After the Lindvolus Festa, Elise resumed her classes at Saint Galahadworth Academy as usual.
Already popular as the Church's saintess, she became even more admired within the academy—after all, she had just claimed the championship of the Lindvolus Festa, defeating the monstrous Venom Strega.
The moment class ended, crowds of male and female students would swarm around her desk, eager to chat. At first, Elise responded normally, but as more and more people gathered, the situation quickly became unmanageable.
No matter where she went in the academy, someone would follow. It was becoming a real nuisance.
Fortunately, this didn't last long—Student Council Vice President Laetitia Blanchard stepped in, declaring that the academy's saintess was not to be disturbed excessively.
Under the vice president's authority, most backed off… but a small group remained undeterred, even harboring… other ideas about her.
In the Student Council office—
"Elise, look. That kid's here again. He's really persistent!"
Laetitia stood by the window, looking down at the figure below with a hint of exasperation.
"Sigh… I've already turned him down. Why won't he give up?"
"Maybe he really likes you! Ever thought about giving that little junior a chance?" Laetitia teased.
"Spare me! I have no intention of accepting anyone's confession. Didn't I make that clear to the whole academy already?"
Elise's rejection was firm.
She had been a man in her previous life—how could she possibly accept a confession from another man? She wasn't going to accept one from any living being.
A saintess must remain pure and untainted!
Love? Absolutely not.
Especially since this admirer was younger than her. She had no desire to let anyone "drive a large vehicle" toward her.
Seated on the sofa in the council room, her eyes covered by her usual blindfold, Elise's tone made her frustration clear. Laetitia could hear it easily.
Normally, the Student Council President's office wasn't a place just anyone could visit. Elise's constant presence here was thanks not only to her strength and fame but also to Laetitia's arrangements—especially now.
Confessions.
In the academies of the Asterisk War, confessions were common—especially toward the powerful, those ranked in the official sequence. It was easy for strong fighters to attract ardent admirers.
Take the current #1, Ernest Fairclough. Born into a prestigious family, with both status and background, a gentlemanly demeanor (even if it was an act), and overwhelming strength—almost any time he appeared in public, flocks of fangirls would cheer.
Ernest was confessed to more than anyone else in the city.
Until now.
Elise Holiness.
With the dual backing of the Church and the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, suspected to be connected to the Foundation's upper echelons, and wealth beyond measure—
Studious, sincere, immensely powerful, winner of the Lindvolus Festa… with golden hair, snow-white skin, an angelic face, and a devilish figure.
From her first day at the academy, she had drawn constant attention—and from that day forward, she had practically spent every day being confessed to.
Someone even kept a tally of how many times she had been confessed to. The rate of increase was absurd.
Her confessors included male students, female students, teachers, and even… unimaginable existences.
In the end, the commotion became unbearable.
With the consent and authorization of Student Council President Ernest Fairclough, Elise—though not a council member—was allowed to take up residence in the Student Council itself.
All to escape the harassment of her countless admirers.
With her title as Lindvolus Festa champion, no one dared voice any dissatisfaction.
Originally, Ernest Fairclough had even considered granting Elise the honorary title of Student Council President to make her movements easier, but she refused.
Still, this arrangement did make many of her confessors back off, and the chaotic atmosphere in the academy returned to a healthy, thriving state.
But—
There was still one exception.
One person who refused to give up.
The blond boy now standing outside the academy building.
...
My name is Elliot Forster, a student of Saint Galahadworth Academy's junior division.
I may be young, but my grades are excellent, and I've already risen into the academy's Page One.
It might sound a little arrogant, but in a sense, I can truly be called a young master of a great house.
The Forster family is that of the founders of Enterprise EP within the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, and I am the direct heir. If I graduate from Saint Galahadworth successfully, my future in the EP—possibly even as a senior executive—is assured.
But that's for the future. Today, I have only one goal!
To confess to the most beautiful goddess in my heart—
Elise Holiness.
A beautiful name, isn't it? I think so too.
I still remember it clearly. It was at a banquet jointly hosted by the Integrated Enterprise Foundation. The night before, I had overtrained and was still sporting small cuts on my hands and face.
Thankfully, I had dressed in formal wear, hiding most of the damage and preventing a poor impression.
And then… she came to my side.
At that moment, I thought she was so beautiful.
I didn't know why she wore a blindfold, but no piece of cloth could hide that kind of beauty.
"You've worked hard."
She gently took my hand in hers, as if examining my injuries. I didn't know what she intended, but the next moment…
A golden light radiated from her body, flooding my vision!
Feeling something strange in my hand, I quickly looked down—only to find that all my cuts had vanished!
"Don't train so hard next time. There will be someone who worries for you…"
The sadness in her voice struck me deeply. In that instant, this girl walked right into my heart.
To think there really existed such a girl in this world!
My heart was moved beyond words.
Later, I learned her name from my father. I also learned her identity—the Church's saintess!
From that moment, my heart was hers.
Yes, I had fallen in love with Elise Holiness!
I had already made preparations—booked a hotel, planned to invite her to a candlelit dinner, and afterward… the most romantic confession.
Surely, no girl could refuse such a gesture, right?
I really must thank President Ernest—if not for his advice, I doubt I'd have thought of such a plan.