My name is Kevin Rohard.

I’m twelve years old this year, the second son of the Rohard Viscount Family.

No one remembers, but I ranked fourth on the Academy entrance exam, and also placed third in the unofficial boys’ popularity poll.

Meanwhile, the ones who came in first and second in that popularity poll both had fatal flaws.

Zahid, the first place, came in dead last on the entrance exam. And Ray, the second place, only drinks water from his personal bottle and can’t even enjoy tea time properly.

In conclusion!

I’m the best guy at this Academy—a so-called six-sided perfectionist.

And recently, a certain amazing guy like me might have fallen for someone.

Her name is Rosie Noart, a girl in our class who looks like a freshly baked, soft white roll.

Of course, I know full well that Rosie is Zahid’s fiancée. But hey, I fell for her at first sight before I knew that—what was I supposed to do?

It happened on the first day of the Academy, during Ellaine’s dance class when we were told to line up by height.

Since I was the shortest among the boys, I got paired with Rosie. She stood in front of me and smiled like an angel as she said:

“If I step on your feet by accident, it’s okay. It happens. I mean, how much could it hurt with tiny feet like mine? Since we’re both just learning, let’s try to be understanding, okay?”

Her voice was so quiet, but the way she spoke was so sweet, I couldn’t help but remember every word.

I nodded seriously and replied,

“Thanks for saying that. But I’m not exactly new to this. I practiced with my older sister.”

“Huh?”

At that, the little girl blinked in surprise.

“Um… I was actually just talking to myself, psyching myself up…”

Then she tilted her head and added,

“Huh, and your feet are huge? If you’re not new at this, I really hope you don’t step on mine.”

“…”

So all that “it’s okay” and “tiny feet won’t hurt much” talk… was about ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) herself?

Not wrong, but still—my head spun a little.

She really was a strange girl.

I think it started then. Rosie slipped into my heart, and from that point on, I couldn’t stop looking her way.

Her slow way of speaking, the baffling way she conversed—it kept popping into my thoughts. And me? I’m a guy with serious resolve.

Even if she’s engaged, we’re still young. Stuff like that can be overcome with the power of love. But to do that, I’d need some help.

While Zahid, Ray, and Rosie stuck to each other like glue, I made lots of friends.

They’d all help me out. I’d show them the power of peer group solidarity!

<Difficulty Level 1>

“Okay, here’s my first plan.”

Eyes sparkling, I explained to my friends.

“I’m going to secretly slip this into Rosie’s book.”

I held up a tiny charm, about the size of a bookmark.

“You guys just have to distract her while I sneak this into her book.”

“Got it, Kevin. But… what is it?”

“This is…”

I grinned proudly.

“A ‘Love Fulfillment Charm’ I bought from a gypsy in our territory. I brought it just for something like this.”

“…Huh? A ‘Love Charm’? Didn’t the Magic Tower officially announce that stuff like that doesn’t work?”

“Hmph! Well, my sister made her first love come true using one of these.”

Just one success case, but hey—that’s a 100% success rate!

I burst out laughing, raising the ‘Love Fulfillment Charm’ high—

“Woof! Woof woof woof woof!”

“UWAAAH!”

Suddenly, a massive wolf leapt out of nowhere and shredded my ‘Love Fulfillment Charm’ with its front paw claws!

“What the—what?!”

“Wait, isn’t that Zahid’s Divine Beast?”

“Woof woof woof woof! Woof! Woof woof!”

The Divine Wolf barked several times, then calmly turned and trotted off.

No way… My perfect plan got ruined just like that?!

<Difficulty Level 2>

But I’m Kevin Rohard, the man of unshakable resolve.

I didn’t give up—I came up with a second plan. This time, I’d get help from someone else.

Namely, Assistant Yuta!

After over ten days of watching him at the Academy, I’d concluded that Assistant Yuta was super nice and usually granted most student requests.

And wouldn’t you know it, I had a theology assignment interview coming up with him—and I was the first student of the day!

He even had chocolate cookies prepared just for me. They were shockingly delicious.

Yep, this guy definitely loves students.

“Um, Assistant Yuta.”

After receiving his comments on my assignment, I casually brought it up.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes? What is it?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Well, there’s this girl I like… and I want to get close to her, naturally.”

At those words, Assistant Yuta’s eyes twinkled and he stifled a laugh. He looked like he wanted to squeeze me for being cute.

“Oh my. So, what can I do to help our awkward little boy’s pathetic first love?”

“During the group study sessions twice a week… could you put me in the same group as her every time?”

“Oh?”

“I know you said the groupings are randomized. But if we end up in the same group every time, it’ll feel like destiny…”

See? I really am smart. This plan was genius!

Zahid’s in Class 2 anyway, so he’d never interfere with this.

Who needs engagement politics when I could make her believe in fate?

Assistant Yuta kept smiling fondly, and I drew courage from that expression, clenching my fist.

“Please, Assistant! Rosie and I, we’re meant to—”

“…What?”

Wait, Assistant Yuta’s eyes went wide.

“Don’t tell me… you mean Rosie Noart?”

“Yes!”

Oh, maybe he was a little surprised she’s engaged. Still, clever me had anticipated this part—because Assistant Yuta doesn’t like Zahid!

I waited eagerly for him to say something positive, but then he quietly called my name.

“Kevin.”

“Yes?”

“I can’t deceive students. I already said the groups are formed the day before by random draw. I can’t rig it based on personal feelings.”

“Oh… but…”

“Now off you go. Your session’s over.”

Wait, I was saving that amazing chocolate cookie for last and didn’t even get to finish it!

And after that day…

Not once during theology group sessions was I ever paired with Rosie again.

<Difficulty Level 3>

No matter how hard I tried, it wasn’t easy getting closer to Rosie.

Ray and Zahid were always stuck to her like glue.

Time passed, hopelessly. Then, the day after Nesha got expelled—

I witnessed something strange during lunch.

“Theo oppa!”

Rosie suddenly ran up to Assistant Theo, who looked visibly repulsed.

Rosie demanded a tea time with him, and the next thing I knew, everyone was being dragged into his research office.

‘Ah—then!’

An incredible idea flashed through my mind.

After Magic Nanoscience class, each student had to take turns cleaning up as part of our rotation. Theo insisted that clean-up was “part of the lesson,” even for noble kids like us.

And according to the schedule, Rosie was on duty next week.

‘I’ll ask the other kids to make a big mess that day. Assistant Theo hates dealing with Rosie, so he’ll ignore it no matter how bad it gets. That’s when I step in to help her!’

Surely even the heavens were on my side.

That day, right after Magic Nanoscience ended, Ray had a one-on-one theology session scheduled.

That meant—I’d be the only one who could help Rosie!

I waited eagerly for the big day to come.

And finally, the day I’d longed for arrived—Rosie’s clean-up duty in Magic Nanoscience!

“Waaah!”

“Oh no, sorry!”

“Ugh, messed it up again!”

My friends all helped me by spilling and dumping things everywhere. Then when the bell rang, they left without cleaning a thing.

Rosie blinked slowly at the chaos, clearly taken aback.

Ray muttered awkwardly,

“Sorry, Rosie. I’d help, but… I’ve got my one-on-one session now.”

“It’s okay. I’m really good at cleaning.”

Rosie cheerfully grabbed a rag and headed to the restroom to rinse it. Ray gave her a sympathetic look, then headed to the theology library.

Everything was going exactly as planned.

I stayed behind alone, pretending to pack up, waiting for Rosie to return and be alone with me.

‘Now Theo just needs to leave. He’ll definitely coldly walk off, and then it’ll be just me and Rosie!’

That’s when—

“Hmm? I thought Ray was in here—did we pass each other?”

Assistant Yuta peeked into the classroom, apparently looking for Ray. When he saw me, he beamed.

“Ooh, Kevin? So you’re staying to help Rosie clean up because you like her, huh?”

Hearing that, Assistant Theo—who was wiping the chalkboard—flinched.

Yuta waved and grinned.

“Well, I’ll be off, then.”

And then he really left, swaying down the hall. I think he shot Theo a sneaky smile, but maybe I imagined it.

Well… Rosie didn’t hear, so it didn’t matter.

As I awkwardly scratched the back of my head—

Theo was staring right at me.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep