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“It’s an improvement that you’re not avoiding me this time. Well, the reason I called you out is simple.”

“Shut up, do I have to spell it out for you that I’m not in the mood to talk to you?”

Fron snapped, cutting me off.

I ignored her and opened my mouth again.

“How about we make a bet? Like before, we’ll bet your one-day slave voucher and an invitation to your mansion. We’ll bet on who will win this spar.”

Assuming Fron’s swordsmanship talent was outstanding, we would face each other in the finals.

I wasn’t sure if Samuel would participate, but he was currently inhabiting my body.

“…….”

Was she interested?

Or did she think it wasn’t even worth responding to?

Fron didn’t answer and just shook the water off her towel.

…Was it going to be in vain after all?

If Fron had accepted this proposal, I would have been able to entrust her with the role of commander and obtain a treasure that would allow me to reach ‘that realm.’

Just as I was about to click my tongue in regret…

[Hey, I know you don’t want to talk to us, but at least answer this question.]

Samuel spoke up.

Fron, who was about to turn away, looked back.

“…….”

As if to say, ‘Spit it out if you have something to say,’ her cold eyes met mine.

Then, Samuel’s voice rang out again.

[……Do you consider us your comrades?]

Samuel’s last question.

Twitch.

Fron’s shoulders trembled at that.

However, she quickly regained her composure and scoffed.

“You’re delusional.”

[……I see.]

Samuel replied in a low voice to Fron’s words.

“And, you said you wanted to make a bet? Fine, I’ll accept. But if you lose, don’t ever talk to me again.”

Leaving those chilling words, Fron turned away from us and walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, I muttered to Samuel.

“She’s like a completely different person.”

[It seems so. But how did you plan on provoking her anyway? I don’t understand.]

“Well, it was a gamble, but I think it will work out.”

[……I can’t read your thoughts, so I have no idea what you’re talking about.]

Samuel let out a deep sigh as if he was annoyed.

Then, he said to me,

[There’s one more thing I’m curious about. It’s about you.]

“……?”

He was curious about me?

I tilted my head.

Were there any other questions Samuel could possibly have for me?

He opened his mouth with a stiff tone.

[You’re maintaining an ambiguous stance. In fact, you’re not that different from her, are you?]

“What do you mean?”

[You know what I mean. All you want from us is some kind of benefit. During the midterm exams, you couldn’t answer my question, could you?]

“…….”

I closed my mouth at Samuel’s words.

‘Didn’t you come here to save your comrades too?’

At that time, I had avoided Samuel’s question and changed the subject.

So he was right to see it that way.

I was using the students of Sytan as pawns to fulfill Adel’s wish, and I intended to continue doing so.

That aspect of me was probably bothering Samuel.

He thought of the students as his comrades and was willing to risk his life for them.

Samuel spoke to me, who was silent after being struck in the heart.

[I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s only natural to expect something from someone and show them kindness.]

“Then what’s the problem?”

[Make up your mind. About whether you’re going to act based solely on your own benefit. At the very least, don’t take advantage of others’ kindness and expect something in return.]

Samuel finished speaking.

I barely managed to open my mouth.

“……I’ll think about it.”

[Tsk, whatever.]

Samuel clicked his tongue and fell silent as if he had fallen asleep.

‘…….’

I couldn’t help but fall into deep thought at his behavior.

Samuel was right.

I was, in fact, assimilating into this body and blending into the world I had created.

Every time I did, I made a conscious effort not to get attached to the people around me.

But it wasn’t easy.

Was I already becoming attached to the people around me without realizing it?

I, the creator,

and I, as this body,

……What was the right thing to do?

I knew Samuel was right.

The stance I was taking was incredibly contradictory.

I was enraged by Terias for trying to kill Samuel, yet I was trying to use Samuel, who was inhabiting my body.

I readily showed kindness to Luna, yet I was only thinking of using her.

And the fact that I was slowly becoming ‘attached’ to them terrified me to no end.

In the world of my novel, the Demons would be mercilessly slaughtered and trampled upon by humans.

No matter how hard I tried to change that future, it would not be easy to prevent the deaths of those around me.

…If I chose immediate benefit, someone would inevitably die.

When that time came…

How should I act?

……I thought about it for a long time, but I couldn’t come up with an answer.

As I let out a sigh…

Luna’s voice reached my ears.

“Adel, let’s go eat…!”

She was clutching her stomach as if she was starving.

For some reason, I felt a laugh escape my lips.

For now,

Let’s think about the benefits of helping Fron.

It was still…

Too early to worry about that.

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