Chapter 5

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[Teresa Squire]

Description: Squire Noble Lady

Age: 21

Magic Level: B

Intelligence: C+

Magic Power: A (12,034/12,034)

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"Of course."

I wondered if there would be a status window if there was a shop, and it turned out to be as I thought.

Teresa's character information was exactly as I had last set it.

'Except for the fact that she will turn 22 in a few days, these settings will remain until the end.'

She is a crude magician with abundant magic power that somewhat compensates for her low intelligence.

"Indeed, a fitting setting for a villainess who is accustomed to reckless and cruel acts."

'The problem is that this setting has become my reality.'

[The thrones are curious about what BJ is thinking.]

"Ah, I was thinking about Teresa's intelligence. This is about her magical abilities, not related to my IQ."

Magic uses 'incantations' similar to how math uses formulas to solve problems.

"With high intelligence, one can use complex and difficult incantations for high-level magic."

The difference is simple.

If a magician with B-level intelligence can kill a monster in one go, Teresa would take ten tries to do the same.

It's a testament to the fact that a poor head means a suffering body.

"To increase her intelligence, she needs to study through magic books, but Teresa hates books, classes, and professors."

Therefore, she is destined to remain at C+ intelligence for life.

However, fortunately, I love reading.

Well, I studied math to some extent as an engineering graduate.

"It's fortunate that the setting for magic incantations being similar to math was made."

My teammates were worried that it was too much of a science approach, but it turned out to be a stroke of genius.

'I need to study magic books and raise my intelligence to at least B level.'

To enter Paradise, you need a 'Key of Dimensions.'

By using the Key of Dimensions to open a door to a specific location, you can discover Paradise with a random probability.

'However, the probability is quite harsh, so you need to open many doors.'

Even if you don't find Paradise, it's not a problem.

Occasionally, you might find a treasure room or a mysterious place that helps your gameplay.

"It would be easier to become independent if I had a substantial personal fortune."

Teresa is a noble lady but relies on an allowance.

The duke's wealth belongs to Raoul, and she can only inherit it after his death.

Thus, while intelligent noble children inherit good businesses and increase their wealth, Teresa's businesses fail one after another.

Since Teresa is a stupid and selfish villain, it wouldn't make sense for her to be good at business.

'I don't think I have a particular talent for business either.'

In such cases, finding a treasure room is the best option.

The Key of Dimensions can only be obtained by participating in auctions, as it appears as an auction item.

'I need funds for that. Since Teresa's birthday is coming up, I should ask for some allowance as a gift.'

Teresa's birthday is in five days, on February 20th.

Even if the duke's daughter is disliked, he should still give her an allowance, right?

"Still, about magic power..."

Magic power, magic. These are familiar terms and settings, but at the same time, the most unfamiliar and strange things.

It's still hard to believe that such power has been given to me.

I focused on the new sensation within me.

"..."

In typical fantasy novels, when the protagonist is asked to feel their magic power, they usually struggle, right?

But now, just by trying to feel what magic power is, I instinctively understood everything about it and how to use it.

The sensation was so stable and familiar that it was almost bewildering.

I tried using magic.

"Little spark, burn like a candle."

Whoosh!

A small flame flickered on my palm just as I intended.

"Wow!"

[The thrones smile at BJ's innocent reaction.]

[Throne 'SettingFan' is pleased with the typical reaction of BJ, who comes from a world without magic.]

"..."

Did I sound too childish?

Feeling embarrassed, I hastily extinguished the flame on my palm.

'I need to change the topic quickly.'

"Since there's a status window, there might be other system windows. Don't broadcasts usually have settings...?"

It was a reasonable assumption, even though I said it myself.

'I should check right away.'

"Broadcast settings."

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[Broadcast Settings]

Channel Name: BJVillainess

Channel Level: Bronze

Channel Rank: Outside Top 100

Sponsorship: 2,700 coins

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As expected, there were broadcast settings.

"How many levels are there for channel ranks?"

[The thrones say only Ozwald can tell you.]

I frowned.

Why does it have to be that guy?

'I don't want to see him again.'

He was the type I disliked, with a terrible personality, and I didn't want to get close to him.

But as the channel manager, I would likely have to see him often. Sigh.

I put aside the headache-inducing thought of Ozwald and focused on other aspects.

"Strange. How did I get 2,700 coins in sponsorship?"

I remember receiving much less.

Ding!

[Throne 'ExplanationFan' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[When you collapsed in front of Raoul yesterday, the sponsorships poured in.]

"Ah. ...Why?"

[The thrones burst into meaningful laughter.]

What? Tell me the reason and laugh.

Ding!

[Throne 'ConspiracyTheorist' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[You just lay there, and the situation resolved itself, didn't it? It was all planned, right?]

'What happened yesterday?'

Apart from acting a bit out of it due to the shock of possession, I don't remember anything unusual.

I gave up trying to guess the reason, as I wasn't particularly curious.

Just then,

Bang!

Even a duke should not barge into a noble lady's room with such a loud noise, as it is against etiquette.

So, if it's not the duke, who else would dare to enter the room of Squire Teresa in such a manner?

I looked at the person who entered the room with a puzzled expression.

A black-haired boy, about the height of Teresa's chest, entered the room with emerald eyes filled with anger.

"What's your plan?"

He was very angry.

In contrast, I was inwardly impressed.

'Wow... so cute.'

His wavy hair, fair skin, and puppy-like round eyes made him a beautiful young boy.

He was the youngest son of the family, Giuseppe.

'If he keeps growing like this, he'll be as handsome as the four male leads.'

My admiration only went that far.

'Even so, we won't have much to do with each other soon.'

Or rather, I don't want to have anything to do with him.

"Tell me now! What's your scheme?"

"There's no scheme."

Giuseppe laughed loudly and sarcastically insulted me.

"Think about what you've done. Just because you suddenly act normally, it doesn't mean you're a normal person. Unless your soul has changed."

Ouch... that stung a bit.

'But, I don't think I acted that out of character. Isn't he overreacting?'

"Even if you have a scheme, finding a family member you thought was lost is a big deal. Treating me like a potential criminal is a bit much, isn't it?"

Giuseppe twisted his lips in response to my protest.

"That's up to the person. No one is falling for your cheap tricks, you idiot."

Teresa and Giuseppe had a terrible relationship and usually ignored each other.

Moreover, Giuseppe, at just 13, was already a genius receiving attention from the Mage Association.

He also had terminal siscon syndrome.

From Rivi's perspective, he seemed very cute and adorable.

'Hmm. Looking at him now, his arrogance and rudeness are just like... '

"You're a perfect little brother to Teresa."

"Wh-What?!"

"I mean, you're a perfect little brother."

My words made Giuseppe's face turn bright red instantly.

"Speak sense—!"

Why doesn't that make sense?

"You are, right? You're not even a blood relative..."

Ding!

[Throne 'SodaPass' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[Ah hahaha, making the brother so mad is hilarious hahaha.]

'Does he think I'm mocking him? I was just stating a fact.'

But Giuseppe seemed to take my words like the thrones did.

"Shut up! I can't communicate with you at all!"

Even without cursing, his reaction was overly intense.

He looked like one of those attention-seeking kids on Earth, which made me uncomfortable.

They never called me 'sister' or 'big sister' either.

They always called me 'hey, X' or something similar.

'Giuseppe isn't as annoying as them, but...'

"You should call me 'sister,' Giuseppe."

"Sister? When did you become my sister?! We don't look anything alike. At all! Not one bit!"

'Hmm. What does he want me to do...?'

To avoid unnecessary trouble, I suggested something Giuseppe might like.

"Instead of dealing with me, why don't you go prepare to welcome your real sister, who will be here soon?"

Giuseppe tightly closed his lips.

His expression clearly showed he was very angry.

'Did he get mad because I mentioned Rivi?'

If so, I don't want to deal with it. It's too troublesome.

'My goal is to live a normal life and enter the dormitory, not to get entangled with the family until the game's end.'

Giuseppe muttered in a low, seething voice.

"...You're always like this."

"What—"

Bang!

Before I could ask what he meant, Giuseppe left the room.

I suggested he go see Rivi, whom he likes, instead of dealing with Teresa, whom he dislikes, but he reacted strangely.

"Why is he like that...?"

Ding!

[Throne 'ConspiracyTheorist' has sponsored 100 coins.]

[He seems to be trying to get attention, doesn't he?]