After Knox finished giving Meilyn his so-called "bribe," Simon and Meilyn officially formed a team.
The rumor spread fast. Whispers rippled through the surrounding students.
"Wow… those two are on the same team?"
"Special Entry No.1 and Class A's top student together? That's basically broken-tier."
"You never know. I saw Simon's scores earlier—they weren't even that amazing."
As the students who had been watching Simon's recruitment returned to their own competitions, a few lingered behind, glancing at each other before cautiously approaching Simon and Meilyn.
"There's still a spot on your team, right? I'm applying for Darkness Dynamics—can I join?"
"Do you need someone for Magical Combat?"
"Simon! Simon! You remember me, right? We talked during the last class—!"
Startled by the sudden swarm, Simon leaned back instinctively.
"W–wait! Hold on! Just passing through—thanks!"
At that moment, Rick smoothly slipped through the crowd, waving cheerfully with a practiced smile.
"Sorry, sorry! No vacancies!" he announced.
"We're already negotiating for the last spot, so honestly, you'd be faster finding another team!"
"And who are you?" Meilyn asked coolly, narrowing her eyes.
Rick placed a hand on his chest and smiled proudly. "I'm also Simon's teammate. Rick Hayward."
"…What?"
Meilyn turned to Simon.
"Simon. This is the first time I've heard our team included a klutz like him."
Simon scratched his cheek and chuckled. "I told you—I wanted you to join our team."
"..."
So there was already a leech attached.
Watching Meilyn's expression, Knox let out a soft laugh.
"Wow, Rick, did you see that look? That face clearly says 'an unnecessary flea just latched on~'"
"What are you talking about?!" Meilyn snapped reflexively, flicking her hair.
"I was clearly thinking leech, not flea."
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Realizing she'd just said her thoughts out loud—and that Knox had dragged them into the open—Meilyn glared at him before sighing and rubbing her temples.
"…What subject are you applying for?" she asked Rick.
"Darkness Dynamics. Seventy-four points. Overall average, seventy."
"…That's decent."
From Meilyn's perspective, as long as she could reinforce her weakness in Summonology, the rest barely mattered.
She had scored in the nineties across every other subject. No one was surpassing her there. Well, except Knox.
A seventy-four in the needed major, paired with a balanced average, made Rick a stable support—nothing flashy, but acceptable.
"Fine," she said curtly.
Rick clenched his fist in silent triumph, then turned to Simon with sparkling eyes.
"Kyaah—you're something else!"
He looked at Simon like a hero returned from war. The two lightly bumped fists.
"You're a real fixer! How did you even manage to recruit Meilyn?"
Simon glanced toward Knox. "Well… Knox was the one who recommended her to me."
Knox shrugged. "I only suggested her. Doesn't mean you had to recruit her."
Then he leaned closer, grinning.
"And you scoundrel—who told you to make that kind of bet?"
"That was basically wagering your entire life."
He sighed dramatically.
"At this point, you should just change your name to Aventurine and start wearing flashy peacock-colored outfits."
Simon glanced at Knox and commented on what he'd just said.
"Peacock outfits? What kind of weird clothes are those supposed to be?"
Meilyn rested her chin on her hand and pouted slightly.
"So," she said flatly, "who's going to be the final member?"
"Anyone you want! Just say the word!" Rick replied instantly.
He genuinely believed he could recruit anyone at this point.
After all, who would turn down a team with Meilyn—the ultimate ace?
If he pushed hard enough, he might even be able to pry people away from teams that were already formed. Of course, that would also mean making enemies for the rest of his school life.
Meilyn's gaze shifted. "Anyone, you say?" she murmured.
Then she pointed. "How about him?"
Knox blinked.
He pointed at himself. "…Me? Watashi?"
Before anyone could respond—
"No! How could you even suggest that?! Stealing our Knox right in front of our eyes?!"
The shout echoed across the room. Knox, Meilyn, Simon, and Rick all turned toward the source.
It was Cindy. Claudia let out a small sigh, then gently flicked Cindy on the forehead.
"Our Knox?" she said calmly. "Please watch your wording."
Cindy clutched her forehead and pouted. "But still! He's already ours!"
Merida, still half-asleep, mumbled something incoherent and rolled over.
Knox, caught in the middle, could only smile helplessly.
Knox raised both hands slightly, his tone helpless.
"…Is this the legendary shura-field? The kind where heroines fight over the male lead?"
Meilyn immediately shot back, her cheeks faintly tinged with red.
"Who's fighting over you?!"
Claudia smiled, eyes glinting mischievously. "Ho ho~ but Knox never said we were fighting for him, did he?"
Meilyn's face reddened further. "T–that's—!" She huffed. "Anyway, who are you picking as your last member?"
Rick laughed awkwardly and waved his hands. "Hahaha, sorry about that earlier. I was joking."
Then he straightened up. "Actually, I already have a candidate. She's also someone Knox recommended. A Haematology specialist."
He pointed toward the sea of students. "Just wait here!"
With that, Rick charged straight into the battlefield of tangled negotiations.
Left behind, Simon and Meilyn sat at the table.
"…"
"…"
The silence stretched. Knox visibly squirmed.
"Alright, nope. I can't handle this," he said quickly.
"How about you guys grab seats for your group? Coincidentally, the seats next to us are empty. Perfect timing—let's go."
Simon and Meilyn followed him and sat down across from Knox, Claudia, Cindy, and the ever-sleeping Merida.
Once seated, the two groups naturally fell into casual conversation.
Cindy was lively as ever.
Claudia spoke calmly, her cheerfulness slipping in now and then.
Merida remained asleep.
Meilyn listened quietly.
Then Meilyn spoke. "Hey."
"…?"
"Simon Polentia, right? I've never heard that name before."
She tilted her head slightly. "What house are you from?"
"A baronial house in the Kingdom of Baldwin," Simon replied. "We govern Leshill."
Meilyn nodded. So he was from Baldwin. Leshill was a territory she'd never heard of.
"And you?" Simon asked.
Meilyn blinked, her pupils widening.
"…Wait. You don't know me?"
"Nope."
Cindy and Claudia stared at Simon as if he were a rare specimen. Knox let out a quiet laugh.
"Tch."
Meilyn's pride took a small hit—especially after hearing Knox laugh. Still, she couldn't really complain.
After all, she hadn't recognized Simon's house either.
She forced a polite smile. "I'm from a noble house affiliated with the Ivory Tower."
Simon searched his memory for anything related to the Ivory Tower.
There was at least one thing he recalled. During the entrance ceremony, a girl with platinum hair—who had sworn the oath alongside them—had been introduced as the Ivory Tower's heir.
"Oh, the Ivory Tower… that's where Special Entry No.2, Serene, is—"
The temperature around the table dropped.
Before Meilyn could respond, Knox moved faster. "Alright, alright, Simon," he said casually. "Looks like your mouth's asking to chew on something."
A muffin suddenly appeared in his hand.
"Here. Eat."
He shoved it straight into Simon's mouth.
"Mmph?!" Simon's words were instantly sealed.
Meilyn, who had already gone cold, paused when she saw what Knox had done—cutting Simon off the moment Serene's name was mentioned.
She turned her gaze to Knox.
"You…"
Knox tilted his head, smiling innocently.
"Hm? What's wrong, Meilyn?"
He held out another muffin that had also appeared out of nowhere. "Do you want one too?"
Meilyn stared at his harmless expression.
For a brief moment, a question rose to her lips—
Do you know something about my relationship with Serene?
But the words never came out. Instead, she asked something else.
"…Knox. Is it really safe to eat during class?"
"…Uh, sure." That was when it hit him.
A chill ran down Knox's spine.
His Newtype instinct flared violently—screaming danger.
Malice detected.
Knox slowly turned his head. His eyes met the source.
Jane.
Her gaze was calm. Cold. Unforgiving.
Knox stiffened instantly. He sat up straight, smoothly returned the muffin to his inventory, and smiled awkwardly at her.
"Tee—hee~"
Jane's eyes narrowed just a fraction.
Meilyn watched the exchange in silence.
…So even Knox has things he's afraid of.
Somehow, that thought made her feel slightly better.