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Chapter 53: How to Deal with a Stalker
Iris rubbed her forehead, which was flushed red.
It was the mark of the flick she had received from that morning.
Well, considering how much she had cornered , it was a punishnt she deserved.
When Iris and I arrived at the dining hall, bustling students ca into view.
Today was the day of the Sumr Demon Dungeon Competition.
The faint tension in the air seed to envelop the entire dining hall.
As soon as Iris appeared, all eyes turned to her.
I quietly followed Iris to avoid drawing suspicion.
"Hania, did you hear about that?"
"It's such a big deal!"
But thanks to Hania's natural sociability,
her friends often ended up talking to as well.
"Sorry, everyone. I want to focus on the Demon Dungeon today, so let's chat next ti."
Since it was the day of the competition,
my roundabout excuse was t with understanding, and they backed off.
"Iris's team ca second in the group match, didn't they?"
"I guess she's concentrating to make up for it."
Thankfully, the events of the group match added weight to my words.
Focusing on the Demon Dungeon to redeem the humiliation of the group match.
It was a reason everyone could understand.
‘Sotis, you just have to throw yourself into things,’
my past self would say.
Good job, past .
Here, have a praise sticker.
‘After twists and turns, another day ends.’
Now, once the Demon Dungeon is over, that's it.
Since this marks the conclusion of Act 3, I was just as nervous.
"Hania, let's go."
Amid the tense atmosphere,
I walked with Iris toward the Martial Arts building.
All the students were gathering there under the guidance of the professors to head to the entrance of the Demon Dungeon.
As a result, the area in front of the Martial Arts building was packed with students from the departnt.
The tension in the air was palpable.
Scanning the crowd, I spotted Hania—who looked like Hannon—standing with Seron.
Hania had her arms crossed, her face full of irritation.
Obvious.
She wanted to be next to Iris but couldn’t, and it was making her grumpy.
Beside her, Seron seed uncomfortable, keeping her mouth tightly shut.
It was a sign of Seron’s lack of social skills.
Ah, Seron.
You truly are hopeless at communication...
“You’re just like Hannon.”
Iris whispered to .
Was she saying that grumpy expression resembled mine?
It was shocking news for soone like , who always wore a kind smile.
While I was still reeling, my eyes caught sight of Isabel.
For so reason, she tilted her head while looking at Hania, who resembled Hannon.
Could she have figured sothing out?
I hoped not.
"Ah, exhausting. Another Demon Dungeon day,"
soone muttered, breaking the silence.
Several third-year students had appeared by then.
Having experienced the Demon Dungeon nurous tis, they looked utterly uninterested.
Unlike the second-years, who were ambitious,
most third-years had a resigned attitude.
Dubbed "the weakest generation" by others,
they lacked any will to try.
Among the third-years,
one stood out—silver hair that seed colder than usual.
Underneath that hair,
blue eyes glead with a chilling light, exuding a foreboding aura.
Nikita Cynthia.
A strange coldness emanated from her.
At that mont, Nikita’s head lifted.
Before our eyes could et, I quickly looked away.
I felt her gaze linger on Iris before moving on.
That subtle hostility within her stare was sothing only I, who knew the situation, could detect.
“Haaah, looks like everyone’s here now.”
Just as the tension reached its peak, Professor Vega appeared.
Unlike her usual self, she was wearing a neat suit, stifling a yawn.
Beside her were the professors responsible for the first and third years.
With their stern faces, they made Vega seem almost kind in comparison.
Despite appearances, Vega was the most experienced among them.
Trailing behind them were associate professors and teaching assistants in an orderly line.
With a large entourage in tow, Vega signaled the junior professors to move out.
"We’re heading to the Demon Dungeon entrance. Stay in line and don’t make a fuss,"
the third-year professor instructed, and the students began moving.
With so many people,
the procession was massive.
By now, other departnts were probably moving too,
and eventually, a huge number of students would gather at the entrance.
As we walked, I felt eyes boring into the back of my head.
Since the move began, I kept sensing soone staring at .
Could it be soone who realized I wasn’t Hania?
A quick glance around revealed no students paying attention to .
Everyone was too tense, focused solely on the competition.
‘If not the students…’
Extending my awareness, I scanned the assistants,
but even among them, no one was watching .
When my gaze finally reached the professors,
I discovered soone looking straight at .
A second-year Martial Arts associate professor—
Barkov Deblije.
The second son of Count Deblije, known for his wealth.
And I knew a certain incident involving him.
‘That guy’s into minors, isn’t he?’
An associate professor at the Academy,
he had been expelled for stalking a student.
Though it was briefly ntioned as gossip within the Academy,
it wasn’t an event the player could directly intervene in.
However, the fallout from this incident stirred up discord between professors and students,
even explaining why Vega developed a drinking problem.
And now, that guy was staring at .
Or rather, at the persona of Hania I had taken on.
A chill ran down my spine.
The intensity of his gaze was beyond unsettling.
‘No wonder Hania couldn’t handle a stalker so easily.’
With a professor from a noble family acting like this,
she must have hesitated to deal with it hastily.
The problem now was that I was the object of that scorching gaze.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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For the first ti in my life,
I felt a murderous urge.
“We’ve arrived at the Demon Dungeon. Now, find your teammates when called.”
The mont we reached the palace,
I quickly clung to Iris as soon as Professor Vega gave the instruction.
"Lady Iris, let’s hurry up and go."
I could sense that guy's gaze on more and more.
If I felt it any longer, I might end up summoning the Thunder Bolt.
Iris, as if she noticed this, said nothing and moved forward.
"Hania."
At that mont.
Assistant Professor Barkov appeared, blocking our path.
This lunatic.
"Lady Iris, may I have a mont to talk to Hania?"
Assistant Professor Barkov looked at with a determined expression.
The hand wearing the Thunder Bolt trembled slightly.
I really wanted to punch him.
"Well..."
Iris looked at Barkov with an awkward expression.
She must have decided not to intervene until now because Hania had insisted on handling the stalker incident alone.
But sohow, I ended up tangled in this ss instead of Hania.
Even Iris seed unsure of what to do.
The students around us began to stare.
If suspicion arose here, it could get troubleso.
"Lady Iris, I'll handle this and be right back."
For now, I decided to diffuse the situation.
Anyway, the third-years were going into the dungeon first.
The second-years still had so ti to spare.
When I stepped forward, Iris eventually gave her permission.
"Assistant Professor Barkov, let's go."
"Ah, yes, of course."
Barkov's face imdiately lit up.
Mine, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
Barkov led to a place a little away from the crowd.
All the while, he kept glancing at nervously.
Inside this body was a 185 cm tall dark-skinned man.
I couldn’t even imagine how shocked he’d be if he knew that.
"So, what do you want?"
Instinctively, my voice sharpened.
But Barkov didn’t seem to care and coughed awkwardly, as if embarrassed.
"Hania, I heard you’ll be entering the dungeon this ti. I couldn’t hold back anymore, so I had to tell you."
If you’re a student at Zerion Academy, going to the dungeon is a given.
What nonsense is this?
"The dungeon is dangerous. Thinking about you not coming back made realize my feelings for you."
Barkov’s chubby cheeks trembled.
My face started to stiffen.
No way.
Is this guy confessing to ?
And at a ti like this, while I’m in Hania’s body?
"Hold on a second, Professor, what are you—"
"H-Hania!"
Barkov’s resolve seed unshakable.
"I like you! I had to tell you before you entered the dungeon!"
A man over thirty confessing to a minor.
What on earth is he babbling about?
A sharp headache shot through my head, and I clenched my fists.
This is how you make a confession so maddening.
Experiencing it myself, I now understand how dizzying it is.
"Assistant Professor Barkov, please calm down."
"Hania, answer . I already know you feel the sa way about ."
Barkov was completely out of it now.
Just as I was about to resort to extre asures to knock so sense into him—
"Assistant Professor Barkov, Hania is dating , so this is a problem."
A voice I absolutely did not expect rang in my ears.
I turned my head stiffly.
Standing there was a boy with jet-black hair and crimson-red eyes.
Hannon Irey.
In other words, the real Hania was standing there.
"What?"
Barkov’s face froze in confusion at Hania’s bombshell statent.
Hania walked over and grabbed my hand.
"Hania and I are dating, so confessions like this are inappropriate."
Just like that, I beca Hania’s boyfriend.
Wait, no.
Right now, I’m Hania.
So, I’ve ended up dating myself?
"W-What nonsense is this!"
Barkov looked back and forth between our hands, utterly flustered.
"That’s ridiculous! I know Hania isn’t dating anyone!"
"Oh, really? That’s because we only started dating yesterday."
Hania turned toward .
It was clear she wanted to play along.
Left with no choice, I confidently raised our clasped hands.
"Yes, Hannon confessed to yesterday, and we decided to date. So, I can’t accept Assistant Professor Barkov’s feelings."
"T-That can’t be."
Barkov stumbled backward.
The shock of rejection seed to be too much for him.
If only he’d just collapse right here and now.
"Don’t make laugh! Prove it!"
Barkov shouted pathetically.
The two of us said we were dating, but he still wanted proof?
Even Hania seed to be getting fed up with him and sighed.
"Hania, let’s do what we did yesterday."
What did we do yesterday?
Suddenly, Hania grabbed my chin.
Truly, the runner-up in martial arts proficiency.
Her movents were so swift they were nearly invisible.
Hania’s face ca right up to mine.
Our lips were so close they were practically touching.
But Hania’s and my lips never quite t.
Her control was flawless.
However, since her back was to Barkov,
to anyone watching from behind, it looked like we were kissing.
Realizing her intent, I discreetly wrapped my arm around her back.
Finishing touch.
And then, Barkov scread.
"No! No! That’s impossible!"
Unable to handle the situation, Barkov ran off.
It was the most pitiful rejection of his life.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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