Ever since Elliot had called Elise by the pet name "little peanut," her attitude toward him had changed. Every time she spotted him from afar, she would go out of her way to avoid him.
In the end, it was Student Council President Ernest Fairclough who finally stepped in, forcibly dragging Elliot away so that Elise could enjoy some peace for a while.
For several days afterward, Elise didn't see Elliot anywhere around the academy. She had no idea where Ernest had taken him.
Her curiosity eventually got the better of her, and she asked Ernest directly—only to receive the look of a disappointed parent, which left her momentarily speechless.
Then, after several quiet days, Elise received an invitation—from none other than Seidoukan Academy, the school where the protagonist of the original story attended. They wished to discuss something with her.
After brief consideration, Elise decided to go and see what this was about.
Notably, the signature at the bottom of the invitation was that of Seidoukan's Student Council President—Claudia Enfield!
...
The appointed day arrived quickly, and Elise set off alone toward Seidoukan Academy.
Upon arriving at the gates, she immediately noticed a golden-haired figure quietly waiting there.
"Welcome to Seidoukan Academy, EP's Saintess!"
It was none other than Claudia Enfield, Seidoukan's Student Council President and ranked second among the academy's Page One.
Though a member of the Ginga conglomerate, Claudia was also a true daughter of privilege, her parents both holding high-ranking positions within the conglomerate.
Within the academy, she was mature and composed, though willing to employ underhanded tactics to achieve her goals. Laetitia had once referred to her as a "vixen"—cunning to the extreme.
In the original story, she even once lifted her own shirt to expose her stomach, claiming that even as a fetus, she had been "as black as boiled dark matter drizzled with black honey."
She was also the wielder of the Orga Lux Pan-Dora, rumored to have the ability to glimpse the future through dreams—though Elise suspected her power went deeper than that.
Just like now, Claudia was looking at Elise as though they were old acquaintances.
Even stranger, Elise could sense from her a remarkably pure degree of faith. Not as intense as that of a fanatic, but far stronger than that of an ordinary person.
Does she trust me this much? Has she seen me in a dream?
Also worth noting—Claudia had addressed her as "EP's Saintess," not "the Church's Saintess."
Perhaps she already knew certain things.
Still, Elise decided to play ignorant for now. Better to avoid unnecessary complications.
"Thank you for coming to greet me, Miss Enfield. May I ask what this is about?" Elise asked politely.
"Just call me Claudia." She smiled, then glanced at their surroundings. "Oh my… the crowd has grown."
"It seems this isn't the best place for a conversation. Please, follow me to the Student Council room."
With a graceful gesture, Claudia invited her to follow.
"Hey! Look—that's the president!"
"Yeah! But who's that following her? To think the president would personally escort someone…"
"Wait! Blonde hair, black eyepatch? I remember now! Isn't she the Saintess?"
"She really is! She's gorgeous! If she became my wife, I'd give up ten years of my life for her!"
"Pfft, dream on! You'd need to give up a thousand years!"
Along the way, Claudia and Elise were spotted by many students. News of the Saintess visiting Seidoukan spread like wildfire, and it was only a matter of time before more students gathered to see her radiance in person.
Fortunately, Claudia quickly led Elise inside the main building before the growing excitement could overwhelm them.
"Your students are certainly enthusiastic!" Elise remarked in mild surprise. This was even more over the top than at Saint Galahadworth.
At least at Saint Galahadworth, Elise attended class regularly and was easy to find. But for the students of other academies, their only encounters with her were usually through screens. Seeing her in person was a rare opportunity—no wonder the commotion here was greater.
"Of course!" Claudia turned her gaze toward Elise. "For the Saintess, whom we rarely have the chance to meet, to visit our Seidoukan… how could the students not be thrilled?"
Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "Even I can hardly restrain myself from wanting to eat you up completely!"
Was she serious…?
"Please don't joke like that. We're both girls…" Elise's expression tightened slightly, hoping Claudia would tone it down.
"Eh?" Claudia covered her mouth in mock surprise before flashing a bright smile. "That doesn't matter, does it? Isn't it quite common these days for girls to confess to girls? I believe they call it… yuri?"
"I'm really going to get angry!"
It was clear her earlier words hadn't convinced this sly fox, so Elise puffed her cheeks and pretended to be angry.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop." Claudia decided to quit while she was ahead and dropped the subject.
Before long, they arrived at the Seidoukan Student Council President's office. Aside from the essential furnishings, the room was almost bare—decorations were few and far between.
"Now then, Miss Enfield, would you mind explaining why you invited me here?" Elise asked, switching to a formal tone.
"Yes. On behalf of the academy, I wish to thank you." Claudia suddenly bowed deeply before continuing, "Our student, Feardorcha O'Neill, has long suffered from the side effects of his Orga Lux. It had severely impacted his daily life. If not for your intervention, he might already have had one foot in the grave."
Just for this?
Elise couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. Was it really necessary to call her here in person just to say thanks? Still, she chose to respond politely.
"Think nothing of it. Faced with a scene like that, anyone would have stepped in."
"You're too modest. Perhaps no one else could have done what you did."
"Then… is there anything else?"
"Yes." Claudia blinked and put on a coy expression.
"To be honest, this is a personal matter…"
"It's about my Orga Lux."