Chapter 39

### Chapter 39: Lucy's Route (2)

After Wednesday's classes ended, I came to meet Professor Im Sol.

We had become the kind of people who meet when we need to.

No one had set it, but it was convenient for both of us.

I often had things to do, and Im Sol probably had research to do as well.

"Yeah, I'm here. I'm at an important moment right now, so wait a bit!"

Professor Im Sol was maintaining a strange magic circle with one hand and inputting it into a hologram device with the other.

Beep! Beep! Beep beep beep!

A strange noise came from the machine, and smoke started to rise.

"Damn, it failed again."

Im Sol, who had scattered the magic circle with mana, finally noticed me.

"Why are you here today? Oh, do you want to do it first?"

"…"

I miss the Im Sol who used to be embarrassed by the word 'chest.'

Maybe geniuses adapt to things like this too quickly.

Why does my libido suddenly drop when someone becomes so nonchalant?

Maybe I'm just fickle…?

Im Sol took off her robe without waiting for my answer.

"Wait a minute, Professor. I didn't come here for research today."

"Huh?"

Im Sol, who was making an O-A shape with her mouth and relaxing her jaw, made a questioning sound.

"Can you fix this communication orb for me?"

It's the communication orb I received from Felix. It can only receive.

"Hmm, a communication orb? It seems to only have a reception spell, so it probably can't send. Plus, it's a one-time use. Why did you bring such a cheap thing?"

This person can identify the spells on the orb without even having an equipment status window, which is not just impressive but scary.

"Can you trace the sending orb connected to this one?"

"Trace…? I can, but what for?"

"Um, it's hard to explain, but I'm not going to use it for anything weird."

"Hmm, okay. You're not a bad person, so it's fine. It's easy to work on a cheap magical tool."

"Can you do it for me? It's urgent."

This is more urgent than receiving pella from Im Sol.

Lucy is now entering a dangerous period.

According to the plan, Lucy will be kidnapped, and Felix will send me the coordinates, and I will rescue her. But I just realized there's no guarantee Felix will contact me.

If this were a game, the coordinates would be sent to advance the story, but this is reality.

I need to prepare for all scenarios.

I should have thought of this earlier, but I was distracted by a crazy succubus over the weekend.

"Damn, you're the only one who uses me for such magical tool work? I'm only doing this for you this time."

"Sorry. But I brought something interesting, so can you do it for that?"

"Tsk. Fine. Wait. I'll handle it quickly."

Im Sol seemed disappointed that I was using her high-level skills for this, so I tried to console her.

She would be consoled if I brought something new, like a new magic or a method of mana manipulation.

Would she like it if I showed her how to instantly manifest a magic circle I learned recently?

Soon, Im Sol placed the communication orb on her research desk and started to unfold the magic circles.

As I was admiring the magic circles, a voice echoed in my head.

– Wow, is that person human? Can humans use magic like that?

"She's a genius."

I whispered quietly while Im Sol was focused on the magic.

Given that she was a world-class genius in the game, it's not surprising that Lilianna was amazed.

– But what's your relationship with that woman? Why do you need to relax your jaw muscles when you're doing research with her?

"…"

I couldn't say anything.

*

Im Sol quickly fixed the communication orb.

She cast a spell so that the coordinates of the sending orb would be continuously tracked without the other side marking them, and another spell to notify me if the sending orb was destroyed.

She showed me how to instantly manifest a magic circle I had learned recently.

Im Sol repeated "Huh? Huh? Huh?" and then fell into deep thought.

Then she shouted "Eureka!" and hugged me, saying I was indeed helpful.

Feeling enlightened, she said she needed to get back to her initial research.

But I stubbornly insisted on receiving pella from her.

This is because I'm the protagonist, not because I can't control my libido.

– Horny bastard. Dirty bastard. Filthy contractor. Lewd male.

But Lilianna doesn't know my inner thoughts, so she can only understand if she stupidly criticizes me.

"You don't know, but she was the one who seduced me first. And this is a revolution for freedom to avoid unfair treatment."

– Lee Ho-yeon, who sees women as sex objects. A criminal who uses a pure and innocent mage for sexual gratification.

"Stop it!"

– Seriously, if you're not a horny bastard, why do you suck someone off as payment for helping with research?

"…"

Yeah, you're right. What can I do, you succubus?

It's a good thing for a succubus's contractor to be horny.

Is it my fault that I'm getting criticized? Did I do something wrong?

– If you demand the same from me later, I'll kill you.

"Sure, sure. I'm not interested."

Actually, I am… If I say 'cancel my last statement' now, will she consider it?

Probably not.

– So, what's that communication orb for?

"There's one. When an alarm goes off, I have to go fight with Main."

– …? What the hell is that?

"It's a long story."

I told Lilianna the story of Lucy, who wants to kill me, her twin sister Lumi, and Main Felix.

– I can't understand you. Why don't you just capture and beat up that Main kid? Why did you make things so complicated?

"I have to do it this way to complete the route."

– What's a route?

To explain that, I would have to start from the fact that I'm possessed.

Since we just arrived at the dorm, I ended the conversation and went into my room.

Bang!

Lilianna returned to her original form.

My eyes instinctively went to her F-cup breasts, but I quickly looked away when she glared at me as if she wanted to tear me apart.

Shit. I'm a contractor.

"I'm going to do a broadcast. Good luck."

She seemed a bit upset because I showed that I didn't want to talk to her.

Damn, you stupid succubus.

Why do all the women around me think I'll do anything if they're pretty?

They know it too well, which is the problem.

That's the truth of life. Yeah.

"Maybe I'll check out EveryDay again."

EveryDay, the community used by Victoria Academy students, where issues at the academy and news about ability users are posted.

The most recent post caught my attention.

———————–

: Everyone, gather! Come watch my broadcast

———————–

Lilianna's popularity is slowly rising.

I underestimated the destructive power of succubi.

The concept of being a Victoria Academy student during the day and a sexy succubus cosplayer at night is almost a fact, and the charm of this contrast is spreading not only among academy students but also among the general public.

"Really popular. Should I do a male stream too?"

It might work, but I don't have the time, which is a shame.

———————–

It's a real photo shoot… The popularity is exploding, and there's a rumor that she's making a video.

——————–

What is this kid spreading?

But the photos do look good.

When is her next activity?

I feel guilty for not doing anything and just holding a student council position.

While browsing through the photos, I returned to the main page.

I saw the most popular HIT posts in real-time.

"What's this?"

I couldn't resist clicking on the provocative title.

The post contained a photo of Mun Sulin and a man having dinner together.

"Oh, it's the vice president."

The post talks about a potential romance between the president and vice president and a strategic marriage between good families, but Mun Sulin will never end up with the vice president.

Because the vice president is uglier than me.

Game over.

Paparazzi are starting to follow Mun Sulin.

The more this situation escalates, the more mentally strained she becomes.

When stalkers get involved, it will reach a peak, and I need to take care of her before that.

I finally went to the EveryDay club promotion board.

When I searched for [Play Club], a promotional post appeared.

"Finally, it's here."

The club leader, whose name I don't even want to remember, had removed [Play Club] from the system to make me suffer.

So, even though I posted promotions, they weren't exposed, and the club didn't appear in the school's club list.

No new members would join.

After finding out, I went to the club department every day to argue, and it seems to be resolved today.

"Lucy told me, so it didn't take a week."

Lucy thought the club wasn't getting new members because of me, so I found out about this.

Still, it's a relief that it's resolved. Once I get rid of Felix, this will be my club, so I need to resolve these issues in advance.

*

"Humming~."

Lucy was humming a tune as she headed to the club room.

She seemed in a good mood, and her blue hair followed her every movement.

She had brought a lot of books to study with Felix.

Lucy, with her small frame, was carrying a bag as big as herself, wobbling as she walked.

"Tomorrow, there will be a lot of new members!"

Of course, Felix, Lucy, and Lumi will have to interview them, but that's not all!

The club, which used to be a place for idle chatter, will finally live up to its name as the [Play Club]!

Knock knock.

She knocked on the club room door and entered.

No one was inside.

Lucy opened the window to ventilate the room.

For some reason, she always felt suffocated in the club room.

"Still, thanks to you, I feel more energetic."

The flowers in the vase, which Felix always took care of, were the same blue as Lucy's hair, and they calmed her.

"Lucy, you're here first."

A moment later, Felix entered through the open door.

"Yeah. I brought a lot of books!"

"Great. We have plenty of time, so let's take it one step at a time."

Lucy took out a mana research book from her bag and sat down.

With Felix there, the suffocating feeling seemed to lessen.

"Here, you can't do it like this. The mana formula will be ruined."

"Ah, you're good at studying?"

"Pfft. This is nothing."

How much time had passed?

After studying for about two hours, Felix said he was going to the bathroom and left.

As soon as Felix left, Lucy felt suffocated again.

"Huh, that's strange."

Ding!

"Ji-eun?"

Lucy checked a message from her friend Ji-eun.

Ji-eun: Hey! What are you doing?

Lucy: Studying with Felix! In the club room. Do you want to come?

Ji-eun: Sorry. I only study during class. 😂 But it's good to see you feeling better lately?

Lucy: My worries are gone. Oh, right. Our club is getting a lot of applications now? Everything is going well suddenly.

Ji-eun: Oh, that's great. Maybe you should treat Ho-yeon to something good.

Lucy tilted her head.

Ji-eun knew that Lucy and Lee Ho-yeon had a falling out, so why was she mentioning Lee Ho-yeon?

Lucy: Why are you suddenly talking about him?

Ji-eun: Huh? Didn't you make up? Ho-yeon has been arguing with the club department every day because the [Play Club] isn't listed in the system?

"Really?"

Lucy was so surprised that she exclaimed out loud.

Lucy: Really? Did you see it yourself?

Ji-eun: Yeah. Didn't you know? It's not listed in the system, and the promotional posts aren't exposed. He was arguing that new members wouldn't be able to find and join the club?

This was the first time Lucy heard about it.

Lee Ho-yeon hadn't told her.

Ji-eun: I thought you two had made up. Didn't you?

Lucy ended the conversation with Ji-eun.

She bowed her head and pressed her temples with both hands, deep in thought.

"Something's off…"

Felix's hints had gradually weakened Lucy's self-esteem.

"Lucy! Are you okay? Do you want to take a break?"

Felix's voice, which had always been reassuring, didn't sound as trustworthy now.

I need to say something, but why can't I speak?

– I'm fine! I'm not hurt. Let's study again!

I need to act like myself and talk….

"Ah…"

"Lucy?"

Lucy turned her head to look at Felix.

His eyes were genuinely worried, and his voice was soft and clear.

After a moment of hesitation, Lucy closed the book and stood up.

"Sorry! I have to go. Something came up."

"Suddenly? You don't have any schedule today. There's no urgent appointment."

Lucy had never told Felix about her schedule or appointments, but he seemed to know.

"Actually, I need to meet Lee Ho-yeon."

"…Why?"

"Something… There was a misunderstanding. I'm not sure, but I need to talk to him."

"Will you go even if I say no?"

Felix's voice was deeper than usual.

But Lucy didn't notice.

"…Sorry. But I think… I missed something. The rumors are definitely distorted. I need to resolve this and bring Ho-yeon back here…"

Crack!

The vase Felix was stroking with one hand cracked.

Lucy was startled and took two steps back.

"Damn, handsome guys are a problem. No matter how much you step on them, one good deed and their charm is restored. Shit."

"…Felix? What are you saying?"

"You have a pretty face, don't you? Isn't that right? Ah, I can't take it anymore."

Felix pushed the vase he had cherished and stood up.

Lucy instinctively summoned her mana.

All her senses were sending extreme danger signals.

Swallow.

"Sorry, Lucy. I wanted to keep you as long as possible… It's your fault. Do you understand?"

Felix's face, which had always been kind and gentle, was now twisted with malice.