I Broke the Curse
I'd broken the curse, and one realization hit me right away.
"Ah, these stares are driving me insane for real."
"You're acting like you hate it, but don't you actually love it?"
"Maybe at first, but not anymore…."
In a good way, my looks drew eyes wherever I went. Getting stares wasn't new—that hadn't changed since before the curse broke—but the emotions behind them were completely different. No more disgust or contempt. Now it was curiosity and fondness. Better than before, sure, but no less burdensome.
Results won't be out for a bit, so maybe I should wander off somewhere.
I figured I'd passed, but I planned to wait for the academy's official announcement. What class I'd get assigned to mattered more than passing itself. If I was lucky, I'd dodge the one with the protagonist.
"They announce acceptances the same day?"
"Right? Mine's the practical exam track."
A track that purely evaluated practical skills. Nobles usually hire tutors for the written exam. Most noble kids got in via writing, which weighed talent less than practicals—but not me.
My crazy family signed me up for practicals without telling me.
Their goal was obvious. Probably to kick me out if I flunked the entrance exam. The family disgrace, Vergilius trash… Just thinking about how that nickname might've stuck if I hadn't broken the curse made my teeth grind.
"Man, nothing to do."
Did I really have to sit here twiddling my thumbs until results dropped? Even just lounging on this bench drew a crowd of stares. Enjoyable at first, but overwhelming now.
Might as well tour the academy while I'm here.
The examiners had basically called my admission a done deal anyway. A prospective freshman scoping the place seemed harmless enough.
Probably.
"Lilia. If you're bored, go have some fun."
"Huh? For real?"
"I'm just gonna wander and sightsee anyway."
"Then, I'll be back!!"
She bolted off, dropping her spiritual form in excitement. How was she like this at over a thousand years old? Mental age of about ten, tops.
"Maaaster."
"Huh? Why aren't you going?"
"What were you just thinking?"
Lilia froze mid-stride and stared me down.
"Huh? Nothing."
"Hmmm… Okayyy! See you later, Maaaster!"
Was this what experience looked like? Terrifying. Way too terrifying. She acted like a total airhead usually, but moments like this? Pure demon.
Guess I'll start wandering.
Options were limited for outsiders, though. Academy security wasn't lax—examinees like me had restrictions.
But this spot's fair game.
I'd reached a small forest bursting with cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom woods encircling the academy. A short walk farther in led to….
"Whoa. Looks exactly like in the game."
A rundown wooden cabin caught my eye. Spiderwebs everywhere proved no one lived here. Creaky windows rattled in the breeze. It looked like a decrepit ruin, but its value was beyond words.
The birthplace of Belhalm—the first to surpass 9th Circle and reach Star Manifestation. The founding chairman of the academy and great sage.
"New student?"
Lost in admiration, a voice rang in my ear. Pleasant, lively—and definitely a woman's.
"Yes. Dante Vergilius, taking the academy entrance exam today."
"Oh, right—test day's today. Nice to meet you, junior~."
She dropped straight from the sky. Light purple eyes. Dark blue hair. Beauty that could rival Lilia's….
"Senior?"
I played dumb, but I knew exactly who she was.
"Yup~! Dorothy Merhenia, third-year~."
Her drawling speech and melodic voice suited her perfectly. One of the main heroines: the Illusion Witch.
Never thought I'd run into her here.
She was elusive even as a heroine—random appearances in the game story.
"But how'd you end up here? Most students don't even know about it~."
"Oh, just came to pray for luck on the exam."
"Aha. How'd it go?"
"Pretty well, I think."
Dorothy's light purple eyes fixed on me. Her gaze pierced right through, like she saw everything.
Tough one.
Thousand Faces further emphasizes your charm.
"Uh, s-so… what was your name again?"
"Dante Vergilius. Call me whatever's comfy."
"Th-then, just Dante it is! You call me comfy too!"
Unlike the cool-headed mage from the game, Dorothy seemed flustered. Cheeks faintly pink, eyes darting away.
She's not usually like this? She was supposed to slaughter foes with ruthless logic….
Insight activates.
The target feels affinity toward your perfect appearance.
Ah. Even Dorothy was human enough to react to a face. Bittersweet. Things would've gone differently not long ago.
"Anyway, junior—magic department?"
"Yeah. Figured magic's the way to go."
Got a great demon teacher now, after all. Better than majoring in martial arts. Plus, in another world? Gotta try some spells.
"Then you're my junior for real~."
"Looking forward to it, senior."
"Yesss~! Hit me up anytime with questions. Totally welcome~."
She shrugged with a charming smile.
Coming here was smart. Even bonded with Dorothy.
I grinned, satisfied—
"Maaaster! Maaaster!!"
Lilia came sprinting back in spiritual form.
What? Why the rush? Told her to relax.
"Looks like results are out!! Everyone's gathering!"
"Oh."
Yeah, walking here, sightseeing, chatting with Dorothy—it added up. Practical results dropping now made sense.
"Dorothy-senior."
"Hm? What's up, junior~?"
"Had fun today."
"Oh, leaving?"
"Yeah. Results time. See you around."
I nodded to her smiling face and turned back the way I'd come.
"Maaaster. Did you seduce another girl while I was gone?"
"Seduce? We just talked."
"That look in her eyes wasn't 'just talked.' I'm no succubus, but I've seen enough to know…."
"Lilia. Aren't you a succubus?"
"Wha!? Me, one of those low-class demons…."
"Yeah, or not."
"Hngg."
Wonder how magic department rankings shook out.
With me in the mix, it'll differ from the game.
Something had to change. I was confident in passing, so….
"Whoa………. Check these practical scores."
Never expected to top magic department practicals.
Magic Department Practical Exam Acceptances
1. Dante Vergilius (Top)
2. Belloa Lamier (Runner-up)
…
Not aiming for it, but the honor followed anyway.
"Dante…? Vergilius—that wastrel punk?"
"…If it's him, probably bribed the examiners."
"No way. This is the academy."
"………How'd that lowlife manage it."
"No doubt…. Dante, Dante—it's you."
Ah, and that. The fond attention from students….
"Dante…. Dante Vergilius."
And Belloa's hate-filled glare, who should've been top. Bonus.
A lavish reception room reserved for the academy's VIPs. A woman with snow-white hair sipped tea there.
"Chairman, you don't need to treat me so grandly."
"Can't have that. You're still the Saintess until you enroll."
"Hehe…. I'm not that special—be casual. I'll be your student soon enough."
The academy prided itself on testing pure skill for admissions. But exceptions existed.
One sat before the chairman now: the white-haired beauty, the Saintess.
Clink.
"Hm? Saintess, what's wrong?"
"…I sense it."
"Sense? Something?"
The chairman asked, puzzled. The Saintess parted her lips.
"An ominous aura… unfit for humans."