Why did he refuse?
How could he refuse?!
Wait, he must've misspoken—I'll give him one last chance!
"Y-you…you worthless small fry, you must've made a mistake, right? If you apologize now, I can still forgive you! Not only dinner—study parties too! You're welcome again…"
[Congratulations, Host, rejection successful!]
She's rejecting my rejection again…?
But Linen calmly repeated.
"Was I not clear, Your Highness? I said no need."
"I'm giving you one last—final—chance!"
Hysteria ground her teeth angrily.
[Congratulations, reward…]
It triggered again?
As expected of you, Your Highness!
Linen feigned helplessness, spreading his arms.
"Really, there's no need, Princess Hysteria. You could give me a hundred chances, and I'd still say no."
"Then reconsider, you stupid idiot!"
[Congratulations…]
She's still going!
"I've already felt your sincerity, but—I refuse."
At their side, Elena stared wide-eyed at the ongoing argument, her cherry-red lips slightly parted.
She knew she ought to step in—two of her friends were fighting—but somehow, after the second or third refusal, the nature of this quarrel had subtly shifted…
Hysteria was clearly riled up, while Linen—maybe it was Elena's imagination—but it almost looked like he was enjoying this.
The fact that they could carry on such a childish exchange so naturally showed a peculiar sort of compatibility between them…
Ultimately, it was Linen who put an end to their endless repetition.
"That's enough, Your Highness. Are we really going to keep having this childish argument? It's embarrassing!"
Linen's voice was cold.
"I—you!"
Hysteria was too furious to speak clearly.
Initially, she'd intended to "forgive" Linen. But now her great magnanimity was being refused?
Wouldn't that leave her utterly humiliated?
"What on earth do you want before you'll make up with me?!" Hysteria demanded, breathing heavily.
Make up? Impossible. I absolutely cannot make up with you in this lifetime. I still need to be your stepping—no, stumbling stone on your road to success.
Thinking quickly, Linen scoffed and replied:
"Forgive me? You say that like you're the one with the right to forgive."
"I'm not even sure what I did to offend you, yet you're the one who suddenly said we weren't friends."
"Breaking ties whenever you like, reconciling whenever you wish—Your Highness really has a magnificent sense of power."
"You summon me when you like, dismiss me as you please. What exactly have I done to earn such disrespect?"
"You don't even bother calling me 'Linen' anymore."
"Want to reconcile? Fine. But first—"
Hysteria froze in shock. This was the first time she'd ever seen Linen so serious.
Meanwhile, Linen rapidly brainstormed something utterly impossible that would decisively end this charade.
Have her lift her skirt and apologize?
No, she might actually do it. Plus, it would make him look like a pervert in public.
A black stocking maid outfit?
No good either—she'd already worn one.
Wait, I have it!
"Then apologize to me while wearing a black stocking maid outfit with cat ears."
With that, Linen ignored their reactions and strode proudly out of the classroom.
When you have reason on your side, never back down!
Just then, Elena's voice suddenly called out.
"Linen, please wait!"
Linen paused briefly.
"Can't…can't you give Hysteria just one more chance? She'll genuinely make things right."
In that brief moment, Elena quietly activated her ability.
"There's no need. It's better for everyone this way."
Linen shook his head and continued on his way.
If he'd had more time, he wouldn't mind teasing Hysteria further for extra rewards. But right now, he had more pressing matters.
The incidents with Linda and Farao individually suited their characters—but the timing was suspicious. Combined with Silva's earlier warnings, Linen suspected the involvement of a certain Arcana assassin from the Tower of Chronomancy.
In the original story, that assassin was skilled at [Mental Arcana].
She typically tested her targets indirectly through minor pawns, gauging weaknesses before launching decisive strikes.
Linda had likely tested his susceptibility to seduction, while Farao was sent to assess his true combat ability.
That assassin wanted to eliminate him—but he'd already targeted her in return.
To prevent Hysteria and Elena from complicating things, keeping them at arm's length until this issue was resolved was essential.
Linen chuckled softly, wondering if the assassin had received the carefully prepared "gift" he'd sent her.
With a quiet laugh, he headed toward his dormitory.
---
Back in the classroom, Hysteria was utterly livid.
She finally understood clearly.
Linen never intended to reconcile! He was only interested in humiliating her!
"What's he so proud of anyway?! Like I'd even want to reconcile with him! I'm not lacking in friends, I don't need him!"
"And 'better for everyone'? Ha! Even if he jumped off this building, I'd never reconcile with him now!"
"Elena, don't you agree? You'll support me, right?"
But Elena, having just finished using her ability, stared blankly, questioning everything she knew.
Again, she'd only heard snippets of Linen's thoughts—but the key phrases were clear enough.
Assassin…Tower of Chronomancy?!
Those bastards again!
Initially, Elena couldn't fathom Linen's hostile behavior toward Hysteria. But upon hearing him say it was "better for everyone," understanding finally dawned on her.
Everyone now knew that Ken was a spy from the Tower of Chronomancy. So, clearly, the Tower had set their sights on them again.
Their last confrontation with Ken had left a traumatic shadow in Elena's heart. She wouldn't act recklessly this time.
But could she really conceal what she'd overheard?
Seeing Hysteria's furious face, Elena hesitated momentarily, then clenched her fists decisively.
I'm sorry, Linen. This time, I'll ensure Hysteria doesn't interfere—but I absolutely refuse to let your behind-the-scenes efforts remain hidden!
"Hysteria… what if I said you absolutely must apologize to Linen?"
Hysteria: ?
---
Elsewhere, after class ended, Farao unconsciously found himself walking toward a secluded pavilion on campus.
There, a girl in a worker's uniform and a wide-brimmed hat was waiting quietly.
Upon seeing Farao, the girl snapped her fingers, clearing his previously hazy expression instantly:
"Theresia, our cooperation ends here. I won't target Linen again," Farao declared solemnly.
The girl named Theresia frowned slightly.
"You weren't like this before, Farao. Care to tell me what changed?"
Farao sighed deeply:
"I was prejudiced. Linen Norton…is actually a decent person."
He briefly explained everything that had occurred in the practical combat class.
When she heard about the contract, Theresia's frown deepened.
"May I see the contract?"
Farao nodded, handing over the contract scroll.
Reading the outrageously predatory terms, Theresia's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
Initially, she'd planned to assassinate Linen Norton cleanly with her specialty—[Arcana Bullets]. But after reading this contract, she reconsidered. Hanging him from a lamppost seemed more appropriate…
Anyone could force another into an unfair contract, but to do so while simultaneously making the victim speak well of you? This Linen Norton was more formidable than expected.
"Did you tell anyone about our arrangement?" Theresia asked.
Farao shook his head:
"No, but he asked me to show you something."
"What is it?" she asked warily.
"It's in the contract scroll."
Theresia scrutinized the scroll closely, then crumpled it angrily upon noticing a faint, hidden illustration—a clearly visible middle finger.
Linen hadn't asked who sent Farao—smart. But this image's meaning…
She could only interpret it as a direct provocation from prey to hunter.
Fine. She accepted the challenge.
"Your friend seems to be looking for you," Theresia suddenly remarked.
Farao quickly protested, "Impossible, I—"
Theresia raised her hand, snapping her fingers sharply. A faint violet glow flashed briefly.
"Listen carefully. When you're next fully awake, the person who instructed you and arranged to meet you here…is Ken Listan."
"Then who are you?" Farao asked dazedly.
"Me? Just an ordinary champagne delivery girl," Theresia replied coolly, tipping her hat down to conceal her face as she exited the pavilion.