Chapter 32: Misunderstandings and Meals

Chaos in the Cafeteria

The student cafeteria buzzed after two weeks of isolation.

It was beyond bustling—more like a chaotic marketplace.

Students, fed up with rationed meals, devoured food like ravenous beasts.

Right beside me, Fifirel happily tore into a mountain of pork ribs on her plate.

Patricia, quietly slicing her meat, scolded her.

“Fifirel, can’t you eat more gracefully? No one’s stealing your food.”

“I realized something during these two weeks of confinement.”

Fifirel, gripping ribs in both hands, stared at Patricia.

Her serious gaze made Patricia falter.

“W-what’s that?”

“Eat while it’s there.”

Nodding to herself, Fifirel dug back into her rib pile.

Patricia sighed.

“I’m the fool for listening seriously. You’d marry someone just for giving you meat, wouldn’t you?”

“Yup.”

Fifirel grinned brightly, and Patricia sighed again.

Monica, smiling awkwardly, joined in.

“Well, it’s nice eating together in the cafeteria. Talking, being with friends… I was so lonely without conversation.”

“Monica, you live alone in your room?”
‘Isn’t it always two to a room?’

Monica’s face darkened instantly.

She continued in a gloomier tone.

“No, I share with a mage, but…”

“But?”
‘What’s the problem?’

“She’s under a vow of silence for her mage tower’s training… No writing either…”

What, is she a monk?

While I looked puzzled, Patricia nodded knowingly.

“Must be from the Silentio Mage Tower, studying chantless magic.”

Monica nodded.

“I thought I was super introverted, but two weeks without a word was torture. I’m so happy to see you all… Hehe.”

Humans are social creatures, huh?

Even Monica, who seems like the ultimate loner, couldn’t handle two weeks of silence.

I smiled softly at her.

“Seeing you happy makes me happy too.”
‘She’s cute when she’s not so gloomy.’

“But, Saintess, are you okay?”

“Huh? With what?”
‘What?’

All three turned their eyes on me.

What’s up?

Fifirel spoke with concern.

“Orphe.”

“Huh?”
‘What’re you talking about?’

“Don’t you remember what happened at the cafeteria entrance?”

I was confused until Patricia’s words clicked.

“Oh, you mean Orphe taking Saintess Erdike?”
‘What’s wrong with the main hero taking his heroine?’

Before entering, our group was five, including Orphe.

But at the entrance, he saw Erdike fidgeting alone.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

And off he went with her.

I’d watched, thinking, Yes, the main couple’s finally moving!

What’s the issue?

As I tilted my head, still clueless, Patricia let out a frustrated sigh.

Monica looked at me with pity.

“Saintess, you’re not bothered? Seeing that?”

“Me? Why?”
‘Erdike spooked me a bit, but that’s it.’

Patricia, exasperated, raised her voice.

“Ugh, really! Saintess, are you dense? Another girl just took your man right in front of you, and you’re eating like it’s nothing?!”

“What?!”
‘What the hell are you talking about?’

My man? Orphe?

Sure, we’ve been close at the academy, but how does that mean I like him?

This is ridiculous.

I laughed, waving my hands.

“You’re all misunderstanding. Orphe and I have nothing going on.”
‘Am I crazy enough to date a guy?’

“Huh?”

“We’ve done stuff together, but it’s not like that. Sorry for the confusion.”
‘Apologizing for something I didn’t do—my life’s a legend.’

Patricia and Monica looked shocked.

Meanwhile, Fifirel, calmly eating her ribs, stood out.

As expected from someone who shared my room for two weeks—she gets me.

“Guys, of course Isidora would deny it.”

Fifirel set down her rib, speaking up.

“Have you ever heard of a saintess dating or marrying?”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, no.”

This conversation’s going weird.

Before I could stop her, Fifirel continued triumphantly.

“Right. I don’t know if they can marry, but a saintess’s position means dating could tarnish her or her temple’s reputation. Among us elves, we have priestesses for the God of Beauty who stay single for life.”

“So?”

Monica stared at Fifirel, intrigued.

Fifirel grabbed another rib, continuing.

“Isn’t Isidora similar? She knows rumors of her dating would hurt her or the temple, so she denies it publicly.”

“That makes sense.”

“Definitely…”

Makes sense, my ass.

I couldn’t stand their wild speculation anymore and waved my hands vigorously.

“Guys, I really have no feelings for Orphe!”

They ignored me.

“Look, she’s raising her voice—guilty.”

“That’s the insight of a roommate.”

I need a cigarette.

Now they were gossiping about me and Orphe, completely ignoring me.

Their chatter, like typical girls their age, was oddly fitting.

The problem was I was the center of it.

I finished eating and sat quietly.

No point leaving—I had nowhere to go.

Their excited chatter was kind of cute, so I stayed.

“Hey.”

A voice cut through their gossip.

Erdike approached, her red eyes gleaming.

“Saintess, finished eating?”

Her voice carried an eerie pressure, and I nodded instinctively.

She extended a hand.

“How about a walk? I have something to discuss.”

“Who are you to barge in like that?”

Patricia intercepted her hand.

But Erdike kept her soft tone.

“Just thought two saintesses of the God of Jealousy could have a deep talk. Is that a problem?”

“Well…”

Taking advantage of Patricia’s hesitation, Erdike pulled her wrist free.

Her hand rested lightly on my shoulder.

“The others aren’t done eating, but you’re sitting here alone. Mind if I borrow you?”

The girls, realizing they’d half-abandoned me, couldn’t object.

No, guys, help!

Someone stop her!

“Wait.”

Fifirel grabbed me as I was half-dragged away.

My roommate, my savior—way better than that ditzy noble or gloomy busty girl!

She beckoned me closer, whispering.

“Don’t lose.”

She patted my shoulder and flashed a thumbs-up.

Damn it.

Trusting an elf was my mistake.

She thinks I’m off to some catfight.

Her absurd encouragement done, Erdike pulled me along again.

What’s she planning now?

Can’t I just be left alone?

A Tense Walk

The area around the cafeteria was lush with trees and flowers, quite scenic.

It’s where you often spot shy, new couples strolling.

But right now, I was being dragged by a psycho saintess who thinks I stole her man.

Her face darkened the moment we left the cafeteria, signaling something was very wrong.

What’s her deal?

We haven’t even crossed paths lately.

Is it because we came to eat together?

‘But Orphe took her away, so that’s settled, right?’

Or is it a warning—Orphe’s mine, so don’t touch him?

“This should do.”

Lost in scenarios, I realized we’d reached a secluded spot.

The location hit me.

A private talk in a place like this means one thing.

A physical “conversation.”

I had no clue why, but when does a psycho need a sane reason?

‘Fine, damn it. I’ve trained my stamina for a week. I’m stronger now. If it comes to it, I’ll use Divine Descent.’

I steeled myself.

Recalling our last fight—Erdike always led with her right hand.

Dodge that, counter, and I’d have the upper hand.

I’ve never fought in real life, but like Dominic said, reading muscle movements should help, right?

I glanced at Erdike’s body.

Covered in her nun’s robe.

Okay, scratch that plan.

How do I win, then?

Maybe catch her off guard and strike first—

“I’m sorry.”

My mental simulations froze.

Erdike bowed her head, repeating.

“I’m sorry for last time, Saintess Isidora.”