Chapter 20

'What is it? Exactly which part made the affection level rise?'

Professor Ilya said in an indifferent tone.

"It's a punishment for rudeness."

I became even more confused.

If it's a punishment, why did the affection level rise?

I don't remember setting up a scenario where Professor Ilya has strange tastes...

Is this a gap that emerged because the game became reality?

'Anyway, if it's like this, I need to be cautious even when the affection level rises.'

The more the affection level rises, the harsher the punishment might be.

Still, I thought it was a relatively lenient punishment and asked Professor Ilya.

"Until when do I need to finish reading?"

"It's best to finish as soon as possible. You need to understand it all to attend this year's lectures."

'Does that mean I have to finish reading before the lectures start?'

Lectures are starting from tomorrow, and he wants me to finish reading in one day?

'Ugh. Reading a magic book is fine, but it seems physically impossible.'

So, I was definitely going to pull an all-nighter.

I nodded with a darkened expression.

"Understood. I'll finish reading and get it checked."

At the word "checked," Professor Ilya raised an eyebrow.

I couldn't understand the meaning behind that gesture.

Just by his expression, it seemed like he was asking, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

I'm not brave enough to stay in a sealed room with a demon disguised as a human, isolated from the outside world.

'Can I leave now?'

When I hugged the book to my chest and quietly stood up, Ilya didn't say anything.

'Phew. It seems I can leave.'

I quickly bowed my head.

"Then I'll leave, Professor."

Ilya nodded once.

I turned around and quickly left the lab.

"Phew. It was suffocating."

Who would like being alone with a professor?

Especially a professor who is actually a demon... it was quite different.

'And he happens to be my advisor.'

I let out a hollow laugh and trudged toward the dormitory.

Valhalla, mostly attended by nobles, didn't have as tight a schedule as a university in Korea.

On the first day of the semester, we met our advisors or engaged in social activities, rather than attending classes.

'But I have to finish reading this book in one day.'

I suddenly wondered how Liv and Damian were doing, but I didn't feel like going to the freshmen ceremony.

My nose is long, my nose is long.

'I can't finish reading it even if I stay up all night, but I might as well start reading.'

I was being shown the annex I would use for the next year by the dormitory manager.

"Miss Therese!"

"Oh! It really is Miss Therese!"

Attracted by the friendly voices, I turned my head to see a dazzling group of noble young ladies.

They giggled and approached me, chattering away.

"Ah, it's been so long! I was so bored not seeing Miss Therese during the break."

"By the way, did you receive the birthday gift I sent? I was very disappointed there wasn't a party this time."

"I made a lot of new portrait cards of Lord Clyde!"

"But what happened in the lobby just now? Miss Mimosa seemed very flustered. Did Miss Demisa finally come to her senses and surrender to the Clyde Fan Club?"

Oh, it's chaotic.

I shook my head.

They were all members of the Clyde Fan Club.

I could tell at a glance from the silver butterfly brooches with sapphires, which symbolized the club.

Incidentally, the emblem of the Demisa Fan Club was a golden rose with ruby petals.

Even though I wasn't wearing the silver butterfly brooch today, no one seemed to find it strange.

'Does this mean my position is so solid that it won't be shaken even without the brooch?'

That thought didn't make me feel good...

I said somewhat dejectedly,

"I just introduced my sister to Miss Mimosa and exchanged greetings."

They looked at me with curious eyes.

"We've heard about Miss Therese's sister. She must be finishing the ceremony and getting a tour of the school right now."

"Your relationship with your sister seems good?"

"She's a great beauty! Of course, not compared to Miss Therese."

In the original story, Liv, as a new student, immediately faced harassment from the Clyde Fan Club.

Since Therese was the president of the club.

However, this time, because I came to school with Liv and acted friendly, the Clyde Fan Club was being nice to her.

"I hope everyone treats my sister well."

"Of course! As Miss Therese's sister, she's one of us in the Clyde Fan Club!"

'But once Clyde and Liv get close, this superficial kindness will break.'

If Liv chooses the Clyde route, Therese and the Clyde Fan Club become the main antagonists.

'As long as I'm the president, the Clyde Fan Club won't harass Liv.'

The problem was Damian.

Among the four male leads, Damian had the lowest difficulty to pursue.

'Damian hates and despises nobles the most, but Liv has the unique point of living like a commoner as a member of a traveling theater troupe.'

That's a very important point.

["You're different from the nobles I know."]

That's the kind of line Damian says when his heart is three-quarters full.

Liv is a character with too many attractive elements, from her personality and appearance to her unfortunate past, making it impossible for anyone not to love her.

If Damian realizes Liv's true worth soon, he will naturally develop feelings for her.

'If that happens, Mimosa won't sit idly by.'

Of course, it won't happen in a short time, but it would be good to prepare by dealing with the antagonists to some extent.

'Is there a way to get rid of the fan club entirely?'

"Miss Therese?"

I was lost in thought for a moment and snapped back to reality when my name was called.

"Ah, sorry. What were you talking about?"

The young ladies were startled.

"Sorry...? Don't say that! Miss Therese, you should treat us like bugs and be merciless and heartless!"

"Yes, yes. As a noble lady, Miss Therese has no reason to apologize to us. Please look down on us even more!"

'Oh... this is an insult? Are they mocking me?'

But their expressions were incredibly serious.

'This is why they say you shouldn't keep people around who only say nice things to you.'

This isn't a self-esteem booster; it's a broken truck with no brakes, heading toward destruction together.

'Even though it wasn't particularly nice to hear...'

"By the way, Miss Therese! Where are you going?"

"To the dormitory."

"The dormitory?"

The young ladies tilted their heads, then noticed the townhouse built for nobles and looked even more puzzled.

"Oh, I've never seen the dormitory even in my third year. It looks like a tiny toy house!"

'A toy house? Of course, compared to the mansions where nobles live, it might look like a cottage.'

But it still follows the form of a wealthy neighborhood.

I understood a bit why Raoul made such a fuss this morning.

'If they react this way, Therese, as a noble lady, must have cursed the place, calling it a chicken coop.'

Still, it's a bit too much.

Which university would give a two-story detached house as a dormitory?

I was going to enjoy the benefits of this ridiculous setting.

The manager who guided me to the dormitory handed me the key.

"You'll be staying here from now on."

When I took the key, the young ladies looked shocked.

"Miss Therese, you're going to stay in the dormitory?!"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You can only bring one maid from your family."

"This building doesn't even have a yard! It must be because the house is too small."

I shrugged.

"It doesn't seem too difficult. The dormitory is pretty. I like it because it feels like having a cottage."

"Miss Therese... Is everything okay?"

My answer didn't seem like something Therese would say, and they all looked worried.

Then a young lady with her hair in two braids exclaimed.

"Goodness. I can't stand Miss Therese!"

'...What?'

I blinked slowly, not understanding.

"Clyde-sama is also staying in the dormitory this year! I couldn't bear to live in the dormitory, so I gave up. You're really amazing."

Only then did the young ladies realize why I chose the dormitory, and they looked very impressed.

"Of course...!"

"Indeed, Miss Therese. I'll work harder too!"

"You also successfully broke off your engagement. Fabio Youngshik didn't suit you at all. It's a relief."

Hmm. I feel a bit awkward, having unintentionally become a fan.

"I just chose the dormitory to focus on my studies."

"Really? Haha!"

The young ladies burst into laughter simultaneously.

They seemed to think I was joking.