That Was Really a Misunderstanding!

Greg couldn't help but grit his teeth as he quickened his pace through this minefield of well-meaning gazes, comforting himself inwardly.

"...Fine, since this is the path I chose, I'll just have to hold my nose and endure it."

"As long as I find a chance later to explain everything clearly to Vivian in private—telling her it was just a temporary measure to encourage Lilith—all the misunderstandings should be resolved."

He had originally thought this, but he soon realized a major blind spot.

Explain? How would he even explain it?

Was he supposed to say to her: "Your Highness Vivian, I didn't say that because I'm simping for you, but to prevent you from being lured by the Demon King Cult in the future, turning into a villain, and dying a miserable death"?

Or perhaps: "I pretended to be deeply in love just to promote harmony between you sisters and prevent a family tragedy"?

If he actually did that, she would absolutely think he was just making excuses to cover his true feelings, which would only solidify his persona as a devoted lover.

After all, he was currently a complete outsider. Why would he care so much about the relationship between the royal sisters, even going so far as to use such a method to help?

Unless... he truly harbored special feelings for her, and thus cared for her sister by extension.

Damn it... this is a total logical death loop!

It felt like no matter how he explained it, it would always circle back to the conclusion: "He really does like me!"

The more Greg thought about it, the more his head hurt. He realized the side effects of the clever plan he had come up with this morning were much more troublesome than he had imagined.

"In any case..."

He forcibly cut off his increasingly pessimistic thoughts.

"When we eventually meet, the first sentence out of my mouth must be a firm declaration: 'I, Greg Sass, have absolutely, positively, zero inappropriate thoughts toward Your Highness Vivian Kahn beyond that of a classmate!' I have to set the tone immediately!"

"As for whether she believes it or not... that's beyond my control. At least I'll have stated my position."

Embracing this desperate, head-in-the-sand mentality, Greg finally made it through the long corridor and arrived at the door of his next elective class.

This was an elective on Magic History and Theory open to multiple grade levels, held in a tiered lecture hall that could accommodate hundreds of people.

There was still some time before class started, but quite a few students were already seated, and the constant buzz of conversation filled the air.

Greg had zero interest in the lecture. His goal was clear: find the most secluded corner and catch up on his severe sleep debt.

In any case, the Headmistress only required his attendance; she never stipulated that he had to pay attention.

Thus, he walked straight past the students in the front and middle rows who were diligently previewing the material, heading straight for the very last row, specifically the seat by the window.

The light there was relatively dim, it was far from the podium, and there were high backrests in front to block the view—it was the perfect spot for a nap.

He pulled out the chair and sat down. Without hesitation, he leaned forward, crossed his arms on the desk, rested his forehead on them, and faced the window, ready to enter hibernation mode immediately.

However, it seemed his -10 Luck stat was determined not to let him have an easy time today.

His eyes had just closed, and he hadn't even felt a hint of sleepiness yet, when he felt someone poke his back twice, neither too hard nor too soft.

"..."

Greg's body stiffened. He didn't move, pretending he hadn't felt it, hoping the other person would take the hint and leave.

Two more pokes, this time with a bit more force.

You've got to be kidding me... again?

Aren't I supposed to be the most loathed social pariah in this academy with no friends?

Why is everyone lining up to find me today like they're taking numbers at a deli?!

He raised his head with extreme reluctance, wearing an expression of intense annoyance that screamed 'you'd better have a good reason,' and looked behind him.

Two familiar faces came into view.

Standing slightly in front was Victoria with her long gray hair. Her perfect legs, clad in thigh-high socks, were twitching impatiently.

She had her chin slightly raised, her gray-blue eyes glaring down at Greg.

Half a step behind Victoria, Silvia stood somewhat uneasily, her long pink hair draped softly over her shoulders, her hands unconsciously wringing together.

When her beautiful pink eyes met Greg's, her gaze wasn't as direct as Victoria's, but it seemed to hold even more complex emotions.

"Hey, Greg."

Victoria was the first to speak. Her voice wasn't loud, but in the relatively quiet corner of the back row, it was clear enough.

She curled her lip, her tone carrying undisguised mockery.

"I heard you did something big this morning. A passionate public confession to that cold Student Council President? Tsk tsk, I never would have guessed your taste was so unique. You like the type that looks like they could freeze a person into an ice sculpture?"

Though she spoke with a light, mocking tone, only she knew the source of the inexplicable annoyance and irritability that had flared up in her heart when she heard this ridiculous rumor from various sources this morning.

It felt as if something that originally belonged to her had suddenly been claimed by someone else, and everyone knew about it.

This inexplicable frustration had been stuck in her chest, and seeing the culprit now, she didn't hesitate to drag Silvia over to demand an explanation and vent some of that irritation.

Silvia had originally been trying to hold Victoria back, saying that Senior Greg looked like he was resting and shouldn't be disturbed.

But after Greg was woken up and Victoria brought up the events of the morning, Silvia also looked at Greg with worried eyes and asked:

"Is... is that true...? Senior Greg, do you like girls like that?"

Although Silvia had already decided she wouldn't try to keep Greg all to herself, she was indeed worried about the rumors she heard this morning.

She and Vivian were two completely different types of girls. If Greg liked someone who was the exact opposite of her, she wouldn't know what to do.

Furthermore, she had thought Greg only liked Victoria. Her plan had been to use her relationship as Victoria's childhood friend to make her relationship with Greg a fait accompli first, then tell Victoria and beg for her forgiveness so they could both marry him.

But if the target had changed to Vivian, that plan might not work anymore.

Greg was unaware of these secret girlish thoughts. He only heard the mockery in Victoria's words.

"Gray-haired brat, can you not bring up exactly what I don't want to talk about? That was all just a massive misunderstanding!"

He deliberately emphasized his tone, trying to clarify:

"Vivian is good-looking, but am I, Greg Sass, really that shallow? To like someone just for their face? I'm telling you clearly, I do not like her! At least definitely not right now!"

"Really?"

Victoria arched an eyebrow, the doubt on her face not entirely fading, but hearing Greg deny it so firmly made the strange annoyance in her heart dissipate a little.

"Of course it's true!"

Greg rolled his eyes, his tone full of helplessness and exhaustion.

"Don't you know my current situation? Kicked out of my family, penniless, having to deal with a mountain of crap. I'm putting all my effort just into struggling to survive. Where would I find the leisure or time for some secret or open crush?"

He pointed to the dark circles under his eyes and then to his empty desk.

"What I crave most right now is rest, not romance! It's just those bored people in the academy jumping to conclusions and spinning yarns. They've somehow hallucinated me into the 'Most Devoted Lover of Glory Cael Magic Academy'... I've truly had enough."

This explanation was reasonable and fair. Especially when combined with Greg's visibly bedraggled and exhausted state, it carried a lot of weight.

Victoria rubbed her chin and nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, given Greg's current circumstances, falling for an aloof beauty like Vivian Kahn would be nothing but looking for trouble.

It seemed this really was just a misunderstanding?