Before Adele touched my cheek—
So, while we were still downing drinks and mid-conversation.
We’d been talking about silly campus life things. The housemaid. The strategy against Jinksythe. By the time we finished our third bottle of strong liquor...
“Ugh, I think I drank too much...”
“Seems like it.”
“But Professor...”
Flushed from the alcohol, Adele stared at me for a long time before speaking.
I was carefully manipulating my mana to keep the intoxication under control, but I played along and feigned being drunk.
“Yeah?”
“...This thing’s pretty.”
She poked my chest with her fingertip. The Senior Professor badge.
“Pretty, isn’t it? But it’s gold-plated, apparently.”
“I said this earlier, but honestly... I was surprised.”
“Promoted fast, I suppose.”
“That’s more than just fast... Usually, you need ten years of appointment, solid research results, or at least ranking qualifications. Becoming a Senior Professor isn’t easy.”
“Even I fear my own talent.”
“Ahaha. What even is that?”
Glasses clinked.
Ting—
Adele smiled with unfocused eyes.
“But Professor... remember what we talked about earlier?”
“You mean when you asked if I’d throw you away.”
“Geez, don’t put it like that. That’s embarrassing... Y-Yeah.”
Pouring another drink, Adele spoke.
“...It’s just... I was wondering if I could stay under you, Professor.”
I kept my gaze hazy, but my mind sharpened. For the first time, I was hearing Adele express a desire.
“You can. Why?”
“I want to become an assistant professor...”
“Assistant professor?”
“Yes, yes... assistant professor...”
Adele twisted her hair in loops, eyes dazed.
“I mean... right now I’m just a nobody TA in the Department of Assassination... But I have ambition.”
“I had no idea.”
“I’m good ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ at hiding things...”
That... was believable.
“Let’s hear it, then. What’s your ambition?”
Adele smiled with that unfocused look.
“...I want to become a ‘Master.’”
A Master, huh.
That was... intriguing.
“That’s dangerous talk in the Department of Assassination.”
“...I don’t think so.”
“An assassin is a tool.”
“Well... do you think anyone sees the Head of Department as a tool? He’s an assassin too, isn’t he...”
I laughed.
“You’re right.”
“See? In the end, it’s all about power. Saying assassins are tools— That only applies to the weak. They’re the ones sent to fight. The ones who die when needed. We pretend we’re different, but deep down, everyone knows...”
She was exactly right.
Why couldn’t they get 30 professors together for the second raid on Jinksythe? Tools, right?
Why did Shaman, with that thick jaw, practically beg me not to go? Tools, huh?
People don’t call irreplaceable things “tools.” Everyone knows. It’s only the weak who are tools.
“...Do you know what I’ve been thinking lately?”
“What?”
“That becoming your assistant... might be the greatest stroke of luck in my entire life.”
“Didn’t you say earlier you were an S-Class TA?”
“Oh wow, did I say that?”
“So you do know, huh. Which of us is the real S-Class.”
It was a joke.
Adele blinked, then burst into a giggle.
“...Yeah!”
She answered brightly, then laughed even more at herself. “Kyaahahaha!” I chuckled too—just a little.
“I actually know... You’re already a Master. And you’ll become an even greater one... I’m just a tool that happened to land in the right hands.”
“You flatter me. The future is uncertain.”
“I don’t think so~ I know just how lucky I am, monopolizing all of this...”
Adele looked up at me with a dreamy expression.
“...Alright then. If you become assistant professor, what changes?”
“I heard... we’ll soon be given a platform for opportunity?”
“......”
Adele always had a knack for information. Not many should know about the “Betting Table” yet.
“That’s what they say.”
“Rich people's dogs just sit next to the table. Even the scraps they get are meat. I’m ready to lick the floor clean... Who knows? Maybe someday even I...”
Adele pressed firmly on my Senior Professor badge.
“You’re ambitious.”
“I am.”
Then her smile faded.
“I’ve been a TA for six years. I’ve failed the assistant professor screening three times. The department must’ve thought I had no potential, because they always put me in administrative roles. This year was probably my last chance. And... if I’d gotten dismissed from the academy this time...”
She paused.
“...I was planning to do something very bad.”
“......”
That was...
Extremely heavy.
“But then, finally, luck came my way... You, Professor. You’re my stroke of luck. I’m not trying to pressure you or anything. I just really want to do well this time. So... please keep me on as your TA. Is this too petty of me...?”
“......”
“Sorry. I sound pathetic...”
I lowered my gaze and reached for the bottle. Swirled the round ice in my on-the-rocks glass.
This was the first time I’d ever heard Adele’s ambition.
But how this connected to her being a spy... I didn’t know. I couldn’t even tell if this made her more or less dangerous.
If anything, her words sounded peaceful.
People who genuinely desire you are less likely to harm you. It’s too soon to judge.
“...Depends on your performance.”
A half-joking, but rather cold line. Adele simply smiled.
“Then I’ll have to work hard... Ah, do you mind if I use the restroom real quick?”
“Go ahead.”
Adele went off.
In that time, I thought.
‘What should I do...’
She wants to rise through the Academy. If that fails, she might do something terrible.
If she’s telling the truth, then Adele is a bomb that explodes the moment I discard her.
If I throw her away, she detonates. But I can’t keep her too close either.
That’s the dilemma.
After a short while, I felt the alcohol rising and stepped outside for fresh air.
‘It’s snowing again.’
Wandering absentmindedly, I spotted someone behind the building. In a place where no one should be—Adele, smoking a cigarette alone.
“Oh my? Professor~”
Adele quickly brushed the smoke away with her hand, looking embarrassed.
“Geez. I’ve gotten away with sneaking them this long, and today I get caught...”
“You smoke?”
“Sometimes. When drinking, like today... You’ve always been a non-smoker?”
“Quit ages ago.”
“Oh no. I might tempt you~ Better smoke it quick.”
She started puffing like a chimney.
It didn’t bother me, honestly. I’d quit everything during chemotherapy, and in this new body, I had zero desire to smoke.
“The cold air is sobering me up. Shall we head back?”
But for some reason—
Maybe because it was dark, or I was drunk, or we were alone. Or maybe because I was desperate to dig deeper...
“...Come to think of it.”
Acting on a feeling, I spoke.
“We really don’t know each other, do we.”
In the noisy street outside the bar, the line sounded casual. But perhaps Adele picked up on something in my tone.
“......”
Her expression shifted slightly as she turned to look at me.
“...You’re right. We really don’t know each other.”
Adele smiled.
“When you think about it, it’s kind of funny...”
“Funny how?”
“Don’t you think? We live together, and...”
“......”
“I didn’t know you’d quit smoking. Or that you hold your liquor. Or that you’re this sly, like today. We’ve been sharing a house for a while now... But I barely know anything about you, Professor.”
“Very assassin-like.”
“You’re right. Assassin-like, indeed.”
Then she smiled playfully and asked, just a bit mischievous:
“Are you curious about me?”
“......”
For a brief moment, a few seconds—I watched Adele closely.
Something about this conversation had started to skew strangely.
This could be my chance.
A chance to test the mind of this mysterious infiltrator.
“...Ah, sorry. I’m probably drunk. Just joking—”
“What if I am curious?”
I stepped forward as Adele tried to look away.
“...Huh? Yes?”
Adele stepped back, surprised. I had never once breached the “distance” between us like this.
“If I’m curious... what could you tell me about yourself?”
“...Uhh. Umm. I... uh...”
Adele slowly raised both hands.
And then—
She averted her eyes.
“...Um, first off—we’re standing really close right now...?”
“Answer the question.”
“Gosh... um... well. It’s not like I really... have anything to tell you, honestly...”
“......”
“I, um... Professor, could you maybe... give me a little space...? It’s a bit much...”
“Relax. I’m kidding.”
I turned away.
“...Huh? Wait, really? Oh, come on. You don’t usually do that—I was actually surprised.”
“Shall we go? We’re out of drinks. I’ll just pay and—”
“Whoa, whoa, where do you think you’re going?”
“Then should we grab another round—”
I fell silent.
Because Adele suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
“Jokes are over now.”
“That wasn’t a joke...”
“......”
“Then what about you, Professor...?”
“What about me.”
“What would you tell me? About yourself...?”
“I could tell you just about anything.”
“Really? Then tell me one thing.”
“What do you want to know?”
“......”
Adele blinked.
Then stepped forward.
A bit too close.
“......”
She paused, thinking—then asked:
“...Could I... get a little closer to you?”
“You’ll crash into me.”
“I’m being serious. No jokes.”
What did that mean?
What was I supposed to do now to get closer to the answer?
“How do we even get closer than this?”
Adele let out a soft laugh.
“...Friends.”
“Friends?”
“...Yeah. We’re only five years apart... Instead of just being your assistant, I want to be your friend.”
“......”
Still couldn’t read her intentions. Maybe, as she implied earlier, she wanted to secure her position as my exclusive assistant. That’s the only reasonable interpretation for now.
So then—what am I supposed to choose?
Back then, was I ever an honest graduate student to my professor? No—I wore a thick mask, just like he did.
If I want to know Adele better, I have to break through that wall. Like I just did a moment ago.
“Sure. Let’s be friends.”
“...Do you mean that?”
“I’ve always wanted a friend like you.”
“......”
Adele looked briefly surprised.
Then laughed with a scrunched-up expression.
“...I like that. A lot.”
It was starting to get cold. I asked if she wanted to head back, and she agreed. But then, Adele blinked and suddenly stumbled. I caught her.
“You’re drunk.”
“Ah, sorry... whew... guess I drank a little too much...”
She could barely stand, then looked up at me with glazed eyes. Our gazes held for a few seconds.
Then Adele, out of nowhere, reached up and placed her hand on my cheek.
“What are you doing.”
“...Did you know?”
“Know what.”
“...You’re fucking handsome.”
“......”
That was... surprising.
With hazy eyes, Adele added:
“...So this is why people spend money, huh.”
“What does that mean?”
“...Nothing. Forget it.”
I couldn’t make sense of it. Her hand gently stroked my cheek—like she was petting a puppy.
I awkwardly muttered:
“Friends don’t do this.”
Adele smiled and whispered softly:
“...They say some people get like this when they’re drunk.”
“Since when is that a thing?”
“Hmm? You don’t watch romance shows, Professor? They say this always happens in those.”
“Don’t tell me next you’re gonna start puckering your lips.”
“What~?”
She laughed—maybe remembering the illusion incident with Luine.
“Ahaha! No matter how handsome you are, that’d be way too much for friends. Wait... could it be... is that what you want, Professor~?”
“Get up. You’re heavy.”
“Oh—okay, okay. Upsy-daisy.”
At that moment, I was sure of it. Adele may very well be “a great threat.” But right now—she doesn’t intend to kill me.
I’d just made a gamble. Catching her as she collapsed was that gamble.
If Adele had wanted to kill me, she could’ve. Not that I would’ve died—Ezekiel’s curse would’ve activated, and she’d be the one in trouble.
But even with that kind of opening, Adele didn’t strike.
“...Shall we go home?”
So I decided—I’ll watch a little longer.
“Let’s go. Home.”
Adele’s eyes widened. Then she grinned mischievously.
“Oh my~?”
│ㅅㅇ)
***
The next day.
I was summoned by the Dean of Hiaka Academy.
● Director Hedwig
An absurd owl mascot suit. I’d only seen it through the in-game monitor—this was my first time seeing it in person.
“Ah! Welcome~!”
The Director waved the moment he saw me.
“A pleasure to meet you, Director.”
“Yup yup! The academy’s hottest topic—Senior Professor Dante! Great to meet ya~! I’m super busy, so can we cut to the chase?”
“As you wish.”
“Say hi!”
Say hi?
I turned—there was a woman standing nearby.
Emotionless face. Jet-black eyes. Pitch-black hair. Immaculate suit. Pressed slacks. She radiated such composure it felt unnatural.
● Assistant Ran⧉
“She’s your new research assistant—starting today!”
Just like that?
The woman approached and bowed her head.
“Pleased to meet you, Senior Professor Dante. My name is Ran.”
Even her voice sounded like a machine.
And on her name tag—there it was. The System⧉ sigil.
‘So she’s someone System⧉ sent.’
I recalled what Dino had said during [Offline].
— Up until now, players haven’t been notified about bugs in [Error Space]... But now, System⧉ will start sending someone close to you, to share any findings... wow!
Someone who would track bugs and share information. They’d chosen to send her in the form of a research assistant.
It made sense. She’d be spending the most time with me.
“I’m Dante. Let’s work well together.”
“I look forward to it. I’ve submitted a cohabitation request—may I move into your residence today?”
“There’s a spare room. Suit yourself.”
At the time, I accepted without much thought.
Because I wasn’t thinking much.
“Huh? Who’s that?”
“A new assistant. Sent by the Director himself.”
But right after returning to the house—
Something flickered.
“.............”
Just for a moment.
Adele’s expression looked... off.
But she blinked, and instantly it was back to normal.
Ran set her things down to the side, then bowed to Adele.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Ran. Starting today, I’ve been appointed as Professor Dante’s research assistant.”
“Oh, hi! Nice to meet you. Wow, you’re so cool~”
Adele smiled—just like she always did with new people.
“I’m Adele.”
“Likewise. I’ll do my best to ensure our shared residence runs smoothly.”
Even her response... Exactly like always.
“Me too~”