Chapter Summaries

Greg struggled to carry the group’s luggage while the drunken Olivia clung to his back. Meanwhile, Ellie and Wendy entered the Empire, but Ellie rushed off to attack a hidden knights’ camp despite Wendy’s warnings, putting their mission at risk.

• Greg carried Alice’s and Yelina’s suitcases as Olivia drunkenly climbed onto his back and refused to get down.
• Ellie defeated a band of robbers, but Wendy stopped her from killing them to avoid drawing the Empire’s attention.
• Wendy poisoned the bandits with a mushroom-derived neurotoxin, leaving them confused and mindless before she and Ellie continued toward the Empire.
• Wendy grew homesick as she returned to her homeland and wondered how her father was doing.
• Ellie sensed a strong enemy at a hidden knights’ camp and hurried off to fight, while Wendy feared their mission would soon be exposed.

While carrying the drunken Olivia through the Magic Tower, Greg met Luna Starfall, who offered to take him as her apprentice. Olivia challenged Luna to a fight, leaving Greg trapped between two powerful mages as their magic surged.

• Greg carried Olivia up the Magic Tower stairs while she refused to walk and teased him about their apparent closeness.
• Greg encountered Luna Starfall, head of Boughstring Sanctuary Magic Academy, who examined his physique and asked him to become her apprentice.
• Olivia mocked Luna for wanting Greg and insisted she would never hand over her student.
• Luna said she was strong enough to protect Greg from Olivia, prompting Olivia to draw a Magic Device and challenge her.
• Luna reached for her bow as their magic clashed, and Greg feared he would die if the two Grand Mages fought.

Greg defused a confrontation between Olivia and Luna, then postponed Luna’s offer to become her apprentice. After Greg left, Luna questioned whether he was truly human, while Greg met his roommates and learned that rumors about him were spreading.

• Greg reminded Olivia and Luna of their past achievements and persuaded them to lower their weapons.
• Greg asked Luna for time to consider becoming her apprentice, then left to find his dorm room.
• Luna told Olivia that Greg’s soul felt purer than a holy spirit’s, and Olivia recalled the mysterious power she had seen in him.
• Greg met his roommates, Rom and Colwin, who said three girls had warned others that Greg behaved badly.
• Greg realized the girls were spreading rumors after their clash with him and let Rom and Colwin believe he was being bullied.

Crown Prince Finn von Lainfield met with Chancellor Marcus Wiesenberg to advance their plan to secure the throne, insisting his foresight and hidden troops guaranteed victory. After Marcus left, a Divine Envoy appeared, and Finn pledged to prove himself worthy of the Goddess’s power.

• Finn told Marcus that he and his allies had driven Princess Wendy von Lainfield away because the Empire could not be ruled by an empress.
• Marcus asked Finn to postpone their plan during the Hundred-Academy Exchange Meeting, but Finn dismissed the risk of outside interference.
• Finn claimed his visions showed him becoming emperor and said he had hidden private troops across the Empire to seize the capital and capture his father if necessary.
• Marcus warned Finn that the future could change, then bowed and left while privately reflecting on Wendy’s abilities.
• A dark figure appeared behind Finn, and Finn promised the Divine Envoy he would prove his worth to the Goddess.

Greg explored the imperial capital with Rom and Colwin, but their boys’ day out turned into a discussion of crushes and plans for a group date. The outing ended when Greg collided with Victoria, who angrily accused him of doing it on purpose.

• Greg wandered the capital with Rom and Colwin, bought a mechanical bird for Hachimi, and listened as Colwin found an old travelogue about elven seas.
• Rom admitted that he liked Kaira, and Colwin shyly confessed that he liked a girl too.
• Greg said he liked someone, and Rom proposed a six-person date during the Empire’s festival after the Exchange Meeting.
• Greg agreed while suggesting that the girl he liked might refuse to go out with him.
• Greg collided with Victoria, and she accused him of running into her on purpose.

Greg reunited with Victoria and joined Rom and Colwin in inviting Kaira, Adele, and Victoria to the Empire's celebration after the Exchange Meeting. Victoria agreed on the condition that Greg pay, while Kaira reminded everyone to focus on the Exchange Meeting first.

• Greg explained that Victoria was his Junior Fellow, and the two traded familiar barbs about their past in the Laboratory.
• Rom invited Kaira to join the group for the Empire's celebration, and she agreed while leaving the decision to her roommates.
• Colwin nervously invited Adele, and she accepted.
• Greg invited Victoria, who agreed on the condition that he pay.
• Kaira reminded everyone to prioritize the Exchange Meeting, and the group looked forward to it.

Greg arrived at the Hundred-Academy Exchange Meeting and learned that Luna had publicly claimed him as her disciple, despite his never agreeing. As Luna and Olivia argued over him, Aurora became interested in Greg and considered having her niece test his strength.

• Greg rushed into the opening ceremony with Rom and Colwin after a nearly sleepless night.
• The heads of the five great magic academies took their seats and announced the start of the Hundred-Academy Exchange Meeting.
• Luna announced that she had taken Greg as her human disciple, leaving him stunned and the students in an uproar.
• Olivia confronted Luna and insisted Greg was her student, while Luna argued that his failure to refuse counted as agreement.
• Aurora noticed Greg, admired his appearance, and considered having her niece test his strength.

Saintess Veronica Keller arrived in the imperial capital and learned that a monster had escaped the Dungeon. She forbade Reinhardt from entering the Dungeon, said she knew what the creature was and would deal with it if necessary, then headed to the Exchange Meeting.

• Veronica Keller arrived at the Magic Tower’s square, where Bishop Bernard and Deputy Director Reinhardt welcomed her.
• Reinhardt reported that monsters had been breaking through Dungeon levels and that one may have reached the surface six months earlier.
• Reinhardt proposed leading a team into the Dungeon, but Veronica rebuked him for defying Lady Seraphina’s command not to enter Dungeons.
• Bernard defended Reinhardt, and Veronica told them to remember that Lady Seraphina’s words and deeds were the sole truth.
• Veronica said she knew what had escaped the Dungeon and was certain it remained in the capital, promising to dispose of it if the Chief Inquisitor failed.
• Veronica turned toward the Magic Tower to attend the Exchange Meeting.

As the Hundred-Academy Exchange Meeting’s Preliminary Debate approached, Greg Sass stayed confident because he knew the questions and answers from his past playthroughs. His calm was interrupted when he met Melina, the First Heroine, disguised as an ordinary Frost Ring Magic Academy student.

• Greg Sass waited calmly for the Preliminary Debate while students from the academies made their final preparations.
• Greg reassured his nervous senior Yelina, while Vivian watched and resolved to work harder.
• Colwin asked Greg to meet an outstanding junior, and Greg agreed after hearing she was a top student.
• Melina introduced herself to Greg in an ordinary-looking disguise, and Greg recognized her from the original game.

At the Exchange Meeting, Melina approached Greg, curious about his unusual rise and past interference with her plans. Greg used his devotion to Victoria as an excuse to end the conversation, and Melina left as the Preliminary Debate was about to begin.

• Colwin introduced Melina, a junior from his academy, to Greg, who realized she was the dangerous figure he had been wary of.
• Melina questioned Greg playfully and said she was curious about what kind of person he really was.
• Greg pulled Colwin aside and asked him to send Melina away, claiming he already liked Victoria and wanted to avoid misunderstandings.
• Colwin apologized to Melina and explained that Greg was concerned about his relationship, but Melina insisted she only wanted to know him.
• A bell called the contestants back to their seats, and Melina left after wishing Greg luck.
• Greg told Colwin to be more careful about introductions and turned his attention to the upcoming Preliminary Debate.

Veronica arrived at the Magic Tower after the preliminary debate and reviewed the students’ answers with the professors. Greg’s exceptional response caught her attention, while Greg anticipated that she would soon take an interest in him.

• Veronica reached the Magic Tower after the preliminary debate had ended and told Bernard and Reinhardt she would observe the grading.
• Veronica entered the grading room, where professors reviewed answers about magic power loss during transmission.
• The professors praised answers from Victoria Cecil, Sylvia Lorraine, Lilith, Vivian, and other talented students, but Veronica remained unimpressed.
• A professor discovered Greg Sass’s answer, whose original theory and rigorous reasoning astonished Veronica.
• In the dining hall, Greg figured Veronica had just seen his answer and was about to become interested in him.

After the Preliminary Debate, Greg joined Victoria and Sylvia for lunch, where Sylvia misunderstood Victoria’s complaints about their laboratory work. When three noble girls badmouthed Greg, Victoria confronted them and Sylvia defended him, but the argument was interrupted by another petite figure.

• Greg reflected that he had prepared thoroughly for the Preliminary Debate and planned to impress Veronica in the second round.
• Victoria complained that Greg’s laboratory work had cut into her study time, and Sylvia mistakenly thought they had been intimate.
• Greg, Victoria, and Sylvia heard three noble girls insulting Greg as they left the dining hall.
• Victoria confronted the girls and challenged them to face Greg at the Exchange Meeting instead of spreading rumors.
• The girls accused Victoria and Greg of having a secret relationship, and Sylvia defended them before blushing at their taunts.
• As Greg considered stopping the girls by force, another petite figure joined the confrontation.

Yelina defended Greg against three noble girls spreading false claims, and Lilith and Vivian forced them to apologize. Vivian was about to approach Greg when a professor arrived with an urgent summons from Lady Veronica, the Saintess.

• Yelina defended Greg and challenged the three girls for insulting his character.
• Lilith ordered the girls to stop disturbing her meal, then Vivian cited their conduct as a serious violation of Academy rules.
• The three girls apologized to Greg and the others before fleeing the dining hall.
• Vivian saw Greg standing close to Victoria and Sylvia and started to approach him.
• A professor announced that Lady Veronica, the Saintess, wanted to see Greg Sass immediately.

Greg Sass met Veronica Keller, the current Saintess of the Church of Light, after she summoned him following his performance in the Preliminary Debate. The meeting ended with Veronica calling him a heretic and asking if he had any last words.

• Greg wondered why Veronica had summoned him and exchanged teasing thoughts with Nightmare on the way to her quarters.
• Two guard nuns searched Greg before allowing him to enter Veronica’s room.
• Greg met Veronica Keller and felt uneasy around the Saintess he knew as the Scheming Saintess from the original game.
• Veronica asked why Greg seemed afraid, and he politely claimed he was only nervous and honored to meet her.
• Veronica abruptly called Greg a heretic and asked if those were his last words.

Veronica suspected Greg had come from the Dungeon because his debate answers contained ancient knowledge reserved for the Church of Light’s upper ranks. Greg claimed he was a reincarnated heroic spirit and offered Olivia’s testimony, leaving Veronica to decide whether to believe him.

• Veronica confronted Greg over the secret knowledge in his debate answers and concluded he had come from the Dungeon.
• Greg realized the Church had treated Victoria’s identical knowledge differently because she was known as the Hero.
• Greg claimed his knowledge came from memories of a past life as a heroic spirit who had followed Lady Seraphina.
• Veronica rejected Greg’s explanation as unproven, so he asked her to summon Olivia to testify.

Greg claimed he was the reincarnation of Zane Hardy to convince Veronica, then Olivia arrived and backed up his story. Veronica accepted Olivia’s confirmation, leaving her and Greg entangled in the dangerous lie.

• Veronica summoned Olivia to verify Greg’s claim that he was a reincarnated heroic spirit.
• Greg named Zane Hardy as his past life, then explained away Veronica’s observation that Zane had been a woman.
• Olivia entered and realized Greg was lying, but remembered her promise to stand by him during the Exchange Meeting.
• Olivia told Veronica that she had known Greg was Zane Hardy’s reincarnation.

Greg convinced Veronica that he was Zane Hardy reincarnated and asked her to keep his identity secret while he protected the world from the shadows. Veronica trusted him and gave him a blessing, then blushed when she realized she had pressed his hand against her chest.

• Veronica asked why Olivia had not told the Church about Greg sooner, and Greg said he had asked Olivia to keep his identity secret.
• Greg told Veronica he needed more time before revealing why he had not returned to the Church, and Veronica accepted his explanation.
• Veronica told Greg that Seraphina had not descended for several hundred years, and Greg feigned sorrow at the news.
• Greg said he would protect the world from the shadows and asked Veronica to keep his identity secret; she agreed.
• Veronica clasped Greg's hand and placed it against her chest while blessing him, then blushed when she noticed his startled expression.

Greg eased Veronica’s embarrassment and strengthened her faith before leaving with Olivia. At dusk, Ellie and Wendy entered the Imperial Capital, where an explosion confirmed Wendy’s belief that the Bishop had anticipated the crisis and the Empire could still be saved.

• Greg reassured Veronica that she could treat him as a woman, and she resolved to learn from his devotion to the Goddess of Light.
• Olivia accused Greg of manipulating the Church’s Saintess, while Greg insisted his plan might prove a good investment.
• Ellie and Wendy entered the Imperial Capital in disguise after passing a routine check at the gates.
• Wendy suspected that her imperial brother had stationed private troops at the mountain-road camp and might be preparing a rebellion.
• An explosion rocked a building in the city, and Wendy concluded that the Bishop had foreseen events and the Empire could be saved.

Greg Sass topped the Preliminary Debate results, while Vivian felt at peace with ranking below Lilith and Melina failed to find a way to exploit her. Melina wondered whether someone had uncovered her plans after her operations in the Imperial Capital were repeatedly thwarted.

• Greg Sass ranked first in the Preliminary Debate, and students speculated about his identity after Veronica summoned him privately.
• Vivian saw that she ranked below Lilith but felt content, and she left after briefly speaking with Melina.
• Melina realized Vivian's heart had no opening she could exploit, so her plan to control her failed.
• Melina recalled that an unknown swordsman had repeatedly stopped her Imperial Capital operations and gained a reputation as the city's secret guardian.
• Melina wondered who had seen through her plans.

After passing the Preliminary Debate, Greg reassured Sylvia and Victoria about Veronica and prepared to meet Ellie and the others. Vivian unexpectedly appeared and asked him to go for a walk, leaving Greg startled by another invitation.

• Victoria confronted Greg because he had placed first in the Preliminary Debate, and Sylvia stopped their argument.
• Sylvia and Victoria warned Greg to be cautious around Veronica and not expose his power, and Greg agreed without revealing that he had deceived Veronica.
• Greg reminded Sylvia and Victoria to prepare for the Second Defense, whose topic concerned elemental resonance theory in actual combat, and they left to meet their roommates.
• Greg headed toward the Magic Tower's exit to meet Ellie and the others, but Vivian appeared beside him and asked him to go for a walk.