NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
“Those positioned in the middle must remain alert at all times, ready to assist the party’s core positioning in case the front line collapses.”
“For example, if a team member in the front line is being swarmed, the student capable of healing magic should carefully watch the line, and if a group rushes in, they must support the area-of-effect magician to ensure their chant isn’t interrupted.”
“The party is always fluid and adaptable to the situation…”
Lev Denec.
And the president of the Magic Department’s Student Council, Liris.
Aria, who had been secretly observing the conversation between these two during class, felt her mind swirling with various thoughts.
Her first question was this:
‘Why have their roles switched?’
Just a week ago, Lev Denec was completely in the position of the underdog.
– “Lady Liris! Please don’t throw me out!”
– “I’ll do anything you say; just give me your orders!”
– “Please, please, damn it! I’ll do whatever it takes to be of help…”
He had been shattered during a mock practice with Edwin, pushed around, and eventually expelled from the student council.
Afterward, he began his downward spiral of confessing to Melissa and Aria.
But then Liris came to Lev first and began desperately pleading with him.
This was completely out of character for her usual demeanor.
It didn’t stop there.
Then came the bombshell from the Student Council President.
– “I, I messed with the selection exam…”
– “I did it because I hated you, because it disgusted me! But… it wasn’t you. Rather…”
Her claim that the monstrous rag appearing in this exam was entirely her fault.
Was the Student Council president the cause of this incident?
If that’s true, it would be a major issue to be addressed within the academy.
Additionally,
– “A demon, isn’t it? The high-ranking demon I had been longing for and seeking out… is that right?”
– “So save me… turn me into a demon…”
According to Liris’s additional statement, Lev Denec might actually be a demon too.
A high-ranking demon at that.
This aligned with Aria’s suspicions and conjectures.
However, he consistently displayed a bothersome attitude, saying,
– “I’m sorry, but if we’ve seen each other’s worst sides, let’s just go our separate ways from here on out.”
The most shocking thing was that when she attempted to go berserk, he slapped her to calm her down.
– “Get a grip, you.”
‘What on earth happened between those two?’
It was all too confusing.
Aria thought it was imperative to remain collected during such times.
One thing was clear: even the talented and distinguished Student Council President Liris had noticed Lev Denec’s changes.
Lev Denec had undeniably undergone some significant transformation.
The unprovoked assault on Edwin.
Taking down the rag monster in one blow during the exam.
And the occasional waves of dark magic that could be felt.
Finally, the indifferent attitude, unlike his previous overly meddling behavior, signified he had truly changed.
‘This isn’t Lev Denec; it’s another persona.’
Once again, an absurd hypothesis formed in her mind.
Ultimately, this way of thinking would lead to a dead end.
She subtly understood that questions would only continue to pile up in this state.
Now she had enough circumstantial evidence.
For Aria, keeping an eye on him was definitely not a waste of time.
Thus, she waited for the end of the class.
*
Chapter 1
Awakening of Edwin
Positioning
Selection Exam
Chapter 2
Meeting of the Main Characters – Key Character ‘Caeran’ Appears
Academy Ranking Battle
Magic Sensitivity Ability Test – Water Dragon Emergence
Dungeon Exploration Practice – First Raid
Evolution Chamber
Black Market Incident
Chapter 3
Liris’s Darkening
*
“Ugh…”
I marked Chapter 2 with a star and let out a thin whine.
I basically wrote it down as I remembered…
But it became quite bothersome.
The current timeframe should be early in Chapter 2, where the target I must regulate to survive, Caeran, makes a proper appearance in the academy ranking battle.
And Edwin gets promoted to B-rank during the dungeon investigation practice, so it’s natural that the main characters’ presence is faint at this point.
But the time for Liris to show interest in Caeran or Edwin seems to have struck me suddenly.
Fortunately, it seems I calmed her down by slapping her.
But I can’t just sit back and relax.
The inflation of demon creatures is far more severe than that of the main characters.
If I hadn’t prevented the resurrection of the water dragon, the game might have ended right there.
So while the main characters grow,
Indiscriminately, I need to patch things up.
‘Wind Archery is really crucial…?’
With the extra damage from demonification through Wind Archery, the boon of the water dragon obtained this time, along with enchantment magic, and three times the critical damage…, three times the weakness exploitation.
Finally, there’s that legendary crossbow weapon that had scarcely any data in [Reincarnated Hero].
This is an unbeatable one-punch combo that any seasoned player can’t resist.
This is a kind of power that exists only as a ‘what if’ which cannot be completed even in a game.
In other words, if I just get my hands on it, I’d be confident enough to take down even the ultra-high-difficulty grandfather.
*
“…Let’s just leave it at that for the first class.”
Class ended earlier than expected.
This was also a bonus for me.
‘Time to take off.’
Just as I packed my things and stood up,
“Hey, you.”
“?”
A little kid right beside me looked up at me.
With her bright brown pigtails.
“Tell me what you talked about with Selena this morning!”
It was Lily Forget, a supporting character in Caeran’s harem, the typical cute character who spoke in a commanding tone.
“This situation feels oddly familiar.”
“What?”
It reminded me of when I fell and confessed to Aria…
“Forget it. I’m busy, so ask Selena directly. Good luck.”
“No way! Where are you going? You’re the one I’m asking! What did you pull during the exam? Is that why Selena is so distracted?”
Oh, she was in Selena’s team during the selection exam.
But this isn’t the time to deal with her.
Even if I want to avoid getting entangled with her, the day will come.
Hmm, what did she dislike?
“Kid.”
“Huh? I’m not a kid!!”
“Little runt.”
“I’m not a little runt either!!!!”
Usually, when you tease such a kid character by calling them a runt, they’d have a meltdown.
That’s cute, but today I’m genuinely busy.
“Just hurry up and tell me!!!”
I had been stacking on villain stacks correctly, yet she wouldn’t let me go.
“I said I’m busy! Move aside.”
“If you don’t tell me what you did to Selena, I swear I won’t let you pass, even if I die!”
Talk about loyalty.
A kid who was this serious about Selena would end up regretting ignoring all her advice and falling head over heels for Caeran.
Why are there so many tsundere characters in this game…?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury to care for such characters right now.
Reluctantly, I whispered a spell.
“Do you… like me?”
*
In the world of confessions, a love attack is an incredibly potent spell, rivaling high-level magic.
Was she innocent or just plain foolish? Lily became speechless upon hearing my words, stuttering, and after glancing around, her face suddenly turned beet red, and she began to sob quietly.
——————————————————
[General Trait]
[Villain] [Lv.1] (0/100)
– Regardless of appearance, you might not leave a good first impression.
——————————————————
This villain passive might just have investment potential.
Even though we’re supposedly the same age, I feel guilty for making a little girl cry.
“……”
In the end, I left just a handkerchief in front of her and headed towards the Circulation Train.
Tomorrow, my schedule is jam-packed, so today is my only time.
*
With her beautiful features, Aria was already drawing a lot of attention at the start of the new semester.
– “What are you doing after this? Want to go to the cafeteria together?”
– “What class are you going to register for? Let me know.”
Of course, such initial interest in school life was immensely appreciated by her, who had lived modestly and with consideration, but there was something Aria had to prioritize above all.
That was Lev Denec.
Clearly showing that she had a place to go, he was trying to leave with a heavy backpack.
‘He’s surely thinking of using dark magic again.’
Surveillance magic has its limitations.
To secure solid evidence, I definitely had to follow him closely.
I decided to stealthily track him down and, if discovered, I’d directly ask him to accompany me.
If he refuses to join me…
I could just tell him I’d report what I discussed with Liris to the academy.
The moment I resolved that, a tingling sensation coursed through Aria.
In fact, she was terrified.
Her suspicions had subtly turned into fear.
After all, he might indeed be a demon, and judging by how he treated Liris, he could be quite powerful.
But Aria’s vengeance was stronger than that.
Her desire for revenge for her family compelled her to move her feet.
‘I can’t let this opportunity slip…’
She quickened her pace.
If Melissa found out, she’d likely scold her severely.
But, since there’s a possibility of a possibility, she couldn’t drag her into this.
Melissa is a princess, and unlike Aria herself, many people are connected to her.
Perhaps sensing Aria’s determination,
‘!!’
While waiting on the platform for the Circulation Train, she easily spotted Lev Denec.
‘This time, definitely…!’
Aria’s resolve was more noble than ever.