No Dark Secrets In This Book

Episode 174

While I was just thinking of being kind to them, for some reason, they started trembling with overwhelming fear in their eyes. But it’s not like a ghost suddenly appeared, so there’s no reason to shiver in fear, right?

So, the conclusion I came to was this:

‘Did they belatedly realize they’re on live broadcast?’

Well, I’m no genius, so I don’t know if it’s true or not. But within the bounds of common sense reasoning, this was the only conclusion I could draw. Their behavior as soon as I appeared was, to put it nicely, unsightly foolishness, or to put it harshly, insensitive antics. Especially considering Cassice Demillang’s current political position.

But these fools clung to my side and wouldn’t leave until the principal lined us up for traffic control and to extend his welcoming speech. Even though their eyes were trembling like crazy, they stayed with me strangely.

That felt more peculiar than I expected. Is this what they call a reference group? Is this the sense of security that comes from belonging somewhere? Is this why people wander around looking for somewhere to accept them? I’ve lived my whole life insisting that being alone was more comfortable, thinking I had no right or value to be accepted.

Maybe here, for the first time in my life, I might have beings I could call friends. It’s a bit bitter that this became possible only after I put on Cassice Demillang’s body, not as my original self.

‘But this is an achievement that the real Cassice Demillang could never have accomplished even if he died trying.’

Maybe I can be genuinely happy about it. Perhaps.

***

While Cassice Demillang was lost in such thoughts.

Jang Wi-an, the FM student council president of Mirinae Academy, was burning with anger.

The fundamental reason for her anger was clear.

Cassice Demillang didn’t appear to be an overwhelming object of reverence.

Until now, Jang Wi-an had accepted Areah Academy’s propaganda by hearing such words from professors: With Demillang serving as a board member there, and Demillang’s bloodline enrolling if they feel like it, how could Mirinae Academy have reversed the historical academy rankings?

Jang Wi-an accepted this as a rational statement, but other cadets seemed to take it as despair. Similar words were exchanged this year when Cassice Demillang enrolled, so most cadets were steeped in defeatism.

To the extent that Jang Wi-an, who had been proposing class unity and joint training in preparation for the inter-academy competition since the beginning of the semester, was treated as a good oddball and eccentric for being overly enthusiastic.

However, recently, slightly different perspectives were being presented. ‘Demillang is trying to abandon the young master because he has flaws.’ This statement was automatically translated into a different sentence for Mirinae’s cadets: ‘Cassice Demillang might not be as great as we think.’

In other words.

‘We might be able to beat Areah this year!’

…To be honest, it’s a loser’s mindset. Jang Wi-an was even more displeased with the prevalent defeatism among the cadets because she hadn’t even considered the possibility of Cassice Demillang’s weakening. However, changing the collective mentality of cadets with underlying defeatism was impossible no matter how hard Jang Wi-an tried. That’s why she didn’t stop the students from mentally convincing themselves that they could beat Areah if only Demillang wasn’t there. Anyway, it was a good thing that a driving force for victory had formed in the cadets’ minds.

As the student council president, and as the eldest grandchild of the Jang family that had held important positions in Mirinae Academy for generations, Jang Wi-an, who sincerely wished for Mirinae Academy’s victory, encouraged the cadets to grit their teeth and try their best this time.

But at the same time, only Jang Wi-an didn’t let her guard down.

‘He can’t not be a fierce beast.’

Jang Wi-an could feel it. Every time a single sentence about Cassice Demillang’s achievements made the front page of newspapers, she felt a fundamental fear. While her peers were merely amazed at his accomplishments, unable to imagine the actual scene, Jang Wi-an was different. As the eldest grandchild of the Jang family, she had faced organized battlefields several times with her parents’ hands in hers. She knew war. She knew how horrific it was even after the war ended. Then how much worse would a real battlefield be?

Jang Wi-an knew and was proud of the fact that she was receiving early education compared to her peers. Even if it was just visiting post-battle sites, not everyone was given such opportunities, so young Jang Wi-an’s mindset was that she should use this special experience as nourishment and strengthen her resolve to never forget. Because she was such a person, when she saw the article about Cassice Demillang clearing a dungeon alone, she was truly terrified.

It felt like encountering a monster.

Such an achievement should be impossible at that age. But he did it. Is it possible to consider someone like him a peer? At least for Jang Wi-an, it was impossible.

In other words, to Jang Wi-an, Cassice Demillang was… an object of faith.

Jang Wi-an admired Cassice Demillang. That’s why she could aim for higher places and live fiercely. She could try her hardest, wanting to beat that person she admired even just once.

To Jang Wi-an, Cassice Demillang was both a goal and an idol.

But when she actually met him in person…

‘…Why have you become cute, Cassice Demillang!’

He had become a softie with all his fierceness gone.

He was completely different from the Cassice Demillang until now. Only Jang Wi-an, who had clipped every news article mentioning Cassice Demillang—to analyze the enemy, of course, there was absolutely no other meaning—could tell.

Cassice Demillang had changed.

And all because of just one man!

‘Ryuseong…!’

Especially now, when theories are rampant that Cassice Demillang almost got assassinated by Demillang for protecting Ryuseong.

‘I can’t accept you as Lord Cassice Demillang’s match!’

That was the reason why Jang Wi-an was glaring at Ryuseong with fiery eyes.

Cassice Demillang and Ryuseong were oblivious to this and were having such a conversation:

“That lady over there seems to be interested in you.”

“Just honestly say you’re jealous if you are.”

“No. Why would I be jealous? It’s just a simple warning that I’ll cut it off if you don’t behave properly.”

“…Cut? What?”

“You know what.”

Just as Jang Wi-an couldn’t imagine their conversation, they too couldn’t imagine Jang Wi-an’s true feelings.

But the truth is exactly this.

The fact that Jang Wi-an is a long-time fan of Cassice Demillang. The fact that she has no awareness of being a fan of Cassice Demillang herself! And the fact that she’s so openly fanboying that even the entire student council has noticed…!

‘Wi-an is going to become a successful fan today.’

‘I think Wi-an’s great point is that she develops the entire Mirinae with her fandom for an individual…’

Unaware of such views from the student council, Jang Wi-an was just endlessly angry at Ryuseong.

‘For Cassice Demillang’s sake too, you must prove it.’

Whether you’re worthy to stand by his side!

***

On the other hand, Guiding Star Academy was different. Especially the students from the Hanra faction were on the verge of tears.

‘Ryuseong…!’

‘Our boss!’

‘Is in enemy territory…!’

Of course, Han Idal had sent Ryuseong to Areah to gain great experience in wider waters.

‘But originally, derby is the epitome of irrationality!’

Derby is a concept in sports referring to a rival match between two teams based in the same region.

And Guiding Star Academy and Areah Academy are both based in the same peninsula called the Republic of Korea.

So, it’s not wrong to call the Three Great Academy Competition a derby.

‘This is all because of Cassice Demillang!’

It’s… probably not.

Maybe…

‘Cassice Demillang! Is it not enough to have a beautiful face that seems like God crafted it stitch by stitch, an unbelievable genius that seems heaven-sent, and overwhelming financial power that can shake the world economy? Well, it is enough.’

‘Anyway, our boss is our boss!’

Somehow it seems like there are students who have become irrational for reasons other than the home ground issue, but that’s an illusion.

From the start, Guiding Star Academy doesn’t have much rivalry towards other academies, so their hostility clearly has a different cause, but anyway, it’s an illusion.

Han Idal, the principal of Guiding Star Academy, wanted to believe so.

‘If not…’

Because he felt like he would go crazy.

‘I get that you’re great, but our Ryuseong is no joke either!’

‘You think we’ll just hand over Ryuseong quietly?’

‘No way. Try beating us first!’

‘If not, we won’t approve this marriage!’

…I’m glad that Guiding Star Academy has truly become a family-like school. My students.

‘But I’m okay with it…’

Why are you creating in-law problems?

***

Here at Areah Academy, where desires that destroy common sense are intersecting.

As the hellish welcoming speech finally ended and the move to the banquet hall began…

The three great academies began to form their confrontational stances in earnest.

Mirinae took the initiative.