Chapter 15: Oh? Something’s Wrong with Cecil...
Currently, my situation is getting more precarious by the day.
I was supposed to spend my days unnoticed, but thanks to unavoidable trouble, I am standing out more than ever—and recently, I went so far as to declare defiance against the First Princess alongside Elise.
Naturally, such a development never happened in the original game.
In short, I’ve gone and planted a whole new type of doom flag myself.
Seriously, what the hell am I doing?
I spent the weekend wallowing in those gloomy thoughts... and now, it’s Monday, and my heart is still dominated by melancholy. Well, the world is different, so it’s not literally called "Monday," but the feeling of the start of the week is the same as my old world—pure lethargy.
"Alvart! The weather is lovely today as well!"
"Good morning, Alvart-kun."
I met up with the two of them on the way to school.
"Onii-sama~♥ Lumi’s breasts are definitely the best, right~♥"
"I-if you’re getting excited by my breasts... I-I wouldn't mind at all!♥"
Sandwiched between Lumiere and Elise, both of them clinging to my arms, I walked through the school courtyard in a "Bountiful Breast Sandwich."
"Ufufufu. The Night King who is so popular with the ladies. That look is quite wonderful as well."
For some reason, Clarice arrived with a frightening smile.
"...Pardon me, from behind."
She draped herself over my back. Because of this bizarre behavior, the largest breasts in the game were now pressed against my spine...!
"L-Lady Elise, and even Lady Clarice...!"
"Swap places with me, you piece of shit...!"
If I could swap, I would. I really want to be on that side, trust me.
"Haha. You’re quite the popular man everyone envies, Alvart-kun."
Returning a sigh to Cecil’s completely heartless comment, I thought to myself: My life is definitely heading in a direction I don't want it to go.
The fact that a doom flag named the First Princess had appeared outside the school was annoying... but for now, it wasn't an immediate threat. Therefore, the problem to focus on was my position inside the school.
I was surrounded by erotically cute girls. The boys looked at me with envy and awe. If there were no downsides to such an environment, I wouldn't mind it. However... I have a mandate.
Reject the 18+ content, or die from over-fucking?
Considering that, the current situation is the absolute worst. After all, the temptation to "do it" is there every hour, every minute, and every second... and the girls are aggressive.
Especially her. Linslet Freanain, the character who didn't exist in the original. I have to shift her gaze somewhere else, or it’s going to get very bad.
Why? Because she takes every opportunity at school to play sexual pranks on me.
"Alright. Let’s start homeroom~."
In the classroom, she looked like a proper teacher—aside from her slutty outfit—but in reality, the person standing there was just a clone created by magic.
The real her was using camouflage magic to remain invisible to everyone.
And she was currently in the middle of a "prank."
"I’m going to break your spirit today for sure, so get ready♥"
The things she did while hidden under my desk were fairly standard. But her technique was world-class... It was practically a miracle that I hadn't "discharged" yet.
"Nn... chu, pon♥ Fufu♥ You really are tough, aren't you?♥"
If only I could use my second ability... I thought. But using it carries a high risk. I’ve already used it three times. Any more would be truly dangerous.
Even considering the risk of succumbing to Linslet’s technique, the second ability is so difficult to use that I concluded it was better to refrain.
"I don't have any specific announcements, so let’s end it here."
"I still have plenty of time, so let’s end it here♥"
She was perfectly performing her teaching duties while committing immoral acts with her student. If I wanted to move Linslet’s attention elsewhere... he, or she, was my only hope.
With that thought in mind, I sat through the day's classes.
"I’m sure some of you are experiencing this for the first time? Stepping foot inside a dungeon."
Near the entrance of the dungeon located beneath the academy, Linslet looked over the gathered students.
"First, make pairs. Then, wander around the dungeon as you like and kill as many monsters as possible. Come back here when class is over. That’s all."
As the voices of the students rose like the tide, Elise and Lumiere spoke simultaneously.
"Alvart! Let’s pair up!"
"Onii-sama! Pair up with Lumi!"
To this, I replied:
"Then... Elise and Lumiere, you two are a pair."
The two looked at me with bewildered faces.
"M-me and..."
"Lumi?"
"Yeah. You two are going to have a deep relationship in the future anyway... It would be good to get to know each other’s personalities now."
When put that way, Elise couldn't really refuse. On the other hand, Lumiere still had a question.
"Then... who will Onii-sama be pairing with?"
At her question, I turned my gaze toward him—or her.
To the original protagonist, he was a reaper. But to me, he could be a savior.
"If you don't mind, would you pair up with me? Cecil-kun."
My offer seemed completely unexpected to Cecil. He blinked his eyes wide.
"Umm... Are you sure you want to pair up with someone like me?"
"Yeah. Currently, we’ve only really interacted through Elise, right? That’s a bit lonely, isn't it? Since we’ve made a connection, I want to deepen our friendship. Of course, only if you don't mind."
Told that, Cecil couldn't exactly turn me away coldly.
"...Sure, that’s fine. I was thinking I wanted to get closer to you, too."
Good. The vibe isn't bad. Cecil was definitely interested in me as well.
"Then Elise, Lumiere. Let’s head out."
For a while, we walked along a straight path... until we reached a fork, where I intentionally chose a different route.
The purpose of this exploration was to deepen bonds with our partners. If that was the case, moving as a group of four wouldn't be as effective as moving separately in pairs.
And so, walking side-by-side through the stone-walled space, I spoke to my partner.
"Come to think of it, I don't know anything about your family or where you’re from. If you don't mind, could you tell me about it?"
"Haha. Let’s see... My family has served Elise’s house for generations. We’re what you call 'Slave Nobles.' I heard the treatment was truly terrible in the old days."
"Judging by your casual relationship, it seems things have improved a lot."
"Yeah. Elise herself is one thing, but her parents are truly wonderful people. I’m sure they’ll welcome you warmly, too."
...The conversation was drifting off-course, so I switched topics.
"Changing the subject... could you tell me your school rank?"
"School rank?"
"Yeah. Not that I’m going to change my attitude based on your standing. I was just a little curious."
Cecil didn't seem to find the question suspicious and answered quite normally.
"Haha. It’s not a very interesting number. My grade rank is 62nd, and school-wide is 192nd. It’s the definition of 'lower-middle,' right?"
They smiled self-deprecatingly. That look of Cecil’s was exactly—
That of a "Power in the Shadows" who hides their true strength to live a mundane school life.
"To think you’re treated like that... The evaluators at this school really must be blind."
"...No, I’m really not anything special, honestly."
"No, no. I can see your true value, Cecil-kun."
Building a friendly relationship. The optimal first step is flattery. By praising the other party and making them feel good while closing the distance, you naturally become friends.
First, become friends... then, steadily proceed with the "Cecil Imitation Protagonist-ification Plan."
"Listen, Cecil-kun. I want you to take this as a compliment."
"...What is it?"
"You... you’re the type of person who never truly opens their heart to anyone. Right?"
"............!"
Hehehe. They has that 'you hit the nail on the head' look on their face. With this, Cecil must be thinking: This guy understands me.
"You’re always hiding something. I’m sure you have your reasons."
"............"
"But you know, Cecil-kun. You don't need to reveal anything. Even if you don't... I understand everything."
We can be good partners who maintain a comfortable distance. That’s what I meant, and it seemed to be incredibly effective.
The atmosphere Cecil radiated changed.
Yes, yes. Keep pushing like this, build a perfect friendship—and then make them stand out at every opportunity.
If I can push Cecil into a "Protagonist" role, I can at least eliminate that worst-possible enemy, Linslet. After all, according to the original game, Cecil should be much stronger than me.
If I spread word of their true value to the surroundings, Linslet’s gaze will inevitably shift from me to Cecil... hopefully.
"Cecil-kun. No matter how much you try to fake it... it doesn't matter to me."
My repeated "I know everything about you" appeal. Surely, Cecil was thinking: I’ve never met someone who understands me this much.
And so, Cecil said—
"Hey, Alvart-kun."
Wait. That’s weird. Instead of being "happy that I understand," the air feels more like... the moments before someone "erases" a person who said something they shouldn't have—
“So... just how much do you know?”
Uhhh. Well. How do I put this? Yeah.
—Did I just screw up?
“You should choose your next words very carefully, Alvart. For both our sakes,” Cecil said.
Wait, what? Why the heavy reaction?
This was the classic setup where a villain tries to silence someone who knows too much—
Oh. (I realized.)
I see, I see. It all made sense now.
Somehow, without even trying, I’d managed to stumble right into the heart of the scenario.
But listen—
This was a total accident! I swear to God! I didn’t do it on purpose!
“Silence isn’t going to get us anywhere, Alvart,” Cecil pressed.
This was bad. I could feel it in my bones. If I didn’t do something fast, Cecil was going to evolve into a full-blown villain.
Step one: stay calm. Step two: find the B-button to cancel this interaction.
“Hey. Are you going to answer me or what?”
But I can’t find it! I’m looking everywhere, but there’s no damn B-button!
“How much do you actually know about me?”
I don’t know anything! This was all just a fluke!
I was about to scream those exact words at the top of my lungs when it happened.
Apparently, it wasn’t just me—Cecil was more shaken than I’d realized.
“...!”
Under normal circumstances, what happened next would have been a triviality to someone of Cecil’s caliber. But because their guard was down, they couldn't react in time to the monster that lunged from the shadows.
“Tch...!”
The claws of a Beowulf—a werewolf-type monster—slashed at Cecil’s upper body.
However, not a single scratch appeared on their skin. Cecil’s total mana capacity was likely on par with Lumiere’s, if not higher. Their subconscious mana leak acted as a protective barrier, shielding her flesh.
But while their body remained unblemished, their school uniform—lacking any special enchantments—didn’t fare as well.
From the left arm they’d instinctively raised to protect themselves , all the way across their torso... Cecil’s uniform was shredded to ribbons.
“You...!”
They punched the Beowulf in a fit of rage, killing it instantly with a single blow.
Watching them, my eyes went wide.
First, I noticed their torn glove. The hand they usually kept hidden was... well, the only word for it was monstrous.
And then...
Through the gaps in her ruined jacket, I saw the distinct curves of a female chest.
That was right. The person I’d been calling “he” or “them”... Cecil Imitation was, without a shadow of a doubt, a she.
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