Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Entering Prynar Academy
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[Mei Love Yarte]
A cheerful, bright, and beautiful girl with a kind heart that always considers others.
One of the descendants of the Ten Heroes' families. Heir to the Love Yarte family.
However, in the current era, the family has almost lost its prestige as one of the Ten Great Families.
They lost their unique Prynar training method, which is practically the symbol of the Ten Great Families.
They've been tirelessly working to restore their unique Prynar, but success seems far off...
Maybe there's a possibility beyond restoration?
She loves gal fashion. Surprisingly physical type.]
👤 CHARACTER PROFILE 👤 Mei Love Yarte Cheerful, bright girl with a beautiful kind heart. Heir to one of the Ten Heroes' families. Family prestige nearly lost in modern times. Struggling to restore unique Prynar method. Loves gal fashion. Surprisingly physical. No, not surprising at all.
I was floored reading Mayal's profile.
If that body isn't physical, what is?
After checking Mayal's details even more thoroughly through the profile, I dismissed the system window.
Mayal, who had been standing beyond the system window, must have thought I was looking at her the whole time. She fidgeted nervously.
She glanced at me hesitantly, then mumbled.
"Friends?"
"Yeah."
"I-Is this really the time for that...?"
"You don't want to?"
"Of course not! But..."
"I want to be friends with you."
At my 100% cringey line, Mayal shut her mouth, groaned "Mm...", and kept looking at me then away into space, repeating.
She looked like she was holding something back.
Her lips twitching made me uneasy...
And the unease became reality soon enough.
"Ahahaha! What was that, Dret!"
"..."
As expected, Mayal burst out laughing.
Well, my line probably sounded pretty funny.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, at a loss for words.
We were talking about her family, and suddenly friends? It must've come out of left field for her.
But I was sure she didn't mind.
"Uh, um. Come to think of it, I've never properly asked someone to be friends like this. Y'know, friends just kinda happen when you come to your senses? So I don't know what to say to make it work..."
Her rambling was pretty cute.
If she doesn't have a boyfriend, I'll take her.
But a girl like this probably has one.
Even El with her shitty personality and Clarit have boyfriends or fiancés.
A girl who's kind and has a killer figure on another level? No way she's single.
Thinking back to guys asking for intros earlier, she might be single now, but tomorrow she'd have a new one.
I swallowed my bitterness and smiled gently.
Being friends with her is an honor!
"What else? Just say 'pleased to meet you' or whatever."
"Y-Yeah! Then, pleased to m-meet you...?"
She ended uncertainly but still smiled—that was so Mayal.
No, I hadn't known her for even a day yet, but I felt like I had a rough idea of who she was.
"What's that about?"
Meanwhile, Flat alternated glances between Mayal and me, his face paling in shock.
"You two. Know this is ridiculous, right?"
"No idea."
I stepped closer to Flat threateningly.
Then, the shadow under Flat seemed to stir ever so slightly.
...Not just a feeling.
⚙ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚙ All Things Understanding activated. Magic detected in target's shadow. Not a demon. Presumed to be some kind of sub-space. Sub-space.
Flat's hiding something down there.
Not particularly evil, but definitely powerful.
Time to review the profile.
👤 CHARACTER PROFILE 👤 Flat Crasysun Lady of the Crasysun Marquis family, pillars of the Empire. Rivals with the Fleur Ducal family for generations. Acts haughty and immature like a spoiled noble, but calculating inside with thick popularity. Her shadow holds a secret... That's the gist of her profile.
So, what calculation brought this scheming girl here?
Just to mess with Mayal?
Hmm.
Even if I'm a rookie instructor under suspicion of being a parachute hire, is there merit in doing that in front of me?
She was smart enough last time not to cross the final line.
I had a hunch.
I mentioned that shadow before. She's here to test how much I know.
As for picking on Mayal... Guess I'll find out directly now.
Maybe she tried to hurt her feelings verbally to chase her away.
To talk alone with me.
I looked at Flat anew.
She's genuinely pretty on the surface.
Not quite Clarit-level beauty that's so unreal it discourages dark thoughts, but that's just my eyes.
Objectively, she's the model type you'd see in magazines—realistic, like a queen bee on a Western campus.
Super pretty, basically.
Normally, a guy like me would be thrilled just to talk to her.
But now, seeing her tricks made her repulsive and annoying.
Anyway, if I'm right, she wanted Mayal gone from here...
"By the way, Mayal."
"Yeah? What?"
"Clarit was looking for you with a scary face."
"Gasp! Why?!"
Mayal looked genuinely shocked. Terrified, even.
What the hell has Clarit been up to...?
"No idea. Just passing on what I saw."
"Oh, uh... Is it because of that consultation last time...?"
She must've done something wrong.
Mayal stared at me intensely.
"Go on. I'll find my way."
"N-No! Clarit won't mind helping someone in trouble! So Dret, later go with me to Clarit and say I helped!"
"Am I an excuse now...?"
Anyway, seeing caring Mayal say that, it didn't seem serious.
I pondered how to send her off when Flat stepped beside me.
"Weren't you giving a school tour? I'll take over."
At Flat's words, the gal girl hesitated, then asked cautiously.
"Can I leave it to you?"
"Of course."
Mayal recovered her ehehehe smile.
"Then Dret! Let's meet again soon as possible! Might see you in a bit!"
"Yeah. As soon as I can."
"See you soon!"
Mayal dashed off tatata, super fast. Like a track star.
...That's why she's physical type?
Whoa... Impressed by her unexpected talent, she waved from afar.
Just watching warmed my heart.
Not because of her bouncing chest while running. For real.
Once she was gone, Flat spoke softly.
"You into Mayal's type?"
"She'd be any guy's type."
Guys only look at faces or figures anyway.
I turned to look down at Flat, whose head was a size smaller than mine.
I was pissed.
Couldn't understand.
Why do these types get off on hurting people, making them miserable?
Love Yarte was a declining Ten Great Family.
From her reaction earlier, Mayal's probably been hurt a lot by people drawn to the title.
Made me mad.
Is it shameful to lag behind old peers?
Sure, some snobs mock it.
What pissed me most was this girl seeing me as one of those snobs.
My voice turned curt naturally.
"So, what'd you want to say by sending Mayal away on purpose?"
"Pardon?"
Flat blinked, feigning confusion.
"You were hiding here waiting to talk to me alone, right?"
"Well... Yeah, I wanted to talk and was waiting hidden, but I didn't chase Mayal off just for that."
"Really? You were pretty aggressive toward her."
"......"
I turned to face Flat squarely as she stared with wide eyes.
Then spoke clearly so she'd get it.
"You tried embarrassing her with that Ten Great Family talk earlier. Personally, I don't care about backgrounds."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. So don't try cutting others down with nonsense, or any shady stuff..."
"Mm... Hm!"
Flat's behavior was suspicious.
She hung her head, trembling.
Like holding back laughter.
"Flat?"
"......Yes. Go on."
"...Anyway, whatever her family, Mayal's a good person. No one likes seeing friends belittled over petty stuff, not just me..."
"Pfft."
You just snorted, bitch.
I glared in disbelief as Flat burst into laughter.
"Kyahaahahaha! S-Stop, Instructor!! Ahahaha!"
"...?"
She clutched her stomach, doubling over like her sides would split, then slapped my arm.
Your laugh's funny too, y'know?
"Ow. Ahahaha."
"Hey..."
The sudden laughter lasted nearly two minutes.
Flat finally stopped, sighing.
"Ah~ Haven't laughed like that in ages. You got comedian talent or something?"
Felt mocked, so my voice came out irritated.
"Call me a comedian."
"Same difference."
"......"
She coughed fakely under my cold gaze.
"Reason I waited: to give some advice. Nothing Mayal couldn't hear."
?
What bullshit.
I chuckled, opening my mouth.
"Really? You expect me to believe that?"
"Totally. Mayal's popular with thick support. Do I look dumb enough to make an enemy of her?"
"Uh..."
Made sense.
With that face and personality, how could she not be?
"What do I gain attacking a popular girl? I admit teasing her 'cause she's cute."
Might be fun for you, but she might hate it.
I snapped.
"What you said seemed to hit a sore spot for Mayal."
"Fair, but point is, she's not someone I can just trash unilaterally. Even without family, she's proudly on the kingdom's 12 Beauties list."
"...12 Beauties?"
Heard that a couple times before.
"What's that?"
"The kingdom's prettiest, most popular girls. Mostly Prynar Academy girls from all over, so world-class too."
Wonder who's on it.
"World-class? Bit exaggerated?"
"Huh, not buying it? It's not widespread, just well-known in the kingdom."
This girl...
"Half serious though. Hard to imagine prettier than them. Especially Asita..."
"Ah, Asita definitely."
Huh? When did I start chatting casually with her?
Surprisingly easy to talk to.
"Huh? Look like you got something to say?"
"Nothing."
"Wanna be friends with me too?"
Getting cocky after a bit of rapport.
"Never had friends, one's enough."
Have friend-like guys, but are they really friends?
Memories surfaced.
That blood-soaked time...
Snapped back.
Flat looked at me like a pitiful loser.
Fuck. Half joke.
"So, what is it? That shadow?"
"Nah? Doesn't seem like you'll blab, no plans to either. Why poke the hornet's nest myself?"
"Ah, poking the nest, huh?"
"Sure. Nests are easy to handle."
Sarcastically asking if it's a weakness, she brushed it off.
Yeah. Banter suits us.
"You said advice earlier?"
"Advice."
"Yes. Cute student wanting to impress the instructor."
She looked up with narrowed eyes... Normally cute.
Fuck. Lately every girl's cute to me?
Might think Yulis or Sor cute too... Nah.
Recalling their faces cooled me surprisingly.
"Speak."
"Really. Your attitude's so different from with Mayal~"
First impressions are half the battle, idiot.
"Liyet's preparing a prank."
"Prank?"
"A nasty one."
"Not coming at me directly?"
"No way. Even spaced out lately, Liyet's rational and cool. Clarit-level, no exaggeration."
That's scary.
"One week. Er, less now?"
Bitch skipped the subject.
"Instructor qualification exam?"
"Yup. Plans a big 'promotion' then."
"Hmm."
I see.
Thinks I'm weak, so if I fail, spread it wide.
Sounds good.
In a skill-merit academy, mocking poor skill isn't a crime. Even if parachute with school backing, she can harp on it.
Win-win for her.
If I were really a parachute, that is.
"What do I look like to you? Fraud? Parachute?"
"Pretty skilled. Not total liar."
"I see."
Flat smiled seductively.
"Yes. Prove my eyes right. Instructor."
Lost myself for a sec.
She's really pretty...
Why tell me this?
"What's in it for you?"
"Dunno. Liyet's frustrated face? Should be fun."
O! Hohohohoho! Her signature loud laugh echoed.
Nice personality.
Got it anyway.
Time to prepare.
I nodded knowingly.
We chatted idly the whole way.
How'd we end up on S&M?
Followed Flat to the staff room—conference room.
Empty.
Apparently all off for maintenance or some shit. Fuck, weren't I an instructor too...?
Flat's pitying look beside me made it worse. Damn dog.
Fuck it. Ace the exam.
Turning crisis to opportunity feels rewarding.
Shook off Flat's lingering pity and toured alone.
Sunset already burning red.
Left the academy with tons left to see for Hart Manor.
Fun. Gotta come back.
After that, five days passed uneventfully.
Just train, eat, sleep. Repeat.
Not flashy, but desperate to avoid disgrace.
Couldn't meet promised people, but time later.
Exam in under a week.
Parachute suspicions, scornful looks—all gone.
With that resolve, I pushed.
Time flowed again. Exam morning.
Chirp chirp chirp.
"...Hm?"
Birdsong that'd normally delight stirred anxiety.
I checked the clock.
Exam time passed?
...Overslept hard.
"Fuck my life."
What a moron I am.
Oversleep on qualification day?
Rushed out.
Just run like hell.