This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 5
I couldn’t stop worrying about Noel and Alois, and even though I was talking with Sara and the others, none of it was actually registering in my head.
“Glasses-sensei?”
Before I realized it, Sara’s light blue eyes were peering into my face.
Her wide, sparkling eyes were framed by perfectly curled lashes—just as you’d expect from the heroine. She was adorable, flawless even.
“Y-You look kind of worried… Are you okay?”
Dieter also looked concerned and, though a bit hesitant, reached out to ask.
Since the new school year started, the two of them have been talking more often, and with Frederic added into the mix, it’s become common to see the three of them chatting together.
“I’m fine, really. But since His Highness Alois and Professor Fabius haven’t returned yet, I’ll go check on them. Gerard, would you mind keeping an eye on everyone in the meantime?”
“Understood.”
As usual, Frederic put on his usual sullen face even though he was probably happy to be trusted—but I’d gotten so used to that expression lately that it almost looked like there were sparkles shimmering around his head.
That usual Frederic, however, had a slightly more serious expression today, which gave me a strange sense of unease.
“Megane—uh, Sensei, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Well… His Highness Alois asked me to teach him swordsmanship, and we’ve been practicing together after school. He trains so intensely whenever he has time, almost like he’s in a hurry. I asked him why, but all he said was, ‘I need the power to protect.’ That’s all—and I’m kind of worried.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
There’s no doubt about it—Alois has been training in swordsmanship so he can fight. Just like in the game.
He’s blaming himself, thinking that he needs to become stronger so his classmates won’t be put in danger because of him.
This… isn’t good.
If magical beasts really do appear just like in the game, and Alois tries to fight them—what will happen?
In the game, Sara is the one who saves him. And depending on the line the player chooses to say to him afterward, his affection level either skyrockets, stays the same, or even goes down.
Incidentally, if you pick the right option and raise his affection level, he thanks her for saving him and shows his respect for her bravery by kneeling like a knight and kissing her hand.
But if his affection drops, he coldly brushes her off with a line like, “I never asked you to save me.”
Either way, right now, Sara hasn’t even awakened as a Light Wielder, so there’s no way to predict how things will play out.
I just hope no monsters appear at all—and that somehow, Alois’s anxiety can be put to rest.
With unease churning in my chest, I started walking in the direction where Noel and Alois had disappeared.
◇
They said they were just going to talk, so they shouldn’t have gone far—but there was no sign of either of them.
“Where could they be?”
As I walked, glancing around, a familiar head of reddish-brown hair caught the edge of my vision.
His back was turned, so I couldn’t see his face, but he looked like D’arcaic. I’ve never seen anyone else with such strikingly beautiful red hair.
He stood still, staring quietly into the depths of the forest.
To be alone in the Forest of Finis at this time of day… it feels suspicious, like he’s up to something.
What should I do?
After what happened at the ball, things were awkward—and more importantly, in the game, he was one of the characters secretly scheming alongside Noel.
He was already dangerous to begin with, and if I confronted him alone, the outcome was obvious.
Still, that didn’t mean I could just turn back now.
I steeled myself and called out to him.
“D’arcaic… san?”
He spun around sharply—and sure enough, it was D’arcaic.
Dressed in all black, he didn’t look like he was here on official business for the Ministry of Magic.
That just made him seem even more suspicious.
“Oh, it’s you. You moved so silently, I thought you were a skilled assassin.”
He seemed wary of my sudden appearance, but oddly enough, there was no panic in his expression or tone. If anything, he was eerily composed.
“Pardon me for having no presence.”
Unfortunately, I’m the most background of background characters—no matter how much I try to stand out, the world itself refuses to acknowledge me.
I mean, people can’t even recognize me if I change just my clothes or hairstyle.
As a mob character with actual presence as the underling of the final boss, you probably wouldn’t understand the struggles of someone like me.
“What are you doing out here?”
“I’m just doing my job. If you get in the way, I won’t show mercy—even if you are favored by the Dark Lord.”
“Fa… favored!?”
What part of being bound by a contract that’ll crush my heart if I break it—and being assigned two watchdogs to keep an eye on me—counts as favor?
Sure, lately he’s been worrying about me or getting lonely and coming to visit, but that doesn’t mean there are any romantic feelings between us, okay?
As I stood there dumbfounded, he suddenly turned his face away.
“Honestly… why the Dark Lord is wasting his time on such a fool is beyond me…”
Excuse me!? He’s really letting himself talk like that, huh.
I bristled, ready to snap back at him—but D’arcaic clearly had no intention of chatting with me, and in no time at all, he turned on his heel and walked away.
“What the heck is his problem? What a jerk.”
When I muttered my complaint, Jil threw me a sidelong glance.
“He’s right. It’s not like our master to show kindness to such a hopeless wreck.”
“How rude. If you’re going to insult me, do it when I’m not around.”
As frustrating as it was, I didn’t have time to argue.
Right now, more than anything, I needed to find Noel and Alois as soon as possible.
I pushed deeper into the forest, and eventually, I saw the two of them standing and talking in front of a massive tree.
Alois’s expression was clouded with emotion—and seeing that, I couldn’t help but recall a scene straight out of the game. My heart began to pound rapidly in my chest.