Chapter 62

"Let's stop this boring story now. It's about time for the ads to end, anyway."

"Leaving?"

At my question, Oswald made a strange expression.

"Would you like me to leave?"

Of course.

"No, well, you're usually only on the air during commercials. You also said that showing the manager interfering with the broadcast was amateurish."

My clumsy excuse didn't work at all on someone as cunning as Oswald.

He narrowed his eyes and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

Then, just like during the last interview, a screen appeared next to him.

"Since we still have some time, shall we do a quick interview?"

"…Sure."

My leisurely walk was extended.

"Finally, you've met all the male protagonists. What was the emperor like?"

I wanted to say he was the worst, but I chose my words carefully, considering the broadcast.

"…Not the type I want to be involved with."

"Why not?"

"He's ruthless and lacks common sense, making him dangerous. With so many black hearts, he's a real threat."

Not to mention, he's selfish and doesn't empathize with others, despite feeling sorry for himself.

His arrogance, naturally acquired from years of ruling the world, was a quality that someone like me couldn't handle.

Demanding, elegant, and cruel...

I looked at Oswald with a dazed expression.

'Now that I think about it, he's similar.'

The way he exuded a natural air of dominance, even when acting arbitrarily, was strangely familiar.

This wasn't something you could imitate just by trying.

'Chekhov tried to imitate Oswald but couldn't even get the surface right.'

Of course, the biggest reason was the significant difference in appearance.

I suddenly became curious about Oswald himself.

"Why did you dye your hair? What was your original color?"

"Another reverse question? Well, fine. My original color is blonde."

Blonde hair and deep sapphire eyes.

A combination that suited his arrogant appearance too well.

"Sometimes, managers try to imitate you."

"I don't know why, but they do. I doubt imitating the surface improves their broadcast performance."

Ding!

[Throne '■zworld in Real World' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[I know the reason ㅠ]

"I think I know too. You look like a protagonist."

'Even though the genre isn't romance.'

A protagonist is someone who stands out clearly from their surroundings.

In that sense, Oswald had a very distinct presence.

This man was definitely different.

What made him stand out?

It wasn't just his appearance.

It was the discernment, atmosphere, and dignity shaped by his life experiences.

What was his background?

How did he become a channel manager?

I had many questions, but none that I could ask rashly.

Because we weren't partners.

I was just a toy to him.

Completely swept away by my curiosity, I found myself staring at Oswald without realizing it.

Suddenly, Oswald leaned in close and whispered in a low, husky voice.

"You tend to get overly absorbed when you're curious, Miss Thérèse."

Startled!

He wrapped his arms around my waist, preventing me from moving backward.

He looked into my eyes from a distance so close that I didn't know where to look.

"You're being more cautious today."

"…?"

What did he mean?

While I was blinking in confusion, Oswald took out a pocket watch from his pocket.

He checked the time and frowned.

"We're 2 minutes past the scheduled time. I have to go now."

'He's just like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.'

The cruel White Rabbit Oswald kissed my cheek.

"Good luck with this episode."

With that, he disappeared.

Thump!

As soon as Oswald left, I rubbed my cheek irritably.

At this rate, my cheek might wear off one day.

* * *

The time to carry out the mission was late afternoon, after all the lectures had ended.

Until then, I attended my usual lectures as scheduled.

But I had one more task today.

"I'll attend the 'Magical Creatures' lecture."

I decided not to delay the inevitable.

Professor Felix's mouth dropped open, and he jumped up from his seat.

"Finally, you're my disciple, Thérèse! So, you have no talent for elemental magic, right?"

This guy is something else.

"I'm not changing my major; I just want to attend the lecture."

"Ouch."

Professor Felix looked disappointed but quickly recovered and said gently,

"Let me know if you change your mind. Anytime, even now."

"Give me the syllabus."

"Ah, you have a clear sense of purpose, like a modern student…."

After registering for the 'Magical Creatures' lecture, I proceeded to work on researching and recording magical improvement methods in a private study room.

Thump.

Crash!

"Ah! My papers!"

While researching, I accidentally knocked over a stack of papers, turning the private study room floor into a mess.

Since the library study room required you to clean up after use, I sighed.

"I wish I had a private study room. It would be so much easier to research."

If the papers were scattered on the floor, I could just leave them there.

"I really just want to do research."

Ding!

[Throne 'Quiet Fan' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[I'm still a newbie in the early stages… Is this BJ a magic otaku? She keeps doing magic research…]

Ding!

[Throne 'Over-Enthusiastic Otaku' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Hey! Thérèse isn't a magic otaku. This is 'serious'.]

"What does that mean…?"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

At that moment, someone pounded on the door as if trying to break it down.

"What, what? Who's the crazy person?"

I almost had a heart attack.

'Who could it be at this time? There are hardly any students in the library.'

Click.

Holding my racing heart, I opened the door to see Clyde staring down at me like the harbinger of doom.

"Chop."

I hiccuped.

"Are you using the library alone?"

"…Was I too loud?"

"Yeah."

The sound of knocking on the door must have been much louder.

"…Sorry."

After apologizing, I tried to close the door quietly, but Clyde stopped me.

"Who said you could close it?"

"I'm done here. I need to study."

Creak! This guy looks so calm, but why won't the door budge?

While I struggled to close the door, Clyde looked around the study room and clicked his tongue.

"You've made a complete mess. How can you study in such a dirty and messy place?"

Ouch… The words of the top student stung.

'Why is someone who dislikes me interfering? Is he trying to find a reason to get me expelled?'

I can't let this continue. I need to get rid of him quickly.

"Why are you doing this to me? We're not supposed to be this close, Clyde! Please let me go!"

Get lost!

"Sure."

"Sis…?"

"…?"

Why is Rivi here?

Even worse, there were young ladies who looked like her friends gathered around.

They all had similar expressions, clearly misunderstanding the situation.

The young ladies whispered.

"Is Thérèse-senpai hitting on the Student Council President?"

"They must have been seeing each other."

"They're breaking up because of family opposition…! Oh, how sad."

The misunderstanding was quickly solidified.

'How did things get so twisted…?'

Rivi's face showed a sudden realization.

"No wonder she asked about my ideal type last time…!"

That's not it.

"Rivi. Hey. You and your friends? Don't think anything strange. It's a misunderstanding."

"We didn't see anything."

"We won't say a word!"

"Leave us alone and go."

Ding!

[Throne 'Conspiracy Theorist' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[This will definitely become a rumor.]

Rivi and the young ladies disappeared in an instant.

No, guys, it's a misunderstanding!

At that moment, a cold, sharp voice cut through the air.

"So, what do you mean by 'we're not supposed to be this close' and 'let me go'?"

Oops. I was distracted by something else while leaving a fierce predator right in front of me.

"Well… It's an extension of what I said before. Since you have a memorable appearance, it's better for both of us if we see each other less…."

"I have no idea what nonsense you're spouting. The lectures are over, so we need to go on the mission. Come out now."

If that was the reason, you should have said it earlier.

I grumbled to myself and used magic to gather the scattered papers neatly.

Since a Valhalla attendant was always on standby at the library entrance, I could ask them to send my belongings to the dorm.

Clyde watched me gather the papers and said,

"Gather."

The scattered papers were instantly stacked neatly in less than a second.

I gaped at the paper tower in awe.

'This is the realm of S-level intelligence.'

"Don't dawdle."

At his urging, I quickly handed the papers to the attendant and went to get the carriage.

Professor Ilya had already gone to the garden to check the situation.

Clyde pointed to the carriage with his chin.

"You and I will take this carriage."

"Why?"

"Do you have a carriage?"

"I do. …At home."

Clyde glared at me with disdain.

"Get in."

I obediently borrowed and got into the carriage.