Chapter 142

The Golden Generation’s first-year Royal Class, the Kingdom-born commoner duo, Bane and Mosley.

Truth be told, their mood hadn’t been great since the mock battle.

They thought they had won by a landslide, but they were both shamefully eliminated due to a ridiculous surprise attack and trap. There was no way they could be in a good mood.

But today was an exception.

Their spirits were high for the first time in a while.

‘Heh, you guys. I’m a looker even outside the classroom.’

Bane chuckled inwardly.

He was ranked dead last in popularity within the class, probably because there were so many good-looking guys.

It had made him feel like his self-esteem as a man was at rock bottom, but he had decided to attend the ball with a renewed sense of purpose.

He had come all the way to the best academy, so it was ridiculous to end up without dancing with a girl.

What was I lacking?

And his confidence paid off.

Things were going well.

‘Better to be the tail of a dragon than the head of a snake.’

Mosley was grinning inwardly too.

He was also ranked last in popularity within the class, along with Bane, but things were different outside the classroom.

The name value of being in the first-year Royal Class, the heart of the Golden Generation, was better than they expected.

“Wow… so you were specially selected to apply to our academy even though you’re an active soldier? You’re so recognized, even though you’re young.”

“Haha, well, I guess I am recognized. I was the only one selected out of hundreds of fierce competitors. I’m not arrogantly saying I’m the best, but I think they chose me because they valued my potential.”

Bane was laughing and chatting with a third-year female student.

It might have been my imagination, but she seemed to have a more mature charm than his first-year classmates.

Yeah, that’s the charm of older women.

I’m not on the same level anymore, so I can’t hang out with first-year girls.

“Whatever, you’re amazing. Once you graduate from the academy, your promotion path is wide open, right?”

“Well… I think becoming a knight would be easy. Of course, my goal is higher. I dream of becoming a royal guard.”

“It’s truly admirable, being a fellow commoner. I dream of becoming a regular staff member at the Magic Tower. Is that too modest?”

“No, no. A stable life is good, right? It’s not dangerous. I think that kind of life is good too. Everyone has different goals, don’t they?”

If their classmates had said that, they would have felt disgusted and their stomachs tunred.

Bane wasn’t the type to be so understanding.

Seeing the typical, carefree guy melt like butter in front of a woman was definitely a sight to behold for those who knew his true nature.

“Hoho, you’re a good talker too. It seems the first-year Royal Class students are different.”

“Haha, there are a lot of talented friends.”

Bane laughed and felt confident.

This was a sure thing.

He just needed to get a date with someone to be his dance partner.

‘Wow, that guy’s got game too?’

I glanced to the side, and Mosley, his best friend, was also chatting with another senior, looking relaxed.

Good.

Let’s wipe away the humiliation of being considered unpopular together!

But unexpected events always happen unexpectedly.

Click, click.

The sound of a woman’s approaching heels changed everything.

* * *

‘…I must have been crazy.’

I had stood up confidently, probably because of the alcohol, but I kept having that thought as I walked.

Isn’t this a complete couple-breaker move?

How will I face the others later?

‘No, no. It’s impossible.’

I had decided to give it a try out of curiosity, but there was no way a couple who was clearly getting along would break up because of me.

I was confident in my level, but I wasn’t that good.

And I took off my glasses, so I looked like a sad sack.

Diana awkwardly touched the corner of her eyes with her fingers.

It was so strange not wearing her glasses.

‘Oh well, I’ve come this far.’

After blinking deeply, Diana boldly approached the target table, as if she didn’t care what happened.

But…

‘What, what? Third-years?’

The two girls were both familiar faces.

They were classmates.

‘Ugh, what is this?!’

Stealing guys who were already flirting with classmates?

What kind of bad manners is that?

I was going to get a mouthful of insults.

Should I just awkwardly turn around?

No… I can’t give up now.

My curiosity, once ignited, couldn’t be quenched without an answer.

It was highly likely that I would just be humiliated and rejected, but I decided to just go for it.

“Excuse me, for a moment.”

Diana finally spoke from beside the table.

Her voice was soft and delicate, unlike her usual tone.

Go all out if you’re going to do it.

That was her motto.

“Who… are you?”

Her classmate looked her up and down with wary eyes.

‘Huh? She doesn’t recognize me?’

Diana blinked rapidly in surprise.

Did she not recognize me because I took off my glasses? Was my image that different?

It was definitely different, but…

Even after looking again, both classmates seemed to not recognize her.

And…

What is that 120% wary look?

It’s the look a woman gives a dangerous member of the same sex.

It’s the expression you give something that threatens the ecosystem…

On the other hand.

The male students were staring at her intently, as if hypnotized.

Their gaze was so intense that I could feel their 120% focus.

What, what… this reaction…?

My mind was in chaos.

But I had to do what I had to do.

“I’m a third-year student at the same academy.”

Diana deliberately didn’t reveal her name.

She didn’t think there was any need to reveal it when they didn’t recognize her.

“Huh? Third-year?”

“I don’t remember seeing you…”

Her classmates looked at Diana with suspicion, adding suspicion to their wariness.

Diana didn’t bother answering and spoke again.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t stand it if I don’t say what I need to say. Excuse me for a moment.”

She seized the opportunity and turned her gaze to Bane and Mosley.

I could feel Bane and Mosley flinch reflexively.

“What year are you in?”

“Oh, first-year…”

“First-year!”

“You’re juniors?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Yes, senior!”

They answered with a determined voice.

Their faces were flushed.

It was clear they were nervous and flustered in front of a girl they liked.

“Then I’ll drop the honorifics, okay?”

“Yes!”

“Of course!”

Diana quickly took control of the situation.

Once she started acting, she felt surprisingly relaxed, and the words flowed out of her mouth.

“Alright. I like your straightforwardness, juniors. I have something I need to ask you.”

“Yes!”

“Go ahead!”

“Hoho, this older sister is looking for dance requests. I was going to ask just one person, but you both caught my eye. What do you think? It might be a bit awkward to compete as friends, but if you’re interested, I’d love for you to accept.”

“What, what?!”

“What are you doing?!”

Her classmates glared at Diana, their faces flushed with anger.

They even reached out to push her away, as if they were willing to use physical force.

But.

Thump.

Their hands were easily caught by Bane and Mosley.

The first-year duo, like bodyguards, swiftly prevented any danger.

“You, you two…?!”

“Wh-What are you doing?!”

The third-year girls were shocked by the betrayal.

But reality is a jungle, cruel and unforgiving.

Just like they were being pushed aside by the appearance of the ecosystem disruptor.

“Haha, of course, of course! We’ll accept your dance request immediately, don’t worry, lady!”

“I’m all in! My nickname back home is Dance Machine, so you can expect great things!”

“What? You have a nickname like that?”

“I do, you idiot. You’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

“If you’re a Dance Machine, I’m the God of Dance.”

“Yeah, you’re the God of Nothing.”

“What did you say, you little punk?”

Even the best friends started arguing.

One girl and two guys are so troublesome.

Diana didn’t care and smiled.

“Thanks, both of you. I’ll take you up on that. See you later.”

“Yes, please, enjoy yourself!”

“Have a good rest, and we’ll see you later!”

Bane and Mosley, who had been bickering, immediately bowed 90 degrees.

Diana waved and casually walked away.

“Get out of here, you disrespectful jerks!”

…Of course, chaos erupted right there.

* * *

“Mission complete.”

Riviera, who had been watching the fight like she was watching someone else’s drama, said casually.

“Huh? Y-You did it? It seems like things are getting chaotic…”

Allen blinked.

“Can’t you tell by the atmosphere? They’re kicking them out right now.”

I chuckled.

The table, which had been in a good mood just a moment ago, was in shambles.

The girls were throwing their drinks in anger, and the guys were quickly running away.

But those faces… I’ve seen them somewhere…

Well, it doesn’t really matter.

“Whoa…? You really did it…?”

Amy shook her head in disbelief.

Then she suddenly came to her senses.

“Oh, no. That’s not important. My friend is going to get a lot of insults behind her back!”

“Hey, this kind of ball is a battle to win over the person you like. That’s the basic premise, you know.”

I grinned, as if it was nothing.

She might get called disrespectful, but that’s all.

Nothing more, nothing less.

And soon.

The protagonist returned confidently.

“Good.”

Riviera gave a thumbs-up.

“I told you. She looks much better without those glasses.”

I winked.

“Yeah, men go crazy for her.”

“Pfft!”

Amy sprayed her drink at Diana’s sharp comeback.

“…What, what kind of vulgar line is that?”

“I just repeated what the sickly genius magician girl said.”

“Good job.”

Riviera nodded.

Diana sat down.

“But this is actually pretty thrilling and fun. Is this why cheaters go after couples?”

“Cough, cough!”

Amy choked.

I suddenly felt bad.

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

Diana chuckled.

“Sigh… No, there’s a limit to jokes!”

Amy looked like she had aged a few months in the meantime.

“Anyway, I need to make a note of this.”

Diana, being the head of the newspaper club, talked about it as if it were someone else’s business, even though it involved her.

“Honestly, I still don’t understand why this face works on men, but thanks to you two, I learned something new.”

“If you’re grateful, please give me a big article next time.”

“What? We’re all helping each other out.”

Riviera and I replied.

The atmosphere is good, isn’t it?

Should I try to score another point?

“Can I give you another piece of advice?”

“Oh, okay. What is it?”

“Don’t you need more members for the newspaper club?”

“Well, we’re always short-staffed.”

We’re always struggling with what we have, but needing more members is the fate of clubs with mediocre popularity.

If I gave her some advice to fill those spots, my relationship with Diana would improve.

“I think you can fill those spots right now.”

“Huh? Right now? What, are you joining the newspaper club?”

“Oh, no, I’m not. I’m talking about those guys.”

I gave her a meaningful smile.

“Those guys? Oh, you mean…?”

Diana seemed to realize what I was about to say.

“Yes, those guys. I think they’d join right away if you asked.”

“Hey, even so, that’s a bit unethical…”

“What’s unethical about it? It’s not forcing them, it’s a request. They’re the ones who decide in the end.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s a good opportunity, so you should recruit them and put them to work.”

I didn’t feel bad for those two.

They should be grateful they can spend time with their crushe in the same club.

And who knows?

Maybe they’ll even end up together.

“Hmm, you’re right. It’s a good opportunity, a good opportunity.”

Diana’s eyes sparkled.

Okay, that’s enough.

I was about to wrap up the conversation and get up…

“What’s a good opportunity, Diana?”

This, this voice?

The meat-loving high elf senior?

…Did you finally come because you couldn’t take it anymore?

“I’m sorry, but I’m curious too, senior.”

Elaine?

Why are you here too…?

“Oh, why are there so many beautiful ladies here?”

The psycho princess?

What’s going on…?

‘Ah.’

…I want to run away right now.

I closed my eyes tightly.