Chapter 54: Chapter 54

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Confession of Barcop Devlizu

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Iris gently touched her reddened forehead.

It was the mark of the flick I'd given her that morning.

Still, she had cornered someone like that.

It was a punishment she deserved.

As I arrived at the dining hall with Iris, I saw students moving about busily.

Today was the day of the Summer Magic Palace Trials.

A subtle tension permeated the entire dining hall.

As Iris appeared, all eyes turned her way.

I quietly followed Iris, careful not to draw suspicion.

"Hania, did you hear?"

"It's huge news."

Perhaps it was due to Hania's natural friendliness.

Her friends often came up to talk to me.

"Sorry, everyone, I really want to focus on the Magic Palace today, so let's talk later."

But since it was the day of the Summer Magic Palace Trials.

When I spoke indirectly, they all understood and left.

"Lady Iris's team came in second in the group competition, didn't they?"

"She must be focusing to make up for that."

Fortunately, what happened in the group competition lent weight to my words.

Focusing on the Magic Palace Trials to make up for the humiliation of the group competition.

It was a perfectly understandable reason.

'See, it pays to work hard at everything.'

My past self.

I commend you.

One praise sticker for you.

'After all those twists and turns, the day is finally over.'

Now, all that was left was the Magic Palace Trials.

As I had to make my final appearance in Act 3, I was quite nervous too.

"Hania, let's go."

Amidst the tense atmosphere.

I headed to the Martial Arts building with Iris.

All students would gather at the Martial Arts building and proceed to the Magic Palace entrance under the professors' guidance.

As such, the area in front of the Martial Arts building was crowded with students.

A more tense atmosphere than usual emanated from everyone.

As I shifted my gaze, I also saw Hania, in Hanon's form, with Seron.

Hania had her arms crossed, a constant look of annoyance on her face.

It was obvious.

She wanted to be next to Iris but couldn't, so she was pouting.

Seron, who was next to her, had her lips tightly sealed, clearly awkward around Hania.

It showed Seron's social skills, or lack thereof.

Our Seron.

She's a communication dummy...

"Just like Hanon."

Iris whispered to me.

That annoyed expression is just like me?

For someone who always wore a kind smile, this was shocking news.

As I reeled from the shock, Isabel caught my eye.

Isabel looked at Hania, who was in Hanon's form, and for some reason, tilted her head.

Could she have noticed something?

Please, I hoped not.

"Haa, I'm tired."

"The Magic Palace Trials again?"

Meanwhile, several third-year students appeared.

Having already experienced multiple Magic Palace Trials, the third-years looked thoroughly fed up.

Unlike the second-years who had strong desires for improvement, most third-years reacted with a sense of resignation.

As they were dubbed the "weakest generation" by those around them.

Their will to strive was inherently weak.

Among those third-years.

I saw silvery hair that looked colder than usual.

Beneath the hair.

Chilling blue eyes were visible.

There was even a sense of gloom in those sharp eyes.

Nikita Cynthia.

An inexplicable chill emanated from her, reaching all the way to me.

At that moment, Nikita's head lifted.

I quickly averted my gaze before our eyes could meet.

I felt Nikita's gaze linger on Iris before moving away.

The subtle killing intent contained within it was something only I, who knew all the circumstances, could perceive.

"Haaah, looks like almost everyone's here."

Just as a strange tension was flowing, Professor Beganon appeared late.

Unlike her usual self, she was dressed in a proper suit, and she stifled a yawn that had lingered in her mouth.

Beside her were the Martial Arts professors in charge of the first and third years.

They were professors with such fierce faces that Beganon looked gentle by comparison.

However, Beganon had the highest seniority among them.

Behind them, associate professors and teaching assistants stood in a line.

With a considerable retinue, Beganon gestured to her junior professors to move.

"We will now move to the Magic Palace entrance. No commotion, everyone, let's move."

With the third-year professor's words, the Martial Arts students began to move.

Given the number of people.

It was quite a large procession.

By now, other departments besides Martial Arts would have also started moving.

Eventually, a truly vast number of students would gather in front of the Magic Palace entrance.

As I walked.

I kept feeling a gaze fixed on the back of my head.

Ever since we started moving, I kept feeling someone watching me from behind.

Could someone have realized I wasn't Hania?

I subtly scanned my surroundings, but none of the students seemed to be paying me any mind.

The students were all on edge, preparing for the Magic Palace Trials.

None of them were in a situation to pay attention to others.

'In that case.'

It meant the owner of the persistent gaze wasn't a student.

As I broadened my sense of the gaze, it reached the teaching assistants.

But even among the TAs, there was still no one looking at me.

Finally, the moment my perception of the gaze reached the faculty.

Only then did I spot someone staring intently in my direction.

One of the Martial Arts associate professors for the second-years.

Barcop Devlizu.

He was the second son of Count Devlizu, famous for his vast wealth.

And I knew of one incident related to Barcop.

'That bastard has a thing for minors.'

The incident where an associate professor at Jerion Academy was expelled for constantly following a student.

This was merely a brief news item within the academy.

It wasn't an event where the user directly intervened.

It was simply a stepping-stone episode that led to conflict between a professor and a student, stemming from this incident.

And it explained why Professor Beganon became an alcoholic.

And that guy was looking at me right now.

More precisely, he was looking at the shell of Hania that I was wearing.

A shiver ran down my spine instantly.

Those burning eyes were utterly repulsive.

'No wonder Hania, with her personality, couldn't immediately resolve the stalker issue.'

With an associate professor from a good family acting like that.

She probably couldn't resolve it rashly and had to observe the situation.

The problem was that the one he was looking at with those burning eyes was me.

For the first time in my life, I felt a murderous urge.

"We've arrived at the Magic Palace, so from now on, everyone find your team members before your names are called."

At that moment, we had already arrived at the Magic Palace.

As soon as Professor Beganon's order was given, I clung to Iris's side in horror.

"Lady Iris, let's go quickly."

If I felt that guy's gaze any longer, I felt like I'd use the Lightning Caller.

Iris seemed to sense this, as she said nothing and quickened her pace.

"Hania."

Just then.

Associate Professor Barcop appeared, blocking our path.

This crazy bastard.

"Lady Iris, may I speak with Hania for a moment?"

Professor Barcop gazed intently at me, his face resolute.

My hand, wearing the Lightning Caller, trembled.

I really wanted to hit him.

"That is."

Iris looked at Barcop with a troubled expression.

Iris had likely not intervened until now because Hania had told her she would handle the stalker issue herself.

But now, by some twist of fate, it was me, not Hania, who was involved.

Iris was at a loss as to what to do.

Students' gazes were starting to gather.

It would be troublesome if I drew suspicion here for no reason.

"Lady Iris, I'll be right back."

First, I decided to defuse the situation.

Since the third-years would be entering the Magic Palace first anyway.

The second-years still had some time.

When I stepped forward, Iris eventually gave her permission.

"Associate Professor Barcop, let's go."

"Oh, alright."

Barcop's face instantly brightened.

It was the complete opposite of mine.

Barcop led me to a spot a little distance away from where the crowd had gathered.

His furtive glances at me were pathetic.

What was inside this body right now was a 185cm tall, dark-haired man.

I couldn't imagine how much that guy would faint if he knew.

"So, what do you need?"

My voice instinctively sharpened.

But Barcop seemed completely oblivious, clearing his throat shyly.

"Hania, when I heard you were going to the Magic Palace this time, I just couldn't hold it in any longer and had to tell you."

It was only natural for a Jerion Academy student to go to the Magic Palace.

What was this nonsense?

"The Magic Palace is dangerous. Imagining you might not come back made me truly realize my feelings this time."

Barcop's thick jowls quivered.

My face slowly began to harden.

Don't tell me this guy.

He's going to confess here?

And of all times, when I'm inside Hania's body?

"Wait a minute. Associate Professor, what on earth..."

"Ha, Hania!"

Barcop was already resolute.

"I like you! I really wanted to tell you before you went to the Magic Palace!"

What was this thirty-something man spouting to a minor?

A sudden headache pulsed, and my fists clenched.

So this was "punishing someone with a confession."

Experiencing it firsthand, I understood how dizzying it was.

"Associate Professor Barcop, please calm down."

"Hania, answer me. I already know you have feelings for me too."

Barcop's eyes had already glazed over.

Just as I was about to deliver some extreme justice.

"Associate Professor Barcop, Hania is dating me, so that's rather awkward."

A voice I had truly not expected echoed in my ears.

I slowly, stiffly, turned my head.

And there stood a boy with jet-black hair and two red eyes.

Hanon Airey.

In other words, the real Hania was there.

"What?"

Hania's bombshell statement left Barcop momentarily dumbfounded.

Then Hania walked straight over and snatched my hand.

"Hania and I are dating, so that kind of confession is awkward."

Just like that, I was suddenly dating Hania.

No, wait, I *am* Hania right now.

Did I just start dating myself?

"Wh-What do you mean?"

Barcop looked back and forth between my hand and Hania's hand, his face flustered.

"Don't talk nonsense! I know perfectly well Hania isn't dating anyone!"

"Is that so? We only started dating yesterday."

Hania turned to me.

It was a signal to play along.

Left with no choice, I proudly held up our clasped hands.

"Yes, Hanon confessed yesterday, and we decided to date. So, I can't accept your feelings, Associate Professor Barcop."

"Th-That can't be."

Barcop stumbled backward.

The shock of rejection seemed too great for him.

I wished he'd just drop dead right there.

"Don't make me laugh. Prove it!"

Barcop shrieked repulsively.

What proof was needed when the people involved said it was true?

Hania, too, seemed to be getting annoyed dealing with Barcop and let out a sigh.

"Hania, let's do what we did yesterday."

What did we do yesterday?

At that moment, Hania snatched my chin.

Indeed, the skill of the Martial Arts vice-head.

Her hand movements were practically invisible.

Hania's face came right in front of mine.

Her lips and mine were almost touching.

But Hania's lips and mine subtly did not touch.

It was an incredible display of skill.

However, since the back of Hania's head was facing Professor Barcop.

To anyone watching from behind, it was unmistakably a kiss.

Realizing Hania's intention, I subtly raised my hand and wrapped it around her back.

The finale.

And then Professor Barcop shrieked.

"No. No! It can't be!"

Associate Professor Barcop couldn't handle the reality and ran off.

It was Barcop's most agonizing heartbreak of his life.