Chapter 126
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Pink & Pink (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...Heh, I easily fooled that idiot vice principal."
Lilith stepped out of the principal's office, her expression hardening.
It was an icy look utterly unlike the foolish girl she'd pretended to be just moments ago.
"They don't even know why I came here and just let me enroll... This makes achieving my plan a breeze."
Her official reason for coming was in response to their request for aid, but Lilith's true goal lay elsewhere.
"Hehehe... This time, Lilith will become the ultimate villain and smash Parthenon to pieces!"
Lilith clenched her fist tightly.
Operation: Rule Breaker
Do bad things to become a villain.
Become a villain and you can't be a saintess.
Can't be a saintess and you can ditch Parthenon.
It was Lilith's ingenious three-step logic.
'Sure, I'm truly grateful for raising me...! But Lilith has been cooped up in Parthenon her whole life! It's time to taste freedom!'
Normally, someone in Lilith's exalted position as a saintess wouldn't need to come for a mere aid request.
But through desperate pleading and threats to lie down naked in front of the congregation during worship if they didn't let her go, she'd barely gotten permission.
"Alright then... Shall we start with my first act of evil?"
Thinking of her wicked deed, Lilith flashed a sinister grin.
'Eating a snack before lunch... The ultimate taboo that ruins your appetite for a proper meal! But Lilith will do it anyway!'
Clutching her allowance pouch tightly so she wouldn't lose it, Lilith headed to Carnea's canteen.
"Hehe... And I haven't even enrolled yet, but I'm already committing such a heinous crime... I scare myself sometimes."
As she entered the canteen, chuckling in self-praise—
"...Whoa."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked around everywhere.
'S-Snacks everywhere! What... What should I get? Everything looks so tasty... N-No! Stay calm, Lilith! The best one's obvious anyway!'
Lilith closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and steadied herself.
Regaining her composure, she opened her mouth to order the snack she'd been dreaming of since leaving Parthenon.
"Ahem, one mint chocolate... Hweh?!"
As she ordered naturally, something unbelievable caught Lilith's eye.
It was written small in the corner, easy to miss, but it was as if a goddess had guided her gaze right to it.
"Mi-Mint choco chicken skewers? Ch-Chicken skewers coated in mint chocolate? And it's cheap too...?"
Lilith's hands trembled in shock.
'Th-This is a revolution! How have we never thought of this before? The creator is a genius!'
Of course adding delicious to delicious makes it way tastier!
'Phew... I almost ordered plain mint chocolate and missed this gem! That would've cost me half my life in regret!'
Nodding as if convinced, Lilith grinned ear to ear.
'I figured Carnea wouldn't go down easy... But too bad! You're up against Lilith! Consider yourself unlucky!'
With a beaming smile, Lilith stretched out her hand toward the clerk and declared.
"One mint choco chicken skewer, please!"
I headed to Tristan's cabin, where a familiar little face was making googly eyes at me.
"Hi."
"H-Hoe?! It's Eugene!"
Isolde, whom I hadn't seen in a while, let out her usual weird exclamation.
I ruffled her hair and asked.
"How's your body feeling?"
"A bit tired, but I'm okay!"
"Good to hear. Where's Professor Tristan?"
"Dad's out for a bit! Oh, there he comes!"
Sure enough, when I turned around, Tristan came rushing up, breathing heavily.
For a second, I tensed, half-expecting him to attack me like our first meeting...
But thankfully, he just clapped me on the back in greeting.
"Good to see you, Eugene. Come on in."
The cabin interior hadn't changed much, but with Isolde awake, it felt more lively now.
"...I would've picked up some booze if I'd known you were coming. Only got tea right now."
"Tea is fine."
"I like cocoa."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Isolde subtly plugging her preference.
A moment later, Tristan set down the tea and asked.
"So, what brings you here?"
"...I had some questions."
"About what?"
I took a sip of tea and said.
"The class placement results should be out by now, right?"
"They are."
Before I could even ask, Tristan continued.
"You're in Class 1."
"..."
I hadn't dared hope, but hearing it so straightforwardly was a surprise.
"Professor Loreos's recommendation letter helped, and I agreed to put you in Class 1 too. Even without that, your 'Wolf' subjugation record would've gotten you there anyway."
"...Thank you."
No need to beg for Class 1 anymore—it eased my mind a bit.
"By the way, Professor Amy will be your homeroom teacher."
I was surprised it wasn't Tristan, but Amy wasn't a bad choice.
With her top-tier unique ability 'Word Spirit', there was plenty I could learn from her as a fellow unique ability user.
'I figured Loreos would insist on being my homeroom.'
I thought his daily special training showed real zeal to develop me...
Guess it wasn't quite homeroom level.
"Disappointed it's not Loreos?"
"...No."
"Don't worry. Loreos isn't your homeroom because he's not at the academy right now."
"...?"
What was that supposed to mean?
'Why isn't Loreos here?'
First semester, sure, no big role for him. But second semester, his power is essential.
He couldn't just vanish.
"He said he was off finding a master suited for you. After hearing that, I backed off from being your homeroom too. Can't step in where even zealous Loreos holds back."
I sighed involuntarily, but it was my own mess—no one to blame.
'Please...'
All I could do was hope Loreos returned before second semester.
"Hm, got sidetracked. So, what's the favor you want?"
"...Someone I want in Class 1."
"Who?"
"Vivian Beatrice."
Tristan furrowed his brow like he didn't recall.
"...Vivian Beatrice?"
"Bianca Beatrice's little sister from second-year Class 1."
Then he nodded in recognition.
"...Ah, got it. Loreos mentioned her, but no standout achievements, so she got passed over. You want her in Class 1?"
"Yes."
I prepared reasons why Vivian had to be in Class 1, but—
"Sure."
It went through way too easily.
"...That simple?"
"Unlike you, no exceptional record, so normally it'd be tough."
"Then why say yes so quick?"
To my question, Tristan replied matter-of-factly.
"Of course. It's your request. I'll make it happen somehow."
"...Thank you."
"No need. This barely scratches the interest on what I owe you. Anything else?"
"This is plenty."
"Good. You're always welcome—no pressure."
Watching Tristan smile softly at Isolde, I was genuinely glad he'd never given up on her.
"...I'll head out then."
"Already? Stay longer."
"Gotta say hi to the holy milk producer. Don't wanna be late."
"Ah... I wanted to thank her in person too, but she absolutely refused to show her face."
I gave a small laugh.
Given the nurse's personality, providing breast milk to save Isolde was one thing, but handing it over face-to-face? No way.
"Don't worry. I'll pass it on for you."
"Appreciate it."
"See you."
"Bring chocolate next time!"
"Will do."
I gave Isolde's head one last ruffle and headed to the infirmary.
In front of Carnea's infirmary.
I knocked on the door with a smile.
—Knock knock
"O-One sec!"
Something clattered inside, and after a while, the door opened.
At the same time, a sweet, milky scent wafted over.
Not the fresh tang of youth, but the mature allure only a grown woman could exude.
"Eu...Eugene...?"
I nodded, and the nurse lunged into a hug.
Just back from a short hometown trip over break, and she reacted like I'd returned from war.
"This isn't a dream, right? Y-You're really Eugene...?"
Feeling her even softer chest than before, I blurted out.
"...Milky cow?"
'Welcome back.'
...Wrong words slipped out.