"This isn't about books. President... are you familiar with demons?"
Just like Floy, I plan to use demons as an excuse to seek cooperation and increase my opportunities to meet her. However, I can't directly ask for her help right now.
In the original work, the President's appearances were limited, so I don't know her personality well. But there's a chance she might tear through the Academy alone in search of demons.
For now, I'll just drop a hint about demons. When the time is right, I'll ask for her cooperation.
Until then, I can use books as an excuse to meet her.
If we keep meeting, the Lucky Pervert Amulet will eventually work its magic.
"Demons? Every student at the Academy knows about them."
Basic knowledge of demons is taught at the Academy.
"I transferred to the Academy recently and don't know much about demons. If you don't mind, I'd like to learn more."
"Information about demons... the Professors are probably more knowledgeable about that than I am."
"...I understand. I'll ask the Professors then. But are there any rumors about demons at the Academy?"
"I occasionally hear rumors about a ghost in the women's restroom, but I've never heard any rumors about demons. If there were rumors about demons appearing, the Professors would have investigated immediately to uncover the truth."
"Is it because demons are that dangerous?"
"You're well-informed. Why are you asking about demons?"
"I'm planning to write a novel about them."
"Let me give you some advice: avoid writing novels about demons if possible. If you must, never glorify them."
"It's just a novel, though."
"Even if it's just a novel, those with some knowledge of demons will feel uneasy and concerned. Extremists might even brand you a heretic."
"Then what about a novel about hunting demons?"
"That should be fine. There are already several similar novels out there."
I sat back on the sofa, smacking my lips.
Unlike Floy, Melissa reacted strongly to the mention of demons. With such a sensitive disposition, maintaining a cooperative relationship like Floy's would be difficult.
If I told her about the demon, she'd probably report it to the professor immediately and mobilize everyone to conduct a massive search. For now, I'll keep the demon hidden and observe.
Fortunately, I had the topic of novels to steer the conversation.
Bang!
The door burst open, and Nella rushed in with a pair of pants.
"I'm so sorry! I'll have your pants laundered and returned tomorrow. Please wear these for today."
"It's quite alright. My dormitory has maids. I'll return these pants tomorrow."
Afterward, Melissa and I discussed books before I returned to my dormitory.
She said that with just two days of work, they could produce around a hundred copies of the novel.
Several days passed.
It was enough time for the novel to spread throughout the Academy, and I had become known as a genius writer, following my reputation as a genius inventor.
Though I hadn't invented anything myself, nor written a single word.
I felt no guilt. This wasn't reality, but merely a Game World. If I felt no remorse for killing people or ruining others here, it would be stranger to feel guilty about something like this.
The only change since then was that I had become a member of the Student Council.
Because of matters related to the book, I met Melissa daily, and we grew somewhat close. Melissa, knowing I didn't participate in any club activities, suggested I join the Student Council for the duration of my time at the Academy.
Perhaps they heard rumors about me being the Auditor and want to keep me close to monitor me.
I accepted the offer to join the Student Council because I wanted to get closer to Melissa.
In the midst of this, the Lucky Pervert Amulet activated, leading to a suggestive incident, but it only went as far as physical contact.
Melissa never gets closer than a certain distance to me. It's hard to even create situations where anything suggestive could happen. She's like an impenetrable fortress. An impenetrable fortress.
The suggestive incidents caused by the Lucky Pervert Amulet are always accidental. If the circumstances aren't right or the woman remains vigilant, the chances of such an incident occurring become extremely slim.
This was precisely why nothing lewd had ever happened when I was with Yuria.
Yuria never lets her guard down around me, except when we're having sex.
For the Lucky Pervert Amulet to work, a woman had to be off guard or have a physical vulnerability like Floy.
"President, I've returned from the Spirit Research Club. There's a problem with the Spirit Summoning experiment... President?"
I stared at Melissa, who was sitting alone in the Student Council Room, leaning back deeply in her chair. It was odd to see her so relaxed; she usually sat with her back ramrod straight.
"...You're back. If it's nothing serious, return to the dormitory."
"I was planning to head back anyway. You don't look well, President."
"I stayed up all night working on my graduation project yesterday. That's probably why I'm feeling so off today."
"Graduation project? But graduation is still months away. You're already preparing?"
"That's just my personality. I like to finish things as early as possible, and once I get into something, I can't stop until I'm completely satisfied."
"You must be exhausting to be around, President."
"I can't deny that."
I approached Melissa.
This was my chance. Her poor condition meant she wouldn't be as meticulous as usual.
"How's the novel I gave you coming along?"
"Ah, you mean The Call of Cthulhu. It's progressing well, so there's no need to worry. Though I'm still not quite sure what a 'Magic Train' is."
"Yes, that's why we added illustrations this time, right?"
"Whoever drew them, they were truly remarkable."
"The artist prefers to remain anonymous."
The illustrations were just some I'd copied off the internet. I didn't know who drew them either.
"...Do you have something to say to me?" Melissa asked as I approached.
"You look tired. I'll take you back to the dormitory."
"There's no need. I'm just not feeling my best today, but I can still walk and run."
"I don't believe you. Try standing up."
"...Hah. Since you're worried about me, I can't even get angry. Fine, look. I'm perfectly fine."
Melissa shook her dark blue hair as she rose from her chair. At 175 cm, she was quite tall for a woman.
"You seem perfectly fine."
"Yes. As I said, I have no trouble moving."
Just as Melissa was about to sit down again, her leg caught on the chair leg, causing her to stumble toward me.
Finally! I've been waiting for this!
I feigned surprise and waited for Melissa to fall. As she collapsed against me, I weakly fell backward as well.
Thud!
The back of my head slammed against the ground with a loud crack, but I ignored the pain, knowing it wasn't important right now.
"Mmph?!"
Melissa's lips collided with mine. Her lips were slightly parted. I started to pull back, but Melissa hesitated only a moment before pressing her lips to mine again, and when I brushed my tongue against her lips, she let me in.
My tongue slipped into her mouth only after that brief pause. Melissa shuddered and then sat up abruptly, a trace of her saliva clinging to my tongue.
She leaped to her feet, her face flushed crimson.
"This this was an accident! I tripped and couldn't help it!" Melissa stammered, waving her hands frantically as she spoke in a rapid-fire torrent.
"I know. It's clearly an accident. Was this perhaps your first kiss?" I asked, remaining calm and composed, unlike her. My extensive experience made me far too seasoned to be flustered by a mere kiss.
"...Don't tell anyone about this. If word gets out, it won't be good for either of us," Melissa warned, her tone stern. Having researched her beforehand, I understood exactly why she was issuing this warning.
Melissa was a noblewoman from the Cobalt Kingdom, where female purity and chastity were highly valued.
And not just any noblewoman she was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Argentina.
If this incident were to become known, she would face the wrath of her family and the scorn of other nobles.
"My lips are sealed. No, I'll forget this ever happened."
"...I'll trust you."
Melissa rose from her seat and prepared to leave. I swallowed hard, my gaze lingering on her ample chest.
Just a kiss? We've got a long way to go.
How was I going to breach that ironclad defense?
It was a day filled with deepening worries.
Deep into the night.
Yuria slipped out of the dormitory. Moving through the shadows, her movements were quieter and more stealthy than a cat's.
Yuria was heading to the Magic Department. She was there to set up a trap to lure out the Demon, as requested by Yujin. The goal wasn't to capture the Demon, but to uncover its true identity.
The Magic Department was the most likely place for the Demon to be hiding.
"Thief or maid? Did your mad Master send you?"
The moment Yuria stepped into one of the Magic Department's facilities, a tall woman with blue hair, Priscilla, stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall and staring at her.
Yuria tensed. She knew Priscilla's true identity from Yujin:
An Ancient Blue Dragon, a being at the Grand Archmage Cultivation Realm.
Even though Yuria hadn't yet reached the Aura Master Cultivation Realm, she felt an overwhelming pressure just from facing Priscilla.
"My Master isn't mad."
"You seem mad yourself. Those who are truly mad never realize it."
Yuria stared directly at Priscilla. There was no sense of impending battle; Priscilla showed no sign of hostility.
"...Do you have business with me?"
"I simply came out of curiosity. You possess something unpleasant. Where did you obtain it?"
Yuria glanced at her left hand. A transparent bottle held black powder Negative Mana.
"I made it myself."
"You made it yourself? Impressive. Did someone teach you?"
"I learned it on my own."
"A genius, are you? What's your purpose for coming here with that?"
"A bait. We plan to lure out the demon hiding within the Academy."
"A demon? Here?"
"That's what my Master believes."
Priscilla narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Yuria.
"...Unbelievable. But if there truly is a demon here... it's one that even I haven't detected. It must possess abilities specialized for concealment. While demons crave Negative Mana, high-grade demons can exercise restraint. Your Master's plan won't work."
"Then how should we draw out the demon?"
"You cunning little thing. Figure it out yourselves. Why would I tell you? Besides, I don't believe a word you're saying."
"Understood."
Yuria tried to pass by Priscilla, but the overwhelming presence emanating from her rooted Yuria to the spot.
"...Haven't you finished your business?"
"Hand over the Negative Mana and be gone. I need it for my research, so I'll take it."
After a moment of hesitation, Yuria threw the glass vial containing the Negative Mana to Priscilla. The remaining Negative Mana was stored in her Shadow Subspace, but she couldn't retrieve it Priscilla would undoubtedly seize it immediately.
"Why does someone like you stay at the Academy?"
"You've vaguely sensed my true nature? You're quite perceptive. As for why I remain at the Academy... do you really need to know?"
Priscilla showed no intention of answering. Yuria accepted this with a shrug.
After all, it was common knowledge, even among ordinary people, that dragons had terrible tempers.
"Don't you plan to eliminate the hidden Demon?"
"To me, Demons are like cockroaches. If I see one, I'll kill it, but since I don't see any, there's no reason to go out of my way to hunt them down."
It's well-known that Dragons despise Demons, but individual attitudes vary. Some Dragons become bloodthirsty at the mere mention of Demons, while others, like Priscilla, ignore them unless they're directly visible.
"Stop stirring up trouble at the Academy and go back."
"...Ye. I'll return today."
"Ha. Do you really believe a Demon is hiding here?"
"If Master says it's here, then it must be."
"Master and servant alike..."
Priscilla clicked her tongue and vanished.
Yuria waited until Priscilla's presence had completely faded before returning to the dormitory.