1 – My World Has Collapsed

The next day, the first day back at the academy.

…Well, it wasn’t much. Today was the first week of the second semester.

Leonhardt, the only national academy in the Kalenia Empire.

Its curriculum was similar to that of a university in the Republic of Korea.

What does that mean?

“You all know this week is orientation, right? The course syllabi have been distributed, so take a look at them.”

It meant that the faculty would be taking the week off under the guise of orientation.

Well, maybe they weren’t really taking it off. The professors probably had their own difficulties.

‘The important thing is that the students have plenty of time. Especially this week.’

In other words, this week was practically free time for me.

“So, I’ve done some research.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Skadish. We agreed to cooperate in wiping him out, right?”

Sharak.

I held out two pieces of paper. One contained information about the exorcism secrets passed down through Jade’s lineage. The other contained information about Skadish. Information related to him.

“I’ve brought only the most reliable information I could find. But it’s still a good idea to cross-reference it with what you have, right?”

‘Just to be sure.’

What I handed to Jade wasn’t ordinary information.

It was information compiled using Virsk’s intelligence network and the settings from the original novel. In other words, it was a paper-form of this world’s future.

Information that was definitely the correct answer. No, information that had to be correct. Even so, I couldn’t trust this information.

‘What if the novel’s settings changed when I possessed this body?’

I couldn’t rule out the possibility. So, I was trying to test it. To see if the information I had was accurate.

“Test it with the ancient texts.”

“…”

A wary look was directed at me. Then, back at the paper.

“This…is possible…?”

The doubt turned into conviction in her voice. Jade took out an ancient text from her bosom.

‘!@#$%#…’

The pure white light emanating from the ancient text, along with the ancient language, was much more refined than before.

“This is…no…how could this be possible…?”

Jade activated various spells. I left her alone for a while.

‘Looking at her like this, she really does seem like a girl.’

No, not “seems like a girl,” she is a girl. Even if her appearance is that of a pretty boy, her inside is completely female.

‘Thinking about that while looking at her like this…’

“Cute.”

“…Pardon?”

“Nothing. So, how is it? The information?”

“…It’s correct. No, it has to be correct. This is information I didn’t even know.”

Jade’s eyes changed. The suspicion that was always mixed in had peeled away, and a light of trust was etched in its place.

“Where did you find this?”

But still, the suspicion towards me hadn’t completely disappeared.

The information I brought was only possible to obtain if you already knew the answers.

It was like memorizing the answers in order and taking a test without even reading the questions, so it was understandable that Jade, who knew nothing, would be suspicious.

“Virsk knows a lot. They’re just not the type to blab to others.”

If I just used the cheat key of being the Grand Duke of the North, it would be over, though.

The history of the Virsk family, the Grand Ducal House of the North, spans a thousand years.

Therefore, the history of Virsk goes hand in hand with the history of humanity. It’s no wonder that Virsk’s intelligence network is spread throughout the continent.

‘Just look at the fact that I’m alive.’

Ordinary humans can’t withstand the power of demons. Moreover, Alencia’s body had the seal of the contract directly engraved on the entire left half of her body.

The fact that I’m enduring this means that Alencia, the original owner of this body, must have used all sorts of Virsk’s opportunities.

‘That’s beside the point, the reaction just now confirmed it.’

The laws of this world are consistent with the settings of the novel. Therefore, it’s safe to say that all the information I have is useful.

“Heh heh…”

Satisfying. It was like the joy of seeing the expected problems appear exactly as they were in the answer key, after having been anxious with only the answer key.

Things were going smoothly. But as the saying goes, “misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.”

Rustle.

Eyes sparkling in the bushes. I ran into a talkative extra!

---

Flan. The second daughter of the Fennec Fox Merchant Group.

She was greedy. But she lacked ability.

Not an absolute lack of talent. It was because of her older siblings. Their talents were not ordinary.

Flan knew that fact. That’s why she endured it. The indifference, the sorrow of being pushed out of the family.

She didn’t dislike being away from the power struggles.

But the lack of attention that she should have received as a child was really, really hard to bear.

Then one day, Flan happened to hear a rumor.

• Father! Look at this! It’s a rumor from the North…

A story she brought out as if possessed. And the first time she felt her parents’ attention.

I think that’s when Flan started collecting all sorts of gossip.

Gossip is fleeting interest.

It’s quickly forgotten as soon as you turn around, so Flan inflated the gossip that wouldn’t be forgotten.

‘Bigger. Make it bigger.’

The original information was distorted and altered, consumed as material for Flan’s chatter.

That left Flan with one desire.

‘I want attention.’

Rumors. They always went through Flan.

‘Young Lady Alencia is having a secret rendezvous with Jade?’

Flan had become a gossipmonger before she knew it.

Moreover, this scoop was a big deal.

‘The Young Lady of Virsk is not only avoiding the eyes of others, but she’s also dating a commoner!’

Flan grabbed her itchy mouth and ran out to the plaza.

She wanted to attract attention. She wanted to chatter!

The whisper of a desire like an ungrown child. Flan ran into a group of female students.

“Hey, everyone!”

A smile full of anticipation hung on Flan’s ears. Hooo. The moment she took a breath to utter the first word.

“What…is that?”

The female students’ gazes were filled with shock as they turned towards Flan’s back.

With a sense of déjà vu, Flan also turned around. What she saw was a shocking sight.

Young Lady Alencia was there. In front of her was the commoner, Jade.

Up to that point, it was understandable. But the problem was what was in between them.

“That’s…a leash, right?”

Jade with a dog collar on. And Alencia holding Jade’s leash.

“Are you here to watch?”

“…Woof.”

Young Lady Alencia’s gentle voice and Jade’s voice imitating a dog.

Unable to understand the situation, the female students had no choice but to quickly turn their heads away.

“Huh…?”

And no one paid any attention to Flan, surprisingly.

---

A few minutes ago.

“It’s become troublesome?”

I smiled leisurely as I watched Flan flee.

‘Shit, I’m screwed!’

My insides were bubbling. Filled with confusion.

“…Did you know?”

“No. I didn’t.”

The guy we just ran into is an incredibly difficult one. To the point where the original Jade had a hard time with her.

Talkative Flan. That’s what they called her in the original story.

Flan is an attention seeker. To what extent? Most of the early incidents start with Flan’s nonsense rumors.

‘Troublemaker, Talkative Flan.’

That’s how Jade described Flan. But she does get somewhat reformed towards the end of the early part…that’s a story for the future.

The current Flan is someone who’s crazy about attention and unpredictable.

“Are you going to leave her alone?”

Jade said. If we leave Flan alone like this, rumors will spread throughout the school by the end of the day. That the Young Lady of Virsk is enjoying a secret rendezvous with a commoner.

“I’m thinking about it. I can’t stop the rumors from spreading themselves. Unless I kill Flan.”

“…Kill her?”

“I’m just saying.”

The problem with Flan isn’t the rumors. Jade is already known in the school as a talented commoner.

Flan’s real problem is that she exaggerates the rumors as she pleases.

For example, she might make up a ridiculous story about how I spent the night with Jade here.

It’s nonsense. But will everyone who hears the rumors think that way?

There’s a saying that there’s no smoke without fire. Once a false rumor spreads, it can never be taken back.

“I have to cover it up. With a bigger rumor.”

Charyuk.

I said, taking out a dog leash from the subspace pocket in my bosom.

---

“Why are you staring like that when I’m just trying to take a walk?”

A sharp voice. The group of female students who were staring pretended not to notice and disappeared.

Ah, not all of them disappeared.

“Flan. Can we talk for a moment?”

Because there’s a story I need to resolve with Flan.

“Hello…hello! Young Lady Alencia!”

Unlike her cheerful tone, Flan’s voice was trembling. Her inner thoughts were clearly visible.

‘She’s just trying to get through the immediate crisis. She’s not even a child.’

No. Flan is a child. Her mind hasn’t fully matured yet.

“We ran into each other earlier, right? And you ran away. As if I were some kind of wolf.”

“That’s…that’s, you see…!”

“Who told you to open your mouth? I don’t think I ever did. Didn’t I, Jade?”

“…Woof woof.”

A dog’s bark with gritted teeth. Flan, seeing that, knelt down. Covering her mouth and bowing repeatedly. Ah, she’s asking to be spared?

Then I should use her. This girl too.

“I heard that insulting nobility is punishable by death, Flan. How many people do you think I’ve had hanged on the guillotine so far?”

Tears welled up in Flan’s eyes. Glistening. Fear that seemed like she would burst into tears at any moment. I smiled as I looked at such Flan.

“Ahaha. Anyone would think I’m really going to eat you. Don’t worry. I’ll forgive you. I’m generous. But.”

“…?”

“Can you spread a rumor for me?”

Flan’s eyes sparkled at the word “rumor.”

---

The next day. A rumor spread throughout the academy.

“The Virsk family is sponsoring commoner students? Under the leadership of Young Lady Alencia?”

An unbelievable rumor.