Rana Heytald (2)
"Hum hum hum~"
Rana hummed a cheerful tune, and the animals around her chimed in with their own cries, perfectly in rhythm. It was just an impromptu song, rough around the edges, but the familiars and spirits gathered anyway, swaying along in delight.
"Stop! Break time!"
She suddenly halted the performance, drawing dissatisfied murmurs from a few spirits.
"...Sorry. My throat's dry...."
She slumped dramatically, and the surrounding creatures shot silent glares at the grumbling spirits—especially the water spirit, who had complained the loudest.
—...!!
The water spirit panicked, apologized profusely, and offered her a cup of mana-forged water.
"Thanks!"
Her bright smile finally eased the spirit's sigh of relief. It hadn't meant any harm—just regretted the song ending too soon.
"Heehee, Ure's water is always so delicious."
She grinned in satisfaction, and the tense atmosphere instantly lightened into vibrant energy.
Then a bird swooped in from afar, landing on Rana's shoulder. It nuzzled her cheek to recharge before delivering its message.
"Someone's here?!"
Her ears perked up at the exciting news. Visitors to this place were rare, so a new one sparked major curiosity.
"What do they look like?"
Chirp chirp~
"A second-year with blonde hair and a sharp, menacing face?"
Chirp!
The bird finished its report but looked displeased, clearly not wanting her to meet such a guy.
"Name? You don't know...."
It would've been perfect if it knew that too.
"What to do."
Rana tilted her head side to side. Judging by looks wasn't ideal, but if Nene hated him that much, there must be a reason. Animal senses often outshone human ones. He probably reeked of malice up close.
"Still... I wanna meet him."
She craved chatting with a peer. She had friends, sure, but the academy stench gave her headaches, forcing her to hole up here without much socializing.
"Alright, let's go!"
Decision made. She'd meet him. The others protested, but she'd bolt if he seemed bad.
She soothed the kids and set off. The trip was easy: Nok, the earth spirit, guided the path, and Ren, the deer, offered his back. Other critters relayed updates, closing the gap fast.
About thirty minutes later, she arrived nearby. Her curiosity must've been contagious—plenty of animals were already spying on him.
Rana hid in the bushes with them, observing the man.
"Just like Nene said."
First impressions were rough. His eyes screamed venom—a textbook villain glare. No wonder Nene hated him.
"But... I feel like I've seen him before."
No direct connection, but that face rang a bell. Then Ure, the water spirit, formed a water mirror showing recent events.
"Ah! The guy from the trial!"
Kyle Arden. The academy's so-called demon student. Outcome was obvious—no need to get close.
"Let's go."
As she turned to leave, his diligent work caught her eye.
"But why's he working so hard?"
Mana stone swaps were super annoying. Yet he did it without complaint, sweat pouring—no villain vibes there.
"Hmmmmm...."
Inner conflict brewed. Approaching him screamed trouble, but the scene piqued her curiosity enough for a slim hope. She took a cautious step forward.
But soon she wrinkled her nose. Nothing but foul stench. Top-tier nasty in her life rankings.
"Shouldn't have come...."
Disappointment filled her as she prepared to leave. Then her nose caught something amid the stink—a sweet aroma, polar opposite.
Sweeter than the World Tree's famed fruit, maybe the sweetest ever.
She followed the scent. There, in its direction: Kyle.
"Huh? No way."
She sniffed again—same result. An undeniable sweetness clung to him.
"Wh-what is this?"
Confusion hit. First time for this. Bad people stank; good ones smelled nice. But essence was scent—one person couldn't mix both without a muddled mess. Coexistence? Impossible.
"What's different about him?"
Scanning yielded nothing special. The recoiling animals just proved he was bad.
Still, curiosity won. She acted.
The scent intensified as distance shrank. Stench faded; pleasant notes filled the void.
"Good smell...."
First calm from a human since academy enrollment. A Contract Land-exclusive peace washed over her. Time passed; surroundings grew cozy, tension melted.
'Curious.'
She wanted to know more about Kyle.
"Hi, I'm Rana. Nice to meet you!"
So she approached first.
'This is insane.'
I pinched my forehead. Hoped it wouldn't happen, but here it was.
Glancing down revealed a beaming smile.
'Should I just smack her?'
My gut twisted seeing her so carefree amid my frustration. Annoying? Infuriating fit better.
Anyway.
'Why's she here? No reason to come.'
To her, I'm repulsive. This body's a villain, reeking decay.
'That's the setting....'
Personality wouldn't vanish. Otherwise, today's princess fiasco wouldn't have happened.
I pondered endlessly. No answers.
'Chase her off first.'
Protagonist proximity? Unwelcome. Ties could sour fast.
Answers later. I scowled harder, voice strained.
"What the hell are you?"
"Rana Heytald! That's my name."
"Not what I—"
First exchange, and I'm stumped. Knew she was like this, but face-to-face? Frustrating.
"Don't you know me?"
"Yeah, the scumbag Kyle. Saw you at the trial!"
"...And you approached anyway?"
"Why not?"
She tilted her head innocently, like it was no big deal.
"Fuck...."
Her pure eyes made my heart skip. Continuing meant doom.
But unavoidable—her trait, dubbed [Beloved by All Things] in the game. Every lifeform felt affinity. Plants, animals baseline; spirits, familiars—even transcendent dragons. Gods too.
Irresistible for normals. Even malice yielded minimal goodwill.
'And with that face and voice...'
Cute looks, voice, childlike innocence. Combined? Instant love.
Especially beasts and spirits fell hard—perfect match for their prefs. Her summons proved it.
I resisted most, but not immune. Hence this mess.
'What to do with her.'
Head throbbed. No eviction ideas.
"You okay?"
She touched my forehead without hesitation—genuine worry.
I seized the chance.
Smack!
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!"
I swatted her pale wrist hard.
"Ow, that hurts...."
Rana clutched her reddened wrist, face crumpling. Surroundings bristled with hostility, pressing me.
"Know your place, beasts...!"
I infused mana with killing intent, scattering it. Lesser summons trembled; spirits and familiars held, revealing power to counter.
Tension peaked—fight imminent. Neither side rushed.
Seemed a brawl would erupt, but—
"Tut! No fighting. Stop it now!"
Rana intervened. They relented grudgingly—couldn't ignore hurting their master.
Thwack! Thwack!
Sharp chestnuts rained down. She was pissed.
"Ure! Nok! I said no reckless power use!"
The spirits finally powered down. Other summons shifted quick at her glare.
She pouted but let it slide given circumstances.
"And Kyle!"
Calm restored, she bowed to me.
"Sorry first. Didn't expect you'd react so sensitively. Please accept my apology."
Sincere, steady tone. True remorse.
But not my goal.
'Not the reaction I wanted.'
Head spun, migraine pounding.
I'd been harsh on purpose. Rana was kind, smiling at strangers—but no pushover clinging to haters. Violence as backup. Perfect for provoking summons.
Why go that far? Avoid protagonist ties.
Yet here we were. My knowledge failed; reactions off-script. No moves left.
One option: ask why.
She'd answer honestly. First, accept apology.
"...I overreacted. Sorry."
"Thanks for accepting!"
She beamed, genuinely pleased.
"But one question."
"What? I'll answer anything not too tricky!"
"Hoo...."
Deep breath, then:
"You saw the trial."
"Yup! Whole thing."
"Heard all my crap then."
"Of course! Threatening profs, faking grades, secret ghost club...."
Her eyes sparkled as she listed—I cut her off. She'd recite everything otherwise.
"Just the trial: what'd you think of me?"
"Super duper bad guy!"
I nodded.
"Right. I'm a bad guy."
"Yeah. Kyle's a bad guy. The kind people say deserves death."
"Knowing that, why hang around? Everyone else runs cursing."
"'Cause... Kyle's a good person?"
No hesitation. Her clear eyes held no lies.
I snapped from daze, countering:
"You said bad guy."
"Bad. But good."
"Makes sense?"
"Hmm... no? But Kyle's bad-yet-good. My nose says so."
She sniffed. Closer for detail.
"Stay back first...."
Palm out to block. Pretty face incoming was nice, but heart too messy.
'Screwed.'
More precisely:
'Fucked. Royally.'
Fucked. Perfect word.
Unknown reason, but her sniffing my scent sealed it—bond unbreakable.
She'd stick by meetings; later, stalk everywhere.
Pain in ass. Her peace-giver was protagonist originally.
Frustrating. Her interest? Impossible, forbidden.
Had I skipped here, fine—but extras lack fixed paths. Bad luck.
'No. Chance remains.'
Protagonist unentered. Seeing him flips her view.
'Just endure four days.'
Friday restores normalcy. Might tag along till then.
"Hey."
"Yeah, Kyle?"
"Gotta work. Play over there."
"Nope!"
...Fine, whatever.
Elraim plus one more burden.
"Haa...."
Living normally is tough.