How to Deal with a Stalker
Iris gently caressed her forehead, which was flushed bright red. It was the mark of the finger flick I had given her this morning. Still, considering how tightly she had squeezed me, it was a well-deserved punishment.
When I walked into the cafeteria with Iris, the students were already moving about busily. Today was the day of the Summer Magic Labyrinth Tournament. A subtle, underlying tension hung heavy over the entire hall.
The moment Iris entered, all eyes turned toward us. To avoid drawing any unnecessary suspicion, I quietly followed behind her.
"Hania, did you hear?"
"Seriously, it's huge news."
Perhaps due to Hania's natural sociability, her friends frequently approached me to chat.
"Sorry, everyone. I really want to focus on the Magic Labyrinth today, so let's talk later."
Since it was the day of the tournament, my polite deflection was well-received, and they understandingly backed off.
"Well, Lady Iris's team did place second in the group match."
"She must be focusing hard to make up for it."
Fortunately, the outcome of the group match lent credibility to my excuse. Focusing on the tournament to redeem the shame of a second-place finish—it was a perfectly plausible reason.
I guess hard work always pays off in the end. Kudos to my past self. That deserves a praise sticker.
We made it through the day despite all the twists and turns. Now, all that was left was the Magic Labyrinth Tournament. Since this event would mark the grand finale of Act 3, even I couldn't help but feel incredibly tense.
"Hania, let's go."
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, I headed toward the Martial Arts building with Iris.
The students were supposed to gather at the Martial Arts building first, then head to the Magic Labyrinth entrance under the professors' guidance. Consequently, the plaza in front of the building was packed with martial arts students. A palpable anxiety, far thicker than usual, rippled through the crowd.
Shifting my gaze, I spotted Hania—currently disguised as Hanon—standing with Seron. She had her arms crossed, her face a mask of pure irritation. It was obvious why. She wanted to be by Iris's side, and being unable to do so had put her in a foul mood.
Beside her, Seron stood with her mouth clamped shut, looking incredibly awkward around "Hanon." It was a classic display of her social skills. Oh, Seron... you absolute communication dummy...
"He looks just like you," Iris whispered.
That annoyed expression looked like me? For someone who always maintained a polite, gentle smile, this was deeply shocking news.
While I was reeling from the shock, Isabel caught my eye. She was staring at Hania in Hanon's form with her head tilted in confusion. Did she notice something? Please, let it not be so.
"Sigh, I'm so tired."
"Another Magic Labyrinth Tournament?"
Meanwhile, several third-years began to arrive. Having already survived multiple tournaments, their exhaustion and weariness were plainly visible.
Unlike the ambitious second-years who were eager to climb the ranks, most of the third-years seemed to have achieved a state of cynical resignation. True to their derogatory nickname, the "Weakest Generation," they lacked even the basic will to try.
Among those third-years, a shock of silver hair caught my attention, looking even colder than usual. Beneath those silver locks were eyes of a freezing, icy blue. There was a sharp, gloomy edge to her gaze.
Nikita Cynthia. For some reason, I could feel her chilling aura radiating all the way over here. At that moment, Nikita lifted her head. I quickly averted my gaze before our eyes could meet.
I felt Nikita's gaze linger on Iris for a brief second before drifting away. Only I, who knew the full story, could detect the faint trace of bloodlust hidden within it.
"Yaaawn. Looks like almost everyone is here."
Just as the strange tension was peaking, Professor Beganor finally made her appearance. Dressed in a proper suit for once, she swallowed the tail end of a yawn.
Beside her stood the other martial arts professors in charge of the first and third years. They possessed faces so fierce they made Beganor look like an angel. Even so, Beganor was the most senior among them.
Behind them, a long line of associate professors and assistant instructors stood in formation. Accompanied by this sizable entourage, Beganor gestured to her junior colleagues that it was time to move.
"We will now head to the entrance of the Magic Labyrinth. Keep it orderly and move out."
At the third-year professor's command, the martial arts students began to march. Given the sheer number of people, it was quite a grand procession.
By now, the other departments would have started moving as well, meaning an immense crowd of students would eventually gather at the entrance. As we walked, I felt a persistent gaze drilling into the back of my head.
Ever since we set off, someone had been staring at me. Did someone realize I'm not the real Hania? I subtly scanned my surroundings, but none of the students seemed to be paying me any mind.
They were all far too tense, mentally preparing themselves for the tournament. No one had the luxury to worry about anyone else. In that case... The owner of that gaze wasn't a student.
I expanded my sensory awareness a bit further, reaching toward the assistant instructors. But none of them were looking at me either. Finally, when my senses brushed past the faculty, I spotted the culprit staring intently in my direction.
One of the second-year Martial Arts associate professors. Barcob Deblizu. He was the second son of Count Deblizu, a family famous for its immense wealth. And I happened to know a certain incident involving him.
That bastard has a thing for minors. The incident where an associate professor of Jerion Academy got expelled for stalking a student. In the game, it was only briefly mentioned in the school news, not an event the player could directly intervene in.
However, it was a stepping-stone episode that detailed the conflict between the faculty and students, and ultimately explained why Professor Beganor became an alcoholic. And that very creep was staring at me right now. To be precise, he was staring at the shell of Hania I was currently wearing.
A sudden shiver ran down my spine. His burning, greasy gaze was utterly repulsive. No wonder Hania couldn't easily deal with her stalker despite her personality. Since he was an associate professor from an influential family, she couldn't act rashly and had to bide her time.
The problem was that the target of his passionate gaze right now was me. For the first time in my life, I felt a genuine urge to murder someone.
"Now that we have arrived at the Magic Labyrinth, find your teammates until your names are called."
Before I knew it, we had reached our destination. The moment Professor Beganor's order fell, I practically threw myself next to Iris in sheer disgust.
"Lady Iris, let's move quickly."
If I had to endure that bastard's gaze for a second longer, I felt like I might actually summon the Lightning Caller. Sensing my urgency, Iris didn't say anything and simply picked up her pace.
"Hania."
Just then, Associate Professor Barcob stepped out, blocking our path. This absolute lunatic.
"Lady Iris, may I speak with Hania for a moment?"
Barcob looked at me with a deeply solemn, determined expression. My hand, equipped with the Lightning Caller, trembled. I wanted to beat him to a pulp so badly.
"Well..."
Iris looked at Barcob with a troubled expression. She had probably stayed out of it until now because Hania had insisted on handling the stalker herself. But now, through a twist of fate, it was me, not Hania, caught in his web. Iris was at a loss for what to do.
The surrounding students were starting to look over. Drawing suspicion here would be disastrous.
"Lady Iris, I'll be right back."
For now, I decided to defuse the situation. Since the third-years would enter the Magic Labyrinth first, the second-years still had some time. When I stepped forward, Iris finally nodded.
"Associate Professor Barcob, let's go."
"Y-yes, of course."
Barcob's face lit up instantly. It was the exact opposite of my expression. He led me to a spot slightly removed from the crowd.
The way he kept stealing glances at me was pathetic. Inside this body was a 185-centimeter-tall, hulking man. I couldn't even begin to imagine how horrified he would be if he knew the truth.
"So, what do you want?"
My voice was instinctively sharp. But Barcob didn't seem to care at all, merely clearing his throat with a bashful look.
"Hania, when I heard you were entering the Magic Labyrinth today, I simply couldn't hold back any longer."
Every student at Jerion Academy had to enter the Magic Labyrinth. What kind of absolute nonsense was he spewing?
"The Magic Labyrinth is a dangerous place. When I imagined the possibility of you never returning, I finally realized my true feelings."
Barcob's thick, flabby cheeks quivered. My face began to stiffen. No way. Is this bastard... confessing to me right now? And of all times, when I'm inside Hania's body?
"Wait a moment, Associate Professor. What on earth are you—"
"H-Hania!"
Barcob was already too far gone.
"I love you! I just had to tell you before you went into the Magic Labyrinth!"
What was a thirty-something-year-old man doing confessing to a minor? A sudden, throbbing headache hit me, and my fists clenched. So this was the legendary 'punishment by confession.' Experiencing it firsthand, I finally understood just how dizzying it could be.
"Associate Professor Barcob, please calm down."
"Hania, give me your answer. I already know you have feelings for me too."
Barcob's eyes were completely rolled back in delusion. Just as I was about to administer some extreme, righteous justice—
"Associate Professor Barcob, Hania is currently dating me, so this is rather inconvenient."
A voice I hadn't expected in the slightest rang out. I stiffly turned my head. Standing there was a boy with pitch-black hair and crimson eyes. Hanon Airey. In other words, the real Hania was standing right there.
"What?"
Barcob's face went completely blank at Hania's bombshell statement. Hania marched right up and snatched my hand.
"Since Hania and I are dating, a confession like this is quite troublesome."
Out of nowhere, I was dating Hania. Wait, no. Right now, I was Hania. So... was I dating myself?
"W-what is the meaning of this?" Barcob looked back and forth between my hand and Hania's in utter bewilderment. "Don't talk nonsense! I know for a fact that Hania isn't dating anyone!"
"Is that so? Well, we only started dating yesterday."
Hania looked at me, silently telling me to play along. Left with no choice, I proudly raised our clasped hands.
"Yes. Hanon confessed to me yesterday, and I accepted. So, I cannot accept your feelings, Associate Professor Barcob."
"T-that can't be..."
Barcob stumbled backward. The shock of rejection seemed far too great for him to bear. I honestly wished he would just drop dead right then and there.
"Don't lie to me! Prove it!"
Barcob shrieked pathetically. The two people involved literally just told him they were dating; what kind of proof did he even need? Hania, clearly growing tired of dealing with him, let out a heavy sigh.
"Hania, let's do what we did yesterday."
What did we do yesterday?! Before I could even process the thought, Hania grabbed my chin. As expected of the runner-up of the Martial Arts department, her movements were so fast they were practically a blur.
Hania's face was suddenly right in front of mine. Our lips were so close they were practically touching. Yet, with exquisite precision, they didn't actually make contact. It was an incredible display of physical control. However, since the back of Hania's head was facing Professor Barcob, to anyone watching from behind, it looked like an unmistakable kiss.
Realizing Hania's intention, I gently raised my hand and wrapped it around her back. The finishing touch.
And with that, Professor Barcob let out a bloodcurdling scream.
"No! No! It can't be!"
Unable to accept reality, the associate professor turned and bolted. It was the most pathetic, devastating rejection of Barcob's entire life.