Chapter 23

"talking" (Mc to system) [System]

"First in the grade? Ifia, even if your grades are excellent, you just arrived at the academy and haven't had time to review your textbooks. It's a bit early to say such things now!"

Irene silently scoffed in her heart but didn't speak out. However, George, who stood nearby, reacted differently.

He pushed up the black frame of his nose and, unlike his usual reserved self, his face changed at this moment. His normally taciturn demeanor was replaced by a sharp expression, and his narrow eyes sparkled with a questioning light.

In this class, aside from their commoner status, both George and Fiona had impressive academic records, just slightly inferior to Irene. Building a friendship with the main character, Irene, was no easy feat. Every academic achiever in the class aspired to excel.

Even if Ifia claimed the top spot in the grade, George would still feel envious and jealous. He couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't achieve good grades in exams compared to her.

He was not lacking compared to Irene.

George wasn't the foolish romantic like Fiona. Since he entered Pulis Academy, he had already planned out his future path, aiming to graduate with excellent grades and then seize the opportunity to become a noble.

Now, he and Irene were study partners.

Not only Irene had her eyes set on being the first in the grade, but George also coveted it. Even Fiona, with her romantic thoughts, aimed to secure the first place to get a golden commemorative coin to attract men. Thus, the three of them were both companions and competitors, creating a lively and competitive atmosphere.

Now, with the sudden appearance of Ifia, who was unknown and untested, just a single sentence easily disrupted the balance maintained by the three.

"Anyway, there are only three days left. Let the results speak for themselves!"

In response to George's suspicion, Ifia shrugged her shoulders and didn't rush to prove herself.

After all, she had the system, a super cheating tool, making it easy to secure the top spot in the grade.

However, precisely because of Ifia's indifferent attitude, it made the female protagonist's group even more wary. Although they wanted to ask more questions, seeing Ifia's lazy and uninterested appearance, they gave up.

Let the results speak for themselves.

They couldn't believe that after studying so hard, they couldn't surpass someone who had just arrived.

"Irene, you haven't lent me money yet! I don't need much, just lend me five silver coins for now."

However, while the female protagonist's group gave up, Ifia didn't.

Without money, she sincerely asked Irene for a loan.

What if the female protagonist really lent her some money!

With only two silver coins left, Ifia felt that getting even one silver coin from Irene would be a victory!

Irene didn't expect Ifia to be so persistent. She instinctively covered her pocket, and even her breathing became a bit rapid.

After lending money to Fiona yesterday, her living expenses were running out. Now, she had four silver coins left, reserved for purchasing past exam papers. Although each exam at Pulis Academy had different questions, the teachers' styles didn't change much.

By carefully studying those papers, she could always gain some valuable insights.

Although the past exam papers were expensive, requiring three silver coins to purchase one set, Irene had carefully calculated her expenses. Eating at the cafeteria on the first floor wouldn't cost much, sleeping in the dorm, and not having other regular expenses meant that one silver coin would be sufficient.

If it weren't for Fiona and Britney's bet, and Ifia disrupting the rhythm of her life, Irene wouldn't have spent money on buying exam papers. Instead, she would have focused on revising and preparing for exams within her means.

Now, she was determined to secure the first place in the grade, holding back no expenses!

Even her secret crush, Prince Carloy, had to be temporarily set aside.

Therefore, buying the exam papers might be a shortcut to achieving the first place in the grade, and she absolutely wouldn't lend money to Ifia!

Irene steadied her emotions, quickly adjusted her tone, and her voice began to sound choked up. "Ifia, you didn't come back yesterday, and I've already lent all my money to Fiona."

Just by watching Irene start her act again, Ifia knew that borrowing money from the protagonist was impossible.

It seemed she had to continue relying on Amelia… Thinking about the delicious food and desserts, Ifia licked her lips and couldn't help but savor the thought.

"Oh? Is that so? Well, that's a pity."

Ifia casually accompanied the act, pretending not to know, with an exaggerated look that even the observing system found hard to endure.

The host was adorable when dealing with the villainess, but most of the time, she was shamelessly shameless.

"Too bad, but it's okay. I'll borrow a place to stay from a friend for a few days!"

After that, Ifia's words ended the conflict, bringing calm back to the classroom. Fiona was troubled because she couldn't borrow money, Irene and George were both focused on competing for the first place in the grade, and they had no time to deal with Fiona and Ronnie's relationship issues. They sat back in their seats, earnestly reviewing, determined to snatch the crown of the first place in the grade!

However, the other students who were observing didn't disperse after the drama ended. They looked at Ifia with curiosity. Initially, they thought this newcomer, who had just arrived, was cute, but it turned out she was also a super talented academic achiever!

Every exam at Pulis Academy was a battlefield without gunpowder.

The winners were so formidable that they had no equals!

Among them, the person who occupied the legend of the strongest student at Pulis Academy was Amelia Barlen. Whether looking back or looking forward, no one could compare!

"Ifia, hello. We didn't have a chance to meet yesterday due to the rush. I'm Lucy."

"I'm Carlin."

While Irene and the others returned to their seats and immersed themselves in their studies, Ifia suddenly became the center of attention.

Surrounded by a group of girls, facing their sparkling eyes, Ifia was somewhat surprised but still smiled and introduced herself to them.

Towards people without malicious intent, Ifia was friendly.

However, while chatting with the girls, Ifia caught a glimpse of Britney hastily entering the classroom. Her attention shifted instantly.

Unlike her confident demeanor yesterday, Britney looked extremely pale today.

Her uneasy gaze, glancing left and right, indicated inner turmoil, as if she had done something unspeakable… Suddenly, in the next moment, Britney fiercely glared at Ifia, and the flames of hatred in her blue eyes seemed as if Ifia had desecrated her ancestral grave.

Ifia felt puzzled. She hadn't done anything wrong!

Why is Britney looking at her like an enemy? Is she sick, or… Oh, I remember now. The short noble whose bird was kicked by her yesterday took out a bottle of secret medicine that is said to be provided by Britney's friendship.

As a result, the potion was used on the short noble, leading him to reap what he had sown.

So, Britney's intense hatred towards her must be related to the incident with the short noble?

Hehehehe.

That's truly satisfying!

Hope he learned his lesson!

—

With an excited and joyful heart, Ifia spent the morning goofing off in the classroom. When the bell rang for dismissal, she bid farewell to the new classmates she had just met, sneaked along a small path towards the area with short trees, preparing to meet up with Amelia.

Since she had to keep her relationship with Amelia a secret, she couldn't casually reveal it. Ifia was worried about attracting too much envy and jealousy.

Thinking about these things, Ifia's steps were light, and the corners of her mouth were crazily upturned. However, before she could meet Amelia, she was suddenly stopped by someone.

Seeing two burly men in front of her, Ifia furrowed her eyebrows, feeling that something might be wrong.

"It's that wretched person, grab her!"

The face of the short noble twisted into a grotesque expression of hatred as he stared at Ifia. Simultaneously, he pointed at her, signaling to his henchmen to move in quickly.