“...Do you think being Good-looking is everything? Get out! You Human Servant~ You're disgusting♥” The First Living Quarters of the 2nd floor.
A shrill voice echoed from within.
Sonya's roommate spoke insolently to me. Scolding me, she ordered me to get out of the room immediately. She had rich purple hair braided in a half-up style, and her sulky expression and defiant tone stuck in my mind. “Pfft, staring blankly like that makes you look totally lame♡.” Her pretty face held an odd mix of mischief and rebelliousness. What is wrong with this girl? As a 2nd-year, she looked considerably smaller than me physically, yet being talked down to by someone like her didn't feel great. 'Even the 3rd and 4th-years never showed such blatant displeasure towards me... What was this girl's name again?' ㅡRustle...! I took out the Dormitory Assignment Chart to check her name. According to my memory, Sonya's roommate was also SSR-rank. Still, I hadn't paid much attention to her before, so her name didn't readily come to mind. [2F - Living Quarters 1: Sonya (Grade Representative, SSR) / Je■ros (SSR)] Ah, right. It was Je■ros.
Seeing the name on the chart jogged my memory.
But something about the name was strange.
More precisely, the print quality was not good. It looked like the first letter had been deliberately blackened out with a pen and rewritten. I was the one who noted the SSR rank next to the name, but I hadn't touched ‘Je■ros’. Anyway, all the information I had about her was that she was SSR-rank. Naturally, her power and Dragon attribute were also unclear. 'But this is the first time I'm seeing Horns like that?' Looking closely at Je■ros's face, the two small horns, sprouting in a '┗○┛' shape, were striking. The horns weren't very large. Just a dainty size, enough to fit snugly in one hand? Furthermore, unlike the other Young Ladies, her ears were slightly pointed. Considering the horns and her prickly personality, she gave off an image similar to the Demon race. It felt like she should have demon wings and a long black tail attached as well. Je■ros' attire was also peculiar.
In fact, I wondered if it could even be called clothes.
It made sense considering she was wearing loose and overly revealing clothes on a body that hadn't even fully developed yet. “H-How long are you just going to stare-?!” Did I stare too intently?
Je■ros flushed red, and her face hardened.
Her voice was much louder than before. “...Even if it's roll call time! Who barges in while someone is changing clothes!! You pervert-!” “Ah......?” So that was it.
I wondered why she was acting so prickly,
but I hadn’t realized she was still changing clothes. It wasn't that her clothes were revealing, she was actually in the middle of exposing herself. Since she was half-undressed, it couldn't help but look overly revealing...... “M-My apologies......!” ㅡClick! Only then did I grasp the situation, closed the door, and retreated. As I was the one who had been discourteous, I withdrew without complaint. “Hmm? Whity, what happened?” “Well, um... She was still changing clothes, so I got kicked out.” As I quickly closed the door and came out,
Reirin tilted her head and approached.
She even stopped the ongoing Moral education session with Sonya. “What? Roll call started ages ago, and she's still changing?” “Well... She certainly wasn't wearing her School uniform......” “Howa...? Step aside. I'll handle it.” “Ah, yes.” I stepped back without a word.
Normally, I would have just given up on the roll call.
But who knew having backup like this would be so reassuring? “......” Sonya, who had been watching us, seemed to have gotten quite the scolding from Reirin, as her gaze now appeared significantly more polite. ㅡSwing! Reirin muttered, ‘All 2nd-years, assemble after roll call today,’ and threw open the door to Living Quarters 1 once more. And just like before, as the door opened...... “You pervert! Lame-o-!! I told you to get out─” “What was that? Say it again?” “Eeeeek─? S-Senior, why......?!” Je■ros's furious voice trailed off abruptly. She had assumed it was me entering again and was about to lose her temper, but instantly became quiet as a mouse. “Howaaa~? Je■ros, have you lost your mind? What do you think you're doing? During the solemn Roll Call Time? And a 2nd-year in Casual wear instead of her uniform?” Rather than shouting, Reirin set the mood with a low, calm voice. As if even getting angry for the sake of an insolent junior was too bothersome. “S-Senior Reirin...? It's not that...... That...! And my name isn't Je■ros, it's Eros......” “No, I think I'll have to call you Je■ros this year too. How long are you going to keep acting so selfishly, huh?” Huh? Her real name was Eros?
Now I get it. The name on the assignment chart......
Someone deliberately erased the first letter and overwrote it! 'But why on earth would they do that?' It seemed too harsh to be just a simple prank. Was it similar to the childish teasing of kids who insist on calling others by mocking nicknames? “I-I'm sorry......” “Let's do better, okay? Surely you're not planning on scoring All subjects zero points on this semester's exams too?” “That is......” “Why aren't you answering? Do you want to bear the stigma of being called Zeros again this time?”
[TL] 'Zeros' (제로스/Jeroseu) is a pun on her name Eros (에로스/Eroseu) and scoring zero points (제로/Jero). [/TL] “K-Kuh...!” Je■ros couldn't say anything in response to Reirin's reprimand. She merely lowered her gaze resentfully, gritting her teeth. But zero points in all subjects?
Could that be why she was called Zeros?
So a character's rank and their grades are separate things? Overhearing their conversation from behind, I had to press my lips together tightly to suppress a laugh. I had no idea that was the story behind the name Zeros. “Who was it that stopped you from almost receiving the Attention Needed Dragon Badge when you were a first-year?” “I-It was Senior Reirin...!” “Right. So, should you be showing me such a disappointing side of yourself?” “No, ma'am. I will correct my behavior......” Je■ros hung her head low.
No, should I call her Eros?
Anyway, just because a third-year intervened during roll call, the atmosphere turned incredibly tense. It seems the third-years really are the ones in charge of managing the juniors. In contrast, the fourth-years must hold positions like discharged senior soldiers, having stepped back from such things. “Of course, you should. Will it do for the Dragon of Holy Love (聖愛) to constantly go astray like this?” “No, ma'am. I will do better from now on......” “I'm not asking much from you. I just wish you'd open your heart a bit now and adjust to Academy life. Try to focus during Class time too.” “Yes, I will try.” “Whew, then I'll take that as a promise and leave now. Just try this again next time.” ㅡClack! With those final words, Reirin turned away.
Her expression didn't look pleased.
She looked bitter, like being betrayed by someone she trusted. By the way, Dragon of Holy Love?
It seems there are more than just elemental attributes.
Is that why her original name was Eros?
I'm not sure exactly, but I should probably make a note of it. “Whity? We've wasted too much time. Let's skip the 2nd-years and go up. The Fourth-year seniors might be waiting.” “Yes. I agree.” “Oohoot, you probably won't have any trouble with the 2nd-years from now on?” “Pardon? What do you mean by that...?” “I just gave Sonya a proper Moral education session. She'll listen to you well starting tomorrow.” “Ah, you went that far for me... Thank you so much!” When I offered my sincere thanks, Reirin grinned, revealing her shark-like teeth. Then she gave a good-natured smile as if pleased with my reaction. Yes, this is real support.
This is the kind of reassurance I've wanted.
Somehow, it already feels like Academy life has become much easier. She’s not even included in my communication targets yet, but she shows this level of closeness. I'm excited about what might happen if I succeed in the Conditional Communication. ㅡThump, thump...! “Whity? Skip the 3rd floor.” “Pardon?” “I'll handle the 3rd-years, so go straight up. If you go directly to the 4th floor, you'll be right on time.” “Ah, thank you for everything.” Look at this. She’s practically an angel.
Thinking of me until the very end.
Reirin was just as kind to me as Sophia, if not more. I still had no idea why she was being like this. “Nah~ Just look forward to tomorrow evening, okay?” “Ah, of course. I won't disappoint you.” “Good, make sure you don't, okay. Have a good night then.” Reirin waved from the 3rd-floor Stair Landing, sending me off with a bright voice. Her role as a 3rd-year ended here. Naturally, Reirin, being a 3rd-year, couldn't handle the 4th-years. ㅡTiana? I'm back from Training practice. ㅡWhat? Where's the Old Soul, and why are you alone? ㅡI told you, it's Whity, not Old Soul?! ㅡSeriously, what's the difference between Old Soul and Whity? ㅡShut up, they're clearly different. ㅡHmph, just because he resembles your younger brother, how could you possibly care for a mere Human... Even as I ascended to the 4th floor, the 3rd floor was quite noisy. From what I could hear, it seemed Reirin and Tiana were bickering again. Their voices echoed in the corridor—Woong!—so I couldn't make out the exact content. Anyway, it was time for the long-awaited 4th year. Barring any unforeseen issues, Sophia should also finish roll call quickly. “You've finally arrived, Mr. Breeder? Please come here quickly.” “Ah? Lady Sophia?” Sophia greeted me as soon as I reached the 4th floor. Unusually, she was standing at her wide-open door, beckoning me over. “Mr. Breeder? Please come inside first so we can talk.” “Pardon? What is this about?” ㅡGrab...! The moment I approached, Sophia grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside the room. She pushed me against the wall of the spacious private room, pressing close. “Hup......?!” Then, motioning for me to be quiet, she placed her index finger against my lips. ㅡClick...! Only after gently closing the door did she part her lips again. Her lips were trembling with a strange excitement. “Phew... Mr. Breeder? Just when might I be able to try the Mint dessert I requested?” Ah, so it was about this after all?
The Mint chocolate dessert.
Currently, the most important issue for Sophia. Her objective was certainly unwavering.
I was startled when she suddenly clung to me.
Setting that aside, Sophia's appearance up close was always noble. Should I say I sense something mature about her unlike the tiny 1st and 2nd-years? “Ahem...! Please don't worry too much. As it happens, I should be able to serve it to you around lunchtime tomorrow.” “I-Is that really true...?! F-Finally......!” At my answer, Sophia's smile bloomed like a flower, a bright magnolia. “Yes. However, there's the issue of time and place to serve it separately. I can't exactly serve a special dessert only to you, Lady Sophia......” “That is certainly true. In that case─” It was when we were secretly making plans for tomorrow. ㅡKnock, knock, knock, knock! ""......?!"" A sudden knocking sound from outside the door shattered the secret atmosphere.

Unavoidably Secret Plan