Chapter 9: How to Be Someone's Ideal
1130words
Students who had maintained their vigil through the night clustered at a respectful distance, their whispers creating a constant hum. Their expressions ranged from sympathy to admiration, confusion to jealousy—all focused on the couple bathed in morning light, now the epicenter of Academy gossip.
Finally, as the seventh bell of morning prayer tolled, the massive sanctuary doors—sealed tight all night—opened with a ponderous groan.
The crowd collectively held its breath, all eyes fixed on the entrance.
The Headmaster's aged yet commanding figure emerged from the light and shadow beyond the threshold. Ignoring Arthur's prostrate form, he walked directly toward my courtyard. In his hands, he cradled an exquisite vessel—a flawless crystal bottle etched with ancient royal runes. Within, a pale blue liquid emitted a gentle, sacred aura that seemed to pulse with its own life force.
【Item: Holy Water of Life (Royal Reserve), removes most curses and restores vitality.】
The Headmaster strode through the parting crowd, ignoring both the desperate knight and the eager spectators. He came directly to my courtyard entrance, stopping before Frederick and me. His unexpected approach instantly redirected every eye in the plaza toward us.
"Your Highness," the Headmaster said with a slight bow, presenting the crystal vessel to six-year-old Frederick with grave formality. "This holy water belongs to the royal family and has been entrusted to my safekeeping due to its immense value. The late king placed a bloodline seal upon it—only one with the purest royal lineage can unlock it with their blood."
His words carried across the silent plaza, triggering an immediate wave of murmurs. No one had anticipated that the heroine's fate would rest in the hands of the Academy's most notorious troublemaker.
Frederick studied the shimmering vial without reaching for it. His crystal-blue eyes revealed nothing as he slowly turned to me and asked in a voice so calm it bordered on indifference:
"Teacher, do you want me to save her?"
In that moment, hundreds of eyes—including Arthur's bloodshot, desperate gaze—fixed upon me.
My heart plummeted.
From my perspective as someone who knew the future plot, this situation was none of my concern. Why save the female protagonist so she could live happily ever after with the male lead, only for this kid to grow up, turn evil, and come after me? I wasn't that stupid. I'd prefer they both disappeared from my life immediately.
But...
【System Notification: Role-playing task triggered—'Cold Exterior, Warm Heart Mentor'.】
【Task Requirement: Maintain Winifred's helpful, kind-hearted persona. Demonstrate mercy and nobility publicly. Persuade Frederick to break the seal.】
【Task Reward: Favorability +20, Academy Reputation +50, Title [Villain's Pure Love] activation progress +5%.】
【Failure Penalty: Character collapse. Major character (Arthur, Headmaster) favorability significantly decreased. Potential disruption of future critical storylines.】
I stared at the blood-red failure warning and mentally cursed this wretched game system yet again.
I understood the message—I couldn't break character. Not only did I have to help, but I needed to do it "willingly" and with "noble conviction."
Under the weight of countless stares, I suppressed my cynicism and launched into my performance. I furrowed my brow slightly, crafting an expression of compassionate struggle. Looking toward the desperate pair in the plaza center, I spoke to Frederick with perfectly calibrated gentleness:
"Frederick, look—that's a precious life hanging in the balance. As royalty, you must show mercy to all beings. Saving one life outweighs building a seven-story pagoda. Let's... help them."
The saccharine words nearly gave me hives, but they clearly hit their mark.
"Float what... slaughter?" Frederick's puzzled expression flickered briefly as he studied me with surprising intensity. He seemed to be searching for any hint of deception in my face but found none. Finally, he gave a slight nod of acquiescence. Extending his small finger, he pricked the tip and allowed a single drop of crimson blood—pulsing with magical energy—to fall upon the crystal vial's seal.
Golden runes flared brilliantly before fading back to dormancy. The seal was broken.
Anais was saved.
Later, she came to thank me, leaning on Arthur's arm. I watched them standing together—him tall and handsome, her delicate and beautiful—like figures from a masterpiece painting. Their tightly clasped hands, seemingly inseparable, sent another inexplicable pang through my chest.
This cursed plot inertia was worse than dealing with your cousin's spoiled brat at a family reunion!
"I'm feeling rather tired. Please excuse me." I couldn't bear another moment, so I made my excuse and retreated with as much dignity as I could muster.
Within hours, gossip spread through the Academy like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Our ice-queen instructor was completely dumped by the Knight Commander!"
"Yes! They say he even paraded that commoner woman right to her doorstep! How cruel!"
"I never thought Captain Arthur could be so heartless. Poor Instructor Winifred..."
Wherever I went, I felt pitying glances following me—as though I were some abandoned flower wilting from neglect.
That night, I sat alone on my courtyard steps, bundled in a thick cloak and staring at the moon while contemplating my bizarre situation. The chilly breeze made me sneeze violently, drawing involuntary tears that I quickly wiped away.
"Teacher, crying over a man like this? Isn't that rather pathetic?"
Frederick's voice startled me so badly I nearly toppled down the stairs. Somehow he'd materialized beside me, perched on a small stool I hadn't noticed.
I turned to glare at him. "Frederick, you're just a child. What could you possibly know about love?"
He rolled his eyes with dramatic flair and responded in a tone absurdly mature for his age: "Don't assume I understand nothing just because I'm young. I see everything clearly. He's just some man—what's so special about him? He's not even as handsome as I am."
He paused briefly, as if contemplating the perfect solution, then announced with a mixture of disdain and magnanimity:
"If it comes to it, when I'm grown, I'll simply marry you myself."
His outrageous declaration left me utterly speechless, gaping at him in shock.
Watching his solemn little face—as casual as if he'd commented on the weather—I suddenly recalled those heated forum threads about Winifred and Frederick as the game's hidden pairing. They were indeed the quintessential tragic couple that left countless players heartbroken.
Yet staring at this gap-toothed child barely reaching my knees, I couldn't summon even a whisper of romantic sentiment.
I only knew one thing for certain—my future had just become infinitely more complicated.
