When I first stepped onto the stage, I thought my plan was working perfectly.
The dazed expressions in the crowd were exactly what I’d hoped for. I thought I’d deliver my lines quickly and step down, and that would be it.
But the moment I opened my mouth, standing in the center of the stage, I realized how flawed my plan was.
The eyes filled with confusion, irritation, and surprise clearly belonged to people ensnared by the provocation of my Masochistic Brat skill.
Even a beauty capable of inspiring awe was meaningless in the face of the skill’s overwhelming effect.
The entire premise of my plan was shattered, and from that moment, anything I said would only worsen the situation.
Whatever I uttered got twisted in translation, piercing everyone’s attention like sharp needles. There was nothing I could do.
This was entirely my fault.
Ignoring the overpowering provocation that even the gods couldn’t resist—that was my mistake.
And not anticipating how badly things could go wrong—that was my mistake too.
If I’d handled things better, maybe Joy wouldn’t have looked at me that way.
In the midst of this hopeless situation, the sound of Duke Patran’s laughter reached me like a lifeline.
Amidst the disgruntled atmosphere, his laughter took command of the room, radiating the presence of a true grand noble.
His skill was so impressive that even the stubborn old men were taken aback, and soon all eyes shifted from me to the Duke.
Watching him, I felt a wave of gratitude rise within me.
I’m sorry for calling you the "Lord Clumsy" until now!
From now on, I’ll call you "Not-at-all-Clumsy Duke"!
I’ll make sure everyone knows you’re a man of true noble grandeur!
I don’t know how it’ll translate with my Masochistic Brat skill, but still!
‘Lady Allen.’
Just before wrapping things up, Duke Patran’s words were strict on the surface, but through telepathy, he sent a different message.
‘I only stepped in to help because it was my daughter’s wish. If you want to express gratitude, do so to her.’
I simply smiled in response, silently conveying that he had nothing to worry about. I would cherish Joy dearly.
Before I’m even a fan of hers, Joy is my closest friend.
For her sake, I’d be willing to risk my life.
Leaving the hall, I stepped out of the nearly empty academy building, breathing a sigh of relief under a tree.
‘I am never stepping onto a stage again.’
If I ever find myself in that situation again, I’ll just destroy the stage altogether. No way am I ever standing in front of a crowd like that again. Once was enough.
<Indeed. This time, it was rather harrowing, even for me. You were in a situation that couldn’t be fixed with your abilities.> ‘I know.’
If Duke Patran hadn’t intervened, who knows how much worse things might’ve gotten.
I shudder just thinking about it.
<What will you do now?> ‘I’ll wait for my father.’
Considering the mess I caused, Benedict won’t be able to slip away easily.
It’ll take him some time to handle things.
So until then, I’ll just take a break.
Benedict will find my trail soon enough.
<You’re not heading to the dormitory?> ‘Grandpa, what do you think would happen if that ditzy fox saw me looking like this?’ <...Unpleasant, indeed.> ‘Exactly.’ <So where will you go?> ‘The place with the most beautiful night view in Soul Academy.’
Instead of the dormitory, I chose the academy’s central clock tower.
It’s typically off-limits, but there’s always a way in.
After all, there must be pathways for maintenance and repairs.
In the game, this place unlocks after completing a quest from a far-off region, but this isn’t the game.
If I remember correctly, pressing here and here should...
Thunk! With a heavy sound, the lock released, and a staircase leading upward was revealed.
Dust filled the narrow passage, but I didn’t hesitate.
With the Raven Goddess’s blessing, I didn’t have to worry about dust sticking to me or my outfit getting messed up.
Relieved to be out of that hellish hall, I climbed the stairs three steps at a time, reaching the top of the clock tower in no time.
Night falls quickly in this world.
While magic serves as a substitute for science here, it remains a privilege of the upper class.
Ordinary folk don’t have access to such things.
As night settles, a long dreamlike silence takes hold of the world.
Under the tranquil sky, stars and the moon dance, clouds drift by, sometimes veiling the spectacle.
A sleepless bird chirps praises to the moon and stars.
Sitting on the railing, swinging my legs, I reminisced about what had just happened.
The people in that hall who saw things differently amidst the negativity.
Joy, who shook off other nobles’ hands to reach me.
Frey, glaring around with his silverware still on the table.
Fayvi, praying with her eyes closed.
Benedict, holding his ground with a clenched hand.
Carl, his hand resting on the hiltless scabbard.
Visi, giving me a disgusted look as if to say, "Here she goes again."
Avery, trembling with uncertain eyes.
Professors bickering among themselves in the back.
And many others who, instead of being angry, looked at me with concern.
Their faces made me feel that my time in this world hadn’t been in vain.
And so, even though I knew my reputation as the "skilled witch" would only solidify, I was able to laugh it off.
Why should I care how people I barely know see me? As long as the people around me think well of me, that’s enough.
Ding.
Well, that was fast, you useless god.
How long has it been since the speech ended, and now you’re sending me a notification?
[Quest Cleared!]
...Quest cleared? Why?
After creating that disaster, how did the quest get cleared?
Ah. I guess showing off his "beautiful apostle" was enough to satisfy him.
Should I be happy about this or disgusted that this is my patron god?
Whatever. Too lazy to think; let’s just check the reward.
[Soul of the Hero] [1. The one bearing the Hero’s Soul enables others to move forward.] [2. ???]
...
Oh, come on. Seriously, useless god, how many times do I have to tell you to provide clear explanations like a game tooltip?
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
When your apostle asks for clarity, maybe listen once in a while! Huh?!
You may pull random stunts all the time, but could you at least try to meet me halfway after everything I’ve done?
<Child.> ‘What? I’m...’
<Someone is coming this way.>
What?
At his words, I sharpened my senses and heard someone ascending the stairs.
Did I leave the door open on my way up?
...Yep. In my excitement, I forgot to close it.
What should I do? Am I becoming as ditzy as Joy by spending so much time with her?
Hmm.
Well, it should be fine.
It’s still early, and the party won’t be over for a while.
Whoever it is, it shouldn’t be a big deal.
"...Lady Allen?"
The moment I locked eyes with the woman who had climbed the stairs, I regretted not immediately leaping down as soon as I sensed her presence.
Standing there in surprise was the Second Queen of the Soladin Kingdom.
Senare Soladin.
That damned Patran. To bring up my academy days and mess with me.
Blaming it on the alcohol, Senare had slipped out of the party hall and cursed under her breath as she walked through the empty plaza.
She considered her academy days an embarrassing memory.
A time when she was still young, unused to hiding her emotions and acting noble.
The days when she was suffocated by her family’s pressure to live like the daughter of a duke were anything but pleasant.
‘Senare. Another loss? Hah. How did we end up with a child like this?’
"Damn it."
‘Oh, Lady Bedfer. What a pity. If only you’d tried a bit harder, you would have won.’
"Damn it."
‘This approach will only hurt your body. You are capable of so much more...’
"Damn it."
‘Senare, causing trouble is fine, but don’t inconvenience me. Because of you...’
"Damn it all."
"Bang!" She struck the wall hard, bowing her head as she caught her breath.
I know. I know it’s all in the past.
That bastard Duke Patran probably brought it up playfully, thinking it was funny!
But how am I supposed to stop the nightmares, even knowing that?
No one now dares to treat me the way they used to.
The old men of the Bedfer family watch what they say around me.
Those obnoxious brats who used to look down on me sweat when they stand before me now.
Even that cursed sister of mine calls me "Your Majesty" to my face.
The nightmares of the academy should have ended by now.
I should be free from their hold.
So why can’t I break free?
As she wandered aimlessly in her anger, Senare found herself in front of the academy’s central clock tower.
Like a stray dog returning home, here she was again.
As she glanced at the clock tower’s open entrance, she blinked.
...Why is the door open?
All the professors should be at the party.
Could it be?
Driven by an impulse she didn’t fully understand, Senare stepped inside.
She didn’t care about the dust coating the stairs.
Enchanted by some invisible force, she just wanted to meet whoever was at the top of those stairs.
Her slow, measured steps became quicker, almost frantic, until she arrived at the top.
Raising her gaze, she spotted a girl sitting on the railing, swinging her legs.
“Hah.”
But it wasn’t the person she was looking for.
The one she sought wasn’t this beautiful.
She wasn’t this delicate, almost fragile.
She didn’t wear such a playful smile.
She didn’t know why Lucy Allen was here, but she decided this was an opportunity.
An opportunity to talk to that insolent girl alone.
"Greetings, Lady Allen."
Donning her queenly mask, Senare bit her lip as she watched Lucy stare at her without even a slight bow.
Keep calm.
Keep calm.
This insolent girl is an essential piece in my faction.
If I want my foolish son to compete against Rene Soladin, I need this brat.
"...Greetings, vile and decrepit Queen. You wear the dust quite well."
...This little...