Ch.10Fox (6)

There was a brief misunderstanding, but it was quickly corrected.

The definition of taming. The girl seemed to have taken it in quite an audacious way.

Fortunately, I hastily added an explanation…

‘I almost got branded as a shameless person.’

How could she interpret our relationship that way?

Obviously, I meant becoming friends. Has she never read a fairy tale in her life?

I stared at the fox with narrowed eyes.

“……”

Irene sat there, deliberately averting her gaze.

She was pretending to be nonchalant, but her ears had already turned bright red.

Her tail was fluttering nervously.

She seemed embarrassed about having such inappropriate thoughts.

Watching her fidget uncomfortably, I couldn’t help but smile.

Is this what they call gap moe?

She gives off a sharp impression, but crumbles when teased.

I open my mouth.

“You have an unexpectedly cute side, don’t you?”

A mischievous remark.

Irene flinched momentarily, then glared at me fiercely.

“…I already apologized.”

“This is revenge.”

“No…”

“To think you were having such naughty thoughts in your head, I’m still shocked.”

“……”

The fox finally sinks.

Seeing her hang her head low, the corners of my mouth twist up involuntarily.

A sly smile spreads across my face.

‘This is fun.’

It’s quite enjoyable to tease her.

This is why she was so popular in the original work.

She especially showed great chemistry with the eccentric young prince, drawing explosive reactions from users.

[Irene’s reactions are so adorable lol]

[I thought Irene was prickly and unlikable, but after this episode, she’s my favorite character!]

[Is there a yuri angle between Sharlotte and Irene?]

[What yuri are you talking about?]

[The game company already made it clear there are no love lines]

[Not until all the Arctic glaciers melt]

[Look at them look at them look at them look at them look at them look at them]

[Get out of here;;]

These are comments that were posted on my videos.

There are some weird comments here and there… but let’s just ignore them.

Anyway, Irene’s impact was significant. During the character popularity poll for “The World as Seen by the Little Prince,” she proudly secured third place.

‘Of course, I voted for Lezia, but…’

Still, seeing her in person like this, I could understand the fans’ feelings.

Tsunderes are always in demand.

It’s a charm completely opposite to Lezia’s gentle personality.

“Miss Irene.”

“…What.”

“Cheer up. I’ll stop teasing you now.”

I pat the fox’s head a few times as if to comfort her.

I heard her growl fiercely, but I ignored it and casually removed my hand.

“We were getting off track. Let’s return to the main point.”

Clap-clap!

I clap my hands to signal focus.

Irene, thoroughly provoked, glared at me but couldn’t bring herself to lunge at me, which made her seethe internally.

I continued speaking smoothly.

“I told you, didn’t I? That I would guarantee the children’s safety.”

“You did.”

“In return, Miss Irene, you promised to become my ‘friend.'”

“I’m not exactly sure what being friends means… but if it can protect the children, I’ll do anything.”

“Anything?”

“…Within acceptable limits.”

“Hehe, of course. Please set your worries aside.”

I lightly flicked my hand.

Though I was treating Irene playfully, it was just one-sided teasing.

She’s probably still afraid of me. Suspicious too.

That’s not particularly problematic.

We have plenty of time. Since we’ll be together from now on, we can build trust gradually.

“Then, Miss Irene.”

“What now?”

“This is my first request as your friend. By the way, I won’t accept refusal.”

The snake flicks its tongue.

The dangerously gleaming golden surface looks as if it might devour the fox at any moment.

I whisper lightly.

“You’ll need to come to the academy with me.”

It was the beginning of a new story.

***

Meanwhile, at Gallimar Academy.

The entrance exam that had been going on for a week had come to an end.

At the point where everything from grade calculations to tedious paperwork had been completed, the faculty members were all gathered in the dean’s office, discussing.

They were reviewing the results of this exam.

While new students receive a lot of attention every year, this particular cohort was on a different level.

The overall standard of applicants was high to begin with.

This was because several promising talents called geniuses were included.

The First Imperial Princess, Sharlotte Little von Staufen.

The twins from the Venatti Ducal family. Ameila Venatti and Rusca Venatti.

Even a commoner with the ability to control a wyvern as a summon.

It was a season where promising talents that might appear once in a generation were pouring in as if by appointment.

The professors had overflowing expectations, but…

“This is absurd!”

“Unacceptable. Such arbitrary decisions are truly disappointing.”

“This must be corrected immediately!”

The atmosphere in the dean’s office was somewhat chaotic.

Somewhat agitated voices could be heard.

At the center of the faculty was a white-haired old man sitting at a desk with a tired expression.

He rubbed his brow and tried to calm the professors.

“Everyone, please calm down.”

“But, Dean…!”

“Enough.”

“……”

A firm voice of restraint.

As the surrounding commotion subsided, the dean looked down at his desk with a heavy gaze.

A thickly sealed document.

[Gallimar Academy New Semester Entrance Exam Rankings]

1. Judas Snakus

2. Sharlotte Little von Staufen

3. Ameila Venatti

4. Rusca Venatti

5. Lezia Pillots

.

.

.

1206. Dexter Holint

1207. Margo Frank

[Document Approval – Selena Drunkard]

“Haah……”

An involuntary sigh.

The old man rubbed his face dryly, trying to swallow his dizzying thoughts.

The content of this document was what the professors were collectively protesting about.

“Such rankings are absurd!”

“Not only did Her Highness the Princess miss the top spot, but to put such an underqualified person in her place!!”

“We were also present at the entrance exam.”

“Though he is from a noble family… his skills barely reach the middle ranks!”

“Honestly, this result is incomprehensible.”

Judas Snakus.

The biggest topic of this entrance exam.

A boy who somehow secured the top spot despite showing somewhat inferior grades.

The dean quietly turned his head.

“……”

A woman was standing where he looked.

Softly flowing purple hair. Red eyes that sparkled seductively.

She wore an indifferent expression.

As if she had no interest at all.

“…Selena.”

Selena Drunkard.

The academy’s chief professor and the person in charge of overseeing this entrance exam.

The dean sighed once more.

“Selena.”

“Yes, Dean.”

“Explain to me how this happened.”

“It’s exactly as you see.”

A confident reply.

Whether she had been drinking again, there was a strong smell of alcohol on her.

“Didn’t you approve this part, Dean?”

“Selena. Even though I delegated all authority related to the entrance exam to you, this is…”

“I was simply faithful to the role assigned to me.”

Selena replied indifferently.

The dean felt his mind reeling.

No matter how much he accommodated her, wasn’t she being too brazen?

As the old man was mulling over his doubts about his disciple, the professors’ grievances tormented his ears.

“You can’t just let this slide this time!”

“We can’t help but be suspicious of Professor Selena’s handling of matters. Last time, she graded while completely drunk, and the rankings got all mixed up!”

“It was only once.”

“Even once is a problem! Professor Selena!”

“Hmm?”

Selena tilted her head as if she didn’t know what they were talking about.

This properly scratched at the already irritated faculty members’ nerves.

Worried that this might turn into an emotional fight, the dean suppressed an aged groan and forcibly organized the chaotic situation.

“Everyone, that’s enough. Let’s conclude the matter of the freshman top rank here.”

“But, Dean…!”

“Are my words a joke to you?”

“……”

A resolute voice of restraint.

As the surrounding commotion subsided, the dean looked down at his desk with a heavy gaze.

“There’s a separate class placement test prepared anyway. If there was an issue with Selena’s judgment, there will be changes in the rankings then.”

“…Understood.”

The dean’s demeanor was firm.

As if he wouldn’t allow any more idle talk.

A strange tension flowed. Only then did the faculty members realize they had gotten too excited and backed down.

Only Selena maintained her detachment.

“Selena.”

“Yes, Dean.”

“I’ll let this pass since the document has already been approved… but I too have doubts about this matter.”

“I’m ashamed.”

“Don’t take the position of chief professor lightly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The dean furrowed his brow quietly.

He wanted to end the reprimand at this point, but it was obvious that other faculty members would complain.

This issue couldn’t just be overlooked.

“The student who ranked first this time. Do you remember him?”

“Yes, they say he’s the son of a snake.”

“If that student doesn’t maintain a position in the top 10 in the class placement test two weeks from now… I’ll revoke your position as chief professor. Since it was your responsibility, it’s only fair that you bear the consequences.”

“I accept.”

“Good. Are you all satisfied with this?”

The other professors remained silent.

It meant they would follow the dean’s words.

Although his tone was somewhat admonishing, in reality, it meant revoking her position.

The princess who entered as second in this cohort. A student with only mid-tier skills couldn’t possibly compete with her, who was called an unparalleled genius.

She would probably be defeated miserably.

‘It’s over.’

‘How unfortunate.’

‘Serves her right. She was so arrogant, backed by the dean.’

‘She was an outstanding person, if only it weren’t for her excessive drinking…’

‘So it ends like this.’

The faculty members showed various reactions internally.

The professors glanced briefly at Selena, then turned their gazes elsewhere.

Perhaps that’s why.

Others didn’t see it.

‘…Class placement test. Looking forward to it.’

A smile that passed by in a brief moment.

Selena’s lips held a clear expectation.

***

The Fox Rescue Fiasco!

A week had passed since then.

The calendar fluttering momentarily was now pointing to the date of the academy entrance ceremony.

The point where the original work officially begins.

“I’m excited~ So excited~!”

“…Be quiet.”

“How can I? It’s the first day at the academy!”

I respond clearly to the fox’s scolding.

Irene and I were walking toward Gallimar Academy.

“Hehe.”

A laugh that comes out pleasantly.

Was it because of my excited heart? My steps felt much lighter than usual.

Whooosh-

The spring breeze is especially refreshing today.

I calmly settle my heart that’s coloring with excitement.

As I continue taking cheerful steps, suddenly a strange groaning sound comes from beside me.

“Ugh……”

“Miss Irene? Is something wrong?”

“You… are you really asking because you don’t know…?”

A trembling voice.

When I turned my head slightly to look, there was a girl whose face had turned bright red.

A sharp gaze pierced me.

I deliberately responded nonchalantly.

“Hmm? I don’t know why you’re acting like this.”

“This is… the worst.”

“Oh my, Miss Irene. Such direct criticism isn’t good.”

“Why did you make me wear clothes like this…!”

Irene finally explodes.

Following her violently shaking tail, her short skirt flutters.

Black & white color scheme. And a tight design that boldly reveals the curves of her entire body.

The girl was dressed in a maid outfit.

“It suits you well.”

I casually throw out a compliment.

But even such praise seemed to be a critical hit for her. The fox ears on top of her head respond by twitching.

She looked quite ashamed.

“…Pervert.”

Eyes that were even slightly teary.

Irene chews on her embarrassment and anger, showing strong hostility toward me.

“Friend, my foot… this was your goal from the beginning, wasn’t it?”

“What hurtful words.”

Am I really going to be hated at this rate?

Worried, I add an explanation.

“Didn’t I tell you? This is the only way for us to go to the academy together.”

Irene couldn’t enter the academy.

More precisely, she had missed the timing.

The entrance exam had already ended.

To enter the academy as a student, she would have to wait at least a year.

So I chose the next best option.

-I will employ you.

-From now on, you will be my exclusive maid.

That is, keeping Irene as a servant.

Basically, while the academy is supposed to be a space only for students, there are some exceptions.

Each student can bring along a few servants.

Probably a consideration for the children of noble families.

-I’m alone, you see.

Coincidentally, the servant position was vacant.

Since my family hadn’t assigned anyone, there would be no problem if I hired someone at my discretion.

That’s how Irene became a maid.

“B-but…! Th-this tight-fitting, sh-shameless outfit…!!”

“It’s a trendy design. I got the best-selling one from the store.”

“I don’t understand human society…”

“How is it? As audacious as what’s in your head, right?”

“Shut up!!”

Irene finally throws a punch.

I lightly avoid the attack and mischievously tease her.

Her prickly reactions were indeed fun.

As we continued our bickering conversation for a while, Irene, who had been heated, suddenly closed her lips.

As if she had just remembered something.

“Miss Irene?”

The atmosphere drops sharply.

A somewhat hardened expression. The girl hesitates for a moment before speaking again.

“…Are the children really okay?”

“Ah.”

She seemed worried about the little foxes.

Since we couldn’t bring them to the academy, we had to leave the children somewhere else.

From Irene’s perspective, it must be worrying.

She couldn’t keep them by her side and protect them directly.

“Set your worries aside.”

I said to alleviate the girl’s concerns.

“I called some people I know. They’re trustworthy, so they’ll definitely take good care of the children.”

“Since you called them… that makes me even less confident.”

“Oh my.”

“They’re not dangerous people, are they…?”

“They should be fine. They follow my orders absolutely.”

“…That sounds dangerous.”

“Such hurtful words again.”

I dodge the question with a smooth smile.

Irene gave me a suspicious look, but I diverted her attention by teasing her a few more times.

I mutter to myself internally.

‘Come to think of it… it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen those guys.’

The last time was a letter I sent half a year ago.

I wonder how they’re all doing. I hope they haven’t been causing too much trouble without me around.

I should at least show my face soon.

‘Astro.’

The notorious criminal organization from the slums.

As I mulled over that name after a long time, I continued my steps.