Chapter 48: Tangled with the Eldritch Godness

The Golden Festival drew closer with each passing day.

"We should prepare gifts to exchange at the Golden Festival," Frieda said one day.

"You're right. I should also get gifts ready for you and the others,"

"Want to go shopping together this weekend?"

"Sounds great!"

Exchanging presents with friends during a festival like this was so exciting! In my past life, I’d never had the chance to take part in such events… Sniff…

As I went about my usual routine, making plans with my dear friend Frieda, I headed toward the student council room—when suddenly...

"Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Iris. Or should I call you ‘Y’sth-Lith’?"

"Professor Matthias. ‘Iris’ is just fine."

Ugh, Professor Matthias. Just looking at him, you could tell he had a nasty personality. I never liked guys like him…

"You put on such an innocent face, pretending you’re not some wicked deity. Huh? You really enjoy playing human, don’t you?"

He sneered, stepping closer to me with a mocking grin.

"Did you have something to say to me?"

"Yeah. I don’t like monsters like you walking around pretending to be human. If you’re a freak, act like one. Or is deceiving everyone part of your game?"

"That’s not my intention. I just want to live like any other person—experiencing school life, making friends..."

"Tch. That’s exactly what’s disgusting."

Before I knew it, he had backed me against the wall, blowing cigarette smoke directly into my face. I coughed slightly, the acrid fumes stinging my throat.

"A dangerous monster like you, masquerading as human? To us, it’s like a ten-meter-tall abomination—some grotesque pest—mimicking human speech and human behavior. Revolting doesn’t even begin to cover it."

He glared down at me with genuine disgust.

"Why don’t you act like the hideous freak you are, oh mighty ‘Godness’?"

His eyes bore into me, sharp with contempt.

"I’m afraid I won’t be meeting your expectations."

"Is that so? I wonder what it’d take to rip off that disguise of yours. A little pain, maybe? You’d drop the act and show your true nature then, wouldn’t you?"

A sadistic smile curled on his lips.

"...I’d advise against that. If forced to defend myself, I may have to stop playing human and resort to my true power."

"Go ahead. Try it."

With that, he flicked away his cigarette and conjured flames in his right hand, stepping closer with fire dancing at his fingertips.

As an Eldritch Godness, I wouldn’t die from something like this—but it would still hurt. And my uniform would definitely be ruined if it got burned.

Just as I began removing my glove to retaliate—

"What do you think you’re doing?!"

A sharp voice cut through the tension. It was Felix.

"Oh-ho. Has our knight in shining armor arrived to save the day? Huh?"

"Professor Matthias. I misjudged you. Do you have no self-awareness as an adult?"

Felix glared at Professor Matthias with a look that could kill, his voice dripping with disdain as the professor brushed him off with a smirk.

"Look who’s talking—a brat with a brain so pathetic, he’s in love with a monster like her. Let’s see if you can still adore her after I expose her ugly true nature. Should be fun."

"Shut up. Step away from Lady Iris. Now."

"Oh? Playing the prince? Why not draw your sword, then?"

Matthias sneered, deliberately provoking him.

"If that’s how you want it."

The next instant—Felix slammed his fist into Matthias’ face!

"Not bad, you little shit!"

But Matthias retaliated instantly, driving his own fist into Felix’s stomach!

And just like that, it became an all-out brawl. Felix and Matthias traded brutal blows, blood soon splattering—this was absolute madness!

"H-Hey! Stop it! What are you two doing?!"

I rushed to intervene, but neither would listen.

"Matthias! What do you think you’re doing?!"

Elizabeth’s sharp voice cut through the chaos as she strode toward them.

"Just teaching this brat some common sense."

"Stop. Immediately."

"Yeah, yeah."

With a shrug, Matthias turned and walked toward Elizabeth.

"Later, shitstain. Don’t keep dreaming in la-la land."

He spat the words over his shoulder before leaving with Elizabeth.

"Are you alright, Lord Felix?"

"Yeah. I’m fine."

"But you’re bleeding—"

A thin trail of blood ran from his split lip.

"Don’t worry about it. More importantly—did he do anything to you?"

"N-No! I’m unharmed. But, Lord Felix, you should go to the infirmary…"

"Right."

Matthias had taken hits too, but an adult man’s strength was on another level. Felix had been pummeled worse than I’d realized.

Still, the fact that he’d protected me left me nothing but grateful.

I guided Felix to the infirmary, where the nurse disinfected his cuts and bandaged him up. With gauze wrapped around him, he looked painfully battered.

"You still have the magic tool I gave you before?"

"Yes. Should I return it?"

"No. Keep it. And if anything happens, don’t hesitate to use it."

"O-Okay."

With that, Felix left.

Good. Next time Professor Matthias tries anything, I won’t hold back. That man… I really can’t stand him!

Klaus was in the student council room, finishing up work before the Golden Festival, when Felix returned.

"Hey. What happened to you, Felix? That face…"

"Got into a fight with Professor Matthias."

Klaus’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of Felix—bandaged, bruised, and battered—but Felix stated it as calmly as if discussing the weather.

"A fight? Why?"

"He tried to lay a hand on Lady Iris. That’s all."

"Hah… Never thought you’d stoop to brawling, Mr. Honor Student."

Klaus muttered, half-impressed, half-exasperated.

"I never intended to be an honor student."

"Cut the crap. You were desperate to live up to your duke’s expectations, weren’t you? Compared to how stifled you looked back then, you’re way better off now."

"And what about you? Changed at all?"

"I’m still me. A future politician—eventually the Empire’s Chancellor, following in my old man’s footsteps. That hasn’t changed. Hahaha!"

"You always did have it easier."

Felix gave a wry smile as Klaus laughed.

"More importantly… You’re still serious about Lady Iris? Even after everyone told you to quit it."

"…I am who I am."

"I see. Well, no matter what anyone says, I’ve got your back. That’s what friendship’s about."

"Thanks, Klaus."

A faint, grateful smile crossed Felix’s lips as he nodded at Klaus’s dependable words.

……………………