I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind – Chapter 329

“Stop it. Even as my older sister, you have no right to intimidate students.”

Rodelin stepped in between us.

Lowell’s gaze, which was fixed on us, curved in an odd manner.

“Isn’t this a little overprotective? Someone might think I was bullying you.”

“…What brings you here?”

“There was a summons to Carpathia, wasn’t there? I happened to be nearby and was on my way. But surprise, surprise, the situation was already resolved before I even got there. So, with nothing left to do, I figured I’d stop by the academy I graduated from.”

“That’s strange. The defense ended two weeks ago.”

“Why rush when it’s already over? I took my time and rested. Well, I did think about you a little. But… it seems you’re not too thrilled that I’m here.”

“Of course not. I’m just… a little surprised, that’s all.”

“Hmph~ is that so?”

Lowell’s eyes scanned Rodelin’s body up and down. Her exaggerated swaying from side to side gave off a strange vibe.

It was unclear whether she was observing Rodelin or searching for something.

Lowell’s peculiar movements only ceased after she completed a circle around Rodelin.

“Well, in any case, that’s a relief. For a moment, I thought you might do something stupid, like make a deal with a demon while trembling in fear.”

“I would never do such a thing.”

“Really? Well, at least you’re not completely foolish. Though you’ve still got a long way to go.”

Lowell casually flipped her short hair, her movements almost haughty.

Her gaze, which had been directed at Rodelin, briefly shifted to me.

“But it seems my worries were unfounded. You’re living the good life, enjoying a little romance, huh?”

“Ro-romance? That’s not it at all.”

“Hmph~ For something that’s not romance, the atmosphere between you two seems quite cozy.”

Lowell turned her entire body back toward Rodelin, and I finally got a good look at her.

Short hair, cat-like eyes, a petite stature, a longsword slung horizontally across her lower back that was longer than she was tall, and heavy makeup to top it off.

She looked exactly like her character illustration from the game.

‘Even in the illustration, I thought… her makeup’s way too heavy.’

I understood why she wore such thick makeup, despite it not suiting her.

Her small stature and her youthful, baby-faced appearance were both her complexes and her reverse scale.

The heavy makeup was Lowell’s attempt to look closer to her actual age.

But to those unaware of her circumstances, it simply seemed as if a child was trying to look mature with makeup that didn’t suit her.

“What are you looking at? Lower your eyes.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I lowered my eyes so quickly that I ended up bowing my head deeply.

There was a reason I had been acting so submissive since earlier.

I couldn’t afford to get on Lowell’s bad side.

‘Because she’s completely insane.’

The reason Lowell was nicknamed the “Mad Lion” was simple.

She relentlessly tore apart anything that crossed her.

Demons, beasts, humans, even animals—if something annoyed her, she would chase it down and tear it to shreds.

Even in sparring, she would cling to her opponent for months until she won, earning her the infamous title.

For such a prestigious member of the Lucid family to be dubbed the “Mad Lion,” one could easily imagine the level of chaos she had unleashed.

‘In some ways, she’s even scarier than Caron.’

At least Caron would have a conversation before killing someone. Lowell didn’t even bother with that.

In the game, if you said, “What’s with this little brat?” upon meeting Lowell, the screen would immediately go black, and you’d hit a bad ending.

So naturally, groveling in her presence was the only logical course of action.

‘I knew Lowell was going to show up eventually. But to think we’d meet like this…’

Lowell’s appearance was supposed to come after midterms.

She was meant to visit the academy, conduct a special training session, and form a bond with the protagonist’s group.

It was similar to the Lucia event, but also distinct in its own way.

‘Lucia’s special class was a hidden piece not originally part of the story.’

The Demon’s Fragment, the high-ranked demon Bineus, and Lucia’s appearance.

Normally, Lucia was supposed to be encountered much later in the story. Yet here, she had appeared as early as Chapter 1, offering training and forming a master-student relationship with the protagonist.

An exceptional hidden piece.

On the other hand, Lowell was a part of the main story.

This meant that unlike Lucia, whose story was added in as a secret bonus, Lowell’s arc was woven into the core narrative.

‘Well, I guess you could call this a hidden piece, too…’

Meeting Lowell before her scheduled class session wasn’t part of the original story.

A newly discovered hidden piece—but it wasn’t something to celebrate.

After all, I had just witnessed Rodelin being harassed right in front of me.

“Some of us are busy with missions, while others are leisurely enjoying romance… Must be nice.”

“As I’ve told you before, it’s not like that at all.”

“No need to be shy. It’s all part of being young and full of energy, right? Enjoy it while you can. I did the same back then.”

“Y-you… What do you mean by that!? Such vulgar language is grounds for a penalty!”

“So strict. And what are you going to do with that penalty? I’ve already graduated ages ago.”

Rodelin waved her hand frantically, trying to cool her flushed cheeks.

Perhaps something occurred to her as she tried to calm down, as she suddenly looked around.

“Now that I think about it… Where is your nanny?”

“Oh~ the nanny? She’s resting. I broke her leg, after all.”

“…Pardon?”

“She kept getting on my nerves, you know? Telling me to rest, saying I can’t travel alone, and reporting every little thing to Father. Ugh.”

Lowell rubbed her neck absentmindedly, as if fatigued.

Clouds veiled the moonlight, plunging the area into darkness. In that dimness, Lowell’s eyes glinted coldly.

“So, I broke her leg. And then the ones who came after her? Did the same to them. Eventually, they stopped following me altogether.”

“W-What the…! What if you run into those people because of this…!”

Rodelin, as if suddenly realizing my presence, glanced at me briefly and then clamped her mouth shut.

“…It’s disgraceful for a noble to move around without retainers. I’ll notify the family head immediately. Until then, stay with me.”

“You still call Father the ‘family head,’ huh? You haven’t changed. Then, I assume your dream hasn’t changed either?”

“Of course not.”

“Hmph~ How irritating. Even after going through all that, you still want to be a soldier? Should I call that admirable or just stupid?”

Lowell took a step toward Rodelin.

The distance between them closed to the point where they almost collided. Rodelin quickly lowered her head, but it was already too late.

Lowell’s gaze landed squarely on Rodelin’s red, tear-streaked eyes.

Lowell smirked.

Anyone could tell—it was a mocking smile.

“Don’t tell me… you were crying?”

“…That’s not true. Something just got in my eye.”

“Your friends die, and you start bawling? What kind of nonsense is that? How pathetic.”

“Even if you’re my sister, I won’t tolerate insults toward my comrades—”

“Then you should’ve protected them better. What were you doing instead? Flirting?”

Rodelin’s eyes grew moist again.

She clenched her teeth, trying to hold back, but in the end, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Lowell raised a finger and jabbed it into Rodelin’s chest, as if intent on twisting the knife in her heart even deeper.

“Do you understand now? Why you’ll never make it as a soldier? You’re too weak. With a heart like that, who are you planning to protect? Don’t make me laugh. The first to die will be the person closest to you.”

“…”

“Once you graduate from the academy, just get married already. I’ve got a good match lined up for you, so don’t worry about it.”

Lowell’s gaze shifted toward me.

It was as if she were daring me, as her so-called boyfriend(?), to say something.

“Keke, you’re mistaken. Just as the senior said, there’s nothing between us.”

“Hmph~ Even so, isn’t this the part where you step up and say something heroic? You are a man, after all.”

“I have a principle of not getting involved in family affairs. It’s a personal rule of mine.”

“You… You’ve been doing things I like since earlier, haven’t you? I kind of like you.”

“Keke, I appreciate the compliment.”

“Even though you’re not much to look at.”

This arrogant little brat! If this were the game, I would’ve smacked her backside until she cried!

“Any complaints?”

“Keke, such words don’t exist in my vocabulary.”

“What a commendable survival skill. Hey, little sister, be careful around guys like this. Just look at him—he’s clearly a sycophant.”

A sycophant? Me? Ridiculous.

My polite tone, my accommodating personality, my perpetually squinted eyes—everything about me screams loyal vassal!

“My little sister is better suited to being a bride than a soldier. Don’t you agree?”

Oh, absolutely. The Mad Lion’s word is always correct.

I was just about to nod fervently and rub my hands together in agreement when—

A gust of wind blew, and an elderly man suddenly appeared in the air.

A 9-circle mage and one of the empire’s pillars.

Archmage Elester.

“Hoo, I sensed a familiar presence and came to take a look… and it turns out it’s you, Lowell.”

“…Old man. You just don’t die, do you?”

Lowell scowled, her posture shifting into one of alertness.

But before she could react, Elester had already approached her and was patting her head.

“Hmm, your height hasn’t changed at all.”

“Get your hands off me! I’m not a kid anymore!”

“Oh, is that so? Then you won’t mind if I bring up that incident, will you? It was when you were sixteen, wasn’t it?”

“You! Damn geezer! Shut your mouth this instant!”

Lowell lashed out with a kick, the force of it so strong that Rodelin’s and my hair fluttered in the wind.

But her kick struck only empty air.

“Hoh hoh hoh, the children of the Lucid family are always so energetic. It’s delightful.”

“Damn it, this old man is still spry!”

“Come along now. With your skills, I think you’re finally ready to challenge me properly.”

Elester’s figure overlapped with the moon before vanishing in an instant.

He must have moved to a battlefield to accept Lowell’s challenge.

“That arrogant geezer. Today, I’ll rip that wagging tongue right out of his mouth.”

Lowell brushed past us, her fighting spirit burning.

Just as she was passing by Rodelin, she paused briefly.

“Playtime as a soldier ends here. Just find yourself a good man and get married already.”

“I… I will definitely become a soldier.”

“Do as you please. But soon enough, you’ll realize that I was right.”

With those parting words, Lowell disappeared into the darkness.

My first encounter with the “Mad Lion” Lowell. If nothing else, one thing became crystal clear.

‘Never, ever cross that woman.’

This was someone who picked fights with even Elester without a second thought.

When I first came to this world and started laying out my plans, I had already decided: staying away from Lowell was the best course of action.

‘One person chewing me out is more than enough with Luna.’

Just as I was sorting out my thoughts, Rodelin, who had been staring blankly at where Lowell had left, approached me.

“Sorry for the trouble. My older sister can be a bit much, can’t she?”

“She certainly is. With how short she is—”

“I wasn’t talking about her height!”

“Keke, then were you referring to her filthy temper?”

“Te-Temper, you say! And you’re mistaken. My sister cares for me deeply!”

“For someone who supposedly cares, she seems awfully harsh. She even dismissed your dream, after all.”

“That’s…”

Rodelin hung her head low. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t.

She knew deep down—Lowell didn’t like her.

“You’re right. She cared for me. Back then… she truly did.”

Rodelin’s blue eyes shimmered with a wistful glow, filled with the weight of memories.

“It must all be my fault. If I can just do better, maybe things will go back to the way they were. I… I still believe in my sister.”

“Well, if that’s what you believe, senior, then it must be true.”

“It’s getting late. Let’s head back. I’ll walk you to your quarters.”

Rodelin trudged ahead, her shoulders drooping in defeat.

I knew the truth. Why Lowell had changed, and why she treated Rodelin so cruelly.

But I had no intention of telling her the “truth.”

That was because…

It was a secret the entire Lucid family wished to protect.

---

Bang! Crack!

“WAHAHAHAHA!”

“KIKIKIKIKI!”

The sounds of laughter drowned out the occasional snapping of table legs and chair legs in the raucous tavern.

In a dimly lit corner, a man was guzzling down drink after drink.

‘Damn it! This era has no sense of romance anymore.’

His name was Picelangelo, a renowned artist of the Empire.

Music, painting, sculpture—he had made his mark in various fields. But what had truly catapulted his name into fame was theater.

Picelangelo himself loved crafting plays the most, so he had no complaints about it. However…

“There’s nothing… nothing at all. No inspiration, no spark! I’m completely dryyyyy…”

Lately, he had been suffering from a severe creative slump.

In his desperation, he had come to Carpathia after hearing of an incident, hoping to find a usable story idea. But…

Thud! Crack!

All he found here were the sounds of things breaking and the hearty laughter of revelers.

‘It’s hopeless. I’m finished. This is the end for me!’

Just as Picelangelo was about to leave the tavern in despair—

“Hey, did you hear about that?”

“Ah, you mean Count Zachary? If you don’t know that story around here, you must be a spy.”

Wait, did that make him a spy?

Not wanting to risk being arrested, Picelangelo perked up his ears and leaned in to listen.

What he heard made his eyes widen in disbelief.

A high-ranking noble and an administrator? Exploiting the lower class? An old woman so furious that she made a pact with a demon?

The principal of the academy beating someone up?

And he beat them so hard that the blood on his fists turned black, making it look like he was wearing black gloves?

The more Picelangelo heard, the harder it was to believe.

He trembled uncontrollably before suddenly shouting,

“This is it!”

The tavern was so loud that his exclamation went unnoticed, drowned in the clamor.

But none of that mattered to him. Right then and there, Picelangelo began writing a script.

With inspiration now coursing through him, nothing could stop him.

This was the moment when the legend of Dwener of the Iron Fist was born—

A tale that would eventually echo beyond the Empire and across the entire continent.

–TL Notes–
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