Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Actor
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"......"
I'd been through all sorts of things living in the Demon Realm Forest, so I prided myself on not being easily surprised anymore. But this? This was completely out of left field.
'Why the hell is she here?'
Staring at Rin sleeping soundly, I felt flustered, but my first thought was how to deal with this.
"Guess I'll wake her up."
I shook her and called her name, but she wouldn't budge. Rin was out like a princess under a fairy-tale spell.
"Haa."
No choice. I rummaged through the pocket of her pajamas and pulled out a key.
I scooped her up and headed out, straight to the fourth floor.
It was dawn, so the girls' wing was empty. Without a second thought, I unlocked Rin's door and stepped in.
That's when the door to the room next door creaked open, and a head poked out.
Ares's goldfish from his tank—er, the top third-year mage, usually with braids and glasses.
I'd been curious how she'd stack up against Rin one-on-one, but right now, her hair was down, she was in pajamas, and she was staring at me blankly.
"Uh, um......"
"Wait, it's a misunderstanding."
She must've been up late with the investigation too, so why was she still awake? I grumbled inwardly and tried to explain.
But Adriana slammed the door shut and vanished inside.
I wanted to explain, but I heard the lock click.
"Hah, seriously."
Is the academy always like this?
Full of misunderstandings, frustrations, and annoyances?
I tossed the root of all evil—Rin—onto the bed and sighed.
"Snore."
She was still deep asleep, like under some spell. I pressed a hand to my chest—no pain.
"So she's fine when she's out like this."
Lately, seeing Rin only stung a little. The dizziness and nausea were gone. Satisfied, I headed out.
Embarrassing as it was, my record against Rin was two losses in two fights.
'If we ever fight again, I won't lose. No way.'
I had my pride, so I vowed that as I left the room. There, in the hall, Adriana waited with her glasses on.
"You came out quick."
"I wasn't there to do anything weird."
"I didn't say anything."
Fair point.
I'd panicked for no reason.
'Ugh, why's today like this?'
May's confession, Sen laughing at it, now Rin flustering me.
The whole day, I'd been tossed around by women.
Adriana giggled, then started eyeing me up and down.
"What're you doing?"
I backed away instinctively, but she spun around with a "Ta-da!" observing me closely.
"I won't spread rumors about you sneaking into the girls' wing and a room. Just give me five minutes."
"It's a misunderstanding."
"I know."
Fine, five minutes.
Adriana inspected me meticulously, like a woman shopping for clothes. Finally, she crossed her arms and sighed.
"Your builds are kinda similar."
"What?"
"Nothing, my business. Anyway, one question. Planning to dye your hair blond?"
"What?"
What was her angle?
I shot her a look like she was talking nonsense and said absolutely not. She nodded, satisfied.
"Good, blond wouldn't suit you. Never dye it, at least not while you're at the academy. Got it?"
"I wasn't gonna anyway."
"Then bye."
With that, she was done and slipped back into her room.
"Mages always have a few screws loose."
Back when I guided in the Demon Realm Forest, mages were the most common—and pickiest—clients.
Rare herbs, minerals, monster parts—they were like tonics to mages. Demanding and quirky requests galore.
One even brought a wagon to haul loot, saying he'd guard it himself when I warned him.
How'd that go? The wagon and all its treasures became monster chow.
I still smirk thinking of that mage's blank stare.
Wallet emptied too, so as a courtesy, I escorted him out of the forest.
"Ugh!"
Grumbling, I flopped onto my bed back in my room.
What a tiring day.
No classes tomorrow, so I'd sleep all day.
"......"
Rin's oddly sweet scent clung to the bed and sheets.
*
Bang bang bang!
Daniel!
Bang bang bang!
Come oooout!
"Ugh, please."
I hadn't meant to fall asleep inhaling Rin's scent, but the pounding voice drilled into my ears.
Mussed hair, eyes refusing to open—I rubbed them and peeked outside.
Still sunny, probably lunchtime.
'Tana and Eve?'
The voices sounded like my classmates. I scratched my head and opened the door. They burst in excitedly.
"Hey, barging into a guy's room like—"
I was grouchy from wanting more sleep, but they ignored me, plopping down at the table I'd set up last time.
And a thick stack of papers they carried.
"Look at this, Daniel! Isn't it insane?"
Tana was hyped, but I had no clue what she meant.
Glare still on, Eve slammed the table—uncharacteristically pumped.
"You got picked by Professor Veritio himself!"
The stack Tana held had "[Thorned Rose]" elegantly scripted on top, with the author's name below.
[Author: Bertio Owlin]
"Who's Professor Veritio?"
I asked, grabbing water to soothe my irritation. They got even more worked up. Eve was practically spitting.
"You don't know Professor Veritio?!"
"He's the master playwright who wrote main scenarios for the royal theater troupe! After retiring, he joined the academy as a prof and directs student plays for the gratitude festival every year—huge hits! Nobles and fans flock to see them...!"
Honestly, Eve scared me a bit.
'Ah, my little Eve is gone.'
Where was the fidgety small-animal girl? Now she was a general hyping Bertio-something.
Goodbye, my Eve.
"So?"
I ignored Eve's panting pleas for air and asked Tana. She flipped open the script bundle and pointed.
[Gary: Daniel McKlein (3rd Year Class E)]
"Hmm?"
"You got scouted for Professor Veritio's play! A major role too!"
"Th-this isn't something you just volunteer for. Professor Veritio watches students with an eagle eye and—"
"No."
Eve gaped at my answer, gasping.
"Pardon?"
"No. You expect me to just do it?"
What pointless theater nonsense.
I stared like "that all?" Eve wilted, head drooping.
My Eve, welcome back.
"At least look at the role. We peeked when they gave us the script to pass on. Every guy would kill for this part."
"No."
"C'mon!"
Tana shoved the script in my face. Sighing, I started reading this "master playwright's" student play.
The story hooked me more than expected.
Though the spice level was high.
Some scenes made me wonder if students could really perform them.
Especially the villain, who got handsy with the many heroines.
"And that's me?"
Gary.
Yep, my role.
"Right? Look—scenes where he pulls heroines close and taunts the protagonist... pure guy fantasy!"
"Hard pass."
I snapped it shut, irritated, but it flipped open to the cast list.
Protagonist
[Geldmea: Ares Helias (3rd Year Class B)]
[Robin: Aldfrick Rami (4th Year Class A)]
Heroines
[Eris: Seria Deloa (4th Year Class C)]
[Philia: Rin (3rd Year Class A)]
[Sera: Philoa Nomea (4th Year Class D)]
[Bryta: Elise (3rd Year Class A)]
Villains
[Gary: Daniel McKlein (3rd Year Class E)]
[Helia: Arni Duratan (3rd Year Class A)]
[Henchman 1: May Flob (3rd Year Class A)]
Tons of third-years from Class A.
Main roles skewed A-Class, but later ones favored fourth-years.
More importantly.
Looking at the cast hardened my resolve.
"I'd rather die than do it."