Chapter 53: How to Get Rid of a Stalker

Iris gently rubbed her reddened forehead with her hand.

It was the mark left from the flick to the forehead I gave her this morning.

Still, she had pushed me too far, so it was a punishment she deserved.

When Iris and I entered the cafeteria, we saw students bustling about.

Today was the day of the Summer Demonic Palace Tournament.

The subtle tension in the air seemed to blanket the entire cafeteria.

As Iris made her entrance, all eyes naturally turned to her.

I quietly followed Iris, careful not to draw any unnecessary suspicion.

“Hania, did you hear about it?”

“It’s a huge deal!”

Still, perhaps because of Hania’s natural charisma, her friends often ended up striking up conversations with me.

“Sorry, everyone. I want to focus on the Demonic Palace today. Let’s talk next time.”

Thankfully, since it was the day of the Summer Demonic Palace Tournament, they all understood and backed off when I hinted at it.

“Lady Iris’s team got second place in the group event, right?”

“Maybe that’s why she’s so focused now.”

Fortunately, what happened in the group event helped lend weight to my words.

Focusing on the Demonic Palace to make up for the humiliation in the group event—

It was a reason everyone could sympathize with.

‘Just do your best no matter what—it’s worth it.’

My past self…

I commend you.

Here, have a sticker for doing well.

‘Finally wrapped up the day amidst all the ups and downs.’

Now, all that’s left is the Demonic Palace Tournament.

Since it marked the finale of Act 3, I was also quite nervous.

“Hania, let’s go.”

In this tense atmosphere, I headed to the Martial Arts Building with Iris.

All the students were to gather at the building and then proceed to the Demonic Palace entrance under the guidance of the professors.

As a result, the front of the Martial Arts Building was packed with martial arts students.

There was a clear sense of heightened tension among everyone.

Shifting my gaze, I spotted Hania in Hanon’s form, standing with Seron.

Hania wore a perpetually irritated expression, arms crossed.

It was obvious.

She wanted to be beside Iris but couldn’t, and it was bothering her.

Next to her, Seron looked uncomfortably stiff, her lips tightly sealed.

It was a clear display of Seron’s social awkwardness.

Our Seron…

She’s like a communication disaster…

Seriously…

“Just like Hanon,”

Iris whispered.

Wait, that irritated look was just like mine?

For someone who always wore a friendly smile, this was a shocking revelation.

As I processed this shock, my eyes caught sight of Isabel.

She was looking at Hania in Hanon’s form and tilting her head, as if noticing something.

Could she have figured something out?

I really hoped not.

“Ugh, this is exhausting.”

“Another Demonic Palace tournament, huh.”

Meanwhile, some third-year students appeared.

Having been through several Demonic Palace tournaments already, their faces bore the look of utter weariness.

Unlike the second years, who were filled with ambition, most third years had a resigned attitude.

Having been labeled ‘the weakest generation’ by those around them, their motivation to put in effort was almost nonexistent.

Amidst these third years, I caught sight of silver hair that looked colder than usual.

Beneath that hair, eyes with a chilling blue hue stared out, icy and sharp.

The razor-like gaze carried an air of melancholy.

Nikita Cynthia.

For some reason, a frosty aura seemed to radiate from her.

At that moment, Nikita lifted her head.

I quickly averted my eyes before our gazes could meet.

I felt her eyes linger on Iris for a moment before moving away.

The subtle killing intent in her gaze was something only I, who knew the circumstances, could detect.

“Yaaawn, looks like everyone’s almost here.”

Breaking the tension of the moment, Professor Beganon arrived fashionably late.

She was dressed in a proper suit, unusual for her, as she stifled a leftover yawn.

Beside her were the professors responsible for the first and third years in the martial arts department.

They were intimidating enough to make Beganon look friendly in comparison.

Still, Beganon was the most senior among them.

Behind them stood a line of associate professors and teaching assistants.

With a considerable entourage, Beganon gestured to her junior professors to get moving.

“From now on, we’ll proceed to the entrance of the Demonic Palace. No disorderly conduct—everyone, move.”

At the third-year professor’s command, the martial arts students began their march.

Given the sheer number of students, the procession was massive.

By now, other departments must have also started their movements.

Later, an enormous crowd of students would gather at the Demonic Palace’s entrance.

As we walked, I started feeling a gaze drilling into the back of my head.

Since the march began, I could sense someone watching me.

Could someone have figured out that I wasn’t really Hania?

I glanced around cautiously, but none of the students seemed to be paying attention to me.

All of them were on edge, focused on preparing for the Demonic Palace.

It wasn’t a situation where anyone had the bandwidth to focus on others.

‘If that’s the case…’

The one staring at me wasn’t a student.

Expanding my awareness of the gaze, I traced it towards the teaching assistants.

However, none of them appeared to be watching me either.

Finally, as I reached the professors’ side, I spotted the one staring at me.

It was one of the second-year associate professors in the martial arts department:

Barkov Deblijeux.

He was the second son of the Deblijeux count, known for their immense wealth.

And I happened to know about an incident involving Barkov.

‘That guy’s into minors.’

There was an incident where a teaching assistant at Zeryon Academy was caught stalking a student and was expelled.

While this incident was briefly mentioned as news within the academy,

It wasn’t an event the players could directly intervene in.

Instead, it triggered a series of related events.

Tensions between professors and students, and the backstory explaining why Professor Beganon turned to alcohol.

And now, that same guy was staring at me.

To be precise, he was staring at the ‘Hania shell’ I was wearing.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Those intense eyes were utterly revolting.

‘No wonder Hania’s personality couldn’t resolve the stalker issue immediately.’

If a guy with such a strong family background and a position as an associate professor acted like this, it’s no surprise she hesitated and tried to gauge the situation first.

The problem now was that I was the one being targeted by his burning gaze.

For the first time in my life, I felt a murderous urge.

“We’ve arrived at the Demonic Palace. From now, locate your team members until your names are called.”

At some point, we had reached the Demonic Palace.

As soon as Professor Beganon gave the command, I hurriedly attached myself to Iris.

“Lady Iris, let’s go quickly.”

If I kept feeling that guy’s gaze on me, I’d probably end up summoning a lightning storm.

Whether Iris sensed my unease or not, she said nothing and started walking.

“Hania.”

Then, suddenly,

Associate Professor Barkov stepped in front of us, blocking our path.

This lunatic.

“Lady Iris, would it be all right if I spoke to Hania for a moment?”

Barkov looked at me with an expression of resolve, staring intently.

My hand, clutching the hypothetical lightning storm, trembled with rage.

I really wanted to hit him.

“Well…”

Iris glanced at Barkov with a troubled expression.

She likely remembered Hania’s insistence on handling the stalker issue herself, which was why she hadn’t intervened until now.

But this time, it wasn’t Hania who was involved—it was me.

Iris didn’t know what to do, either.

The other students’ gazes started to gather.

Drawing unnecessary attention here would be troublesome.

“Lady Iris, I’ll go and hear him out.”

I decided to defuse the situation for now.

Since the third years would enter the Demonic Palace first, there was still some time for us second years.

As I volunteered, Iris reluctantly gave her permission.

“Associate Professor Barkov, shall we go?”

“Y-Yes, of course.”

Barkov’s face lit up instantly, in stark contrast to my own.

He led me to a spot a little away from the crowd, glancing at me furtively the entire time.

If only you knew that inside this form is a 185 cm tall, hulking guy.

The thought of how he’d react if he found out was almost amusing.

“So, what is it you want?”

My voice instinctively turned sharp.

Barkov, however, didn’t seem to care. Instead, he awkwardly cleared his throat, looking embarrassed.

“Hania, when I heard you’d be entering the Demonic Palace this time, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I had to say this.”

It’s a given that Zeryon Academy students enter the Demonic Palace, so what nonsense is he spouting now?

“The Demonic Palace is dangerous. When I imagined the possibility of you not coming back, I realized my feelings for you clearly this time.”

Barkov’s chubby cheeks quivered as he spoke.

My face gradually froze.

No way. Is this guy… confessing to me?

And of all times, while I’m stuck inside Hania’s body?

“Wait a moment, Professor. What exactly are you saying—”

“H-Hania!”

Barkov had already made up his mind.

“I like you! I had to tell you before you went to the Demonic Palace!”

What nonsense is a man over thirty spouting to a minor?

A sudden pang of headache hit me, and my fist clenched.

So this is what it feels like to be floored by a confession.

Now that I was experiencing it firsthand, I realized how dizzying it was.

“Associate Professor Barkov, please calm down.”

“Hania, just answer me. I already know you have feelings for me too.”

Barkov’s eyes were already flipped, his rationality gone.

I was about to deliver swift justice with the most extreme of measures when—

“Associate Professor Barkov, Hania is dating me, so this is quite inappropriate.”

A voice I never expected to hear rang in my ears.

I turned my creaking neck toward the source.

There stood a boy with jet-black hair and crimson eyes.

Hanon Airei.

In other words, the real Hania was standing right there.

“What?”

Barkov’s face went blank at Hania’s bombshell statement.

Hania strode forward and grabbed my hand without hesitation.

“Hania and I are in a relationship, so confessions like this are unwelcome.”

And just like that, I was suddenly in a relationship with Hania.

Or rather, since I was currently in Hania’s body,

Does this mean I was dating… myself?

“W-What do you mean?”

Barkov stammered, his eyes darting between my hand and Hania’s hand in disbelief.

“Don’t be ridiculous! I know for a fact Hania isn’t dating anyone!”

“Is that so? Well, we started dating just yesterday.”

Hania turned to look at me, silently signaling for me to play along.

Left with no choice, I confidently raised our joined hands.

“Yes, Hanon confessed to me yesterday, and we decided to date. So I can’t return your feelings, Associate Professor Barkov.”

“T-That’s not possible.”

Barkov staggered backward, visibly shaken by the heartbreak.

If only he’d just kneel over and die already.

“Don’t make me laugh! Prove it!”

Barkov shouted pathetically.

What kind of proof does he want when the people involved already confirmed it?

Hania seemed to be growing tired of dealing with him as she sighed.

“Hania, let’s show him what we did yesterday.”

What exactly did you do yesterday?

Before I could react, Hania grabbed my chin.

Truly the skill of the second-ranked combatant in martial arts—her hand moved so fast I couldn’t even see it.

Hania’s face was suddenly right in front of mine, our lips nearly touching.

But they didn’t.

The precision was unbelievable.

From the angle Barkov was watching, however,

It looked unmistakably like we were kissing.

Realizing Hania’s intent, I raised my hand and lightly placed it on her back for the finishing touch.

And then Barkov screamed.

“No! No! This can’t be happening!”

Unable to handle the reality, Barkov fled the scene in despair.

It was the most crushing heartbreak of his life.