"But... resolve the talent gap? What ability do I even have to do that?"
Greg felt a wave of powerlessness.
After all, strictly speaking, he himself was an undisputed delinquent student.
"Tch, what a hassle."
Just as Greg felt a headache coming on, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of the text on his system task panel, which seemed to have changed.
He immediately focused his attention on it.
Below the words that originally displayed 【Redemption of the Villainous Noble: Stage One Completed】, new task instructions slowly appeared:
【Redemption of the Villainous Noble (Stage Two): Please successfully clear the Academy Dungeon's second layer before the end of Act Two.】
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I just finished one stage, and before I can even catch my breath, the next one starts?! Are they treating me like a donkey on a production team?!"
Greg roared frantically in his mind.
Although clearing the first layer brought huge rewards, it almost cost him half his life, and now, he knew with absolute certainty that the second layer would only be harder!
Just as Greg started feeling like a clay Buddha crossing a river, unable to even save himself, his genius mind suddenly came up with a brilliant idea.
"At that point, couldn't I just find a way to trick Vivian into going into the dungeon with me to clear it!?"
After all, fighting in a dungeon was also a way to improve one's strength, and unlike studying from books, this method had no talent restrictions!
However, the trade-off was that this method carried significant risk; a moment of carelessness could lead to being buried in the dungeon forever, as this was the real world, with no option to reload a save.
Greg quickly calmed down and began to rationally analyze the feasibility of this crazy idea.
After all, he wasn't the type of selflessly devoted simp, especially since the current Vivian was merely a character he felt pity for, so she wasn't worth him taking on all the risks.
The reason he came up with this method was that, while Vivian's magical talent couldn't compare to Lilith's, she was still the Second-year Representative, with a level above LV30, already reaching the standard of a theoretical professor at the academy; at the very least, she wouldn't hold him back during the dungeon clear.
And most importantly, she used ice-attribute magic, and the Lord of the Glory Cael Magic Academy Dungeon's second layer was extremely weak to ice.
It was precisely for this reason that Greg conceived the idea of finding a way to trick Vivian into clearing the dungeon with him.
If the plan succeeded, not only would he complete the dungeon clear, but perhaps through their shared adventure, he could subtly influence Vivian, showing her the possibility of growing stronger through practical combat, thereby somewhat alleviating her anxiety and paranoia stemming from the talent gap, and he would also gain a favor from her.
Gaining a favor from a high-status princess was, after all, not a bad thing.
Simply perfect!
The more Greg thought about it, the more he felt this plan was a tailor-made solution to his predicament!
Though risks and opportunities coexisted, the opportunities clearly outweighed the risks!
The only problem was...
"How do I trick her into going to the dungeon? I doubt she'd trust me if I just told her directly."
Greg's mind raced.
But if he tried to provoke her by saying: "Your Highness, I think your talent isn't as good as your sister's, stop sticking to theory, come with me to a dungeon to grind and level up!"
That would definitely not work; she'd 100% freeze him into an ice sculpture with a trash-like glare, then cleave him with a sword.
He needed to find another way.
Greg was so engrossed in concocting his grand scheme of deception that his steps unconsciously slowed.
Just then—
Vivian, who was walking half a step ahead of him, suddenly stopped without warning.
"Hm?"
Greg's thoughts were interrupted, and he stopped as well, looking at Vivian with some confusion.
Only then did he belatedly realize that the surrounding chatter had, at some point, eerily vanished.
A strange atmosphere silently permeated the once bustling tree-lined path.
Greg looked up, following Vivian's calm gaze—
Ahead, several meters away, a young girl stood quietly in the center of the road.
She blocked a significant portion of the path, yet the students passing by all instinctively kept a respectful distance from her, as if an invisible barrier surrounded her.
No one walked directly in front of her; they all chose to detour around her on either side.
She was a golden-haired girl.
Her golden hair was not the vibrant, molten gold hue of Greg's, but a meticulously polished honey-gold, flowing with a gentle luster in the morning light, perfectly groomed and styled into an elegant yet youthful bun at the back of her head.
She wore the academy uniform, but the material and tailoring were clearly superior and form-fitting, covered by an expensive light purple velvet shawl, with a small, exquisite chamber of commerce emblem brooch pinned at the collar.
Her face was exceedingly beautiful, her features so delicate they seemed painted by a master artist, and her azure eyes, like the clearest lake water, gazed calmly forward, a subtle, impeccable smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Simply by standing there, she naturally exuded an aura entirely different from the ordinary students around her, as well as a certain... composure and insight beyond her years.
The moment he clearly saw that face, Greg's pupils constricted almost imperceptibly, and he even subconsciously drew a sharp breath.
To think... he'd run into her directly here!
Just as alarm bells rang in Greg's mind, the golden-haired girl moved.
She first elegantly lifted the hem of her uniform skirt slightly, then performed an impeccable, standard court curtsy towards Vivian, her movements fluid and natural, as if practiced a thousand times.
Her voice was clear and pleasant, like wind chimes, yet it carried a comfortably steady tone:
"Good day, Your Highness Vivian. It has been a while since we last spoke; Your Highness's demeanor is more radiant than ever."
After completing her greeting, she slowly straightened up, her azure eyes shifting slightly, passing over Vivian and landing on Greg.
Her gaze was calm, carrying a hint of well-placed curiosity and a sharpness that seemed to penetrate one's very thoughts, yet it was softened by her perfectly polite smile.
She gave Greg a slight nod as well, then, in a tone that was both pleasantly warm and undeniably firm, she clearly stated:
"Greg Sass, it's been a long time. I apologize for the interruption, but would it be convenient for you to spare some time for me later? There are some things I'd like to discuss with you privately."
Catherine Roman.
The Fourth Heroine, and one of the future candidates to lead the Roman Business Empire.
Greg never imagined he'd run into her so early, right here.
Rate on N.U.
