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

Suddenly, a musical seemed to unfold before my eyes.

"Destiny encountered by chance at the Academy!"

As they whispered their love for each other, their feelings deepened day by day. Then, suddenly, a dispatch mission, and an unexpected fight with a demon ensued!

During the fierce battle, the delicate and vulnerable Luna found herself in peril.

"This is it then... I had no idea that earlier was the last time. If I had known, I would have given you more love."

I should have given you more love. I should have told you how much I love you.

Then I wouldn't feel this regret.

At the very moment of facing death from the vile demon's attack!

"Ugh..."

"Ze, Zero!?"

"Keke, Luna. It's all... okay because you're safe..."

Thud.

The heartbreaking sacrifice of Luna's lover, Zero!

"No, Zero! Noooooo!"

Despair from the loss of a lover!

"Zero... I will never forget you. I will always be with you. And your child too..."

A love that transcends death! And the seed of life left by the lover!

"And so, they lived happily ever after~."

Starring: Yuridia

Story: Yuridia

Narrated by: Yuridia

Thus, the musical concluded.

A damn musical not even worth half a star.

What? A love that transcends death?

Are you telling me to die now? And what about this child!?

What kind of crazy... No, child would think of this?

"Ah, with such a tragic future ahead, when else should you whisper sweet nothings?"

When else? It's time to move to Area 1.

Yet, Yuridia seemed determined not to give up.

As she leaned closer to me, her spittle flew, fueling her delusions.

"Yes! The child! You need to make a child! It's to leave proof that Zero existed in this world!"

Yuridia, what are you talking about?

Why would Luna and I have a child?

We're nothing to each other! Besides, I'm not planning on dying!

But Yuridia was a woman crazy in love. Ordinary persuasion wouldn't work on her.

At this point...

"Keke, I'm sorry, but it's impossible."

"Why?"

"Confessing to me is like casting a spell."

"What does that mean?"

"I told you before. For me, magic is like murder."

Zero's confession = magic = murder.

A miraculous formula was born.

"..."

Yuridia's eyes stretched wide as she glared fiercely at me.

But 'confessing to me is murder' was true.

If I were to confess to Luna...

'Luna would kill me.'

Our Luna is crazy about friendship. And you want her to shift from friend to lover?

She'd literally tear me apart.

"It seems you're saying that out of fear of rejection, but don't worry. Luna loves you."

It's not love, it's a twisted friendship.

"Even if Zero dies, it doesn't matter."

"What?"

"It's all the same whether you die one way or another. Might as well propose and die."

What does Yuridia think love is?

I didn't even want to understand anymore.

"Anyway, there's no time for this. Go and whisper your love to Luna! Zero, you're supposed to die today!"

She nonchalantly cursed me to die. She's really out of her mind.

Yuridia kept pushing me on, and soon I reached where Luna was.

With a bizarre pose and mouthing 'Fighting!', Yuridia hastily backed away.

Then she hid her body behind the bushes, starting to observe from there.

It seemed like dozens of eyes were fixed on us from behind... or maybe it was just my imagination?

'Well, what does it matter? That's not what's important right now.'

Currently, we were in Area 2, where the second demon would appear.

By setting traps while waiting, we could easily subdue it.

But.

'That won’t be enough to capture all four demons.'

One demon at a time, starting from Area 1. A demon appears every 6 turns.

The second demon appears on the 6th turn in Area 2.

The third demon shows up on the 12th turn in Area 3.

The fourth and final target, Mabelga, emerges on the 18th turn in Area 4.

In order to capture all four demons:

'We must quickly engage the demon in each zone.'

Moving to a different zone consumes one turn.

'Some variables have arisen, but... aside from Mabelga, there's no major problem.'

After some calculations with the veteran's calculator, the current probability of defeating Mabelga is about 44%.

Initially, it was around 36%, but thanks to Principal Dwener's buff, the probability has significantly increased.

Why so low, you ask? No, this is normal. It's actually on the high side.

'It's not for no reason that players worldwide haven't been able to kill Mabelga...'

Honestly, if Rezé's critical hit doesn't land, it's as good as a failure.

'I should hope that the skills gained after defeating the first three demons are useful.'

Moving to Area 1 where the first demon appears with Luna and Rezé is the top priority.

I approached Luna, who was standing in the field facing the wind.

"Keke, Luna. What are you doing?"

"I'm assessing the situation. Can't we go inside there?"

Luna seemed eager to enter the castle.

"Do you want to fight?"

"No, I want to become stronger."

"Keke, that's a commendable attitude."

"Grrrrrr!"

From a distance, I could hear Yuridia grinding her teeth.

She seemed as frustrated as a viewer watching a sluggish story unfold.

'Yuridia has the right to give one command per day.'

That was the condition given in exchange for keeping silent about my use of [Demon Slave].

Given Yuridia's nature, she might command a kiss.

A kiss with Luna.

I'd rather not engage in such a dreadful act. There's no helping it.

'I'll have to make the first move.'

I subtly reached out to Luna.

"Luna, let's change our location."

"Why?"

"Keke, it smells. It smells like a demon."

Luna's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Hmph~ Alright. You have a good sense for these things."

"Keke, my lady. I will serve you well."

"Yeah, yeah. Serve this master properly."

It was when Luna placed her hand in mine.

Next to Luna, the bushes. They split apart, and a head popped out.

"Now, moving locations! Tha, that's insubordination! You'll be punished by military law!"

Box lover Rezé... no, a cheeky rabbit.

"It's just a walk."

"In this situation, why go for a walk? Tha, that's also insubordination! Op, oppose! Absolutely oppose the walk!"

Rezé expressed strong opposition, even shaking the box.

Typically, Rezé is timid. But expressing such strong opposition? Maybe...

I removed the lid that was half-covering Rezé's head. Then...

Whirr-whirr-whirr!

I could see Rezé's idiot hair spinning wildly.

Yes. Rezé knew.

That an unknown danger was approaching.

That there was danger lurking in our destination.

'This damn rabbit?'

Good thing I knew the story, otherwise it would have been a disaster.

We almost missed a demon loaded with 'rewards'!

'I should keep an eye on Rezé's radar... no, idiot hair.'

Before long, Rezé, who had completed signs saying 'Illegal Movement Strongly Opposed!' and 'The Carrot Wants to Live!', started a fierce protest from inside the box.

Though more ferocious than usual, it wasn't difficult to subdue Rezé.

"Keke, Miss Rezé. Would you prefer to be punished by military law, or..."

I whispered softly in Rezé's ear.

"Would you prefer to become rabbit stew here?"

"Hi, hiiiiiiiek!?"

Rezé jumped out of the box and clung to Luna's legs. But by then, Luna's eyes had already glazed over.

"Kill... the demon."

Becoming stronger. That was Luna's goal, after all.

"Alright, let's go. A delicious demon is waiting for us."

"Hi, hiiiiiiiek! Why would you eat a demon? Cannibalism... no, demon-eating!"

And so, we began heading towards Area 1.

One hand interlocked with Luna’s, and the other holding a rabbit.

  *

As we approached Area 1, the first thing we saw was Teron sitting on an elegant chair, filled with an antique vibe, apparently brought by the students from the dormitory.

"Hm? Zero?"

Teron greeted us. He even rose briskly from his chair and approached us.

"Keke, it's nice to see you, Teron."

"What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be in Area 2?"

"I felt a strange aura from this place."

"A strange aura?"

"Yes, that's why I came, even at the risk of breaking military regulations. To help a 'friend.'"

Perhaps it was the word 'friend' that made Teron's lips briefly curl into a smile before returning to a neutral expression.

"Who are you calling your friend?"

Of course, there were those who disliked this.

Teron's hunting dog and a five-star knight, Daike.

Luna, who had been gaping at me, now smacked her lips eagerly.

Influenced by Daike's declaration of 'not a friend.'

"Daike, don’t be like that. He says he’s here to help, isn’t that too harsh to reject?"

"...Sorry."

Daike stepped back, and Luna suddenly lunged forward.

"What is he sorry for? He was right. Who are you calling your friend?"

"Cat, step back. This is a place for humans to talk."

"What did you say!?"

Luna charged, and I grabbed her from behind with both arms.

Luna, suspended in mid-air, flailed her fists at Teron and shouted.

"Come here! I'll bite you to death!"

"That will never happen. I'm not weak enough to be killed by a cat. Zero, let's pause our chat for now. This strange aura... we need to check the surroundings."

Teron's party opened a map and entered into a discussion.

I took Luna, who was still seething, to a slightly more distant place.

"Ah! I really need to sort that out someday."

"Keke, please be patient. The opportunity will come soon."

"Eh? Really? Weren’t you fond of them?"

Fondness. Of course, there is some.

Not only because I've known the characters from the game for decades, but Teron and I also communicated well.

However.

'Teron is the boss of Chapter 2.'

Despite trying to restrain my emotions, I am still human.

I couldn’t comfortably kill someone I had gotten along with. That’s why I was maintaining a proper distance.

This is a game where a single mistake could cost your life.

Shiver-shiver-shiver-.

Suddenly, the bushes trembled.

More precisely, it was Rezé's box that was shaking.

"Rezé, I will protect you. Don’t worry."

"So, sorry. I think... this is as far as I go."

"Rezé..."

Because she’s scared. Because she’s a coward. Because she’s weak.

Because all she knows is how to hide.

Surely, that might be true. Rezé does seem weak at a glance.

But my thoughts were a bit different.

"Miss Rezé, do you know? Fear isn’t a word that signifies weakness."

"What?"

"Fear is an emotion everyone feels. It's not something unique to you."

Me, Luna, even Caron.

We all feel 'fear'. But it’s not a weakness. Rather, it’s a 'strength.'

"If you didn’t feel fear, you would live a life without making any preparations."

Studying, researching, saving, practicing. You’d lead a life without preparing for the future.

Because there’s nothing to be afraid of. Then when an unexpected situation arises, you’d face death with regret.

Feeling tremendous fear.

"To put it simply, 'fear' can also be a great weapon."

Vigilance, caution, optimization, efficiency, overwhelming power, vast mana, superior technology, legendary artifacts, and a larger army than the opponent.

People have devised various ways to eliminate fear.

Indeed, the emotion of 'fear' has driven the progress of the world.

"In my view, Miss Rezé, you possess a strength greater than anyone else. So, please make good use of that strength."

"Hmm! You're saying exactly what I wanted to say. You truly are my subordinate!"

"..."

Unlike Luna, Rezé remained silent.

The notion that fear could be a strength seemed completely alien to her.

Well, that's all I can do for now.

'Psychotherapy failed. Regrettable, but... I'll have to aim for the next opportunity.'

It's okay for now, but if she can't land a critical hit when we enter Chapter 4, I'll have no choice but to dismiss her.

For our sake, and for Rezé's.

  *

How much time had passed?

"Eek!"

As Rezé's idiot hair stood on end.

Boom!

The top of the Carpathia fortress wall exploded with a loud bang.

"It's coming."

"What is?"

Obviously, a demon.

"The walls..."

"Wait, does something seem to be flying this way?"

"A black dot?"

As the children of Teron's party murmured among themselves, the black dot grew larger.

And soon...

Crash!

"Impudent humans! You've gathered in such nauseating numbers!"

The first demon, 'Amonga,' revealed itself.

"Ah, a demon!?"

"Everyone, don't panic and form up!"

Teron managed to quickly restore order.

Crunch-crunch!

Dozens of worms about 1 meter long burst from the ground.

"Ugh! What are those!"

"We're surrounded! Pair up and face back-to-back!"

Though they were numerous, there was no need to worry.

It was a cinematic moment in the game, also a device for narrative coherence.

'If it were only Amonga, everyone would rush in and pummel him.'

Amonga was just a seventh-grade demon. It wouldn't be feasible for a low-level demon to take on dozens of characters, so this was a countermeasure.

In reality, players only had to deal with six earthworms and Amonga.

And facing him...

"Zero! Come here!"

"Don't space out, you fool!"

Teron, Daike, Luna, and I.

The four of us formed up back-to-back.

"Ha, never thought I'd end up fighting alongside these guys..."

"That's our line. Impudent cat."

"Who are you calling a cat! I'll bite you to death!"

Luna and Teron started bickering.

Oh dear. I'm forced into saying this, aren't I?

"Keke, there's no helping it. We'll have to form a temporary alliance."

"You want me to fight alongside that? I'd rather die!"

"That's exactly how I feel! Damn cat!"

Screech!

Thinking it saw an opportunity, one of the worms stood up to attack.

"Distraction!"

"It's a hindrance!"

Teron and Luna's strike. The worm was swiftly dispatched to the afterlife.

Ah, what a fine duo. Just as I expected.

"Keke, this might just turn out to be... a rather dangerous combination."

"Just shut up and fight!"

"Hmph! Just don't get in the way! Focus! Here they come!"

And so, the battle began.

Ah, but.

...where did my rabbit go?

--TL Notes--

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