Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Student's Duty #02
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After the brief happy time with Teacher Senia came to an end.
Unlike the baggy robe she always wore, Teacher Senia pulled out a brightly colored diary and opened it, humming a cheerful tune that made it clear she was in a great mood.
With her nails painted in a soft pink and that flashy diary, it was obvious her usual drab robe wasn't a matter of taste—it was just a way to hide her killer figure.
"So, when would be good for you? Next week? I have some free slots in my lectures."
"Ah, actually, I've already thought about that one."
"Oh? You even planned it out ahead? You really want to learn from me that badly?"
Teacher Senia rubbed my cheek with a proud smile, but honestly, this plan had been in my head even before she suggested private lessons.
In every single regression, I'd easily gathered Kaiyen and the others and formed a club to head outside.
The academy had strict rules about students leaving the island, but the student council and clubs offered some leeway—and I'd exploited that to snag all sorts of opportunities ahead of time.
Of course, it was just straight-up copying a method from the original story.
"Not just me—some of my friends are into alchemy too! What if we learned together? How about starting a club instead?"
"Friends? You mean Shaomei or Jorba?"
"Them too, but Kaiyen and Violet are really interested in alchemy as well!"
As I played up the eager, studious Arthin while gauging her reaction, Teacher Senia tilted her head like something was off.
"Just to check... weren't you on bad terms with Violet?"
Come to think of it, I realized my whole persona was the kid who couldn't adapt without friends.
And it hit me that the time I'd whined about wanting to die was right after Violet brushed me off and shattered my spirit.
Stay calm—slip-ups like this can be glossed over.
"Haha, Shaomei and Violet got close. We talked after that, and now we're good."
"I see... That's great, Arthin! Really great!"
I spun a vague excuse that'd be easy to align later, and Teacher Senia reacted with way more joy than seemed necessary.
What the hell? Overkill much? Did I really come off that hopeless at making friends?
"Even so, getting hated by the girl you have a crush on must've been rough. I'm just so happy you made up, Arthin!"
"Huh? Crush?"
What kind of nonsense was this? Did she forget the ghost story or something?
"Hehe, your teacher knows all about it. No need to be embarrassed. Liking someone your age at your age is totally normal."
I stared at her in disbelief, asking what she meant, but she just smiled brightly and patted me reassuringly.
Like that classic "adults know everything without you saying a word" vibe...
'No way... She thinks my mental breakdown last time was over a crush?'
"Still, if I can give you one tip—girls that age are delicate, so you gotta approach gently, Arthin."
Looks like I nailed it. I let out a silent sigh as she added that I could come to her anytime for love advice.
Eh, no rush to correct her.
'Actually, this might work in my favor. Could use it as an excuse for all sorts of favors.'
Dit-dit-dit-roli-dan~
I figured I'd give Violet a heads-up later when the attendance bell rang, signaling the end of roll call.
"Oh my, look at me spacing out. Roll call's already over. The club sounds good to me, so let's get it rolling."
I pocketed the candy she handed me—"Eat this on the way"—and popped it in my mouth as I left the counseling room.
'Alright... what now?'
Sucking on the candy, I pondered. Go see Kaiyen?
"Disappointing, partner."
But recalling what he'd said when I got dragged off to counseling, I doubted I'd get a warm welcome.
"What kind of guy's that petty... seriously."
Sniffing out "woman scent" right after a shower was one thing, but snapping the second he knew I'd been with a girl? Over the top.
This regression, reactions had been off from a bunch of folks, but Kaiyen had always been weirdly clingy with me. The guy who'd charmed countless girls without batting an eye in the original.
'Wait... does he actually like me?'
The thought sent chills down my spine. Gay, straight—didn't matter. If it was aimed at me, especially from a guy obsessed across four regressions, I'd have to treat him villain-tier serious.
'Nah, gotta brew a potion later and test it.'
I knew a recipe for one that revealed someone's feelings toward you. Tough ingredients and process, but with some opportunity hunting, it wouldn't take forever.
If it turned out he just wanted basic human decency, then it'd be Blood Demon Punch Arthin time.
'Fine, Kaiyen on hold. Villains and growth are the real issues...'
I'd just gotten an earful from the teacher about classes before leaving.
The professors were dying to see my face, but my skipping was causing problems.
Didn't want a bad rep with them, true. But after pulling all-nighters busting my ass, I craved sleep. And the villains gnawed at me too.
Like I said before, this world's villains loved flashy chaos. Leave 'em alone, and the academy turns into a warzone—only a matter of time.
You might think knowing them from regressions makes it easy, but nope.
I could burn 3,000 characters explaining why, but twice is annoying—I'll detail it properly once the club's up.
Key fact: besides confirmed scum like Rexton, villains kept popping up nonstop.
"Gotta gather intel first. If they're active, rumors should be flying."
"What activity?"
"Whoa?!"
Lost in planning my mutterings, I whipped around at the voice behind me.
There stood Jorba, chuckling like my jump was hilarious.
"Alone in a locked room with Teacher Senia? I wanted in on that counseling."
"Don't sneak up and scare me, Jorba..."
"Scare you? I was just checking on the gloomy guy mumbling to himself."
Slick as ever, but he'd clearly eavesdropped on purpose to gauge my reaction. That sly old fox.
"So, how was your hot session with Teacher Senia, Arthin?"
"Just counseling! What hot session? I explained the misunderstanding a bunch, and she finally bought it."
Sure, there was some steamy skinship, but no way was I spilling that to Jorba.
"Really just a misunderstanding? Kaiyen looked pissed."
Now he wasn't even hiding the suspicion, probing with a grin.
Typical Jorba—loved women more than three squares. Predictable.
"Me snagging two girls at once? You buy that, Jorba?"
"...Hmm, with that pretty face, three's doable."
"I'm not you. Think realistic."
He nodded like that tracked. But watching him agree kinda pissed me off. What, am I that hopeless?
"Fine, nothing happened, got it?"
"Swear it. How many times I gotta say?"
I shot him a glare like I was getting rightfully mad.
Not really pissed, of course—just peak acting chops.
Back in reality, I'd crush as an actor. Only useful skills from this world: acting and bullshitting.
"Alright, I'll buy it."
"...For real?"
"Sure. No proof, why hound a friend? Big bro ain't that petty."
My all-in performance landed—his suspicious glare softened.
"Glad you believe me. Kaiyen's a tougher sell."
"Dunno why you baby him... Anyway, class soon. Wanna join mine?"
Wait—playboy Jorba suggesting class over skipping?
"You sure you're Jorba? Not some imposter?"
"Now you're grabbing the wrong guy. Not every class bores me."
Huh, a class Jorba digs.
"Now I'm curious. Let's go."
"Sweet? No bailing later?"
Some advanced lecture? Whatever—I followed him.
"Normally Red Star Pavilion, but outdoors today. Short walk."
Red Star... magic-focused building.
Magic fan, huh? Midway, we spotted Shaomei sprinting from the opposite direction.
"Ah!! Big Bro! Young Master! Am I late? Overslept by mistake—gonna be tardy!"
Her usual skimpy cheongsam made her full sprint extra bouncy—heartwarming sight.
"Nah, you're good, Shaomei. Weird though—you, late?"
"Ah, yeah. Reading martial arts manual from home, lost track of time! Hehe."
I winked hard at Jorba's question; Shaomei rolled her eyes and whipped up a solid excuse.
"Makes sense. Anyway, me and Arthin heading to class. You in, Shaomei?"
"Class? Which one?"
"Follow and see—you'll love it. Promise."
Surprising. Thought he'd grill her on yesterday's vanishing act right away, but he brushed past without a peep. Total non-issue vibe.
'Gave up already? After prodding me minutes ago—what gives?'
Fine by me. We walked and chatted idly toward the lecture.
Hanging with Jorba and Shaomei suspicion-free felt nice for once.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This little shit tricked me.
"What's wrong, Shaomei, Arthin? You look pale. Sick or something?"
"...Nah, too tough for your worry."
Should've remembered he's no simple golden boy. Got careless.
'Big Bro... what do we do...?'
Shaomei mouthed and sent telepathy, but I was clueless too.
How far did Jorba scheme this?
"This precious guest is here for today's lecture, so no dozing or goofing off, got it?"
"Yes─!!"
The cat beastkin Mysterious Creatures professor warned the class, and every student but me and Shaomei roared back energetically.
Not a single eye on the prof, though.
They were all entranced, staring in awe at the divine beast behind her—glowing ethereal silver, groomed by young priestesses.
"Behold—the Southern Church prairie priests' divine beast and contract familiar. A unicorn!"
At the cat beastkin's intro, the pure white unicorn elegantly flicked its mane over its neck, living up to its divine reputation.
'Ah, fuck... we're screwed...'