Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Play Rehearsal
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Stepping through the door drew the eyes of countless students straight to me.
There were more people here than I'd expected—not just the actors, but folks from the costume and production teams too, judging by the numbers.
"That's the guy?"
"Hah, what a punk."
"Heh, she can hear you, dude."
"Let her hear. Acting like she's hot stuff just 'cause she lucked into it as a third-year."
The main roles were mostly filled by fourth-years, with a handful of third-years like me, so my no-show at the last script read-through had earned me some pretty sour looks.
Whatever. If I let a bunch of whining students shake me, I'd have quit the academy ages ago.
I ignored them all and took my seat, the one labeled with my name and role.
A few familiar faces were around, and some looked like they might approach, but Professor Vertio followed right in after me, so everyone settled back down.
"You've graced us, Daniel."
Professor Vertio gazed at me with that same entranced look, all dreamy-eyed. I wished she wouldn't stare quite so intensely, but who was I kidding?
"Hm."
"Feels like forever."
My neighbors were Arni Duratan—the eldest daughter of a famed swordsmanship family, playing the villainess like me—and May, who had the henchman #1 role.
Arni didn't bother glancing my way, while May snickered beside me, clearly looking forward to my performance.
The script read-through kicked off simply enough.
Act if you can, just read if it's tough—that was the prof's instruction, and we rolled with it.
It was the epic tale of two men, Geldmear and Robin, bound not by blood but by an even deeper friendship and loyalty.
Ares had the part of the refreshingly handsome Geldmear.
The role of the intellectual, mannerly handsome Robin went to a fourth-year senior named Aldfrick.
The read-through went pretty smoothly.
One quirky bit: both guys had their own love interests, paired up two apiece like they were holding bouquets.
I couldn't remember all their names.
Just that Ares was torn between a pretty fourth-year girl and Rin.
And Aldfrick was conflicted over a fourth-year girl and Elise, who was basically fish in Ares's pond.
'Ares is perfect for this, huh?'
Playing love triangles was right in his wheelhouse, wasn't it?
I was inwardly chuckling at how spot-on Professor Vertio's casting was when May leaned over and whispered in my ear.
"What're you grinning about? Laugh with me."
"......!"
Her closeness made my body stiffen, eyes going wide.
Instantly, last night's whisper from her replayed in my mind.
'Who asked you to swoop in all heroic like that?'
My awkward reaction must've tipped her off—first surprise, then a sly grin as she whispered again.
"Who asked you to laugh all by yourself?"
"Hey......!"
This girl!
I was trying not to think about it, but here she was, tossing out lines that hit too close to home.
Where'd she pick up a trick like that? If she'd used it on Ares, he'd have fallen for her ages ago.
I warned her to cut the teasing before she gave me away, then skimmed the script to catch up.
"......"
Sitting right across from me, Rin was glaring daggers—like she might breathe fire any second.
For real.
No joke, it felt like the murderous intent of someone turning into the Army of Death's master, but she took a deep breath and reined it in.
'Whew, crisis averted.'
Wait, was academy life always this thrilling?
It felt tougher than surviving the Demon Realm Forest, exhaustion hitting me out of nowhere.
"Hey, your turn."
As I rubbed my eyes, Arni Duratan nudged me with her elbow.
Startled, I jumped right into my lines.
"Right, I'm Gary, master of this arena."
The protagonists show up at the arena to prove themselves, and I, intrigued, take them on 2v1.
Seemed I nailed it—Professor Vertio smiled, pleased.
Gary's lines kept coming, each a gem in its own right.
"Eris, Philia, Sera, Bryta—they're all mine. Spoils of war from beating you down."
"Pierce the rock! Split the waves! Slay the sky! Only then might you claim even one from mighty Gary!"
"Sweet, your women taste so sweet."
"My fists may shatter, but the fight never stops."
Each one made my skin crawl, nausea rising, but I powered through.
'This guy's the top playwright? Seriously?'
Even royalty shows up for this? What can you do.
Anyway, Gary meets his end in the arms of fellow villainess Helia (Arni Duratan).
Then the heroes grow, snag their loves, and happy ending.
The read-through wrapped to applause.
I was bored out of my mind, but some girls were in tears, and Aldfrick—one of the leads—beamed with emotion.
"That was a stellar read-through today. We've got three weeks till the festival. We'll rehearse daily—my assistant will share the schedule."
'Daily......?'
Regret flooded in for signing up, but my foot was in the door. No backing out now.
"Professor, that's it for today?"
Aldfrick looked eager for more.
Right on cue, Professor Vertio eyed me and replied.
"Hardly. I've booked a training hall. We'll brainstorm the fight scenes there."
The play was packed with battles, so prioritizing those made sense.
"Everyone, let's head over. Costume and production teams, brainstorm ideas with me."
And so we all marched to the training hall.
May sidled up all flirty, claiming the spot beside me—then Rin closed in from the other side, sandwiching me.
"Aren't you two a bit too close?"
I muttered, aware of the stares, but May just snorted.
"When someone's braving embarrassment to make an effort, you praise them, right? Want some candy?"
Dodging the point, as usual.
Rin overheard and whipped between us, shocked.
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?"
"Ah......"
I started to explain, but May snatched it away.
"Confessed and got shot down, so now I'm reeling her in. Wanna try?"
"You maniac......!"
Her bluntness floored me, but she just shrugged and popped a candy.
This was her boss-of-the-delinquents vibe all over again.
No escaping this.
Rin panicked, opening her mouth—I clapped a hand over it fast.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Felt like she was about to drop a bombshell, and blocking her was my best call today.
Whatever it was.
Shaking them both off, we entered the hall. Professor Vertio grinned and called me, Ares, and Aldfrick forward.
"Alright, remember the first scene? Geldmear and Robin vs. Gary, 2v1."
"Yes, sir!"
Aldfrick boomed.
Ares nodded with a grin; I sighed and said I remembered.
"We'll block that out. But mostly just key lines and moments—the rest of the fights'll be actor improv."
I could guess where this was going.
"So, how about a little spar? Get into character."
Ares eyed me; Aldfrick looked sheepish.
"Wouldn't... the Gary role be tough?"
This senior forgot my name.
Whatever, I shrugged.
"I'm good."
Ares silently warmed up; I headed to the far end. Aldfrick grabbed a sword, flustered but game.
The prof coached Ares and Aldfrick, then approached me.
"Gary's a bare-fisted brawler, no weapons—cool with that? Told 'em it's just pretend."
"No issue. It'll feel more real if we go all out—tell 'em that."
Needed the workout anyway, or I'd go nuts.
Vertio blinked, confused, but agreed and stepped back. Cheers erupted as the spar began.
"Go Aldfrick!"
"Looking good!"
"Don't lose, Ares!"
"So handsome, Ares!"
Both studs drew massive cheers—ears ringing.
"Daniel, kill 'em!"
May shouted to hype me, but it backfired—Rin jumped in.
"Daniel's the hottest!"
Surrounding faces screamed overkill; I cringed, power dropping.
'Embarrassing.'
Anyway, fists clenched, I faced the charging duo.