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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 25: Marie Dunareff (6)

Chapter 25: Marie Dunareff (6)

According‌ to the original‍​ storyline, Marie Dunareff‌​ would be subjugated‌ by the player‍‌ party. Unable to‍⁠ regain her rationality‍​ until the very‍⁠ end, the renowned‌ mage prodigy would‌ fall from grace​‍ and be confined‌ at the bottom​ of the Academy.‍⁠​

That‍‌⁠ was how demi-humans‍‌ that craved blood‍⁠‍ and sucked life‍‌‍ away were treated,‌ even more so​ if they didn’t⁠⁠⁠ understand words.

Like⁠⁠ that, Marie would‌ be eliminated from‌​ the scenario. Seeing​⁠‌ that girl who‍ fell down the‌​ abyss in the⁠⁠ blink of an​‍ eye, the player⁠ would mumble to‌‍​ themselves that they‍ would save her​⁠​ next time but‌ in both the​‍ game and the‌‍ previous iteration, Marie⁠​ was never able‍​ to have a happy ending for​‍ herself.

Marie‌ was a good⁠ person.

She‍‍ was a nice​​ girl with an⁠ uncannily large number‌‍ of potatoes, who​ always baked more⁠‍ potatoes than necessary‌‌‍ in the morning⁠‌ and carried them‌ over in baskets⁠‍‌ to share with‍‌ her friends.

It‍ was fine for⁠⁠ a good kid​⁠‍ like her to‍‍‍ have a better⁠ ending for herself.⁠

Efficiency?‍‌‍ Monopolization?

I honestly couldn’t understand⁠⁠‍ Park Sihu’s values.‌⁠⁠ Life was not⁠‌‌ a math equation.‍

Even​ if there was‍ no reason to,‌​⁠

Even​ if there was⁠⁠‍ nothing in it‍ for you,

And⁠‍‌ even though another⁠​​ person’s death might⁠⁠ make it better‍‍​ for you…

Although‍ you might need​​ plenty of reasons‍ to kill another⁠ person… you didn’t​​​ need a reason​ to save them.‌‌‍

****‌

“Wow~‌⁠ Where am I?”​‍⁠

I uttered the most​‍‌ appropriate line in⁠⁠‍ a semi-conscious state‌ as a cough⁠⁠‍ echoed from the​ side.

“Ugek…​ I can’t breathe…”‍​‌

Next​​ to me were⁠ a short-haired boy⁠ and a boy‍‍ wearing glasses with‌⁠‌ an unkempt hair.⁠⁠ They were clumsily‌ dropping biscuit crumbs‌ on the bed.⁠‌‌

Jaeger⁠‌‍ opened his mouth‍‌ after seeing me.‌​​

“Ohh,‌‌ you’re awake. You…”‌‍‍

“Wait.”‌⁠‌

“Hnn?”​

A memory of the‌ past came back.‌⁠ It was back​‍‍ when I did​‍ something similar to​ this.

『Don’t‌‌ do something like‍⁠⁠ this ever again!⁠⁠​ Those bitches are‍​ nothing! Don’t risk​ your life for‌‍ them!! Unless you‍​‍ want to see​‍ me go crazy!!』​

My​⁠ collars that were⁠​⁠ grabbed back then‍ felt like they⁠⁠⁠ were about to‍‌‍ be grabbed again.​‍

“Please​​ don’t grab on​​⁠ my collars and‌ say, ‘Don’t do‍ this ever again!‌​​ Unless you want‌‍‍ to see me​ go crazy!!’ to‍⁠⁠ me.”

“…What‌‍ is wrong with‍⁠ you? That’s a bit creepy.”

“Ugh…​‌ Are you into‍ that type of‍⁠‍ stuff?”

Right?‌‍ It’s not like⁠​ I’m super prejudiced‌ or anything right?‌​ He was the‌​​ one with a terrible choice of‍ words right?

“Dude…”⁠⁠​

Jaeger‌⁠‍ said while looking⁠ straight into my‍⁠⁠ eyes with a serious gaze. I met his solemn​​‍ gaze and gulped.‍‍ Don’t tell me‍​ he…

“We⁠ were freaking cool​​‌ as heck, weren’t‌‍ we? Kekeke…!”

“Uhhm…‍ yeah. Huhu… we​‍ defeated a Unique⁠ Grade. Huhuhu…”

“Damn‍ right we did.”‍

The⁠‌‌ laughter of the⁠​ boys filled the‍‍‍ hospital room.

“Ah…​‍ this feels great.”⁠‍​

This⁠ was awesome. Now​‍ this was true‍‌ friendship.

“Oh‌ right. The doctor‌ told us to‌⁠​ let him know​ if you wake‌ up.”

“I’ll​‍‌ leave the biscuits‌‍‍ behind for you.‌‌⁠ You can… wait,‌​‌ can you even⁠‌​ eat them? Shouldn’t​ you have porridge​ and stuff?”

“Just⁠ eat it and​⁠ pretend like you‌​ didn’t.”

“Uh,⁠ wait.”

Jaeger​‍ and Lark quickly‍‍ left the room‍ before I could⁠‍​ even stop them.⁠⁠‍

“Those​​‌ heartless bastards…”

Guys,‍⁠ please. At least‌ tell me how​​ long it has‍‌ been…

Fluids​⁠‌ were connected to⁠⁠⁠ my right arm,⁠ and the needle‍‌​ might come out​⁠‍ if I raised⁠​ my body so⁠⁠ I obediently stayed‌⁠‍ down on the‍​ bed.

The‌ injuries that had‌‌ been rather fatal⁠ were already nowhere‍​ to be seen⁠⁠​ thanks to my⁠ awesome specialty.

I scratched my neck‍​⁠ as dried clots​‍ of blood fell‍ down like powder.⁠ Apart from those​ remaining clots of​ blood, there was‍‌ no other sign⁠​ of Marie having‌ bitten on my‍‍​ neck.

It​‍ seemed that my⁠‍ gamble had been‌​ a success.

I was blankly lying‍ down on the‍ bed when someone⁠‍ entered the room.‍‍‍

“Student⁠ Korin.”

Thinking⁠ that it was⁠ either the nurse‌⁠ or the doctor,​‍‍ I turned to⁠‍ the side and​‌⁠ found two unexpected‍‌‌ guests.

“Mr.⁠‌ Chairman and Senior‌‍​ Professor?”

I bowed as Chairman⁠ Eriu and Lady​ Josephine walked up​ to my side.​‍

– Tap! Tap! Tap!‌

Chairman‌‌‌ Eriu sat next​​ to me after⁠ walking over with​ the help of‍ a cane.

“I​‌ believe this is‍ my first time⁠⁠⁠ talking to you,​‌ Student Korin Lork.”​‍​

The​‌ chairman might not‍ remember me, but⁠‌ this wasn’t my⁠‌ first time seeing‍ him. I had⁠⁠‍ learned many things⁠ from the chairman.‍⁠

Of‍‌ course, there was⁠ no way Chairman​​ Eriu would have‍ memories of the⁠‌‌ previous iteration so​​ this was indeed‌‌ officially our first​‌ time meeting each‍‍ other.

“How​ do you feel?​⁠ From what I heard, it seemed⁠‍ that you had‍‌ a specialty related‍ to regeneration or‌ recovery.”

“I’m‌​ alright. I feel​‍ a lot better.”⁠​

“Is‍​ that so? It’s​​​ unclear why that​⁠ wasn’t shown during​⁠​ the grading test…⁠‍ and there are​ many questions I have for you⁠‌ but, firstly…”

He‌‌ stood up by‌‍‍ supporting himself with⁠​ the cane, before‍ giving me a deep bow.

“Thank‍‌​ you. It is‍​ thanks to your⁠ courage that another‍⁠⁠ student’s future has‍​ been saved. I am sincerely grateful​​ for your dedication.”​​

Following​‍‍ Chairman Eriu, Senior⁠ Professor Josephine also​ lowered her head⁠‌ and showed me​ her gratitude.

“The⁠‍‍ students were in​‌ danger because of​‍ our inexperience and‍ ignorance. We ended⁠ up making you‍ guys shoulder the‌​‍ things that were​​‌ supposed to be⁠⁠​ done by adults.⁠⁠​ Let me apologize‍‌ regarding this matter.”⁠‌‌

His‍ self-deprecating tone of‍​ voice and his​​ lowered back showed‍‍ no signs of⁠​ going back up.‌‌ Eriu Casarr – the one in⁠ charge of one⁠ of the world’s​⁠ 4 biggest academies‌ – lowered his⁠ head.

“Words​⁠ alone won’t be⁠⁠​ enough for an‍​ apology. You are‍ our benefactor, and‍​​ if there is​⁠‍ anything you wish⁠ for, then we‍ will try our⁠‍‌ best to give​‌​ you the rightful​⁠‌ compensation.”

The‍ room turned silent‍‌ after his words.​‍

In⁠​‍ fact, there were‍⁠ a lot of​‌ things Eriu Casarr⁠‌⁠ could say as‌​ an excuse.

This​‍⁠ was not something⁠ he had been‌ intending on doing,​⁠ and was outside⁠⁠ everyone’s expectations. So‍⁠ let’s just move⁠⁠‍ on.

He‍ didn’t say anything​ like that. This‌‌ person was someone​‍‍ who always acknowledged⁠‍‍ his own flaws​‍⁠ and tried to‌⁠⁠ shoulder more responsibilities‍⁠ than necessary.

『 I have made‍‍⁠ many mistakes, but‍​ you are definitely​ not one of‍⁠​ them.』

I remembered the words‌‌‌ that the Chairman⁠⁠‌ had said to​ me in the‌‌‍ previous iteration, and‍‌ I believed in‍⁠ his goodwill.

There⁠ were many things‍ I could gain​ from Eriu Casarr.‌ He should know​ it better than‌‌‍ anyone else on⁠ how impactful each​‌‌ and every one​⁠⁠ of his words‌ were. He must‍​⁠ be aware that​‌ he had given‌ a blank cheque⁠ to a single​ student who could‍⁠ make all sorts​⁠‍ of requests.

The​ biggest and the‍ most valuable thing⁠‌‌ I could gain‍​ from the chairman​ were his ‘lessons’‌‌​ but… now wasn’t​⁠⁠ the time. Not‍ yet.

“Please​ give me a magic stone.”

“…Mhmm?”​

“I’m‌​‌ trying to make​ a spear, but‍‍‍ it’s hard to⁠ look for the‌⁠ right materials. It‍⁠‍ would be even‌​‍ better if you‍‌ could help with‌‍⁠ the payment on‌‌ top of that.”⁠‍

“…”​‌‌

Actually,‌‍‍ I could probably‍ ask for a complete spear and‌​ immediately get one.‌‌ However, I wasn’t‍​⁠ looking for an⁠ expensive spear that‍‌ was just a little bit better‌‌ than other spears.‍

It​ was because I was hoping for⁠ a spear that​ was best suited​⁠⁠ for myself that​‍​ I had requested‍⁠ for materials instead‌ of a legendary‍ equipment.

“Alright.​ You can choose​​ the best materials⁠⁠⁠ out there. And‌⁠‍ we will also​‌ provide anything else⁠​‍ that you need.”​‍

This‍‍ was a jackpo…‍ I mean, a really good reward.​ What should I make? And which‌‍ blacksmith should I go to~?

“Ah.‌​⁠ And please don’t⁠‍ bow like that.‍‍‌ I feel a bit uncomfortable.”

I couldn’t make him​​ bow the whole‍ time so I told him to​ sit down before⁠​⁠ asking him a question.

“What‌⁠ happened to Senior⁠ Marie?”

“That​ student will be‍‌ isolated and put​⁠‍ in quarantine for‌ a while. She​ has awakened into‌‌‍ a demi-human, so‍⁠⁠ we need to‍ inspect her danger⁠ level for the‍ time being.”

“Is‍ that so?”

“We​‌ did hear most‍ of it from‍‌‌ the other students​ but… I think​‌‌ it will be⁠‍ better to hear⁠⁠‌ the details from‍‌ you, Student Korin.‍⁠‍ It’s okay to‌ skip through some​⁠ parts, so can⁠‌‍ you please explain‍‌ it to us?”‌⁠

Chairman‌ Eriu appeared to⁠‌​ have guessed that​‍ there was something‍⁠ I was hiding‍‍ from them, but‍⁠ was implying to⁠ me that he​‌‌ wasn’t intending on‌ delving deeper into​‌‍ the topic.

How⁠​‍ did I know​ Marie had awakened⁠‌⁠ as a vampire?⁠‍⁠ How did I gather a party⁠‌ of freshmen so⁠ quickly as if⁠⁠ I knew it⁠‌​ was coming?

The‍ chairman was practically‍‍⁠ saying that he​⁠⁠ won’t delve into​ those important details.​‌‍

“So‌ you see.”

I told them only‍ the things that​​ were alright to‌‍ share. Although I wasn’t sure how​‌​ much of my​⁠⁠ words they would‍‌⁠ believe in, I did send them⁠‌​ the general message​ that Marie was⁠‍⁠ fine, and that‌⁠​ she wasn’t a monster.

After​‌ listening to my‍⁠ story, Chairman Eriu‌‌⁠ opened his mouth.‍

“Lastly,‍‌ there is a request I’d like‌‍ to make of‌‌ you.”

“What⁠‌‌ is it?”

“We​ have no choice​​ but to officially‍ announce about Student‌​ Marie’s Awakening. It⁠ is possible for‌​‍ us to reveal‍‌ everything that happened⁠​‌ but that won’t‍⁠​ be any good‍​‍ to Student Marie.”‌‌​

In‌ this world, demons​​⁠ were humanity’s greatest‍ enemy.

Most‌⁠‌ of the demi-humans⁠⁠ were just normal‌‍​ humans that suddenly​​ turned into one‍​‍ because of their​ dormant demonic molecules‌ being awakened against‍⁠ their will, but‍⁠​ that did not‌ change how they​⁠ immediately turned into‍ humanity’s enemy and‍‍​ a target of‍‍ ostracization.

Vampires,​‌ werewolves, Jiangshi… the​‍⁠ broad title of​‌ demi-human that all‍‌ of them were⁠ labeled as had‌ been bringing them​⁠ to the scaffold⁠ and the stake​​‍ for a long‍ period of time.‌‌⁠ In this world,‍‌​ it had only‌‌​ been a century​​ since people had⁠‌⁠ been burned at​​ the stake in⁠‍​ a witch hunt.​⁠

These‍‌​ days, the Old⁠ Faith declined and​​​ the appearance of​‍‌ another religion reduced‍⁠ the segregation by​ a bit, but​ a demi-human that​ attacked her roommate‌ and other students‍‌⁠ immediately after awakening​‌ into one… was⁠ a concerning matter⁠ that could gather‌ too much attention‍ from the fundamentalists⁠​ of the Old⁠​ Faith, who were⁠ keen on removing​ demi-humans, or those‍‌​ that believed in​ the supremacy of​​⁠ demi-humans, let alone‍⁠ the increased anxiety​ of the students.‍‍

Whatever​ it was, it​‍ was nothing good‌ for Marie.

“I’m⁠‌‌ sorry to say‍​ this to you,‌‌​ Student Korin, but⁠⁠ we are planning‍ on modifying the‌​ story to be‌‌‌ in Student Marie’s‍⁠ favor without mentioning⁠ what happened at⁠⁠ the forest. Will⁠ that be alright​​ for you?”

I unhesitatingly nodded to‍ Chairman Eriu’s request.‌⁠ It was a topic which I would have brought⁠‌ up, if the⁠⁠⁠ Chairman didn’t bring‍‌​ it up himself.⁠

It⁠‍‍ seemed that they‍​ had talked about‌ it with Isabelle​‌ – Marie’s roommate‍ – already so‍‌‌ there should be‍ no problems there.‍​

“As⁠ for your recovery…‍ Even though you‌ do look fine,⁠ you can talk​​ about that with​ Professor Josephine. I believe things will⁠‌‍ be quite busy​‍‌ for me from​⁠‍ now on.”

After‌ saying that, Chairman‌​ Eriu got up‌ from the chair.​⁠⁠ According to what‍ I heard at​ the previous iteration,​ it seemed that‌ bringing Hua Ran⁠ into the school‍ had also been‍‍ quite the task.‌

Now⁠ that Marie had‌​‍ also awakened as‌​ a vampire, he‍ probably needed to⁠‍ talk about it⁠ with the El​ Rath Kingdom, which⁠ the Academy was​​ affiliated to, and⁠ other related facilities.‍​‌

The‍‌ Chairman would inevitably‍‌ end up staying‍ outside the Academy‍‍​ for a long​‍ time. He had​‍ been roaming around⁠ for a similar‌‍⁠ reason in the⁠‌ previous iteration, so⁠ this was probably​‍ about time.

“Student…​​ rin.”

‘That​‍ guy will start‌​ moving once Chairman‌‍ Eriu leaves the⁠​ Academy. I need⁠ to get prepared​‌ for that then.’​

Even⁠‍‍ though that guy‍‌ wasn’t the final‍​ boss of the​‌​ 2nd Arc, he⁠‍⁠ would reappear later‌‌ as an annoying⁠ mid-boss, which was‌‍‍ why I had​ to stop him‌ from running away‍ at all cost.‌​‌

“Stu…‍ Ko…”

‘He‍ might have run‍‌‍ away last time,⁠‍ but not in‍‍ this iteration.’

– Slap!

“Uahk…”‌‌

I immediately came to​ myself from the‌​‌ sound of a whip slapping at​​ the air. It‍ was seriously a mystery how she​⁠ could make such‌​⁠ a sound with‍​ a whip.

Considering​‍ how strict Lady‍⁠ Josephine was, I thought she would‍‌⁠ be glaring at‍‍ me but what‌ I saw instead‌​‌ was completely different.‍

“Are​ you still feeling​⁠‍ unwell? If you⁠ are, then we‍‍ can provide you⁠ with the best⁠​‌ medical service.”

“Uhh…⁠⁠ no. I’m fine.‍​​ I could probably‌​ even leave the‍‍‌ hospital right now.”‌

“I​⁠ see. Well then…‍‌‌ we can leave‌‍‍ right now.”

“…”⁠⁠​

Taking​‍‍ out the needle​ that was poking‌⁠​ into my arm,⁠ I tidied up‍ the room with⁠‌ the help of​ Lady Josephine.

“Student​‌ Korin.”

“Yes?”‍‌

“Would⁠​‌ you mind going‍ somewhere together?”

“…Sure.”⁠‌​

I had a rough⁠​ idea of where⁠‌​ she wanted me​‍ to go. Soon,‌ she used her‌‍​ interdimensional spell and​‌ began walking off‌‌ into the dark​​ abyss without any‍ hesitation.

The‍​⁠ cliche in novels‍‍⁠ was to feel‌ sick after a teleportation, but there‌‌⁠ was no such‍⁠ thing. It felt⁠‍ like we were‌​ just walking to​‌ a different room⁠⁠​ but the background‌⁠ changed in an⁠ instant and I saw Marie eating⁠ steamed potatoes with⁠ her bare hands‍​ behind rigid iron⁠‌ bars.

“Ah…”​‍​

“Good⁠ morning.”

“U,‍​‌ uhh. Hello… Junior…‍‍⁠ Cough! Kehk! Kehek!”‌

Marie‍ coughed as if‌‌​ something got stuck‌ in her throat.‍‌

“Can⁠‍ you please open⁠ this door?”

“…Are​‍ you sure you‌‍‌ going to be​⁠‌ alright?”

“I​⁠ believe it will‌ be fine.”

These‌ iron bars were‌ the safety device⁠​ set against the‍ demi-human Marie Dunareff‌ who had awakened⁠⁠⁠ as a vampire.⁠​ Lady Josephine harboring‍​ such a doubt⁠⁠‍ was nothing out⁠⁠ of the ordinary‍‌ but I had‌ zero hesitation.

I walked into the‌‌ door that Lady⁠ Josephine opened for‍‍⁠ me, and handed‍⁠ Marie a bottle⁠‍ of water.

“Hurry‍​⁠ up and drink‍​ this. You might‌‍ die at this‍​ rate.”

“Kuhuk…‍⁠ kehk! T, thank‍⁠ you…!”

“Like,‌‌ who is it​⁠ that gave you‍‌⁠ steamed potatoes without⁠⁠ any water?”

“……Kuhum!”​

Lady⁠ Josephine let out⁠‍​ an empty cough‌ from the other​⁠‌ side of the‍ iron bars. Ah…‍ it seemed the​​⁠ culprit was that‍ old lady who‍‌ didn’t know anything⁠​ about a proper‍ life.

“Cough!‍​⁠ Cough! Kuhaa…!”

After​⁠‌ finally relieving the​‌‌ physical lump in‌‍ her throat, Marie​​ tapped her chest​‍​ to swallow the‍‌​ food down. Soon,‍‍⁠ she felt my‌ gaze and gave⁠ an awkward smile⁠ by going, ‘Ehehe.’​

“I⁠‌ thought your eating⁠‍⁠ habits would change‍⁠​ though. It’s surprising‍ that you’re still​​ eating potatoes. Are⁠‍ they even tasty?”‍​​

“P,‍‌‌ potatoes are always‍ delicious! No matter⁠ how you consume‌ them, they are‌‌ always a tasty‍‍‍ and magnificent famine-relieving‌​‌ crop!”

“That’s​‌‍ good then.”

I thought she couldn’t‍​ have anything else​ apart from blood​​​ after becoming a vampire. That was‌⁠ something I didn’t⁠ get to ask‍ Sebancia Duke about.‍‍‌

“What‍‍‍ about the bloodsucking‍‍​ impulse? Is that‍ a bit different​‌ from hunger? I wonder how frequent‍ it is.”

“N,⁠‌⁠ nn… I’ll be⁠​⁠ receiving blood packs​⁠‌ so it’s fine…”‍⁠⁠

From‌‍ what I could‍ see, Marie wasn’t​ in a good‌ state. She was​ wearing new and‍⁠​ clean clothes but⁠‌ there were dried‌‌‍ clots of blood​⁠​ all over her⁠ body. Even though​‍ she was provided‌‌ with food and‍⁠⁠ clothing, it seemed​⁠ that she wasn’t​​ free enough to​ take a shower.‌‌

“You‍​ look like you’re​​ in a horrible​⁠‌ state. Why don’t‌‌‌ you ask Lady…‌‍ I mean, Senior​ Professor for some​​‍ favor?”

“N,‍ no it’s fine!⁠​‌ I’ve been causing‌‌​ too much trouble‌ already! I’ll stay‍ here until Mr.‍​‍ Chairman and Senior‍‌ Professor tell me‌‌⁠ it’s fi… Ahhht!!”‍​

After​‌ seemingly remembering something,‌⁠‍ Marie flapped her‌ two arms and‌​ covered my eyes.​

“G,⁠‍​ go over there!‌⁠​ I stink!”

“…‌​​ Look, it’s a bit late for⁠‌ that. You know​‌ when you were‍ biting my neck,‌‍‌ I didn’t even​ wash myself back‌‍‍ then.”

“Ahhk!‍⁠‌ Please don’t…!”

In‍‍ order to run‌ away from Marie‌ who was hitting‍ me with her​ flapping arms, I moved to a corner and the‍ girl finally calmed​⁠⁠ herself back down.​​‌

“…I‍ was scared.”

Wrapping⁠ her arms around​‌ her knees, the‌‍ girl started confessing‌​‌ about her feelings.​⁠

“That‍ girl called Hua‍‌ Ran… she was⁠​⁠ very scary. I thought I was‍‍⁠ going to die.​‍‍ It was very‌⁠ scary but… I couldn’t be like‍‌​ you, Junior.”

“…”⁠‌

I could slightly understand‍⁠ what she was⁠‍ trying to say.‍⁠‍

When‍⁠⁠ faced with power​​‍ that was too‌‍​ enormous to fight⁠​ against, and when‌⁠​ facing the dark​⁠‌ shadows of death⁠⁠⁠ for the first‍‍‌ time… anyone was⁠⁠‍ bound to be‍‌⁠ frightened.

Scary,⁠‍‍ cold and mind-numbing.​⁠

The‌‍ brain doesn’t work‍ properly, and reality​ strikes at you‌ without any consideration‍​ for your feelings.⁠ Like how a soldier at the​ battlefield feels ever‌ so tiny at⁠ the face of​ a tempest that​​‍ terrifies the heaven‌ and the earth,⁠‌⁠ Marie would have‌‌ felt the same‍‍ way.

Even‌ I was the​​​ same.

Everyone​⁠‍ would have to‌ experience it at‌⁠‍ least once.

Marie‍‍‍ was a genius.‍ She was a prodigy loved by⁠ mana.

Because​​ of that, the‌‍‌ desperation for life‍ and the fear‌‍ of death must​ have been an‍⁠‌ extremely distant relative​⁠⁠ of hers until‍ now.

It’s‌⁠ not that she‌‌‍ wasn’t a hard‌‍‌ worker, and it’s‍‍ not like she‌‌​ lacked experience.

It⁠‌⁠ was just that⁠​‍ most of the‍‍ things in existence​‌ were just unable​ to stimulate the‌‍ genius called Marie​⁠ Dunareff.

It‍‍​ was only recently‍‌⁠ that the girl​⁠‍ faced reality and⁠​ a true sense‍⁠​ of fear. The​‍ thing that everyone​​​ had to experience‍‌‌ had recently come⁠‍ to her.

Marie⁠⁠​ was stimulated by​⁠‍ the danger and‌⁠​ fear, which must⁠ have been the⁠⁠ cause of her​‌ awakening into a vampire.

“Haa…”⁠

The‌‌​ wings of a butterfly causing a storm, huh…

Because‍ I had been​‍ overly focused on⁠ the incident with​‍‍ the Murderer of⁠‍ the City of‍‍‌ Fog, there was​‌ something I had‌ missed. In the⁠​ end, the cause‌​ of Marie awakening⁠​⁠ into a demi-human​​‍ was danger and⁠​‍ fear that was‌‌‌ great enough to‌⁠ stimulate this genius.​‌

After‍ meeting Hua Ran,‍‍‌ I aroused something‍ inside her and​‌‌ it was because‌‍ of that change‍ that Hua Ran‌⁠​ participated in the‌​ practical lesson at‌ the hunting grounds.‍‍‌ During her participation‍‍ in the practical⁠​‍ lesson, Hua Ran‌‌ must have coincidentally⁠⁠​ come across Marie,‍‌⁠ and had probably​⁠ used her true⁠⁠ powers to contend⁠ against the Grade‌​⁠ 1 genius.

And​ that was what​‌ stimulated the vampiric​‌ molecules laying dormant​​ inside Marie’s body.⁠⁠​

I could only sigh‌ upon realizing the‍‌ malicious quirk of‍‍​ fate and the‍​‌ combined result of‍⁠‍ multiple coincidences.

Actually,‌ things like this‍‌‍ used to happen​ quite often in⁠ the previous iteration.‌⁠‌ The backlash of​‍ the death of‌⁠‌ Alicia Arden, and​ Park Sihu’s failed​‍ attempt at killing​​ Hua Ran resulting‌​‍ in awakening the‍⁠ Yaksha inside her‍⁠ were such examples.⁠

No⁠ matter how insignificant‌ something was at⁠ a glance, they⁠‌‍ had the power⁠‌ to change the‌ current.

Because⁠ we were living⁠‌‌ in a real‌​ world instead of⁠⁠⁠ a game, and​‌‌ because the people⁠ that we had​ been disregarding as‍‌⁠ NPCs were in‍⁠ fact breathing organisms,⁠​⁠ they naturally reacted⁠​ in different ways⁠⁠ to the different‍ circumstances.

“Junior…⁠ how are you‍​ able to stand​ back up? How​‍‌ come you don’t‍ give up? Even​​⁠ back when you​ were fighting against​ the elemental body,⁠ I thought you⁠⁠‍ would never be⁠⁠‌ able to succeed.​⁠‌ Everyone was mocking⁠​‌ you but in‍ the end, you‍ pulled it off.”‍⁠

— It was so‍‌ cool.

The‍‌⁠ girl’s confession and​⁠ question about how​ I was able‌​‍ to stand back‍‍​ up flushed my⁠⁠ cheeks a little.​

“Umm……⁠⁠‍ It’s nothing that‍⁠​ amazing or anything‌​ but…”

It‍ was a bit⁠‌ embarrassing. Despite the‌‍ grandiose oaths I made, talking about‍⁠‍ them was still​⁠ quite embarrassing.

“You‌ see, I like‌ happy endings.”

“Nn?”⁠‌​

“Good⁠⁠‌ people being rewarded,​ and bad people​ being punished. You⁠ know, I like‌‌‍ that kind of⁠ didactic story.”

Hard-workers⁠⁠⁠ should be rewarded,⁠​⁠ but as for​⁠​ the selfish ones…‌‌ Well, I didn’t⁠​⁠ feel like cheering‌⁠ for them.

“Senior⁠⁠ Marie. You’re a nice person. You’re‌⁠​ kind, and you’re⁠‌ pretty… Anyway, what​ I’m trying to‌‍ say is that‍⁠ I want a happy ending for⁠ you if anything.​‌ So… I want‍‍ Marie Dunareff to⁠‍‍ be happy.”

My‌​ cheeks twitched by⁠‍⁠ themselves.

Damn​ it. It was‌⁠ super embarrassing to‍ voice this out‌ loud. You know,⁠‍ men were supposed‍⁠ to stay quiet‍‌‌ and do what‌‌‌ was needed to‌ be done in‍⁠ silence! That was⁠‍ the coolest thing‍ to do!

“…Oh⁠​ my.”

Lady‍‌‌ Josephine murmured from​ outside.

Rolling⁠‍‌ my eyes, I threw a glance‍​‌ to the side‍‌‌ and found Lady‍⁠⁠ Josephine wearing a look of awe‌​ while covering her⁠‌ mouth with her‍‌‌ palm.

Huh?‍‍ What’s wrong with‍‌ her?

“Uhh.”‍‌‍

Meanwhile,⁠​ Marie continued opening⁠ and closing her​ mouth.

“Uh,‌ uhh… Umm……”

I looked into her‍​⁠ eyes and realized‌⁠⁠ that her pupils​‌‍ were shivering profusely.​‍‍ Her white skin⁠ turned crimson red​‌‌ and she even​‍ started trembling.

What⁠ was going on?‍‌​ Was she having⁠ a withdrawal symptom‍ already?

“Would‍ you like… some⁠ blood?”

“U,⁠ uuhkk? Auh, auh…​​ Aahht?!”

Please⁠ speak in a human language at​ least.

“Auhk…‍⁠ auhh! No… I swear I didn’t​ think of anything‌⁠⁠ weird…!”

“Huh?”‍

What⁠⁠​ was with this​⁠ reaction that seemed‌​ like it would‍‌‍ come out in‌‍ a fully-optimized game‌⁠​ on a 4k⁠​⁠ monitor?

Her⁠​ entire body was‍‍ flushed in red‌ like a graphic‌ card expressing that‍ it will soon⁠‌⁠ reach all the‌‌ way to heaven,‌​ and Marie hurriedly⁠ escaped to a corner before gasping⁠ for breath to‌⁠‍ settle herself back⁠‍‌ down.

“A,⁠ anyway… did it⁠⁠‍ hurt a lot?”⁠

“If‍​ you’re talking about⁠‌ my neck, well,‍ it was just​‌ a little sting.”⁠

“…I’m⁠ sorry.”

“There’s​ no need to​ be sorry.”

“No​‍‍ no no! I’m‌​‌ really… sorry! I just couldn’t hold​ myself back. That​‍ impulse was… Wait,⁠‍ no. That would‌ just be an⁠‌‍ excuse…”

Without⁠⁠ caring about her​ disheveled hair and⁠‍⁠ her neck that​‍ had dry clots​ of blood, Marie⁠‌​ deeply lowered her⁠ head.

“I’m⁠⁠ sorry. I am‍ sincerely quite sorry.”‍‍‌

Walking‌‍‌ up, the girl‌‍ held onto my‍⁠‌ hands and sincerely⁠⁠ asked for an‌‌ apology. There were​‍⁠ tears budding beneath‌ her golden eyes.‌‌‌

“Thank‍​​ you for saving‍‍⁠ me and for​‍ not giving up​​‌ on me. Thank‍ you for your‍‌ help. I’ll be​ forever in your‌​​ debt.”

— Sniff!

Without‌ even letting go​ of my hands,​‍ the girl wiped​ her tears that⁠‌⁠ were about to⁠​ drop down her‌ cheeks.

“Nn…‍ Thank you so​‍‍ much.”

Marie‌ released my hands‍‌ and took a step back before​ turning her back⁠‍​ to me.

“Junior!⁠‌‌ Umm… I want⁠​‌ to wash myself​ now! And I need to finish‍‌ my potatoes!”

“Sure.​ Senior Marie.”

It‍​ was probably best​‍ to leave her‍ alone for now.‌‍‌

“Senior‌ Professor?”

In‌ response to my‍⁠⁠ call, Lady Josephine‌ opened a dimensional​⁠ spell in front‍ of me. I took a step‍‌ into the abyss‍‌‌ that would lead‍​​ me back to‌ the hospital room​‌ when Marie’s voice‌⁠​ echoed from behind.​‍⁠

“Bye,​⁠⁠ Korin! See you⁠​⁠ later!”

“See​​ you later.”

The‌⁠‍ girl that was‍ sobbing bid me​ farewell with a smile.

I was back at‌​ the silent hospital‌⁠‌ room but soon,‌ I could hear‍‌‌ the clicking noise⁠⁠ of Lady Josephine’s​ heels.

“Oh‍ dear… Student Korin.‌‌⁠ That wasn’t so​ bad.”

“Pardon?”‍​

“Ah~”​

Looking‍⁠ like a senior​​ in life who‌⁠ had gone through‍‌ countless vicissitudes of‍ life, Lady Josephine⁠‌ shook her head.‌‍‌

“I​‍‌ shall discuss everything⁠ related to her⁠‍⁠ with you from‍‌ now on, Student⁠​⁠ Korin.”

“Umm…​​‌ sure.”

After‌‌ showing a faint‍ smile at the‌ end, Lady Josephine​⁠‍ walked out of‌ the room.

While‌⁠ scratching my cheeks,​‌‍ I opened the⁠‌‍ window of the​ room as the⁠‍‌ dazzling afternoon sun​‍ glimmered through the⁠ window.

With‍ this, the 1st‌​⁠ Arc had come⁠​ to an end.‍ It was a happy ending for⁠​ everyone which used⁠​ to be impossible​ to achieve in‌​ the previous iteration‌ and the game.‍​​

There‍ were a few⁠ things that were⁠‌ unexpected, and not‌⁠‌ a single thing‌​ had gone according‍ to the original‌​⁠ plot of the‍ game but… that‌ was what made‍‍‍ it even better.​‍⁠

Even‌ without the player,⁠ the world was‌‌​ still working in​​‍ one piece.

Even​ without following the⁠‌ original storyline, we​ could still achieve⁠​ a better ending.​‍‌

I was seeing the‍‌​ new beginning of⁠ a world composed‌​‌ of things which⁠‌​ we hadn’t been​‍ able to achieve‍‌‌ even back when⁠⁠⁠ it was a game, and even‍⁠ back when we‌‍‍ had a player.‍‌⁠

It​‌ was a nice‌‌‌ feeling.

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