Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Natural Born Idiot
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[Nyaaaaack!!!!]
"You'll end up killing her."
"Tell her to drop dead. No, just die. Die already. Die!!"
[Nyaaaaaaaack!!!]
I ignored the echoing shriek and kept squeezing. The damn cat's cheeks stretched out like dough. The pattern on my wrist was glowing blood-red too.
There was only one reason. This mangy cat ruined my midterm exam. My precious test scores.
But. But.
I'm on the failure list! What are you gonna do about it? What?!
[Nyaaaaack!! Spare me, nyaa!! I'll do better next time, nyaa!!]
"No way. Die."
With one final echoing shriek, I let go of Lachesis. She couldn't even climb onto my shoulder, collapsing to the floor like melted chocolate.
"Phew."
I dusted off my hands and stared at the massive announcement board. What era is this, plastering failing students up here like this?
Should I sue the human rights committee? I thought about it, then dropped it. I'd never win.
I don't fight battles I can't win.
"But why is the failure list like this? Shin Chae-yeon? Isn't she supposed to be smart?"
"Nah. She looks all stoic reading books, but she's just an idiot. Total idiot. Know what gap moe is? Of course not. Inner idiot. Outer idiot. It's a tough concept for a natural born idiot like you."
"Can I take that as you picking a fight?"
I pinned down the charging blonde with one hand and kept scanning the board. Hmm. Knew Kim Tae-hyun would fail too.
Couldn't study to save his life. That was canon. Guy got perfect practical scores but zeroed the written test for an average.
But I stole his weapons and all his events? Failed the exam too?
You watching, God? Your favorite Kim Tae-hyun flunked.
I checked the other few failures, then looked up top. Annoyingly familiar names up there.
[1st: 1-5 Isia]
Expected that, but it pisses me off. How'd she ace the written test after I stole all her spotlight?
[15th: 1-5 Sophia]
Her maids all top ranks, but her master fails? That's unfair, right?
[45th: 1-4 Shin Ga-yeon]
I turned away there. Couldn't beat the relative deprivation.
"All the maids in the top ranks, but the mistress fails. Rare sight."
"You're failing too."
"I don't have maids."
Brag much? I ruffled her hair wildly. Shockingly, it bounced back in two seconds.
"That attack's invalid."
"We playing card games now?"
By the way, those two names up there? Dragged to the faculty office all day. Even now after school, writing reflection essays.
Reason? They fought and trashed the training grounds or something. No clue why they're on bad terms.
Maids should get along.
"As I recall, they were tight until recently."
No real beef. Sophia even helped with Isia's training. On my orders, but still.
"Yeah. No idea. Maybe they're incompatible? Like there's only one 'Ultimate Wave Breaker' under the heavens...!"
"Ooh, that tracks. No more comics for you starting today."
Why'd it go there?! I ignored the guy spouting clichés and walked off. Home, dinner, bed.
Exhausted all day. Dodged death how many times?
Told Raphael following me pizza for dinner, she hopped excitedly.
If only I hadn't said three rounds...
"All clear."
The blue-haired woman tailed her target, jotting notes on him one by one. Target: black-haired guy, of course.
Some punk who eyed their young lady.
'If he's unqualified, OK to kill on sight.'
She straightened the twig in her hair, then snapped a photo with the camera.
[Always with the blonde. Total player. Earlier at the training grounds, started a brawl with two women.]
One more line in the notebook. Finishing up, she—
Shh. Shh.
—chased him with agile steps.
—Pizza tonight? What kind? I like sweet potato, potato, bulgogi.
—Yeah. Only stuff you hate, like shrimp.
—I don't prefer it, but I'll eat if served.
—Proud glutton. Yep, sure are.
—Thinks she's got mana now and can beat me? Time to knock her down a peg tonight.
Hands never stopped tailing them. Snapping pics, scribbling more notes.
[Dinner: pizza. Unbalanced diet. No interest in building physique.]
Obvious a family man needs a body! She clicked her tongue.
Feet kept moving. Shh. Shh.
—Stop.
—Order while we go? Starving.
—Fine, hurry in. Someone's coming.
With that, he donned a robe and vanished. The woman dropped her camera and notebook in shock.
"N-No way."
What? Person just disappeared. Teleport? No, artifact? Such advanced tech?
Head spinning, she grabbed her pen. Sort thoughts, write. That's her job.
'Living together too?'
Trembling hand reached for the notebook when a shadow fell.
"Whatcha doing?"
Looking up: red eyes. Silver bob cut. Short hair, yet flowing beautifully.
"Knew you were tailing Lee Seong-hoon."
The silver-haired girl looked down. Panicked blue-hair assumed combat stance. Spoiled or not, she leaped back, hand on sword hilt.
"Since when?"
"The start."
Thud. Thud.
Silver hair approached. On closer look, the woman who'd bickered with the black-haired guy earlier.
'Just a student.'
Gripped hilt tight. Ready to draw and knock out. Easy against a student.
She rivaled heroes in skill. Being here proved it.
But.
'What?'
Sword wouldn't draw. Each footstep made her heart pound wildly. Just steps on ground. Felt like dynamite in her ear.
'Scared? Me?'
Of a kid? Denied it, but body froze.
Closer. Eyes met. Locked with glowing blood-red pupils. Lost body control.
Not fear paralysis anymore. Looking down felt like staring at a log.
"Hmph. Total player. Player..."
She glanced at the dropped notebook, then shredded it. Torn paper fluttered skyward. Paper scraps? More like dust.
"Player. Ugh. Won't even give me one."
Treated like she didn't exist. Silver-hair picked up the camera next. Checked photos, scanned around.
"Hmm. Hmm. Nice shots."
Pocketed camera unbroken. Turned this way. Her turn, instinctively knew.
"You made me miss him. Wasted all day on reflection essays, no chat time!"
Isia kept bragging about her ring, muttering annoyances, then stared with glowing eyes again.
"Speak. Why here. Then forget. Me, what you saw. Everything. Go home."
With that, the woman felt her mind sink below sleep.
—B-But he said he'd give me one too? I, I gotta ask to wear it. On my ring finger?! No, wait. He didn't put it on Isia's himself!
Vision faded quick.
Opened eyes to unfamiliar ceiling. Dorm ceiling, starting today.
Blue-hair focused on hazy voices with foggy mind.
—So, duel then?
—Yeah. No idea what trick, but she lost. Fun. Win, and he's not just dating—he joins our side as son-in-law.
—Lose?
—Kill him. No value? No hesitation.
—Yes.
Not about me. She drifted back to sleep.
Next day.
After Shin Ga-yeon pummeled me nonstop. Told her "Your dad's starting to hate me," she laughed it off saying no way. Afternoon.
I'm sitting in the training grounds.
"Really smashed it without mercy."
"Yeah. They should make up."
"I-I only countered."
"Not a kid. Starting a fight means counterer’s at fault too. Look at Sophia. Head down, nothing to say."
"Hearing it from Seong-hoon feels off."
Shut up. Ignored chattering blonde beside me, eyed the man standing amid ruins.
Fierce blue-haired uncle. Staring right at me—nah, imagination—
Tick. Tick.
Stay still, pendant. I stowed the twitching pendant in [Inventory].
"Demo duel today."
He started explaining. Simple gist.
Call a few to spar with him, show some techniques.
Real combat style or whatever.
Not my business. Top scorers only. Demos need the skilled ones.
"Seong-hoon."
"Yeah."
"I know what you're thinking. Flag's up, huh?"
What? Ignored, picked ear—
"Calling now. Lee Seong-hoon. Kim Tae-hyun. Shin Chae-yeon."
"Ah."
"Told ya."
Damn. Shut that mouth—my fault? Didn't even think?
"Fighting spirit?"
"Go easy. Don't crush 'em. They got pride."
Watched silver and black hair spout weirdness, thought:
This right?
Feels wrong.