“Oh my, where might this place be?”

I was in a very dark world. This unsteady feeling beneath my feet—why, it is as though I were in that dream world where I meet with god. Only, that world is the exact opposite of here, for it is a pristine white world.

As expected, the one waiting for me in that place was not god, but rather a very delicate, slender young lady—so lovely, yet looking as though she might wither away at any moment.

Her long, tattered hair was green. Her eyes that dropped tears were like emerald gemstones. To such a young lady, when I extended my hand saying, “If you cry so much, your eyes might melt away,” she finally lifted her face.

“You are…?”

“I’m Lelouche Elcage, the eldest daughter of a humble duke’s household.”

Then, she tilted her head, saying, “The Elcage household?” My, I had thought it was a rather well-known lineage, but perhaps this is another country—or maybe an even more distant place?

However, to her, it must not have mattered who I was. Clinging to my hand, she let her tears fall with even greater drops.

“I can’t take it anymore… I want to die…”

“In that case, might I borrow your body?”

It is not for nothing that I face such a supernatural being as “god” every night.

I could at least read that this place was likely the inside of her heart. In other words, I was already presuming that the reason I had come into her heart might very well lie with said god…

Well, giving that disappointing god a sermon shall be for another occasion.

I smiled at the young lady before me.

“To be honest, remaining inside your body like this would only be boring. As for the conduct of nobility, I do have some familiarity. How about it? If you are so eager to die, it is not such a bad proposal, is it?”

Even if she did not know the name Elcage, from her manner she clearly reacted to the word “duke.” She showed no excessive surprise or fear. In that case, I could surmise that she too was a noble with at least some rank.

Or perhaps she was simply so weary that such matters no longer held any meaning.

“Really… I don’t care…”

“In that case, it is decided!”

Like this, it is also convenient for me. If nothing else, should I not prepare at least one or two amusing tales to bring back as souvenirs for god?

Now then—shall I test my abilities in an unfamiliar place? See just how far I can manage to strive?

***

“My, this is quite painful…”

When next I awoke, I was collapsed upon a stair landing.

Scattered all about were printed papers. From the top of the stairs, two young ladies were looking down at me with smirks… This, am I to take it that I was pushed down by them?

“This is… a terribly half-hearted harassment, is it not?”

Brilliant sunlight poured in from outside through the window.

Also, as many students were passing along the hallway, that meant there were plenty of witnesses.

To publicly declare oneself the aggressor—surely there are limits even to boldness, are there not?

I slowly raised myself up, all the while smiling sweetly.

“Well then, you shall allow me to present a formal protest, yes?”

“Ha! What’s with you acting all high and mighty, Withered Grass Lady?!”

Withered Grass Lady… is that perhaps a nickname for the owner of this body?
Come to think of it, I seem to have forgotten to confirm this person’s name. Now then—who am I, exactly, at present?

To be frank, I would prefer to stand and converse with these young ladies at an equal level, but my entire body hurts far too much, and climbing the stairs will be difficult. So, having no other choice, I raised my voice.

“Would someone be so kind as to tell me my title of nobility?”

“Han, to think you’d forget even your own rank—”

At that moment, a clear male voice told me, “It is a marquis, one not of royal blood.” That gentleman was quite the handsome youth. He had soft-looking flaxen hair, and though his eyes were catlike, his gaze carried refinement. His beauty was such that one might call him a prince without the least incongruity.

When I smiled at this gentleman and said, “Thank you,” he too returned a smile, replying, “Not at all.”

After that, I turned a smile toward the ones atop the stairs.

“And, what of you ladies?”

“Uh, um…”

“You are familiar with the order of noble ranks, are you not? Naturally, at the very top is the royal family, followed by the dukes, who are relatives of the royal family. Below them are the marquises, who hold no blood relation to the royal house, and then—”

“W-we are terribly sorry~~!”

My, my… they fled in an instant, did they not…

What a pity. I had thought to let a pleasant conversation blossom from here.

“It is not as though I had any intention of flaunting my rank.”

For no matter how high one’s rank might be, to commit violence against another and be forgiven—does that not got against humanitarianism?

I merely wished to confirm things, since it is true that the course of a discussion changes according to differences in rank—yet they fled without anything being accomplished. How very unsatisfying.

Just as I was sulking, still seated upon the landing, I was offered a hand by a fine young gentleman—the very one who had earlier informed me of my rank.

“My, thank yo—”

It was then. The instant I touched his hand, my body was enveloped in a gentle light. By the next moment, all the pain in my body had receded. This is… could it be that miracle power one often finds in picture books—“magic”!

“How marvelous! This world truly has magic!”

“…Yes. Strictly speaking, it is sorcery, and this academy focuses on instruction in sorcery, right?”

“Then, might I too be able to use this thing called sorcery!?”

If I too could master these magical arts in this world, surely god would be most delighted, would he not? Even if I cannot wield them in my true world, in the dream world I could at last use it make god cry out “Woah,” in defeat!

At my asking in excitement, he returned a smile after a beat’s delay.

“…In that case, shall I teach you now?”

“That is a most welcome offer, but might it be all right a little later?”

“Do you have an engagement?”

As he asked thus, the scattered prints rose into the air and flew down the hallway. Amazing—this too must be magic… or rather, sorcery!

As I gazed in wonder, fixing the sight in my eyes, his eyes narrowed from pride and he said, “I believe that concludes the errand from the teacher, don’t you agree?”

I, however, shook my head and said, “That isn’t the case.”

“For a rendezvous with such a splendid gentleman as yourself, would it not be shameful to appear in such attire? Please grant me a little time to prepare myself.”

---

Read the actual story “The Villainess who Only Had 100 Days to Live Had Fun Every Day” here~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>