I Became a Demon Who Can Never Be Headpatted in the Academy?! – Chapter 3

Nicasia Holimpia.

The main heroine of Legend of Academy.

Nicasia, the princess of the “Empire Where the Sun Never Sets,” is a young lady who is fundamentally striving to become a “Hero” at Cosmos Academy.

Thus, in the “Hero Route,” she becomes a good rival to Murmur, and in the “Demon King Route,” she becomes an enemy to be defeated.

Since she frequently appears in various events, it was never a bad idea to build up her favorability early on. Once you become friends, she openly takes your side.

“Gulp…”

『Stress has increased by 5!』

However, Nicasia Holimpia was a stark contrast to Murmur.

Murmur, who was saved by a hero but ultimately became an orphan, faced constant discrimination and contempt from many.

Nicasia Holimpia, being the emperor’s daughter, was born into nobility and was praised and adored by everyone.

If Murmur were to become a hero, people would laugh, but if Nicasia were to become a hero, they would applaud her for striving to achieve greatness.

While playing the game, I found the differences between the two characters quite amusing, but now that I’m in their shoes, it feels quite strange.

“Your Highness, the tea prepared today is a rare item brought from the Duchy of Agrippa.”

“It’s truly admirable how you eat everything without being picky!”

“After school today, you are supposed to meet Count Flandor, but shall I decline for you?”

Unlike me, eating alone and lonely, Nicasia was extremely lively.

Fortunately, Nicasia’s appearance wasn’t an unexpected event. In fact, I was somewhat glad for this encounter.

“Your Highness? May I join you for the meal?”

The brown-haired lady approached with a bright smile, holding a bowl in both hands.

Joining her at the dining hall was a given, but of course, I couldn’t just casually sit next to the “princess” as if it were nothing.

“I’m sorry. I’m currently dining with someone.”

“Huh…? Surely you’re not referring to this demon here, are you?”

“I told you, I’m currently dining with someone. Miss Esme.”

The brown-haired lady, Esme Bloodberry, glared at me openly.

I had anticipated this situation, but it was still terrifying. Does a princess of the empire have political instincts from elementary school?

By saying she didn’t want her meal disturbed, she naturally redirected any arrows coming her way towards me.

Scary, really scary! Thinking about what happens in high school, it’s clear she had it in her from the start.

“This is ridiculous… dining with such filth…”

“Miss Esme. Didn’t you hear what Her Highness said?”

The maid added a word, and Esme snorted, glaring at me.

“Don’t get cocky. Her Highness is just playing around with you!”

Sticking out her tongue, Esme quickly walked to another table in the dining hall.

Anyway, the event I remember ends here. It’s the first appearance of Nicasia Holimpia and Esme Bloodberry, subtly hinting at the hardships the player will face.

Esme Bloodberry would frequently appear later, earning the nickname “combat power gauge” for her constant provocations.

“Your Highness, have you received the Empress’s letter?”

“Ah… I’ll reply tomorrow.”

Nicasia was still sitting in front of me. She had just finished her meal but was enjoying the tea and dessert brought by the maid.

Come to think of it, this dining hall had desserts too, right? A white cream cake with lots of fruit on top—I always liked that, so maybe I’ll try a bit.

“Hmm, hmm…”

By the way, Nicasia is truly a well-trained “princess.” She doesn’t make loud noises with her utensils or spill food, eating with such elegance.

Even her noble upbringing and good physique make her seem truly elegant. Seeing her in person feels so different from just looking at an illustration.

─ Grumble!

“Huh…?”

“Hmm?”

While staring intently at Nicasia, my stomach growled at the worst possible moment.

“… Do you want to eat this cake?”

Nicasia pointed to the remaining slice of cake.

“Your Highness… There’s no need to show such mercy to a demon…”

Seeing the maid looking at me with a troubled expression, I felt this moment was an opportunity.

I, Murmur, am indeed a demon, but I’m not the rude and violent brat they imagine!

Maybe I should show them I can eat cake just like Nicasia? I did want to eat it, and sharing cake could increase Nicasia’s favorability!

Sharing snacks with a friend is clearly an event that boosts favorability, right? There were similar events with other characters!

“If Nicasia is okay with it, I’ll eat.”

* * *

Nicasia Holimpia smiled and handed the bowl with the strawberry cream cake to the maid.

“Please enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

Murmur, who properly expressed her gratitude, held the fork in her right hand. The large fork looked a bit out of place in her small hand, but it was actually advantageous for eating the cake like a spoon.

‘I’m sorry for making you unable to get up from your seat, but this turned out well.’

Nicasia leisurely sipped her fragrant tea, watching Murmur.

Murmur’s sky-blue hair shimmered like a clear sky, and her well-dressed uniform, though slightly worn, was not dirty at all. The only flaw was that the sleeves covered her hands completely, as she wore it oversized for longevity.

As the empire’s princess, Nicasia found Murmur’s reactions and behavior quite amusing.

‘Other demons either look at me with hateful eyes or blatantly avoid me, but this child doesn’t act like that.’

It was natural. Murmur didn’t dislike Nicasia; she wanted to be friends with her.

‘For someone who doesn’t avoid me… she doesn’t blatantly flatter me either.’

It was natural. Murmur thought Nicasia would hate her.

Most people dealing with Nicasia, like Esme Bloodberry, desperately tried to befriend her and establish a relationship. Even if they were told at home, “Be friends with Princess Nicasia!” even elementary school children instinctively knew about “noble beings.”

Thus, Murmur’s behavior of cutting the cake into three large pieces and eating it was incredibly fresh to Nicasia.

“Murmur, do you like the cake?”

Nicasia naturally knew Murmur.

Murmur, saved by a “failed hero,” spent her childhood at Cosmos Academy and was attending elementary school, so Nicasia couldn’t possibly not know her name as a classmate.

But Murmur looked at Nicasia with startled eyes and nodded. She was blatantly flustered.

“I like it… It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad. If Murmur is okay with it, shall we dine together next time too?”

Nicasia smiled, but Murmur’s face turned slightly pale.

“You don’t like it when people like Esme approach you, do you?”

It was a bit of a sudden remark, but it was correct. Nicasia didn’t want to be disturbed by flatterers during meals.

“Yes, if I dine with Murmur, such things won’t happen.”

Murmur widened her eyes and looked at Nicasia.

“… The princess offered to dine with me, and I dare not refuse…”

“But she’s quite a polite child, isn’t she? If it were other noble ladies, they would have clapped and made a fuss.”

“She’s not from Pandemonium, is she?”

Murmur couldn’t hear, but Nicasia’s maids whispered, covering their mouths.

They held common prejudices against demons, but Murmur’s polite and cute behavior was changing their views.

“Umm…”

“If Murmur is uncomfortable, I won’t force you.”

“Can I really dine with Nicasia? I’m a demon, you know.”

Nicasia was momentarily speechless. As a “royal,” she had a duty. A sacred duty to protect the empire’s people from evil, violent, and heinous demons.

In other words, it was a duty to fight demons. Unlike heroes selected through trials, “royals” were born with such duties. To put it harshly, all royals were beings who had to kill demons.

‘To call herself a demon so cautiously…’

Nicasia felt heartache. Murmur’s reaction painfully reminded her of her own struggles to walk a different path from her sister.

‘But it’s natural. I’m a royal. It’s natural for demons to harbor hatred, suspicion, and distrust towards me.’

Nicasia wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled.

Just as a snake cannot understand a frog’s heart, a frog cannot understand a snake’s heart. There were still many stepping stones to cross to understand each other’s hearts.

“I want to dine with you, Murmur.”

“Ugh…”

Murmur grabbed her horns with both hands and crouched.

“Murmur?”

“Y-Your Highness!”

Looking at Murmur, who stood up with a pale face, Nicasia couldn’t help but laugh.

At the same time, she thought.

This child might be the person I’ve been looking for.

* * *

『Stress has increased by 10!』

『Murmur』

【Health 100 Magic 100 Hunger 0 Stress 35】

“What do you mean, ‘Your Highness’! Stupid Murmur!”

Things have gone completely awry.

Princess Nicasia is indeed a terrifying young lady. To block the advances of annoying nobles like Esme, she thought of using a demon?!

The cake was delicious, but isn’t this too much?! She knew that if she dined with me, no one would approach her, so she made the offer, right?

『A new event has been confirmed!』

《Dining with Nicasia Holimpia in the Morning》

《Time: Morning》

If we make this arrangement, what happens to the events in the dining hall? Do I lose the chance to meet other characters? I agreed without thinking because I thought I could get closer to Nicasia, but she never said it was okay for me to be a demon, right?

Can I still see the events I must see in elementary school? If the events get all messed up, my perfect true ending plan will be ruined, right?

“Ugh… hot…”

And there’s an unexpected variable.

Murmur’s body, perhaps due to a “genetic defect,” is incredibly weak. If I think too hard, her horns get extremely hot.

Like a smartphone battery exploding, they get so hot that if I don’t cool them by holding them, my head spins.

Damn it! How ridiculous do I look? Nicasia ended up laughing, right? Was the sight of a demon clutching her horns and groaning that funny?!

Even now, my horns suddenly got hot, and I’m crouching in the hallway, groaning—is this funny?! Is it funny?!

“Sigh…”

I even messed up my pronunciation. I wanted to show that demons can be polite and kind, but I failed, no matter how I look at it!

“Murmur… let’s not dwell on the past.”

It wasn’t an original event anyway. My favorability probably didn’t drop. What’s important is now!

In Legend of Academy, characters can take “desired classes.” Since it’s a raising sim, I need to start taking “desired classes” now.

What classes were there again?

Martial Arts Class increases strength, agility, and health, and you can learn a few skills, right?

Magic Class increases intelligence and teaches skills unavailable in Martial Arts Class.

Art Class increases charm and helps create gifts needed to boost favorability!

History Class teaches new knowledge, and unlocking certain triggers here allows hidden choices in specific events.

Basic Knowledge Class increases wisdom and teaches knowledge unavailable in History Class.

Moreover, these classes become more specialized as you move from elementary to middle to high school.

Since we’re still in elementary school, it feels like we’re learning everything broadly.

“Being a demon…”

Murmur’s strength and agility are a pitiful 6. In Reoa, if your stats are low, you get “penalties” during event checks, so focusing on what you’re good at is more likely to yield benefits.

Since I mainly play “ironman” mode without save-loading, I know how to choose the most beneficial environment.

“Nicasia doesn’t take Magic Class, so this might actually be better.”

Murmur’s intelligence is 10. She has the ability to use magic as well as an average adult.

In other words! The class Murmur can benefit from right now is “Magic Class”!

Without hesitation, I quickly ran to the Magic Class classroom, cooling my horns as I went.