Elena, what are you doing?! Didn't we agree to isolate him completely?
Hysteria frantically shot Elena urgent glances, confident that her friend could read her thoughts clearly.
"Just… showing concern for a tiny moment~" Elena murmured, pinching her thumb and index finger together to show just how little she meant.
Yet in that brief gesture, Hysteria felt like she could glimpse the endless expanse of time itself.
Linen didn't notice the secret exchange between the girls. He merely shook his head and replied casually:
"It's nothing. That Shadow Knight lady and I have a bit of history. We were just catching up. Everything's settled now. The Shadow Knights won't trouble you again, and neither will Ken."
After a pause, he quickly added.
"At least, that's what the Shadow Knight told me."
Hearing this, a flash of realization passed through Elena's eyes, further confirming her earlier suspicions.
Although Linen had used that Shadow Knight as an excuse, his explanation only made things more suspicious. Unless someone had personally been present last night, how could they be so certain Ken wouldn't reappear?
Hysteria, however, just huffed irritably.
"You're awfully happy cozying up to those lapdogs of the Zijinghua Empress. You'd better watch your back before they bite!"
"You're mistaken, Miss Hysteria," Linen shook his head solemnly. "First of all, I wasn't the one who approached the Shadow Knights. My relationship with Miss Silva is purely as old friends. Second, I prefer cats. If you want to entertain me properly at our next study session, maybe consider wearing cat ears. It could keep my attention longer."
"What nonsense are you spouting again?!"
Hysteria's defenses instantly collapsed. How could this guy calmly say such embarrassing things in broad daylight?!
Even worse, Linen obviously hinted that he knew about her and Elena's scheme from the start.
Elena turned around, utterly bewildered, betrayal etched across her face:
"Hysteria, what does he mean? Maid outfits and entertainment? Didn't you say last time you wore it purely because of your own interests?"
"Elena, let me explain!"
That was just a strategic sacrifice for our plan!
Hysteria felt like she was about to lose her mind. This jerk deliberately left things ambiguous!
The other students in the infirmary also couldn't help casting curious glances their way. After realizing the person behind these scandalous remarks was none other than the famously proud princess, their gazes toward Linen subtly changed to admiration.
A request that would normally get any other boy punched in the face had actually been accepted by the fiery princess. Linen was truly impressive.
Seizing the perfect opportunity, Linen drove the dagger deeper.
"Oh, it was just your personal interest, was it? And here I thought you were deliberately pleasing me for some other motive."
Hearing this, Elena quickly realized her mistake. She had impulsively said the wrong thing and now it was too late. All the pressure had shifted entirely onto Hysteria.
Rather than admit she'd plotted with Elena, Hysteria slowly slumped back onto her bed, entering a sage-like state of acceptance:
"N-no, there was no ulterior motive. It's purely my own interest."
Publicly admitting she was a princess with a hidden maid-fetish in front of everyone…
She felt as if spending time around Linen was slowly pushing her down a strange and irreversible path.
Forget it… nothing matters anymore.
As Linen leisurely began slicing another apple, Elena gave Hysteria an apologetic glance.
"Sorry, Hysteria. I misspoke just now."
"It…It's fine…"
Hysteria slowly pulled herself together.
It's absolutely NOT fine! This debt must be recorded firmly in Norton's ledger!
That brat Norton had deliberately embarrassed her, so she had to retaliate mercilessly!
"Elena, don't you dare forget our promise," Hysteria whispered urgently, gripping Elena's hand tightly. "From now on, to punish him, we won't speak to him at all!"
"I-I'll try my best."
Elena stole another glance at Linen, then looked back at Hysteria's tear-filled eyes. Feeling a little guilty, she reluctantly nodded. Hysteria had sacrificed so much lately—maybe she could indulge her friend's wishes a bit, even though she felt slightly sorry toward Linen.
…
Later that afternoon, Linen felt like he'd just experienced the best day since his transmigration.
From the moment Elena and Hysteria returned to class, things began feeling delightfully strange.
The first lesson after returning was a practical lab session, where group members had to work closely together. But due to Linen and Hysteria's earlier conflicts, the girls intentionally left an empty seat between them and Linen, making collaboration quite inconvenient.
"Elena, could you move a bit closer for this lesson? It'll be easier," Linen asked casually.
The request wasn't unreasonable. Elena nodded readily, almost instinctively.
"Alright…"
"Alright, my ass! You scheming jerk—trying to reconcile with us using such cheap tricks? Forget it! I'd sooner sit in your lap than move closer!"
Hysteria jumped in immediately, cutting off Elena's near-betrayal once again.
Linen stared in astonishment at the sudden notification in his mind.
[An aggressive, face-slapping provocation. A decisive, preemptive rejection. An utterly illogical attack…]
[Evaluation: An inexplicable rejection. Congratulations! You've acquired the Tier-1 Arcane Spell: Fireball (Beginner Level)!]
Seeing Linen's rare expression of surprise, Hysteria felt unprecedented satisfaction.
This was the first time she'd caught that annoying guy off-guard!
This feels fantastic!
Princess Hysteria decided to strike while the iron was hot:
"Don't even think about it, you creep! From now on, no matter what you do, we'll refuse everything and oppose you at every turn. Unless you apologize—and wear cat ears and beg us—we won't consider playing with you!"
[Updated Evaluation: A relentless, aggressive rejection. Fireball mastery has improved!]
Linen's astonishment grew deeper.
He turned toward Elena, his voice carefully neutral:
"Is this true, Elena?"
Elena hesitated, obviously conflicted. Though clearly reluctant, she'd promised Hysteria. In the end, she steeled herself and answered apologetically.
"I'm really sorry, Linen. It's true—but please don't be too upset…"
Every word after that fell away, inaudible, because Linen's mind had become fixated on a single ecstatic realization:
I did it! This Young Master has finally made it!