Mistress Of The Evil Forest
☪-A 6: Parallel world.

''U-Uh... what do we do now?''

I tug at Aurora's sleeve.

She already seemed so reliable before, but now that I got to know her better... I can't help but want to be pampered. Besides, what she said to me that day...

'You can count on me. I'm here to help you all, so.'

Aurora said she stayed here because of me...!

Well, not just me, but that's... alright. She cares about me, and that's all that matters. I'm content with this for now. I know Aurora is pretty and charming. I know girls can't help but flock to her even in this tense situation... when in reality, they shouldn't, right?

I mean, we're still in the middle of a war! What is love? What is dating? Forget it all!

...But I can't say I'm innocent of impulsively pushing myself onto her, either. It's just... it's kind of her fault for being so indecisive, right? If she had chosen someone right from the start... I might have...

''...Claire?''

''Ah! Sorry, I zoned out just now.''

Patting my head as if it's natural, Aurora sighs, ''Take a rest first. It's late.''

''...Okay.''

Unexpectedly, it takes quite a while for me to fall asleep inside Aurora's domain.

First, I have too many things to think about, and second... isn't the buzzing noise too loud...? In any case, thanks to those, I am a little eepy right now.

''Yawn...''

Despite that, I have to drag my corpse to the academy.

Today is the opening ceremony. It's supposed to be quite a grand day. I, too, am excited to welcome my juniors, but... I really can't shake off this unsettling feeling. How should I say it? Like, everything seems normal, but not normal at the same time.

Of course, I am somewhat calm since I already know what happened. And... I have Aurora by my side, so it's going to be alright. Even now, she must be watching over me. Even Skylar is by my side.

Smiling to myself like that, I step into the familiar Astra Academy.

''...?''

But the atmosphere is already quite strange. People are staring at me too much, and their gazes...

''It's that girl...''

''So shameless.''

''How can you even go to school after that...?''

Oh... wow. I'm really being shunned.

I've heard the general stuff the 'game' version of me has to go through, but to see them unfolding in real life like this... surreal. W-Well, let's find someone to talk to first.

Other students are out of the question. Even the staff here seems to hate me for some reason... I guess I can still talk to the teachers. As a student myself, they can't appear too hostile... right?

''Ah, Professor Claudia!''

''Huh?''

But that imagination of mine immediately shatters as I meet Professor Claudia's gaze. The sheer disdain in those sharp eyes is too apparent.

''Um... this may be a bit awkward to ask, but why are other students looking at me like that...?''

As Skylar has told me, in this 'reality,' seizing the initiative is the way to success, and to do that, I need information. Instead of wasting time probing around, I should just be straightforward... even if the responses might not be so pleasant.

''You... are you seriously asking me that?'' Professor growls, almost glaring a hole through me. ''Do I really need to recount your misdeeds?''

''P-Please...?''

So, after being yelled at for ten minutes straight, I have gotten somewhat of the general situation.

In this world, 'Claire' is a lazy, bad-mannered student who bullies others and, most gravely, is rumored to have made a contract with demons to get her power. Since 'Claire' is still attending the school, somehow, they also speculate that she is staying because of certain shady connections.

'What? You want me to tell you with my own mouth? That you corrupt my niece?! Hey, all I know is, with the name of Heisenberg in line, I will have you twisted monster out of here!'

It was a good decision to have the girls stay at Aurora's place.

From dropouts to failures... to straight criminals, they are all bearing not-so-good reputations in this world. But Aurora herself is having the worst out here. Ignoring all logic, it seems everyone is thinking that she is the very cause of all the demon attacks recently.

''Ugh...''

If I'm already surrounded with so much hostility, walking around like this... I wonder how she'd feel, being the enemy of the world.

Looking up at the sunny sky, I can't help but sigh—what a terrible day.

''That's what happened...''

''Mhm.''

Right after the afternoon classes end, I head to the agreed-upon location to meet up with Aurora. For some reason, she chooses a corner at the academy's park, which isn't totally a quiet one to talk.

And she got us fancy ice cream, too! How luxurious.

''...By the way, how did you even get ice cream?'' I nudge at her.

''The mask. Still works a bit.'' She replies. ''More importantly, did you have a hard time?''

''Ah, that...''

To be honest, not so much. 

This is a prestigious school with all sorts of nobles attending, after all. They have certain images to uphold, not to mention that Buezrith can't change the fact that I'm quite strong compared to those kids. 

And... I feel like most of the 'hate' has been transferred to Aurora.

''I mean, I think you're being targeted the most?'' I jokingly say. ''I'm more worried about you.''

Blinking, Aurora reaches out to me, her gorgeous face pushing closer...

''Ah.''

There is ice cream sticking to the corner of my mouth. Thoughts like 'She's going to lick it!' flash in my mind, but she merely wipes it off with a handkerchief, which is disappointing... wait! What am I thinking?!

''I can take care of myself.'' She sighs. ''Tell me if you need help.''

''O-Okay...''

Such a terrible teaser...

But this is also not too bad...? I mean, the atmosphere is like a date, almost!

If I can just itch closer to her...

''Uh?!''

Suddenly, something sharp pulls my full attention. It's... a sword.

''I-I finally caught you!'' An unfamiliar face, a senior student, yells at us, his arm trembling. ''Finally showing your true color, evil bitch... how dare you accompany this demon?!''

''Demon?'' Aurora tilts her head.

Aside from looking seriously adorable, it seems she doesn't know what her reputation is like. I guess she did say she was preparing for a raid on Zircon all day, but...

A-Anyway, this can't go on!

''Senior, you're misunderstanding something—''

''Let me do it.''

Before I can even finish the sentence, Aurora puts me back onto the bench and fearlessly stands up. With the sharp blade pushing at her chest, the master of Zircon narrows her eyes,

''What did you call me?''