Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Too Big a Variable
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“Thank you for just now, Lady Dreania.”
“...It’s fine. I just couldn’t stand watching a weakling act above their station. Don’t worry about it.”
“Still, you did help me out, didn’t you?”
“...Stop being annoying.”
“Ah, got it.”
Expressing gratitude was fine and all, but Dreania turned outright threatening if you got too close, so caution was key.
In this dangerously unpredictable academy, the only way for me to lay low without using holy power and stay out of sight was to hang around her like a lackey.
I quietly shut my mouth and trailed behind her. It wasn’t long before we reached the cafeteria.
A buffet where you could pile your plate with as much food as you wanted—a rare sight in this world.
‘They sure pour a ton of money into this academy.’
The game never described food or even mentioned coming here to eat, but now that I saw it up close, it was shockingly lavish for a medieval backdrop.
I glanced sideways and noticed Dreania’s eyes locked on one spot: the meat dishes.
She beelined straight for the meat section at top speed.
She stacked her plate with meat high as a mountain.
‘Guess I’ll grab some too.’
I picked up a plate and started scoping out the spread when a group of female students approached me.
“Hm?”
I turned to look, and there at the front was a blonde girl with green eyes.
Ariana in disguise.
“Hey, got anyone to eat with?”
“Ah, Lianna.”
Lianna was Ariana’s alias.
She must’ve come over because of our “close friends” backstory.
The moment we exchanged smiles, the girls behind her started whispering.
“Who’s that?”
“Exchange student who showed up with Lianna?”
“Definitely not like the guys here. They’re all either total brutes or complete losers.”
“Think he’s hooking up with Lianna?”
“Makes sense—they’re easy on the eyes, and the Holy Kingdom’s all about quick marriages.”
The dating rumors between me and Ariana ballooned in seconds. Before long, we were a full-on item—or one step away—in their minds.
“Haha… Hey, we’ll grab seats first. Come join us?”
“Ah… mind if I pass today? First day and all, got someone I wanna bond with.”
I flicked my eyes toward Dreania.
Ariana’s eyes went wide with surprise.
“Ah, a-ah! Right, sorry Ace. You wanna hang with your classmates too.”
“No worries. Sorry I can’t join you guys.”
“All good. Then tomorrow, introduce me?”
“Haha, you got it.”
Ariana headed off with her plate, her entourage trailing behind.
All but one.
“...Something you need?”
The last girl had a tough vibe, so I asked what was up. She beckoned me closer and cupped her hand to my ear.
Curious what she’d say, I leaned in.
“Look, as Lianna’s friend, I’m telling you—stay away from Dreania.”
“Why’s that?”
“Bitch has a rotten personality. Always trash-talking us as weaklings, and she’s got the real power to back it up, so nobody calls her out. Resentment’s piling up big time.”
“Personality’s no big deal. Truth is, I sit right next to her, so we kinda have to get along.”
“What? Next to that bitch?”
“Yeah, no empty seats.”
“Haa… you’re screwed.”
With that, she waved me off like I was doomed and walked away.
‘So that’s Dreania’s rep right now.’
But it wouldn’t be long before she turned things around.
She’d never known weakness, so she couldn’t empathize or bother with manners. But after the spy attack, she’d change.
For now, I loaded up my plate and went hunting for Dreania.
There she was, alone in the corner, tearing into her meat.
‘Won’t win her love, but favorability’s doable.’
If I could bump her favor toward me, then even if Ruin wasn’t stronger than her, my endorsement might sway her a bit.
‘Keep Dreania at arm’s length.’
Just around 50 favor, tops.
With that resolve, I set my plate down right in front of her.
“?”
She looked up at me, eyes full of question.
I flashed her a smile.
“Don’t really know anyone in class yet. Mind if I join you for a bit?”
“Scram.”
“You waiting for someone?”
“No. Scram.”
“Ah… right.”
No choice—I slid over one seat.
Now to eat—
“Hold up. What the hell are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“I said scram. Don’t tell me that’s you ‘scrambling’?”
“I just moved over.”
“No, haa…”
Dreania let out a sigh like she couldn’t believe it.
Exactly what I’d aimed for.
“Fine. Guess this body should just eat fast and bounce.”
She ignored me completely and dove back into her meal.
I stared at her intently, lost in thought.
‘Gotta keep the conversation going somehow… Problem is, chit-chat’s not my strong suit.’
I was dragging out whatever extroverted streak lurked inside me to boost her favor, but I was hitting my limit already.
No handy dialogue options popping up like the protagonist—I had zero clue how to keep it flowing.
“...Could you stop staring already?”
While I pondered, Dreania flushed red and snapped at me.
“Ah.”
I’d been staring her down the whole time, lost in thought.
My bad. I apologized and focused on my food instead.
‘Brainstorm while I eat.’
I was racking my mind for a way to break the ice when, amazingly, Dreania spoke up first.
“You look downright desperate to talk to this body.”
“Huh?”
“Whatever. Seems like you’d drop dead without getting close, so out of first-day mercy, I’ll indulge you—just this once. First off, wanna know why this body’s so shunned around the academy?”
“Ooh…!”
Her starting the chat? Jackpot for me.
“This body despises weaklings. Doesn’t matter the race—all of them. The only one I respect is my stepfather, the grand mage principal. Anyone not stronger than me? No respect.”
“Ooh…”
“The other weaklings here are the same. No power, yet attitudes through the roof. From this dragonkin’s view, utterly pathetic.”
“I see.”
“So don’t keep pestering me. This body hates nuisances.”
“Then if someone stronger shows up, you’d get along?”
“The strong are always welcome. They deserve respect.”
“You really put stock in strength, huh.”
“Of course. Without it, you lose everything you have. Even among alley orphans, only the strong survive.”
“Ah…”
True enough—in my old alley haunts, only the tough ones made it.
That’s how I, dubbed ‘Ace,’ survived.
Feeling a rare spark of connection, I nodded and seized the chance to keep talking.
“What about a spouse, then…?”
“Spouse talk feels premature, but whatever. Yes. This body’s mate must be stronger than anyone.”
Straight out of the original script.
“They must shield their family with unyielding might—an overwhelming presence no one dares ignore.”
“Yeah, that’d be ideal.”
“No, it’s non-negotiable. This body still remembers ‘him.’”
“Him?”
Her father or the principal, probably?
The line had shifted a tad from canon, throwing me off for a sec, but my question probably nudged it that way.
“Yes. A man who steps up to protect his own in any peril, solving it single-handed. That kind of unbreakable strength.”
‘She’s talking about her dragon dad.’
“When this body was young, I fell into dire peril.”
“You, Lady Dreania?”
“Yes. Young and foolish, I got swept into grave danger. But ‘he’ stepped in, and I emerged without a scratch.”
“Impressive guy.”
“Exactly. That’s why this body vows to find him and take him as mate.”
“...Pardon?”
Wait, what?
“The man who saved this body from kidnappers in my youth—I’ll track him down and make him my mate. He alone is worthy.”
For some reason…
Dreania already had someone she liked.
"I still can't forget his wild blue eyes."
And it wasn’t the protagonist.