The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character

Chapter 334 334: Rose [2]

I used to think it was ridiculous.

In novels, the protagonist would always lose to the heroine's advances, even when it was painfully obvious they were being taken advantage of. Back then, I'd scoff and think, Just say no. How hard can it be?

But now that I'd actually transmigrated into a novel myself…

Yeah.

I kind of understood them.

If this were anyone else, I would've shut her down immediately. No hesitation. No mercy. I wasn't exactly known for being softhearted.

But what was I supposed to do when she looked at me with those eyes and said, completely seriously, that she had spent her entire life floating inside a test tube?

That the first thing she wanted to do after escaping was make sexually suggestive jokes because she didn't know how else to interact with people?

I had to listen.

Not because I enjoyed it—well, not entirely—but because I genuinely felt sorry for her.

And if we were being honest…

If we were comparing who was more desperate, it was me.

It wasn't like I was in a position where I could afford to reject affection outright. Not in this world. Not with the enemies I'd eventually have to face.

"I'm glad I have such a kind master."

She said it with a smile that was far too bright for someone who had been treated like an object her entire life.

"…Well."

I hesitated.

"I'm not sure I'd call myself kind."

That much was true.

I hadn't completely given her freedom. Not really. There were still limits, expectations, and goals I needed her to meet.

I hadn't rescued her purely out of goodwill.

Part of me had done it because I wanted her.

Not romantically—at least, not only that—but strategically.

I wanted her to become my villain comrade.

Someone who could stand beside me when things inevitably went to hell.

"What about the things I asked you to do?" I asked, steering the conversation back on track.

She straightened slightly, her playful expression shifting into something more focused.

"The kingdom's swordsmanship manuals and the alchemy texts from Father's study are almost completely deciphered," she said. "I'll start practical training soon."

That Father was, of course, the Crimson Alchemist.

She even chose her name 'Rose' because her father name was Crimson.

Anyways....As for Crimson Alchemist.

Even now, the title carried weight. Fear, admiration, obsession—sometimes all at once.

"I see," I said. "What about mana control?"

"I already had that knowledge while I was still in the test tube," she replied casually. "So I can already use it."

Good.

Just like in her settings.

She was a homunculus created by inheriting the legacy of the kingdom's strongest knight and the Crimson Alchemist. Strength and intellect woven together unnaturally.

The potential was terrifying.

She wasn't on the level of Ryen or Leo—not yet—but at her peak, could she compete with Leona?

…Yeah.

Probably.

Since she already had the theoretical knowledge, all she lacked was research, experience, and time. Once those gaps were filled, her growth would be explosive.

I found myself staring at her without realizing it.

"Judging by the way you're looking at me," she said suddenly, tilting her head, "it seems like you might need a little more of the sticky stuff I made."

"No, I don't."

I answered immediately.

Too immediately.

She laughed, clearly amused. "You're always so serious, Master. Isn't it exhausting?"

"It is," I replied flatly. "Which is why I'd appreciate it if you fixed that habit of yours."

She leaned closer, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"But teasing you is my habit."

I sighed.

It really would be great if she could just fix that.

Still… as annoying as she was, as dangerous as her existence could become, I couldn't deny it.

Having her here—alive, thinking, choosing—was better than leaving her to rot in a glass container.

Even if one day, that choice came back to bite me.

Hard.

----

The next day, for some reason, Kiera didn't come to class.

Leona and Ryan seemed to have apologized immediately. They must have been incredibly embarrassed, judging by how stiff their shoulders were and how they avoided everyone's eyes.

As I watched the rather original-story-breaking scene of Leo and Ryan teasing and joking with each other, the classroom door slid open.

A familiar professor walked in, her presence instantly shifting the mood.

"Aha, hello everyone. As those of you in my mana studies class already know, I'm your ever-so-popular Professor Alice Draken."

…Huh?

She leaned casually against the desk, smiling like she had just dropped by for tea rather than barged into another class.

"I'm here to cover your homeroom today. Professor Lena is absent without leave."

The classroom froze.

"Well, there's not much to do during homeroom anyway, right?" Alice Draken continued lightly. "I'll just take attendance and leave, so no need to panic."

The moment she finished speaking, the room erupted into hushed chatter.

Absent without leave?

Some students looked flustered. Others whispered that Professor Lena was the type to disappear occasionally. A few even shrugged, as if it was none of their concern.

But I couldn't be so relaxed.

There was only one episode in the original story where Professor Lena went absent without leave.

And that incident wasn't supposed to happen until the second year.

No. Damn it. Thinking like that was pointless.

Hadn't I told myself just yesterday that things might start going off the rails more often now?

Denying what had already happened—or what was currently happening—wasn't rational.

What mattered was what I would do next.

By the time Alice Draken finished attendance and dismissed the class, my decision was already made.

I stood up the moment homeroom ended.

As I stepped out into the hallway, I nearly collided with someone.

"Oh?"

Professor Alice Draken was standing there, arms crossed, as if she had been waiting.

Her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Rin," she said casually. "I was wondering how long it would take before you came out."

---

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