Chapter 131: Closing Ceremony

From getting up from my seat to returning the tray and leaving the cafeteria, no one held me back.

However, there were those following me.

One was naturally my lovely baby dragon, and the other was…

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“Reysir. Why are you following me?”

“With your personality, there’s no way you haven’t finished packing your luggage yet, right?

So, I thought I’d be your conversation partner so you wouldn’t be bored before the closing ceremony starts.”

“A conversation partner? Cut the nonsense and get to the point.”

“I did follow you because I had something to say about what just happened. But honestly, my desire to play and talk with you, just the two of us, is bigger.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Why do you think I’m not serious? Hey, we still haven’t exchanged our thoughts on the novel you read during the competition.”

“……”

‘Is he crazy about web novels?’

‘Or is that the only conversation topic he can think of to share with me?’

As I stared blankly at his face because I was so dumbfounded, I suddenly felt like I shouldn’t be staying here.

It wasn’t that I had something urgent to do right now.

Since I couldn’t afford to waste my physical or mental strength by training or studying, it was more accurate to say there was nothing I could do.

However, if I stayed here, I would run into Niddre when he came out of the cafeteria.

I wanted to avoid such an awkward situation, so I moved my feet.

“You wanted to play with me too, didn’t you?”

There’s a reason the protagonist of someone else’s novel came to such a misunderstanding.

It was because I took the walking trail instead of heading toward the dormitory.

I did need to hear what the original protagonist had to say about the content of the last chapter.

That’s why I did it; it definitely wasn’t because I wanted to play with him.

Since it was midwinter, it was cold outside, so I thought about going to the cafeteria.

But I figured there would be too many students there feeling sad about being apart during the break and trying to build friendships.

‘Is it better to just talk outside? Not only would I not have to worry about my surroundings while talking, but I could also get up at any time using the cold as an excuse.’

So I just took a seat on a bench in the middle of the walking trail.

“The weather is chilly, so keep this wrapped around you.”

“……”

As if he had read my mind, the inventory holder took out a scarf and a blanket and handed them to me.

‘Does he carry things like this around normally?’

‘Or did he put them in his inventory to take home since he wouldn’t need winter gear next semester, only to take them out now?’

“By the way, that Tridric guy is something else.”

If I refused, it felt like the needlessly kind protagonist of someone else’s novel would personally wrap the winter gear around my body.

So, while I was wrapped in the things I took with my own hands, Reysir said something unexpected.

“Why does that criminal’s name suddenly come up?”

“You’re someone who can give wise advice while sincerely worrying about others based on such upright values.

Last semester, it didn’t show at all because Tridric went around talking as if he represented you.”

“No, that’s… just because the past me was immature and a mess… and what happened in the cafeteria earlier, I don’t think you can necessarily say I gave wise advice.”

‘Didn’t I seem too arrogant or like I was showing off?’

“Honestly, I’m even a bit doubtful if my words were properly conveyed…”

At the sudden praise attack from the protagonist of someone else’s novel, I unknowingly poured out excuses in embarrassment.

I won’t bother describing how Reysir reacted to me like this.

I’ll just state the fact that the conversation was delayed for more than a minute.

“I wonder if there’s even any point in not mentioning in front of others that you’re actually kind and shy. It’s at a level where it’s impossible to hide.”

‘So, is he saying he’s going to tease me from now on without caring about others’ eyes?’

Anyway, today is the last time I’ll face this original protagonist.

Therefore, such a threat wasn’t effective at all, but I couldn’t help my brow furrowing in displeasure.

Because of the following reasons.

“Are you asking me why I stepped forward instead of just staying still?”

“That’s not what I meant, at all. I was just expressing my impression that there’s a reason the phrase ‘an awl in a sack’ exists. I didn’t even think you said something unnecessary.”

“……”

‘Is this fox-like protagonist of someone else’s novel perhaps intentionally slipping praise into his words?’

‘So that I can’t talk back immediately because I’m stuttering from embarrassment?’

“I think you told Niddre something that will really help him.”

“…Do you think he took my words to heart?”

“Looking at how he stood still without being able to say anything, wouldn’t he have to some extent? For now, I think it’s certain that the catalyst for change has been planted. Although it’s still unknown when that seed will germinate.”

Since it’s the original protagonist saying it, I can trust it.

It’s a relief that there are signs of change eventually.

It must mean that Niddre can come to his senses before the situation reaches its worst, at least.

I knew it was too early to let my guard down, but I felt somewhat relieved.

“Then now…”

“Shall we start talking about the Spec-Char Novel?”

“Spec-Char Novel..?”

Just as I was about to say I should go back to the dormitory.

Reysir drew a question out of me by using a term I had never heard before.

“The novels we read.”

‘They have the commonality that the author’s pen name consists of special characters, right?’

So, Special Character Novel.

“I tried naming it ‘Spec-Char Novel’ for short.”

Reysir said that and smiled innocently, adding, “How is it?”

“Isn’t it very appropriate?”

Well, since this is a world where not only a web server but even the internet or computers don’t exist.

In this place, it might be more appropriate to call it a Special Character Novel rather than a web novel.

“Anyway.

‘So the Spec-Char Novel I recommended, how was it?’

“It was fun, right?”

“Well, it was.”

“As expected!”

“Since you said you like Author Star’s novels, I knew it would suit your taste!!”

“Um…”

“Which part was fun? Who is your favorite character??”

“Ah, that’s….”

As an author, it was something I could never do to disparage a novel I enjoyed reading as boring.

So, when I answered honestly, Reysir’s tension rose sharply.

‘I should have left when I was questioning what a Spec-Char Novel was…’

In the end, I had to suffer under a barrage of questions for quite a while until Reysir was satisfied.

“Karvaldr. Don’t you have any Spec-Char Novels you want to recommend to me?”

“I don’t.”

“Why?”

Because it’s obvious you won’t be able to read them even if I recommend them.

You’ll be dropping out soon, and those things you call Spec-Char Novels only exist in this Valhalla Academy library.

Those words swirled in my mouth, but of course, I shouldn’t say them.

“Why don’t you? Whhyyy~?”

“……”

“Then instead of a recommendation, tell me the title of a Spec-Char Novel you enjoyed reading.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Then at least what you’ve read so far?”

The reason he’s being so persistent is partly due to his tenacious nature.

But there’s also a bit of wanting to prepare an excuse to play with me alone next time too.

In short, it meant he wouldn’t back down easily.

“I’ll tell you next semester. Even if I tell you now, it’s not like you can read it anyway, right?”

“I guess that’s true. Since I have to go home this break.”

“Then, since the conversation is over and it’s cold, it’s better to go back to the dormitory now.”

I didn’t want to be held by the protagonist of someone else’s novel any longer.

So I quickly stood up and returned the scarf and blanket I was wearing to the original owner.

As I said I used them well, Reysir put them in his inventory with a disappointed expression and said this.

“Can’t we just keep talking and playing in your room or my room, and then head to the grand auditorium together in time for the closing ceremony?”

“No.”

“Mmm, I knew you’d say that. As expected of the feline family, you need time alone periodically, right?”

“Wha- what…! I’m not a feline animal but a full-fledged human. And since Yorr is with me, I’m not even alone.”

“Okay, okay. It’s cold, so let’s go inside now.”

I couldn’t feel any sincerity in his “okay.”

But if I continued the conversation by refuting any further, I would end up spending time together until the start of the closing ceremony, just as Reysir wanted.

Since I couldn’t be played by such an obvious trick, I snorted with a “Hmph!” and walked briskly toward the dormitory.

***

The Demonic Transformation did not occur at the same time as the start of the closing ceremony.

While the closing ceremony was in full swing.

When the representatives of each grade were called up to the podium, and the moment the first-grade representative was about to give a speech.

That is the starting point of the Demonic Transformation.

‘For reference, the boss monster is generated at the center of the podium. That is, right next to where the grade representative stands to give the speech…’

Probably, some readers would have reacted with “Huh?” the moment they saw the above explanation.

Because there have been several mentions that Helga is scheduled to speak as the first-grade representative at today’s closing ceremony.

In other words, the reason there was only one victim during this incident in the original work.

It’s partly thanks to the performance of the professors with outstanding abilities.

‘But if you go down to the root of it. It’s probably because the character the author intended to remove was not squeezed among the students, but was standing alone away from them.’

No doubt someone is thinking, ‘Then shouldn’t you have stopped Helga from becoming the grade representative?’ by now.

But I didn’t interfere to stop her from becoming the grade representative and just left it alone.

The first reason is that I cannot sacrifice someone else to save Helga.

The second reason was that I couldn’t interfere with her goal of reaching a high official position to gain the power to protect her loved ones.

And the most decisive third reason…

‘The premise set by Author Senna is probably not , but ‘

The possibility that the boss monster’s spawn location is set to ‘near Helga’ rather than ‘center of the podium’ cannot be ruled out.

‘If the boss monster were to be generated by her side while Helga was sitting among the students, what kind of situation would unfold?’

‘Chaos beyond comparison to the original content would hit the students, and the professors’ response would be delayed due to controlling them!’

Even if I somehow succeeded in saving Helga in the middle of the mess, if other students died, it could be said to be all my fault.

This is not a karma I can handle.

Therefore, to minimize uncontrollable factors, I had no choice but to let Helga take the top spot.

‘I can do it, right…?’

I have completed maximum—no, more than maximum—preparations.

As long as I can properly draw aggro before the boss monster attacks Helga, this operation is as good as successful.

So, even as I repeatedly told myself there was nothing to worry about, I kept getting nervous.

If I showed this, I would be suspected of whether I knew in advance that the Demonic Transformation would occur.

Yorr’s existence was a great help in solving this problem.

It means I shook off the tension by hugging the cute baby dragon and stroking its soft mane.

“Next, there will be greetings from each grade representative.”

Before I knew it, this turn had come.

The names of the representatives from the first to fourth grades flowed from the mouth of the professor in charge of hosting, and four students, including Helga, stood up and went up to the podium.

It’s almost time.