Chapter 22: Shifting Dynamics and New Resolutions

As usual, time seemed to accelerate, especially during exam season.

While Sayo consistently reviewed and previewed her lessons, she hadn’t intended to study so diligently. However, her body’s original owner seemed insistent, pushing her to study. She found herself glued to her chair all day.

‘This is the one thing that hasn’t changed.’

Still, it was better than ‘before.’ This wasn’t about pleasing her parents or proving her worth; it was a genuine desire to see her name at the top of the rankings. Sayo admired this aspect of Sayoreinne, her ambition, her drive to improve, something the aimless Juseong had lacked.

Taking a break, Sayo sipped her tea and looked around the cafe.

Miner, at the same table, seemed to have lost focus, staring blankly at her book. Soine was struggling with a difficult problem.

Looking around, she saw various groups of people. Girls chatting and laughing. Couples gazing lovingly at each other. And a few, rare individuals actually studying.

It was peaceful. A smile touched her lips.

‘I wish things could stay this calm…’

Shaking the thought away, Sayo nudged Miner awake and helped Soine with her problem.

“I spaced out… thank you.”

“Thank you for your help, Sayoreinne.”

“It was nothing.”

The second semester exams were two days away.

A week later, the results were posted. First place in Magic Integration. Fifth in General Studies. Third overall. One rank higher than last semester. Sayoreinne would be pleased.

Besides her individual report, there was a list of the top 30 students. Emelly’s name stood out, ranked eighth overall, the highest among commoners. A score impossible to achieve at this stage in the game. But this wasn’t a game; it was reality. She reminded herself of this again. That’s why she didn’t want anyone around her, not just herself, to suffer.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. Enjoy your month-long break, and I’ll see you again in September. That’s all.” The Divine Magic instructor, also Class A’s homeroom teacher, gave a brief, dismissive farewell and left.

The classroom buzzed with activity as students packed their belongings and chatted.

It finally sank in. Three months—an entire semester—had passed since she arrived in this world. While she didn’t feel like she’d accomplished much, she was grateful to have made it through without any major incidents.

As Sayo leisurely packed her bag, she looked around and met Euru’s eyes. Euru picked up her bag and strode towards her.

“Sayoreinne, we won’t see each other for a month. Why don’t we have lunch together?” Euru reached out and brushed a few stray strands of hair from Sayo’s cheek, then gently stroked her hair. As Euru leaned over her, her chest brushed against Sayo’s face. The thin summer uniform did little to conceal her ample bosom.

This was… too stimulating…

Sayo opened her fan.

“…Yes, let’s. It’s been a while since we spent time together,” she managed to reply, maintaining her usual composure, though her voice might have trembled slightly. This unexpected physical contact made it difficult to stay calm.

“Sayoreinne, we came to say goodbye.”

“It’s sad to think we won’t see each other for a month.”

Miner and Soine’s voices brought Sayo back to reality. Thanks to her efforts over the past few weeks, she considered them her friends. While she hadn’t made any progress with the heroines, this was still a step forward.

‘But are we really friends? Or am I just imagining it?’

As she indulged in her typical self-deprecating thoughts, she suddenly felt a pang of regret and made a suggestion to Miner and Soine, who were saying goodbye to Euru.

“I’m going to have lunch with Euru. Why don’t you join us?”

“We’d love to, but…”

“Is it really okay?”

She had blurted out the invitation without thinking. She needed Euru’s approval.

“Is it alright with you, Euru? You’re not close to them, so… if it’s inconvenient, we can go just the two of us. They’ll understand.”

“Uh, yeah, sure, why not? …Sigh. Let’s go together.”

The two girls looked so happy, and Sayo found it endearing. This was a side of them she wouldn’t have seen if she still considered this world a game and them just minor villains. But was it her imagination, or were Euru’s eyes practically glowing as she smiled at them? Perhaps it was just the effect of her bright red eyes.

The four of them went to a secluded, upscale restaurant. It seemed like a place Euru frequented. She explained it was a discreet establishment run by someone connected to the royal family, allowing her to visit without her disguise.

After lunch, they said their goodbyes and parted ways. Euru shook Sayo’s hand, lingering a little too long, before heading towards the royal palace. Her hair gradually changed back to its original red. As Sayo recalled from the game, Euru always carried a magical disguise tool with her.

“Haa…” A moan escaped Sayo’s lips as she sank into the hot bath, the soothing warmth relaxing her muscles.

She was staying at the academy during the break. The Marquisate had readily agreed. She had also pre-ordered meals from the academy cafeteria, so food wasn’t a problem.

Her goal for this break was to get closer to Nell, the only heroine staying at the academy.

She had to befriend the girl she had once bullied.

‘Ugh, my chest hurts.’

Sayo lay back in the tub, closing her eyes.

It would be difficult, but she had to do it. She had decided to move forward, and she would.

Soine and Miner’s Perspective:

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sayoreinne. I am Miner, from Viscount Melpin’s family, which serves the Meirel Marquisate.”

“Likewise, I am Soine, from Baron Marti’s family, also in service to the Meirel Marquisate.”

“…Hmm, pleased to meet you.”

Their first impression of Sayoreinne had been positive. The daughter of the Marquisate they served was beautiful and wore a pleasant smile. They anticipated a good relationship.

“Would you like to see a play together this weekend?”

“I heard the latest play is very romantic.”

“Thank you, but I’ll decline.”

“This is a pastry from a famous shop. Would you like to try one?”

“It’s really delicious. You too, Sayoreinne…”

“No, thank you.”

They soon sensed her indifference, the underlying irritation and disdain hidden beneath her smile. They began treating her formally, keeping their distance.

“Soine, Miner, commoners are so annoying, aren’t they?”

““Huh?””

“They should be bowing their heads and groveling before us, but just because we’re at the same academy, they dare to look us in the eye and speak so casually.”

“Yes…”

“Y-yes.”

Whenever Sayoreinne initiated conversation, it was always about something uncomfortable. They had no choice but to agree, even if they wanted to avoid the topic.

“I just wish they’d know their place. Heh.” Sayoreinne’s forced smile made them uncomfortable.

“Don’t you agree?”

“…”

“…”

They began targeting the commoners in Class A, choosing Nell, the easiest target, as the focus of their harassment.

“How long… do we have to do this…?”

“It can’t be helped. We can’t disobey Sayoreinne… the daughter of the Marquis.”

They relied on each other for support, Miner usually comforting the more sensitive Soine.

As the bullying continued, their guilt lessened, their consciences dulled. The harassment, something they weren’t comfortable with, still felt awkward, but they were disturbed by their own growing indifference.

Thankfully, the semester ended, giving them a month-long reprieve.

The respite ended quickly, and the new semester began, bringing them face-to-face with Sayoreinne again.

“Soine, Miner. Stop it.”

“What?”

“…?”

The Sayoreinne they met was different. While still prone to irritability and that unsettling smile, she had stopped the bullying and seemed… softer. And she seemed to be avoiding them.

A few weeks later, Sayoreinne started asking them about themselves.

“I enjoy watching plays. I’d like to try writing a script someday.”

“I like playing musical instruments. I’m not particularly good at any of them, but I’ve tried most of them. I play whatever I feel like playing that day.”

While Sayoreinne rarely smiled now, her occasional smiles were genuine and beautiful, unlike before. She was kind to them, treating them like real friends. Soine and Miner quickly became attached to her.

While they didn’t know what Sayoreinne truly thought of them, they considered her a friend. They enjoyed being with her.

“I hope things stay like this. I’m having so much fun lately.”

“They will, Soine,” Miner said, stroking Soine’s hair as she leaned against her.

And they prayed it would.