Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Annoying Girl Returns
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After finishing a friendly chat with Eve.
While the student council executives were conducting on-site verification, I slipped out along the mountain path.
The destination was behind the collapsed lodge. The ruins pierced by Eve's light beam.
Fortunately, a few items had dropped next to the collapsed area.
A badge depicting a black hand shaking hands. A badge with two crossed flags. One scroll. And a black ore.
"As expected. They all dropped."
Items you could obtain by investigating the lodge after the battle ended on the 2-1 Sleeping Mountains map, instead of returning right away. Miss this timing, though, and someone else would snag them, so now was the only window.
I quickly tucked the items into my bosom and slipped out of the lodge. No one saw me. Perfect timing.
Whoosh. The wind blew in, slapping my cheek.
"Hmm. She really smashed it."
I glanced at the scar Eve had left by blasting someone away.
A mark way too massive for just one person crashing through. Splintered wooden walls and an endless trail of debris stretching out behind.
"If I get too cocky, do I end up flying off like that too?"
I've been living for the thrill of teasing Eve up till now, but if she hits me like that, I doubt I'd even be able to scrape my bones together.
Moreover, if word got out that I had these items, things would get way more exhausting than expected.
Black Market access badge. Black Market three-year dark language course. Shadow's black stone.
And finally, the Black Flag executive badge.
Literal authorization to access Jefrin's underbelly—the darkness itself.
The clan's token, obtained when the hero of light, Kelters, succumbs to corruption.
"But no downside to holding onto them. ...Well, they're key items in their own right."
These items played a part in why I turned down the student council too.
They're essential for my path to glory and that happy ending down the line.
"For my sake... and for the sake of the flawless student council president, Eve."
Anyway, that's beside the point.
These key items are mine.
Back at the convenience store, I took four days off for muscle pain.
Aila showed up demanding energy drinks.
I made her some.
When I asked why the fuss,
"Midterms start next week!"
Of course, midterms for me too.
Curse this world.
The next day.
While wandering the magic division halls, mulling over what to whip up with Handy Worker, I bumped into Eve.
As usual, we bantered and laughed. I told her to buzz off to grad school—a heartfelt blessing—then flipped her off as we chatted. Eve just laughed and brought up tomorrow's exam.
"If you don't pass this midterm, we're doing a real tax audit."
"..."
"You know your 'convenience store' counts as an 'extracurricular venture for tuition purposes,' right? Jefrin puts grades first—if yours suck, fix 'em. Got it?"
"I know. Like Nefti's grunt work, isn't it?"
"Nefti's already aced every exam and focusing on her livelihood now. Better than you."
"...What."
Am I worse off than Nefti?
No way. The world's broken.
"Keep that in mind. Bad grades, and your store's toast."
"...Got it."
Hah. Eve really packed a punch there. Watching her back, a wry smile tugged at my lips.
So, what now?
Answer came quick.
"No helping it."
Time to study.
Back at the store, Aila was buried in her books.
I slid in beside her and cracked open a theory textbook.
Mage and Battlefield wrapped with assignments—no midterm—thanks to Professor Lantic Grace's personal issues.
With the grad student rights bill passing, profs were scrambling to hold onto academy kids and had no bandwidth for undergrads... or maybe legit health probs. No other classes like it anyway.
"So, just Magic and Social Development to sweat."
"You're taking that too, Wolfram?"
"Yeah. But aren't you skipping? Never spotted you in lecture."
"That wretched Regina Ciela is instead."
"Figures."
Tracks her rival's schedule without even enrolling. Classic Aila.
"Then we'll make Regina kneel together this time."
Ehehehe. Aila's eyes sparkled with glee.
Hmm.
Grand Archmerchant Regina Ciela.
"Annoying as hell."
"Right?"
In the main story's magic division, flub certain choices and meet conditions to unlock the Regina Ciela route.
And her character? Peak annoyance incarnate.
Eve's route is your classic boy-meets-girl growth adventure. Regina's? Twists into some... ultra-tedious depressive romance vibe.
Just one line from her route:
【Will you kill me... for me? My love, Kelters.】
What the actual hell. So annoying.
Diehards devour it, but hard pass for me.
I get her vibe—or maybe I'm the only one who does? Anyway, post-clear, I skip most of her dialogue.
No plans to tangle with her regardless. Fingers crossed if that noob Coolpis botched Eve's route, he at least picks Regina's. Or Isolde's. Hell, side or hidden heroines—bonus if they're pains.
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
"...Exam content."
"Yeah? Not much help since I'm sitting it out. Sorry."
Nah. No apologies needed.
Just gotta nail it.
And the midterms kicked off.
A huge event—way bigger than mini-tests. Ace it, and your rep soars. Game system milked it hard; affinities with friends shot up.
"...Hmm."
Sports festival next? Gotta double-check the calendar.
Lost in thoughts of looming events, click-clack. Steady footsteps approached, halting right beside me.
"Greetings to Prince Wolfram von Loengrin."
"Ciela house lady."
"Please, call me Regina Ciela."
"Can't. Rin't."
"...Pardon?"
Hm. Reflex-slapped her off; no smooth recovery...
"My fiancée's from Trista. For Aila's sake, no chats with you."
"Understood. Forgive my oversight of Your Highness's position."
"Water under the bridge. Move along."
"Then, non-politically... a few words?"
I mulled it over.
Even just surface game knowledge—no deep dives into routes or heroines—Regina could make a solid 'trade partner,' no?
Hm.
Yeah, maybe.
"No. Not politically, not personally. I want nothing to do with you. Step back. I don't keep former foes close."
Uproot weeds early. No letting discord sprout; yank 'em roots and all if they poke up.
"...Understood."
Regina bowed gracefully and withdrew.
But if I wasn't seeing things...
......
Around her, faintly... that...
A bit redder than white... some kind of aura?
Like the affinity system's friendly favor vibe...
"...Bug. Gotta be a bug."
Makes no sense.
No reason she'd fancy me, haha.
Midterms underway.
"Begin the exam."
Written part wasn't bad—easier than expected.
Mage and Battlefield graded on theory adherence; Magic and Social Development rewarded creative spins.
Aila summed it: "Pitch any magic that sounds like it'll advance society convincingly."
She called it prime for "rebellious thinking" scores—but she's skipping this year since profs "don't get it" and dock her.
"..."
Probs her brain, not the profs.
Anyway.
Single question:
【The Loengrin Empire enjoys a millennium of stability, yet urban-rural divides and price disparities remain dire. Propose remedies.】
Oof. Ballsy imperial diss. Life on the line.
Shrugging for the prof's safety,
"Monarchy with royal-bashing questions? Spares handy? ...Solid prompt, though."
Ironic: I knew this prof.
"Fits her. Character-wise too."
Fun one. Right up my alley.
Hadn't gripped a pen like this in ages.
Four days later: practical for the same course.
Magic division style—demo your homemade spells' societal impact.
Mulling submissions and how to BS my way to full marks with measly 3 magic power via infernal silver-tongued sorcery, a young woman's voice piped up nearby.
"H-Haha. Wolfram von Loengrin, right?"
"Yep. Don't know me?"
"A-Ahaha. Of course! Rumors galore. We've brushed past a few times!"
"Hm. Which rumors?"
Chattery frizzy mop. Gaunt horn-rims gal; eyes gleamed even through the lenses.
"Saw your contest entries in person. Incredible stuff!"
"Yeah."
"...Only downside: all combat-focused. Real potential elsewhere."
"Agreed."
"Really?!"
"Medical first. Painkiller proxy. Slow mana flow for backlash cases. And kids'd love 'em..."
"Ahh... Y-Yes! Sick kids beaming at fun snacks, forgetting pain. You are spot-on."
Prof latched on, eyes welling.
Let go, dammit.
"S-So, whatcha got today? Gotta be mind-blowing, right? Gonna wow me? Prior snacks'd still score big."
"No worries. Just watch."
"Y-Yes!"
She cackled and spun away.
Oh yeah.
"Professor Isillote."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Feeling better?"
"Fine! Look frail, but tough as nails!"
"Forget I asked."
"G-Good luck testing!"
If she says fine, whatever.
Anyway—back to scheming magic "social progress" BS for MP-3 perfect score via hellmouth eloquence—when another pestilent voice intruded.
"Greetings to Prince Wolfram von Loengrin."
"Scram."
"Your command's tempting, but our exam slots adjoin."
"..."
"So... permit a brief chat?"
God, so annoying.
Fine. One indulgence.
"What?"
"I won't lose today. But I dare implore Your Highness."
"Didn't hear that."
Why's she spouting her route branch lines outta nowhere?
Any setup for this?
"...Ah."
Regina Ciela route flag trigger:
【Enter magic division. Raise Eve von Loengrin's affinity to friendly.】
【Reject student council invite after. Joining locks Eve route.】
"This time... please beat me."
"..."
【Win 3 head-to-heads vs. Regina before Act 5.】
【Route's yours, but flags pop like this.】
I desperately averted my eyes from Regina's sparkling gaze.
Don't look.
Don't look over here.