.｡.:✧ Chapter 41 ✧:.｡.

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

 
—

“pancake stall is decided, and next…”

The class president of Class E adjusted his glasses, maintaining a good atmosphere.

Recently, the atmosphere in the third year had been very good, thanks to May putting all the troublemakers in their place, bringing about overall peace.

‘Of course, I’m still dealing with those who act up when I’m not around.’

I had heard rumors about the seniors from the fourth year, who suddenly appeared and started bullying the students, being taken care of.

‘I need to focus on the date during the festival.’

It was shocking when May said she didn’t want any disturbances before the festival.

Her proactive approach made it feel like our roles had reversed compared to before.

“So with Tana serving, that settles the personnel, right? No objections from anyone?”

The class president had organized everything neatly, but I raised my hand after scanning the chalkboard.

“President, I’m not listed?”

My name was nowhere to be found. I wondered if I was being ostracized, but the president looked at me in surprise.

“Huh? Aren’t you participating in Professor Veritio’s play? I deliberately left you out because of that.”

“No, I’m going to decline that.”

Murmurs rose among my classmates.

Eve, sitting next to me, sprawled on the desk with pleading eyes, but I ignored her cleanly.

“Ah, such a good opportunity.”

Tana muttered.

I heard that participating in a major role in the play could lead to attending social parties with Professor Veritio, meeting famous nobles and knights. It was a chance to make a good impression and could be a huge break for aspiring actors, although it also attracted envy and jealousy.

‘Anyway, I’m planning to retire to the forest after graduation.’

My current plan was to return Rin to her original state by graduation and then return to the forest to wait for Eris.

Before entering the forest as a Sherpa, I had no idea what Eris was doing, so I couldn’t go to her first.

The class president glanced at Professor Amanda sitting beside him, who slowly stood up and approached me.

“You know who Professor Veritio is, right?”

“I’ve heard.”

“And you’re refusing to participate? This is a chance to make your name known to the nobility in one go. There’s even a rumor that members of the royal family will be there this time.”

The classroom buzzed loudly again.

But I remained unmoved.

“Yes, I don’t want to.”

“Hmm.”

Professor Amanda said nothing more and turned to signal the class president, who then wrote my name under miscellaneous tasks.

***

After school.

“Help! Help! I can’t breathe!”

“Dog, dog attack…!”

“Grandpa is waving from across the river.”

“Isn’t your grandpa still healthy?”

“Right. Then who is it?”

Eve and Tana’s incessant grumbling was getting on my nerves, so I decided to take it out on them with some exercise. Then Rin rushed towards me, panting.

“Daniel, Professor Veritio is looking for you. There’s script reading today, didn’t you know?”

“I said I’m not participating.”

Didn’t Professor Amanda say she would inform him?

Rin looked puzzled.

“Huh? Everyone is waiting for you.”

“No, I declined. I even returned the script.”

“Really? I was doing it because you were…”

Rin looked at me with a disappointed expression. This was a good opportunity to bring up something.

“You were sleeping in my room the other day…”

“I should go!”

Suddenly blushing, Rin dashed off.

It was an overreaction, but I resolved to enhance the security of my room. It was unsettling, but nothing seemed missing, and we had often shared a bed when we were younger.

‘But that was when we were kids…’

I didn’t want to provoke Rin; dealing with just May was overwhelming enough.

As I left the two exhausted girls and resumed my workout, a man in a black suit approached me hurriedly.

“Professor, Professor Veritio?”

Hearing the shout of a frantic Eve, who had just scrambled up from the ground, I realized that the thin man must be Professor Veritio. He looked quite anxious.

“Daniel, is it true you won’t participate in my play?”

“Yes, I really don’t want to.”

Participating in the play would mean starting preparations immediately, which I found bothersome.

Perhaps I was too blunt, as Professor Veritio, wiping the sweat with his handkerchief, asked, “Did you receive the script I sent through Professor Amanda?”

“Yes, I got it.”

“Did you look at the role and the content?”

“I saw the role and skimmed through the content.”

At that, Veritio clapped excitedly. “Good. What did you think of the character, Gerry?”

“Excuse me?”

I felt obligated to answer, given his eager look, so I shared my personal thoughts. “He’s a bad guy. Rough and wild. But he seems to have his own sense of loyalty…”

“Yes, exactly! Gerry is the villain from his first appearance until the middle of the play, but then the perception of him gradually reverses. He’s a role that captivates the audience.”

…

It seemed I had given the correct impression, as Professor Veritio interrupted me, excitedly responding.

Eve, who was beside him, nodded eagerly, her hands clasped together.

“And I conceived this character of Gerry while watching you perform in the second practical exam.”

“Really?”

Was he referring to the exam where May and I teamed up to defeat Hayun and Ares?

“You’re very wild, rough, and instinctive. Could you take off your shirt?”

“Wait a minute!”

What was this man talking about?

Before I knew it, Eve was tugging at my shirt, and Tana, claiming it was payback for a workout, joined in.

Despite my resistance, even Professor Veritio helped, and eventually, my shirt was ripped off.

“Ah, my shirt.”

I was annoyed, but Professor Veritio clapped his hands, looking ecstatic. “Perfect! This is it! Yes, this is Gerry! The ruler of the arena! A man who started from the bottom and gained wealth, women, and power with just his fists and is covered in scars!”

‘He’s insane.’

“Especially those eyes. Like looking at a beast! As if ready to tear out the throat of an enemy!”

I wanted to punch him, but restrained myself, even deserving self-praise for my patience.

“Wow.”

“…”

Tana and Eve, who were excited about undressing me, now just swallowed hard and stared at me, caught up in something indescribable.

Embarrassed, I tried to cover my chest with my hands but then thought better of it.

“Give me my shirt.”

It was torn, but I put it on anyway.

“Daniel McLean! You’re the one! I need you!”

“I don’t want to. Find someone else.”

So, I returned to my room to sew back a button, but from the next day, things started to become quite a headache.

“Is Daniel here?”

People kept coming to Class E every break.

“What do you think this character’s psychology would be like?”

Veritio even arranged a special lecture in our class, elaborately explaining the character of Gerry.

“Do you have any favorites? I’ve brought things kids your age might like.”

Gifts started pouring in too.

Annoyed that Veritio was so fixated on me when he could easily go to someone else, Eve just laughed, saying, “That’s the stubbornness of an artist.”

Eventually.

“So, you called me here for this?”

Standing in the principal’s office with a sour face, the principal was only glancing at me while Veritio was rubbing his hands together, full of anticipation.

This man had even persuaded the principal, claiming that the play, expected to be attended by royalty, couldn’t proceed without my participation.

“But, I’ve never acted before?”

I had never even stood on a stage, but why was this man so obsessed with me?

Yet Veritio was adamant.

“You can learn acting from now. Don’t worry, I can make sure you fully immerse into the character, even in a short time.”

…

The conversation was going nowhere, so I shot the principal a glare, and he just timidly avoided my gaze.

A tricky situation where Veritio couldn’t be sided with, nor could he side with me.

I was about to really lose my temper when Veritio almost begged.

“This is my masterpiece! And you’re the final piece for its completion. I’ll give you whatever you want. Not just material support, but I can also connect you with hard-to-meet people. I’m well-acquainted with not just nobles but also other races like dwarves and elves.”

“No, I don’t want to… Wait, you know elves?”

Showing interest for the first time, Veritio eagerly responded as if he saw an opportunity.

“Oh, yes! Did I mention I’ve visited the only elven forest city, Yggdrasil?”

“Yggdrasil…”

The great city in a massive tree, home to the dwindling elven population, where entry of non-elves was strictly forbidden.

“The Elven Queen became a fan of my play. I can write you an introduction if you want.”

I had heard that Eris held a high position.

Could I meet her if I went to Yggdrasil?

After the festival and exams, it would be vacation. If he wrote the introduction, I could visit Yggdrasil then.

“Sigh.”

Eventually, I extended my hand to the beaming Veritio.

He quickly grabbed it and shook it enthusiastically.

Veritio informed me about the script reading tomorrow before leaving.

Watching him leave, I wondered if I had made the right choice, but then the principal spoke from behind.

“I thought you liked Rin. But then again, at your age, anyone would go crazy for elves.”

“Just stop it. I’m at my limit.”

“Sorry, then. Could you leave before you explode?”

At the principal’s request, I exhaled a heated breath and stepped out of the office.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇