Ghost Story Hotel Escape
In the end, we left the teachers' room without even managing to establish the club. A sigh escaped me.
"It's been so long since we arrived at the academy, and we still haven't formed a single club..."
"Pardon? Hasn't it only been two days at the academy?"
"That's true for you."
In reality, it had only been two days, but the time I'd felt pass was already right before midterms. At this rate, by the time I graduated, I might be throwing a mental sixtieth birthday party.
"Come on, enough whining. Let's think about what to do next!"
Unlike me, already mentally exhausted, Elaine brimmed with enthusiasm.
"We just need to fill the headcount anyway, so why not grab anyone and make them a ghost member? We can handle the actual club activities with just the three of us."
Rone jumped in energetically with her own suggestion at Elaine's words. They were all so full of youthful vigor. Meanwhile, this teacher was already fantasizing about clocking out and crawling into bed.
"No, that's not a good idea. If we drag in someone clueless and they get swept up in what we do, it could be trouble. I'd rather have members who are real participants, not just scarecrows to meet the numbers. The club is just a means to make our activities easier—it's not like we can't operate without it. So until we recruit properly, we'll just keep going without one."
"You're right. It might be a bit inconvenient, but it's no different from how we've been doing things. No need to force it just for a club plaque."
"Y-Yes, actually, that's what I was thinking too!"
So, our direction was more or less set.
"Then our policy moving forward: We'll keep an eye out for talent suited to the Paranormal Investigation Club, but without rushing. Our top priority is resolving ghost stories—don't forget that."
"Got it."
"Yes!"
After parting with the two, I headed to the canteen, ordered black tea and madeleines, and calmly pondered who might suit the club.
On the surface, I'd only spent two days at the academy, but in truth, it had been over a month—most of it battling ghost stories. My actual knowledge of the academy was barely better than a true two-day newcomer's.
That said, a few students stood out to me. They were famous, and before arriving, I'd done some prior research on key figures from this romance fantasy world—at least, that's what I'd thought it was back then.
First, the Saintess. Her nickname alone marked her as extraordinary, rumored to possess a gift that healed people. If true, she'd be priority zero for recruitment.
Unfortunately, my investigation revealed the rumors were false. Her parents were using her as a shield to scam people, claiming she had healing powers. She was just an accomplice in the con. Gifts were merely extensions of ordinary talents, after all—no one could instantly heal wounds or cure diseases with a snap.
Well, my case is a special exception.
Anyway, pass.
Second, the second prince of Renia Kingdom. As the second prince of my birth nation, he wielded power and exceptional ability... but his personality aside, if it came out that I had staged the communist revolution that nearly toppled Renia, wouldn't he try to kill me? Pass.
Third, the marquess's daughter dubbed the "Red Ruby" of high society—Rozalia Soline. Word was she had an iron will. But her fame stemmed from looks and background, not personal prowess. Fine for romance fantasy, useless against ghost stories. Pass.
A few other academy notables came to mind, but most were from my mistaken assumption that this was a romance fantasy world. They relied more on bloodlines and prestige than ghost-story-useful abilities.
Sigh. Is there really no one worthwhile?
Ah, right—the most important one. The protagonist.
A protagonist should at least be mid-tier, no? The problem was my fuzzy memory of the romance fantasy era. I hadn't even recalled the world's title until reaching the underground. Naturally— it was a work I'd read nearly thirty years ago in my past life, out of curiosity over its infamous drip, not because I liked romance fantasies. I should be grateful I even remembered the name.
"Whew."
Still, the protagonist was my last shot. Maybe recruit someone who seemed like one.
The title of this world, from my past life: The Abandoned Countess's Lady of the Academy. Abandoned countess's daughter as protagonist, obviously. "Abandoned" was a huge hint, but I vaguely recalled that happening later in the story. Probably. My memory was spotty, but logically, if she'd been exiled from the start, she couldn't have entered the academy.
...So, to find her, I'd have to piece together generic romance fantasy heroine tropes and hunt for the best match, sans past-life knowledge.
Typical romance fantasy heroine traits:
High interest in women's rights and gender equality, yet casually accepts class systems and privileges as a noble. Plays multiple men but ends with the highest-status, richest prince, crown prince, or hidden royal. Marriage is almost always a rise in status via union.
Projects "girl crush" competence, but in crises, solution is summoning a superior male lead. Actively passive.
Preaches merit over gender, but clings to class background double standards.
Friends are higher nobles, rich merchants, clergy—strong social pedigrees. Lower-status ties are sycophants or jealous extras, not equals.
That was my bias against the genre... Male-oriented stories were similar, just flipped—pure reader wish-fulfillment, absurd when viewed objectively.
Who even falls for women like that? Are romance fantasy male leads possessed by ghost stories?
...On second thought, do I even need the original protagonist?
A few days passed after that. Astonishingly, nothing happened. Unlike Rone's ghost story, where anomalies brewed unnoticed, this was truly uneventful.
The same went for club recruitment. With no urgent need to form the club, I wasn't compromising on conditions—raising the bar impossibly high.
Thus, days of unbelievable normalcy: no club progress, no ghost attacks.
Then Lydia made me an offer.
"Mr. Allen, are you interested in a retreat?"
"A retreat? You mean everyone gathers and spends the night together?"
"Yes, exactly! As expected of Mr. Allen!"
It wasn't that impressive an answer. But what was this about suddenly?
"Actually, I thought it might be nice to create an opportunity for our Class A students to bond. Do you have time this weekend, by any chance?"
"..."
Why was this happening? Pre-regression, this timeframe was all delinquent gang wars—no room for such talk.
Ah, right. No time for chit-chat amid the chaos back then.
"O-Of course, you can decline! It's not mandatory for the students, and since I sprang this on you suddenly, you might have other plans!"
Lydia waved her hands frantically, misreading my silence and backpedaling.
Hmm. I don't have anything pressing.
"If I don't join, does the retreat get canceled?"
"No! We'd proceed even without you, so no pressure!"
From her explanation, it was purely for class unity—renting a venue out of pocket. I'd vaguely sensed it pre-regression: she was a true educator.
"No, I have no plans. I'll help, Ms. Lydia. Wouldn't it be easier with one more pair of hands?"
"Ah! Really?!"
And now I was a teacher too. No plans this weekend anyway, so why not? A Class A group event meant Elaine and Rone would attend—sticking together was smart for emergencies. No attacks lately, but ghost stories could strike anytime.
"By the way, Ms. Lydia, one question about the retreat..."
"Ask away!"
"Nothing major—you said you rented a place? Where do I go on the day?"
"Oh, that?"
Lydia beamed at my question.
"There's this old hotel not in use right now, and we got it cheap. Rumor has it the students call it a ghost hotel—perfect for a courage test after dinner, don't you think?"
"...Ah."
Her words made me squeeze my eyes shut.
Canceled.
Didn't I just say ghost stories could hit anytime? Suddenly, I could predict when and what: the next one.
Ghost Story Hotel Escape.