Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Going to the Academy (3)
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“Approved!”
“Oh, thank you.”
The professor, who had boldly assured me to just trust him, had suddenly dashed off somewhere and spent nearly two hours arguing so loudly that it echoed outside, finally securing permission for us to enter.
Honestly, I hadn’t imagined he’d help this enthusiastically, so I was a little touched.
Since we’d lied about being in a marital relationship with Nania, we had to act the part on the surface.
With that, I linked arms with her and stepped into the academy grounds.
“Oooh…”
The view from outside had been impressive, but the interior scenery was downright astonishing.
Every building exuded refined elegance, and at the center lay a massive lake, surrounded by clusters of students sitting together, sharing lunches.
What surprised me most was how many couples there were—more than I’d expected.
Most were children of nobles or wealthy merchant houses, so I’d assumed they’d live more conservatively, but my prediction was way off.
“Master, here’s your room key. Head to the academy dorms, and you’ll find the professors’ exclusive quarters. Just locate your room.”
The professor, who had classes starting soon, bowed repeatedly in apology as he handed me the key.
I’d been lukewarm about suddenly becoming his master, but grateful nonetheless, I nodded my head in thanks.
“Haha, see you later then!”
I waved goodbye as he bolted off at top speed.
I didn’t know his name, but I’d get used to him during my time as a professor.
“Um… Hero?”
Nania, who’d been pressing her hefty watermelon-like assets against my arm the whole time, asked with flushed cheeks, looking a bit excited.
“What?”
“Could we… maybe not go straight to the dorm and look around the academy a little…?”
For someone essentially living as a slave, this was pretty bold, but I was a kind master who respected even a slave’s human rights.
I gently straightened her hair with my hand and nodded.
“One day won’t hurt.”
“Hehe… Thank you. You’re the best, Hero!”
“Don’t call me Hero. Too many ears around here.”
“What should I call you then?”
I met Nania’s innocent gaze and hesitated a moment before answering.
“Just call me Raden, like everyone else. We’re pretending to be married, so it’ll feel more natural.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah.”
Before coming to the academy, I’d seriously considered ditching Nania, so I felt a twinge of guilt toward her.
That’s why I generously allowed her to drop the formal speech.
It was like a senior soldier on his last day, casually telling everyone from juniors to fresh recruits to speak freely.
“Hehe, Raden.”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Honey.”
“…That’s banned.”
“Darling.”
“…”
Looks like she thought I was an easy mark.
Nania flashed a bright smile and teased me relentlessly.
She used to be more cautious, but the academy excitement had her buzzing with energy.
I strolled around the lake, sunlight sparkling off its surface, and asked Nania, who was gawking around like a curious kid.
“I’ve always wondered—why do you love academies so much?”
“Because! They’re a staple in demon world romance novels! Academy romance is all the rage down there right now!”
Academy stories trending in the demon world, huh.
Fascinating.
No matter how the world changes, people’s tastes stay the same, I thought—then froze.
‘Did she just drop formal speech…?’
I subtly flicked Nania’s head for the casual tone.
“Wh-Why all of a sudden?!”
“Hey, I only said to call me Raden. I never okayed casual speech.”
“B-But we’re supposed to act like a close couple!”
She’d slyly inserted “close” when I’d never said that.
“In the human world, wives often use formal speech with their husbands.”
“Huh? But close couples use casual speech—why formal?”
“How should I know? Maybe patriarchal traditions?”
“…The human world is so stiff. In the demon world, the demon queen bosses the demon king around like he’s a mouse.”
That perked my ears.
“Tell me more.”
Instead of answering, Nania pointed to the food stalls lining the lake.
From tornado potatoes to steaks, a variety of aromas wafted from the colorful options.
Like food trucks at a festival from my past life, with lines forming.
‘Tornado potatoes here too?’
I spaced out watching a couple amicably sharing a heavily seasoned tornado potato as they walked.
Why’s that even here…?
With no response from me, Nania poked my shoulder, probably hinting she’d talk if I bought food.
I’d felt a bit sorry for her, huddled in the corner of the plant carriage, watching her step during the trip.
Food was no big deal.
“Alright, pick what you want.”
“Hehe.”
Grinning like she’d forgotten she was a life-at-stake slave, she beelined for the first stall.
It sold lamb and chicken skewers—big, meaty ones, unlike Earth’s increasingly skimpy versions.
“Two silver.”
“Here.”
We each held one and proceeded to sweep through the stalls, piling our haul on a bench with a prime lake view.
“Phew… This is so romantic…”
Nania beamed at the sparkling lake and sharing food.
‘Looks delicious.’
I was moved by the street food after so long.
Kebab-like things, lamb skewers, chicken skewers, fruit juice, cube steaks, tornado potatoes, hot dog-ish stuff, sandwiches, and more.
Enough for two to struggle with.
“Wow, you gonna eat all that?”
“Darling, should we get some of that too?”
Unlike others chatting over one or two items, our feast-like spread drew eyes.
“Here, say ahh~”
Ignoring the stares, Nania cheerfully popped a steak into my mouth with a bright smile.
I wanted to stop this cringeworthy act and snap her out of it, but with everyone watching us sparkling-eyed, I had to play along.
If I coldly refused here?
I’d face the scorching glares of dozens of students.
Young folks’ judgmental stares terrified an old guy like me.
Then Nania opened wide and leaned in.
No choice—I forked her some steak too.
She lit up like it was the best thing ever.
Amused yet baffled, I teased.
“Like that much?”
“Yup! All my wishes are coming true today…”
Guess she’d wanted to do this from those romance novels.
As a proud hero party member, I had a duty to manage her condition.
If this satisfied her, fine by me.
“Wow, such a pretty couple…”
“Were there celebs like that at our academy?”
“I wanna get married too… My fiancée, ugh…”
Our couple act had the surroundings buzzing.
No clue why they said it loud enough for us to hear.
“Hehe~ We’re not just a couple—we’re married!”
Unlike me, too embarrassed to look up, Nania reveled in the attention, waving with a V-sign.
***
That day, we toured the academy like performers, firmly imprinting on the students that we were married.
We shopped for essentials at the academy store and headed to our assigned dorm.
Student dorms were clean like five-star hotels, but the professors’ quarters were even better.
Rivaling a decent hotel suite.
After unloading purchases and unpacking, it was late night.
On the carriage, I’d crash immediately, but with magic stone lamps like modern facilities, we could stay up later.
Fresh from a shower, I toweled my hair and told Nania, who’d sprawled starfish on the bed.
“You wash up too.”
“Y-Yes!”
She’d been playful earlier but suddenly stiffened like a robot.
Wondering why, but used to it by now, I shrugged it off and savored the plush bed, closing my eyes.
Ssshh.
Nania finished showering and slipped in beside me.
My old self would’ve yelled about no co-sleeping for grown man and woman and kicked her out, but I’d shared with Rainy often lately.
Past the point of getting rattled, I just shifted to make space.
As I drifted off, her slender fingers poked my solar plexus.
Wanting sleep, I ignored and rolled over—then she openly pinched my cheek.
Fed up, I turned to face her.
She wore only a bathrobe, her whole body flushed from the hot shower.
“What?”
“Um… Raden…?”
“Yeah.”
“Shouldn’t we do the most married-couple thing?”
“What…”
“I’m hungry…”
It took a second to process, then I jolted in realization.
Right. You’re a succubus.