.
Let us greet His Highness and the others before we head out.
What?! Y-Yeah...
I really don't want to get involved with Lady Olivia too much, but...
Your Highness, Lady Olivia, Lady Anna-Marie.
We'll be taking our leave now.
Hey, thanks for the polite gesture.
But since we're classmates, I wish you'd call me by my name.
Oh, I couldn't possibly.
Are the three of you not leaving yet?
A friend is planning to come by soon.
While His Highness and I were waiting,
Lady Olivia was kind enough to join us.
I'm sorry to have made you feel obligated to stay, Lady Olivia.
Not at all. I am truly enjoying our conversation, Your Highness.
I wish they'd just get together already...
How does she feel about that?!
Lord Maxwell?!
It's been a while, Lady Luciana.
Have you been well?
What brings you here, Lord Maxwell?
Lady Rudleberg, it is not your place to meddle in matters that do not concern you.
M-My apologies!
It's all right. I came to explain the student council to the two of them.
Is His Highness going to be the student council president?
I doubt he could do that as a first-year.
He'd probably have to wait for next year, at least.
That's right.
Actually, there is one student council seat that still needs to be filled.
Would you be interested in joining, Lady Luciana?
What?!
What is this sudden turn of events?!
It really is going different from the game!
I heard you ranked third in the midterm exams.
I'd be glad to have such a talented person join us.
I-I am incredibly honored by the offer!
However, I'm not confident I could take on such an important role...
Oh, how about Luna instead?
What?!
O-Oh, n-no, no, no!
I cannot!
Well, I can't force you.
It's a shame, but of course, the decision is yours.
I-I'm sorry.
You aren't going to ask me, Lord Maxwell?
You know the reason already, do you not?
Of the Ducal House of Rincot'dor,
your older brother is already serving on the council.
To ensure fairness, only one person from the same household may serve.
I see.
Just for a reason like that...
Olivia... she really does see Luciana as an enemy, doesn't she?
Christopher
Anna-Marie
Luciana
Olivia
Present
In the original game, she ranked second in the midterm exams.
Christopher
Olivia
Heroine
Anna-Marie
In Game
In her anger at Christopher for praising the heroine, she...
Anna-Marie Victillium
She cheated!
That must be it!
She cheated! That must be it!
Olivia Rincot'dor
Please calm yourself, Lady Anna-Marie.
She was supposed to be in a position
to side with the dear heroine against Anna-Marie, who was accusing her.
Are you all right?
But right now, it doesn't seem like she's giving off that kind of vibe.
Are you a "stand-in mid-boss" to go along with the "stand-in heroine"?
Have a wonderful day, my lady.
See you later!
It's the fifth day of school life, and my lady seems to be doing very well.
For her elective courses,
she's trial enrolling in Applied Arcane Studies with Lady Luna,
Medicinal Chemistry with Lady Perriand,
Chivalry with Lord Lucif,
and it seems all four decided to take the Matters of Etiquette course together.
Besides that, thanks to Lady Beatrice and Lady Milliaria,
she's starting to interact with students from other classes too, or so I hear.
Meanwhile, I'm...
done with work.
Melody was bored.
Why don't you check out the bulletin board?
Bulletin board?
There was something about recruiting temporary servants.
To assist with afternoon elective courses, if I'm not mistaken.
If you're really bored, why don't you try interviewing for it?
There it is. "Urgent opening:
assistant to the temporary instructor for the Chivalry elective course."
There's no age or gender requirement,
and it doesn't seem like heavy lifting is involved, but...
I spoke to my lady about it, and she willingly gave me her consent to apply.
Sure, go for it. I figured you'd be getting bored, anyway.
But why do I get this uneasy feeling?
Pardon me... huh?
M-Melody?
I wasn't expecting you to come.
I also never imagined I'd find you here, Lord Lect.
Oh, I need to watch how I speak here, don't I?
No, it's fine when it's just the two of us.
By the way, why are you here?
Oh, I'm here on His Excellency's orders.
After the attack on the spring ball,
those who felt a growing sense of crisis approaching
decided to expand the class hours for Chivalry.
So, until a permanent one could be found, I'm stepping in as a temporary instructor.
In the game, he's the heroine's bodyguard knight.
Were you bored?
A-Anyway, it's been inconvenient not having an assistant.
But my own servants don't really fit the bill...
Paula doesn't seem like she'd fit into school life...
So, may I ask what I'm required to do for the position?
For the most part, you'll be helping prepare the lessons
and providing assistance during class.
I might also ask you to go to the library to gather any necessary materials.
The library?
Books in this world are considered luxury items.
Commoners rarely have the chance to read them,
and the Rudleberg household did not possess many, either.
When can I start?
You'll accept the position?
I'm happy!
Happy, but...
Um...
You don't think I can help you?
Looking forward to working with you starting next week.
Understood, Lord Lect!
Oh, while I'm working as your assistant, it should be "Master," shouldn't it?
Uh, are you really that excited to be my assistant?
Yes! I'm looking forward to the library!
Yeah. Right. The library.
And to be honest, you saved me.
Ever since I got here, I've had nothing to do in the afternoons...
You're bored?
Yes. I have much less to do here than at the mansion.
Is something wrong?
Oh, no. But you were so set on becoming the world's most wonderful maid...
I figured you'd be so focused on that, you'd never feel bored.
Then again, I guess it's only natural to feel bored if you've got nothing to do.
Huh?
That's about it for today.
The world's most wonderful maid...
If nothing else, I feel like a maid worthy of that title
wouldn't feel bored after quickly finishing up their housework.
What happened to the wonderful maid that I was striving to be?
I'm home, Father, Mother.
Classes at the academy run for six days a week.
Since the seventh day would be a day off,
she was allowed to go home after classes ended.
I'm home, Grail!
How is school going? Did you make any friends?
Was class difficult?
Dear, let us discuss this over dinner.
Serena, the preparations, please.
Yes, my ladyship.
Gentle sister, could you please help with serving?
Huh? Oh, yes, of course.
Now, then.
I think I'll use some magic I haven't used in a while
to get the mansion all cleaned up.
It's too shiny!
I never thought I would get scolded for cleaning too much.
Do you feel a little better now?
You noticed, huh?
Normally, you would have had this place cleaned to perfection, gentle sister.
Besides, the expression on your face when you came home was a little...
I see.
Serena. What do you think when you hear "the world's most wonderful maid"?
The world's most wonderful? I think that would be you, gentle sister.
Thank you. However, I still have a ways to go.
Even now, I'm having trouble figuring out what "the world's most wonderful maid" is.
I promised my mother I would become the world's most wonderful maid,
and I thought I'd devoted everything to that.
But...
Gentle sister?
Oh, I'm sorry. It's nothi—
That's right.
Hey, I have a favor to ask.
Could you say to me, "Please become the world's most wonderful maid, Melody"?
I don't quite understand, but if it is something you wish of me, gentle sister...
The words from Mom's last letter to me.
Perhaps if Serena—who looks just like Mom—were to say them,
it would give me the courage I need.
Let's see...
Do your best, Melody.
I'm always cheering you on.
Huh? I-I'm sorry, I made a mistake.
Um... "Please become the world's most wonderful maid, Melody," was it?
Why?
Why did she use different words?
No, that's not the problem.
The problem is that Serena seemed just like...
Gentle sister? Is something the matter?
No, it's nothing.
I'm just imagining things. But...
Thank you, Serena.
Thanks to you, I feel like I can work a little harder now.
Starting today, I look forward to working with you, Master!
Melody, I'm sorry, but could you please just go back to the way you were?
I won't be able to last like this.
I don't mind, but... What do you mean by "last"?
Now then, let me explain the details of the job.
First, please compile these materials for each student.
What should I be doing while class is in session?
I would like you to keep a close eye on how the students are doing.
Please provide the aid they need, such as keeping the students hydrated,
handing out towels, and providing first aid if anyone is injured.
As a maid, I'm sure you're good at being attentive to others, aren't you?
Isn't that more like a club manager than a maid?
Understood. I'll make and bring some honey-preserved lemons.
Well, if you like...
It's not maid work, exactly,
but it's overflowing with the altruistic spirit to serve others.
This is yet another step towards becoming the world's most wonderful maid.
It's good that she's being positive,
but she probably won't stick to it.
By the way, should I have braided pigtails and wear a sailor uniform?
Do I need glasses and a kettle, too?
Everyone!
I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I don't think you need those.
Well done, all!
Here's some water.
There are some honey-preserved lemons, as well, if you'd like.
This really is more like a club manager than a maid, isn't it?
My lady!
We have a letter from Serena!
Wh-Why the excitement, Melody?
Sure, it's the first time we've ever received a letter from Serena, but...
You see, my lady, it says they've hired a new maid for the mansion!
Really?!
That's great!
It seems I'll be filled in on the details once we return home,
but more precisely, she's a maid-in-training.
She has no prior experience.
Serena will oversee her training.
Are you looking forward to our next day off like I am?
Yes!
So, your job as assistant to the Chivalry class is going well, then?
Yes.
This is the first I'm hearing about that man being the temporary instructor, but...
If it's going well, then I'm glad.
Though I am a little jealous.
My lady, is there a problem?
It's nothing big.
I was just thinking it's a shame that I can't take the elective I'm interested in.
You can't?
It's the Applied Arcane Studies class.
You're only allowed to take that class if you know how to use magic.
I'm allowed to observe the class because it's during the trial enrollment, but...
My family doesn't have much aptitude for magic.
But you do possess mana itself, right?
It's rare to find someone who doesn't have any at all.
But we're only at the "it's technically there" level, you know?
My lady, it may be too soon to give up.
Perhaps with a little training...
Really?!
I-I can't say for certain,
but until recently, I wasn't able to use magic either.
What? Really?!
Yes.
So we may just have to find the right approach for you, my lady.
Please, Melody!
I want to be able to use magic!
It might be difficult, but... Let us try.
My lady? Is something the matter?
Um, i-it's just...
I mean, there's a reason we're alone in my bedroom to learn magic, right?
I read it in a story once!
A man and a woman touched their bare skin together and...
We're only doing it on the bed so you won't get hurt if you faint!
Th-Then why are you taking such care to close the curtains?
I'm just taking preventative measures based on my previous experience!
My lady, do you know of the spell "Luce"?
It's a beginner spell for lighting a flame, right?
It was the first spell I ever used. And then...
That's why it's important to make sure the curtains are tightly drawn.
Even if I can use magic, I don't think I'll be able to do that.
First, I'm going to measure your mana level.
It's indeed faint, but I can confirm your mana is there.
If you develop the skill, I think you'll be able to cast simple things.
You could tell just by holding my hand?
I channeled a faint amount of my mana into your body,
and detected your mana resisting mine.
I don't really get it, but okay.
So what's the next step?
In order to use magic, you must be aware of your own mana.
During the examination, were you able to sense my mana repelling yours?
Tasteless
Odorless
What? I didn't sense anything.
No Presence
Soundless
Then we'll start from there.
I'm going to do the same thing I just did,
but I'll gradually increase the amount of mana I channel.
So please try and sense it.
I'm going to start. Please close your eyes.
Try to focus on the mana that's inside you.
Okay.
I'm going to increase the mana little by little...
My lady, do you feel anything?
Nope, nothing.
I'm going to increase the mana a little more.
I'm sending more mana than I thought I'd need to.
My lady seems more clueless about mana than I thought.
More importantly, I need to concentrate, too.
My lady, how about now?
Nothing.
My lady, how do you feel?
I can't feel anything.
My lady...
The silver mana. The power of the Saint. Saint... Will not forgive...
The Dark One will not forgive... the Silver Saint.
Hmm...
I can't tell at all.
Melody keeps asking me stuff,
but I seriously haven't the slightest clue when it comes to mana!
I guess I really don't have any aptitude for magic after all.
Melody got all quiet, too.
This is the end, isn't it?
Huh?
Where am I?
Where's my bedroom? I was just with Melody...
A silver flower?
So pretty.
It's comforting somehow.
What a mysterious glowing flower.
But I feel like I've seen this light somewhere before...
My lady!
Huh?
Melody?
What? What was I...
Was that a dream just now?
Are you all right?
I kept calling to you, and you didn't respond.
I-I'm fine.
I may have overdone it a bit.
Please take a bath and get some rest for today.
O-Okay.
I'll need to take off my accessories...
Huh? The ring I got from Melody...
Did it always have this design element?
When they tried again the next day, Luciana sensed her mana with ease.
Then, the following weekend...
Wh-Wh-What is the heroine doing here?!
Translation: Yukari Murase-Louden Timing: Edgar Cruz Editing and Typesetting: Gabriella Alabanza Quality Check: Geoff Mazzolini Final Quality Check: Elizabeth Ellis
Episode
The Jealous Witch Incident
Illustration: Baito Asuka