My name is Christina Noir; and I am a genius.

It has been ten years since my genius was recognised. Now that I am thirteen, I shall attend the Royal Academy alongside most other n.o.ble children.

And this school will become the stage for scenes of the game, just like in my memories of my previous life. Of course, the me right now does not even slightly resemble that stupid role of a villainess. Reigning as a lady of character, I plan to push aside that good-for-nothing idiotic crown prince and cultivate power and influence among the top aristocrats.

For my School Domination Plan, I was currently sitting with the people who would become my number one and two p.a.w.ns.

And with that, tell me how the exam went.

Exam? Aaah, do you mean the entrance exam?

We currently sat in a quiet corner of the church in the neighbourhood. It was a place I had become familiar with after visiting so many times over the past two years.

Playing against my usual boardgame partner; I took their knight and advanced forward with my piece while I talked.

What other exam would I mean? Yes, the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. How did you go?

Mmm, I think I probably pa.s.sed. There werent any problems I couldnt do after all.

Wow.

Even while you say probably youre actually feeling quite confident. To say there wasnt a problem you couldnt do, you must be feeling pretty brave. I thought to myself.

His face is still that of a boy, looking at it makes it seem that he wont grow up for many years. However, even though hes already so tall, he just keeps growing. Even though I know Ill also grow some more, its frustrating.

Leon Nardo. He was a commoner the same age as me, with black hair and eyes.

Honestly, as a commoner theres no way he should be able to sit next to a n.o.ble like me, but I allow it since my heart is so incredibly generous. Even if theyre a commoner, if theyre smart and funny then I dont mind being around them.

Well as long as you pa.s.s its fine.

I smiled complacently. Since Leon is going to be my no.2 p.a.w.n, my plans are counting on having him helping me out. Id be in a difficult spot if he didnt make it in.

It is said that an aristocrats duties begin in earnest after graduating from the Royal Academy, but that is a huge mistake. The people who will rise to the top socially and politically will have already begun networking for their future before they arrive at the Academy, and continue making connections.

With my genius, I will certainly stand above them all. As the daughter of the Noir family, one of the three great houses of this country, it is my duty to do so. I must build up an overwhelmingly superior powerbase while Im a student for my future standing.

But most importantly, it is my duty as the elder sister to make the school a comfortable playground for Michelie when she enters.

With my genius intellect, previous lifes information and my current information network, I am unrivalled. Not to mention with my handy p.a.w.ns I will be completely invincible. Hehehe. Laughter bubbled up from within me.

As I laughed in my heart, Leon gave a s.h.i.+ver.

Did you guys feel something cold just now?

Its probably just your imagination. Were indoors after all.

I cannot let my future henchman know of my scheming, he might reject the honor of serving me if he knew my true intentions. So, of course, I deny the real reason behind his s.h.i.+vers.

Or maybe its because of preparing for the exam? Perhaps you overdid it and exhausted yourself.

No, Miss Mariwa told me not to overdo it, so that cant be it.

Whys Mariwa being all sweet to you?

Theres no way Mariwa would say that to just anyone. The same Mariwa who is always mercilessly pus.h.i.+ng me to the breaking point. She never says anything that caring to me about my health.

Shes not being sweet, Isnt Miss Mariwa always like that? Shes not the sort to teach by forcing a student to overdo it.

No way, Mariwa follows the If theres a will, theres a way approach.

The same person should be tutoring both of us, but his cla.s.ses sound a lot less harsh than mine for some reason.

Well whatever. It is Mariwa after all. So Surfania, whats your next move going to be?

Shut it.

My future no.1 p.a.w.n, Surfania, was taking a long time to make her next move. Well, even if the game isnt over yet, against a genius like me the winner isnt really in question. After all, to this day, I have never lost to Surfania Although I have never won against Mariwa, but lets just ignore that for now.

Im pretty sure Surfania just hasnt improved at all. A shut in as always, same barbed tongue, constantly a sore loser, quick to tears. She hasnt grown up at all.

After considering her options for ages, Surfania finally makes a move. Since it was an expected move I could immediately counter it.

If by any chance Leon does fail the exam, Mariwa will probably strangle him.

Dont say such scary things

Leon shuddered, already imaging what would happen. It seems that after all these years Leon had at least come to understand just how truly frightening Mariwa was.

Putting aside such fun talksyou probably pa.s.sed right? As long as you answered each question; theres no need to worry about failing. If youre going to worry, then it should be over your school life starting from spring, commoner.

Eighty percent of new students at the Royal Academy were the children of n.o.bles. In such an affluent place a commoner like Leon will stand out no matter what. Especially if he gets excellent marks. He will definitely attract some jealousy.

If youre just going to hang out with commoners, then theres no point in going to the Academy. Make sure to use the chance to make some connections.

Im not really worried about that anyway. I dont think Im about to start worrying about my social status now after all this time, Its fine to ignore them as long as they dont push it too far, right? And dont call it making connections. Im just planning on making some normal friends.

Try and use your head would you. At least have a think about the advantages and disadvantages, okay? If its the child of a high rank n.o.ble, thats all anyone is thinking about. You have to be able to show off just what your worth is. Then gather sufficient a.s.sociates to prove your value. Thats a start. If youre really struggling, you can use my name.

Wellalright. Not that Ill use your name though, Chris.

As long as you understand. Now you just have to work hard.

Ill leave him be at the start and see just how far Leon can get by himself. If you say you wont use my name then, its fine to just recruit you later on anyway.

While I planned to drag that shut in Surfania into my camp from the beginning, Leons position is different. My connections will spread further if I absorb a faction Leon has made himself without my help.

Heheh. Regardless, hell be my follower. I like the sound of that. I love having followers. They satisfy my need for social approval. My plan for school domination is progressing steadily. Still, my number one goal is the Idiot Crown Prince. He will make for an easy victory. If its that fool, even Leon could easily smush him.

Somehow I felt that chill again So what about you guys? I wont be mad if you failed the exam. Especially you, Surfania. Since you hate people, I figured youd refuse to go.

Since my older sisters all go there, I have to go I more or less pa.s.sed the exam as well.

In these two years Leon had managed to understand Surfanias character well, which was to say he didnt give her words much weight. Without paying much attention to what was being said, after grimacing at the board for a while, Surfania finally moved her piece.

For high n.o.bility like myself and Surfania, if our parents enrolled us, we would without a doubt get in. The exam results doesnt actually matter. Still, with my score on the exam and n.o.ble status, without any royalty in the same year I should easily be the student representative. Im also confident I got the top score in the exam.

Oh yeah, the Calibrachoa houses daughter, their second daughter that is, Miss Ignia is at the school. One grade ahead of us right? I hope we can be cooperative.

Stop it, I dont even want to imagine it.

As signs of defeat showed on the board, Surfania was twirling a strand of hair in clear agitation.

Aaaah, thats right, for some reason Surfania isnt close with her sister right?

Its just that her rebellious stage is dragging on. Miss Ignia is actually quite easy to get along with, though the eldest sister is a bit difficult even for me. Since shes always so energetic, shes probably involved in lots of activities at the school right?

Noisy. I dont know anything about my sisters. Saying my sister is easy to get along with is just her being a wolf in sheeps clothingSpeaking of tricking people, Chris at school, are you going to constantly be pretending to be a lady in your second form? Because if you are, then Id prefer it if you stayed away from me. Its annoying. When youre like that I get gooseb.u.mps.

I know what you mean. Chris is like a whole nother person in her second form. Even for me, when youre in that mode I dont know if a commoner like me can talk to you or not. If you can, could you not bring it out?

You guys

These two saying whatever the want to, my eyebrows started to twitch.

Theyve got some nerve to talk like that about my second form, I have spent over eight years cultivating it to perfection. Just you wait and see, youll have cla.s.s with my second form in cla.s.s everyday.

I think normal Chris is best. It sounds like a pain to hide your true self the whole time were at school.

It does. I would even prefer the current her over that version. So talk normally.

Hehe. Not a chance.

I rejected the two s counsel of opinion with a snort.

With no mother or wet nurse, the way I speak I was largely influenced by Father. So its useless. Even briefly, letting my true coa.r.s.e mouth talk at the Academy wouldnt be forgiven for a second.

Were trying to look out for you, Chris. Why do you need to be in second form anyway? With your social status, you can pretty much talk down to anyone there. Since your default is spouting self important nonsense, I dont think you can hide it the whole time.

Well yes. To be so picky about her words and tone, its just not you at all, Chris. Even Mariwa says so. To train yourself to act one way until you fully understand it, and then put it to practical use. You should at least keep a bit more of your actual personality in your second form.

I already said; I cant. Because how I usually talk is

Its like that.

Its the same way the villainess, Christina Noir, from Destiny Labyrinth spoke.

This isnt ladylike after all. It seems like a villainess after all.

I guess it is like Chris is speaking like a lady wait, what do you mean villainess? Youve mentioned it before right?

Did I? I dont recall.

In order to fool Surfania, who had knit her brows at me, I went overtime in destroying her chess pieces.

Well, anyway, together all three of us will be going to the Academy!

Brightly changing the subject, I moved my knight in order to thoroughly defeat Surfania.

The me who was so happy about going to the Academy had no idea what I was about to be forced to endure.

The hards.h.i.+ps that fate had in store from me after entering the Royal Academy.