Chapter 33: The Disaster-Grade Monster and Unwavering Resolve

“Oh, no need, really~ I’m perfectly healthy, and I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow. Please don’t worry, I’ll definitely attend tomorrow’s class on time!”

The twin-tailed fox-girl chuckled softly, then responded to Yuna. Hearing her words, the red-haired older woman gasped sharply.

A sharp intake of breath.

A moment later, Yuna sighed, exasperated, pressing a hand to her forehead. She then urgently continued speaking to Allyrose.

“No! You absolutely don’t need to attend on time! Agh, agh, agh… This, this… can you truly guarantee that no unexpected incident will occur tomorrow? Your physical condition is completely unpredictable, isn’t it? What if you don’t cover yourself properly tonight and catch a cold or a fever? Or perhaps… or perhaps… you’re suddenly called back home to handle some urgent matter! All these possibilities must be considered! Ugh… so, so…”

“Eh~ How can something that hasn’t happened yet be an excuse to take leave~! Besides… even if something like that did occur, Yuna-chan, as a proud student of the Magic Academy, I can’t skip class!”

“What kind of deadpan joke are you telling, seriously! Didn’t you already skip class today? You’ve clearly skipped the entire day, agh, agh, agh—!”

Finally, Yuna could no longer hold back. After severely reprimanding the glib-tongued girl, Yuna calmed down. She glanced at the surrounding students, then her expression hardened. She abruptly dragged Allyrose into a nearby corner, her demeanor suggesting she wanted to devour her whole.

Luo Jia, who had been following behind the girl, tensed instantly and hurried after them. Just as he was about to intervene and help Allyrose, he witnessed something unexpected. Yuna, who had fiercely dragged Allyrose into the corner, immediately softened her expression once they were out of sight.

A moment later, the red-haired older woman slowly exhaled a sigh. She then lifted her gaze, looking at Allyrose with palpable concern, and spoke plainly.

“I’ll be direct, Allyrose. Tomorrow’s class is specifically aimed at you. They intend for you to fight that disaster-grade monster… You absolutely must not come to school, or else… the outcome will surely be grim!”

“Well…”

As she looked at her worried teacher, a flicker of warmth stirred in Allyrose’s heart.

In a time when everyone seemed to have abandoned her, only Yuna at the academy truly cared.

It was a pity, however, that the Allyrose of the novel’s original plot was far too naive and innocent. She had been solely focused on currying favor with Vivian, utterly disregarding Yuna’s advice to be wary of the True Saintess. Ultimately, she helplessly watched as Yuna was manipulated and expelled from the royal capital by Vivian, and Allyrose herself met an unfortunate end.

This time, however, despite Allyrose’s profound gratitude in this moment…

The girl still had no intention of heeding Yuna’s advice. The reason, of course, was quite simple.

Clearly, this devoted teacher was currently unaware of the bet between Allyrose and Arius. She was simply focused on preventing Allyrose from coming to school tomorrow, hoping to help her evade this perilous trap.

But Allyrose couldn’t choose to escape, not even without the bet. After all, the opponent’s purpose in arranging this practical combat lesson was specifically to target her.

Since it was aimed directly at her, there was no escaping the inevitable. Simply taking a day off to avoid it would be meaningless for Allyrose; on the contrary, it would only embolden her adversary.

Her opponent, clearly, wouldn’t simply let her off the hook; they would undoubtedly scheme their next plot.

This meant that unless Allyrose took leave every day from now on, holed up at home, or, to be safer, simply moved out of the royal capital to hide in a rural town, she would never truly find peace.

Even more extreme, even if she did all that, given Vivian’s explosively jealous nature, Allyrose had no doubt that the girl would track her down to the ends of the earth and then, with a sinister smile, stab her in the back.

Therefore, Allyrose couldn’t possibly choose to evade. Even taking a step back, why should Vivian get to live so comfortably?

Only by thoroughly eradicating them, by making this protagonist group from the novel pay the price, could she accomplish what needed to be done!

So…

“It’s alright, teacher~”

“Huh?!”

Watching Allyrose smile at her with such nonchalance, the red-haired older woman anxiously drew a sharp breath. Immediately, she clutched her head and reiterated to Allyrose.

“Are you really listening to me? That’s a disaster-grade monster! Disaster-grade! It’s coming for *you*, you, you… are you still going to come?!”

“Hmm… but I’m Holy Light Level 100~”

****

The twin-tailed fox-girl narrowed her eyes, tilting her head as she smiled. In an instant, it was Yuna’s turn to be speechless. The red-haired older woman stood frozen for several seconds, and only after a long, drawn-out pause did she speak, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

“But… wasn’t that fake? You…”

“Can that even be faked~?”

Allyrose grinned mischievously. She then reached out, stood on tiptoe, and patted Yuna’s shoulder before speaking.

“Don’t worry, I already guessed it. Whether it’s Epic-grade or Disaster-grade, be confident! You’re looking at the student of the genius mage, Miss Yuna!”

With that, she took a light step, leaving a confident remark beside the stunned Yuna.

“Don’t worry, teacher, this time, I’ll make you proud…”

Having said her piece, Allyrose walked over to Luo Jia. She then playfully patted his head and chuckled softly.

“Come on, let’s go home!”

****

“Well…”

“Honestly, really…”

Turning her head, Yuna watched the departing figures of the girl and the silver-haired young man beside her, letting out an involuntary sigh.

Though a faint worry still lingered in her heart, Yuna, for some reason, still wanted to believe in this child.

The reason she believed, the reason she cared so much, was simply because…

This little one used to be so well-behaved, so sensible. Her talent was high, and her personality kind. Yuna had always held high hopes for her, feeling that Allyrose was very much like herself.

But then, such a significant change suddenly occurred, and… this little one seemed to have become a completely different person.

Perhaps, this change could even be considered a good thing?

‘Is everything truly… alright? I’m still so worried…’

****

That night, after returning home, the twin-tailed fox-girl shed her school uniform, slipped into her pajamas, and promptly flopped onto the sofa—!

She instantly transformed into her ‘Umaru mode’!

Luo Jia watched from the side with a hint of helplessness. He carried the magically prepared meal to the dining table, then approached the girl and gently squeezed Allyrose’s small foot. This made the girl exclaim “Ah~” and hastily sit up, after which… she blushed and shot Luo Jia a glare!

After a moment, she sat up properly, looked at the dishes on the table, then nodded contentedly and spoke with a smile.

“Today wasn’t bad either~ Ah, though I’m a bit tired of these ingredients, *pfft*. Hey, Whitey, did you hear what Teacher Yuna said today? Tomorrow, Arius has prepared quite a gift for us~ Tell me… how tasty do you think a disaster-grade monster would be~?”

“Wait, huh?!”