Ah, the story should have clarified that people
connected to this whole mess is a factor. I don't know why it doesn't, reasonably sure it does in the WN, but... Iirc, there are characters who never gain memories. And the general population of the academy remembers jack and shit.
Waaaaaaves hand back and fore
More a "She was already a beauty, but she's
hiding it with glasses", but honestly, that's me nitpicking.
Anyway, this is a genuinely sweet moment, and, having read the WN, I'm looking forward to reading the whole thing.