I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

Chapter 236

"It seems the Victoria Faction has no intention of showing up before class."

"They'll just keep their heads down when they do show up anyway."

"All thanks to Lord Teron's brilliant strategies! It was a masterclass in mercenary tactics!"

"Hahaha! Don't give me too much credit. Anyone could have done it."

Teron is the character who becomes the boss in the second episode.

The standard story arc involves him facing intense academic pressure after the mixer, succumbing to a demon's temptation, and turning to the dark side...

"Hahahahahaha!"

Far from turning dark, it was as if flowers had blossomed on his face.

He was in a mood to not even litter the ground.

This was a big problem.

Teron won't be appearing as the boss at the end of the episode?

Then something else will take his place as the boss. That's the kind of game this is.

The problem is that I don't know what this 'something' is.

'It's the first time the Teron-Yuridia alliance has won at the mixer.'

Neither I nor the other veterans have managed to do that before.

Well, I should still be able to get through this episode. I'm quite strong at the moment.

But what comes next is the issue.

'The storyline will completely change.'

The advantage of knowing the future will be totally gone.

Normally, finding a new route would mean trying out various tactics to gather information for the next round, but that's not possible now.

'Because I'm in the game, and if my character dies, I die in reality.'

Starting a completely unknown storyline from the early stages?

I didn't want to take on that kind of burden.

There's only one thing to do now.

'I'll have to make him turn.'

Make Teron succumb to the demon's temptation.

Turn him into the boss for the end of the episode.

I'll be the 'mastermind' controlling Teron!

What? Isn't that going too far?

'...But I can't just die, can I?'

I'd like to see the story unfold differently, but that can wait until I'm back in reality.

'Getting the hint that I might be able to save Teron is a big achievement on its own.'

'Sorry... I promise I'll save you next time!'

That was enough of a farewell (sort of) to Teron. He would accept his death with a smile.

Right?

"Who is this, if not Zero, our victorious leader from yesterday!"

Teron started running towards me.

The same guy who always preached that it wasn't proper for nobles to run.

I used 'Silver Flash' on him.

An artifact that stuns the opponent for 0.1 seconds.

Then Teron collapsed in front of me, looking utterly foolish.

"Lord Teron!"

"Are you alright!"

"I'm so sorry! We should have cleaned the floor better..."

The kids from the Teron Faction rushed over.

Was it because of his undignified fall, or was he angry?

Teron shivered on the ground.

'Keke, just as planned.'

Yes, that's it, Teron.

Get angry. Yell.

Scold the kids for their mistakes.

Nurture the seeds of evil!

Did my will reach him? Teron suddenly got up.

"Everyone, calm down. It was my fault. I got excited seeing an old friend and ran without thinking."

"No, it's our fault. We should have cleaned the floor properly earlier..."

"Ha! Didn't I say it was my fault? Trying to blame yourselves is only going to embarrass me more, isn't it?"

"No, not at all."

"Then it's settled. Hahahahaha!"

...Unbelievable. Instead of getting angry, he even acknowledged his mistake.

'Who is this guy?'

Teron had completely changed his character.

"Oh, you were already here?"

It was Yuridia and her followers.

Right, Yuridia was there.

If I subtly sided with Yuridia after starting a fight, Teron would surely erupt.

They were rivals, after all.

"Keke, Miss Yuridia, you look beautiful as always today."

"Thank you for the compliment. You look quite dashing yourself, Zero."

"The very model of nobility, isn't she, Lord Teron?"

"Hmm? That's right. Yuridia is a prime example of a noble."

"...Yes?"

"So she can stand by my side. I wouldn't have made such an offer if it weren't for Yuridia. Hahahahaha!"

???

Teron praising Yuridia was unheard of. Despite playing this game thousands of times, this was a first.

Typically, Teron's character was too busy mocking to praise.

'Is this a dream?'

When I pulled on Rezé's bangs, Luna immediately bit my hand.

Well, it hurts, so it's not a dream. This means it's a cold reality.

And the cold reality continued.

"If it weren't for Lord Teron, I wouldn't have accepted the alliance. His abilities are well known, aren't they?"

"Hahaha! Yuridia, you're not the only one!"

"Hohoho! If we unite, the Victoria Faction is nothing. Let's show our strength during the midterms!"

"Absolutely. Let's crush them in the midterms!"

"Hahahahaha!"

"Hohohohoho!"

...Who exactly are you guys?

Their relationship has surpassed an alliance and reached the level of best friends.

Where did the Teron and Yuridia I knew disappear to?

Eventually, I had to accept it.

This round.

It was completely ruined.

  *

After the morning classes.

I approached Caron pretending to have a question. I needed to deliver a message from Adonis.

Thwack!

"...?"

Immediately, Caron smacked me on the head. Why?

"Have you decided to kill me now?"

"Yes?"

"You nearly gave me a heart attack. Your face is as good as a lethal weapon. Next time, make some noise before you approach. Better yet, don't come at all."

Following cockroaches, now a lethal weapon.

Just how negative is the image of slit eyes in this world?

"So, why are you here?"

"Keke, I came to deliver a message."

"A message?"

"Yes. Adonis was looking for you. It seems you should head to the library rooftop."

"...!"

Caron's eyes widened.

Understandably so.

Caron is a teacher. It doesn't make sense for him to respond just because a mere student like Adonis is looking for him.

Above all, I have no reason to run errands for Adonis.

But I still came to deliver the message? There was only one meaning to this.

Adonis=Douglas.

- Which means I've figured it out and have been sufficiently conversing with Adonis.

It was only natural for Caron to be shocked.

"You... How did you figure it out?"

"Keke, you'll find out when you meet Adonis. It's a bit difficult for me to explain here, with all the kids around."

"You haven't caused any trouble, have you?"

"Would I ever?"

"Really?"

"Of course. I might have made a small mistake, but I haven't caused any accidents."

"It sounds like you've made a major mistake."

Caron's veins bulged on his forehead.

Hmm, so he's realized I'm lying?

In such cases.

"Keke, then I shall take my leave..."

The best strategy is a hasty retreat.

That's when I returned to Luna and Rezé's side.

"You're back? Try to handle those guys."

Luna nodded her head toward the classroom door.

The Teron Faction was there. No, they were blocking it.

As I approached the door, Teron said,

"We're planning a victory celebration. You'll attend, of course?"

Naturally, I refused. I wanted to train, but getting involved with the main characters wasn't ideal.

"Keke, I must decline. I don't wish to mingle with small fry."

"What? Small fry?"

"That's right. I realized yesterday. The Teron Faction is just a group of cowards."

The reason for my provocation was simple.

To push Teron toward his dark transformation.

This should be enough to anger Teron.

"Is that so. Small fry... That's a good point."

"Yes?"

"That must mean we appeared incompetent to you. I understand. We were pathetic yesterday, so you must be angry. I never expected my comrades to be so weak..."

Suddenly, the atmosphere became somber.

"But to think I was just planning a celebration... I'm embarrassed. It's my fault. Zero, I should have been training hard like you!"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"Everyone, gather at the training grounds after the meal! If even one of you is missing, I'll sound the alarm!"

Whoa!

The members of Teron's faction erupted in cheers.

No, don't soothe the kids, get angry! You're supposed to turn dark!

It was truly a frustrating situation. But the complications didn't end there.

"Hello, Zero? I hope you made it home okay yesterday."

It was Victoria. She had approached me and offered a polite greeting.

Then Teron inserted himself between Victoria and me.

"What's going on? We agreed to keep things quiet until the midterms."

"Oh, I was just having a chat with Zero. I don't recall any clause that said, 'Do not talk to Zero.'"

"..."

Teron stepped back. He had to, given Victoria was right.

"Zero, do you have any favorites?"

"Excuse me?"

"Things you like. I can arrange almost anything for you. I do have quite a bit of money, you know. Oh~hohohoho!"

My favorites? Money and games, and...

"I want Miss Luna! I love her!"

...Those weren't my words. Yuridia, standing behind and covering her mouth, had said it.

"Miss Yuridia, is it polite to interrupt others' conversations like this?"

"Being impolite would be more your fault. Now's the time for Zero to be spending with Miss Luna!"

Really? It’s time to go eat.

Could you not rearrange my schedule on your whim?

That's when Teron stepped beside me and suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Pfft, all your efforts are in vain. Zero is mine."

"...Excuse me?"

"My person. And my most cherished one at that."

"..."

Cough!

Splurt!

Victoria spat out blood, and Yuridia's nose bled.

...What were they imagining just now?

Whatever it was, it certainly seemed unhealthy.

As the leaders of both factions struggled to stop their bleeding,

Thump!

Someone slapped Teron's hand away from mine.

"What are you doing?"

It was Luna. She growled up at Teron.

"He's not yours; he's mine."

"Hmph, that's not settled yet. Isn't it?"

"What are you talking about? He can’t live without me. Touch him again and see. I won't let it slide."

"..."

"Hey, I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

Luna firmly gripped my hand, as if she’d never let go.

As Luna started walking, the kids blocking the way stepped aside.

Like Moses parting the sea.

"Kyaaa!"

"Look at that power!"

"Miss Luna is so cool!"

Hmm, looks like the rumors will spread uncontrollably again.

I was just about to help Rezé up, who had rolled out of the classroom, when I saw it.

Grrrr!

Caron's narrowed eyes.

  *

"Hmm, what exactly is the relationship between those two?"

After lunch, Victoria pondered in the park.

She recalled the sight of Zero and Luna, hand in hand, leaving the classroom.

Victoria knew.

There was something beyond friendship between them.

‘I wonder where Lord Adonis has gone. He’s not gathering any information.’

Currently, Adonis was away, claiming he had another engagement.

Victoria felt increasingly frustrated.

Just then,

"Ohohoho, it seems you are in trouble."

"Miss Yuridia? What brings you here...?"

"I smelled love."

"...Love’s smell?"

"Ohohoho, even though we are enemies, let me share something special. About Zero and Miss Luna..."

Their sticky love story.

The 'Love Support Club'.

Its influence was growing by the moment.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading

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