Even a Scoundrel Gets Tired – Chapter 27

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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After the midterm evaluation began, the professors gathered their respective classes.

Their assistants distributed bracelets to the students, warning them that losing the bracelet would result in immediate disqualification.

Teams were to proceed through the portal to the island as soon as they were ready.

Once the professor finished his explanation, I went to find Lianna. I wanted to check what she’d brought.

She wasn’t hard to find. However, she was surrounded by a group of students.

Judging by her uncomfortable expression, they weren’t friends.

Curious, I discreetly approached, trying to overhear their conversation.

The surrounding noise made it difficult, and I had to get quite close.

“I already told you, I’m not interested.”

“A pretty face and a feisty attitude? Even better!”

“…”

Judging by Lianna’s frown and the conversation snippet, they were harassing her.

The leader of the group seemed particularly persistent, ignoring her obvious displeasure.

What should I do?

I decided to wait and see. I didn’t want to cause a scene and risk another confrontation with the other students.

Besides, the professors would intervene if they took too long. They couldn’t just stand around forever.

After choosing my course of action, I lit a cigarette.

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‘Ugh, I can’t stand this guy!’

Lianna thought, barely suppressing the urge to say it out loud.

If this continued, she wouldn’t be able to hold back.

He’d introduced himself as Derek, the second son of Viscount Ruben, and had promptly demanded she become his wife, his tone dripping with condescending “generosity.” His smug expression made her want to punch him.

He was overweight, his face far from handsome. Yet, he seemed convinced that she’d be thrilled by his offer.

She’d refused, of course. She didn’t judge people based on their appearance, but demanding marriage from a complete stranger was beyond the pale.

He hadn’t given up. He’d continued to list his supposed virtues, and when she’d tried to escape, she’d found herself surrounded by his friends.

She fought the urge to punch him and silently pleaded for help, hoping Jenison would find her.

‘Jenison must be looking for me… We need to discuss our strategy…’

‘Where is he…?!’

‘Can’t he find me…?’

Her silent pleas went unanswered. She turned her head away from Derek’s leering face and finally spotted him, leaning against a wall, casually smoking a cigarette.

Relief washed over her. He’d rescue her.

But he just stood there, puffing away.

‘What are you doing, Jenison?!’

She grew increasingly desperate. She gestured frantically, hoping he’d understand her silent plea for help.

But his expression was indifferent, almost bored.

She recognized that look. It was the same look the students waiting their turn to spar gave those currently training. The “When are they going to finish?” look.

She was annoyed. She’d thought they were friends, especially after becoming teammates and sharing their vulnerabilities.

And he was just going to stand there and watch her suffer?

She abandoned all hope of him intervening and considered her options.

She found a solution. A way to escape this situation and get back at Jenison at the same time.

“Young Master Derek.”

“Oh, you’ve finally changed your mind!”

“No! I just remembered something I have to do!”

She firmly rejected him again, then ran towards Jenison, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards her, pressing herself against him.

He looked bewildered, and she smiled, a smile that could charm any man.

“My apologies, Young Master Derek.”

“W… What is the meaning of this?!”

“I have something to discuss with him, alone. So, if you’ll excuse us.”

She pulled Jenison away, leaving a furious, red-faced Derek sputtering in their wake.

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“Huff… huff…”

“Would you mind letting go now?”

“Oh! S… Sorry.”

I’d been completely outmaneuvered.

She’d made a scene, and there was no way to avoid the attention.

I’d known she’d seen me. Her frantic gestures had been obvious. But I hadn’t seen a need to intervene. I’d hoped they’d finish quickly, so I’d ignored her. I hadn’t anticipated this.

How had I appeared to Derek?

Judging by his expression when Lianna grabbed my arm, probably as the man who’d stolen his woman.

It was ironic. She’d repeatedly rejected him. He was the one making a fool of himself. But if he’d realized that, he would have stopped.

His anger, however, was now directed at us, making him another potential enemy in the upcoming midterm evaluations.

Lianna was starting to annoy me. She should have just rejected him firmly and left.

I chopped her lightly on the head.

She glared at me, rubbing her head, then quickly looked away, remembering her earlier actions.

“…Let’s forget about that for now. So… what did you bring?”

“Oh! This!”

She rummaged through her bag and proudly presented me with… an ordinary rock.

“…A rock?”

“Yeah! I can transform it into anything! And it’s simple, so it doesn’t use much mana!”

“…There are rocks on the island.”

“…Oh.”

She hadn’t thought of that. I facepalmed.

It wasn’t a terrible choice. Rocks were simple and lightweight, easy to transform mid-air. But it wasn’t particularly useful. The island was full of rocks. She should have brought food.

Seeing my exasperated expression, she quickly added that she’d brought other things, too, pulling out food, potions, and other supplies.

I wasn’t thrilled about the rock, but it was too late to change anything. Thanks to her little stunt, we were running late.

The evaluations wouldn’t begin until all the students had arrived, and we were now the center of attention, the professors staring at us expectantly.

We couldn’t risk any penalties for tardiness.

“Do you remember what to do as soon as we arrive?”

“Um… yeah! Gather food, right?”

“Correct.”

Our goal was to survive as long as possible and get a good grade. Food was essential.

The island was supposedly inhabited by various animals and fruit-bearing trees.

The more students survived, the higher the demand for food would be. We needed to gather supplies early and conserve them.

She seemed to understand. Her bag was filled with food. I could create cooking utensils, so we could maximize our food supplies.

We gathered our belongings and headed towards the portal.

When we arrived, the other students were already gone. The remaining students were lined up, waiting their turn to enter the shimmering blue portal.

A professor gestured impatiently for us to hurry.

We checked in, then stepped towards the portal.

The world twisted and shifted around us.

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