---

After lunch, I headed straight to the Academy.

“This is Jeminal Academy…”

“It’s not much different than I expected.”

Having read about this academy in novels, I knew how it would transform into a battlefield, so I wasn’t exactly thrilled.

“Let’s get in quickly. We need to finish the investigation today if we want to leave tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

It was only natural, but since there were no guards, we just walked in through the front gate.

“Wow…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just want to skedaddle.”

For some reason, I felt like a monster would invade and a demon would smash the barrier, creating chaos just by standing here.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be weird if it happened right now.

—BANG!!

Like right this moment, indeed.

“Strange? There shouldn’t be any events happening yet.”

“…Events?”

“There are things like that. I’m curious, should we go take a look?”

Today marked the second day I had possessed this body, and no matter how much the novel threw the protagonist into trouble, it wouldn’t happen this soon.

Even if the story was a growth type centered on the protagonist’s absurd growth, I should still be at a level similar to Luke when I first possessed this body.

But an event is happening?

The protagonist would be cut in half at this rate.

Honestly, in the novel, the protagonist resolves everything, including the Demon God, so I’m curious about what would happen if the protagonist dies.

‘Is someone going to kill him?’

I didn’t want to kill him myself.

Lost in such thoughts, Luna and I headed toward the direction of the sound, and it led us to what was obviously a training ground.

Near the training ground were countless students who had come to watch someone duel, and when I turned my gaze toward the training ground…

“Oh!”

There stood Riche Winchester, the main heroine, with her striking two-toned hair of sky blue and black, facing off against Tia Roseberry, the other main heroine, with her splendid golden bob and beautiful sky-blue eyes.

This was the first time I was seeing the main heroines after possessing this body, and they seemed even more vibrant than in the illustrations.

They were already pretty in the illustrations, but seeing them in 2D become reality was mesmerizing.

And regardless of the onlookers, Riche and Tia exchanged their magic with familiarity.

When fire and water met, steam erupted, and the shockwaves spread in all directions.

“It’s not called an elite academy for nothing.”

Luna, who was watching the duel from the side, remarked.

“Well, it’s the duel between the First Best and the Second Best.”

The students admitted into the academy were all considered geniuses where they came from, elite by local standards.

Of course, since those standards were based on what the townsfolk thought, there were still chubby kids like the one I saw before.

Nevertheless, the First Best and the Second Best among the elites were on a different level, bringing other students flocking to watch the duel, spellbound.

‘This isn’t an unfamiliar event for me.’

In the novel, there was certainly a section narrated from Riche’s perspective about this duel.

But how would I know that instead of just a mere ‘BANG!’ written in the novel, the ground would actually quake?

Having come to witness it myself, that question was answered.

However, even though Riche was the First Best and Tia the Second Best, Riche could not use her full strength right now, so it was pointless for them to fight evenly.

“I’ve seen enough. Time to go.”

“Huh? Are you sure you don’t want to see more?”

“She can’t use magic, so what’s the point?”

What else is there aside from her looks? If I saw her face, I’ve seen it all. I can’t use magic, so I don’t know what they’re doing.

Besides, they aren’t my heroines, and I already know what kind of magic they wield.

‘But where’s the protagonist?’

By now, shouldn’t he be training alone like a loser somewhere around here?

‘I guess not. What the hell he’s up to is none of my business.’

Luna and I left the training ground and headed to the library, looking at the map.

Along the way, I noticed many students glancing our way, but it seemed more because Luna was a Beastman than her being an outsider.

Some nobles brought their servants just to show off, so rather than being on guard against outsiders, they probably found her race interesting.

The academy’s library was enormous, filled with books from various fields.

They had even set up a separate building for the library apart from the main academy building.

We proceeded to the section titled “Monster” as per our original objective, casually picking out a seemingly worthwhile book to sit at a desk.

“Alright. Let’s have a look.”

*

—BANG!!

Fire and water clashed, producing steam.

Among the steam, sharp chunks of ice flew fiercely toward me.

I easily extinguished the flames to block them.

“Impressive as always.”

The opponent in front of me said.

Tia Roseberry.

The Second Best of Jeminal Academy, and for some reason, a person feeling inferior to herself.

“Thanks. You’re amazing too, Tia. Your magic has become cleaner than last time.”

In truth, Riche had little time for dueling, but for her goal, she needed to become stronger.

So she occasionally sparred with Tia, the only one at the academy who could reasonably match her.

No matter how much she wanted to avoid it, if Riche forgot, Tia would automatically find her.

“Complaining when you don’t look tired isn’t very grateful, you know.”

Though onlookers thought the duel ended in a tie, the reality was quite different.

Neither had sustained damage, yet Tia was panting heavily while Riche maintained her condition from before the duel.

“Thanks for today.”

“Ugh… Next time, I’ll definitely win.”

“Yeah, I’ll look forward to it.”

Right after their exchange, Riche promptly turned and walked away.

Training was important, but there was something even more important for her.

Her day began and ended in the library.

Early morning before classes started, during lunch when everyone was enjoying their meals, and after classes until bedtime.

She passed by students who were watching the duel and headed straight to the library.

The library looked just like it always did.

With a few students who liked reading books and the librarian at the entrance.

But today, there was something different.

‘…?’

Two days ago, the person who had caused a commotion at the academy was sprawled face-first in a book, sleeping.

Rumor had it that he had dropped out, so why was he here?

And across from him sat a Beastman woman reading while stacking books.

‘Let’s ignore it.’

Of course, that difference didn’t spark much interest in Riche.

She wasn’t concerned; she had her own tasks.

‘I need to find more information on Hex.’

To break free from this dreadful curse, Riche needed to gather information about demons as soon as possible.

The knowledge she had from her family was insufficient, and while she had searched the library for all related information on demons, it was challenging because demons were rare and didn’t appear as numerous entities like monsters.

“Luke. Wake up. I found it.”

“Ugh… Just five more minutes…”

As I quietly read, I heard a voice nearby.

I wasn’t particularly curious about it, but in the quiet library, there was no other voice so I naturally listened in.

“They’re said to inhabit the Jobun Plain, a bit away from the Empire.”

“That narrow plain? Whoever named it has terrible taste.”

“…It’s not a narrow plain; it’s Jobun Plain.”

“Same thing.”

Scrape.

The sound of a chair being dragged rang out.

“Aah! See? Books are the best sleeping pills. So, you’ve found everything? Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Luke’s footsteps started coming closer to Riche.

She was sitting between Luke and the exit.

At first, it seemed like he would just pass by.

“You know, there’s no information on Hex in the academy. That’s tough.”

“…!”

When passing by, Luke casually muttered something that made Riche’s eyes widen.

“Uh, did I accidentally let that slip? Run away!”

While Riche was taken aback, Luke hastily slipped out of the library.

“Hey, wait a minute!”

Once she regained her senses, Riche chased after him, but Luke had already vanished.

‘How does he know?’

The curse passed down in the Winchester family was cast by a demon that appeared long ago.

So only Riche and her relatives knew about the curse; no one else should know about it.

Then, did she mishear it due to concentrating too hard?

‘No… he definitely said Hex.’

He must know something.

*

“My mouth sure is running wild today.”

Waking up, my brain hadn’t processed before my mouth started moving.

I belatedly recalled I’d spoiled something.

‘Is anything going to change now that I’ve blurted it out?’

Who cares? The protagonist will handle it on their own.

My mess is cleaned up by the protagonist.

What a convenient world this is. Whether it’s the extra making a mess or the lead, the protagonist does all the cleaning.

Now that I’ve found all the necessary information, just as I was about to leave the academy…

“You! You!”

“?”

I turned my head at the voice that echoed as I passed by, spotting a lanky guy pointing a finger at me.

‘Who is this?’

I didn’t recognize him, maybe someone Luna knows?

“Luna, do you know him?”

“…There’s no way I’d know someone in the academy.”

What the hell? Who the heck is pointing by being so rude on a first meeting?

“Hey! Are you mocking me!?”

“Who the hell are you?”

“I’m the one whose sword you stole!”

…Ah.

That guy from before! My brain filtered out any extras, so I didn’t recognize him.

“Was it you who stole my sword…?”

“What are you talking about? I took it fair and square in a duel.”

Had he already gotten a new sword in that brief moment?

‘…I can’t steal it now since I have no spare for tomorrow.’

It’s a waste of money just for a day, and I couldn’t pride myself on really stealing either.

“You piece of trash! How dare you offer me a defective product!?”

“…What kind of nonsense is that!?”

“Shut it! Consumers have the right to receive appropriate compensation for damages incurred from using their product!”

So, this isn’t theft.

It’s just compensation for damages.

 

---