Black Adder Berry and the Vampire Girl
The most prominent trait of Scarlett Red's character is her status as a cat maniac. She loves cats. No, love doesn't even begin to cover it—obsession would be more accurate.
During my first meeting with Senior Scarlett, complimenting her cat was enough to boost her favorability. That alone proves how intense her feline devotion is.
For Senior Scarlett, who spends long hours buried in paperwork at her desk, her pet cat Nero is truly the other half of her soul. But that cat has a fatal illness: vitiligo.
In the original story, Johan cures Nero's vitiligo with the Black Adder Berry and wins Scarlett's heart. Of course, unlike me, that guy wasn't trying to fuck her—he was just spreading goodwill like a proper novel protagonist.
Anyway, knowing the original plot, I can get my hands on the Black Adder Berry, the cure for vitiligo.
In the story, Scarlett and Johan's relationship skyrockets right after he brings her the berry. Using it to gain her favor should lay the groundwork for me to eventually fuck her. Even if I can't claim her body right away, it's smart groundwork for the future.
The Black Adder Berry comes from the demon realm. It's a fruit cats go crazy for and a remedy for feline diseases. The name and description make it sound cheap, but it's surprisingly rare.
You might wonder why someone like Senior Scarlett can't snag a simple cat cure, but money alone won't cut it.
The berry is a premium elixir for catfolk, so it's pricey and scarce. It only pops up occasionally at underground auctions.
Plus, Scarlett's family disapproves of her keeping cats. They see it as unbecoming for a proud celestial from the heavenly realm to dote on a mere pet. That's why she can't easily get family support right now.
"I still can't believe it. You really know where to find a Black Adder Berry? You're definitely human, right?"
"Yep. Human through and through, as you can see. Though my looks aren't far off from a celestial like you, Senior."
I subtly leaned toward her, flaunting my appearance. I caught her face softening ever so slightly—a change so minute you'd miss it without close observation.
As expected, Johan's looks are a massive cheat. Fucking women with this body would definitely draw out even sweeter screams of pleasure.
"How did you know I'm celestial?"
Celestials and humans look nearly identical on the surface. Same for demons.
They're not like the angelic types with golden halos and flashy wings, or demons with sharp horns, devil tails, and bat wings that scream "otherworldly."
"You have that sweet, fragrant scent. It's a celestial hallmark."
Unlike humans, celestials in the setting exude a deliciously sweet body aroma. Scarlett's, for the record, is a fresh strawberry scent—perfectly matching her name and tsundere personality.
"......Sniffing a woman's scent is the worst kind of behavior. But that's not the point right now. Fine. Where's the Black Adder Berry? If you're lying just to win me over... you'd better assume your academy days are over."
Her final words dripped with cold menace. For someone who hates lies, fibbing about her pet would be the ultimate offense. That threat about ending her academy life wasn't a joke.
She could lynch a single student without batting an eye. Not that her personality would stoop to that.
She'd probably apply subtle pressure from the shadows until I quit. Either way, crossing her means no normal academy life.
"Of course not. Why would I lie about something so important? I'm just a pure cat lover."
"No one who loves cats can be bad."
She has some quirky philosophy. I disagree.
"To get the Black Adder Berry, we need to head to the demon realm."
The berry originates from the demon realm. Even the occasional auctions are demon-run. She seemed to know that much, tilting her head like a curious cat eyeing something new.
"You're not talking about an underground auction, are you? Even low-quality adder berries start at 100 million kant. Even as student council secretary, I can't scrape that together."
"Really? I heard the student council has massive funds."
"......I can't just embezzle, you know. I'm celestial. Don't lump me in with humans."
The student council's power could make embezzlement trivial, but it'd create vulnerabilities. Power attracts enemies, and it's the unseen rivals, not teachers, who keep the council in check.
Of course, Senior Scarlett probably avoids it purely out of conscience.
"Don't worry. It's not an underground auction, and it won't cost a dime. If you want it, come to the demon realm with me this weekend."
"It's suspicious, but... fine. If you're lying, you'll pay then."
I'd locked in a date with Senior Scarlett lightning-fast. So far, so good.
Whistling a cheerful tune, I left the Student Council Hall and returned my visitor's necklace.
Checking the time, I still had some before second period. First-period swordsmanship ended early, leaving plenty of buffer.
The academy's breaks are generous too—big campus to navigate, plus lots of physical classes.
"Next is history. Damn, it's a combined class."
History's in the magic department's lecture hall. For me, it's just memorizing the novel's pointless lore.
Sounds fucking boring already. And history classes are notorious for blasting through material from day one.
But skipping means demerits. Hit 50, and it's disciplinary duty. No thanks. I'll play nice today—first day, and there's a heroine to stamp my presence with.
*-*-*
I arrived at the underground lecture hall in the magic department's theory building. The eager beavers had already claimed seats.
I scanned the room. Lots of Tempest kids. Their sleek, modern uniforms are easy on the eyes—girls only, though. Zero interest in the guys.
"Human. You're blocking the way. Move."
Trouble found me naturally. The early story's full of Johan getting picked on. Hitting my first beef at this timing was almost better than canon.
I turned to the instigator. A Tempest uniform on a golden-curled guy glaring like an asshole.
Not some random extra. A side character from the original. His name flashed in my mind.
"What, Rowin?"
"Y-you! How do you know my name?!"
He jolted at hearing it. No name tags here—knowing it implies intel on him.
"Want more? Rowin Franz, celestial from the heavenly realm. Magic department student. Specialty: illusion magic with roses. Back home, they called you Butter Prince."
"Y-you bastard! How even the nickname...!"
Spilling his bio turned his cocky face tomato-red. Pretty amusing.
"Great physical prowess for a mage, hometown prodigy. Right?"
"Spot on. How'd you know? Has my fame reached the human realm!? Ahem! Makes sense. With my seat as heavenly governor reserved, it's natural my name echoes across the human realm."
Suddenly self-congratulating. Typical Rowin.
He starts cocky but joins the good guys by volume 3's start. Decent personality despite the entrance—helps Johan later.
Highborn enough for student council. Too valuable to kill off.
"Yeah, you're famous in the human realm too."
"Puhaha! Of course—this body! By graduation, no one in the three realms will be ignorant of Rowin Franz! Hey, you're not half bad."
His mood swings were bipolar-level. I waved him off casually and found my seat.
Destiny had me next to the girl with ripe-peach-pink hair. Same spot as orientation.
"H-hi!"
She greeted me with an awkward smile.
Ibis uniform—cute hoodie vibe, like a college freshman. Same as Scarlett's, but totally different aura.
"We sat together at orientation too, right?"
She continued in a soft, gentle voice.
"Yeah. They say even brushing sleeves is fate—twice means it's destiny. I'm Johan, human."
I introduced first. She fidgeted, lips twitching, then spoke.
"Bane Jest. Vampire.... Yeah."
Trailing off on her race. Because she's a vampire.
If humans symbolize incompetence, vampires are infamous for other reasons.
Top-tier fighters in the demon realm, aggressive clan. Their blood-sucking ritual dominates others or turns them vampire—instilling quiet fear in all races.
"Whoa, first real vampire. Heard the rumors, but..."
"N-not dangerous!"
Bane waved her hands, insisting her harmlessness.
"I know. You look totally safe."
"R-really?"
Bane Jest, a main heroine.
Conquest difficulty: extremely easy. Just treat her normally.
Her complex is her race—fearing unconscious rejection.
Positive vibes alone, and she'll smile, spread her cheeks, and offer her asshole wrinkles submissively.
"Someone this pretty? No way anyone's scared. Way cuter than I imagined. Do you suck blood?"
"N-no human blood! Just animal.... Demon realm sells it. Academy cafeteria has it too."
Right, the cafeteria stocks everything from raw meat to rocks. Rocks for golems. Probably no human flesh.
"Got it. Let's get along."
"Uh.... Please."
"Friends now?"
"Fr....friends?"
Her rabbit-wide eyes looking up were adorable. And my reflection in them? Fucking handsome.
Same words from this face become immortal quotes online with black-and-white portraits. From a Derek Walker type? Utter bullshit. Looks supremacy!
"Friends.... We're friends?"
"Yep. Let's get along."
The door swung open; teacher entered. Class time. But Bane softly repeated "friends" throughout.
Huge shock, apparently. Bald prof droned on. As expected, fucking boring.