Chapter 1 – １ – Prologue

Entrance Ceremony Arc

“!?”

The moment the light faded, I could tell the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

The gazes of nearly a thousand people in the surrounding spectator seats turned toward me, and immediately afterward, most of them either consciously blocked their view or looked away.

My childhood friend, who should be among the spectators… is probably watching intently.

The other nine people standing on stage with me were shaking so much that I could tell they were agitated even through their hoods.

Among them was that red-haired girl; I could see the small portion of her face visible beneath her hood flushing deep red.

The teachers… were standing there agape with astonishment.

Now, why on earth were they reacting this way?

I had activated my Device exactly as the teachers had instructed.

Given the nature of the Masquerade, I felt it was strange for people to be this unsettled, regardless of what form I had taken.

So, I began to check my appearance as far as my field of vision allowed.

“Hmm, let’s see?”

First, the hands I held out in front of me.

They were clean, well-maintained human hands, without a single scratch or blemish.

In other words, nothing was wrong.

My voice… was a bit strange.

I felt the pitch was slightly higher than usual.

My eye level hadn’t changed, so my height remained the same.

I didn’t feel anything obstructing my mouth or my vision.

“My body feels light. No, there’s a strange sensation.”

When I gave a light hop, I found I could easily spring to a height equivalent to jumping with all my might before the Masquerade Activation.

However, there was an undeniable oddity.

It was as if my center of gravity was off, or rather, there was a movement that seemed to follow the momentum of the jump.

So, I shifted my gaze toward the source of the sensation…

“Whoa, they’re huge…”

I couldn’t help but mutter as I saw them—objects of a size that prevented me from seeing my own feet just by moving my neck.

Yes, I had breasts.

And they were a magnificent size; firm and elastic, yet possessing a wonderful softness.

And only then did I finally understand the reactions of those around me.

Indeed.

As it were, I wasn’t wearing anything on top or bottom—I was completely stark naked.

That was the fact I had finally arrived at.

“Cover her up! Cover her up!”

“Stop the cameras! This is a broadcast accident!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Someone bring a cloth! Hurry!!”

“No, more importantly…”

Yes, I see.

Even someone as foolish as I am knows about the crime of public indecency, and I understand that it is generally considered improper for a nearly adult woman’s naked body to be exposed in a public place like this.

However, I simply did as the teachers instructed, so this was essentially an accident.

Furthermore, I had heard that regardless of the result, one should be exposed exactly as they are.

These are indisputable facts.

Therefore, even if I exposed my nakedness, I likely wouldn’t be held criminally liable.

Besides, my current form isn’t my true naked self anyway.

“Now, you know what you have to do, right?”

At that moment, a girl with metallic, iron-lustre hair ran toward me from off-stage and spoke.

The way she looked at me… she seemed somewhat conflicted about where she should direct her gaze.

But “what I have to do,” was it…?

I was told that this was a venue for a debut presentation.

While I could hear the teachers shouting to stop the cameras, I didn’t hear any orders to cancel the presentation.

The fact that I ended up like this was an accident, so there is nothing to be ashamed of.

And if my current form is as I believe it to be, it is a form that lacks even a shred of anything that would require me to feel bashful or hide it.

Precisely because my reasoning is correct, the girl before me is troubled about where to look, and the people around me are feeling embarrassment beyond mere agitation.

If that is the case, there is only one thing left to do here.

✧

“I just have to show the audience my beautiful body!”

I spread my legs moderately, placed my left hand on my hip, extended my right arm straight forward, and puffed out my chest, declaring it boldly without a hint of shame.

✧

“I’m telling you to deactivate the Masquerade! You exhibitionist!!”

Immediately after.

A massive metal cage appeared from the girl’s hand.

Thrown with great force, it scored a clean hit on my head… and then, the cage moved with a dexterity as if it were alive, swallowing me up and locking me inside.

I do not understand.

“My apologies, Public Morals Committee Chairman. I was slow to respond.”

“It’s fine. Though it was an unexpected turn of events, this is my job. I will take this exhibitionist to the interrogation room; teachers, please resume the presentation once things have settled down.”

“Right, understood. I appreciate the swift handling.”

Before I knew it, metal shutters had descended over the gaps in the cage, and the only information from the outside that reached me was sound.

Eventually, the cage began to move, heading somewhere accompanied by the sound of metal scraping against the ground and a rhythmic shaking.

I feel as though I can hear my childhood friend’s voice from far away.

Hmm, how did it come to this?

I don’t believe I did anything wrong or bad… I truly do not understand.

However, the fact that the Public Morals Committee Chairman appeared and captured me means there must have been some flaw in my conduct.

…

Since it couldn’t be helped, I decided to reflect on everything that had happened today.

Let’s see, about three hours ago.

I’ll start from the moment I arrived from the countryside with my childhood friend to enroll in the National Duel Academy and stood before the school gates.