The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella-Chapter 101

"You want to tour the academy?"

At Karon’s words, Eisen’s gaze flickered with something unreadable.

It was only for a brief moment, but Karon caught it immediately.

That single glance was enough to confirm that the old man had already seen through their plan.

"Did Elodie pester you to take her there so she could see Seraphina?"

"......."

"She can’t even wait until the graduation ceremony?"

Well, they’d been caught.

Elodie, who had been hiding in Karon’s front pocket, finally popped out.

"Chii... (That’s not why...)"

Charging into Terranolia’s academy, where beastfolk were strictly forbidden, just because she missed Sera.

It was exactly the kind of thing she would do.

"You're going because you think you’ll wither and die if you don’t see Seraphina immediately, aren’t you?"

For reference, Eisen was directly quoting something Elodie had once said in the past.

"Chik! (No!)"

"Or is it because your heart only beats for her, and now it has no reason to?"

"It’s not that!"

"Is it because the night feels too dark without her glowing face lighting your way?"

"No!"

"Or maybe you’re worried that if she walks outside, the gods will mistake her for an angel and take her away?"

"That... does worry me, but that’s not the reason!"

Just what kind of things had she been saying on a regular basis for Eisen to have so many remarks ready?

Karon, watching the tiny harvest mouse clinging to his front pocket and squeaking furiously, narrowed his eyes.

"Then do you actually have a special reason for needing to go?"

Oh.

Elodie, who had been refuting everything without thinking, suddenly paused.

If she were honest, he probably wouldn’t allow it.

It was obvious—this would be her first time entering the Terranolia Empire.

In her past life, she had never once left Seraphina’s side, which meant she had never stepped foot outside the Silvaria Kingdom. In this life, she was a beastfolk, making it even less likely.

If I get caught wandering around outside of Valkyrisen territory without permission, it’d be a disaster.

Technically, she could enter Terranolia legally if she went through the National Border Management Bureau.

But there was no time for that.

...But I won’t get caught.

She had lived as a harvest mouse so thoroughly for the past fifteen years that even she sometimes forgot she was a beastfolk.

Fifteen years of experience.

There was always a risk of being spotted, but being identified was a different matter.

...And there’s no way I can explain this properly.

Left with no other choice, Elodie had to add yet another ridiculous excuse to her collection.

"The academy is full of powerful noble heirs. What if they start fighting over Sera before graduation and cause a war?"

"Do you really think a war would start that easily?"

"Then what if they join forces and charge her with assault?"

"...Assault?"

"She does commit heart crimes sometimes, you know."

"......."

Somehow, the more she spoke, the more it felt like she truly believed it.

But it wasn’t impossible, was it?

"Anyway, I’ll just check on Sera and make sure she’s safe."

Eisen looked like he had a lot to say but soon pressed his lips into a straight line.

As if he was already exhausted just thinking about it.

He sighed and ran a hand down his face before glancing at Karon.

"...I will protect her well."

The boy immediately responded, fully understanding the weight behind that look.

Eisen let out a short chuckle and pulled out a fresh parchment, his elegant handwriting flowing effortlessly across the page.

It was a formal request stating that his youngest grandchild wished to tour the academy.

"If you think you’ll be caught, just let it happen. I’ll take care °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° of it. If things get dangerous, don’t hesitate—just swing that hammer around."

...Is that really okay?

"Or you can have your subordinates fry them for you."

The old man motioned toward the floating Magic Cottons that had been lurking nearby.

...Seriously, is that really okay?

Then again, it’s Valkyrisen...

The Duke of Valkyrisen was still alive.

The massacre had never occurred.

He remained a symbol of peace and the ruler of a neutral zone, carrying out his duty.

His authority was as strong as ever.

Even royals wouldn’t dare provoke Valkyrisen lightly.

Great. That means...

She could cause as much chaos as she wanted.

Elodie reached a conclusion entirely different from what Eisen had intended and felt pleased with herself.

***

"Oi, I’m coming too."

At Geno’s sudden arrival, Karon’s already pale complexion turned as cold as a winter snowfield.

"Wow, look at that expression. You must be really happy to see me."

Geno laughed as he teased the younger boy.

Karon’s probably worried about breaking another finger...

"Why is a student on leave trying to visit the academy?"

"My little brother wants to go. As his senior, shouldn’t I guide him?"

"You’re calling yourself a senior?"

"I may have been held back, but I’m still older than you, you brat!"

"You failed a year and then took another off. If you take one more break, you’ll be in the same class as me. Can you even call yourself my senior?"

Geno clenched his fists and trembled with frustration.

"You’ve got it wrong. I didn’t fail my exams—I just forgot to take them."

"You didn’t throw them away because you knew you’d fail?"

"I’m a swordsmanship major. My practical scores are always perfect, so they usually just pass me on my written exams."

It wasn’t that Geno lacked skill—he was just unlucky enough to be compared to his brother, Edmund.

Among human students his age, he was known as the best swordsman.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

So the academy overlooked some things.

But Karon wasn’t about to let it go.

"At this rate, will you be in tenth grade by the time you graduate?"

"......."

"How does that even exist?"

"......."

"You can’t even remember to take an easy exam. Will you even graduate? You’ll probably get expelled first."

His voice was completely devoid of emotion, making it clear that he wasn’t mocking Geno—he genuinely believed it.

Elodie, starting to feel sorry for Geno, decided to step in.

"Enough. I asked him to come with us."

"...You did?"

Karon looked genuinely shocked.

"Was I not enough?"

"Wait, that’s not what I meant—!"

Elodie shook her head frantically.

That makes me sound awful.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"Whatever, let’s just go. We’re going to run out of daylight at this rate."

Geno climbed into the carriage and lazily beckoned them inside.

"Hah..."

Karon sighed at the sky.

He really didn’t want to travel with Geno.

But despite looking thoroughly annoyed, he got into the carriage.

"So what’s the real reason?"

As soon as they set off, Geno lowered his voice.

"You spouted some nonsense about war breaking out over that girl, but what are you actually planning?"

"......."

"...Wait. Were you serious? I mean, I thought it was possible, but still..."

"No."

Just how much of a fool do you think I am?

"You’re not taking the semester finals, right?"

"Nope. I’m on leave."

"And since you’re still enrolled, you can go anywhere you want on campus."

Academy tours didn’t last just a day or two.

The itinerary attached to their official reply was far more structured than expected.

They would be there long enough for Sera to take her exams.

"Karon has to follow the tour schedule and can only go to certain areas. That’s why I needed you."

Elodie explained, and Geno immediately puffed up with pride.

"Ask me for anything. Big brother will take care of it."

"Then tell me how to sneak into the eighth-year graduation exams."

"......."

"......."

"...What?"

Geno blinked in delayed disbelief.

***

The graduation exam was divided into a morning session and an afternoon session.

During the morning test, Sera felt a faint but gnawing sense of discomfort from the presence of Cesare, who was seated diagonally across from her.

‘So he’s planning to do it again.’

It wasn’t magic, sorcery, or alchemy—it was an unknown energy wave.

He was being as careful as possible, making sure his misconduct wouldn’t be detected...

But this wasn’t the first time Sera had sensed it.

‘If the prince hadn’t pulled this trick every exam, I probably would have never noticed it.’

After nearly five years of exposure to that mysterious energy, Sera had finally learned to recognize its distinct fluctuations.

In a way, the prince had dug his own grave.

If he hadn’t overused that power for cheating, he might have managed to graduate quietly as the runner-up without anyone suspecting a thing.

‘Then again, without it, securing second place—let alone first—would have been impossible for him.’

Sera remained unfazed and focused on completing the morning exam using only her skills.

At the same time, she carefully analyzed the energy wave being used for cheating and figured out how to neutralize it.

‘Got it.’

Now, only the afternoon exam remained.