Episode 52. Award Ceremony

Tiring-

I opened the dormitory door and came inside.

Lumi suddenly came out proactively, which surprised me.

It’s not like I can say that, getting more excited myself by the atmosphere…

I’m worried they’ll act like that again in the future. If all the heroines are like that, I really won’t be able to handle it…

“Ah! That fucking thing! Kill me! Kill me! Aack!”

As soon as I entered the living room, Liliana’s voice, cursing loudly from inside her room, welcomed me.

It’s nice to see her broadcasting after so long.

I can hear the sound of money being duplicated again.

“Hold on! It smells like a delivery arrived? There’s a delicious smell.”

Keunkeun.

Liliana opened her door and came out to the living room.

“Hi? I’m here.”

I naturally greeted Liliana.

“Huh? What is it? I thought it was a delivery, so why did you come?”

“How can you ask me that? I didn’t buy chicken today.”

“That’s strange? I definitely smelled something good…”

Keunkeun.

Are you a dog? Why do you keep sniffing?

I don’t expect you to be a succubus, but couldn’t you at least pretend to be human?

“Just a moment.”

Liliana, who had been sniffing, gradually came closer to me.

Then she grabbed my arm and brought it to her nose.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Good smell…”

Ah, right. My body gives off a sweet scent.

But you’re not a dog, you’re a succubus.

Other people never even mentioned my body smelling like anything.

And when you came last time, you were fine.

“You were okay when we talked last time.”

“Back then, it was masked by the smell of chicken, so it wasn’t noticeable. Keunkeun.”

“…”

A sweet scent that loses to chicken? Is this actually a trash ability?

“It’s because I have a skill that makes me smell good. Stop it.”

“That’s a perverted skill that suits you perfectly. Ah, right. And can I follow you around again during the day starting tomorrow?”

“Suddenly, why?”

“I decided to live diligently now, but if I just stay home, I feel like I’ll end up masturbating again.”

I wish you’d watch what you say.

“… If you follow me, you might see things like sex. Will you be okay? Won’t your libido just increase?”

“I-it’s fine, okay? Do you think I’m some beast that gets reflexively horny whenever I see a woman, like you?”

“…”

Just for today, I have no grounds to argue.

But I want to rationalize this by saying it’s all because I’m the protagonist.

If not that, then me, an otaku, getting caught up in the mood during sex with a woman? It doesn’t make sense.

“Fine. Do as you please. But don’t cause any trouble, okay?”

“Uh-huh. Okay.”

“I’m going to shower and sleep, so you do what you need to do and then rest.”

I gave a casual reply and went into the shower room.

And then, Liliana went into her room, ended her broadcast, and came out to the living room.

“Mmmm. Still, it’ll be a bit less boring starting tomorrow!”

Swish-

Using Lee Hoyeon’s shower sound as background noise, I relaxed and sank into the sofa.

“Surprisingly, there’s nothing to do here.”

At first, it was full of interesting things. It was a world brimming with freshness and novelty, but…

This place represents the human world too well.

The media Liliana enjoyed in the Underworld portrayed the human world very nicely.

The streets were full of handsome and beautiful people, and it was a happy world where even weak monsters could turn a human into a slave the moment they caught one.

But reality was not like that.

There were lots of damnably ugly bastards, and public safety was incredibly excellent.

To make matters worse, Liliana’s power had weakened, leaving her unable to do anything alone.

Fortunately, playing games in her room was fun, but that was it.

Even watching dramas, it was all ugly people. In the Underworld, they use magic to create dramas with extremely handsome and beautiful humans.

Compared to those memories, most humans in reality were handsome goblins.

“No, that’s not right. Except for one person.”

Liliana’s contractor, Lee Hoyeon.

A human more handsome than those created with magic in the Underworld.

Moreover, when I glanced, his penis was also huge. It was to the point where I doubted if it could enter me all the way if it were to enter me.

Liliana stretched her hand out as straight as possible and placed it on her stomach. Hmm, no matter how much I think about it, the size doesn’t match.

Kkiik-

Then, Lee Hoyeon came out of the shower room, shaking his hair, and approached me.

“What are you doing? Did you finish broadcasting?”

Dugeun.

Liliana suddenly felt a strange emotion.

“You perverted bastard! Wear some clothes!”

“No, I’m not completely naked. What’s the problem with just taking off my top in my own house?”

“I don’t know! I’m going into my room!”

Kwang!

After slamming the door shut, Liliana placed her hand on her chest.

‘What is this? Why am I like this! Am I a crazy bitch?’

Lee Hoyeon’s handsome face, appearing after his shower, and the sweet scent that wafted at the same time.

At that moment, Liliana felt her heart pounding.

“Fuck! Crazy bitch! Did that perverted bastard do something weird to me again! Aack!”

Kung kung! She hit the nearby wall unnecessarily.

“Be quiet! Let me sleep! You crazy succubus!”

“Shut up! You perverted bastard!”

It seemed like Liliana wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight either.

*

Today is Professor Im Sol’s magic-specialized class.

Since the quota for theory classes is probably filled, it will likely be in the format of practical training with feedback.

• Wow, it’s really been a long time since I’ve been outside!

“Congratulations. Try to calm your mind by getting some fresh air outside.”

• Okay. But why is your tone of speech like that? It’s disgusting.

“Yeah. Your tone of speech is even more disgusting.”

I walked across the campus wearing Liliana, whom I brought outside after a long time, around my neck.

If I went to school like usual, there would be too many people to have a conversation with Liliana.

So I went to school a little early, and found that there weren’t many people in the lecture hall of the class building.

I sat in my usual seat and observed Liliana.

A silver chain necklace embedded with a red jewel.

It was really pretty. Did it turn out pretty because Liliana is pretty?

I flipped the necklace around, observing it.

• Ah, what are you doing! It’s making me dizzy!

“Does it make you dizzy if I move this?”

• That’s not it, but my vision is moving, you idiot!

“Aha.”

I gently put Liliana around my neck.

What should I do now? Should I watch Even Everyday?

“I-Lee Hoyeon!”

“Yeah?”

Just as I arrived at school, Lucy approached me and started talking. Lumi was standing behind her.

“Here! Eat this!”

Something was placed on the hand Lucy held out.

It was a cute pink glass jar filled with cookies.

“What are these cookies for?”

“Uh, I just make them often as a hobby! I made quite a lot yesterday, so I brought them to share!”

What kind of bullshit is this?

Lucy is the type of kid who’d go out and run around instead of making cookies at home.

“I’m giving them to you without any particular meaning, so just try them!”

She said that with sparkling eyes.

• The cookies look really pretty? Leave some for me too!

As Liliana said, at least they look pretty.

I opened the glass jar, took out a cookie, and brought it to my mouth.

‘Fuck.’

How can a cookie taste astringent? What magic did she cast on it?

Lucy was eagerly waiting for my taste evaluation.

I managed my expression with superhuman patience.

“I-it’s delicious? What the? Unexpected, Lucy?”

“Hmph! Is there anything I can’t do!”

Lucy was showing extreme delight.

I thought it was a prank where she brought something bad-tasting intentionally, but it seems that wasn’t her intention.

‘How much has she not cooked to bring something without even tasting it herself…?’

Lucy was rubbing her hands together, looking delighted.

She’s cute, so I’ll let it slide.

Looking closely, there were several band-aids on her hands too.

I don’t know what she did to get wounds on her hands while baking cookies, but anyway, I can tell she worked hard.

Her eyes were full of goodwill directed at me. Of course, it makes me happy when she expresses affection so openly, but…

Seeing Lucy like that, my conscience couldn’t help but prickle.

Because behind the happy Lucy, who was celebrating me receiving cookies, Lumi was sticking out her tongue, licking her lips, and giving me a knowing smile.

If I get caught, won’t I be screwed?

*

We gathered at the training ground for the magic-specialized class.

“Hello. If everyone’s gathered, let’s start the practical training.”

Im Sol started the class today too, with an annoyed expression.

I heard that because of me, she has more research material, which is good, but it also means more annoying tasks.

I was planning to visit her today anyway, so I should go and give her some good ideas.

That should lighten her mood a bit.

“Take one training post each and practice. I’ll come to you one by one.”

Im Sol began giving feedback, starting from the front post.

I took a spot at the very last post.

Because the last spot will be the most comfortable for talking with Professor Im Sol.

“Hmm, the implementation is too slow. At that speed, if you draw the magic circle, a hole would already be in your stomach.”

“S-sorry!”

The male student being criticized by Im Sol blushed and looked happy.

There are really guys with strange tastes. Happy while being scolded by a woman.

I turned my eyes back to the training post in front of me. At that time, voices were heard from my necklace.

• In my opinion, that big-breasted girl seems like she’s trying to assassinate you. The cookies tasted like poison.

“I told you it’s not like that.”

• If you tried it too, you’d know! Even though you saved me from a monster with difficulty, she clearly has no gratitude and is trying to kill you!

“You show some gratitude too. Please.”

It seems she’s already forgotten that I saved her from thugs at first.

Im Sol was still at the front. There was still a lot of time left until my turn. In the meantime, I had to practice something.

• But what are you trying to practice at the training post? Weren’t you a Combat Mage?

“Combat Mage? What is that?”

• You know, those crazy mages who fight by strengthening their bodies.

“Are you trying to say I’m crazy?”

But I can understand why Liliana misunderstands.

I chose to be a mage claiming to fight safely, but lately, it feels like I’m only fighting in close combat.

When [Combat Sense] activates, I unconsciously move through the most efficient route, leading to cases where I end up fighting up close.

So far, the fights where my life was in danger were only around Felix’s level, but as the story progresses, even more shitty bastards will appear.

Even then, if I mess around upfront, I’m likely to get stabbed and die quickly.

‘Will raising the level of my magic solve this?’

The advantage of my magic is its quick manifestation. Since the amount of mana I possess is low, I have to use each spell quickly and go for speed battles.

Then I think I need to find a skill perfectly suited for that…

“Liliana. Don’t you know any magic unique to the Underworld that’s efficient in combat?”

• Actually, succubi aren’t a race with high combat power, so I don’t really have any. Why are you asking?

This one is consistently unhelpful, except for money duplication.

“Just, I want to make some changes to my combat style. I want to fight safely from afar, but an efficient method isn’t coming to mind.”

• How about this? I saw you learn charm magic right away before. Just learn many spells and increase your methods of response.

“That’s not bad either… but there’s the skill slot limit, and the issue of proficiency.”

There’s no limit to the number of skills, but the more skills there are, the harder it becomes to obtain others.

And the more you repeat skills, the more their proficiency increases.

Although it’s not visible, the magic is strengthened as proficiency gradually rises.

Therefore, to achieve good efficiency, it’s better to specialize in one field.

This is why I don’t learn skills carelessly.

Since I don’t know when a necessary skill might appear, I save the slots.

• Then what do you want me to do! Just do Combat Magic, which you’re good at, what magic are you trying to do?

“No, I told you I’m not a Combat Mage?”

• Then are you a Combat Mage-user? There are kids who use magic at the same time as Combat Magic.

“What is a Combat Mage-user again… Huh?”

‘Wait a minute, isn’t it possible to use multiple spells at the same time?’

The process of me using magic is simple.

I recognize the magic circle needed to activate magic, simultaneously draw it out with mana, and infuse mana to manifest the magic.

Great concentration isn’t needed for this process; I can accomplish it like breathing.

Then, unfolding two magic circles at once seems possible, right?

“I have to try it first.”

Without hesitation, I put it into action.

On the right, a fireball.

On the left, I conjured a fire spear.

Hwareureuk-

But soon, the fire spear lost its momentum and its form collapsed.

“It doesn’t work?”

What’s the problem? The magic circle was clearly created without issue?

“What? I told you to practice, are you slacking off instead? Huh?”

Im Sol’s voice was heard from behind me.

Since she seems to be in a good mood today, she’s smiling.

“Ah, Professor. I was trying to use two types of magic at once, but it didn’t work well.”

“Double Casting? That won’t be easy, you know?”

Im Sol simultaneously manifested a small vortex and a water droplet on her hand.

“Oh! So that’s how you do it! I didn’t know there was a separate skill for that.”

“If I give you a tip, you need to precisely take only the amount of mana flowing in your body that’s needed for the magic and draw the magic circle. Otherwise, due to mana’s tendency to flow to one side, the magic circle won’t be created.”

Indeed, earlier I had the sensation that the magic circle suddenly broke, so this was the reason.

At that time, a male student’s resentful gaze was fixed on me from behind Im Sol.

It seemed like he was thinking, ‘I was just roughly pointed out and moved on, why are you receiving such good advice!’

My friend, I’m sorry. Feel the absurdity of the world in advance.

“Are you listening? I’ll teach you Double Casting again later. It’s a difficult skill.”

Professor Im Sol naturally didn’t pay attention to him and spoke only to me.

“Thank you. But I’ll try it one more time.”

“Double Casting is as difficult as it is useful, so it took me quite a long time…”

Hwareureuk-!

A fireball and a fire spear were created in both my hands.

Im Sol stopped dead while speaking, seeing both my hands.

“As expected, you’re a top instructor when it comes to magic. I’ll visit more often from now on.”

Things that weren’t going well unraveled smoothly with just one word from Im Sol, so I can’t help but be grateful.

On top of that, I went to learn magic and she provided sex education too.

I can say she’s a true educator of this era.

“Huh? Eeeeeng? You did it?”

“It’s thanks to you, Professor. Thank you.”

“Hmm… Right. You have to do at least this much. Only then can you ask me for that kind of thing.”

Fortunately, Im Sol, who had been spaced out, quickly found her usual energy.

But lately, she’s been saying things like that continuously, which is a bit scary.

“And may I visit after today’s class ends? I have some good research material.”

“Okay, ah, right. You know tomorrow is the commendation ceremony, right?”

“What? The commendation ceremony?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow morning, in the Victoria Academy main auditorium, it’s the commendation ceremony for you and Lucy.”

What? Tomorrow is the commendation ceremony, and you’re telling me now?