Chapter 51
To think that someone with such an elegant and refined appearance could harbor such foul thoughts internally.
Am I reading too much into it?
Not at all.
'I've played that character numerous times.'
At least a hundred times, for sure.
A unique character whose inner thoughts are indicated in parentheses along with their dialogue.
It might be slightly different, but not by much.
Now, let's take some time to interpret Yuridia's words.
"I can't tell you how much I've looked forward to this meeting. You haven't been hurt, have you? If so, please let me know. I happen to have a potion with me. Haha."
I thought my neck would snap from waiting for you. If you're hurt, tell me. Oh, you know how expensive potions are, right?
You'll have to pay the price with your body. Ohohoho!
"I'm recruiting skilled individuals to ensure a happy academy life with your friends."
I'll bring the academy to its knees and enjoy a blissful life there.
You think you're tough? If you obediently join me, there won't be a bloodbath.
"I hear you're quite skilled... How about joining us?"
I, Yuridia, am the top first-year student at Annwood Academy.
You, become my ally!
'Straight to the point? Quick and decisive.'
While it was partially because I was not easy to meet, it was more because Teron was targeting me.
It was a bit of a tricky situation.
Yuridia, a protagonist-party member who needs to progress the story with Rodelin.
Getting closer to her might twist my plans.
'If I refuse, Yuridia's followers will swarm me and beat me up.'
It's unlikely for Yuridia, given her nature, but her followers were the problem.
Interpretations of rejection can vary.
'I should find a way to back off for now.'
Just as there was a way to win over Rodelin, there was also a way to win over Yuridia.
Breaking the mask Yuridia was wearing.
That was the key to winning her over.
"Keke, it seems you're in need of talent."
"That's right. I desperately need talent like Zero."
"Running a faction... Leadership is important, but it's tough without others' help. You must have a hard time."
Yuridia's ears perked up.
That meant she was interested.
Yuridia let out a deep sigh.
"Phew... Exactly. It's one thing to lack ability, but it's another when people won't listen..."
"You must have wanted to smack them."
"Right. But as a noble, I couldn't do that."
"Keke, your patience is remarkable. I couldn't have endured it."
"No. You, Zero, could have managed it too."
Yuridia clenched her fists tightly, trembling.
Then she sighed deeply again.
"I didn't want this. Not only did a noble create a faction and incite conflict, but they also dragged in unrelated children."
"That's right, you gathered people to counter Teron's influence."
"...You knew?"
"Keke, of course. Though it seems most don't know."
Yuridia ground her teeth.
"He came to me the day after the entrance ceremony. He said to rule the academy together and enter politics after graduation. How despicable can a noble be!"
Teron's proposal to enter politics right after graduation wasn't a pipe dream.
Annwood Academy is the empire's top academy.
It's hard enough to get in, but even harder to graduate.
Graduates are often offered employment by families of at least the rank of count.
'To be the student council president there? Entering politics would be a breeze.'
The president of Annwood Academy's student council.
Only one student per year can hold that position.
Teron dreamt of it.
Due to the academy's characteristics, once power is gained, it's not easy to lose.
That's why Teron was serious about building his power from the first year.
It seems the second year is under the control of Rodelin alone...
But in my first year, there are Teron and Yuridia.
One of these two will become the student council president.
That is, if the world were to proceed normally.
'In the game, Teron makes a contract with a demon... and after being defeated by the protagonist's party, he dies.'
And that's not all.
With the outbreak of the great war against the demons, Yuridia's position as student council president also vanishes into thin air.
But Teron and Yuridia, unaware of these facts, had no choice but to fight each other.
Well, it's none of my concern.
"The forces that stir up strife must be uprooted from the beginning."
"And that applies to Teron as well, right?"
"Yes. I just want to split that annoying Teron's head in two right now!"
"His head?"
"Yes, his head! With these hands, I want to... @#$%!"
Yuridia, who was spewing curses, suddenly stopped.
She must have realized that she hadn't muttered these thoughts under her breath, but had actually spoken them out loud.
'Dear me, to swear so harshly like that.'
If this were a novel, it would be impossible to even write it.
The profanity was so severe it would have been censored with special characters.
"Uh, um... Zero? What did I just say?"
"Keke, I didn't hear anything except for one part, so don't worry."
"What did you hear?"
"@#$%."
"You heard the most important part!!"
Yuridia shrieked.
I don't know why she's upset with me. She was the one who enjoyed swearing.
"O-okay, I'll back off for today! But next time, I won't back down like this!"
Yuridia, running off into the distance.
Suddenly, she spun around, and came back towards me.
"Ah, please pretend you didn't hear what I said earlier. Let's keep it a secret between us. Well then."
Yuridia, bowing her head, returned to her group.
Beating her own drum.
It's my first time seeing someone enjoy their own company so much.
'Phew... I'm glad things are going as planned.'
I lightly flatter and praise her, then provoke her to reveal her true feelings.
This was the key to dealing with Yuridia.
It looks easy, but it's quite a difficult technique.
'Compliments, empathy, and reaction are essential.'
It's a skill that's hard to employ unless one is as perfect as me.
Yuridia's group was whispering about me.
Jealous of my perfection? Being too perfect can be a problem too.
"I've never seen Yuridia so flustered before..."
Alex, who had been standing alone like a duck egg on the Nakdong River, muttered. (TL Note: Korean indiom that means a person isolated or excluded from the rest of the group)
Now that I think about it, he was here too.
"Keke, hello? Alex?"
"You knew about me? I'm honored."
Alex, no less polite than Yuridia.
I recalled some information about Alex.
A commoner by birth, the main character of this game. And.
'The first character that must be played.'
Perhaps because he's the protagonist set by the game.
Alex couldn't be expelled from the party.
'I'm glad to meet him, but I shouldn't get too close.'
Alex, Raymon, Yuridia, and Rodelin.
These four are the main members of the first party. A luxurious corps boasting incredible specs.
Excluding these four in the final boss raid was unthinkable.
'I must be careful.'
Just looking at Raymon, who's throwing himself (?) at me, shows the problem.
Who would have thought that forming a party with him during the Demon's Shard event would still have an impact?
Like Yuridia, it seemed best to just exchange greetings with Alex.
"Keke, speak comfortably. Aren't we classmates?"
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, I would appreciate it. Don't mind my way of speaking."
"Yes... I mean, okay. I'll do that."
A brief silence followed. Come to think of it, I don't really have anything to say.
'Everyone who's approached me so far had an ulterior motive.'
Due to the synergy of my slit eyes and the 'Ominous Aura' skill, regular kids didn't even approach me.
Only Yuridia's and Teron's factions occasionally swarmed me with recruitment offers.
Alex was different from them, so there was no reason for me to initiate a conversation.
Besides.
'...Isn't this a situation where I'm alone with a classmate I barely know?'
It's a bit awkward, to say the least.
The only conversation that could arise in such a situation would probably be about who's the biggest sucker.
It would have been the same for me, if not for Raymon.
"Keke, Alex. I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"Could you become friends with Raymon?"
"With Raymon?"
"Yes. Raymon is a good and diligent boy. He'll make a good friend, won't he?"
Well, he does occasionally say the wrong thing, but I didn't mention that part.
Alex's gaze shifted to Raymon.
Raymon was being thoroughly scolded by Luna at the moment.
"Well, I agreed to be friends earlier, and I don't mind hanging out together but..."
Alex turned his gaze back to me.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Please do."
"Why are you pushing Raymon away? He doesn't seem like a bad kid... If you're worried, why don't you just hang out with him?"
Hmm, he's got a point. I don't really have an excuse. In situations like this.
"Keke, that's a secret."
"..."
"Don't worry. It's not that I don't want to be friends with Raymon. It's just that my situation isn't good."
"Is it because of your unique appearance? Are you worried that Raymon might get caught in the crossfire just by being around you?"
"There's that reason too, but it's not just because of that."
Alex was silent for a moment.
Just as he was about to say something.
Luna suddenly ran over and wedged herself between us.
"He's mine! Don't even think about getting close!"
"...?"
Typical Luna, saying something that could be easily misunderstood without a care.
Luna clung to me and shouted.
"Get lost before I bite you to death!"
Could this be what they call an obsessive maniac? Or something like that?
It seemed more akin to an obsessive mad dog.
"Aha, so that's what it is."
It was then. Alex suddenly burst out with a refreshing tone.
As if he had just realized something.
"I'm sorry. I was too slow to understand."
"What? What do you mean..."
"Have a good time. I was too oblivious."
Wait, hold on. What's going on here?
The situation wasn't hard to figure out.
Luna clinging to me as if she couldn't let me go.
That's when I realized Alex had misunderstood something.
"Keke, Alex? You might be misunderstanding something..."
"Retreat! Everyone, assemble!"
But my shout didn't reach Alex.
Caron's assembly order echoed resoundingly through the hall.
Alex linked arms with Raymon.
"Raymon, let's go."
"Eh?"
"Quickly. We'll get in trouble with Teacher Caron otherwise."
"Um... But..."
Raymon looked back and forth between me and Alex.
He still seemed to have some lingering attachment to me.
Of course.
"What are you looking at? Go away!"
"Hi, hiik! Zero! See you later!"
Raymon couldn't overcome the obsessive mad dog, Luna.
Alex winked at me and started walking away with Raymon.
Hmm, now it's clear.
Alex is under a ridiculous misunderstanding.
That Luna and I are in a sort of relationship (?).
That I wanted to spend time alone with Luna, so I couldn't hang out with Raymon.
That must be what he thought.
It's a shame, but it's a misunderstanding.
As strong-willed as Luna is, I have no interest in such a kid.
"Hold on! I think you're misunderstanding something. My type is more voluptuous..."
But my voice didn't reach him.
Luna had covered my mouth.
"Zero."
"...Yes?"
"Did you really want to get punched that badly? Eh, you should have said so earlier."
Luna's eyes shone coldly.
"I would have enjoyed beating you up."
Hmm, Luna. You do realize there's a clear difference between a playful punch and a serious one, right?
But I dared not utter those words.
Because Luna was clenching her fist tightly.
"Keke, what did I say again? Let's go. Teacher Caron is waiting."
"Walk in step with me. From now on, don't even take a step away from my side."
Yes, yes. As if I had a choice.
"We're about to escape the anthill! Don't let your guard down until the end!"
We began to make our way out of the anthill under the instructors' escort.
Huh? Yuridia has a dual personality.
Then what about Alex, the protagonist?
He's the most normal character in this game.
Which means, in a sense.
'He could be considered the most abnormal character.'
I would soon understand the meaning of those words.
We were able to reach the entrance before long.
It was the moment that marked the end of our eventful journey through the anthill.
--TL Notes--
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