After dropping Eva off at the walkway, I kept watch around her to let her get some rest. Since I was also a stranger who would only make her uncomfortable if I stuck too close, I kept my distance.
"Anything you want to drink?"
"..."
"If not, I'll just drink alone."
Clunk.
I slipped some coins into the vending machine and got a drink.
With the press of a button, a cool canned coffee tumbled out of the dispenser.
Hiss.
I cracked open the can and downed it in one go, like emptying a shot glass of soju.
The goal was a caffeine hit, so taste didn't matter. I poured it straight down like an IV drip into my veins for nutrient delivery, then crushed the can with a squeeze.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Getting a drink from the walkway vending machine, so leisurely.
"If I don't take it easy now, when will I? Even if I bulldozed through those people, I'd just get kicked out without even filling out the application."
I pointed toward the arena entrance not far from the walkway, where crowds of people had formed a dense throng.
"I got here first! Who do you think you are, cutting in?!"
"There wasn't even a line to begin with—what do you mean cutting?!"
"Don't touch me! Where do you think you're touching?!"
"Touching what? Come here!"
A fierce brawl had broken out right in front of the arena entrance. The sight of them clawing at hair and biting without giving an inch was enough to shatter any faith in humanity.
"Even if I shoved my way through and stuffed in an application, there's no way it'd get approved. It'd get rejected for sure."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Whether the application gets approved or not, filling it out is what's important. Even if it's rejected, it'll give you grounds later to claim to the academy staff that you attempted the entrance exam.
The author's words were perfectly reasonable. With the academy's application deadline ticking down by the second, the right move to boost my chances of getting in was exactly what she suggested.
"But that leaves the protagonist here all alone. I can't just leave Eva by herself."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙You know it too, reader-nim. The protagonist isn't weak enough to get messed with by random people. This is just unnecessary meddling.
Eva, who was called a monster even among geniuses. There was no way she'd fall victim to some kingdom citizens, and even if she did, she had more than enough skill to handle it herself.
"This is a chance to build a connection with her. Eventually, I'll have to act like I know her, and if I come off as some shady creep then, it'll be a problem."
Purity Academy was co-ed in name only—it might as well have been an all-girls school.
Men with mana were so rare that even scouring the whole world, you'd barely find more than two digits' worth. Mana was something most women were born with, and it was seen as their privilege.
That setting was what allowed the web novel to film its pink-tinted youth drama in an icy Arctic backdrop. The protagonist himself had confirmed it by saying, "With only girls at the academy, I feel at ease and secure."
Solis's looks gave off a fierce, intimidating vibe that kept people at arm's length. An adult man who looked like a mafia boss—enough to make other grown men flinch. If someone like that suddenly approached Eva acting all chummy?
She might report it to the academy and get a restraining order slapped on me. I'd end up as an outsider, never joining the protagonist's party.
To change the future where Chloe and Eva get married, I needed to hitch a ride on their story.
I'd been trying to handle the most urgent issue first—getting into the academy—but no ideas had come yet.
"In my eyes, this is an opportunity. Let's rack up some points with our protagonist before we go."
This had to be one of those heaven-sent strokes of genius, right? Breaking the barrier hadn't only brought bad results.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙If you put it that way, I'll leave it entirely up to you, reader-nim. It actually sounds like a good idea now that I think about it.
The author popped up a system window agreeing that it wasn't a bad idea.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙But be careful. Even if you build rapport, if you don't get into the academy, it's all for nothing.
"Worst case, I tell the academy staff I broke the barrier and demonstrate it again. They'd have to let me in then, right?"
What Purity Academy wanted was talent, sure—but more than that, the rare gems they sought: people who shone with genius in a single field. A man with mana strong enough to shatter the barrier fit the bill perfectly, so they'd expand the slots if needed to take me.
I turned my gaze back to Eva.
She was still huddled under the blanket, not showing herself properly.
But I subtly sensed her staring right through me.
I couldn't see it, but that's how it felt. My already honed senses from workouts had been amplified beyond recognition after possessing Solis's body. I could pick up faint whispers from distant crowds, the subtle rustle of insects in the grass—anything I focused on.
And those senses told me: a light peeked through the narrow gap in the blanket, her noble amethyst eyes locking onto mine.
"Ah... I-I wasn't looking! N-nothing!"
She flinched hard, curling up even more like a mouse caught peeking at a cat from its hole.
"I told you there's no need to be so guarded. I'm not gonna do anything to you."
"R-really...?"
"If I was, wouldn't I have dragged you to some dark alley with no one around by now?"
"Th-that's... not wrong."
Was she coming around? I smiled warmly at Eva's response.
Her opening up to a total stranger was a huge win. It confirmed that pulling her from the crowd hadn't been for nothing.
"More importantly, you really don't want a drink? I can get one now if you want."
"N-no... I'm f-fine."
Strange. I tilted my head watching her keep refusing.
The reason I'd asked persistently was because I was sure she'd want a canned drink. I knew this vending machine stocked one loaded with her fond memories, something she loved.
Yet she turned down my offer. Just because it was from a stranger?
No—if she truly distrusted or hated me, she wouldn't even speak. Her voice, expressing her thoughts to me, showed her guard had eased a bit more.
"Come to think of it, why were you isolated in the middle of all those people by yourself?"
"Th-that's...!"
Eva stammered even worse, as if she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"You came here to apply to Purity Academy, right? No one came with you?"
"Th-there... is, but..."
I knew she had a best friend named Chloe. But I played dumb. I bombarded her with questions like an innocently curious guy.
"Mind telling me? Might even help find your friend."
A brief silence. Just as I thought she wouldn't say, her lips parted.
"I... n-needed the..."
"Need? What?"
"B-bathroom..."
"Ah."
A physiological urge. Yeah, tension makes you gotta go.
"S-so I split from Chloe for a bit... and got separated."
"Then suddenly people surged in and pushed you out of the arena area, huh."
The blanket bundle nodded vigorously.
I got the picture. It explained how she got caught in the mess and why Chloe couldn't save her.
"Th-then you... y-you saved me just in time."
"Okay, thanks for telling me."
Mystery solved. I nodded like I understood everything now.
'No wonder she didn't want a drink. Her bladder's probably about to burst.'
She'd probably been holding it the whole time.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Oh? No comeback?
"What, the 'mister' thing?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Yeah, I figured you'd snap or something.
"Guys who've done military service get called 'mister' by kids all the time. Getting offended at 'auntie' would be the weird one, no?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Wait, was that a shot at me just now?
"Huh? 'Auntie' got under your skin? For real? I meant it as a genuine compliment back then."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙How is 'auntie' a compliment?
"Well, in this world's distant history, 'auntie' is a compliment compared to long-lived geezers who reek of chicken coops and rot."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Ah, sure, sure.
The author seemed too tired to respond anymore. Reactions were way more fun when they were lively. Tch.
If 'auntie' wasn't enough to tease with, what next? I pondered what to say to earn the author's praise.
Shiiiik!
That's when I felt a chilling killing intent creeping up my back. My spine chilled at the black aura that swallowed the world's light, and I instinctively surged mana fiercely into my heart.
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring tore through the air as an ebony blade reached my neckline. I calmly wrapped mana around my arm to block its approach.
"Who the hell are you?"
Chilling red eyes and a lifeless cold gaze fixed on me.
"Why are you sticking by Eva?"