Professor Hideo's lecture had actually been going… okay.
Yuto sat slumped in his seat, head propped up by one hand, pretending to follow along as Hideo scrawled arcane formulas across the chalkboard.
He turned to see how the others were doing.
Reika was taking notes with robotic precision, and Alice was drinking her smoothie while taking notes.
Ayla was drawing little wolves in the corner of her new journal that Yuto bought her, and Lilith… well, she was braiding his hair with tiny sparkles of fire magic, because of course she was.
Evelynn, to Yuto's immense surprise, was actually paying attention.
Then—
The classroom door creaks open.
A student stepped in uninvited.
Clarence Le Huge.
A Viscount noble.
Yuto felt his soul immediately try to escape his body.
He strolled in with that signature noble swagger, chest puffed out in entitlement.
His coat was pressed, his golden family crest gleamed, and his smile was the kind that said I haven't been punched enough times in my life.
Professor Hideo didn't pause.
"You're not on the roll sheet, Mr. Huge"
"I'm not here to study, Professor," Clarence said smoothly.
"I'm here for a personal matter. Won't take but a moment"
Hideo didn't even look at him.
"If it involves attempting to flirt, duel, or monologue, the answer is no"
Clarence was undeterred.
He walked straight toward Yuto's desk, which immediately drew the attention of the entire classroom.
Yuto sighed.
"Here we go…"
Clarence stopped just before Evelynn, who hadn't even glanced at him.
"My lady," he said, offering a shallow bow.
"Surely you've realized by now this... chaotic alliance is beneath you"
Evelynn blinked once.
"And you are?"
Clarence straightened.
"Clarence Le Huge. Heir to the Silver Council, and—"
"Ah," Evelynn interrupted with a slow smirk.
"A Viscount. That explains the smell of borrowed power"
Gasps.
Clarence flinched, clearly not expecting the jab.
"I come with a generous proposal—"
"Oh, I'm sure you do," Evelynn cut in again.
"Your family's very good at offering things they didn't earn"
Yuto froze.
'She's going for the throat'
Evelynn stood, the folds of her uniform settling like armor.
"You think I would leave Yuto, a man of actual spine and substance, for a pampered snake whose greatest achievement is being born with a title?"
Clarence turned red.
"You're deluded"
Lilith was already grinning.
"Ohhh, you shouldn't have said that"
Reika didn't look up.
"I'll give him thirty seconds before he begs for a truce"
Alice stood from her seat.
"If he tries to lay a finger on Yuto, I'm removing one of his"
Ayla tilted her head.
"Would you like me to growl? I can growl"
Clarence took a step back.
"All of you… have really fallen for him?"
Lilith stood up beside Evelynn.
"Aw, what's wrong, Clarence? Jealous that someone without a noble name managed to win the hearts of five women without even trying?"
Reika added, "If that's not talent, I don't know what is"
Clarence's jaw clenched.
"He's nothing. A no-name stray given a scholarship out of pity, a commoner that doesn't know his place"
Evelynn's smile vanished.
And just like that, the air got cold.
She took one deliberate step forward.
"Speak ill of him again, and you'll find out exactly how low a Vincount can fall. Do you understand me?"
Clarence faltered.
The entire room was silent.
Even Professor Hideo paused mid-sentence and turned slightly, curious to see if a student was about to be vaporized.
Clarence raised his hands slowly.
"This isn't over!"
"Oh, I do hope it is," Evelynn said with a smile, then turned her back to him, dismissing him like a bad joke.
Clarence quickly retreated, muttering something under his breath as he left the room.
Professor Hideo finally turned back to the board.
"Moving on," he said, as if royal bloodshed hadn't just happened behind him.
Yuto slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"Why is it always me?"
Lilith whispered, "Because it's fun to tease you darling"
Alice nodded.
Ayla smiled sweetly.
"You're ours"
Reika just kept writing.
"We did warn you"
Evelynn leaned over, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.
"Nobles always talk big. But they crumble the second they're challenged. Unlike you, Yuto"
Yuto groaned and slammed his forehead to the desk.
"Someone please just expel me"
No one did.
But several students whispered things like:
"Was that a boss fight?"
"Pretty sure Evelynn just declared war"
And in the far back, one student solemnly whispered, "I would die to be him right now"
To which another responded, "You would. You simp"
And class continued.
Somehow.
And ended without any more people causing drama.
Training Field – Academy Grounds
The air was thick with mana and murmurs.
Professor Kurogane stood to the side, arms crossed, face unreadable.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
Everyone knew he wouldn't lift a finger.
Not after the last time he challenged Yuto and lost in front of half the faculty.
This was personal.
But not for Yuto.
He stood center stage, adjusting the cuffs of his uniform with a tired sigh.
Across from him, four noble sons stepped forward.
Lucien lu Rottweiler. Marcus Vellor. Theo Grannis. Damien Crowhurst.
They were rich but collectively stupid.
Lucien sneered.
"You might want some help commoner, or else you would lose in seconds"
Snickers rippled through the crowd.
Reika's brows furrowed.
Alice cracked her knuckles.
Ayla started to growl.
Lilith's eyes sparked with demonic glee.
Evelynn had confidence that Yuto would win.
But no one moved.
Kurogane's rule held.
Yuto, meanwhile, rolled his neck.
"Four-on-one? Bit excessive, don't you think?"
Lucien raised his staff.
Theo summoned lightning to his palms.
Marcus conjured wind-blades, and Damien's shadow magic curled beneath his boots like tendrils.
Lucien smirked.
"You can forfeit anytime, commoner"
Yuto's red eyes locked onto him and in that instant, the temperature seemed to drop.
"No"
He vanished.
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted as Yuto appeared in front of Marcus and drove a fist into his gut, launching him into the air with such force that the barrier shimmered violently.
Before the others could react—
CRACK!
Yuto grabbed Theo's arm mid-spell and twisted.
Bones popped.
Theo screamed.
Lucien cast a barrier—
Yuto punched through it.
Through it.
Glass-like magic shatters exploded outward as Lucien slammed into the stone hard enough to bounce.
Damien tried to melt into the shadows, but Ayla spoke softly from the sidelines, "He's not fast enough…"
Yuto stepped behind Damien before the shadows could finish forming and whispered,
"You blinked"
SLAM
He flipped Damien over his shoulder, straight into Theo.
They lay groaning in a heap.
The field was silent.
Yuto stood alone in the center, not a scratch on him.
Professor Kurogane simply grunted and scribbled something down.
"Passed"
Lilith began clapping first.
Slowly, mockingly.
Alice followed, arms crossed but clearly proud.
Reika adjusted her glasses and muttered, "I told them not to provoke him"
Ayla watched with quiet awe.
And Evelynn?
Evelynn stood, hands on hips, smiling like a queen inspecting her throne.
"Next time," she called out to the unconscious Lucien, "remember your place"
Students erupted into whispers.
"H-He beat all four—"
"Didn't even use a weapon—"
"Is he even human?"
Yuto exhaled, brushing dust off his shoulder.
"I just wanted a nap…"
But now?
He had the entire academy's attention.
Again.
And he hated it.
Lilith grinned, stepping beside him.
"You do love showing off"
Yuto sighed.
"I'm going to be the center of gossip again, aren't I?"
"Yes," the girls said in perfect unison.
"I swear, I should've stayed in bed today"
Alice gave him a side-eye, her arms still crossed.
"You say that every time you get caught up in something ridiculous. And yet, here we are, again"
Yuto glanced at the girls, each one offering varying degrees of smirks, grins, and supportive expressions.
They seemed far too entertained by his misery.
"Don't pretend you don't love the attention," Lilith teased, nudging him playfully.
Yuto's eyes narrowed, but the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
She's right.
Despite all the bullshit and confusing thoughts and feelings… he does enjoy it to some degree.
"The problem is, it's not the kind of attention I want. I'd rather just... blend in"
"Not in your nature, darling," Lilith purred.
"Besides, what's the fun in being boring?"
"I think 'boring' would be an improvement right about now," Yuto muttered.
Reika's eyes flicked over to him, though she didn't stop scribbling notes.
"That's not true. It's just that your normal is... chaotic"
Yuto slouched further.
"I swear, the universe has it out for me"
"Or maybe it's just that the universe knows your talent for turning everything into a spectacle," Evelynn said, walking over with an amused smile.
"And this... this is just the beginning"
Yuto shot her a look of pure exasperation.
"Great. Now I'm stuck with the title of academy show-off"
Ayla tilted her head.
"Master's strength is incredible," she said quietly.
Yuto didn't even know how to respond to that.
Professor Kurogane finally stepped forward, having observed the whole scene with his usual stoic expression.
He nodded toward Yuto, then toward the four fallen nobles.
"Don't get used to this. You've made your point. But remember, this academy isn't just about showing off strength. Control yourself"
Yuto nodded, but there was no hiding the fact that he didn't care much for that advice.
It wasn't like he intentionally made a spectacle out of himself.
These nobles just insisted on throwing themselves at him.
"I'll try," Yuto muttered, though he wasn't sure if he meant it.
With the fight done, Professor Kurogane gestured to the students to disperse.
"The rest of you, practice. The session's not over yet"
The crowd began to filter out, but there were still murmurs about what had just transpired.
"I'm going to need a nap," Yuto grumbled as he started to walk off the field.
Lilith fell into step beside him.
"You've already had one, darling"
"A longer one," Yuto muttered.
"Maybe I'll arrange that," she said, her voice a teasing whisper.
"But not before you face the music in the next class. You're going to have some... 'special' lessons, I'm sure"
Reika raised an eyebrow at the comment but didn't say anything, her eyes still fixed on her notes.
Alice, on the other hand, seemed more than ready to follow Yuto, her arms still crossed in a defensive posture.
"Seriously, though," Alice said as they walked, "you really should take a break from provoking people"
"One of these days, they're going to get smart and actually learn to fight"
Yuto looked over at her, his lips curling into a faint, rueful smile.
"I sure as hope they do, it's kinda boring just beating them up"
"Haha, and when that day comes, I'll be ready to step in if you need backup"
"Thanks, Alice"
She looked away, cheeks faintly pink.
"I-it's not like I want to fight, but… you know. If you ever need me…"
Lilith leaned in from the other side, smug.
"Aw, how sweet. But don't worry, darling. If you ever struggle, I'll burn the problem to ash first"
Reika spoke without looking up.
"Technically, that would be against the Academy's Code of Conduct, subsection 4-C"
Lilith rolled her eyes.
"Only if they catch me"
Evelynn brushed her fingers through her hair, clearly amused.
"Don't worry, Yuto. If someone does manage to pose a challenge, they'll have to go through me first. And I'd enjoy that"
Ayla quietly padded beside him, the faint sound of her bare feet on the grass barely audible.
"They can all challenge us," she said softly.
"But they'll never win. You're the strongest"
Yuto blinked, unsure how to process that level of blind faith.
"I'm… really not"
Ayla tilted her head.
"You are to me"
That shut him up fast.
They passed a few students still whispering about the fight, some pretending to train while sneaking glances.
One even tried to discreetly snap a photo before Alice shot them a glare that had them fumbling their crystal device and nearly dropping it.
The group moved toward the edge of the training grounds, where a row of benches and shade offered some escape from the heat and attention.
Yuto flopped onto one, dramatically stretching out.
"Just once, I'd like a day without drama"
"No such thing when you've got five fiancées," Reika said plainly, finally closing her notebook.
"It's statistically improbable"
"Don't remind me," Yuto groaned.
"You are aware we filed petitions while you were unconscious, right?" Lilith chimed in, tone innocent and wicked all at once.
"Wait—what?"
The girls shared a look.
"Did we not tell him?" Alice asked, blinking.
"Nah, Professor Hiedo was the one who announced what we did," Evelynn said.
Yuto sat up so fast he nearly whiplashed himself.
"You mean that's real?! I thought it was just another rumor that he joked about!"
"It is real," Reika confirmed.
"Though the administration hasn't approved them yet"
Lilith grinned.
"They're just waiting to see if you're worthy"
"Which you are," Ayla said cheerfully.
Yuto stared at them all, deadpan.
"I hate everything"
Lilith reached over and booped his nose.
"No, you don't"
He flopped back down with a groan.
"I need a vacation"
Alice sat beside him with a huff.
"You need therapy"
"I'll take either"
From behind the bench, a timid first-year peeked out and whispered to her friend, "He's even dramatic when he's resting…"
Yuto cracked one eye open.
"I heard that"
Lilith smirked.
"They're not wrong, you know"
Evelynn's smile returned.
"Well then, dramatic or not… we should get going. Our next class awaits"
Yuto groaned again.
But he stood.
Because he knew, deep down, this chaos was only going to get worse.
And somehow?
He was starting to get used to it.
They made their way through the marble hallway, Yuto trudged ahead.
"Music class," he muttered.
"Why is this even a thing in the academy?"
Alice perked up.
"It's about mana control through vocal resonance. Singing helps harmonize with certain artifacts, remember?"
"I'd rather harmonize with a nap"
Reika walked beside him, flipping through a music theory book.
"Vocal resonance increases magical efficiency by up to twenty-three percent"
Lilith smirked.
"I just want to hear you sing, darling"
Yuto froze mid-step.
"Yeah, that's not happening"
"You're an amazing singer though," Alice said casually.
He turned.
"Why would you say that out loud?"
"Because it's true?" she said, blinking.
"You used to hum when we were kids. And once during the festival—"
"OKAY! I get it… if need be"
They entered the music hall, a grand space lined with ancient instruments, floating sheet music, and a stage that shimmered with faint enchantments.
Professor Cadence stood at the front, tall and elegant, her eyes the color of clear skies.
She wore a long blue cloak, trailing stardust-like notes behind her as she moved.
"Welcome, students," she said, her voice as melodic as a harp.
"Today, we explore vocal enchantments. Singing with mana. Pair performances. No refusals"
Yuto's eyes twitched.
"No refusals," he echoed flatly.
"Pairings are posted above. Choose your spot"
He glanced up.
— Akimitsu Yuto / Evelynn Astoria
— Reika Tsukihara / Theo Grannis
— Alice Elizabeth Marie / Lilith Nightshade
— Ayla / Professor Cadence
"Fuck" Yuto hissed.
Evelynn smiled as if the gods themselves had gifted her this moment.
"Fate is kind to me"
Alice starred in betrayal.
"I'm paired with her?"
Lilith gave a wicked grin.
"Let's make beautiful music together"
Reika sighed as Theo shuffled toward her, still bandaged from earlier.
"Try not to pass out before the bridge this time"
Ayla blinked at Professor Cadence.
"Do I get to sing?"
"You'll observe for today," Cadence said gently.
"You're… still calibrating"
Yuto slumped into his seat beside Evelynn.
"Do I have to sing?"
"Oh yes," she said, her voice velvet and fangs.
"And when you do, I expect to fall in love"
"I hate this"
"You love it"
The piano floated toward them on its own.
Evelynn handed him sheet music with elegant, handwritten notes and a faint enchantment.
"Let's see what you've got"
With a resigned breath, Yuto glanced at the lyrics.
The melody sparked in his mind instantly.
Muscle memory kicked in.
He cleared his throat—
And then he sang.
The room froze.
His voice, low, rich, and smooth, echoed through the hall like rippling velvet laced with magic.
Notes curled through the air like tangible threads, resonating with the enchanted instruments.
Some trembled on their own.
Alice smiled, as if reminded of the past.
Lilith's grin faded into stunned awe.
Reika's pen stopped mid-sentence.
Ayla sat with wide, glowing eyes.
Even Professor Cadence blinked in clear surprise.
Evelynn… smiled like she was falling in love.
Again.
When he finished, there was silence.
Then—
"…You son of a bitch," Lilith muttered.
"You've been hiding this?"
Yuto rubbed his face, flustered.
"I wasn't hiding. I was avoiding"
Alice clutched her chest.
"You sound like a freaking siren"
Ayla nodded quickly.
"I feel like I could follow your voice forever"
Professor Cadence stepped forward, her voice soft but firm.
"Mr. Akimitsu. You've just attuned to every mana-charged instrument in the room. That is… rare"
Yuto groaned.
"Great. Another thing for people to talk about"
Evelynn leaned on his shoulder.
"Get used to it, for I'm sure we already did"
He dropped his head onto the piano keys with a muffled grunt.
From the back, a student whispered to another, "Is there anything he's not good at?"
Reika was already writing.
"I'm going to need to study the acoustic effect of his resonance field"
Alice nodded slowly.
"We're forming a band. It's decided"
Yuto shot her a panicked look.
"No, it's not!"
Ayla tilted her head.
"I'll be backup howler"
Lilith grinned.
"I'm lead guitar. Obviously"
Evelynn hummed.
"I suppose I'll manage the fan club"
Yuto stared at them in horror.
"Why is this my life?"
Reika, without looking up, answered for everyone:
"Because the universe finds you funny"
"Haha, wake me up when it's lunch"
With that, he made himself comfortable before quickly passing out.
An Hour Later.
Cafeteria – Lunchtime
The dining hall buzzed with energy.
Students filtered in and out, trays full of meals.
Yuto sat at a long table near the window, sandwich in hand, barely chewing as he stared blankly ahead.
"I swear," he mumbled, "every class turns into some kind of performance now"
Alice sipped from her strawberry smoothie.
"Maybe because you keep making them performances"
"I didn't mean to be a magical boy band soloist, Alice"
Lilith tossed a grape into her mouth with a lazy flick.
"Well, you're ours now. Idol Yuto—Academy Heartthrob Edition"
Reika poked at her salad, eyes still scanning notes from earlier.
"I calculated a twenty-seven percent increase in instrument response when you sang. It's absurd"
"I don't even like singing in front of people," Yuto groaned, slumping forward.
Ayla nodded beside him, resting her chin on her arms.
"But when you do… the whole world listens"
"Can you not sound like a prophecy every time you talk?" Yuto muttered.
That's when the room shifted.
Conversations dulled to a hush.
He felt it before he saw it, those cursed, high-heeled footsteps echoing on polished stone.
A tall woman in crimson-and-silver office robes strode toward their table, a clipboard floating beside her, her glasses glinting with bureaucratic menace.
"Mr. Yuto Akimitsu?"
Yuto blinked.
"Uh… yeah?"
She gave a short bow.
"Office of Administrative Affairs. I'm here to finalize your engagement petitions"
Reika dropped her fork.
Alice inhaled her smoothie and coughed violently.
Lilith grinned so wide it looked criminal.
Evelynn delicately set down her teacup, already glowing with smug triumph.
"I'm sorry," Yuto said slowly.
"My what petitions?"
"Your… how do you say this… harem marriage application," she replied without a hint of hesitation.
"Filed by five individuals"
She summoned a glowing scroll.
"Here is the official consent form. We just need your signature to submit it to the noble court"
The cafeteria exploded.
Chairs scraped, and students whispered.
"DID SHE SAY HAREM?!"
"HE HAS FIVE WIVES?!"
"WHY IS HE ALWAYS AT THE CENTER OF THIS STUFF?!"
Yuto stood so fast he knocked his tray over.
"THIS ISN'T REAL—RIGHT?! THIS IS A PRANK—"
"It is very real," the woman said, adjusting her glasses.
"Lady Alice Elizabeth Marie, Lady Reika Tsukihara, Lady Lilith Nightshade, Lady Evelynn Astoria—of Duke Astoria, and Miss Ayla, all signed individually"
The girls all waved, some smug, some blushing.
"I was unconscious when this happened!" Yuto hissed.
Evelynn stepped beside him, hand on her hip.
"That didn't stop destiny"
Lilith chimed in, "Or bureaucracy. And you know how fast we filed…"
The administrator cleared her throat.
"Mr. Akimitsu, please sign here to finalize your multi-bonded engagement. Refusal will only delay processing"
Yuto stared at the golden quill, hovering expectantly.
"I just wanted a sandwich," he whispered.
Reika leaned close, adjusting her glasses.
"You should probably sign before word reaches the other noble houses. It's already spreading"
"Too late," muttered someone in the crowd, already live-translating the scroll into the academy gossip network.
Yuto grabbed the quill.
Paused.
Looked at each girl.
Alice, flustered but honest.
Reika, curious and calm.
Lilith, dangerous and dazzling.
Evelynn, regal and relentless.
Ayla, pure and devoted.
He sighed.
Then signed.
A golden burst of light flared from the scroll.
The administrator bowed.
"Congratulations. You are now officially recognized as engaged to all five applicants. Expect visits from the Noble Alliance for final confirmation"
She turned and walked off, leaving behind pure chaos.
Lilith let out a low whistle.
"Well, darling. You're officially doomed"
Yuto sat down again, completely numb.
Alice handed him a fresh sandwich.
"You're gonna need this"
Ayla smiled gently.
"We'll protect you"
Evelynn placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Welcome to the rest of your life, my dear fiancé"
Yuto stared at his food.
Then the girls.
Then the table.
Then, said, deadpan:
"…I need a nap"
And somewhere across the cafeteria, someone shouted:
"HE IS THE CHOSEN ONE!!"
Yuto buried his face in his sandwich, waiting for the next break in his life.
Academy Grounds – Afternoon Free Period
The field behind the main building stretched wide and open, sunlight spilling over the grass like a blessing.
A few clouds drifted lazily overhead, and the breeze carried the scent of spring blossoms.
Yuto lay flat on his back in the grass, arms spread, staring at the sky with dead eyes.
"I signed my life away," he muttered.
"You signed our future," Lilith corrected, lounging beside him on a floating cushion made of shadow magic.
"You'll thank us once you get used to being worshipped"
Reika sat cross-legged under a tree, a notepad balanced on her knee, steam rising from the cup of tea she held precisely.
"Technically, it's now a politically significant engagement. Multi-bonded unions, especially with high-ranking individuals, can trigger diplomatic ripple effects"
Yuto groaned and rolled onto his side.
"How is this political? Evelynn's the only noble. Ayla's a spirit beast. Alice got in on a scholarship. And—"
He paused.
"...And that's it. That's everyone"
Lilith raised an eyebrow.
"Really? That's how you're going to list us?"
He avoided eye contact.
"I'm just saying. There's no real political reason for this to become a thing"
Reika adjusted her glasses.
"Because Evelynn is the daughter of a duke. And you, Yuto Akimitsu, are now magically and publicly linked to her"
"That alone gives the union weight. The rest of us add complications"
"Excuse you," Lilith said, smirking.
"I'm exotic. Dangerous. And incredibly attractive. That's worth at least two court inquiries"
Alice giggled, pouring tea into dainty porcelain cups.
"Honestly, the scholarship committee probably freaking out right now"
Yuto dragged a hand down his face.
"I didn't want to get involved with court drama. Or spirit-bound politics. Or—whatever... magical nonsense gets summoned into my life daily"
Lilith winked.
"So shy. I find it endearing"
Ayla sat nearby with her legs tucked under her, slowly munching on a tiny sandwich.
"I don't care about politics. I just follow Yuto. That's enough for me"
He paused, staring at her.
"You say that like it's normal"
"It is," she said simply.
Evelynn reclined like a queen, sipping tea as sunlight framed her in a regal glow.
"Regardless of their status, the engagement is binding. And since I am involved, so is House Astoria. Which means… the nobles are already watching"
"I didn't ask for them to watch," Yuto muttered.
"Too bad," Reika said, writing something down.
"You're a walking headline"
He looked around at the girls.
Each was calm, chaotic, or terrifying in their own right.
The tea, the snacks, the peaceful field.
The absolute madness of his life wrapped in a quiet moment.
"I hate that this is kinda nice," he grumbled.
Ayla leaned her head against his shoulder with a soft hum.
"That's because it is"
The group sat in silence for a while, the wind dancing through the trees.
Then—
With a sharp pop, a magical scroll appeared and smacked Yuto square in the forehead.
"OW—what now?!"
The scroll unrolled in glowing golden letters:
ATTENTION: Engagement Celebration Banquet Scheduled for Saturday. Formal Wear Required. Public Display Mandatory. Bring a Song.
Yuto screamed into the sky.
"WHY DOES EVERYTHING REQUIRE A PERFORMANCE?!"
Alice sipped her tea.
"Well… looks like the next act's been announced"
Yuto clutched his head as he screamed to the sky.
"WHY!!!"