Chapter 11: A Smile That Doesn’t Reach Her Eyes

Creak Thud

Having prepared for the day’s classes, Bisus locked his door and left the inn.

Unlike the previous night, he hadn’t dreamed.

He’d hoped another dream might grant him new powers, but no such luck.

The victory in yesterday’s spar, fueled by his newfound strength, was intoxicating.

It was a win meant for Janice, the original protagonist of Eclipse.

I’ve taken a major event from the protagonist.

That event was what drew Sofia and Artoria’s attention to the protagonist, making them a celebrity across the academy.

And now, I’m that celebrity.

On top of the bizarre rumors about me seducing both the princess and Sofia…

I might be drawing even more attention than Janice did in Eclipse.

That means I’ll likely catch the organization’s attention too.

…Will I be okay?

Bisus clenched and unclenched his hand, staring at it.

I’ve gotten stronger.

I don’t know why, but after dreaming of fighting demons with Sofia, I gained a fraction of that dream’s power.

With this strength, surviving might not be an issue after all.

I’ve built connections with Artoria, Sofia, and even Janice.

Alright.

If things keep going this way, I might actually survive!

“Hey there!”

Dreaming of a bright future as he left the inn, Bisus froze at the sight of a woman greeting him right outside.

Why is she here now?

It’s not time for her to appear yet!

“Bisus Granginol, right?”

A slit-eyed beauty flashed a friendly smile.

The colors on her academy uniform marked her as a third-year student.

“I’m Robina.”

Robina Kartesia.

A third-year student at the academy.

The only daughter of Duke Kartesia, outwardly adored by the academy’s male students.

But her true identity is Alice, a top executive of the shadowy organization operating behind the academy.

In Eclipse, she only appeared after the story had progressed significantly.

“Sorry for showing up out of nowhere. I was just too curious to resist.”

Don’t fall for that warm smile.

As a high-ranking member of the organization, she can turn ruthless when needed.

“I heard you defeated Naber Schreig in a spar. That guy’s been renowned in high society for his skills even before enrolling.”

Robina slowly approached Bisus, reaching to place a hand on his shoulder.

Whoosh

Instinctively, Bisus stepped back.

His hero’s senses, awakened from the dream, made him dodge her touch.

“It was just luck.”

“…Is that so? But even with luck, beating someone that strong means you’ve got serious skill.”

Robina’s face briefly twisted before her smile returned.

“I came to make you an offer.”

“An offer?”

“Yeah. I like talented people like you.”

An offer…

In the mid-part of Eclipse, she approached the protagonist with a proposal.

If I recall, it was…

“How about joining our club?”

Right.

A club invitation.

As an organization executive, she also ran her own club.

While some members were part of the organization, it functioned as a typical social club.

It was like her personal faction.

“A club?”

“Yup. It’s the academy, after all. Everyone’s competing to recruit talents like you. If you join my club, I’ll support you generously.”

For her to come to me with this offer, I must’ve drawn a lot of attention at the academy…

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t thought about joining a club yet.”

“Well, it’s not the official club recruitment period, so you probably haven’t had time to think it over. I guess I came on a bit strong.”

She’s right.

In the novel, she approached Janice during the club recruitment period.

To come to me this early…

“But don’t forget about me, Robina. If you change your mind later, just come find me. Got it?”

With that, Robina left.

It felt like a storm had swept through and passed.

“…That took ten years off my life.”

Why is she showing up now?

If Robina had suddenly turned hostile and tried to kill him, he wouldn’t have been able to stop her.

Even with some of the dream’s power, he wasn’t strong enough to beat her.

“Right. I’m still lacking.”

Getting cocky just because I beat Naber was a mistake.

This is a dangerous novel world where death could come at any moment.

I’m not the protagonist.

If I get arrogant and show off, I’ll die a gruesome death.

I’ve been doing well so far.

I’ll make a new plan, build my strength slowly, and survive.

With renewed resolve, Bisus headed toward the academy.

“Guess he really is the guy who caught the imperial princess and the republic’s princess’s eye? Not bad.”

Robina had come to check on him, thinking he might interfere with the organization’s plans.

She’d planned to plant a simple tracking spell with a touch, but he dodged it, as if he sensed something.

He evaded her touch—something other male students would never do.

With just a smile, most guys would fall over themselves, ready to give her everything.

She’d assumed Bisus, a lowborn student, would be the same—eager to curry favor with her.

Those were the easiest to manipulate and the type she despised most.

But Bisus seemed different.

“Oh! Robina-nim! Good morning!”

“Morning~”

Robina passed by the bowing male students, heading toward the lecture hall.

“Well, I might like him a little.”

Though not as much as him from my dream.

Republic Capital, Lubelaino

President Adolf’s Office

“Your Excellency, a letter from Sofia-nim.”

“…Leave it there.”

“Yes, sir!”

Thud

The chief of staff placed the letter on the president’s desk and quietly left.

After a few minutes of reviewing documents, Adolf confirmed no one was around and picked up the envelope.
“Let’s see what my Sofia wrote.”

His usual stern expression melted into that of a doting father filled with love for his daughter.

His one and only precious daughter.

When Sofia insisted on attending Lichten Academy, he wanted to stop her.

His most treasured gem, going to a far-off land.

Especially to Lichten Academy, where the republic’s influence barely reached.

If something happened, he wouldn’t be able to protect her.

But his love for his daughter made it impossible to refuse her stubbornness.

Even though Sofia was a prodigious swordmaster, to Adolf, she was his precious daughter.

He couldn’t help but worry.

Still, a letter means she’s doing alright, doesn’t it?

Adolf carefully opened the envelope.

A letter from my Sofia.

I’ll treasure this forever.

After storing the envelope in a top-grade safe crafted by the republic’s finest artisan, Adolf sat back down and unfolded the letter.

“Hmm…”

Savoring each word, he was moved by the fact that his once-tiny daughter had grown up and was now sending him letters from afar.
“Huh?”

Twirling his mustache while reading, he froze at a particular line.

After a moment of thought, he opened a corner of his desk and pressed a hidden button.

Beep

“You called, Your Excellency!”

The chief of staff rushed in at the sound of the call bell.

“I’m going out. Prepare the carriage.”

“Out? But your schedule…”

“Cancel everything. Something urgent came up.”

“Understood! Where are you headed?”

“Lichten Academy.”

Looks like I need to teach a lesson to some punk who’s trying to charm my innocent daughter with the republic’s brand of justice.