It's so hot... It's currently Autumn in this country, isn't it? How can it be so unbearably hot? It's heavy too... Why is it getting harder to breathe..?

The blanket is over my face.

"Mmmm..."

That voice, Sophie... she's laying on me, isn't she?

How can someone so small be so heavy...

This is exactly why I hated sleeping in the orphanage too. The smaller kids always rolled on to someone by the time morning came around.

Damn it, can't move my arms, the blankets managed to tie around them... I have to roll her off.

-Villain class trait: Stats lowered by half while fighting the Hero-

Oh oh.

My chest can't rise, my voice isn't coming out... I might actually die here...

Hurry and wake up, golden goose! You're about to be arrested for murder! I read a little bit about the legal proceedings and they don't distinguish between homicide, manslaughter and murder here!

Wake up..!

...

God? You probably saw me falling asleep during sermon yesterday. I'm sorry. If holy powers exist in this world, then clearly you must too.

Please save me. Not for my sake, no no no. But for your chosen Hero. She might get put in jail you know. You know what happens then? The Demon King destroys the world. Yeah.

Do you seriously intend on making this the tragic story where the Hero's friend dies and she gets a power up?

You probably would like that huh. Seeing as how you made me the Villain to make her grow.

God! Are you in the toilet or something?! Hey!!

...

...

Sophie, if I die at least make sure you run away, idiot. Don't let them catch you.

Your stat limits have been raised enough to beat the Demon King.. hopefully.

We didn't spend much time together but it was a fun one.

I'm sorry for making you cry so much until now...

...

...

...

-Willpower: 11/12-

HEAL!

Wake up, wake up, wake up! I REFUSE TO DIE HERE POLITELY! I refuse to repent! You think a person's heart changes so easily!?

After I get out of here, I'm so gonna make you cry! I'll bring up this incident as leverage everyday until the day we die! I'm going to make your crybaby trait turn into the legendary rank!

"Mmm... Claud? Where are you?"

Sophie! I'm halfway between the mortal realm and the clouds above, get off me quickly! Hurry...

"Oh! I'm so sorry!"

T-thank god... I lived... Air... Air is so delicious...

"Are you okay..? Claud..?"

After quite some time gasping for air, I regained my composure.

I flicked my gaze in Sophie's direction, she visibly flinched and slowly backed away.

Optional dialogue. It's your time to shine. Presently, optional dialogue was akin to that of a slipper that parents used to beat their misbehaving children.

"You little!"

"Kyaaaa!"

"Don't you dare run away from me!"

"Kyaaaa!"

I grabbed her face and pinched as hard as I could.

-15/50 Bad deeds completed. Embarrass successful. Hurt successful. Scold successful-

"I-I'm so sowwy!~"

"Are you really, really sorry?"

"I am!"

"Then you better cry for forgiveness!"

"Waaaah!"

----------------------------------------

-Hero's Crybaby trait has evolved to Super Rare rank-

-Villain's Sadistic trait has evolved to Super Rare rank. Gain double satisfaction from others' pain-

-50/50 Bad deeds completed. Embarrass successful. Hurt successful. Scold successful-

-Villain's Sub main quest completed. Hero's personal skill: Ally Empower granted to Sophie-

-New Sub Main Quest: 0/50 Bad deeds completed-

Phew! That was refreshing. Thank me for guiding you with a stern hand, dear Hero. You've acquired a new skill for your troubles.

"Uweehhh... uuuuu... Clauuuud, that was mean... my cheeks are painful..."

"Quit whining or I'll do it again!"

-4/50 Bad deeds completed. Scare successful. Scold successful. Threaten successful.-

"...uuuueeh... hic... uuuu... how could you do this to me... I'm a hero..."

She whispered that last part but I overheard it anyways...

It's precisely because you're the Hero, that I'm doing this though... We can take our complaints up to Heaven later.

"Stand up immediately and prepare for class! I won't tolerate anymore tears."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

-8/50 Bad deeds completed. Scare successful. Scold successful. Threaten successful.-

"Hic... hic..."

Hmm, right about now is the time for the carrot. After punishing us harshly, the nanny would always comfort us after.

I cast a Heal spell on her before we leave the room.

"T-thank you, Claud."

Don't thank me after I just bullied you. That makes me feel like shit.

As I open the door, I notice a lot of voices. Why are so many people crowded outside my room?

[Karma has dropped by 100. Karma is now -300]

"Did you hear that? She thanked him."

Are the walls really that thin? She could hear that?

"That guy's messed up..."

"It's the same guy who bullied her in the yard on the first day..."

"I feel really bad for her..."

[Karma has dropped by 400. Karma is now -700]

I feel as if there has been a terrible misunderstanding...

I didn't even hit her. I pinched her cheeks, damn it. What I did was gentle in comparison to nanny who would chase us mercilessly with her feather duster. Those beatings left scarring on my calves...

Sophie, stop sniffling over my sleeves already... You're making me look seriously evil.

[Karma has dropped by 100. Karma is now -800]

How far can this Karma stat possibly drop... I won't get cursed if I gather too much negative Karma right?

The whisperings in the corridors were incredibly loud.

Within the next few days, things got out of hand incredibly quickly. There were people observing us wherever we went.

[Karma has dropped by 300. Karma is now -1100]

The rumors even spread to the instructor of the Swordsman Class because on the 7th day, he started approaching the moment he spotted us.

[Karma has dropped by 50. Karma is now -1150]

"Young Branford, I understand the reckless passions of youth but do not do anything now that you might regret in the future. No matter what you do after this, please take responsibility for Miss Sophie."

Huh? What is this guy saying... Regret in the future? Passions of youth? I don't get it.

"I-It's not what you think instructor, Claud didn't do anything wrong, I did."

Thank you for supporting me, Sophie.

"Miss Sophie, if Young Branford ever asks for something which goes too far and you don't want to reciprocate, please understand that it isn't your fault."

Ask for something? I didn't ask for anything...

"N-no, Claud didn't do anything... it was genuinely my fault. I was the one who was on top of him and provoked him. I deserved it.."

People started coughing in the surroundings and a lot of guys folded over holding their stomachs.

Yeah yeah, you're laughing at me right? Someone that small almost suffocated me in my sleep. Why am I getting pissed on for just pinching her face?

"Ahem... you were the one that initiated it..? Well regardless, heed my earlier advice and be careful youngsters. Your futures are incredibly important."

Yeah, in an alternate timeline where I died there, the world would have been doomed with Sophie spending a lifetime in jail.

"Does your stomach hurt, Miss Sophie? Are you feeling lightheaded?"

"My stomach does feel a bit heavier than usual. But no, only my cheeks hurt."

Your cheeks hurt because you stuffed so much food in your face, you glutton. Don't blame me for that when I pinched your cheeks 7 days ago.

"Ahem! I see..."

[Karma has dropped by 500. Karma is now -1650]

Hey! That was the biggest drop so far! What the hell did I do to deserve that?! I thought the situation was cleared up!

"Branford..."

He dropped the young title.. I have a bad feeling about this.

"You absolutely have to take responsibility now. Am I understood? For both of your honors, I will be reporting this incident to both of your households. Most likely they will make arrangements, you two might have to leave the academy for some time."

What?! This other world has some strange sense of honor... Just because I bullied her a little bit, both of us have to leave school?!

"Claud Branford! Respond! Am I understood?!"

-Willpower: 10/12-

"Yes sir."

Damn it.

"Branford, the rumors have spread too far, even the kitchen ladies know. I will try to stifle them but it is likely the news has already reached your father, the Count. I have personally witnessed the tight knit bond of you and Lady Sophie. I will seek the assistance of other instructors and do my best to ensure you two stay together."

Is bullying really that big of a deal in this world?!

-Willpower: 9/12-

"Instructor, sir there seems to have been a misunderstanding I only-"

"Claud Branford! This has gone too far to be a mere misunderstanding... I will beg your father to spare you... Do not worry. I will protect Lady Sophie as well."

Bullying is a crime worthy of death? And the victim might get executed too?!

"I-It's okay, Claud! Don't be scared, I'm with you!"

Sophie... I feel like crying right now... This system really was trying to kill me... Bullying in a world, where the punishment is death. This really is going too far...

"For now, both of you return to your rooms and pack your belongings. Firstly an instructor will escort you both to Branford County, then to Lady Sophie's household as is custom."

There's even a protocol for this, my head really might go to the guillotine if I mess this up. I thought things were going well... how did it end up like this?

"Steel your hearts, Sophie, Claud. An incredible responsibility beyond your age is about to be foisted on your shoulders."

Maybe if I just expose Sophie as the Hero, I can get out of this safely... Saving the world is more important than bullying after all.

"I-I'll protect you, Claud! Don't worry okay? You didn't hurt me that much I was just whining..."

Sophie has already resolved herself. I should too. Damn it.

I headed back to my room and took everything. I might not see this room for a while. I thought we would be here for a bit longer. I was getting comfortable too. I've spent the most time inside this room then any other place since I came to this world.

"Claud? I've packed my bag... are you ready?"

Yeah. I'm ready but my legs don't want to leave.

"We'll be back here before we know it, okay?"

I hope so...

Outside the door, the Priest instructor was waiting for us.

"Greetings, Sophie and Claud."

"Are you going to be the one bringing us home, Miss Carissa?"

"Yes, dear. Rest assured, the Lord will look favorably upon your union as long as your intentions are pure. I have no doubt, he will. You two are so close after all.."

----------------------------------------

It only took a short while to arrive with the magic carriages.

My brain had almost stopped functioning at this point. Words were entering my mind, but I couldn't come up with anything to do with the information.

Up to this point, everything had been in my control. Our training regime, plans for the day, the classes we attended but that had all been taken away in moments. I can't predict what will happen. I feel like I am on death row.

Despite all the hours we spent in the library, I've never read about such a situation.

I have to collect my nerves. I can still influence the course of events. Present yourself well... You're the Villain, Claud Branford. Compose yourself.

"Welcome home, Young Master Branford and Lady Sophie!"

That's a lot of servants...

And in the center, a man and woman. They must be my parents.

-Willpower: 8/12-

"Greetings Father, Mother. I, Claud Branford have returned."

I bowed.

"Greetings Count Branford, Countess Branford."

Sophie curtsied.

Good. Sophie and I greeted them well.

Sophie's not nervous at the very least. I have no idea what Claud's parents' personalities are like but I have hope.

"Lady Carissa. The orb."

The orb? Lady Carissa brought a glowing white orb from the carriage and floated it in between me and the Count.

"Welcome home, son. Is this young lady who you have chosen?"

What is that question about? I guess I can interpret it for my own benefit... I didn't really choose to bully her... the system made me the Villain by itself.

-Willpower: 7/12-

"No, I did not choose her."

The orb stayed white.

Like I thought, I can't blindly agree with whatever he's asking. It must be a truth orb...

"Did you create this farce to leave the academy?! Do you intend to abandon your obligations?!"

-Willpower: 6/12-

"No, I fully intend to return to the academy."

Like hell, I'd want to stay in this place where I don't know what's going on...

The orb didn't change this time. The Count's eyes ever so slightly showed surprise.

"And what about you, young lady? What do you think of our son?" the Countess asked.

Please don't throw me under the bus, Sophie...

"I-I... Claud is mean... But I-I don't hate him. I'll follow him wherever he goes because I can be stronger with him.

We've known each other since the entrance exam. He lent me his aid at that time and told me that I could be strong if I became his partner. Ever since we've been training together, attending classes together and together we've been growing stronger."

The orb maintained the same white glow.

I thought her emphasis on the word 'together' was a little heartwarming.

"I've heard rumors the two of you have been sleeping in the same room. Is this true, son?"

-Willpower: 5/12-

"Yes, father."

The orb remain unchanged. I was a hundred percent certain now, it detects lies.

The Count and Countess' faces darkened.. their brows barely dipped but I could tell. They're upset. Ugh... I want to explain I didn't hit her and just pinched her, but it would only sound like excuses.

"Both of you, do you reciprocate each others' feelings?"

These abstract questions are really stretching my mind to its limit... Does he mean whether we've made up and are friends now? Fortunately Sophie spoke up for me.

"Claud.. I want to stay with you. I could stand up again and fight because you were there to push me. You can be mean sometimes but I became stronger because I was with you. "

True, you did unlock your stat limits because I made you cry so much.

-Willpower: 4/12-

"I can only grow stronger because I'm with you, Sophie,-"

Because my stats scale off yours.

"-I don't want to leave you either."

Because you're my golden goose after all.

Please don't separate us because I bullied her... if I can't bully her, her Hero powers won't develop... Look we've already made up!

The orb... glowed a bright white.

The Count and Countess are... smiling?