Chapter 45

She runs.

"Master!"

Kim Deok-seong calls out, his voice cracking.

His footsteps come to a halt.

"Ah, are you crazy? Hey, I told you not to call me that, didn't I?"

Kim Deok-seong frowns.

His eyes, devoid of any warmth, filled only with disgust.

But Nishizawa Eri doesn't mind those eyes.

In fact, she likes them.

Unlike other men, he doesn't see her as an object of desire.

She speaks in a trembling voice.

"......Why did you save me? I haven't been forgiven, and I did a lot of bad things to you......"

"That?"

Kim Deok-seong hesitates for a moment, then waves his hand with an annoyed expression.

"You agreed to be my servant if you lost the duel, right? But expulsion would be a bit problematic. I can't use you if you're expelled. I didn't save you because you're pretty or because I forgave you. I saved you because you're still useful. So, from now on, you better roll over and play dead until you're useless. Then I'll throw you away without mercy, got it?"

Nishizawa Eri's eyes widen at his words.

She wipes away her tears with the back of her hand.

Only now does Nishizawa Eri understand what Olivia meant.

That only Kim Deok-seong has the qualifications to have the French princess as his exclusive maid.

'Princess was right.'

There's no one else.

A man who doesn't see her as an object of desire.

A kind savior who covered for her and saved her from the brink of expulsion.

If he saved her just before she fell off a cliff, she would gladly dedicate her entire body and soul to him.

Nishizawa Eri smiles faintly and says,

"......Yeah. I'll be Master's loyal slave!"

"Is this for real? You're really crazy. Damn. Let's go. Don't follow me. You'll die if you do."

Kim Deok-seong waves his hand in disgust and leaves with Olivia.

Watching his retreating figure, Nishizawa Eri smiles.

The warmth from the collar around her neck.

"Master is kind."

Her soft mutter is carried away by the spring breeze.

Kim Cheon-ji must have had good luck.

The next morning after the disciplinary committee.

On the way to school.

It takes 30 minutes to walk from the dormitory to the main building where the classrooms are.

It's unnecessarily long.

Not only that.

The artificial island in Tokyo Bay where Shuou Hero Academy is located boasts an abnormal size.

Several times larger than Yoido.

This is all because the original author thought it would be great to create a city-sized academy without any proper planning.

Of course, the author had some excuses prepared.

'It's because of the ruins under the academy.'

The artificial island where Shuou Hero Academy is located was supposedly built to seal underwater ruins, a hastily created setting.

The reason why Messiah, the leader of the global terrorist organization New World League, is obsessed with destroying a kindergarten-like academy is also because he covets the underground ruins.

The underground ruins 'Broken World' are the main stage of the later part of the original story.

The existence of the ruins is known only to a handful of people, including the principal Seira and the association president Ichiro.

But that's beside the point.

'It's too far.'

There's no helping the annoyance of having to wake up early every morning.

I tried to avoid the first period when I registered for classes.

Even in college, the dormitory wasn't this far from the lecture hall.

Just as I was getting tired of the endless walk to school.

"Today is a pleasant morning, huh. Hehe."

Olivia is smiling for some reason.

I used to walk to school with the protagonist, but since two days ago, Olivia has started joining us.

I don't know why she's doing this, but I know she won't listen even if I tell her not to, so I just let her be.

It's convenient that she carries my bag, saying it's her duty as an exclusive maid.

It would be great if she didn't suddenly go tsundere.

"If it weren't for that woman, it would have been really nice."

Olivia's gaze turns to Shinozaki Rin, who is on my left.

Somehow, Shinozaki Rin has also started joining us on the way to school since yesterday, after hearing that Olivia was doing so.

"Kurose is my childhood friend. There's no reason not to walk together, right?"

"I know that's just an excuse? Eeeek!"

"Wouldn't it be better if you stopped carrying the master's bag every morning, exclusive maid?"

"Hmph, the only thing you can do is keep those mediocre guys away from the master! That's my duty as the exclusive maid, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! So, scram!"

Snap.

She holds my bag in her left hand and places her right hand on her ample chest, declaring confidently.

Can't you stop talking about being an exclusive maid in front of everyone?

And the "master"?

My cheeks burn.

"Well, it seems you're not trying to hide your relationship anymore."

"Master......"

"Indeed, the 'Black Demon'....... Scary......"

The students' gazes are already starting to converge.

But what?

"Black Demon?"

What does that mean?

Surely not.

"......It's a nickname attached to Kim."

Kurose Yuki answers kindly, even though I didn't ask.

As expected, the protagonist of a light novel is kind even in unnecessary parts.

That's exactly what I expected.

Cursing rises in my throat.

I was prepared for some kind of nickname or curse to stick to me eventually.

But I never thought it would be a nickname that makes me want to vomit just by hearing it.

How can every day be so new and yet so terrible?

This crazy light novel world.

"Honestly, I think it's a fitting nickname."

"......Hmph. Idiot, the biggest fool in the galaxy!"

Rin and Olivia, who were just fighting, now seem to be in cahoots, glaring at me.

"What's fitting about it? Stop talking nonsense. And I know you two don't get along, but stop fighting every morning. It's making me sick."

If every morning is like this, I might as well give up and go to school alone.

I don't want to start the day with a sour stomach.

Rin and Olivia shut their mouths like ghosts.

"Hmph."

Olivia, still pouting and blushing, as if something is bothering her.

"Ku."

Shinozaki Rin, biting her lip.

Sigh.

I should just give up.

But it's nice to have some peace and quiet.

Halfway through the silent walk to school.

In the distance, Nishizawa Eri is seen putting trash into a large bag with tongs.

She seems to be doing community service on campus.

Seeing her reminds me of the terrifying events of yesterday.

When she called me "Master," I thought she was a killer from a horror movie.

I got goosebumps all over.

Does she really think I saved her because she's pretty?

If it weren't for the principal and the final boss, or if she didn't have the potential to become a villain, she would have been expelled long ago.

"Master!"

Nishizawa Eri waves and smiles happily.

"Damn it......"

Cursing escapes my lips.

I clearly told her not to do that, but in this crazy world, not a single person listens when you point something out.

"I've been doing community service since this morning. Isn't that good? Praise me."

Nishizawa Eri approaches quickly, smiling widely.

Praise?

Is she crazy?

"Who said anything about praise? Community service is a punishment. Keep getting punished and you'll stay in trouble. Don't talk to me unnecessarily."

I have no intention of forgiving her, no matter what delusions she has.

Just thinking about what she did makes me shudder.

If she weren't useful.

I should be grateful that I didn't get a worse punishment.

"Okay."

Nishizawa Eri grins.

Why is she like this?

Has she really lost her mind since then?

A sigh escapes me.

It's fortunate that she's only supposed to be absent from important classes like the model gate practical, and not from the classroom.

If I hear that "Master" nonsense in the classroom, I might explode.

Rin steps forward and glares coldly at Nishizawa.

"What nerve do you have to talk to us now?"

For some reason, Rin looks beautiful today.

That's right. Do this, not that seduction nonsense.

Nishizawa Eri frowns.

Her eyes sharpen.

The familiar expression she used when condemning me.

"I have a relationship with Master. It's none of your business. And don't speak so freely about 'us.' Shinozaki, you're just a woman with nothing but muscles in your brain. I feel sick. You're trash."

Why are they like this?

Rin's eyebrows twitch.

She laughs coldly and places her hand on her chest.

Rin's indigo eyes focus on Nishizawa Eri's chest.

"Talking about 'woman power'....... That's not something a woman with small breasts should say. I heard men prefer larger ones. By that standard, you're the one lacking in woman power, aren't you?"

"Who, who said they're small! No! They're not small! Absolutely not small! They're average! A full B-cup! Large breasts are just heavy lumps of fat!"

"Even if you criticize my ample chest, it won't make your small size any bigger. How sad."

Breast size? What?

What kind of crazy talk am I hearing this early in the morning?

I'm going insane.

I feel dizzy and nauseous.

The sky seems to be turning gray.

The toast I had for breakfast is coming back up.

Is this walk to school more exhausting than climbing Everest?

I look at Nishizawa Eri, trying to suppress my disgust.

Nishizawa Eri and Shinozaki Rin.

I dislike both, but if Nishizawa Eri is a minus one, Shinozaki Rin is a minus one thousand.

"Hey, Nishizawa. Don't start unnecessary, disgusting arguments. Keep doing your community service if you don't want to be expelled."

So, I have to take Rin's side to end this disgusting and destructive fight.

"......If Master says so, okay. I'll do it."

"Stop calling me that. If you don't want to die."

"I'll work hard at my community service! For Master!"

Nishizawa Eri quickly retreats, holding the bag and tongs.

Her last words are definitely meant to make me angry.

Indeed, there are no normal people in this crazy world.

"The service of the top SSS-rank beauty in the prefecture....... Indeed, the Black Demon......."

"Does he only like big ones?"

"Now I respect him......."

"How far does Kim's demon power extend?"

I hear the students' voices.

I'm going crazy.

I feel like I've aged ten years just walking to school.

I want to tell them to shut up, but that would only spread the rumor about the demon power.

This is a no-win situation.

Then.

"Did you take my side?"

I hear Shinozaki Rin's voice.

I turn my head.

I see Rin's indigo eyes, which are wide open.

"I didn't do it because I like you. I just can't stand that damn Nishizawa."

Who said I like you?

Just thinking about the breast size comment makes me furious.

I don't understand why Rin is so obsessed with breasts.

If I ever have to deal with someone named Shinozaki, I'll be in trouble. Really.

"......Ah, I see."

Shinozaki Rin turns her head and smiles faintly.

"Hey, what are you smiling about so annoyingly?"

"I just think the exclusive maid should step back a bit."

"What?! You should......"

"Both of you, shut up. If you don't, I'll leave you behind."

The two of them fall silent again.

They always fight like this. Every time.

I sigh and continue walking the now quiet path to school.

The main building of the academy is in sight.

Finally, I've arrived.

*

Shuou Hero Academy main building.

1st-year A class.

The last class of the day.

"Today, I will assign pairs for the model gate practical!"

Teacher Mayuzumi waves her hand while holding the attendance book.

The model gate practical is a two-person team.

But that's not all.

Unlike Korean web novels where teams of four or more are the norm, most of the practicals at Shuou Hero Academy are two-person teams.

'This is just a convenient idea to pair the protagonist and heroine for lucky ecchi events.'

The model gate practical is the final episode of the first volume.

Olivia, who suddenly appeared, recognized the protagonist Yuki Kurose's skills and qualifications as a hero, and developed a liking for him.

Naturally, Olivia will be Yuki's partner in the original story.

The problem is me.

There's no way the original story would include a team assignment for Kim Deok-seong, an extra who was thoroughly beaten and dismissed in the first volume.

"Then, I'll announce the pair assignments!"

Teacher Mayuzumi places her hand on her chest and clicks the presentation remote.

A strange sound effect plays, and the pair assignments appear on the screen.

As expected, Olivia is paired with Yuki Kurose.

"Why am I paired with someone like you?"

"Please, let's work well together......"

"Stop talking to me."

I hear their conversation from behind.

A tone of genuine dislike, different from the usual tsundere behavior.

It's natural, given that the lucky ecchi episode was ruined and they have almost no connection now.

So far, everything is as in the original story.

Now it's time to check my assignment.

'Please, Ishihara. Just Ishihara.'

His gangster-like way of speaking and calling me "bro" is annoying, but he's the most convenient partner.

I don't know if he's genuinely moved after the cherry blossom festival, but he's cooperative, making him easy to use.

I search for my name among the student list, hoping for Ishihara.

But there.