An Unexpected Turn of Events
This is an unforeseen situation.
Just when I thought things were going well, to realize I was actually disliked—what a shock.
But what really piqued my curiosity was Craig’s relationship with Connie.
Professor Craig had his arm around Connie’s shoulder, and she didn’t seem to mind.
A teacher at the academy being that close with a student?
Could it be… a forbidden romance!?
Is Connie the type to be drawn to such scandalous situations?
… Wait.
I need to stay calm.
It’s not time to panic just yet.
I must find a way to recover before the ball.
Should I steal Connie away from him?
… No, that would be far too crude.
Besides, that kind of tactic wouldn’t inspire genuine loyalty.
I have no need for subordinates who are loyal in appearance only.
I need people who will revere me from the depths of their hearts, who will work tirelessly for me without hesitation, finding joy in their service.
Without that, they wouldn’t truly qualify as devoted retainers.
Stepping back gracefully might be the more honorable choice, but I simply can’t bring myself to let her go.
Her mana and her talent for handling magic ore are far too valuable to give up.
Letting things stand as they are isn’t an option.
—Besides, I don’t think I’m completely out of the running.
This is absolutely not just sour grapes.
It’s because of how Connie looked when she learned Craig had come to the workshop.
For just a moment, her face stiffened, as if silently asking, "What are *you* doing here?"
And the timing was suspicious too—Craig visited the workshop immediately after Connie turned down my dance invitation.
"… Lucina."
"Yes."
"Keep an eye on Craig Beckart."
"Why him?"
"He might be threatening Connie for some reason. Otherwise, there’s no way she’d refuse my invitation at that moment."
It’s a rather forceful assumption, but someone like Lucina is perfect for handling this kind of logic.
"I see. Indeed, in this world, no one would dare refuse Master Lake’s invitation. It’s only natural to assume there’s something deeper at play. I’ll investigate immediately."
See?
She accepted it with some outrageous reasoning of her own.
It’s a relief, though—I just need her to take action, no matter the justification.
Lucina shadowed Professor Craig, gathering as much information as she could.
Her efforts were so thorough that they bordered on stalking, but thanks to her persistence, she uncovered a shocking plan Craig was orchestrating right here at our esteemed academy.
Time was running out before he could put it into action, but this was my chance to flip the situation.
In the meantime, rumors of my rejection by Connie had spread throughout the academy, turning me into a laughingstock.
Honestly, this was a blow to my ambitions of forming favorable ties with the nobility, but I can always rebuild my reputation in due time.
For now, I came up with a strategy to break through this predicament.
To execute it, I commissioned Lucina to craft a specific item.
"Can it be finished in two days?"
"One day will be enough."
"Good. Then finish it in one day."
"As you command."
The preparations seemed to be coming together.
However, the opponent is a teacher specializing in magic.
It’s possible he’s laid his plans so carefully that he left no obvious traces.
Until the item is completed, I’ll conduct some investigations myself to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Alright, time to turn this situation around. Let’s make this a comeback for the ages.
What do you think about this chapter?
