༺ Conspiracy (1) ༻
There were many beautiful women around Isaac.
This was one of the things that had been bothering Kaya Astrea recently.
Luce Eltania and Dorothy Heartnova were already overwhelming enough…
…But with the addition of the Imperial Princess Snow White, who was known throughout the continent for her beauty, Kaya was at a loss for how to squeeze herself in.
It was an impregnable fortress.
The three girls clung to Isaac, giggling and sneering as if to mock her for not having a place to fit in as they proclaimed Isaac as theirs.
But she couldn’t chase after Isaac, who was busy and always on the move.
Ever since Semester 1 Year 1, Kaya had struggled to suppress the urge to chase after Isaac after he eradicated the Ant Demon.
Isaac had told her not to follow him. As an archwizard, he’d be able to sense Kaya’s approach easily. But if she approached him outright, Isaac would hate her because it would make him stand out.
Kaya was terrified of losing the affection of the one she loved.
So Kaya had been content with seeing and greeting Isaac, and sneaking away with him for the occasional tactical meetings.
But it seemed that things couldn’t go on like this.
Luce Eltania ignored the students’ gazes and showed affection to Isaac. It seemed like half the reason Kaya couldn’t approach Issac was because of the top seat.
Especially since the disparity of her cold demeanor to others and her affectionate demeanor towards Isaac created a gap that aided her overwhelming charm. It was as if she was bestowing superiority to Isaac.
Dorothy Heartnova was a celebrity in the academy and an idol. Moreover, she was a formidable force to be reckoned with across the entire continent. She was someone who attended the academy with the goal of ‘having fun’ rather than learning.
Such a genius, caring for and cherishing Isaac more than anyone else, left Kaya feeling suffocated.
Princess Snow White not only held the highest status of an ‘Imperial Princess’ in the continent but was also arguably the most beautiful woman on the continent. Such a person was spending time with Isaac every day as his junior and mentee.
Kaya couldn’t guess how much their time together would strengthen the bond between the two.
Dangerous.
Kaya felt an overwhelming sense of wariness.
“I need to come up with something.”
[Countermeasures?]
Late at night in Charles Hall, the top-ranked dorm.
Kaya tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, and she stared at the ceiling, muttering to herself.
Beside her was Dark Kaya, dressed in the same pajama, lying down and staring at her. As a personality, she was only visible through Kaya’s eyes.
Then, with a flash of her bloodshot eyes and a wicked grin, Dark Kaya turned her face to the main body.
[So you’re finally going to seduce Sir Isaac?]
“T-that’s right…! I have to.”
Kaya looked determined. A drop of cold sweat dripped down her face.
Dark Kaya blushed and gave a sheepish smile.
[I absolutely agree! You’re aiming for the strategy meeting with Isaac tomorrow, right?]
“Yeah, it doesn’t seem like there will be another chance for a while, so I need to do something. A strong move…”
Kaya thought hard.
Isaac was running towards a certain goal, so he was avoiding having romantic relationships.
How do I get through someone like that?
She made a plan with Dark Kaya.
Her imagination was filled with shameful acts with Isaac.
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, the morning sun came and sparrows were chirping.
Kaya got up, dark circles under her eyes. She looked out the window with a bemused look.
It’s morning already?\
She was puzzled.
* * *
“I’ll be an honorary student council member.”
Behind the academy building.
I was standing alongside Alice Carroll in the shade, staying out of the sun.
Before us was a small garden. It was rarely frequented by students, so couples occasionally came here to be affectionate in private.
It was the kind of place that even the players of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ didn’t bother to stop by except to play Couple Breaker or take game screenshots.
Meanwhile, I was training my mana mastery by circulating mana in my left hand.
It was similar to those who walk around school squeezing a hand grip and working out their forearm muscles for attention, or those who read books as they walk.
I didn’t like it, but it couldn’t be helped. It had become a habit now, and I felt empty without doing it.
Alice crossed her arms under her chest. She was wearing a white shirt and school skirt, and it looked like she was supporting her prominent chest with her arms.
Every unconscious gesture that flaunted her figure was a display of her confidence in her appearance.
“Took you long enough.”
“I apologize for that.”
“I didn’t mean for you to apologize. It’s good to have you on my side, if only for a little while.”
She was calm and collected.
There was no hint that she was actually happy. Her tone was that of a nice senior.
“Just in case, I’m telling you that I’m not under you, Alice.”
“I know that. That’s what I said. So, do you remember the terms of becoming an honorary student council member, Baby?”
I nodded.
Honorary Student Council.
Responsible for protecting the students in the event of a major event or incident at the academy, and may temporarily exercise the authority of the Student Council.
It was a position that was not chained to the Student Council chain of command, and it allowed one to enjoy some benefits of the Student Council. For me, it was nothing but a sweet deal.
Although I wasn’t technically a part of the Student Council, it didn’t matter because I had no intention of becoming one.
Also.
Perhaps, Alice suspected me more deeply than anyone else.
Alice lured me into becoming an honorary student council member, immediately identifying two benefits she could gain.
First, in the event of an incident or accident, she could keep a close eye on me, assuming that I would make a bold move.
Whether I became an honorary student council member or not, Alice was suspicious of me anyway.
Second, by meeting the conditions of becoming an honorary student council member, I could increase the time she spent with me with ‘occasional dates.’
Throw in a bet that sounds like something out of a romance drama, and I had a good justification.
Fortunately, Alice wasn’t a fool who acted recklessly like most demons.
Although it was a facade, the Nameless Hero was thought to be a powerful archwizard who could trample over not just Alice but even Dorothy as if they were ants. Monitoring the suspect would require risking your life.
It was a precarious and risky tightrope walk. One side was based on a misunderstanding, but nonetheless, we stood upon it. We were prepared to draw our weapons at any moment and kill each other.
So I organized my thoughts and made a pledge.
In this situation, I’d rather take the risk and get to the bottom of Alice’s secret.
It was better to confront Alice than to wait and see what she would do. I could use this situation to my advantage.
Besides, I was on a quest to defeat the Evil God, and I had already lost once.
I relived the memory through the Trial of Sandstone. It took me a while to get back to the past.
It seemed that if one didn’t survive for a certain period of time after the Evil God destroyed the world, everything would come to an end.
‘It takes a while for the regression to be triggered.’
Who, how? Why?
I had no idea. The truth was likely hidden behind something I have yet to discover.
One thing was clear, if I die, I regress.
So I should not leave anything behind. Every speck of dust should help me on my journey.
I had to pursue the best outcome, not the most reasonable one.
Even if I do well until the Evil God appears, it would be all for naught if I got defeated by her.
So, even if Alice Carroll was a villain I had to risk my life for, I planned to get to know her.
Who is Alice?
What kind of person is Alice?
What is her secret?
“Al-”
I turned my head toward Alice and was about to talk to her, but I was startled.
Her fingers opened the button of her shirt and she put her index and middle finger between her chest. A faintly erotic apricot color was visible.
She soon pulled out a magic pouch that was tucked between her chest.
‘Oh.’
It was unexpectedly marvelous.
Alice pulled a small case from the pouch, opened it, and held it out to me, showing me the badge inside.
It was a silver badge with a tiny gem. A cross between a sword and a grimoire.
“It’s a student council badge. Use it for your honorary student council work. It’s against academy rules to wear it casually, however.”
I took the case, pulled out the badge, and examined it.
Nothing suspicious was installed on it. It was an ordinary badge with no mana.
“There’s no induction ceremony. You’re not an official student council and the honorary student council itself is on a trial basis. If you want, we can do one by ourselves?”
“No, it’s fine. Thank you for your concern.”
I grinned. The acting was natural.
“Good boy.” Alice smiled and offered a handshake with her right hand.
“I’ll be counting on you in case of emergencies.”
“Likewise.”
I took Alice’s hand and shook it.
If anyone were to see this, it would just look like a warm scenario.
I was feeling dizzy like I was standing on thin ice.
To me, this handshake was not about working together.
But more like a challenge to uncover each other’s secrets and draw our swords to fight to the death.
At that moment, Alice lightly scratched my palm with her index fingernail, sending a tickling pleasure that made my body shiver slightly.
What?
“Hee, is Baby ticklish? That’s good to know.”
“Senior…”
Alice chuckled mischievously when I glared at her. It was ridiculous.
“So, Baby.”
Alice suddenly pulled her hand down.
She stood on her tiptoes, pressed on my shoulder, and leaned in close.
‘Huh?’
I felt Alice’s breath. For a moment, I thought she was going to kiss me.
She whispered in an intimate tone.
“All that’s left to do is make you mine, huh?”
Alice locked eyes with me closely, flashing a relaxed, sweet smile. Perhaps it was her finishing move, a triumphant smile?
She was quite composed.
I pretended to be dazed and watched her pull back with her short characteristic ‘hee’ laugh.
“Sorry, I couldn’t stay with you longer, I have something to do. See you next time, Baby.”
“Ah, yes… take care.”
Alice waved, turned, and walked away.
I looked at the student council badge that she gave me.
‘…At least it’s stylish.’
It was pretty cool.
I tucked the case with the badge in my inner pocket and walked away.
