Chapter 21

"Who do you think you are?"

Caught off guard by the intense words, Merk lost for words.

Then, after a moment, he thought, 'It has finally begun.'

However, the girl who confronted Merk was not Angelina.

"Are you listening?"

"Um, yes..."

Merk did not know this girl, a young lady who could be considered a 'mob' character.

Merk thought she might be one of Angelina's 'followers.'

"Just because you have good grades doesn't mean anything if you lack other qualities."

"…What?"

The reason was his grades. Merk's persecution could not be confused with the in-game and real-life situations.

He needed to keep a record of what was said and done in reality.

Eventually, he would have to prove that he would never be in a position to be blamed.

Even after entering the academy, he had faced many instances of harassment.

The thought of it becoming more serious made Merk feel down.

Merk had advanced to the second year.

In the first year, he lost the top position to Angelina in the final exams.

However, in the subsequent two final exams, Merk and Dennis took the top and second positions.

Dennis, with whom Merk often conversed, was someone Merk tried to help with his heart problems using his game knowledge.

Despite his intelligence, Dennis had issues similar to Fried's.

Dennis, the third son of the Caldwell family, was confident that he was the most capable among his siblings, but he was dissatisfied that his older brother would inherit the title simply because of birth order.

He was not angry about becoming a marquis but rather about not being recognized by his father, the prime minister.

Dennis was the hero, but he was a proud man. The eldest son of the Caldwell family was a marquis.

The second son had already become a knight and joined the royal knight corps.

Therefore, Dennis decided to become a prime minister, knowing he could not become a marquis.

What Dennis needed was affirmation of his chosen path.

It seemed simple, but in reality, only Merk, who was in a rival-like position, could reach him.

Dennis could not build good relationships with those he did not recognize.

Proud as he was, Dennis only opened his heart to the heroine.

That was Dennis Caldwell.

Eventually, after much hardship and growth, he would achieve his dream of becoming a prime minister.

In the second year, Leonhardt became the student council president.

Leonhardt, being a prince, had not been part of the student council until his second year.

Until last year, the student council was led by the then-third-year students and Carlos.

Leonhardt's appointment as student council president, bypassing Carlos, was likely part of his royal status.

Leonhardt and Carlos were third-year students.

Merk, Dennis, and Fried were second-year students.

These five were the current student council members of the royal academy.

Merk believed that this situation had intensified the jealousy around him.

Indeed, he had been told several times that he was favored by the student council.

"Ha..."

"What's wrong, Merk?"

"Your Highness Leonhardt..."

Merk did not intend to delve deeper into their personal issues.

He had joined the student council for the Leonhardt route.

Thus, being asked about the other four was disheartening.

(I'm just trying to help everyone...)

The 'mob' girls would eventually be punished, but the game did not specify who they were.

There were many characters involved, and the only significant one was Angelina.

The events would be resolved by her condemnation.

Even if bullying occurred, Merk could not use his game knowledge to gather proper evidence in reality.

Direct harm could be traced back to him, but indirect actions were difficult to handle.

(And, I need to properly gather evidence of Angelina's involvement...)

He did not want to fabricate evidence. Therefore, Merk had to wait, which meant a long and patient battle.

"It's nothing... really."

Merk brushed it off and continued to find solace in Leonhardt's presence.

Unfortunately, there was no way to see the affection levels of the characters numerically.

Thus, Merk had to continue 'conquering' them by trial and error.

He realized how difficult it was around last winter.

The 'progress of the story' in reality was slow, and he lacked a sense of advancement.

The increasingly difficult studies were also a significant burden.

While he did not want to give up on Leonhardt, the thought of enduring bullying was disheartening.

(In reality, conquering the game is tough. It's really hard... But I won't give up.)

If he could complete the game, a happy ending was promised.

A happy ending with Leonhardt.

For that, he could probably endure being a student.

Listening to the noble girls' nasty remarks would be part of it.

(That's right. Until then...)

It was just a matter of time, and Merk steeled himself.

"Merk"

"Ah, Carlos. Sorry for involving you."

"...No, it's fine."

Merk was borrowing Carlos's help to carry student council documents.

Merk also carried some of the lighter documents.

Merk glanced at Carlos, who was walking beside him.

(Carlos hasn't changed much... He's always been the 'ice prince' type.)

Of course, he wasn't trying to 'conquer' Carlos, so that was fine.

However, Carlos's lack of change was a concern for Merk.

If he were to be with the heroine, he would surely smile.

"...Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just... a little thing."

Still, compared to the beginning, they had become much closer.

If he had tried to 'conquer' Carlos in reality, it would have been even more difficult.

"...How is Angelina doing lately?"

This was a question Merk had asked Carlos multiple times over the past six months.

Merk was always concerned about Angelina.

"...She hasn't changed. Her sister is doing well."

"Is that so?"

Not changing could be a good or bad thing for Merk.

"...Recently, she has been treated harshly by others."

"Really?"

"I heard from Dennis. If you are being treated unfairly, come to us for help. You became a special student and joined the student council through your own efforts. You have the grades to compete with Dennis. You don't deserve to be criticized by those who haven't achieved as much."

"Carlos..."

It was a kind thing to say.

(Maybe Carlos's affection level is high? I can't tell just from his expression...)

"Direct actions are clear, but do you have any suspicions about indirect ones, Merk?"

Direct nasty remarks were bad but manageable.

However, recently, his belongings were being hidden or damaged, and the culprit had not been found.

(There's no evidence, but... the mastermind is probably Angelina.)

The executor was uncertain, but Merk believed that the 'villainous noble girl' Angelina was behind the persecution.

These incidents would accumulate and lead to the condemnation at the graduation party.

"...Do you have any suspicions, Merk?"

"Ah, um..."

"...Who is it?"

"No, it's just..."

Merk thought it was not the right time to mention Angelina's name.

Without evidence, confronting her could lead to her escaping, which would affect the future condemnation.

If that happened, Merk might face retribution.

"I don't know. Ha ha..."

"...It sounds like a lie. You're a poor liar."

"No! Really! I can't tell Carlos."

"...Me?"

"Yes! Sorry!"

Merk knew it was not the right time to say anything and dodged, running away.

"......"

Merk did not notice the shocked expression on Carlos's face as he watched him leave.