NOVEL NEXT Chapter 261
Crunch.
Ozworld crushed the candy he received with his molars.
The sound of a beast gnawing on its prey with sharp teeth was vividly heard nearby.
Chewing and swallowing the candy in a slow, threatening, and deliberate manner, he spoke with a faint sneer on his face.
“Not bad.” His words were ambiguous, making it unclear what he was evaluating.
He was leaning over the table, past my shoulder, effectively trapping me, and then took out his pocket watch to check the time. “The lecture will start soon.” It was a fitting action for a time-obsessed, fierce clock rabbit. Ozworld threw the gifted snack into the trash can as if nothing had happened and packed his lecture materials into subspace.
I had once witnessed this man lose his rationality, and I had intended to provoke him, but unfortunately, the result was not the same as last time. Still, it wasn’t a total loss.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rotten Taste’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Delicious… Give me more…]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Loyal Dog to Mr. O’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[
Wow
, never thought I’d see Ozworld kiss.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Minor Father-in-law’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[What’s with the atmosphere between the two of you? Didn’t you hate each other? What happened? What did you do together?]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Ozworld is Real World’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I want to see Ozworld’s romance. But I don’t want to. But I’m curious. But it hurts. However, you two look good together. But I hope you don’t end up together. Nevertheless, I hope Ozworld is the real male lead. Really… What are my feelings?]
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ozworld, being the most watched channel manager with a huge number of fans and anti-fans alike, garnered particularly heated reactions from the constellations. It was clear that everyone was waiting for the moment this man fell in love.
Love for this man? It was an absurd wish.
“Excuse me, Professor.”
I stood up and fixed Ozworld’s crooked tie. Despite knowing it was a silly gesture, Ozworld didn’t stop me. He seemed amused.
“Shall we go?”
He said to strive to be loved.
I felt like I could finally do that well now.
* * *
During lunchtime, after a simple meal, I had to go to Ozworld’s lab to prepare the magical plants for alchemy. So, it became my routine to quickly pack a sandwich and eat it alone in the student council room or the courtyard, unable to socialize with friends.
Today, the scorching heat had subsided, and the breeze was cool. It made me want to go outside and get some fresh air. Maybe it was because my mind felt suffocated.
“Milady, we tried to inquire about Damian’s whereabouts, but no one knew. There was no trace of him leaving through the secret route you mentioned either.”
“Where on earth are you…”
While unwrapping my sandwich at a quiet outdoor table, Eloise’s report came to mind, and I sighed. Had I known he would be this troublesome, I would have beaten some sense into that nonsense-spouting Damian. As overwhelming regret washed over me, my expression naturally turned gloomy.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
I looked up at the familiar voice. “Reini?”
And along with her were Libby, Mimosa, and other members of the Therdang approaching me in a crowd.
“How did you know I’d be here?”
Reini replied as if it were obvious. “We all know that when Senior is upset, you intentionally go to a place with no people.”
The Therdang members laughed and took seats around me.
“Since it’s gotten hot, no one comes to this table anymore, right? So we guessed you’d be here.”
“We can always find out where you are, Lady Theresa!”
Let’s say everyone else is, but why is Mimosa here?
Noticing my gaze, Mimosa pointed to Libby and Reini and shouted. “I was going to the cafeteria and got dragged here by them!”
Libby responded nonchalantly. “You were grumbling about why sister hasn’t shown up lately.”
“W-W-When did I?! Are you accusing me?!”
“You even bought a muffin to give to her.”
“I’m going to eat it!”
“All ten of them?”
“Yes!”
“Oh gosh, you can skip dinner then.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Cider Pass’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I feel like Libby has become oddly strong against Mimosa lately
ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
.]
Mimosa enraged at Libby, who didn’t back down and retorted every word, turned to me with an exasperated face. “You! Don’t you manage your sister properly? She’s getting more annoying by the day!”
I shrugged. “I think she’s cute.”
“
Aaagh
! I hate you two sisters!”
“But I like you, Mimosa.”
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it! You’re both the same!”
Teasing her was so enjoyable that I kept doing it without realizing it. Libby, too, secretly giggled, feeling the same way.
“Alright, stop fighting and have some of this.” The Therdang members spread out the food they had brought.
“
Wow
, when did you prepare all this? Wasn’t it heavy?”
All the food looked delicious. It was clear that each dish was prepared with care, and it warmed my heart.
“I can prepare forever for you, Lady Theresa!”
“Well, not for forever, but thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
One of the young ladies, who was watching me eat with satisfaction, suddenly spoke up. “But Lady Theresa, you seem to have changed a bit.”
Then, others started to agree one by one.
“Was it only me who noticed?”
“Of course, Lady has changed a lot since becoming a senior, but these days, it’s a bit more… mysterious.”
Reini quickly swallowed her food and joined the conversation. “I agree. Compared to the previous semester, Senior has changed a lot.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Face Inspector’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I think I get what they mean]
If I had heard this at the beginning of the semester, it would have made sense as I had completely changed then. It was like a whole new person. But now, half a year has passed since I possessed this body. Their fresh impressions made me reflect.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, I have changed quite a bit since the previous semester.
Should I say I had gained a sense of stability? Or perhaps my threshold for pain had increased to the point where I wouldn’t flinch at most adversities.
“Well, I’m graduating soon.” I gave a vague explanation, but one young lady exclaimed as if she had guessed the correct answer.
“I get it! Lady is more sensual than the previous semester!”
“
Cough
!” I choked on my muffin and had to cough until my face turned red.
“
Oh
, I’ve found it hard to take my eyes off you lately. Maybe that’s why!”
The young ladies clasped their cheeks, looking at me with enraptured eyes.
“No wonder His Majesty is so infatuated with you.”
“If someone has eyes, they can’t help but fall in love with you, Lady Theresa.”
Libby nodded earnestly beside me. “Exactly.”
What was right about that?
“You guys are too biased to be credible.”
“
Uaah
, that’s so mean. But it’s still cute.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Broadcast Genius Theresa’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Theresa is so cute she’s ranked number one.]
Everyone was out of their minds.
“I think I’ll go now. Thanks for the meal.”
Snap!
With a snap of my fingers, the cleaned dishes were neatly stacked into the basket.
I didn’t forget to lighten the load with a weight reduction spell.
Therdang members clapped joyfully.
“Come to think of it, Senior is quite similar to Senior Mimosa, personality-wise.”
At that, Mimosa flared up. “Are you insulting me?!”
I should be the one who felt insulted, but since lunch had run long, I really needed to go, so I didn’t argue.
As soon as I stood up, everyone followed me.
“You’re going to Professor Vallensia’s lab, right? We’ll escort you!”
“
Huh
? No, that’s fine.”
“It’s not fine! The reason your expression has been bad lately is because of those nasty rumors, right? We’ll protect you while we walk!”
“
Huh
?”
My bad expression was actually due to the male protagonists…
“Especially since there’s a rumor that Lady Isabel likes Professor Vallensia, her followers are spreading nasty rumors about you.” One young lady ground her teeth.
“If I catch them, I won’t let it slide.” Her voice was full of killing intent.
“I think you’ve misunderstood, but I’m fine. I don’t care if people talk bad about me.”
In fact, a school full of people who hated me was more familiar than one where everyone liked me. Not that it was better, but back then, it was deeply wounding. Now, it didn’t bother me at all. I only found it amusing.
“We’re not fine with it!”
With so many people genuinely angry on my behalf, what was there to fear?
“Just ignore them. My achievements won’t disappear because of baseless rumors.”
I had become an important person in this world. I could purify corrupted lands and eliminate dungeons, and I had already submitted many magical papers, growing my influence. My accomplishments wouldn’t be shaken by mere gossip.
“So just laugh it off and enjoy your school life. I’ll handle the proving part.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the young ladies, who had been deeply moved, rushed at me.
“
Aah
, Lady Theresaaaaaa!”
“I’ll follow Lady Theresa forever!”
“Me too! Me too!”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Bet Your Life on Theresa
‘
has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Even if haters are rampant, you’re saying you’ll overcome them with your skills… My favorite is really the best.]