Chapter 36

### Chapter 36: Preparation

The long weekend finally came to an end.

Although the dorm room felt smaller due to the crazy succubus, her appearance was beautiful, so it wasn't bad to keep her as an ornamental pet.

Is this what it feels like to grow a bonsai? No, it's a bit different, isn't it?

I set up the broadcasting equipment that was delivered this morning, so I guess the broadcast will go well on its own.

I tried a game last night, and after just an hour, I adapted to it and started cursing the jungler, so I wasn't worried.

"Damn, now that I think about it, I didn't go to the orphanage."

Well, I could skip it for a week.

Baek Ayoung said she would be a dungeon helper this week, so I can say I had something to do.

"Did you have a good weekend?"

"Hey, good morning. Yo."

In the lecture hall, Kim Young-han approached me.

Since I can't play with Lucy and Lumi, Kim Young-han is the only friend I have left.

"Still not made up with Lucy? I told you, Lucy has a strong ego, so you should apologize first."

"…."

I know, you little brat. I can't even tell you that I deliberately lowered her affection to gain momentum. Sigh.

I glanced at Lucy, who was sitting in the corner.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 17]

– [Lust: 10]

– [Hunger: 40]

– [Fatigue: 20]

She's still falling, but it's not enough yet.

I need to drop it to the bottom and then slightly raise it at the end.

This is the state I want.

The story where Lucy, who didn't trust me, is betrayed by someone she trusted and then saved by me.

It's cliché, but it might not feel that way to the person experiencing it.

I already have a plan.

Lucy isn't even looking this way, and Lumi, who was organizing her books, met my eyes and was startled.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 65]

– [Lust: 68]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 25]

Her reaction was cute, and I smiled slightly as I checked Lumi's status window.

That's strange. Last time, her lust was slightly lower than her affection, but now it has surpassed it.

Is something really going on?

I'll have to probe her later.

I winked at Lumi, who was blinking, and turned my head forward.

"Alright, I'll stop talking now. You must have your own thoughts, right?"

"Thanks."

I won't cross the line, considering my position.

He's a good guy, but why is he a blonde delinquent? I'm still curious about the creators' intentions.

"Class is about to start. Let's sit down."

"Okay."

---

The boring theory class in the morning ended, and in the afternoon, we had a specialized class for mages.

The professor in charge of mages is Im Sol.

Our relationship has changed quite a bit since the first class, and it feels strange to see her in class.

"Ah... come on in."

I saw Im Sol sitting at the front of the lecture hall, casually acknowledging the students.

This class is being held in the lecture hall, unlike the previous one.

It seems that complaints about the practical classes, where the professors just gave feedback, led to this change.

Those who don't know how important the professor's feedback is. Tsk.

Anyway, this is the worst situation for Im Sol.

She's a my-way type and hates anything troublesome.

"Hi, everyone. You know who I am, right? Today, the academy specifically asked me to do a theory class, so I'm here in the lecture hall. Today, I'll teach you about barriers."

Thin layers of magical power began to stack on Im Sol's hand.

"Barriers should be efficient. To make the 'barrier' skill useful, you need to use less mana than your opponent to block their attack."

Indeed, if that's not the case, I could just counter with an attack spell.

"By the way, it's a bit different from the magical defense shield you use to block sudden attacks. That technique uses a lot of mana to block an attack instantly."

The layers of magical power on Im Sol's hand merged into a single barrier.

"First, this is the easiest form for beginners... I've also tried other forms of transformation."

The teaching assistant distributed papers to each student.

The papers had various magic circles for barriers, from beginner to advanced levels. It seems she prepared thoroughly.

The explanations of the magic circles and formulas were detailed enough for the students to understand.

'She really did prepare. For a theory class.'

But when I saw the dark circles under the teaching assistant's eyes, I changed my mind.

No, that's not like her.

"Since you've all seen it, let's practice. No, wait. That would be the same as the practical class. I can't do this twice."

I focused on the magic circles drawn on the printout.

The basic barrier Im Sol showed.

I looked at the magic circle on the printout.

The layers of magical power stacking to form a barrier.

I imagined the layers of magical power stacking and forming a barrier, making a swishing sound.

My high mana control, derived from my [Mana Sensitivity], turned my imagination into reality.

The mana flowing from my hand formed a thin layer and then transformed into a barrier.

'Easy.'

The clear blue mana and thick layers of magical power showed the barrier's strength.

I skipped the intermediate level and looked at the advanced magic circle.

The advanced level isn't just stacking thin layers.

It involves drawing out the mana thinly and manifesting it in a double helix structure, then weaving it like a fabric.

It's more efficient and stronger than just stacking layers, absorbing impacts and becoming even more solid.

'This is really difficult, isn't it?'

But even if I could draw out the mana in a double helix, it didn't feel like it would serve as a barrier.

"Hmm, there's one good student. You there, what's your name? Lumi student? Want to come up?"

Im Sol's eyes met mine, but she quickly looked away and called Lumi's name.

She seemed to want to hide my talent.

"Yes, yes! Yes!"

Lumi, surprised to be called, looked like she had bitten her tongue.

"I saw you doing the best, so show the others."

"Yes, yes."

Lumi looked around nervously and then drew out the double helix mana from her hand.

What, pretending to be weak and then pulling out an advanced barrier?

Lumi somehow completed the barrier, and Im Sol evaluated it positively.

'Now I understand.'

To use a barrier well, the willpower in the mana is important.

Since a barrier is created to block an opponent's attack, imagining a fixed, solid, and impenetrable image while drawing out the mana makes it more efficient.

"Good job. Go back to your seat."

Lumi hurried back to her seat.

"Good job, Lumi! You're the best."

"Hehe, thanks, Lucy."

I heard Lucy and Lumi talking from the back.

I glanced back and saw Lucy's face brighten.

But it's about time she came to me.

---

After class, Lucy and Lumi were chatting with other girls in the class.

"Ugh, it's so hard. I don't think barriers are for me. No matter how hard I try, I can't make one."

"Yeah, Lumi is special, right? Isn't she the best in the class for barriers?"

Lucy's best female friend, Lee Ji-eun, agreed.

"Of course. Our Lumi is amazing. Didn't you see her drawing out the double helix during class?"

"Stop it, Lucy!"

Lumi's face turned red, embarrassed by Lucy and Ji-eun's praise.

"Ah, why? It's true."

"Hey, guys, hi?"

"Oh, Felix, did your class end too?"

"Yes, mine just ended."

Felix had become close enough to use informal language with Lucy, even over the weekend.

"Hi, Felix."

"Hi, Ji-eun."

"Good timing! We were going to a café. Do you want to come? Lumi, you're coming too, right?"

"Uh, yes. Let's go together."

Lumi was still hesitant about Felix, but since Lucy liked it, she went along with the flow.

"Hey, wait. By the way, Felix, didn't you get dragged away by Lee Ho-yeon on Friday? Are you okay?"

Lee Ji-eun, who loves rumors, covered her mouth and asked Felix.

"Ah, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Wait, what? Why did Lee Ho-yeon drag you away?"

Lucy reacted sensitively to the name "Lee Ho-yeon."

"It's nothing, really. It's no big deal, Lucy."

"Nothing? That means something happened, right?"

"Uh..."

Felix was thinking about how to explain to Lucy.

He had already built a good relationship with Lucy.

How he explained it here could influence Lee Ho-yeon's image.

His thoughts were brief.

He decided to cooperate with Lee Ho-yeon but could discard him at any time.

He didn't think it was necessary to praise another guy in front of Lucy.

"Be honest. What did you hear?"

Felix sighed deeply and shivered like a scared puppy.

"Actually... he threatened me, saying he would kill me if I approached you and Lumi."

"What, what?"

"Lee Ho-yeon wouldn't do that!"

Lumi shouted in protest, but Felix's acting skills were excellent.

"But it's true. As soon as class ended, he came to the B class and dragged me away. Then, in a place where no one was, he threatened me not to approach you. He said you were his and that I shouldn't covet you."

"Damn, that guy is crazy!"

"Lucy, calm down. Don't get excited! It's not confirmed yet!"

"Can I not get excited?!"

Lucy, a heroine from the original "Sex Academy," has a setting she can't escape.

She has a strong ego and never apologizes first after a fight.

She tries to find flaws in the other person and belittle them to make herself right.

One reason she quickly became close to Felix was his magic, but also her subconscious defense mechanism to affirm "Felix, who denies Lee Ho-yeon."

Of course, after the Felix incident, her character softens and grows, but not yet.

"It's okay. I don't care about that. As long as you're here, I'm fine."

"No, it's not okay. I'll go and warn him myself."

"Uh, uh? No, you don't have to..."

"No, I have to."

Lucy abandoned her plan to go to the café, grabbed her bag, and ran off.

"..."

Felix regretted saying something unnecessary, but Lucy was already far away.

---

"Hmm."

Is Lilia doing well?

I decided to check on Lilia at the dorm and then go to the training room.

I think I can further develop the barrier I learned earlier.

If I mix my original technique with the advanced barrier magic, it could quickly become a skill.

"A~ subscriptions and likes. And notifications too~."

"Hey! Lee Ho-yeon!"

Feeling good, I was reacting to myself when I heard someone call my name.

I turned around and saw Lucy glaring at me.

Finally, she came.

I expected Lucy to come after Felix openly called her.

I thought she would come by the weekend at the latest, but it seems she just heard the news.

...Did she hear me say "subscriptions and likes"?

"What did you talk about with Felix on Friday?"

Fortunately, things went as I intended.

Now, I just need to set the stage.

"What do you want to know? We didn't talk about much."

"Really, this is your last chance. Be honest."

She's really angry.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 9]

– [Lust: 15]

– [Hunger: 25]

– [Fatigue: 35]

Her affection has dropped to a single digit.

It seems she heard some terrible slander from Felix.

I pretended to be angry.

"I told him not to approach you and Lumi. Is that okay?"

"Why? What right do you have to do that?"

"I did it all for you..."

"If you really cared about me, you shouldn't have done that to Felix from the start!"

Lucy is on the verge of losing it.

If we keep fighting, we won't be able to communicate, so I need to back down a bit.

"...Lucy, do you trust Felix?"

"Yes, of course. Felix and I are friends."

I asked carefully, and Lucy answered confidently.

"I don't know what rumors you heard, but do you have any evidence?"

"Evidence... I don't have it! But I know you dragged Felix away!"

"You believe everything Felix says, but why don't you believe me? Don't you find that strange?"

"That's because Felix... ugh."

Lucy's strong ego and Felix's suggestions have created an abnormal mental state.

If I just touch one point, she would realize her state is abnormal, but I don't plan to leave it at that.

Lucy has a "setting" where she goes berserk when she's angry.

As a heroine, she can't escape this innate setting.

Based on this "setting," Lucy's resistance to magic drops extremely when she's angry.

'Rigar de Nue'

The mana spreading from my feet turned into magic and entered Lucy's toes.

The Glare of Hatred.

A spell that makes the first person you see a man to hate.

"Lucy, everything I did was for you. Think about it one more time..."

I slowly reached out my hand while talking to the enchanted Lucy.

"Get lost!"

Smack!

Lucy slapped my hand away and glared at me fiercely.

"I know everything. I know you're after my and Lumi's bodies, and that you threatened to kill Felix! I won't be fooled by a guy again. I won't be a victim!"

"...Lucy."

The magic worked.

It will continue as long as I don't release it or she doesn't receive a strong mental shock.

"It's a relief to cut ties with scum like you. Don't ever show your face in front of me again."

Lucy spat out harsh words, pushed me, and started walking away.

"Lucy! Just remember this. I always thought of you as a good friend, and that hasn't changed!"

"...Get lost."

Lucy clenched her teeth, cursed savagely, and disappeared.

Once Lucy was completely out of sight, I exhaled, feeling the tension release.

"Phew, what a powerful spell. It's really scary."

The Glare of Hatred should be renamed to the Glare of Murder, shouldn't it?

"Well, it worked out well."

When Lucy feels betrayed by Felix, she'll think of me first.

I even pretended to send her pure goodwill at the end, so now I just need to wait for the harvest.

I look forward to the day when I can "save" Lucy from the bad guy Lee Ho-yeon.