Mistress Of The Evil Forest

After we chatted some more, in which I tried to make Chloe friendlier with my new friends, but unsuccessful, morning approached. 

That meant that it was time for me and Peln to follow Chloe to the academy while my main body was sleeping.

Now walking inside the woods, Chloe is...

''So you see, the thing about the conflict between Magic and Knight department is-''

Babbling about the game again.

When I possessed Peln's body earlier, she was pretty excited, stating that she'd never seen me with short hair before. For reference, my hair right now is almost reaching my shoulder, while normally it would reach my waist.

I prefer long hair, and I was too lazy to cut it anyway.

Either way, she also gave me a silver ring. I thought she was proposing to me again, but turns out, it was a needed item if we were to enter the academy as people from Earth—according to her.

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Ring of Fortitude

Block or eliminate any mental attack and/or
interference below a certain threshold.

When Equipped: +0.1 INT.

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Another broken item, as expected of the hardcore gamer.

And she insisted on putting the ring on my ring finger anyway. 

When I notice it, we're already near the academy. I can see it clearly beyond the trees, and that barrier is indeed big.

''You wait here for a minute, alright?'' She turns around to face me. ''I'll go grab you some clothes.''

''Alright.''

With that, Chloe puts on her hood and runs away.

''...''

It's not like I don't want to respond to Chloe's feelings. I was and still am slow at feelings in general, so I still don't know if the 'like' that I have for her and the 'like' she has for me are the same.

I even told that to her, but she just laughed it off, saying that she didn't care and that she would definitely make me fall head over heels for her. How amusing. 

At the end of the day, I decided that I'll allow things like this and some light sexual harassment, but never something that crosses the line.

A bit of waiting later, she comes back with a package.

''Here, wear this.'' 

''Mhm.''

What is this... A maid outfit? She even brought me underwear as well, how nice.

'''' ... ''''

''Go away.''

''Tch.''

Don't try to be sneaky.

Oh, there are holes on the lower back for wings as well, why is she so prepared? Whatever.

So quickly put on the outfit, and we head to the academy again. Just in time, the shift is changing, perfect time for trespassing.

Using [Stealth], I quickly pass the security together with Chloe and sprint off to a direction.

We arrived at a quiet place. Chloe takes off her mantle and I disable my skill.

''Just walk like normal with me.'' She says. ''We're going to my room.''

''Alright.''

And we're walking again.

On the way, I notice quite a lot of people staring at me, from students with white uniforms to staff with dark blue uniforms, must be because of my wings.

''But I have to say, that outfit suits you so much...!''

''Thanks, I suppose.''

''Ah, you'll be staying in my room, alright?''

''Why?''

''I only registered two rooms in the dormitory.'' She shrugs. ''One for me, one for my maid. I didn't know you were here.''

''...Makes sense.''

''I don't want to let you live with my maid, and her room is not that spacious anyway. I'll order another bed for you, so stay with me.''

''Fine, fine. Stop looking at me like that.''

Eventually, we arrive at a luxurious-looking building, with roughly ten floors, and is extremely big. This is the 'Luminous Dormitory', heavily sponsored by the Luminous Dukedom—Chloe's current family.

It is only reserved for prestigious nobles or highly talented students.

Oh, there's even an elevator here? Chloe said that it is similar to the Victorian era in this world, so what's with this?

''It's a magic elevator.''

As if understanding my thoughts, she replies.

''Don't focus on it too much, magic almost solves everything here anyway.''

''Mhm.''

Her room is on the tenth—the highest floor, it seems.

TING—!

''It's the room at the end.''

Hm... Even the marble wall has gold sprinkled on it, I don't understand rich people. Even the doors... But as expected of the daughter of the sponsor, her room's door is by far the most impressive.

clack

Chloe opens the door casually, revealing a spacious and luxurious room, and...

''My Lady, welcome back-''

'''' ... ''''

The girl in the same maid outfit as me turns around and stops her sentence abruptly when she meets eyes with me. She has long black hair, yellow slit pupils, and a pair of low black feathered wings.

A raven girl, perhaps?

But why is she staring at me in shock like that...?

'''' ... ''''

''Ahem.'' Chloe coughs, breaking the silence. ''Nydia, this is Aurora, who will be working as my maid from now on, along with you.''

''Aurora, nice to meet you.'' I nod lightly.

''And there is Nydia, my current maid.''

''...Eh? Ah, I'm Nydia, nice to meet you, Aurora.'' The girl snaps out of her trance. ''Let's work together from now on?'' She tilts her head.

Why a question?

''Why is she like this?'' I whisper to Chloe.

''I don't know. She's calm normally.'' Chloe whispers back.

---

Because the girl Nydia was fidgeting the whole time after our introduction, it was awkward.

Eventually, I excused myself from them, stating that I wanted to explore the academy alone, which is still true.

Now then, where should I go first... Let's check out the gym. I'm curious.

''Excuse me.''

I grab a random girl wearing the student uniform.

''Heh?! Ah, yes, how can I help you... Ms Maid?''

''By any chance, do you know the way to the gym?''

''Ah, if you go that way and turn the first left corner, you'll eventually see it.''

''Thank you.''

''N-No problems! Heheheh...'' The girl scratches her cheek shyly and walks away.

Why was she blushing...? I'm not even naked anymore.

---

''Oh, there it is.''

The academy ground is truly vast. On the way here, I saw a lot of normal shops as well. This is almost like a mini city.

But now is the time to check out the gym. I heard there are illusion monsters here. I wonder if I can find Mom.

Right when I'm about to step into the building, I notice something in the corner of my eyes.

''You filthy commoner! How dare you spill your drink on Lady Maria?!''

Outside the building, on the left side, four students are ganging up on a girl. In reality, they're quite far away from me as the building is huge, but I have better hearing than normal people.

I can't believe this cliché is happening right now...

''I said I was sorry...!''

The girl with pale blonde hair struggles, kneeling on the ground while her hair is being grabbed by another girl. It's four girls versus one, now that I'm walking closer.

''You will have to pay the price, commoner.'' The imposing girl, presumably Maria based on how the other treats her, says coldly. ''You lot, bring this one to 'the spot'.''

'''' Understood! ''''

''Wait a moment.''

Before they can do anything else, I intervene, standing behind Maria.

When they all have their attention on me, I speak again.

''Can you release her?''

''...Whose maid are you?'' Maria asks, narrowing her eyes and pulling out a fan to cover her mouth.

''Lady Amelia Luminous's.'' I reply. ''My lady has business with this girl.''

Chloe said that I could use her name however I want, so this should be fine.

''I don't remember Lady Luminous having a maid like you?'' Maria raises an eyebrow.

''I don't remember you being Lady Luminous?'' I stare deadpan at her.

The atmosphere cools down rapidly, while the bullied girl just has a confused face.

'''' ... ''''

Eventually, Maria sighs with annoyance.

''Fine. This is for Lady Luminous.'' Maria turns around. ''You lot, let us go.''

With that, they obediently walk away.

''Are you alright?'' I extend my hand to the girl, who seems to be having quite a lot of bruises.

''Ah, thank you so much!'' She immediately grabs my hand and stands up.

Here, have some [Heal].

''Oh? Ooh~ You can use [Heal]? That's amazing!'' She smiles brightly at me.

What a cheerful girl.

''It's nothing.''

''Ah, that's right.'' She claps her hand lightly. ''My name is Claire! What's your?''