Chapter 18 - Diving into the Quest
"Young Master, it's time for dinner."
"...Yeah."
As evening fell, Kania entered the room carrying food.
"What's on the menu today?"
"It's the sandwich and coffee you like, Young Master."
"I see."
One good thing since Kania learned my secret as a Villain was that I could now enjoy her cooking without leaving any behind. Kania was an incredible cook. She'd been skilled at it since childhood and had experimented endlessly to match my picky tastes, honing skills that could put most chefs to shame.
"...Is it not to your liking, by chance?"
"No, it's delicious."
"I see."
I'd unconsciously praised her and looked up, only to see Kania wearing an awkward expression, as if she found the compliment strange.
"...Kania, you've been a great cook since you were little."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Honestly, it always pained me to waste food just to act villainous."
"...So you left my cooking not because it tasted bad?"
Since I'd already started praising her, I kept going, but Kania gave me a baffled look and asked anyway. The sight was so funny I nearly burst out laughing, but I grabbed a sandwich from the plate and replied.
"Didn't you know? One bite would've shown you I was just being stubborn."
"I tried it myself, but you kept saying it was bad, so I thought my food really was tasteless."
"You never fed it to anyone else?"
"I lacked confidence in my cooking, so aside from when you ordered meals, I never made any."
"I see..."
Imagining Kania slaving away in the kitchen, disheartened, made my heart ache. I forced a bright smile and picked up the coffee in front of me.
"...Mm."
"Is it too bitter?"
"You make great coffee too, Kania."
"Really?"
She looked incredulous, so I gave a wry smile and answered.
"All those harsh words I said to you were lies. Keep that in mind."
"...Then my little sister's compliments on my food weren't pity—they were true."
"Yeah, exactly."
I was glad she'd regained some self-esteem, even now. As I kept eating the sandwich, a memory from my first regression surfaced, and I cautiously spoke up.
"Oh, that day I flipped over the sandwich last time?"
"Yes..."
"That was a lie too. I'm really sor—"
I stopped mid-apology. According to the scenario I'd fed her, I didn't even deserve to apologize.
"Sorry?"
As I clamped my mouth shut, Kania frowned and pressed me. Staring at her, I finally abandoned my initial shameless act, bowed my head deeply, and began.
"Like I promised last time, I won't ask your forgiveness for what I've done."
"......"
"Instead, from now on, I'll do my absolute best to treat you right."
"...For me?"
"Yeah. In front of others, I'll still have to be cold... but when it's just us, I'll do anything you want."
"...Anything?"
"Yeah, anything."
I spoke with sincerity, and she gazed at me quietly. Meeting her eyes, I continued carefully.
"Think of it as my atonement. Of course, since it's one-sided, you don't have to accept. Refuse if it bothers you."
After saying that, I waited anxiously for her response. Kania scowled deeply and spoke.
"...Do as you please."
"Got it, Kania."
Her reluctant expression made it clear she was just going along with it... but I wanted to treat her well, even like this. Sure, I wanted to do the same for the other main heroines, but Kania had suffered the most because of me—she was always by my side. Even in death, she'd chosen it herself, cursing me right in front of me. How much anguish must she have endured?
So I was relieved to make amends this way.
"Kania, aren't you eating?"
I smiled faintly and resumed eating, then realized I'd never seen her eat.
"...I only prepared yours, Young Master."
"Then when do you eat?"
I asked, and she answered matter-of-factly.
"Until now, I'd snack while preparing yours."
"...What?"
"Trying to match your tastes became a habit before I knew it."
Hearing that, I stood up.
"I'll cook for you."
"...Pardon?"
"I can manage—chop ingredients, sprinkle salt... Ugh!"
But as I boldly headed out, pain wracked my body, forcing me back into my seat.
"...Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. It'll heal soon."
"Your recovery seems too slow for that."
"Rest will fix it."
I replied weakly from my seat, and Kania nodded quietly before standing.
Watching her, I saw her pick up the cat doll from the desk and asked cautiously.
"Oh, Kania."
"Yes?"
"That black cat doll on the desk—could I get one too?"
"What do you mean?"
"...I actually like cats."
She stared piercingly. Fair enough—I'd called them annoying just days ago.
"Sadly, my sister made this by hand. It's one of a kind."
"Oh well, then."
I tried to hide my disappointment, but after a moment's thought, Kania spoke.
"If you insist, I'll give it to you."
"No need to—"
"I'll ask her for another."
With a blank expression, she handed me the cat doll.
"...Thanks."
I'd meant to refuse, but it had boosted my mental stats by 0.3, so I accepted after hesitation.
"Huh? No sound?"
"Pardon?"
"Pressing its belly used to make cute noises..."
"......"
Kania suddenly scowled. Wondering why, I tilted my head, and she muttered lowly.
"...Why would you touch there?"
"Huh?"
"No, I mean... when did you touch the doll?"
"...Ah."
I'd let slip that I'd touched it. Breaking into a cold sweat, I checked her face—she was flushing red, furious that her favorite doll had been handled by me.
"S-Sorry for touching without permission. But it's so squishy..."
"........"
"And the meows are adorable, so I couldn't help..."
As I trailed off, she stared, still red-faced, then spoke stiffly.
"That doll's for my black magic experiments."
"...Black magic experiments?"
"Yes. Once set as a medium, it moves automatically without extra power."
"...Cool. I didn't know black magic could do that."
"It only consumes black magic power initially for the medium. Normally, it syncs with ambient black magic around me to move without mana drain."
"Wait, that's impressive, right?"
"It's experimental, so it breaks often. It should move on its own... probably malfunctioning now."
"Got it."
I pouted at the broken doll and pressed its belly. Kania hesitated, then said.
"...On nights when my black magic strengthens, it might fix itself."
"Really? That's great."
"See you tonight, then, Young Master."
She left the dorm. 'She went out earlier too, saying she had business... Something up?'
I worried briefly, then guessed she just couldn't stand seeing my pitiful state now that she knew the truth. Pouting, I hugged the cat and lay on the bed.
"...Right, gotta give Kania life force tonight too."
Next week at home, I'd prioritize the potion for her sister, sidelining everything else.
......
Time passed, and night deepened.
"Urk..."
"...Are you alright?"
As I shivered, sweating coldly, Kania—top lifted, belly exposed—asked with a stiff expression.
"Still... holding... on..."
"...Are you really okay?"
She was like that because my hand was on her bare stomach, transferring life force. Direct contact on vital areas like the belly or heart maximized efficiency. With my life force so depleted, I'd asked permission and placed my hand there for best results. Not somewhere embarrassing like the chest—the stomach was less awkward.
"............."
Glancing at her, she looked deeply uncomfortable, face rigid. No wonder—she despised me, and here I was touching her.
"...Young Master, that should be enough."
"Cough! Cough! Haah... Yeah, seems so."
I'd gritted through to save her, but hit my limit in a minute. Normally five minutes was fine, but the penalty's terror hit anew.
"Blood's on your mouth."
"Happens sometimes healing black magic with hero's power. Only during treatment—no worries."
"...Yes."
"...Goodnight, Kania."
"Rest well, Young Master."
I wiped the blood from my mouth and headed to bed after the exchange.
'Still not moving.'
Regretfully eyeing the cat doll beside me, I prayed for morning recovery and slept.
......
"Cough! Cough!"
My condition had worsened, not recovered. I woke mid-sleep from coughing and full-body pain.
"Ugh..."
Blurred eyes checked the alarm—still dawn. But the ache said I'd slept enough.
"Kitty... I'm hurting so bad..."
In despair, I whined to the doll beside me.
"The System, Sun God... all lazy bastards... You think so too, right?"
".........."
"Still broken?"
No response. Pouting, I lifted it and pressed the belly, mumbling.
"If you're quiet too, no one to talk to..."
"........."
"Maybe I should've told Kania everything... Then I could vent... No, she'd feel guilty, poor thing..."
"...Meow."
"...Kitty?"
Pressing and lamenting, it suddenly mewed softly.
"You fixed?"
"Meow?"
I gawked; it tilted its head and mewed. I frantically pressed, cheering.
"Kittyyy!"
"Eek... Eek! Meooow!"
"Don't break againnn!"
"Meow! M-Me... haa...!"
"...Huh?"
A faint moan came from somewhere. Panicking, hand still pressing, I looked around—then the doll wriggled wildly.
"Wah, startled me!"
I dropped it; landing on my stomach, it shuddered and glared fiercely.
"...Right, it moves automatically?"
Recalling Kania's words, I asked the growling doll cautiously.
"Is it 'cause I touched your belly?"
It nodded, still glaring.
"...Sorry, really sorry."
I apologized, not considering its feelings. It turned away, lips pursed.
'Such detail from one medium setup. Black magic's amazing.'
I pondered learning it later, then remembered star mana clashed—life-risky. Shaking it off, I addressed the cat.
"...Kitty, I won't touch your belly anymore, okay?"
It nodded, head turned.
Pretty sulky.
"...Gently?"
"......"
"Not hard, just pet... Please? Yeah?"
"...Meow."
Only groveling got me petting rights back. Felt like defeat, but for the doll that saved my sanity, I'd lose forever.
"Meow..."
"Hehe... so soft..."
Stroking endlessly, pain faded and eyes drooped. Smiling happily, I hugged it tight and slept.
That night, I dreamed of cats surrounding me blissfully.
......
"...Be careful, Young Master."
"...Yeah."
Morning, post-cat play, my mind was clear—mental healing worked. Body still wrecked, though; Kania had to support me to class.
"...Hngh."
Something off. Kania flinched and moaned whenever I stumbled or my hand brushed her stomach.
"Kania, what's up?"
"S-Sync error, sensitivity..."
"Huh?"
"N-No... just stomachache."
"...I see."
Pitying her briefly, I pulled away.
"I'll go alone from here."
"Pardon?"
"Can't strain you with a stomachache."
"But..."
"I said I'd treat you right, one-sidedly. I'm fine—go ahead."
"........."
She bit her lip hard, glaring.
"...Why, Kania?"
"You don't look fine."
She pointed to my trembling legs.
"This much is okay. I'm the hero, after all."
"Hero, so it's okay?"
She clenched her fists.
"Is that the dumb thinking behind all your actions?"
"Shh, someone'll hear."
"...I'll go first."
She strode off coldly.
'Kinda hurts.'
Hated by Kania, secret or not—my fate. But steel myself. Time for the pivotal main quest to flip the scenario.
'Oh, one unbought skill left.'
Main quest starting today—prep fully. I opened the skill shop, eyeing the last one.
◈ Permanently slightly increases the persuasiveness of lies.
'Obviously need this.'
Past loops honed my deception, but permanent buff to lie persuasiveness? Unignorable. Plus, facing sharp Clana and genius fiancée Serena—must-buy.
"...Actually, I'm a woman."
Buying Villain's Deception with points saved for Potential Potion, I tested it.
"...No real feel."
Too absurd? No noticeable change. Tilting my head, I headed to class before tardiness...
"...Gasp."
".....!"
Saintess Perloché stood mouth agape before me. I yelped in shock.
"Ch-Church skipped!"
I yelled desperately, but she opened her mouth as usual. Expecting Villain's Intuition to trigger futilely again... no system window appeared.
What the—?
"Y-Y-You..."
".....?"
"...Were a girl?"
".....What!?"
Flabbergasted, I nearly argued her nonsense, but she turned, shocked, and ran off.
No energy to chase or yell stop. Limping to class, I muttered.
"...Does it work? Or not?"
Skill good, or saintess dumb? Unclear.
......
"Announcement today."
Seated, fending off nobles casually, Isolet entered and addressed all.
"Performance evaluation soon."
Students buzzed; she slammed the board to quiet them.
"Mysterious monster sightings surging across the empire. Imperial decree boosts academy combat training."
I swallowed hard—Demon King finally flexing on the empire.
Isolet glared fiercely.
"Evaluation: 1v1 student duels."
Silence fell.
"Choose partners by mutual agreement. No pair? I assign."
Kids whispered; scanning them, I eavesdropped on Irina and Arienne beside me.
"Irina, duel me. I'll hold back—"
"Arienne, no pity."
"Bad grades drop you to lower class, lose scholarship..."
"No need!"
"Irina..."
Awkward silence between them. Watching quietly, I pondered.
'How to provoke Irina till she snaps?'
To start main quest 'Dorm Raid Incident' properly, duel Irina Philiard. 'Start' not 'clear'—dueling her is minimum condition.
And I must lose to her—mana exhaustion crippling basic spells, strength stat 3—convincingly.
Classic trash game.