Chapter 31: As Expected of Me.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully correcting the Female Lead: Shirleyviel Connalt.]

[Rewards will be issued after the Host leaves the first act of the plot.]

“Huh?”

The sudden announcement startled Ian, who was still rackng his brain for a way to escape the plot.

Coming to his senses, he hurriedly opened his Information Panel.

The line belonging to Shirleyviel had strikingly changed.

[Shirleyviel Connalt: Correction Degree 100% (Completed. Rewards will be issued after the Host leaves the first act of the plot.)]

‘Great!’

‘It actually worked!’

‘The Plot Correction Force is amazing!’

‘But why is the font for Shirleyviel’s text so red? It’s a bit blinding.’

‘Whatever, it’s not a big deal. I’ll just have the System change it later.’

The most important thing now was how to avoid getting entangled in the first act’s plot so he could claim his rewards.

Knowing that Shirleyviel’s correction task was ‘complete’ made Ian even more determined to distance himself from the narrative.

Now, he had been inexplicably saddled with the task of guiding the protagonist, Arthur Reinhardt.

It was a direct order from the King, meaning he couldn’t just walk away from it.

Tomorrow, he would have to go and instruct that guy, Arthur Reinhardt.

‘How can I complete this task without letting Arthur Reinhardt pull me into the plot…’

And then, the sun rose.

It wasn’t because Ian had come up with a solution, but simply because morning had arrived.

Ian had no choice but to put on the Phantom Star Mask again.

He would have to take things one step at a time.

Using a teleportation circle specially authorized by King William, Ian soon arrived at the designated High-level Practice Field within the Imperial Royal Magic Academy.

Not long after Ian arrived, the sound of footsteps echoed through the area.

Turning around, he saw Amivy approaching with…

Shirleyviel?!

‘Wait, why is she here too?!’

Ian looked with surprise at Shirleyviel, who was maintaining a polite distance despite Amivy’s attentive courtesy.

Today, Shirleyviel was wearing a white gown adorned with gorgeous patterns.

Her long, silver-white hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and her exquisite face was pale, yet she wore a soft, beautiful smile.

Her red eyes were clear, resembling translucent rubies.

She looked fragile and lovely, like a snow lotus that required careful protection.

Although Shirleyviel was as beautiful and delicate as ever, for some reason, the moment Ian laid eyes on her, he felt a subtle sense of wrongness.

But he couldn’t quite pin down what was off…

Amivy was clearly a bit surprised as well.

She frowned slightly; she hadn’t expected that the instructor arranged by that man would be Ian.

When Shirleyviel saw the masked Ian, her already crimson eyes grew even redder, almost to the point of glowing.

‘Hehe, found you, my dear kitty…’

The current Shirleyviel Connalt had mastered Spatial Magic.

To her, the cognitive distortion of the Phantom Star Mask practically didn’t exist.

Shirleyviel walked gracefully toward Ian, showing impeccable etiquette.

“This must be the instructor from the Tower of Stars. Shirleyviel offers her greetings. I hope to observe quietly from the side without interfering with your lesson, Master.”

Her gaze lingered on Ian’s Phantom Star Mask for less than half a second before she naturally looked away.

Her eyes remained calm and undisturbed, as if she were truly meeting this “instructor” for the first time.

Shirleyviel’s dignified and proper demeanor sent waves of shock through Ian’s heart.

‘She’s normal!’

‘She’s so incredibly normal!’

‘Is this what she looks like after being corrected?’

She understood etiquette, knew how to behave in public, and even ‘proactively’ interacted with the male protagonist…

‘Exactly! This is the Female Lead I want to see!’

‘But why does this practice field feel so chilly? It’s making my spine tingle.’

However, it wasn’t a big deal.

Suddenly, Ian had a bold idea.

His gaze shifted back and forth between the “sweetly interacting” Shirleyviel and Amivy.

The Protagonist Party!

According to the original plot, several important female characters—Shirleyviel and Otillia—would always gather around the protagonist, Arthur Reinhardt.

Their meetings and interactions were the driving forces that pushed the plot forward.

He had been overthinking things before, focusing only on how to avoid being involved and how to struggle to escape.

Why couldn’t he think about it from the opposite perspective and directly utilize the “Power of the Plot”?

He could simply have Otillia, Shirleyviel, and the protagonist, Arthur, form a three-person party.

The powerful inertia of the plot would likely fill in the details automatically and drive the story forward.

When that happened, wouldn’t he, as the “outside instructor,” be able to beautifully fade into the background and disappear?

Moreover, Arthur and the other two would gradually grow stronger as the plot progressed.

This way, he would complete the “guidance” task assigned by the King and his master while minimizing the risk of being dragged into the plot himself!

‘Damn! That’s perfect!’

‘Am I actually a genius?’

While Ian was pondering how to find a suitable reason to “naturally” arrange for Otillia to join this “Protagonist Party” to trigger the Protagonist Party Bond and summon the “plot,” he failed to notice something.

Shirleyviel’s gaze had been fixed on him the entire time, clinging to him like honey without missing a single detail.

Deep within those crimson eyes, a sense of pleasure swirled, nearly becoming tangible.

While one was thinking about how to assemble a three-person team, the other was thinking about how to have him all to herself.

Only the “Imperial Prince,” Arthur Reinhardt—who had been trying to be helpful but was being ignored—had become an outsider.

‘Wait, isn’t this my training session?’

‘Why am I the outsider here?’

Between the way Shirleyviel was looking at Ian with eyes that practically trailed silk, and Otillia’s loss of control during the exhibition match…

What right did this damn masked man have to earn the favor of two such beautiful ladies?

Sure, he was a bit strong, had a decent build, and possessed a mysterious sort of handsomeness, but still.

“Ahem, Master Chaoslanna?”

Unable to watch any longer, Amivy spoke up to get his attention.

Hearing Amivy’s reminder, both Shirleyviel and Ian snapped out of their respective fantasies.

Ian cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Your Highness. What are your orders?”

Amivy: “…”

‘Aren’t you my instructor? Why are you asking me?’

Seeing Amivy’s strange expression, Ian finally realized that he was currently acting as her special instructor.

“Ah, my apologies, Your Highness,” Ian said, quickly adjusting his state.

His voice beneath the mask became serious.

“I was just conceptualizing the upcoming teaching plan. Well then, let us begin.”

“First of all, based on the battle from a few days ago, Your Highness is quite skilled in using various Hero Skills.”

“Therefore, we will not be studying magic today…”

“Not studying magic? Then what are we learning?”

“We are going to learn about teamwork…”

“Teamwork?”

A hint of curiosity flashed in Amivy’s eyes.

“That’s right.”

“But in my opinion, a powerful individual is the true foundation. If one’s own strength is lacking, even the best coordination is just a burden.”

Her words carried the pride of a “Hero,” but it was indeed her current way of thinking.

At least, it was until she met “companions” of sufficient caliber.

“Your Highness is absolutely correct; individual strength is indeed the foundation.”

Ian didn’t argue. Instead, he went along with her logic.

“Therefore, to match your status as the ‘Hero,’ you need two teammates of extraordinary strength to assist you.”

“For instance, the lady beside you and the lady you saved on stage that day would be very suitable as your teammates.”