The dance song finally ended to loud applause from students unaware of how close the academy had come to disaster.
As soon as the music stopped, I immediately withdrew my hand from Chloe's waist and took two steps back.
"Not a bad dance," I said coldly, playing it cool. "I'm going to get some fresh air."
Without waiting for anyone's response, I turned and walked quickly out of the Main Hall, ignoring Leo calling my name and Adrian's analytical rambling in the corner.
My goal was simple: The quiet Rear Academy Gardens.
The academy gardens at night were peaceful. The cool night breeze brushed against my skin, refreshing my brain which was near boiling point thanks to those three crazy characters.
I rested my back against a stone pillar, taking a deep breath.
"Crazy... Absolutely crazy," I muttered, staring at the crescent moon. "This world is rotten to its core."
*Rustle.*
Suddenly, the sound of paper scraping came from behind the bushes. A small magic pigeon landed on my hand, turning into a piece of parchment smelling of black roses.
I frowned. The parchment contained neat yet hurried handwriting:
> *To the Esteemed Lady Rosel von Arcadelt,*
>
> *If you wish to know the truth behind the secrets of the Arcadelt family and how to break free from the fate binding you, come to the Ancient Greenhouse at the far west of the academy right now. Come alone.*
>
> *— A Sympathizer.*
I stared at the letter with furrowed brows.
*Break free from fate?*
My blue eyes widened. Was this a clue? Did someone else know my soul transmigrated into this novel world?!
"This is definitely a trap," I speculated. "But... if this is my only chance to escape this madness and return to being a normal guy..."
Curiosity won over fear. I clenched my fist, hid the letter inside my dress folds, and walked resolutely toward the Ancient Greenhouse.
The Ancient Greenhouse was located in the academy's forbidden area. The giant glass structure looked somewhat abandoned, covered in creeping vines and illuminated by the green glow of rare magic plants inside.
*Click.*
I pushed open the creaking glass door. Warm, humid air immediately enveloped me.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" I called out, walking down the path between giant potted plants.
However, instead of finding a mysterious letter sender, I saw two figures already standing in the middle of the room.
Crown Prince Leo and Magician Adrian.
I froze in my tracks. "You guys...?"
Leo held an identical piece of paper, while Adrian was examining residual magic powder on a stone table.
"Rosel?!" Leo gasped. "You received this letter too?"
"This is obviously a conventional trap," Adrian interrupted in a flat tone, though his eyes flashed with anxiety upon seeing me. "Someone deliberately lured the three of us to an isolated location using a multi-tiered spatial summoning spell."
*SLAM!*
Before we could process the situation, the glass door behind me slammed shut automatically! A glowing red magic seal appeared over the glass surface, locking it tightly from the outside.
"Tier Five Barrier Seal," Adrian muttered, tapping the glass with his small wand. "Cannot be destroyed from the inside without high-level magic."
"Wait," Leo said, his eyes suddenly lighting up strangely as he realized our situation. "Locked doors... A warm greenhouse... Magic rain outside... Just the three of us..."
[Special Feature Unlocked: Reading the Characters' Hidden Thoughts!]
[Reading Leo von Grandia's Thoughts...]
*‘God has given me an opportunity! This is a classic situation where a prince is trapped with his beloved lady! In this tight, warm space, Rosel will surely feel anxious and finally lean against my broad chest!’*
[Reading Adrian von Silvershade's Thoughts...]
*‘A perfect isolated environment. Without that scholarship girl around, I can measure Rosel's breathing frequency near me in a confined space. This is incredible research progress.’*
*SLAP!*
I reflexively facepalmed. *Instead of finding a way out, these two are thinking perverted and delusional thoughts!!*
[User_OrangeCat]: "ROFL TWO CRAZY GUYS LOCKED UP WITH ROSEL!"
[User_LocalObserver]: "Leo is already posing like a hero, so cringe!"
"Rosel," Leo stepped closer, trying to wrap an arm around my shoulder with a reassuring look. "Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, you'll be—"
*BOOMMMM!!!*
A violent blast of wind magic suddenly struck the glass door from the outside!
The giant glass shattered into thousands of floating crystals. A dense wave of green magic aura surged in, killing the glow of the surrounding plants and causing the temperature to plummet!
Amidst the dust and flying glass shards, a small figure stood.
Her pastel pink hair waved wildly in the magic wind. Her pink silk dress was slightly torn at the hem, and in her right hand, she held a gleaming magic dagger shrouded in a lethal aura.
Chloe.
Her emerald-green eyes were no longer innocent. Her pupils were constricted, emitting a dark, absolute malice. Shadows encircled her eyes, and the smile on her lips looked thoroughly... psychotic.
"Lady... Rosel..." Chloe's voice trembled, echoing coldly among the glass ruins.
She walked in slowly, stepping on glass shards without caring about the pain. Her murderous gaze locked onto Leo's hand, which had almost touched my shoulder.
"These two flies..." Chloe hissed in a deep tone that made everyone's skin crawl. "How dare you... lock my Lady Rosel in a cramped place like this with you...?"
[System Warning!]
[Main Character (Chloe von Valois) Yandere Level Increased!]
[Status: Maximum Yandere / Massacre Mode Active]
[User_YuriSimp]: "HOLY SHIT EVERYONE'S GONNA DIE!"
[User_OlympicShip]: "CHLOE ARRIVED WITH A KILLER AURA! THIS IS A HORROR NOVEL NOW!"
[User_OrangeCat]: "Rosel, quickly coax your girl before the Crown Prince turns into mincemeat ROFL!"
"Chloe! Control yourself!" I screamed hysterically, leaping forward to block Chloe, who was ready to pounce on Leo and Adrian with her dagger!
This world... really has no turning back.