Volume 1, Chapter 29 – There Are Clubs Too?

Stella was completely numb.

If her duel with Cheryl was merely the sword of Damocles hanging over her head, then this time, she was truly finished, with absolutely no room left to maneuver.

Awaken her bloodline talent?

Those few words circled through Stella’s mind three times, sounding no different from a death knell urging her toward the grave.

What kind of joke was this? She was a purebred human, with nothing but the most ordinary mortal blood flowing through her veins. What demon bloodline was Vice Principal Mara supposed to awaken for her?

That so-called talent she had displayed in Human Interrogation Studies before had obviously just been an effect she faked by cheating with Holy Radiance Extraction from the Primordial Doctrine. It had absolutely nothing to do with a succubus bloodline.

If Vice Principal Mara personally conducted some kind of awakening ritual for her, it would basically be the same as throwing an ordinary rock into an alchemy furnace and expecting to refine gold from it.

And if that Vice Principal who delighted in stirring up chaos personally took charge of developing her…

Would this Saintess wearing a succubus skin even live to see tomorrow’s sun?

She probably wouldn’t even make it to tonight’s moon.

Stella’s face turned deathly pale. She subconsciously wanted to make the sign of the cross over her chest, but under the gazes of Remedios and Patolize, she could only change the gesture midway and rub her neck instead.

“That’s wonderful, Stella!”

Remedios had completely failed to notice anything strange about her. Her voice was filled with envy and admiration.

“The Vice Principal really treats you well. As far as I know, Vice Principal Mara has always been famous for her strictness. There are very few occasions when she gives a student such special treatment. Even seniors from prestigious families might not have the honor of having her personally oversee their awakening.”

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“…I could really do without an honor like that.”

Stella answered perfunctorily.

“Is that the arrogance of a genius? Don’t say that. This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years.” Remedios closed the observation journal in her hands and explained seriously. “For a succubus like you, who possesses SSS+ potential but whose bloodline power is still dormant, many families in the Demon Realm would resort to the most extravagant method available. They prepare a potion bath using precious materials to forcibly catalyze the magical power factors within your body and induce your bloodline awakening.”

‘A b-bath?’

Stella’s face grew even paler.

‘…Are they planning to boil me alive?!’

“Mentor Stella, it’s getting late. Please come with me!” Patolize glanced at the time and urged her onward.

“Good luck, Stella.” Remedios waved goodbye. “In any case, I’ll be waiting for the good news.”

‘…More like waiting for news of my death.’

Stella couldn’t help complaining inwardly.

On the way to the sixth floor of the castle, the portraits lining the corridor all turned to look at them. Patolize seemed completely unable to suppress her excitement. As she walked, she kept turning around to report her results to Stella.

“Mentor, I must offer you my deepest gratitude. I’ve already put the advice you gave me before into practice.”

Stella’s eyelid twitched, and an ominous premonition rose in her heart.

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“…Into practice?”

“Yes. Abandon false potions and return to a succubus’ instincts.” Patolize clenched her fist. “I went straight to her and, following your guidance, took over her soul using the most primitive and forceful method possible. Although the process was a little… intense, and we ended up demolishing about half the dormitory, the result was a tremendous success! Now, even seeing my shadow makes her tremble and reveal a look of love!”

Stella fell silent.

‘Do every single one of you succubi really have to take things this far?’

“Your guidance really was extremely helpful. Afterward, I gave it some serious thought. In order to allow even more confused sisters to receive Mentor Stella’s blessing and prevent them from straying farther and farther down the wrong path…”

Patolize suddenly stopped walking, wearing an expression that practically screamed for Stella to praise her.

“I already used my authority as a prefect and took the liberty of applying to the Student Council for a club slot on your behalf!”

“A c-club?”

Stella was both shocked and curious, rendered completely speechless.

“That’s right. The tentative name is Stella’s Spiritual Flogging Club. If you’re not satisfied with it, you can apply to change the name.”

“Although it’s still only in its earliest stages, as far as I know, quite a few freshmen are already lining up to apply for membership. Especially that junior student you advised to go fight a death duel before. If we don’t count anonymous students, then she’s your number one fan.”

Patolize said excitedly.

“Don’t worry. You won’t need to concern yourself with trivial matters. You only need to show up and preside over things during club activities every Sunday!”

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Stella’s vision went dark.

She thought of that freshman who had gone off to fight a death duel, then looked at the prefect in front of her who had just acted out a forced-love scenario. Add in the Spiritual Flogging Club that already reeked of heresy before it had even officially been founded.

Although these accidents had somehow allowed her to unlock pages of the Primordial Doctrine, had she come here to be an undercover agent or to become the leader of an evil cult?

Just what was with this constitution of hers, where the moment she opened her mouth, events would start charging wildly toward the most absurd possible outcome…

Stella weakly shook her head.

‘Forget it. I’m tired.’

She no longer had any spare energy to think about these things. Vice Principal Mara’s private instruction was already more than enough for her to deal with right now.

If she managed to walk out of that door alive, then she could think about how to disband that damned club.

“We’re here, Mentor.” Patolize stopped in front of an enormous brass door carved with mermaids and sirens. “Then I’ll escort you only this far. The Vice Principal is inside. You need a password to enter. Just say ‘beauty, elegance, talent’.”

“I look forward to seeing you become even more… powerful when you come out.” Patolize bowed deeply to Stella. After saying that, she turned and left with the satisfaction of someone who had completed her mission, leaving Stella alone in the empty corridor.

As far as Stella knew, the Prefects’ Washroom could normally only be used by the prefects of each year, the student council president, and the captains of the various teams participating in the Academy’s most popular beast-taming competitions. It was said to be extravagantly luxurious inside, even equipped with a royal-style bathing area capable of automatically providing different fragrances and magical bubbles.

By all rights, Stella wasn’t qualified to enter this place, but Vice Principal Mara had clearly made an exception for her.

However, in Stella’s eyes, this door representing privilege was no different from a one-way passage straight into hell.

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‘What should I do?’

Because the past few days had been filled with incident after incident, leaving her constantly frightened and anxious, Stella had gradually begun to grow accustomed to it.

At first, she would still feel uneasy, as though she had missed a step while walking downstairs, leaving her heart strangely unsettled. Later, she simply got used to it.

She was going to die either way. She might as well die with some dignity.

Under the moonlight spilling in through the nearby window, Stella placed her hand on the door handle and unconsciously muttered aloud.

“…Lord, if this is punishment for abusing Holy Arts to bully the nun, could You punish me some other way?”

Translator Note

Her mental state grows stronger…!

She got used to life-and-death situations! How incredible is that? xD