25 - Skill Stealing (3)
“Those positioned in the mid-line must stay constantly vigilant, ready to support the party's core roles if the front line collapses.”
“For example, if enemies swarm a front-line teammate, a healer cadet keeps a close eye on the vanguard. If they ignore the front and charge in a horde, they assist the party's area-of-effect mage to ensure their incantation doesn't break.”
“The party is always fluid, adapting to the situation...”
Lev Denek. And the Magic Division's student council president, Lilith Larosel.
Aria Bluebell, who had secretly overheard their conversation, felt her mind in turmoil even during class, swamped by swirling thoughts.
Her first question was this.
Why have their positions reversed?
Just a week ago, Lev Denek had been utterly in the submissive role.
-Lady Lilith! Please don't cast me out!
-I'll do anything you command! Just give me your orders!
-Please, please, damn it! I'll become useful somehow...
After getting crushed in the mock battle with Edwin and getting pushed around everywhere, he was ultimately expelled from the student council. Then he started his full descent, confessing to Melissa and Aria alike.
Yet now, Lilith had come to him first, desperately pleading and clinging in a way that didn't match her usual demeanor at all.
And it didn't end there. The student council president's bombshell followed.
-I... I tampered with the selection exam...
-It was because I hated you so much, found you so repulsive, junior. But... you weren't.
On the contrary, she claimed the ragmuppet's appearance in this exam was her fault.
The student council president was behind this incident?
If true, it was a grave matter that would rock the academy.
And furthermore,
-Demon... right? You're the high-ranking demon race I've longed for, the one I've been searching for...
-So save me... Turn me into one of the demon race...
If what Lilith said next held water, Lev Denek might really be a demon—one of the higher ranks, at that. It aligned with Aria's suspicions and deductions.
But he remained annoyed throughout,
-Sorry, but we've both seen enough ugly sides. Let's just go our separate ways from now on. No more meetings.
The most shocking part? When she started losing control, he slapped her cheek to calm her down.
-Get a grip, you idiot.
What on earth happened between those two?
It was too confusing. In times like these, Aria believed staying calm above all was key.
One thing was certain: Lilith Larosel, an outstanding second-year who had become an honor student for her skills, had noticed his change. Lev Denek had undergone something massive.
It explained the unprovoked attack on Edwin. Catching the ragmuppet in one shot during the exam. The occasional waves of black mana she sensed. And his shift from nosy busybody to indifferent observer—all proof he had truly changed.
Not Lev Denek, but some other entity possessing him.
Another absurd hypothesis formed in her mind.
At this rate, it was a vicious cycle. She knew the questions would only pile up.
She had enough circumstantial evidence now. For Aria, surveilling him was no waste of time.
With that, she waited for class to end.
1 Chapter: Edwin's Awakening - Positioning Selection Exam
2 Chapter: The Main Characters Meet - Key Figure 'Kaeran His' Appears
Academy Ranking Battle
Mana Sensitivity Ability Test - Sea Dragon Manifestation
Dungeon Exploration Practice - First Raid
Evolution Chamber
Black Market Uproar
3 Chapter: Lilith's Blackening
......
“Ngh...”
I let out a thin groan as I marked a star next to Chapter 2.
I'd jotted down what I remembered, but... things had gotten annoyingly complicated.
The current point was early Chapter 2. Kaeran, the one I absolutely had to deal with to survive and return home, properly debuted in the academy ranking battles.
Edwin gets promoted to B-rank in the dungeon exploration practice part, so it made sense the protagonists felt faint this early.
But Lilith, who should soon turn her attention to Kaeran or Edwin, had rushed straight to me instead.
Luckily, I calmed her down—even slapping her if needed.
My meddling must've twisted the plot a bit.
But I couldn't just sit idle. The monsters inflated faster than the protagonists.
If I hadn't preempted the sea dragon's revival, the game might've ended right there.
So until the protagonists grew, I'd have to quietly stitch up the leaks myself.
I desperately need Wind Archery...
Wind Archery plus Mainhwa-enhanced bonus damage, the sea dragon's blessing I just got, enchant magic, triple critical damage..., triple weak point exploitation. And finally, the legendary hand crossbow with scarce data even among veterans in Reincarnated Hero.
A one-punch combo no hardcore player could resist.
It was a power that existed only as an 'if' even in the game—unachievable.
Meaning, if I got it, I'd have confidence against even Hell difficulty grandpas.
“...That's it for today, since it's the first class.”
Class ended sooner than expected. Another boon for me.
Time to head out.
As I packed up and stood,
“Hey, you.”
“?”
A little kid right next to me was looking up.
Bright brown twintails.
“Report to me what you talked about with Selena this morning!”
Lily Forzet, non-canon harem member of Kaeran. Cute face archetype with a bossy tone.
This situation feels familiar somehow.
“What?”
Like when I crash-landed here and confessed to Aria...
“Nah. I'm busy—ask Selena yourself. Later.”
“Hey, where do you think you're going! I'm asking! What did you do in the exam? That's why Selena's all distracted now!”
Ah, right—she was on Selena's team for the selection exam.
But now wasn't the time to tangle with her. We'd cross paths later whether I wanted or not.
Hmm, what was it she hated again?
“Kiddo.”
“Huh? I'm not a kid!!”
“Teeny-weeny.”
“Not teeny-weeny either!!!!”
Typical brat characters flip out when teased about being small. That's their charm, but today I was genuinely busy.
“Tell me quick!!!”
Even after stacking villain points steadily, she wouldn't let go.
“I said I'm busy. Move.”
“I won't budge until you tell me what you did to Selena— not even if I die!”
So devoted to Selena. Yet she falls head over heels for Kaeran, ignores her advice, and regrets it all.
Why does this game have so many tsunderes... Sadly, I couldn't babysit every character.
No choice—I chanted the spell.
“Do you like me?”
▶ [Villain] [Lv. 1] (0/100)
Regardless of appearance or relations, you may not make a great first impression.
The villain passive—might actually be worth investing in.
She was the same age by lore, but making her cry felt like bullying a child. Guilty as charged.
“......”
In the end, I left a handkerchief in front of her and headed to the loop train platform.
Classes were packed tomorrow, so today was my only shot.
Aria Bluebell, with her striking beauty, was already drawing tons of attention despite it being the new semester.
-Wanna grab food after? Restaurant together?
-What classes you signing up for? Tell me.
Such first interests in school life were humbly grateful to her, who'd lived modestly and kindly. But Aria had higher priorities.
Lev Denek.
He was openly gearing up to go somewhere, slinging on a heavy backpack as he left his seat.
He's definitely planning to use black mana again.
Surveillance magic had limits. To secure hard evidence, she had to tail him.
Follow discreetly. If caught, ask directly, suggest tagging along. Refuse? Threaten to report his chat with Lilith to the academy.
That settled it—then she felt a sharp pang.
Truth was, she was scared. Her suspicion had morphed into fear.
He might be a demon, and from how he handled Lilith, a very strong one.
But Aria's grudge burned hotter. Vengeance for her family forced her feet forward.
Can't miss this chance...
She quickened her pace.
Melissa would flip if she knew. But 'what ifs' meant she couldn't drag her in.
Melissa was a noble lady with connections everywhere—unlike Aria.
As if her resolve reached him,
!!
At the loop train platform, she spotted Lev Denek effortlessly.
This time, for sure...!
Aria's determination burned holier than ever.