“That sums it up,” Delphine concluded short and sweet.
“I see…” Aether nodded in understanding, realizing they were already starting the fight for the Sovereign by placing them in a certain rank and making them work even harder….. It was kind of exciting.
With an excited face, he asked, “So, I need to help Princess Aqualina? If she ranks first, I will be able to enrol here.”
The Principal looked at Aether and said, “No… You will be a black sheep.”
“… Black what?” Aether was taken aback.
“A Black sheep… Since you are a servant, you cannot even enter the game, so that’s where I will give you an opportunity… You enter the game with my approval but not as a servant, rather as an anonymous participant…” The Principal explained as she slid a black mask before him and continued with a serious face, “If you steal 10 flags…
I will let you enrol, though you will need to hide behind the mask even after.”
‘What the fuck?’ Aether screamed internally and asked just to confirm, “10 flags?”
“Yes”
‘…. Are you fucking kidding me? Bitch!! If you don’t want me to enrol here, you can just say it directly… why put me through this torture?’ Aether screamed inwardly but outwardly, he maintained a smile and asked again, “10 flags?”
“… Yes”
It wasn’t just about taking 10 flags… it was clearly about facing 100 students, including 10 Chosen Ones, whose powers he had yet to witness.
“Haha… Thank you for your generous offer, but I must dec–” Before Aether could escape from this fucked-up situation,
!~Ding~!
[Mission update: Save and Seduce Aqualina Naiadia]
!~Ding~!
[Mission update: Save and Seduce Aria Zephyr]
“… Yeah… I can do it,” Aether said with a forced smile, resigning himself to his fate.
Both the Principal and Delphine had surprised expressions. They didn’t expect him to agree to this so readily.
Actually, the Principal had planned to test him by having him collect a maximum of three flags.
She just wanted to tease him because he had teased her professors and even got into a fight with Alaric. She wanted to put him in his place and stop him from acting rudely towards others, but…
“Are you really okay?” the Principal asked, her voice tinged with genuine doubt.
“Hmm? You are the one who told me to,” Aether said while sealing his fate with a resigned smile.
“Yes… but you could at least… you know… like ask or even beg…” the Principal suggested, her tone softening slightly.
‘… What’s wrong with this old woman?’ Aether thought as he looked at the Principal, his face betraying his bewilderment.
The Principal’s face twitched in annoyance, ‘He’s clearly not speaking with respect ever since I met him’ she thought, feeling there was not even an inch of reverence or awe in his demeanour.
‘I suppose ignorance is bliss,’ she mused, waving dismissively. “Make sure to register the beast, and… Illicit Relationship between Teacher and Student… is not acceptable!” the Principal said with a smile, leaning back in her chair.
Delphine’s face suddenly flushed bright red, “P-Principal, what are you talking about?” she stammered.
The Principal only grinned wider, enjoying the effect of her words. Delphine’s face turned even redder, and the Principal couldn’t help but think, ‘Has she really fallen for him?’ She scrutinized Aether closely, wondering, ‘Other than his charm, what qualities does he possess that might attract Delphine?’
“Yes, what are you talking about, Principal?” Aether echoed, his face showing genuine confusion and a touch of irritation as he glanced at Delphine. “She and I… no way!”
The Principal was taken aback by Aether’s vehement denial. She wasn’t fully aware of the dynamics between them; it was just that whenever Delphine spoke about Aether, there was always a faint blush on her cheeks…. like a maiden in love. This led the Principal to believe that Delphine might harbour feelings for him.
Even Delphine flinched, an awkward smile playing on her lips as she felt her heart tighten unexpectedly. She was caught off guard by the direction the conversation had taken.
However, Aether said something that was completely unexpected…something that was undeniably true!
“I am not her student, so there is nothing inappropriate about our relationship. She is a teacher, and I am just a servant… Isn’t that right, Delphine?” Aether asked with a smile, dropping the formal tone he usually used.
[+100 Affection]
!~Ding~!
[Survival rate: 10.6% ↑]
Delphine’s face flushed an even deeper shade of crimson upon hearing him speak so candidly in front of others. She was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions, including embarrassment and an unspoken affection.
The next thing Aether knew, he was being unceremoniously thrown out of the office… again!
As he picked himself up off the ground outside the Principal’s office, he couldn’t help but reflect on the bizarre turn of events. He had barely managed to navigate the conversation.
“sss~”
Snowflake, who had nestled into his pocket, popped her head out and gave him a curious look as if asking what had just happened.
“Don’t ask,” Aether muttered to Snowflake, shaking his head in disbelief. He glanced back at the closed door of the Principal’s office, contemplating the complexities of his situation. Between the enigmatic Principal, the stern yet blushing Delphine and the looming contest he had to prepare for, Aether realized that his time at the Academy was going to be anything but ordinary.
He looked at the black mask with golden lining lying before him on the ground, its dark surface gleaming under the office lights.
“Hehe…” A sly smile appeared on his face as he picked it up. The mask symbolized both a challenge and an opportunity, and Aether couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement.
This might be the break he needed, a chance to prove himself in a world where his status as a servant had always held him back. Wearing this mask, he could step into a different role, one where his true potential could shine without the constraints of his usual identity.
He slipped the mask into his pocket alongside Snowflake, who chirped curiously at the new addition, “Don’t worry,” he murmured to his loyal companion, “This is just the beginning.”
“Black sheep… Hehe… It’s going to be interesting… heheh…” An uncanny laugh echoed in the corridor.