The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 37: Serena Claudia [2]

She clearly had the brains to keep classified information under wraps, so... why the sudden slip?

Was this a psychological tactic?

No. That didn't feel right.

It was confidence. Pure, effortless confidence. The kind that said, "No matter what you say, it won't shake me."

And that's why she could so casually mention looking into my family background—because to her, it was no big deal. Just business as usual.

She was like this in the novel too.

Even when Rin's father—my father now—tried to pressure Velcrest Academy after his "son" died at the entrance ceremony, she never flinched. Not once.

Instead of folding, she turned the whole situation into an opportunity—to evaluate Ryen's potential.

Looks like she was doing the same thing to me now.

She wanted an answer.

Something that would pique her interest. Something worth her attention.

This was a test.

And I couldn't afford to mess it up.

The woman sitting across from me wasn't just breathtakingly beautiful—she was a legend. Someone who had lived long enough to become a historical figure. A warrior known for slaughtering monsters and villains with terrifying ease.

Even if I was good at hiding my expressions, I knew it wouldn't mean much in front of her.

Still... maybe this was a rare chance.

If I played this right, I might build a meaningful connection.

Too much attention was dangerous. Being completely ignored? Even worse.

So after a few moments of silent thought, I opened my mouth.

"Chairman... I know you're interested in me."

Not a lie. But not the whole truth either.

She blinked. "What are you talking about? Me, interested in a student?"

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes for a second—then burst out laughing.

"That would be a scandal! Hah! Oh my, you really know how to make a woman laugh. Sorry to disappoint, but you're far too young. Maybe try chasing me after two or three hundred years, hmm?"

As expected.

I didn't flinch. I wasn't the typical flustered protagonist.

Calm and composed, just like I planned.

She might've laughed, but I had her full attention now. Her poker face was immaculate, but I could tell—it cracked, if only slightly.

No one had ever done that before.

Maybe I really was on the verge of making history.

"Sorry to say, Chairman... I'm not interested in you romantically," I said with a straight face.

"Yes, you're beautiful, but you're a little too... 'OLD' for me. I prefer someone closer to my age—or just slightly older. Not that much 'OLDER'."

Yeah, I was composed, but I wasn't going to be a punching bag either. I knew how to dish it out.

I just hoped she wouldn't kill me for it.

Judging by the look in her eyes... she might actually consider it.

Not good.

Time to steer this back on track.

"Hey, you—!"

"Let's get back to the main topic, Chairman," I cut in, raising a hand. "We don't have time for playful banter. And besides, killing a cadet is still a crime, last I checked."

She stared at me.

Then smirked.

"You've got quite the tongue on you. You're lucky today... but you won't always be. Now speak."

Whew.

Disaster averted—for now.

"As I was saying," I continued, "maybe you heard something from a professor about the entrance ceremony incident. Or maybe it's because of that time I accidentally wandered into a dungeon with Professor Lena."

"Hm... Cadet Rin Evans, you certainly have a vivid imagination."

She was still composed, but she was listening.

Time to drop something just mysterious enough.

"I have... limited knowledge of the future."

At that, the Chairman's expression shifted.

Her fake smile vanished. Her gaze turned sharp—cold, even.

"That's quite a claim. Are you suggesting you have precognition? You realize that's a talent only one people in the world are confirmed to have. And your registered gift is Enhancement, is it not?"

I smiled back.

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"I'm not a prophet, and yes—my talent is Enhancement. But someone... showed me glimpses of the future."

Now she was intrigued.

I could see it in her eyes—she was trying to figure out whether I was bluffing or telling the truth.

But there wasn't a single hint of a lie.

Yeah, my official talent was "Enhancement," nothing too flashy. But someone—or something—was feeding me glimpses of the future.

I called it the Setting Book. Others might call it the novel's plotline. Names didn't really matter.

What mattered was that I had knowledge no one else in this world did.

Now that she realized I wasn't lying, the logical next step would be for her to demand answers. Maybe even try to force them out of me. Threaten me, corner me.

But she wouldn't.

Because in this world, I was the second most knowledgeable person about future events.

The first? The author himself—the one who created this world.

...But she doesn't know him.

So in her eyes, I'm a one-of-a-kind asset. A living, breathing oracle.

Too valuable to break.

Oh, right—did I forget to mention her name?

Serena Claudia.

A high elf.

One of those proud, mysterious beings who usually stay far away from the mess of the world. Most of her kind chose isolation, locking themselves away in a separate dimension.

But Serena? She was different. A free spirit. Curious. Adventurous. That's why she left her people and their traditions to live here, to explore.

She's merciless to her enemies, but incredibly generous to those she deems worthy.

"Alright," she finally said.

It looked like she had made up her mind.

And as a transmigrator, I already knew what was coming next.

—So what are you going to do with that knowledge of yours?—

"You said you know the future, even if only part of it," she asked, her tone calm but probing. "What do you intend to do with that information?"

A little different than I remembered, but the essence was the same.

In the original story, Ryen got this question a bit later. His answer? He wanted to save as many people as possible.

Noble.

But I couldn't say that. Not because it was wrong, but because it wouldn't be true—not coming from me. And she would see right through the lie.

Fortunately, I knew what kind of answer would impress her.

"I'll save the heroes."

"...What?"

Her expression shifted—confused, but curious.

Exactly the reaction I wanted.