This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 2

“I” was in the Finis Forest at midday.

It was a lovely, sunny day. Other students were scattered about, sitting where they pleased, chatting happily with one another.

Amidst all that, “I” distanced myself from the others and walked deeper into the forest.

As I walked, I happened to see Alois with him—Professor Fabius.After saying something to Alois, he walked back toward the other students.

My gaze remained fixed on Alois. I stared so intently that he eventually noticed me.

“Do you need something?”

“I couldn’t find you, so I came looking… You were talking with Professor Fabius, huh? More importantly, Alois, you don’t look well. Are you okay?”

“…Yeah, I’m fine.”

There was no conviction in those words—he looked utterly downcast.
Apparently, “I” thought the same and reached out to him with a worried expression.

“Don’t worry about me. I don’t want to drag anyone else into this anymore.”

“What do you mean? If something’s wrong, let me help. You shouldn’t try to handle it all by yourself!”

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. And there’s nothing you can do.”

Leaving behind those cold words, Alois disappeared even deeper into the forest.

“If you don’t tell me, I won’t understand…!”

“I” called out to his lonely retreating back, but Alois didn’t turn around—he vanished into the thick woods without a word.

◇

I woke up feeling gloomy.

Because of the sad Wizalaba dream I had, I didn’t feel at all rested despite having slept.
What I’d dreamed about was a scene from Alois’s event, which would take place during the off-campus training scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Since the incident in his first year—when the botanical garden was attacked by monsters—Alois has been targeted multiple times on school grounds, and he’s carried a burden of guilt toward his classmates ever since.

Though every incident was prevented and ended in failure, he continued to struggle with the idea that others were being dragged into danger because of him. Noel used those feelings against him, pushing him further into despair.

In his weakened state, Alois is fed a certain piece of information: That an attack targeting him is quietly being set into motion, and that monsters are supposedly being hidden deep within the forest. Noel claims he overheard this and says he’ll go check it out later.

After hearing that, Alois, not wanting to cause trouble for anyone else, decides to go confront the monsters alone.

“Ugh… You didn’t do anything wrong…”

Alois is just too good of a person.

Even though it’s natural for a prince to be targeted, he still blames himself.

“Hey, girl! Quit dawdling and get ready already!”

I wanted to think about my favorite boy a little longer, but I was rushed out of bed by Jill.

◇

When I got to the classroom, the topic on everyone’s lips was the off-campus training.

“Everyone, please make sure to finish preparing for the off-campus training by the end of today.”

“Yeeees!”

The students, all giddy with excitement, completely ignored homeroom and instead chatted happily about what to bring and what to wear.

The off-campus training is a second-year event where students spend time in Finis Forest to connect with nature, learn how to deal with getting lost in the woods, and listen to talks from forest rangers.

In the Kingdom of Nox, forests are everywhere. Whether it’s for hunting or traveling, people often have to go through them, so regardless of status, everyone is taught how to survive in the woods.

The topics covered are wide-ranging—from identifying plants that serve as landmarks to knowing which fairies you must never talk to—and over the course of several days, students are thoroughly drilled in survival techniques.

During the program, the students stay in cabins located in Finis Forest.

There are several cabins situated at the entrance of the forest on the side opposite the royal capital. Normally, nobles use them when hunting, but they’re specially opened up for students of Oria Magic Academy and are used every year for the second-year off-campus training.

“I’m sure… it’ll be okay.”

If things continue following the game’s storyline, then this is where events involving the romance targets should begin. But since most of those events were orchestrated by Noel, I’m sure he wouldn’t do anything like that now.

It’s fine.

That’s what I kept telling myself, and yet, for some reason, I couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling.

As I left the classroom, still muddled with anxiety after homeroom ended, I ran into Noel.
He glanced at the off-campus training schedule I held in my hand.

“Off-campus training… brings back memories. How was it for you, Leticia?”

“It was fun. I’d never had the chance to stay overnight in a forest before, so it felt really fresh.”

“And were you in the same group as Lord Barrett back then?”

“W-Why are you suddenly bringing up Ghislain-sama’s name?!”

Having the name of someone I once had a crush on brought up so abruptly was a shock to the heart. It was like poking at an old wound—I’d really prefer not to dig up the past.

And the fact that he even looked up the family name? That’s terrifying.

“Well, of course I’d be curious about my fiancée’s first love. So? Were you in the same group?”

“…No. We were in different groups. Ghislain-sama was in a different class.”

“I see. That’s a relief.”

“It’s not a relief! I was really upset back then, you know?”

Not being able to make memories with the person you like during your once-in-a-lifetime school experience is a sadness beyond words, okay?

I wanted to tack that on, but the pressure behind Noel’s smiling face was so intense, I couldn’t say anything more.

I wonder why… this uneasy feeling just won’t go away.