Come to think of it... Wasn’t my actual first original task supposed to be sabotaging Julius on the first day?
The same task that the original Cael had failed before?
It was something I had completely ignored due to my hyperfixation on Evelina.
But... I already changed the plot the moment I entered this academy, not just the tournament.
It was a small realization, something that took me longer than expected, but it was great; it meant I was already a huge step closer to changing Evelina’s original fate.
And while I was thinking, we both had already arrived at our destination.
The general dormitory, compared to the rooms of me, her, Julius, and the rest of the class.
Theirs was far more average, still luxurious, but not over the top compared to S-Rank students.
And I already had a feeling I knew what she was planning.
To rig the tournament and ensure she was ranked highest.
In the original novel, my first actual task was similar: to sabotage the original rankings from the crystal and ensure her place at the top of the list.
But of course, that wasn’t an option anymore, so now instead of just messing with papers, we were messing with the general student body.
"Room 5B, 7A, and 14C."
Evelina pointed out where their rooms were located while we were outside the building.
"I need them out of the picture."
She spoke coldly: her personality was like a switch; she could either go from a normal student to a schemer who would ensure she reigned supreme.
And now, I get to see the latter.
"Why them specifically?" I asked, I knew this had something to do with the tournament, but as for the targeting of specific students.
That was entirely foreign to me; in fact, she would need advance knowledge to pick targets that specifically.
"Isn’t it obvious? I already knew this was going to happen."
Evelina chuckled, brushing a strand of her hair. "Don’t tell me you actually fell for my feigned ignorance back at the classroom?"
"I already received information from the faculty the minute morning had arrived."
Right...
Some of the faculty worked for Evelina’s family; in fact, most of the faculty worked for most of each of the students’ families, but compared to them.
Evelina knew how to leverage that. because instead of being simple workers, they were more like obedient servants, willing to break the academy’s rules to help the D’Arclight family eventually rule the kingdom.
And that wasn’t something most could do... each of the academy’s staff had a contract that physically and mentally prevented them from helping the students in any unfair way.
But... demonology easily made that contract null.
It was over-the-top, but... it was fitting for a novel like this.
"How would you like me to approach this?"
I asked.
"...I expected hesitation..." Evelina expressed surprise, while she accepted obedience, complete acceptance was a pleasant surprise.
"Never mind, do whatever you deem necessary, just make sure you don’t get caught."
She replied; it was clear she wasn’t going to help; in fact, if anything went wrong, she wanted me to take the blame for everything while she feigned innocence.
This was both a test and a task.
I had already passed the loyalty test, and now I had to pass the competence test.
Simply being very good at magic and demonology wasn’t enough for her; to her, that didn’t matter if you didn’t know how to use them properly.
"Do this for me... and I might reciprocate some of your feelings."
Evelina cupped my cheek, looking at me straight in the eye with a smile I could only describe as devilish.
Her face was intoxicating. I have dreamed of seeing this manipulative side of her firsthand.
"Remember... fail, and well... you know what will happen."
A threat.
An oh so beautiful threat.
Evelina walked off, brushing her hand against my shoulders as she left, likely preparing herself for tomorrow’s tournament.
"Anything I deem necessary, huh...?"
I cupped the cheek that Evelina’s hand once touched, feeling her warmth through it.
This was a job I had already done countless times before, and that was without magic... this was not going to be a problem at all.
[Eye of the Profaned (Unique)]
I laugh silently.
"Not a problem at all..."
[Profaned Step]
FWOOSH!
***
I appeared in front of Room 5B.
The entire hallway on the whole floor was as empty as a graveyard.
Most students were already on their way to class when it was cancelled, so I had a few minutes to prepare before the occupants arrived.
And my mind was already swirling with ideas on how to approach this task.
Make them disappear? Injure them badly through an accident? Persuade them? Threaten them?
Countless possibilities, each one guaranteed to work.
But... what would be the best decision for Evelina to notice me?
Of course, a combination of tactics, each one stacked together to ensure nothing would go wrong.
"After all... why stick with one when you can do multiple?"
I chuckle, covering my mouth to hide my growing amusement.
Her promise to reciprocate my feelings... I know full well she likely didn’t mean it... But the chance, the small chance, she meant it.
I was ecstatic.
[Progress to Hidden Ability: 1/100]
The system chimed in behind me, just out of sight and out of hearing.
It made sure I wasn’t aware of it.