"That guy actually has some self-awareness after all!"
From around the corner, Hysteria waved her tiny fist triumphantly. Although she'd been utterly annoyed by that small fry Norton earlier, seeing that big-chested girl thoroughly humiliated made her mood instantly brighter.
After all, how could a mere brainless woman like that dare compete with the great Princess Hysteria for a man—wait, no—for a small fry! Such arrogance truly knew no bounds.
Although Hysteria wasn't particularly keen on fighting over men, she hated losing even more.
Of course, Elena was an exception. After all, their study group with Linen was already a solidified arrangement, practically an established fact.
This little incident significantly improved Hysteria's mood.
Moreover, Elena's earlier gentle persuasion had somewhat softened her resentment towards Linen.
At least the little fry had enough sense—after forming a study group with herself and Elena, he hadn't gone around bothering other girls.
Yet this minor incident did stir up a faint sense of vigilance in Hysteria's heart.
The study group was solid, but it wasn't unbreakable.
Maybe this benevolent princess could find a moment later to discuss with Elena, and generously forgive that guy?
Imagining Linen passing out from sheer gratitude at her gracious forgiveness, Hysteria hummed happily to herself.
Thus, gleefully following a rather bewildered Linen, a cheerful Hysteria also left the corridor, leaving behind only Linda, who now stood alone in her wounded world.
Linda wasn't sure why, but even though Linen hadn't exactly insulted her—merely saying her imitation wasn't quite right—she felt she had been profoundly humiliated.
Though her mother Elphie was merely a countess, and Linen was a noble prince of the Zijinghua Empire, Linda never expected such a heavy defeat.
Among those frequent guests at her mother's lavish parties were powerful men familiar with royal secrets. Linda knew quite well that Prince Linen's current popularity didn't match his actual capabilities.
In other words, Linda believed they were the same: both flashy but hollow.
Yet a decorative woman could at least serve as an ornamental flower, just like her mother. But a man who was merely decorative was worthless.
Especially since Linda had heard from a palace insider that Prince Linen had become the first-ever "zero" during the Norton royal family's Dragon Blood Awakening Ceremony.
That was why he, a royal descendant of dragons, ended up studying Arcane magic at Eden Academy instead.
Given his circumstances, Linda assumed he'd eagerly welcome her advances with open arms. So why did he reject her so decisively?
Maybe the person who'd fed her information lied—perhaps Linen didn't like cats, but preferred dogs instead?
After all, cat lovers and dog lovers could be utterly irreconcilable.
This was the only plausible explanation Linda could find.
"Hmph, trying to attract that guy's attention like this? Pathetic."
At that moment, a cold, mocking voice interrupted her thoughts. Linda looked up, instantly recognizing the flashy golden trim of the academy uniform.
"Farao. Just what are you laughing at?"
She glared at him coldly.
"Oh, nothing much. I simply remembered something amusing," Farao said with exaggerated casualness, sighing theatrically. "It seems you've been thoroughly rejected by that rude prince."
"And what business is that of yours?" Linda frowned.
"No need to be so hostile, Miss Linda." Farao shook his head lightly. "I'm merely a passing gentleman who dislikes seeing beautiful ladies suffer humiliation."
"Oh, thank you very much indeed. But hasn't the entire school already heard how the noble young master Farao lost credits for trying to sabotage a certain someone's friendships?"
Linda's cold smile froze Farao's confident expression immediately.
"This is precisely why your failure was inevitable," he snapped bitterly. "You can't even distinguish friend from foe. I merely wanted to help you get revenge."
"Oh, help me get revenge? Then, thank you ever so kindly."
Linda clearly didn't buy his offer. Just as her attempt to cozy up to Linen was to gain royal favor, Farao's friendliness was clearly intended to curry favor for the Duke of the Northlands.
Between the rapidly rising Empress and the arrogant Duke of the North, only fools would hedge their bets. Smart people picked a side and stuck firmly to it—and Linda's overtures toward Linen were exactly that kind of choice.
"Don't dismiss me so quickly. You only approached him because of his supposed talent in Arcane magic, right? What if I completely crush him in the area he's most proud of—would you reconsider your stance then?"
"The area he's most proud of?"
Linda quickly caught on, staring at Farao as if he were an idiot.
"Are you joking? Prince Linen became a [One-Ring Arcane Mage] even before enrolling. He's already mastered [Weave Meditation]! Even Princess Hysteria can't guarantee she'd surpass him. And you're saying you—?"
Farao didn't seem bothered at all.
Yesterday, such cutting remarks would have enraged him. But today, he merely wanted to laugh.
The truth might sting, but lies couldn't harm him anymore.
"A mere [One-Ring Arcane Mage]? That's hardly impressive—I'm one as well."
"And as for that [Weave Meditation] he's so proud of…"
With a flicker of light, a set of semi-transparent black cards—eerily similar to Linen's—hovered around Farao.
"Are you talking about this? Coincidentally, I just made some breakthroughs today. What do you think, Miss Linda?"
It looks like the exact same meditation technique as Linen's?!
Linda instinctively covered her mouth in astonishment.
Seeing the shock in her eyes, Farao felt immensely satisfied.
Although he'd paid a steep price to grasp this meditation technique, the result was more than worth it.
Linda's shock was only the appetizer.
A cold glint flashed in Farao's eyes.
You're next, Linen Norton!
Today will be your downfall!
…
Meanwhile, strolling casually through the crowded corridor, Linen was in no hurry to return to the classroom, engrossed instead in a conversation with his system.
"Hey, System, can I really not get rejection points from someone like that girl?"
[Ding! Confirmed: No points awarded. Character is a spontaneously generated character of this world and not an important character in the original plot.]
"Well, figures."
Linen nodded. He'd anticipated as much. After all, if just anyone's rejection could trigger rewards, he'd head straight back to the imperial palace to provoke his cold Empress mother, and probably become a god on the spot.
[Since this character is non-essential, interactions with her that don't disrupt the balance of the world will not be restricted by the System.]
"What exactly do you mean?"
Linen quickly understood the System's cryptic message.
"Ah, you're wondering why I refused that girl so bluntly?"
Admittedly, Linda was attractive enough—she could easily claim a spot in the front row of his black-stockinged maid corps. But he rejected her outright, not only because he disliked having manipulative girls loiter around him but also to consider Elena and Hysteria's feelings—just a tiny bit.
However, there was an even more straightforward reason.
For once, Linen looked genuinely troubled as he admitted:
"Her mom is famously known as the 'party queen.' Being given her daughter's 'special attention' makes me worry I'd also end up getting her mother's 'special attention.'"