Chapter 108

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 108

Chapter Title: Alcohol's Influence

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A suffocating silence blanketed the award ceremony hall.

It was the first time I'd ever felt pressure from all those stares.

Every mage in the hall was now fixated on me because of Yi Soo-ah's actions just moments ago.

Well, yeah, that makes sense.

The Archmage Duchess showing up in person at the academy's subjugation festival was shocking enough already.

And then she presents the award like it's no big deal and hugs a first-year cadet.

On top of that, I'm just a commoner—not even direct lineage.

The gallery was spouting nonsense as usual.

Why do these grandmages' brains always regress to caveman levels whenever this topic comes up?

But thinking about it again, I couldn't come up with any other explanation.

The Archmage Duchess, who had remained unmarried for so long even after becoming family head.

Her suddenly showing interest in one guy... it really does sound like the gallery's right.

But me? A first-year commoner cadet at the academy?

That's way too unrealistic.

"Hey, scrub. What's your deal with the Archmage Duchess?"

As I was tearing at my hair, Elrim asked.

Lifting my head, I saw Hisenna staring at me with a similarly bewildered expression.

Over there, Chayuri Floridel, Yuuna, Harisha, and the other girls watching me all had the same look on their faces.

Like, "Why would Her Excellency the Archmage Duchess go for a guy like that?"

I totally agreed.

"What kind of relationship could there be? I'm just a commoner... I have no idea either."

"But Lady Ilmost Archmage Duchess never shows herself publicly. For her to come to the subjugation festival in person..."

"Scrub, weren't you just with the Archmage Duchess earlier?"

"N-no, that's not... Why would someone like her have anything to do with me..."

What the hell? Why are they suddenly so perceptive?

Of course, I'd met Yi Soo-ah before the first part of the ceremony,

but I hadn't seen her during the break, so it wasn't a lie.

I averted my gaze awkwardly.

The host was wrapping up, and the ceremony was coming to an end.

After this, the real afterparty would kick off.

The mages' stares were still locked on me.

It was clear I'd be drawing all sorts of unwanted attention from now on.

-And with that, the award ceremony is concluded. Everyone, enjoy the night!

The ceremony officially ended, and people rose from their seats.

Despite all the drama, that would only make the party heat up more.

My name was probably already on everyone's lips.

I just wanted to head back to my room and crash.

I was getting tired anyway. Needed to sort out my prizes too.

Above all, better to lurk in bed scrolling the gallery than stewing in all those stares.

"Uh, guys, I'm beat, so I'm heading out first. Afterparty's not mandatory..."

I tried to slip away casually,

Grab-

"Ian, why not stick around and enjoy a bit? Tomorrow's a holiday anyway?"

"Where do you think you're going alone, scrub! You think we'll let you?"

Hisenna and Elrim grabbed both my arms at once.

What the...? Did they cast some spell? Their grips are insanely strong.

"Hang on, guys. My arms hurt..."

"You're coming to the party with us, right Ian? There's tons of food you like."

"It's not just any day—it's the party where we're the stars! Where do you think you're going!"

Why are they doing this? I prefer my bed, seriously.

"What are you all doing?"

"Chayuri! The scrub's trying to ditch the party!"

"That's not allowed, Ian. Come with us."

"Wait, hold on! Uwaaaah-"

Then Chayuri joined in, and I was forcibly dragged away by the three girls.

Why won't they let me go?

Why are they glaring like that!

"Oh! Everyone's here!"

In the end, I got hauled into the party venue by the three of them.

Nayu and Yuuna were already there drinking.

Harisha was with them too.

"All you underclassmen did great. First subjugation festival and you nailed it."

"Thank you, President!"

Harisha smiled and smoothly took control of the conversation.

Thanks to her, there was no chance for the Yi Soo-ah hug topic to come up.

She was kinda helping me out in her own way.

Bringing up the Archmage Duchess here would've spelled trouble for me.

In the midst of drinking and having fun, a guy approached our group.

He was from Karindol's team, the one we'd clashed with at the festival.

Direct lineage of the Legobomber Archmage Duke Family, Bephepe Legobomber.

"Heyyy—congrats on the win, underclassmen!"

He sauntered over with a cheeky grin, alone.

No sign of Karindol or her maid, Rime.

Since he had done me a solid before, I greeted him warmly too.

"Hello."

"Yeah, hey. Ian, my man. What a standout underclassman. Subjugation festival champ and catching the Archmage Duchess's eye. Haha!"

He was already ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠buzzed, cheeks flushed from the booze.

After that, he chatted with Nayu, Yuuna, Harisha, and the others.

Bephepe was direct lineage from an Archmage Duke Family, second-year A-Class, so they all knew him.

"Anyway, Chayuri. That was a shock—you're a girl?"

"That's how it turned out."

And the second-year direct lineage that Chayuri had mentioned knowing was Bephepe.

They'd crossed paths at banquets back when Chayuri was still crossdressing.

Bephepe steered the conversation all over the place.

Seemed like he had something to say.

He finally broached it, glancing around cautiously.

"Uh... Ian, right? Sorry about the festival. Karindol's got a real fiery temper."

"No, it was my familiar's fault for starting it."

"Familiars and beasts hate Karindol on instinct. No idea why, but she's like a wild beast herself—maybe they sense it. Anyway, your familiar couldn't help it."

So Kimchur threatening Karindol back then was just natural?

I had no clue why beasts disliked her.

Maybe since Kimchur was a Grandis, it was because she seemed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strong and fierce.

"I'm really sorry on her behalf! But, uh... advice? Suggestion from a senior? Whatever— if you're cool with it, go apologize to Karindol later."

"Ah, sure."

"Not trying to piss you off. You know her temper's nasty. But no grudges if you apologize—she'll forget it. Otherwise, she might try to kill you every time she sees you. Total beast mode."

Bephepe spoke very carefully.

Clearly not his first rodeo with this.

No reason not to apologize. It was Kimchur's fault anyway, and I didn't want to live with a target on my back from that scary senior.

No grudges? Just apologize and done.

"Then I'll apologize anytime. I don't wanna tiptoe around seniors at the academy either."

"Oh, good? Then do it ASAP. She's in a bad mood right now—lost first place and all. But she bounces back quick if someone says sorry. Please give it a shot."

"Ah, sure."

Bephepe chuckled heartily and wandered off.

"Strongest direct lineage," my ass—she sounded like a total tyrant.

At least he'd accept an apology, that was a relief.

I went straight to find Karindol and apologize.

"Sorry, Senior. My familiar's still inexperienced."

"……"

Karindol stared at me blankly after the apology.

After a moment, she replied in a hard-to-read tone.

"Ian Isaac. I'll remember that."

Is that okay or not?

Why say you'll remember?

Anyway, apology done—I bolted.

Wonder if she really holds no grudges like Bephepe said?

My neck felt itchy for some reason.

Back at the group, it had turned into a full-blown drinking bash.

"I-I worked hard too!"

"Me and Recchi were the MVPs!"

Hisenna and Elrim, totally sloshed, shaking their heads and rambling incoherently.

"Still, Ian will partner with me next."

"Th-that's 'cause we didn't this time, so we're rotating fairly!"

"Don't say partner, it sounds weird! Chayuri, you scrub!"

Chayuri looked relatively sober amid the chaos.

Almost like she was deliberately provoking Hisenna and Elrim.

"Ahem. But this time, Elrim underclassman did great."

"Exactlyyy!"

"But Hisenna underclassman stuck with Ian to the end..."

"I-I worked hard too!"

Nayu was drunk too, fanning the flames from the sidelines.

Yuuna and Harisha had already left to mingle with VIPs.

"Haa... what are you guys up to now."

"Ack! Scrubbers!"

"Ian whaaat is thiiiis!"

Hisenna and Elrim spotted me and charged over.

Elrim kept poking and squeezing me, yelling "scrub scrub."

Hisenna shoved a mountain of spicy pork into my mouth from who-knows-where.

"Mmph, mmph... Guys, hold on..."

I barely pushed them off. They chugged more booze and started yelling louder.

"Hisenna underclassman did great! Elrim underclassman did great!"

Nayu kept stoking their rivalry.

It wasn't a real fight, but after earlier events, they were both touting their contributions more fiercely.

Hisenna wouldn't normally act like this—was she that drunk? Totally out of character.

"Why are you like this?"

"Ian underclassman just stays quiet!"

Nayu was the problem here.

I tried to intervene, but Nayu shoved me away instead.

"Ian. Come over here for a sec."

"Huh?"

"Lots of tasty stuff over there."

"Oh, really?"

Chayuri, the most sober one left, pulled me away.

Hisenna and Elrim's whining was giving me a headache.

Figured I'd squeeze some fun out of the rest of the night, so I followed Chayuri.

"This pairs perfectly with that liquor."

"Yeah? Looks kinda strong though..."

"Not at all. It's the lowest proof here."

"...Really?"

Chayuri expertly picked drinks to match the food.

Even the buffet-style spread was top quality.

I scarfed it down with gusto.

"Kuhhh...! This feels strong tho?"

"No, have another."

Chayuri's pairings were spot on.

But the booze hit harder than expected.

With the greasy food, it went down smooth, cup after cup.

This is actually delicious.

Chayuri kept bringing new combos without pause.

It was like a fancy full-course meal I'd never tried— I devoured it.

How much did we eat and drink?

Stomach full, I tried to move,

Wobble-

The moment I did, the alcohol surged up, vision spinning.

"Oh dear. You alright, Ian?"

"Uuuuh~? Ah~ Kinda dizzy~"

Ate too much, huh.

The buzz hit all at once.

"I'll walk you back to the dorm."

"Thaaaanks~"

With the sudden alcohol rush, I staggered along, leaning on Chayuri.

Guess I passed out the second I hit the dorm bed...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Or so I thought.

Clutching my pounding head, I opened my eyes to...

An unfamiliar room.

Lying in bed with Chayuri Floridel, who was barely wearing any clothes.