.｡.:✧ Chapter 9 ✧:.｡.

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Rustle, rustle…

“There has to be.”

Rustle, rustle…

“Cut it like this over there.”

Rustle, rustle…

“Hey, aren’t you just chopping it off?”

Rustle, rustle…

“Why worry when no one will even notice?”

Tana spoke as if it was nothing special, but her words struck a chord. It was true that no one would pay much attention, but still, shouldn’t I avoid looking unkempt in front of others?

Eve and Tana were the ones cutting my hair.

Since entering the Academy, I hadn’t cut my hair, and it had grown quite long. However, it was necessary to trim it now. After all, I couldn’t afford to be careless about my appearance.

After the scissors had done their work, they both turned toward me with satisfied smiles.

“Hmm? Looks good, doesn’t it?”

Truthfully, ever since I ventured into the forest, my hair had rarely bothered me to the point of cutting it or even tying it up out of laziness. So having it this short wasn’t too bad.

“It’s impressive!”

“Not bad. My hair was getting too long, making me look messy.”

“Thanks, I’m satisfied.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Tana jokingly laughed, and I chuckled along with her.

“Shall we go grab some coffee at the café?”

“Sounds good! Let’s clean up here and go.”

After using a broom to tidy up the unused corner of the classroom where we had cut my hair and disposing of the hair in the trash bin, we left the classroom as is.

To the two who begged for cake on top of coffee, I told them no way..

As we turned the corner, we spotted a boy entering the classroom we had just left.

“Caught.”

“So soon?”

“He must have been in a hurry.”

Standing at the corner, we observed quietly with the anticipation of seasoned anglers. Soon, the boy with brown hair rushed out of the classroom and began running somewhere.

Without bothering to follow him, we went back into the classroom. To our surprise, the hair we had just thrown away was gone.

“Wow, someone actually took it.”

Tana grimaced in disgust, sticking out her tongue.

“Making the potion seems certain now. So, when will it happen?”

“It could be as soon as today.”

I responded decisively to Eve’s inquiry. Judging by his expression and hurried pace, it seemed like he was eager to act quickly. Besides, back at the café, I had warned Eve that I was going to be expelled soon, so he must be aware of the urgency.

“Eve, since we don’t know when that guy will show up as me, let’s establish a code in advance.”

“A code?”

“Yes, simply put, if you say the weather is nice, I’ll say Tana is an idiot.”

“Wait! Why am I getting involved in this?”

“To make you feel less left out.”

Tana protested and grumbled from the side, but Eve nodded in agreement.

“And just in case…”

***

Knock, knock.

It was 10 o’clock in the evening, already bedtime. Eve, who had been lying down to sleep with the lights off, heard a distinct knock on the door. She had been reading novels however, she recognized it as an urgent knock and immediately opened the door.

There stood Daniel McLean, sweating profusely and awkwardly grinning.

‘A fake!’

Unfortunately, there was no need for the code; Eve could tell he was the fake right away. His scent was distinctly different. Being sensitive to people’s scents, she quickly arrived at the correct answer and felt a sense of accomplishment.

She had distinguished between the real Daniel and the impostor. When she thought about how Daniel would react to this, a natural smile formed on Eve’s lips.

“Daniel, what brings you here?”

“Huh? I just wanted to see you.”

“So, that’s why you’re here so late?”

“Uh, why not?”

Eve nodded firmly. “Of course, not. Go back.”

However, he pushed his way in a bit forcefully, closing the door behind him.

“Why? It’s fine. We’re dating, right?”

“What? I’m dating Daniel?”

“Uh… Wait…”

Charlie Kraush felt that something was off here. They had spent the whole day pretending to be all lovey-dovey, but in reality, it wasn’t like that, was it?

‘Oh, could it be just a physical relationship?’

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but please leave now. Don’t force your way in. We can talk tomorrow.”

“Don’t just push me away like that!”

At this point, Charlie tried to force his hand on her. He couldn’t hold back his pounding heart as he remembered what he had done in the library the first time, and he had the vain assurance that she liked it.

Thump!

Eve abruptly pushed his hand away more forcefully than before.

“Where do you think you’re touching?”

This wasn’t like before. In the past, the only reaction she could make was to curl into a ball and tremble in fear, cowering like prey. But now…

“Wha-what are you talking about? I’m Daniel, Daniel McLean.”

Just to be sure, Charlie checked his reflection in the window. It still showed Daniel McLean, even with the freshly cut hair.

Clearly, at the Academy, things were so cozy between them. He has been clinging to Eve’s side. So why is the situation going like this now?

Charlie’s frustration began to build.

After all, he was Daniel right now. So, he could do whatever he wanted. Because that damn country bumpkin would be expelled in a week anyway. As Charlie tried to convince himself of this, he felt a strange sensation, as if something had been severed within him, something essential to his human nature.

He had discarded something crucial that a person should possess.

Thud!

“What are you doing?”

Today’s female floor supervisor entered the room. How? The door was locked! Charlie immediately rushed at the professor. The professor, who didn’t expect such fierce resistance, was taken aback.

“You garbage sexual offender!”

Tana’s well-aimed kick which came from behind the professor landed squarely on Charlie’s spine. While she may not have been a martial artist, the anger-fueled force behind her kick knocked Charlie down.

“Ha, are you Daniel McLean? The one who harassed Eve?”

The female professor, with a deep sense of disgust, used magic to detain Charlie. She declared that Daniel should be expelled again, having attempted another crime.

Other female students who had been awakened by the commotion came out of their rooms. As if conducting a public execution, she dragged Charlie away in front of the students.

However, under the excessive shock, Daniel’s face began to change behind them.
“Wh-what’s happening!”

“Gross!”

“Is your face changing?”

Gradually, Charlie Kraush began to regain his original form, and eventually, he reverted to his true face, not Daniel McLean’s.

“What’s going on?”

The female professor was understandably perplexed. Charlie Kraush was a student she knew. Although quiet and not very talkative, he were a talented alchemy student in Class A.

“Could it be Polymorph?”

Behind the flustered female professor, Tana flashed a knowing smile. Many female students, as well as the professor herself, had seen Charlie using Polymorph to impersonate Daniel earlier.

If they searched Charlie’s dorm room now, they would find evidence, and the similarity between the previous crimes and the fact that they targeted an unknown victim would point right back to Charlie.

Daniel continued to insist that he was innocent, so it would naturally come out that Charlie had framed him.

“Did you really not hurt him?”

“Yes, I didn’t even touch him.”

“Good. It seems what Daniel taught you was somewhat useful.”

Eve had learned self-defense techniques from Daniel. He had given an hour’s worth of elemental magic lessons, but considering that sexual offenders were prone to using their hands, practicing fending off approaching hands had proven effective.

“Furthermore, this…”

Tana pulled out a child’s toy. Just to be safe, she had bought one similar to the one Daniel had bought in town today. When you pressed one end, it emitted light from the other.

As soon as she heard a knock, Eve pressed it. Thanks to that, Tana was able to immediately inform the on-duty professor that a man had entered Eve’s room. Of course, Daniel had the same toy.

“But why isn’t he coming? The plan was to show that there are two Daniels.”

“…Yeah.”

Eve couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. However things were not as simple as they seemed.

***

Light came from the toy Eve had given Daniel.

Someone had come to Eve’s room. I quickly put on some clothes and opened the door, only to find an unexpected girl standing there.

“Rin?”

Rin was in her pajamas with her hair tied up before going to bed. I was curious about what was going on, but I didn’t have time to worry about her right now.
“Sorry, but please wait for a moment…!”

I tried to push Rin away and go outside, but she, unexpectedly, pushed me back into the room, giving me a little shove. She closed the door with a click. The sound of the door locking sent shivers down my spine. Her expression was unsettling.

She usually smiled and was kind to everyone, but right now, she was expressionless, staring at me with an eerie intensity. It felt as if she was in control of the situation, unlike when we had met as equals. Back then, she seemed helpless, but now, she appeared to be suppressing something strong and intense.

“What’s going on?”

I asked, my stomach churning, but Rin answered me instead.

“Traitor.”

“Huh?”

“Traitor.”

Her voice was oddly cold, and it sent shivers down my spine. I didn’t understand what she was talking about, but I didn’t have time to figure it out. Right now, Eve could be in danger. However, at that moment…

“Thinking about another girl again, huh?”

“What?”

“I’m right here. Your childhood friend, standing right in front of you, in pajamas, on this ambitious night.”

Her voice now almost pleaded. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Rin was known for her strong will, and I had only seen her cry once before, when she pierced my heart. So, I felt that the situation was grave.

Back then, I didn’t know what state she was in, but seeing Rin like this, so distraught, was new.

“What’s going on?”

“You should be the one telling me!”

She began to cry, and she threw a weak punch at my chest. It didn’t have much strength, but her punch felt heavy and meaningful.

“Why did you give up so easily and start dating another girl? Why? We’ve spent so much time together! We’ve always been together! That shouldn’t change!”

It was at this moment that I couldn’t help but realize…

‘Ah…’

Back then, we shared the same feelings.

A strange sense of nostalgia mixed with bitterness spread through me.
I hesitated, torn between wanting to comfort her with words and the urgency of the situation with Eve. However, I decided to quickly provide the necessary information.

“I’m not dating anyone.”

For a brief moment, it felt like time stood still. Her voice, which had been trembling, abruptly halted. She slowly raised her head, her expression filled with confusion and disbelief.

“…What?”

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