Interlude ~ Something Begins in Radia ~
The educational institution in Radia managed by the lord's family: Ladian Academy. Any parent in Radia with children dreamed of sending them here. It was one of the kingdom's top academies, boasting basic curricula, liberal arts, personalized instruction tailored to each student's major, and even university-level facilities. The only drawback was the steep tuition, but its reputation drew students from distant regions—proof that the education held immense value for nobles and the wealthy alike.
Inside the academy, the policy of ignoring age and status—permitted by the lord—held firm. It wasn't just a place for learning; it was a social hub transcending class lines. Nobles gained diverse connections, while commoners forged ties with the elite. Who wouldn't want to send their child to a place offering top-tier education and such opportunities?
That was why Lianna and Dario had enrolled Dino here—to give her those very chances. They never imagined it would turn into a nightmare for her.
"...Hey, look at that..."
"What the hell... is she insane...?"
"Raoul's gonna torment her again for sure..."
In the advanced liberal arts class that Dino and Raoul shared, the students gathered in the classroom all stared in bewilderment at one spot: where Moreen Dino—the usual victim of Raoul's gang—sat.
"God, isn't she embarrassed...? What the hell is she thinking...?"
"She got bullied for acting girly, so she decided to become a real girl...?"
"...Crazy. She even did her makeup..."
"...Dude, I'm not gay, but doesn't she look prettier than the actual girls?"
"You nuts?"
They couldn't look away even if they tried. Dino had always looked somewhat feminine, but she was still a guy—or had been. Now she showed up dressed like a woman, in an outfit straight out of what female adventurers or exhibitionists might wear: sleek stockings and gloves, ultra-short hot pants exposing her ass cheeks, and a cropped shirt barely covering her chest. Chewing gum with her legs crossed, she was a vision of shock and horror to the boys.
"Oh my god... Dino..."
"Guess she's gone full throttle now..."
"How much bullying does it take to snap like that...? Poor thing..."
"...But damn, it suits her. She really looks like a girl."
"Hmm... looking like that, but between her legs... heh..."
The girls in the classroom were just as stunned by Dino's transformation. But their reactions differed from the boys' horrified gasps. A touch of pity for the bullied Dino. Amazement that even they, as women, saw her as feminine. And... a strange sexual curiosity toward a male cross-dressing like a female. Normally, they'd freak out like the boys, but instead, the girls watched with expressions like they were enjoying a fascinating show.
Was it just surprise at Dino's change? Or the faint, alluring scent that had begun wafting through the classroom the moment she entered? Whatever the cause, a few girls now felt their hearts race at the sight of her. A tingling in their lower bodies, an odd flutter. A bizarre urge bubbling up: the desire to trample this male masquerading as a bitch.
And then, the figures who sent the boys into further panic and set the girls' hearts pounding even more entered the room.
"Ah, Dino... h-hi..."
"...Heh heh. Hey, Raoul. Hi."
Raoul—the one who tormented Dino slyly inside the academy and outright with his noble status outside. The students had imagined how he'd harass her now... but instead, Raoul and his friends appeared, dressed just as femininely as Dino.
"...What am I seeing right now...?"
"W-Wait...? That's Raoul...?"
"No way...? That's his sister...?"
Unlike Dino, who had always been somewhat girly, Raoul and his crew were average guys. Seeing them cross-dress should have been eye-searing. Yet the Raoul gang now looked like women with short hair—bodies and heights visibly altered. It was far beyond mere drag.
"You're late."
"Y-You told us to buy it, so we did..."
"Who asked for excuses? Want me to squeeze you dry?"
"N-No... s-sorry..."
"Don't mumble like a little bitch. Keep acting up, and I'll ask the big sisters to crank up the 'play' intensity."
"O-Okay... sorry..."
Even more shocking than the changes: the arrogant noble brat was gone, replaced by a Raoul peeking nervously at Dino. The vibe had flipped—Dino now seemed the leader of the pack. The cross-dressing males hovered awkwardly around her before sitting.
"...What the hell...?"
"What happened to them...?"
"D-Did some evil spell hit them...?"
"...Dude, I'm kinda getting turned on."
"You're seriously insane."
The classroom buzzed with whispers about these neither-male-nor-female figures. The murmurs continued until the female teacher entered, calling roll in flustered confusion.
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"Kyaa~ Radia~"
"It's been months for real~. Finally, we can rest in our rooms!"
"Leader! Can we head back and crash first?"
As the transformed Dino crew drew stares at the academy, a guild returned to Radia's west gate after three months away.
Dawn's Footsteps—a top-tier adventurer guild capable of multi-month monster subjugations. Led by Brang, a near-hero knight-level warrior in her 50s.
"Yeah, go rest up, everyone. We'll settle the subjugation payout and celebrate tomorrow."
"Thanks, leader~"
"Guildmaster! Great work~!"
"Ah, heading to report the subjugation? I'll come too, Guildmaster!"
"Dana! Aren't you hungry?"
Nearly twenty members exchanged cheerful goodbyes and parted ways. As quasi-hero knights, Dawn's Footsteps was massive. This subjugation had been core members only, but three months still exhausted even high-level vets. They headed home or to the guild hall to recover.
Among them, Dana and Hazeli—close as sisters—walked toward their home, a bit from the west gate.
"Aaaah~ Finally! Now we can move to the central district!"
"Sigh~. Signing without checking the terms... stuck for two years..."
"We shouldn't have rushed the purchase... But with this subjugation payout, we can afford something nice."
"We've saved a ton. Maybe even near the noble quarter."
"Hope the neighbor's a hot noble. Single, even better~!"
Not blood sisters but thick as thieves, they'd pooled money for a Radia home. Tired of rent, they bought cheap—but it was a dump inside. Plausible exterior, but outdated magic arrays meant no hot water. And a scam contract with hefty penalties for early exit.
They'd gritted their teeth through it, but now it was nearly over. With fat subjugation rewards, they headed to their soon-to-be-ex-home, dreaming of upgrades.
"Wherever we go, escaping the entertainment district is the best part."
"Yeah, didn't realize it'd be this inconvenient."
"Clubs nearby sounded fun at first. But so many drunks..."
"People avoid it for a reason. Sigh..."
Sighing, the two trudged home. As they neared, a building came into view—their landmark.
"...Ah, Shin-su's place."
"Haven't seen it in ages... Huh? More stuff added?"
"Yeah... Before the subjugation, the windows looked empty..."
"New shops, I guess. But they don't look like winners..."
"Why'd Shin-su buy there~?"
The flashy building they called "Shin-su's house"—famous among adventurers as Shin-su's spot. Shin-su herself was Radia's celebrity. She'd gotten massive lordly rewards, renovated sleekly, and opened shops. How could it not be famous? Only flaw: too deep in the entertainment district.
Even non-neighbors visited on rumors. Adventurers often dropped by.
"Dunno what shops, but post-move, no reason to come. Wanna check it out?"
"Later~. Wanna rest today."
"Fair. Gotta shower... Oh, a convenience store now."
Passing Shin-su's building en route home, Dana and Hazeli eyed it while venturing deeper. A small convenience store had popped up on the ground floor, once just clothing shops.
"Hmm... Entering now might make it hard to leave..."
"...Grab drinks?"
"Yeah! None nearby before. Nice~."
Like magnets, the adventurers slipped inside. They loaded snacks and booze, then set baskets before the scantily clad clerk.
As they checked out, catchy text caught their eye.
'Finally unleashed! One puff to melt your stress and fatigue!'
'Try Radia's new smokes♡'
'The noble thrill—now for everyone!'
Nearby, shelves brimmed with boxy packs.
"...What's that?"
"Oh, the smokes? Radia just lifted tobacco restrictions♡ So we started selling."
"Heh... those are cigarettes..."
"Saw a noble smoking once... Tasty inhaling smoke?"
"Stress relief, huh? Kinda curious..."
New items always snag adventurers. Dana and Hazeli warmed to the novelty.
"How much?"
"Five dong per pack. Shin-su's brand—tax-free, super cheap."
"Shin-su? The building owner? Wow, selling these now."
"Lucky perks~. We risk life for guild pay..."
"Five dong? Not in it for profit, then. Heard they were pricey—gold coin territory?"
"Nobles always skim taxes."
Grumbling, they eyed the promo curiously. Low price? Novelty? They added five dong to payment, pointing at the smokes.
"That too, please."
"One pack. Thanks♡ Free ashtray promo~♡"
"Promo at that price? No margin..."
The clerk beamed, bagging booze, snacks, and smokes. Her cheery farewell drew smiles as they left.
"Perky clerk. Bit exposed for retail, though."
"Wish it'd opened sooner... Eh, we're moving anyway."
"Shower, crack a beer, crash. Exhausted~."
"Light the end for these, right? Gotta try before bed..."
Bags split, the laughing adventurers departed. The clerk watched with a wicked grin—giggling at the smokes in Hazeli's hand, as if all per plan.
Door shut, they missed the malice... and returned two days later for more smokes.