Chapter 10

"talking" (Mc to system) [System]

"Ifia, why are you being so unreasonable? You actually want to join the art club!"

Irene took a moment to calm herself before speaking, her complex expression making Ifia feel unease. The art club, shocking even the female lead, seemed a bit off.

However, when Amelia introduced the art club, she seemed completely at ease, and nothing seemed amiss.

Ifia thought her relationship with Amelia was already quite good, and Amelia wouldn't deceive her, right?

With this in mind, Ifia looked at Irene, her eyes silently saying 'tell me more,' silently encouraging Irene to speak more and clarify things for her.

"The art club at Pulis Academy has a long history. It has produced many renowned painters whose fame echoes throughout the West Empire. In interviews with newspapers, they mentioned that the art club was the cradle of their learning and growth. Even after graduation, they couldn't forget the efforts and dedication they put into their studies at the club. It's a magical place where inspiration bursts forth."

"Therefore, being a member of the Pulis Academy art club is a source of pride in the empire's artistic circles. Other painters have admired and yearned for the art club for a long time. Unfortunately, membership is limited to students of this institution."

"But, precisely because of its excessive fame, the entry requirements for the art club are even more stringent."

As Irene spoke, she looked at Ifia with a disapproving gaze. She couldn't understand why her new roommate had such big dreams, wanting to join the art club!

After all, among this year's new students, there was Loki Lilith, who had a masterpiece titled "Lady Butterfly in the Garden." The beautiful and dreamy atmosphere of the painting made everyone who saw it unable to help but praise it. The delicate and exquisite brushstrokes were enough to show that her future prospects were limitless.

A super talented rising star!

However, after confidently applying to join the Pulis Academy art club, she was quickly rejected.

The reason for the rejection was simple: not enough fame, and her father was just a minor viscount, making her ineligible for membership.

Faced with this merciless blow, Loki Lilith felt disheartened and put down her brushes.

She declared that she would never touch a paintbrush again.

With Loki Lilith's example before them, others who wanted to apply for the art club had to carefully consider whether they were qualified. If they weren't eligible, it was better not to bring shame upon themselves.

Even nobles had to think twice, let alone commoners.

As a result, all the members of the Pulis Academy art club were undoubtedly the cream of the crop among nobility.

Amelia Barlen was one of them.

Amelia came from a prestigious family, and her talent was exceptional. She now served as the vice president of the art club. It was rumored that sometimes even the president had to seek Amelia's opinion before making decisions.

It could be said that the Pulis Academy art club had become a garden exclusive to the nobility.

To enter, one must have an expensive invitation to qualify for admission!

As a result, when her roommate Ifia expressed a desire to apply for the art club, it was truly a terrible decision.

Irene could already imagine the scene when Ifia went for the art club interview and faced challenges.

"Is the Pulis Academy art club really that impressive?"

While Irene thought Ifia was being unrealistic, Ifia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had thought there might be something wrong with the art club.

However, that was it?

Although Irene made it sound difficult to join the art club, for Ifia, it didn't seem much different from the other clubs, all with high requirements.

As a little "waste," she couldn't get into any other clubs.

So, she might as well pull some strings.

Ifia, relieved after the false alarm, lightly patted her chest. She looked at Irene, who was still waiting for a response, and instead of boasting, she humbly replied, "People should have dreams. Who knows, maybe I can join the art club!"

Ifia wouldn't foolishly announce that she hadn't yet confirmed her entry into the art club. After all, it was a backdoor approach and had to be kept quiet.

"Well, good luck then."

Seeing Ifia determined to give it a try, Irene didn't try to dissuade her further. After all, actions spoke louder than words. If Ifia failed to make it, Irene could comfort her then.

Now, it was time to continue studying!

After Irene mentioned her intention to study, Ifia, now clarified, didn't disrupt her further this time.

She shifted her posture from a semi-reclined position, propped up on her arms, to lying completely flat. Her eyes stared at the ceiling, turning around, thinking about Amelia's comforting words and the internal recruitment of the art club. She couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The laughter carried a hint of triumph.

Quickly realizing, Ifia raised her hand, hugged her blanket tightly, and buried her face in it.

With excitement bubbling inside, Ifia focused on the system.

(System, becoming friends with Amelia isn't that difficult of a task. I can easily complete it!)

[Please complete the task first before speaking. Arrogance leads to falling behind, and it's also easy to end up with an empty bamboo basket.]

[System, other people's systems encourage their hosts. Why do you always pour cold water on me? Hmph, just wait. I'll complete the task and make you call me daddy!]

Upon hearing the system's sarcastic tone again, Ifia immediately accused it with displeasure.

Although her previous attitude of lying flat and being lazy didn't make her a good host, she was taking action now. Yet, the waste of a system kept saying all sorts of things, ruining the atmosphere for her.

Tomorrow, when she joined the art club, she would show the system wide-eyed.

The power of her skill in making friends!

As time went on, the relationship would naturally deepen, and friends and such would easily… um, maybe she used some idiom wrong? Whatever, it doesn't matter; the meaning is similar.

[...]

This time, the system looked at its seemingly foolish host and began to doubt its own choice.

Could this host really save the world?

However, in this world of the book, it had collapsed hundreds of times already. The hosts led by other systems were diligent and intelligent, each an expert in their respective fields. Yet, they all remained in this world and never returned.

It was said that they all perished at the hands of Amelia… a complete and utter defeat!

Yet the host it brought considered the wolf as a sheep. Even at this moment, blissfully unaware, she had no consciousness of the dangers lurking all around her. A slight misstep could lead to her downfall.

Thinking about those scrapped colleagues, the system felt its fate was truly unfortunate.

Why did it draw lots and end up selecting this world with an SSS difficulty level?

This difficulty was only rated as SSS because otherwise, the system felt it should add a few more S's. After all, Amelia's true form was too terrifying, and humans had no chance of defeating her. Not to mention, in this world, the human camp lacked individuals capable of putting up a fight.

The system could only provide minimal support, restrained by the world's rules from producing other items.

Thus, it felt like a world tailored exclusively for Amelia due to the system's favoritism towards her.

Moreover, the system felt that with each reset of the collapsing world, while everyone's memories should be wiped clean, Amelia became increasingly elusive. It was as if she had unraveled the laws of the world, and her personality grew more and more brutal.

Initially, there was still hope for the system and the host to complete the task.

Now…

Thinking back to the last reset, in just a few years, a series of battles orchestrated by Amelia had swept through the entire empire, plunging humanity into a crisis of annihilation.

Amidst the wails of blood and mutilated limbs, she stood atop the city walls, joyfully swaying a cup of red wine. Simultaneously, she watched with satisfaction as the host led by the x865 system had all their limbs severed.

Her crimson eyes gleamed like blood, full of laughter.

Thinking of the screams of the previous host echoing through the sky, the system now looked at Ifia lying on the bed, smugly kicking her feet up, and felt that perhaps, just maybe, sheer foolishness might lead to a miracle!