Chapter 50

“Did you notice that Ilona-sensei’s lecture about monsters earlier was actually the same content as the Life Field setting book?”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Geez, Kasuya -kun, you were mainly into PvP in Life Field, right? You weren’t the type to go to the library much, were you?”

“Oh yeah, there was a library, wasn’t there? Like that huge one in the royal capital.”

“Yes, yes! The Holy Library of the Royal Capital, Bodran. It’s nostalgic—I even spent a whole day there once.”

“Wow.”

This Imperial Capital Magic Academy is supposedly the most advanced place for human magical education in this world. Even the cafeteria where Snow-san and I are right now has an impressive atmosphere.

It’s as luxurious as a medieval castle.

The high ceiling is open, and chandeliers float without any visible support, likely held up by some kind of magic.

The servers are either summoned by magic or are golems—puppet-like figures made of wood that serve the food.

“Hehe, it really is amazing here, isn’t it? There are so many things I could never have seen back in Holga Village.”

“This place kind of feels like something out of Life Field, doesn’t it?”

“Good eye, Kasuya -san! Yes, this place is similar to the Ancient Dragon Academy that appears in the game! …It’s nice to finally meet someone who remembers the old world and knows about Life Field.”

“Oh yeah, if I recall, most of the people who were transferred from the same school don’t remember much, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Except for a few people, the members of our high school who are called the Children of Prophecy don’t remember Japan.”

“I see… Then… um, why am I getting such intense glares from everyone around me?”

“???”

Snow-san tilts her head curiously.

Her long golden hair, with two strands hanging down, sways along with the motion.

No matter what she does, she looks graceful, like a real princess.

She’s definitely my plan B candidate.

But still…

“What’s up with that guy?”

“Having a meal alone with Snow-sama…? A homeless kid?”

“Should I kill him?”

“Wait, don’t make this a big deal right now.”

“Why is someone from the slave class, not even a commoner, here in this academy…?”

A murderous intent filled with magical power emanates from the cafeteria.

Classmates who shouldn’t remember me, and probably humans from this world.

No matter their background, everyone in the cafeteria is casting glances in our direction.

Even though she shouldn’t remember, Snow-san seems to be quite popular in this world, in our class, or rather in the academy.

It seems that everyone has their roles assigned to them, and that doesn’t change even in another world.

“Uh, Kasuya -kun? What’s wrong? You’ve gone quiet… Um, was the cafeteria menu not to your liking? We prepared the same meal as the noble dorm students…”

Hmm…

It’s good, the protagonist really needs charisma.

“Hey, look, that guy is ignoring Snow-sama!”

“Why would someone like that be with Snow-sama…?”

“Is he holding something over her?”

“…I heard that the Baron of the Frontier has admitted a homeless kid from Holga Village into the magic academy.”

“What does that mean? Even the Baron Licht doesn’t have that much influence over the magic academy?”

“Don’t you know? The Baron Licht’s daughter is currently with the Emperor’s third prince—”

Yup, Snow-san’s role is definitely… the protagonist.

That’s good—this isn’t bad.

I want to get closer to her~ and reveal my true identity in the best possible situation~.

“Ah, um, this taro salad! It’s delicious, just like Japanese potato salad… Uh, yes, if you’d like!”

“Ah, thank you.”

Nom.

Yeah, it’s good.

The richness and acidity of the mayonnaise match perfectly with the soft texture of the potato.

But this is really just the original deliciousness of the potato.

I wonder where this was harvested.

I want to see the soil. I want to touch it.

“Ah…”

Snow-san is frozen, still holding out her spoon.

Oh no, I accidentally ate it right off her spoon.

Whenever I eat with White and the others, it always ends up like this, like, “Ah~n,” so it slipped my mind.

“Uh, hehe… I-I’m sorry, I just… I haven’t really had meals with guys other than Aki or my close friends… So, um, I’m sorry for being so rude!”

Her face is bright red as Snow-san starts rambling.

Oh no, I accidentally put my mouth on a woman’s spoon.

It must feel really gross to someone like me, a socially awkward background character.

Isn’t indirect kissing something only lovers do?

White and the others… well, they’re kind of like my pet cat family, so it’s fine!

“Ah, oh no… I just did an ‘ah~n’ for a guy… What should I do? Indirect…”

But it’s bad; I can’t be disliked at this timing.

Hmm… Despite my appearance, I’m actually quite clever…

Considering Snow-san’s personality, the best way to follow up is…

I’ve got it!

“…I’m sorry, Snow-san.”

“Eh, Kasuya …san?”

“…It seems I’ve done something rude. I’m sorry; I’m just not used to having meals with anyone…”

“Ah… I see. You’ve been alone in this world all this time…”

Hehe. It’s working, it’s working.

Let’s follow up once more…!

“Haha… embarrassingly, it’s the same in the previous world. I had no friends… nor family. I’m sorry if I did anything unreasonable.”

“Eh… that’s…”

Well, I’m not lying.

My parents died in an accident when I was young.

I moved from relative to relative, and eventually, I started living alone in high school with support from the government and so on.

“I’ll go get a new spoon!”

Alright, that’s a gentlemanly complete follow-up!

Maybe I’m a bachelor after all.

As I stood up to leave…

“N-No! I don’t mind! The spoon is fine as it is! …Here I go!”

With that, Snow-san scoops some of her salad with the spoon I had in my mouth and brings it to her mouth.

Even her movements are incredibly elegant.

“Ah, oh no… I really did it… The taste hasn’t changed…”

As expected of a real royal.

I ended up making her worry instead. But still, Snow-san definitely has an important virtue as the protagonist.

To endure the indirect kiss of a gross mob like me and pretend it’s okay…

《Whoa… a woman’s enemy…》

I feel like my navigation’s approval rating has dropped…

But it also feels like I managed to take a step up as a villain! That’s good!

Hehe, am I scary?

“…I’m sorry, Snow-san, it’s because I’m not used to interacting with people that I made you use a spoon I used…”

“I-I’m not worried about anything! I-I’m actually quite experienced, you know! I’m a royal, and I’m a noble in this world too!”

“Ooh, nobles are amazing.”

“Fufu, that’s right! So there’s nothing for Kasuya -san to worry about!”

What a good person…

Alright, I’m going to work hard to get closer.

I need to earn Snow-san’s friendship…

In Life Field, there were unique NPC events, right?

If I don’t adjust the approval rating according to the progress of the scenario, event flags might disappear, which was an annoying system.

“Kasuya -san!”

“Ah, yes.”

Snow-san leans forward and takes my hand.

Whoa, that’s an intense gaze.

In the cafeteria, almost everyone, young and old, is directed murderous intent and magical power at me.

Hmm, is this a trait of humans who can use magic?

It seems that magical power increases in proportion to murderous intent.

This trait might be useful in combat as well.

The way curse power is refined changes with the mood of the day, too.

《You should already be immune to potential changes based on emotions due to your “Curse Power Manipulation” skill.》

Ah, right. I see. So that means…

The fact that performance changes with emotional ups and downs means I’m still immature.

“Kasuya -san… I’m on your side.”

“Eh?”

“From now on, if it’s not a bother, let’s eat together… Is that okay?”

“O-Oh!”

Wait, isn’t this going well?

Oh no, Snow-san is being proactive.

Hehe, my communication skills aren’t to be underestimated either.

“Th-That’s not all! Let’s take the afternoon classes together too! Um, I think today’s afternoon class is about close-range magical combat techniques, right? Let’s do that together too!”

“Ah, yes.”

I feel an incredible sense of unity. It’s something I’ve never felt before—something intensely warm.

The wind… What is this feeling coming towards me steadily, surely?

Let’s not be half-hearted; I’ll see this through to the end.

A fun magic academy life.

And I want Snow-san to become…

The quintessential, charismatic protagonist in another world!

For that, she’s going to have to overcome various trials…

I wonder if there’s a good legend or myth I can come up with.

Hehe, this is getting exciting.

“Snow~ hey, sorry for interrupting your lunch break. I need to prepare for the next class—oh?”

“Ah, Aki!”

Snow-san tightly grips my hand.

In her line of sight stands a dazzling, blond handsome guy.

With blue eyes and silky hair like a prince.

Tall, with a well-built body visible even over the uniform.

“Ah, Kasuya -san, let me introduce you—he is—”

“Hey, Snow. Yes, I’m Aki von Schwarz, your knight~. Oh, is he a new friend? That’s great! Expanding friendships is a good thing~!”

The blond handsome guy, called Aki, interrupts Snow-san and steps closer to me.

They seem close.

“Hey, you were talking about taking classes with Snow, right? Mind if I join?”

“Ah, yes.”

Aki, the blond dark handsome guy, smiles happily.

“The next class is about close-range magical combat techniques, right? I’m looking forward to it~. Let’s pair up, Kasuya -kun!”

…Is he interested in combat techniques?

For some reason, he seems really happy.

—He might be a good guy! That’s great!