In My Previous Life I Was a Saint, but Now I Want to Cut Corners

The rest of the day, I spent time mindlessly, passing the time with Anna doing nothing more than idle talk. We couldn’t conversate for too long as I would be attending regular classes starting from tomorrow on. It took some time to fall asleep as I was anxious about the following day.

I woke up early in the morning, and with the help of Anna preparing my makeup, I left towards the Academy. To get from the Girl’s dormitory to the classrooms, you have to pass through the courtyard, which separated the Nobility and the commoner’s students. However, there was a rule that enforced the commoner students to be in the classrooms by the time the Nobility left their dormitories so the Nobility could peacefully walk through the courtyard. I thought it was a little much as the prince said we are all equals here, but I didn’t overthink it and just enjoyed my peaceful stroll to class.

The light shined through the canopy of the trees in the courtyard, landing directly on my skin. I felt the warmth of the sun as it pierced through the cold morning breeze. I took a deep breath of the refreshing cold air in hopes of calming my nerves. But to no avail, I was still somewhat worked up about the endless possibilities that could unfold.

A blue jay was perched comfortably on a tree branch, chirping with a clear voice welcoming the morning for all those to hear. One of the things I personally love about the Academy grounds is that it’s surrounded by a forest, which invites plenty of different species of birds and other forest wildlife. Wildlife viewing happens to be the main attraction of the Academy while school is not in session because the students’ families often take vacation here to go for wildlife sightseeing. It really was a beautiful place.

“Kyaaaah! I got lost in my own thoughts again! I’m gonna be late! I need to hurry!”

As I was picking up my pace to rush to class, I could hear the high pitched voice of Angel as it pierced through the cold yet refreshing morning air. She came running from the other side of the courtyard and tried to inject herself into my morning commute to class. Luckily Klaus was following me and stepped in her way, and protected me from her grasp. Klaus was already on edge about the sudden news about Angel last night, so he was ready to draw his sword at a moment’s notice.

Angel, who now saw that Klaus was in no mood to play around, slowed down and calmed herself. However, she still managed to trip over herself and land in front of my feet.

“Ouch!”

Klaus, who was already annoyed at the situation, sighed in disbelief, but being a chivalrous knight, he offered a hand to lift her up. I could see his intense cold stare as he lifted her from the ground until she was comfortable back on her feet.

“Yeeouch!”

Angel, who was clearly in pain, realized that she scraped her knee as she fell. Angel, who was now checking her knees, had lifted her skirt at an inappropriate height for a lady, displaying her upper thighs to the world. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that… it just seems so… unladylike…

“Uhm… Angel… Are you okay?”

I reluctantly asked, but I couldn’t leave the situation as it is. When she noticed me talking to her, she stared back at me for a second. I hoped that Anna’s perfected plain jane doe look would hide my identity, but Angel might have recognized me. I mean, she did have her ritual after mine, and I’m sure I caused quite the spectacle at the time. She remained silent, fixated on my face as she lifted her hand towards me. However, I did not extend my hand out, out of fear of the unknown, so I tilted my head in response.

“….? Are you an idiot? I’m asking you to help me up! Jeez, what are you, a moron?”

I wasn’t sure what to make of this situation. I don’t personally feel like helping her. However, I thought this might be an opportunity to display her true character to Klaus, who was listening into mine and Anna’s conversation the night before.

“You know, there are a lot of nobles here! If you’re going to be so rude, you’ll end up being a problem!”

Klaus, who I could have sworn was on the verge of cutting her in half, reluctantly once again helped Angel up on my behalf. Angel, once on her feet, puffed out her cheeks like a spoiled child who was being told no.

“Don’t you know? In this school, status doesn’t matter! Why are you making your bodyguard do your work!”

“Correct. However, Lady Renaria is the only daughter to Marquis Sheridan.”

Anna said, finally joining in the conversation after witnessing the display Angel had produced for us. Standing firm with her hands on her hips, coldly staring at Angel with the intent to make a point.

“Whatever! I’m in the right! And since I’m in the right! I’ll get you in trouble!”

Anna was at her wit’s end with this childish display but could only sign in response. I could understand her frustrations as if I’m honest, I’m in the same boat. However, Angel did have a point, while the school itself does not recognize nobility and commoners above or below each other aside from the living arrangements. Still, if you insulted the second prince, you’d be more than likely ostracized by the other students. While we learn as equals, treating the royalty or the higher echelon of the nobility as commoners may lead to social issues.

“If this is how you see commoners, then let me tell you I am a saint!”

“I thought you were only nominated, not actually recognized.”

Anna once again retorted Angels claims with an angered expression.

“Let me tell you what! My guardian spirit is the strongest out of all of them! It’s already been decided! I’m going to be a saint!”

Angel now yells at the top of lounges with a childish expression and crossed arms.

“Also, since I’m destined to become a saint I’ll be able to marry the prince!”

With a sense of accomplishment, she puffed out her chest and twirled around and waltzed right out of the courtyard. I watched as she walked into a crowd of boys who were waiting for her outside the dormitories. With that, she vanished from my sight, and I could finally breathe freely.

“I see, she’s the student with ties to the church…”

“Oh, is she? How could you tell?”

“Yeah. She wore the church’s insignia. It’s unmistakable.”

I trust in Klaus’s eyes, but I remember before entering the Academy, I looked into which students the church was involved with. The only student that came up was Loyd, who is the nephew of the pope. But he’s an entire year ahead in the education spectrum from me, so chances we’d meet are improbable.

I am rather grateful for my parents right now as our family is apart of the upper nobility. Since we are only second to the royal family, I was placed in special classes for my safety. So it’s unlikely Angel will be in any of my classes, which gives me some relief. However, there is one overwhelming issue, Prince Cecil is in my class… I just need to keep my distance and stay outside of the limelight.
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