I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

“I don’t know if it’s the effect of the mental education, but everyone seems… enthusiastic. Fortunately.”

“It’s surprising that the easily swayed first-years are more disciplined than expected. Is it because of the Year Representative?”

In the instructors’ office, as always, conversations about students were exchanged. This was especially true in the office where instructors in charge of first-years were located.

It was because, for this year, getting them to adapt took priority over proper training.

Moreover, the current first-years were heading toward the dangerous second month, which was said to be the most perilous.

‘Now is the most dangerous time, when they seem somewhat adapted. It’s not uncommon for those who can’t adapt to completely fall behind or make extreme choices.’

This was something Dmish had been thoroughly cautioned about and trained on before becoming an instructor. The first-year instructors had the heavy responsibility of helping new students adapt through appropriate discipline and rewards, and making sure they didn’t fall behind.

“Honestly, don’t you all know? What was said in the Student Council.”

A female instructor spoke with a smirk. None of the other instructors denied her words. The special duel between the first-years and seniors that occurred within the Student Council had already spread widely.

“Perhaps because of that, the first-year Year Council is actively moving. They’re proactively approaching students at risk of falling behind through squad leaders, closely monitoring them, and creating an environment where they can increase their skills. These days, there are quite a few doing personal training in the underground training hall or the training field.”

The Swordsmanship Department instructor was beaming with excitement. The more the Year Council voluntarily did their job well, the less work for the instructors, and the higher the reputation of the class, the higher the reputation of the instructors, so they couldn’t help but be pleased.

“I was worried about Kiina’s leadership, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem at all.”

“Honestly, it’s beyond expectations. She seems to have the qualities of not just a frontline knight but also a commander.”

It was natural that Kiina would be mentioned, as the instructors had already highly evaluated her abilities and were paying special attention to her. It wasn’t just talk; she was actually proving herself.

The first-year Year Council was actually supposed to be a group of greenhorns who, like others, were overwhelmed just adapting, wandering here and there, and moving as guided by seniors or instructors, but this year’s class was different.

Both Kiina, the leader, and Erich, one of the core officials, were individuals who had already experienced enough experiences to rot. The first-year Year Council was already systematically and swiftly moving.

“If it’s like this, wouldn’t there be a possibility for the upcoming first half Martial Arts Tournament? At least Kiina is sure to participate, don’t you think?”

“A first-year has never advanced to the upper rounds in the Martial Arts Tournament…”

“This time, history will be changed.”

The instructors unleashed their imagination about Kiina. It was essentially the same as a kind of expectation.

It was evidence that the path to advancement through the achievement of strength, as Kiina desired, was gradually opening.

“It must be burdensome for you, Dmish. Being the first instructor to teach such a student.”

“Of course, the Martial Arts Tournament is good, but first, shouldn’t we deal with this weekend’s first-year outings and overnight stays? It’s their first leave. Even when I was on active duty, there was never a time without problems.”

“Huh?”

Dmish responded with a smile to the female instructor who poked his side.

And the moment they heard his words, the instructors wiped off their smiles and started to sweat as if awakened from a dream.

“Starting this weekend, outings and overnight stays will be allowed. Basically, there are a limited number of times, but I think all students will use them. That’s how it’s always been.”

The next day, Dmish took time during training to call Kiina, who had already passed the basic spear technique early, to talk about the weekend leave.

For students confined to the Academy, the opportunity to enjoy freedom was limited to the outings and overnight stays given once or twice a month, and the few days of regular vacation in a year.

While most conveniences were available within the Academy, humans naturally crave freedom. Even the strict life in a noble family would seem like heaven compared to life here.

“At least half of the Year Council and squad leaders must enter student control. It’s a kind of duty performed in uniform, though you go out. So let me know the list by tomorrow.”

“I will do so.”

“And as you know, those who have failed the exams have restricted leave.”

However, not everyone could go out. In keeping with the Academy’s strict meritocracy, even without Kiina’s contempt for the weak, the Academy itself gave significant disadvantages to those with poor grades.

“But, if you as the Year Representative strongly desire, I could suggest that everyone be allowed to go out just this once. The Year Council’s reputation is quite good, so it might be possible.”

However, Dmish saw this as not very good. From the perspective of managing students, he couldn’t help but be aware that pushing them too far to the edge could lead to big problems.

The fact that Isabel, one of the failing students, was watching them from behind Kiina with wavering eyes also influenced him.

“That’s a meaningless consideration. Failing, not even early qualification, means not even doing the basics, it’s not a luxury to be given to the weak who are not desperate.”

However, Kiina refused outright. As she had already made clear to her squad members yesterday, she had no intention of forcibly taking along those who hadn’t even made minimal preparations.

Even Dmish could only lick his lips at her resolute words.

The appearance of the strict bear instructor was just a mask, and unlike Kiina, as an instructor who had to take care of all students, all he could do was look after the failing students a bit more diligently.

‘I am…’

And Isabel, who overheard this, sat down heavily in great despair.

Dropout, loser, coward.

That heavy burden, which she could never shake off, pressed down on her strongly.

‘Outings and overnight stays. This timing overlaps. Should I say it’s better?’

The position of Year Representative, though absolutely necessary for advancement, was indeed a position where one felt the weight of the armband. There were many things to care for and manage. I felt that my personal training time was insufficient.

[Ranking: Lunara, Kiina, Deina, Karin]

[Penalty imminent, remaining time until penalty application 56:44:12]

‘Already eliminating a heroine. It’s absurd since she’s still barely even a heroine yet.’

There was another reason why I was more concerned now. None other than the fact that a penalty for heroine points had appeared, predicting its occurrence.

Everything was truly beyond common sense. What kind of harem story would try to eliminate a heroine at the 2-month mark, even though they’re forcibly trying to put me into a mass-produced harem story?

In a normal story, it’s an absurd act. If they do this on their own authority, it’s obvious they’ll be cursed by those “readers” who definitely exist.

‘However, if this is a kind of trial, there’s nothing strange about it. Surely the penalty won’t be an irresistible one. By the way, it’s Karin.’

Therefore, I was convinced that this penalty was definitely not an insurmountable one.

It makes sense if I judge it as a punishment that puts the heroine with the lowest score at risk of elimination to greatly increase the protagonist’s intervention, raise the heroine power of the last place, and simultaneously raise the tension of the story.

“This is an opportunity.”

I raised the corner of my mouth. I planned to check what the penalty was while I was at it. The date of the penalty application was about two days and some hours from now.

The time is Saturday night. Since we would all be out then, I planned to focus on watching Karin to check what the penalty was. If the penalty was a kind of trial as I expected, perhaps there would be some reward when overcoming it.

“Lunara, do you happen to know what Karin has been doing recently?”

“Huh? Karin?”

I asked Lunara about Karin as we were moving to the Year Council room right before the meeting time that day. Since it would look strange if I asked Erich directly, I was asking Lunara, going through one intermediary.

“Is the Magic Department late again today?”

“It can’t be helped. They’re in chaos these days.”

Before dinner, the Year Council members, who had gathered to quickly complete their tasks and meetings, were chatting while waiting for those who hadn’t arrived yet.

There was only one student who hadn’t arrived yet: Karin from the Magic Department.

“Sorry! I came running right away!”

Soon, Karin came running in, gasping for breath, with her skirt and cape fluttering. The Magic Department was a bit special. And they were basically busy.

As the only subject with theory and practice almost half and half, the amount of learning in the early stages was about twice that of others.

‘It’s clear that Karin has feelings for Erich, who saved her from the initiation ceremony. But due to being too busy, she hasn’t even had a proper point of contact with Erich yet. It’s an unfair situation.’

According to what I heard from Lunara, Karin has just barely made her mark on Erich. It’s unclear what will happen in the future, but both Erich and the readers have had few opportunities to give their hearts to Karin yet.

“Let’s go quickly. Any unusual matters reported by squad leaders.”

“None.”

“No injuries either. Then what remains is the matter of this weekend’s leave.”

After quickly dispensing with the business, I took out some papers. They seemed to know what this meant. I could feel them quickly exchanging glances.

“I’m looking for people to stand duty this weekend. A minimum of 5 people, including myself.”

“Hmm…”

They are people too, and freshmen. They want to go out and play freely, not wear armbands and play the role of military police.

I instructed them to raise their hands voluntarily, but everyone started looking around frantically. Even Erich, whom I trusted. Come to think of it, Erich was originally a character who liked to have fun. I think there was an episode where he got caught drinking alcohol once…