Twisted Development (3)
“You know, right?! There’s a banquet planned for a week from now!”
Varis said it with a smile so bright it was almost overwhelming. His expectant eyes sparkled like jewels catching the light.
“A banquet?”
“Huh? You didn’t know?”
I tilted my head at the word, and Varis squinted one eye, his face saying, no way you don’t know…?
“To celebrate the new students’ enrollment, the academy’s throwing a big banquet.”
Banquet… banquet, huh.
“Oh, that? Yeah, now that you mention it…”
Come to think of it, in the game, there was this rare event called the Banquet Event.
“That’s the one! I’m so excited~”
It was a festival where you mingled in a classy atmosphere, enjoying a feast. Since the academy hosted it without regard for status, it kicked off with speeches from the headmaster and a few top seniors.
After that, you could interact with all sorts of quirky students and sample the food, soaking in the unique vibe.
“…”
“Whoa, your face just got all dark… You okay?”
The problem was the heroine event that triggered there.
The targets: Arnold’s fiancée, the sharp-eyed heroine Elisha, and her longtime rival Vieka.
“Nah… don’t worry about it.”
The good news? I knew the whole sequence and how to derail it.
So I could avoid the worst outcome.
But the headache was whether I could pass the event off to Varis.
Worst case, I’d have to step in like last time, but if possible, I wanted to set things up naturally so he could build her favor.
“Still, if you’re not feeling well, at least hit the infirmary. Don’t want you getting sick…”
But I couldn’t picture how to pull it off.
Any good ideas…? First, how did that event play out—
Thwack!
“Gah?!”
As I tried to recall, a dull thud sounded from beside me, followed by a yelp.
“Ow… that hurts…”
I snapped to attention and looked over. Varis was rubbing his reddened forehead in agony, with chalk fragments scattered on his desk.
“What’s with all the chatter? Even on the first day, that’s too much.”
A woman’s voice—stern and disciplined—called out Varis. It was Professor Adria, who’d be in charge of our class for the year.
Bad luck. We’d been caught gossiping by someone notoriously harsh.
Just like in the original story.
“That’s exactly the attitude I hate in students.”
Professor Adria fixed Varis with a glare as fierce as her reputation.
“S-sorry…!”
Varis, teary-eyed from the chalk hit, apologized in a meek whisper, clearly terrified by her scolding.
“Even if it’s just a brief intro on the first day, the start sets the tone—don’t you get that? And…”
But she pressed on mercilessly, despite his plea. She picked up another spare piece of chalk.
“You too.”
Her icy gaze turned to me.
Zip— Like a bolt from a crossbow, a fresh white chalk fragment streaked toward me in a blur.
“Hm?”
But instinct kicked in, and I snatched it out of the air.
She’d thrown it at Varis first, then me in quick succession—but while he took the hit, I caught mine effortlessly. She eyed me with intrigued curiosity.
“Ho? Better reflexes than I thought. Still, chitchatting in class warrants a scolding.”
She praised my reaction time but came down hard on us both for not paying attention.
“Sorry.”
“Haa…”
It was clearly our fault, so I bowed my head slowly.
Professor Adria sighed at my polite apology and fell silent for a moment.
“Listen up.”
She placed her hands on the edges of the podium, leaning forward to scan the room.
“I’ll let it slide this once since it’s the first day. No next time. And a warning to everyone: I’m extremely strict when it comes to teaching. Best you internalize that now.”
“Or you’ll regret it. In this academy, class is where status lines blur—I don’t play favorites.”
This wasn’t a request. It was a declaration.
Her aura radiated frozen authority, flaunting her ruthlessness.
“…”
Guess that ironclad personality isn’t going anywhere.
Just like in the game—brutal and imposing. I inwardly clicked my tongue.
So rigid and inflexible… she terrified anyone who stepped even slightly out of line.
“…”
Anyway… Maybe shelve the banquet event thoughts and focus on class.
I didn’t want to get busted slacking again and face real trouble.
“Anyway, continuing: The first unit in Magic Studies covers—”
I pushed event worries aside… and tuned into her words.
“Tough first day of school, huh.”
After my first day at the academy, I returned to the dorms with Eily.
Opening the front door revealed a room twice the size of my chamber back at the Stenman mansion.
“You had a rough one too.”
I’d been assigned a special suite—reserved for select nobles and top performers.
Thanks to the Stenman name and my top enrollment spot, I got one without issue.
And with academy approval, I could live here with Eily—my classmate and personal maid.
“I’ll handle your clothes and luggage. Hand them over.”
Yeah. In short, I was now cohabiting with Eily.
“…Yeah, thanks.”
I didn’t show it, but sharing a roof with a girl my age was a bit shocking.
Of course, I never looked at Eily with lecherous eyes.
I didn’t see her that way at all.
If anything, it was less romantic embarrassment and more cultural dissonance from my old world.
“Shall I prepare a bath?”
“Not yet.”
Folks here didn’t bat an eye at nobles living with servants of the opposite sex.
A far cry from my previous world’s norms.
From their view, this was like a noble family hiring a housekeeper for the mansion.
Sure, a sprawling estate versus cramped quarters was different… but to them, class barriers seemed an absolute moral code.
“Oh, right—gotta finish unpacking first. Leave it to me, Master. You look tired; feel free to rest.”
At least the place wasn’t cramped. Private bath, toilet, lounge, even a terrace.
They called it a “room,” but it was apartment-sized—30 pyeong from my old world. Plenty for two.
“Before that… I’ll step out for a bit.”
So we had separate rooms and beds, naturally.
Even “cohabiting,” that was a relief.
“Step out?”
“Got some personal errands. Eily, finish up the morning unpacking. And absolutely do not follow me this time.”
I entrusted the rest to Eily and headed out.
To prep for the event in a week.
“O-oh… okay…”
She looked disappointed at my no-tail warning.
Probably would’ve tagged along otherwise.
…
“Figures for the capital—tons of shops still open even after sunset.”
Leaving the dorms, I headed to the bustling district outside the academy.
I needed a certain potion.
“Gotta be a general store around here.”
It was backup insurance. Not essential to clear the event, but better safe than sorry.
“Hm?”
But while hunting for the store… I spotted something eye-catching.
“Professor…?”
At first, I thought I’d misseen—but no.
“Professor Adria?”
There she was: our no-nonsense, ice-cold homeroom professor, heading into a tavern. Totally out of character.
Sun was down, sure—but a bar at this hour? On the eve of teaching duty?
Ding-a-ling—
The shop bell jingled.
Curiosity pulled me in after her.
“…Professor?”
The tavern had a cozy, welcoming vibe.
Glancing around, I spotted Professor Adria alone at a corner table.
“Professor Adria, right?”
She seemed to be solo… so I approached cautiously.
“What, the chatty kid from earlier?”
She met my eyes—still prim and proper, just like in class. No chinks in her armor.
Her already stern face looked even grimmer, soured by our earlier encounter.
“Your name…”
“Arnold Stenman.”
“Right. As you know, I’m Adria… So, what brings you here? Business with me?”
After a quick intro, she tilted her head. Red hair shifted; lion-like eyes filled with puzzlement.
“I happened to see you heading in while passing by. Thought I’d say hi.”
“Is that so? Commendable.”
I stuck to my story: pure coincidence.
“But… you’ve got academy tomorrow. Isn’t drinking okay?”
Then, as politely as possible, I voiced my curiosity.
Bar on the night before work? Wild to me.
“I know Detox Magic. Hangover or buzz? Poof—gone.”
“So when I’m in a funk, I hit a tavern. A drink offers some solace, even if just for a moment.”
Her answer? Pure Adria—tough as nails.
“I see.”
“Arnold, care to join me for a drink?”
But then—
As I moved to leave, satisfied, she invited me to sit.
“You sure that’s fine?”
“Yeah. A teacher pouring for a student… a bit silly. But we’re both adults. Drinking together’s more refreshing and fun.”
Unexpected leniency from her rigid self.
“If you’re okay with me, sure—one drink.”
No reason to refuse, so I sat across naturally.
“Good. Can’t order just for me now.”
Confirming I’d joined, she added food for two.
“…”
“…”
We sat in heavy silence for a bit.
“Here you are—sorry for the wait.”
Then the server set down two beers and a platter of fried chicken in the center.
“Congrats on academy enrollment. And try not to irk me again.”
Professor Adria raised her foaming mug.
“I’ll do my best.”
I clinked mine against hers lightly.
“…”
Gulp.
A plain toast, then we chugged. Crisp fizz, smooth swallow. Followed by a mild head buzz.
“You handle it better than I thought.”
“Do I?”
After that, we chatted casually, focusing on emptying our glasses.
“Mmm~”
How long did we drink?
“Hehe…”
Today… I learned something shocking.
“Uwaaah, y’know~! I get so upset~?!”
About a certain uptight, ever-stern professor who terrified students.
“Professor…”
“Uwaaaang, seriously! Everyone’s too much…!”
Behind that cold facade lurked an adorably pathetic true self.
“You seem pretty drunk.”
“N-no I’m not?! Wha… whaddya mean I’m… drunk?!”
Yeah… slurred speech says otherwise.
One beer in, and her vibe flipped like a pancake.
“A-anyway…! I’m… suuuuper sad…?”
Fun fact: I’d never seen this side in the game.
Her canon was ironclad—unwavering principles, strict and serious.
“Who knew she’d turn into a pitiful whiner when drunk?”
“I try to hide it, but it hurts when students avoid me!!”
“It’s so sad~!”
She grabbed my shoulder, swaying with flushed cheeks.
“I do it for the students… but they just run scared…!”
And get this: exactly one drink. Emptied the first mug and boom—total change.
Weak tolerance much? Why drink at all…?
“Hwaaaang!”
As question marks floated over my head, Adria wailed and threw herself at me.
“Ugh?!”
“Anyway, Arnold!! I’m in deep trouble!”
Sobbing, she clung full-body, refusing to let go.
“What’s with you?! Calm down and back off!”
“B-but…! Next year… the first digit in my age changes?!”
I squirmed uncomfortably, but she ignored it.
Like a sloth, she wrapped around my neck, hugging fierce.
“Never dated once! And next year I’ll be in my thirties…?!”
She wailed childishly about time’s cruelty and her loneliness.
“Past marriageable age already! Don’t wanna be a spinster into my thirties~!”
Spilling secrets I never wanted to hear, she poured out her sorrows.
“Why tell me…!”
I wriggled in frustration, and she dropped a bombshell on her student.
“So, Arnold…! Marry me?! You listen well, don’t flinch at eye contact like others!! First guy like this!!”
Delirious, no filter.
Regretting joining her now.
“Talk sense!”
What face would she make tomorrow after this?
And me—knowing her truth—how to act?
“Whyy~! Love at first sight!! Snooty, fearless guys like you are my type!”
I shoved her face away, but she zombie-clung harder.
“Or… you hate old hags like me?!”
“Calm down… You’re not old at all. You look my age—young and beautiful. Keep hope alive.”
Desperate, I bullshitted compliments to peel her off.
“R-really…?!”
“Yeah…”
But—
“That’s… a proposal, right?!”
Couldn’t smack her…
“No!”
What now?
“Aww~ Just say yes~!”
And so… I endured her weird drinking habit for a good while longer…