How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

“Wait, did you just leave those people you were with behind?”

I glanced at her back out of habit, but she seemed entirely unconcerned about it.

The suspicious woman ignored Na Yuri completely and flirted with me instead.

“Yes! It’s an experiment to visualize magical energy!”

This person… she’s one of those mad scientist types, isn’t she?

Originally, she was supposed to approach con artists—so, she’s a heroine—but why is she showing interest in me? What’s she thinking?

“A person with such beautiful magical energy…! It would be amazing if others could see it too! I’m sure of it!”

Park Yura’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she clung to me.

In the novel, Park Yura was described as possessing the ‘Magical Sight,’ a power that allows her to see magical energy.

But calling my magical energy “beautiful”?

“…Can you see magical energy?”

The con artist asked, with a hint of disbelief. Since he was already halfway sure of her identity, this was probably just a confirmation question.

“Yes! I have a special eye for it!”

Park Yura pushed Na Yuri aside and grabbed both my hands tightly.

“More importantly, would you participate in my experiment? I’ll give you anything you want as a reward. Do you need money? Cores? Weapons?”

Her twinkling eyes were a bit overwhelming.

Still, it’s true that she’s incredibly talented.

In the novel, Park Yura’s inventions were often described as shaking the academic world, though no one knew if it was because she was a genius gone mad or so brilliant that it drove her mad.

Even though she didn’t appear frequently in the story, her inventions played crucial roles in the later episodes.

For instance, the “Magical Visualization Machine” she’s working on now, or the “Cosmic Entity Observation Device” she plans to make, were significant.

So, it would probably be good to stay on her good side.

Though slightly unhinged, Park Yura does have her limits. The experiment shouldn’t be too dangerous. Participating might be worth considering.

“As long as it’s not dangerous, I won’t ask for much in return for the sake of scientific progress. But what exactly do I need to do?”

“It’s simple! Just a bit of magical energy use and a small blood sample!”

“Wait, are you really going to do it? It could be dangerous!”

“It’s not dangerous at all!”

Park Yura shot a glare at Na Yuri, who was trying to stop me.

“Both of you, calm down.”

The con artist stepped in.

“A small amount of magical energy and a blood sample isn’t that risky. It’s the same as what you’d do during medical exams.”

It seemed like he wanted me to join the experiment.

Well, given that he knows Park Yura’s genius, he probably wants to establish a connection with her. He’s probably thinking, “Lucky break,” again.

“Yeah, I think it’ll be fine.”

Na Yuri, still looking uneasy, reluctantly backed off as the two of us agreed.

“So, you’ll participate? I’m so happy!”

“Yes, but I’d like for Kang Nayeon to receive proper compensation as well.”

Why are you negotiating on my behalf? Am I yours now?

Well, to be fair, I’m not really in a position to demand compensation due to my role, but is the con artist really just stepping in like this because he assumes it’s his right?

“By the way, how about giving her some of your inventions as a reward?”

“Are you interested in my inventions? Wonderful! That’s great! I’ll give you as many as you’d like!”

And so, I was essentially sold off. What a slave trader.

After enduring Park Yura’s barrage of love confessions and my own exchange, we resumed our regular training.

Thankfully, Na Yuri seemed to draw a clear line between personal and professional matters, as she followed the con artist’s directions diligently.

As we continued practicing, I noticed how perfectly synchronized we’d become, to the point where we could practically read each other’s movements without needing to speak.

At this rate, do we even need a commander anymore? I briefly pondered the idea.

However, in the original novel, the con artist would always boost his team with various buffs, so I reminded myself to be patient and think of future rewards.

The next day during lunch.

After finishing lunch with the club members, I walked alone to Park Yura’s lab.

Park Yura’s exceptional abilities were shining brightly in this merit-based academy, so she received ample support.

As a result, she had a spacious and comfortable lab all to herself.

Knock, knock. I rapped on the door, and it flung open as if she’d been eagerly waiting.

“I’ve been waiting! Come in!”

I was pushed into the lab and plopped down into a chair by Park Yura.

This chair looks… a bit like a restraint chair, doesn’t it?

“Ah, right. Just in case it’s dangerous, I’ll temporarily restrict your movements! Don’t worry! I’ll release you as soon as it’s over!”

Before I knew it, my limbs were bound by the machine.

…It was a restraint chair.

Can I hit the escape button now?

I suddenly felt a strong urge to flee.

“Heh heh, I’ll start by drawing some blood!”

I felt a sharp needle prick my arm. A few seconds later, she removed the needle and pressed a cotton ball to the spot.

“Great, great. Haa… I can hardly contain myself… Now, please channel a small amount of magic into the platform under your hand.”

I followed her instructions and let a bit of magic flow into the platform.

A few minutes later, the machine made a ding sound.

“That concludes the magical energy extraction! You can stop now!”

Park Yura’s voice was oddly heightened with excitement.

“Is it done?”

“Yes, it’s simple, right? Hmm… although, while the necessary procedures are finished…”

Her voice was increasingly filled with excitement.

“But… but… Ah, I can’t resist anymore!”

What now?

A chill ran down my spine as I saw her violet eyes glint eerily.

I tried to move my arms and legs, but they were firmly bound in place.

“I-I’ll just have a little taste, okay?”

Her breath grew closer, and my consciousness began to fade.

Damn it.

That was my last thought.

.

.

.

Huh, did I just wake up?

I groggily sat up, feeling oddly drowsy.

As my mind cleared, I realized I was still lying in the experimental chair.

The restraints had been released while I was out. I felt sluggish, like I’d just woken up from a nap.

Hearing me stir, Park Yura quickly approached, peering into my face.

“Are you awake?”

Park Yura, cheeks flushed, looked at me like a girl smitten with her first love.

“Yeah, sorry, I must’ve dozed off.”

“It’s fine! But make sure to come back tomorrow! Promise. I still need more of your magical energy!”

“Sure!”

Smiling as I left her lab, I quietly touched my neck.

Don’t show any signs.

The image of Park Yura covering her mouth with a wide, eerie grin before I left the lab lingered in my mind.

It still stung a bit.

Who would’ve thought she’d act on impulse on the very first day?

In the original story, it took her a whole month to pull something like this with the con artist.

I don’t know why my magical energy got her so worked up, but it must’ve been pretty appetizing.

To that half-vampire girl, at least.

Yeah, Park Yura is part vampire.

Her ability to see magical energy comes from her vampiric heritage. While she looks normal on the outside, she inherited the more powerful traits of her vampire bloodline.

Vampires absorb magical energy by drinking blood, and they usually choose their victims after gauging the quality of their magical energy with their special eyes.

Given how drawn she was to my magical energy, it’s no surprise she wanted a taste.

But… I’m not going to die from it. She’ll know how to control herself.

This much? I’ll let it slide.

I mean, I expected something like this when I agreed. Park Yura is too talented to pass up. Losing a bit of blood is a small price to pay.

It only stings a little, and her illusion magic is probably hiding the mark well, so it won’t interfere with my day-to-day life.

If I tried to resist and bought a skill from the meta-point store, it might draw the con artist’s attention, which would be annoying.

So, I made my decision, completely unaware of the chaos that awaited me tomorrow.

That evening during training.

After another day of getting “recruited” by several club members under the guise of casting practice, some of them looked a bit worn out.

Once the whole team was gathered, Dum Dum suddenly gave me a strange look.

Then, out of nowhere, Ihana’s expression hardened, and she approached me cautiously.

“…Did anything happen to you yesterday?”