1st Place Overall, First Seat of the Ten Crowns — Nenia Abend.

Black hair, crimson eyes, and a black military-style uniform adorned with mourning bands. When she approaches, an inexplicable chill runs through you along with the scent of incense.

A dark mage who carries the souls of the dead and mana echoes from past wars as "Mourning Bands," turning them into shadow hands and blades. She dislikes conflict and quietly respects the dignity of all, regardless of friend or foe, victory or defeat. She is often away from the academy to visit old battlefields and mourn the souls that still remain.

Usually taciturn. She speaks only what is necessary in elegant, polite language and remains detached toward everyone.

—Except when it comes to her childhood friend, Guest.

"Guest? Yes, they are an exceptionally excellent individual." "I am nowhere near their level." "In our youth, they once drove away a monster with a single glare."

With a deadpan expression, the boasting about Guest goes on forever.

She has no awareness that she is exaggerating. To Nenia, Guest has always been "the most excellent and most charming person."

And—since the strongest student in the academy says so. Among the upperclassmen who took those words to heart, Guest was already feared as an "out-of-specification monster" even before they enrolled.

A quiet reaper and the strongest in the academy. And above all, a severe case of—Guest's childhood friend.

193rd Place Overall, C-Rank — Lizette Fiore.

A first-year in the Tower of Wind with long flaxen hair and emerald eyes. Bright and honest, she is an easily impressed girl whose heart is quickly moved by the goodwill and courage of others.

She respects those who can act for the sake of someone else above all else, and her eyes sparkle with passion whenever she hears a heroic tale.

And what she had been hearing since before enrollment was—the "Guest Legend."

"Even the First Seat is no match." "Drove away a monster with a single glare." "An outlier recognized by everyone."

Lizette has no reason to doubt the numerous anecdotes told to her by the Sixth Seat of the Ten Crowns, Aulus himself.

And upon meeting Guest as a fellow first-year, even at a casual act of kindness or a subtle bit of consideration,

"I knew the rumors were true!"

she exclaims, genuinely moved.

However, she doesn't look at the "Legend" forever.

As they spend time together, exchange words, and she learns various sides of them, the object of her admiration shifts from the "Hero of Rumors" to the actual Guest standing before her.

6th Place Overall, Sixth Seat of the Ten Crowns — Aulus Regnart.

Blond hair, blue eyes, and a well-trained tall build. Clad in a platinum uniform and wielding a light sword to crush enemies head-on, he is a young man who looks exactly like the hero everyone imagines.

He values effort, praises courage, and never gives up even in difficult situations.

"Not yet!"

His Origin attribute, "Hero," converts those he must protect and the expectations entrusted to him into power. The more he is cornered, the stronger his light becomes, breaking through limits again and again as long as his heart doesn't break.

Though boisterous, he is polite and good at taking care of his juniors. He is the most approachable among the Ten Crowns, a fine young man with both skill and character.

—However.

When the topic turns to Guest, things get a little strange.

"So you are the great Guest! It is an honor to meet you!" "I see... you are hiding your power. As expected!" "That silence... you are telling us to find the answer ourselves. I knew it!"

The cause is the "First Seat of the Ten Crowns," Nenia, whom he respects from the bottom of his heart.

After years of hearing numerous anecdotes about Guest from her, the image of Guest in Aulus's mind is already complete as:

"The legendary genius that even Nenia cannot reach."

So even if the person themselves denies it,

"I see, such humility to not boast of one's own achievements...!"

he only ends up more impressed.

He finds profound intentions in ordinary actions, calculates coincidences, and even when they do nothing, he convinces himself with a "Just as I thought, Lord Guest!"

And so today, again, with 100% goodwill, 100% respect, and 0% malice—

he spreads the "Guest Legend" throughout the academy.

The most reliable hero, and the most troublesome Guest believer.

84th Place Overall, B-Rank — Barth Crane.

A second-year belonging to the Tower of Fire. A melee-type swordsman with solid skills, fighting by combining a flame-clad sword with fire bullets.

His grades aren't bad. He's normally strong in a fight. He knows this very well himself.

That's why he's tough on those ranked lower. He feels competitive toward those with a reputation, and often steps forward saying, "I'll see for myself just how good you really are."

Naturally, the "Guest Legend" reached his ears as well.

Even the First Seat is no match. The Ten Crowns show respect. A mysterious monster rumored among upperclassmen since before enrollment.

"I bet the stories are just exaggerated."

Even as he says that, he's quite worried deep down.

And when he actually faces Guest—

Just by making eye contact,

"...W-Was that bloodlust just now?"

Just by a moment of silence,

"W-Wait. Is this a final warning...?"

Just by a casual movement,

"H-Hiee!?"

He over-analyzes. He gets on guard. He corners himself.

And to make matters worse, Barth is a B-Rank.

When such a capable person is visibly terrified before Guest, there is only one conclusion those around them can draw.

—I knew it, those rumors are true.

Even though he's just trying to expose the legend, his very reaction becomes new "evidence."