<h4>Chapter 303</h4>


    I had won.


    I’d achieved what I’d wanted, and everything had gone as nned, but it felt like my soul had been vited. I realized my mistake—focusing solely on the cross-dressing contest itself.


    Anyway, I needed to get out of the venue. Naturally, there was no security detail to escort me. I should have considered that there might be crazy people waiting outside to grab me. Unfortunately, I had only thought about winning, and had not nned a safe means of escape.


    It seemed that many of the spectators whose passions had inadvertently been ignited by me, both girls and boys, were waiting outside totch onto me as I left. The sight of the crowd gathered outside the auditorium could only mean trouble.


    “...”


    I felt like a celebrity.


    Unlike a celebrity, though, I was the anonymous winner of a cross-dressing contest, and both men and women were dying to know my true identity.


    <i>‘Would they even know who I was if I told them I was Reinhart? They wouldn’t! Why are they so curious about something that would mean nothing to them even if I told them?</i>


    <i>‘If I go out like this, I’ll get caught. If those people cross into my personal space, I can’t guarantee I won’t throw a punch.’</i>


    The other cross-dressing contestants saw me stuck at the exit and offered awkward smiles as they left. Naturally, no one was swarming them.


    <i>‘What should I do?’</i>


    It seemed like this was the only exit.


    <i>‘Should I exit through the window?’</i>


    As I stood there, unable to move, someone spoke to me.


    “Um... If you’re not nning to leave...”


    “Hm?”


    I turned around and saw Connor Lint. He had changed back into his own clothes, so he wasn’t in a dress anymore, but the makeup still made him look ridiculous. Of course, I didn’t have my own clothes here to change into.


    I couldn’t just walk out.


    “Ah, sorry.”


    As I stepped away from the door, Connor Lint hesitated and slowly tried to pass by me. He seemed intimidated by me in a different waypared to how he was when I was Reinhart.


    I hadn’t seen exactly what Connor Lint had done, but I knew something significant had happened. He had managed to teleport something other than himself.


    In the original story, the ultimate development of Connor Lint’s ability was teleporting together with his clothes. I didn’t know exactly what had happened, but it seemed he could now teleport other objects.


    I didn’t know if it was a sign of increased power or something else, but it was clear that Connor Lint had achieved a remarkable advancement in his abilities, far beyond what had been depicted in the original story.


    The enhancement of Connor Lint’s ability was a much bigger deal than my own 5-point increase in mana. He continued to nce at me nervously as he made his way toward the exit.


    His ability had evolved... and he could now teleport something other than himself...


    Without thinking, I grabbed Connor Lint’s arm.


    “W-Wait, wait a minute.”


    “Y-Yes?”


    His face turned beet red, and his lips trembled as he looked at me, unsure whether he should be happy or not.


    <i>‘It’s not like that, you idiot!’</i>


    There was a crowd waiting outside.


    “Could you, um, teleport me outside? Please?”


    At that moment, the only one who could rescue me from the bizarre situation was Connor Lint.


    ***


    Naturally, he was startled.


    Connor Lint exined in detail that his ability had not worked like that originally, that there could be side effects, and that I might end up naked. Of course, those things could happen.


    <i>‘No, it’s fine! I’ll use Revise!’</i>


    I had earned a whopping 14,000 Achievement Points I earned from winning the first-year tournament and the cross-dressing contest. I had 18,000 points when adding in the points I had before, so I could definitely afford to use some.


    “I’m willing to risk any side effects. Please, just do it.”


    “S-Still... you might end up in apromising situation...”


    Even though I was adamant about being teleported away, Connor Lint looked visibly troubled.


    “It’s okay. I won’t me you. I’ll take full responsibility.”


    He looked at me as if wondering why I preferred being transported somewhere naked over being caught by the people outside.


    <i>‘No, that’s not it! You can do it! You don’t believe in yourself, and I don’t believe in you either, but the Revise function is like a cheat!’</i>


    After a long internal struggle, and still looking bewildered, Connor Lint finally nodded. “Th-Then... I’ll try.”


    Connor Lint had sessfully teleported an object for the first time, and now he had to seed in teleporting a person.


    Of course, there was a high possibility that something bizarre might happen, like only my clothes being teleported.


    So, I decided to use the Revise function.


    <i>‘Connor Lint sessfully teleports me to a secluded area outside the auditorium, and my clothese with me.’</i>


    [This event requires 100 Achievement Points.]


    The whole thing would only cost a hundred points.


    That was surprisingly cheap. I had expected it to cost around 500 points.


    <i>‘Does this mean his ability has already developed significantly?’</i>


    [Using 100 Achievement Points.]


    “Uh, your hand...”


    “Oh. Right.”


    Connor Lint extended his trembling hand, and I took it.


    <i>‘Come on kid, don’t be so embarrassed.’ </i>


    With his face flushed red, Connor Lint focused intently, and I stared at him.


    “If it doesn’t work well... please don’t me me too much.”


    “It’ll be fine.”


    “...”


    He paused for a moment to look at me.


    “... Do you trust me?” he asked.


    <i>‘No. What are you trying to do? Just send me outside already!’</i>


    I had no choice but to smile and say, “Of course.”


    <i>Poof!</i>


    There was a fleeting sense of darkness, and the scenery before my eyes changed in an instant.


    I let out an audible gasp.


    It was my first time experiencing this kind of teleportation, so I couldn’t help but gasp in surprise. In an instant, I had been teleported to an open area outside the auditorium, away from the crowd.


    Connor Lint hadn’te with me; I was alone. The oue of the Revise function was always certain.


    Fortunately, I was still wearing my clothes. I had managed to escape without being seen, so I just needed to change back into my regr clothes and return to being Reinhart.


    As I was thinking that, something fell through the air andnded on the ground with a thud.


    “...”


    Something had fallen out of the sky.


    <i>‘What is that?’</i>


    I picked it up and held it up, examining int in the faint light around me.


    “... Oh no.”


    The moment I saw it, I realized I had used Revise incorrectly.


    It was the clothes Connor Lint had been wearing just moments ago.


    <i>‘Connor Lint sessfully teleports me to a secluded area outside the auditorium, and my clothese with me.’</i> That was how I had set it up.


    However, it wasn’t just my clothes. His clothes had also been teleported with me.


    Could it be that the penalty for Connor Lint’s newfound teleportation ability was that his own clothes would be teleported along with the target?


    <i>‘No wonder it was so cheap...</i> <i>Are your abilities all still half-baked?’</i>


    Then another thought came to me.


    <i>‘Should I go back and return these? Or should he juste here to get them? Given the situation, he shoulde to retrieve his clothes, right?’</i>


    However, I was on a main road. Appearing here in just his underwear would be too much for Connor Lint to handle.


    People who saw me would only see a girl in a dress.


    <i>‘Do I really have to go back and return these myself?’</i>


    “...”


    What was the point of teleporting out if I had to go back?


    I considered just running away.


    But I couldn’t bring myself to do that.


    “Damn it...”


    In the end, I had no choice but to trudge back to the auditorium where the cross-dressing contest had taken ce, still wearing the dress.


    ***


    Fortunately, I didn’t have to go through the crowd gathered outside the auditorium.


    I saw several familiar faces on a bench a distance away. Heinrich, Erhi, Kaier, and Riana de Granz were there, waiting near the auditorium, seemingly waiting for Connor Lint.


    Approaching them was risky, but I preferred that over being caught by those who were calling me “<i>oppa</i>” and “<i>hyung</i>”.


    —Why is it taking so long for him toe out?


    —Is he changing his clothes?


    They were grumbling about Connor Lint being slow to leave as I approached them. Luckily, it wasn’t too bright, so no one could see me easily.


    “Um, excuse me...”


    “... Huh?”


    They all seemed surprised to see the cross-dressing contest winner suddenly appear holding a bunch of clothes.


    “Hey, it’s the guy who’s prettier than me. What’s up? Do you need something?” Riana asked, smirking at me.


    <i>‘You’re such a mean brat!’</i>


    The other guys were too stunned to speak, so Riana was the only one I could talk to.


    “You’re from the Royal ss, right...?” I asked.


    “Yes, and?”


    Since they were wearing the Royal ss uniform, they would not find it strange that I could recognize them.


    “These are, um, Lint’s clothes...”


    They looked at me strangely.


    “I asked him to teleport me outside, but he identally teleported his own clothes too... So he’s probably in a difficult situation... But I can’t really go back...”


    “Oh, I get it.”


    Riana raised her hand to stop me from exining further and snatched Connor Lint’s clothes from my hand.


    <i>‘You’re quick to catch on in situations like this.’</i>


    Just moments ago, I thought she was a terrible person, but my opinion of her flipped like a switch.


    Riana gave me a sly smile and looked me up and down. “If this is a hobby of yours,e visit the Granz duchy sometime.”


    “... Pardon?”


    “Just mention the name Riana de Granz, and they’ll let you in. You can try on both men’s and women’s clothes, whatever you like.”


    Sheughed heartily, clearly teasing me.


    <i>‘You... You’re really a terrible person...’</i>


    Anyway, after handing over Connor Lint’s clothes to them, I hurried off.


    I had seen enough of this dirty business.


    <i>‘Now, please, let me return to normal.’</i>


    ***


    Unfortunately, the end of the dirty business was nowhere in sight.


    I had to have known that things would not go smoothly. This was a situation designed to humiliate me, and there was no way the architects of it would let me go so easily.


    As I tried to hasten away from the area, someone recognized me and chased after me.


    “Hmm, don’t worry, I’m not a strange person.”


    “...”


    “I was just wondering how desperate for money you have to be to enter such a contest despite how difficult it was for you. Hmm. Hmm.”


    A balding middle-aged man had caught up to me and was now giving me a long-winded speech. He seemed to be one of the spectators, and he was trying to emphasize that he wasn’t weird, that he ran a respectable business, and that his children would soon be attending the Temple.


    “So anyway, if you’re in a difficult situation, I could offer you a personal sponsorship. That’s what I’m saying.”


    <i>‘What is this? Why is this happening?’</i>


    I couldn’t understand why this situation hade about. This man might genuinely be a benefactor trying to help me out of pity.


    However, his eyes were strange.


    <i>‘Do you know that you have a really weird expression right now?’</i>


    I could tell that the kids calling me “<i>oppa</i>” and “<i>hyung</i>” were just joking, but this guy was serious.


    I felt a shiver run down my spine.


    “Of course, I don’t want you to misunderstand this. I don’t expect anything in return. I’m just talking about the difficulties you might be facing while living in the Temple. Hmm. That’s all.”


    <i>‘Sure, you can say that, but your eyes are really off-putting.’</i>


    He was clearly not a Temple student or staff member.


    <i>‘Should I just punch him and tell him to shut up?’</i>


    Unfortunately, there was a festival going on, and there were people everywhere. Naturally, there were guards stationed all around.


    If I started a fight and got dragged away by the guards, it would be even more humiliating. And of course, my identity as Reinhart would be revealed.


    This was the final test.


    If I lost my temper and threw a punch, the story of Royal ss student Reinhart winning the cross-dressing contest and then beating up a middle-aged man would spread like wildfire.


    That would be a real reason to consider suicide.


    I had to endure this.


    I’d already run into Vertus once before because I’d failed to restrain myself.


    If I couldn’t hold back this time, it was really over for me.


    “Ah, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m doing fine,” I responded.


    “Oh, you should just ept the kindness of an elder. Let’s go somewhere quiet and have a chat, at least.”


    “It’s really okay. The prize money is enough, and I’m not in that much trouble.”


    “I’m just trying to help because you seem to be in a difficult situation. Don’t think that it’s anything weird. Do I seem like a weird person?”


    “I don’t think you’re weird at all. It’s just that I’m really doing alright.”


    “Well, then let’s at least have a conversation.”


    <i>‘Ah, get away from me, you persistent jerk.’</i>


    I felt a tingling sensation along the back of my neck. I was getting really pissed off. Despite my clear refusal, this guy just wouldn’t take the hint. It seemed like I would have to resort to some harsh words.


    He wasn’t going to let me go easily.


    “You keep making me out to be a weird person. It’s upsetting. Why don’t we go somewhere quiet and have a cup of tea—”


    Just as I was about to resort to some harsh words since I couldn’t use my fists, a deep, resonant voice interrupted us.


    “Hey, what’s going on here?”


    Someone approached us, his voice carrying with it a heavy presence. I turned around to see the human tank, Richard Haulman. He had changed back into his own clothes, so he wasn’t in a dress anymore. Richard Haulman wasn’t alone; he was with a group of people, probably his ssmates.


    The middle-aged man froze at the sight of someone even more intimidating than himself.


    “What do you want, old man?”


    “Ah, nothing... I just had something to discuss with this student...”


    Richard Haulman looked over at me. “This student doesn’t seem to have anything to discuss with you,” he said.


    <i>‘Damn. It feels weird, but I’m d you showed up. Get rid of him for me!’</i>


    Whether he understood my desperate look or not, the over-two-meter-tall giant tilted his head and looked down at the middle-aged man.


    “It doesn’t seem like this person has anything to say to you, does it?”


    “Well, I mean, I’m not a strange person or anything!”


    “Cornering a delicate studentte at night and not letting her—I mean him—go? That makes you a weirdo. Do you want me to hand you over to the Temple guards? Get lost before I do so.”


    <i>‘A delicate student, he says... You got beaten three to zero by this delicate student in the tournament, you idiot! And you were definitely about to say “her”...’</i>


    “W-Well, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Ahem. My apologies.”


    Finally, the persistent middle-aged man, intimidated by the giant, tucked his tail and ran away.


    The guys behind Richard, who looked like troublemakers, were whistling.


    —Oh, nice one, Richard!


    —This is gold.


    “Ah, be quiet please!”


    While I was grateful for being saved, it seemed like I had attracted even worsepany.


    Richard looked down at me and cleared his throat awkwardly.


    “Uh, ahem. Are you alright?”


    <i>‘I’m starting to give up on this now.’</i>


    It was just like the saying: if it tastes good, who cares about the ingredients?


    I was losing my mind...


    <i>‘No, I’ve already lost it.’</i>


    “Oh... thank you.”


    Hearing Richard’s ssmates or seniors whistling made my blood pressure spike. They had probably shown up just to see Richard in this state.


    I didn’t know why he’d entered the cross-dressing contest, but anyway...


    “You should head back quickly to avoid any misunderstandings,” said Richard, his face flushed red, without making proper eye contact with me.


    “Y-Yes, I should...”


    —Hey, are you just going to let her go like that?


    —At least invite her for a meal!


    “Oh, please!” Richard shouted at the group behind him.


    This guy, despite everything, was behaving in a somewhat gentlemanly manner. I had thought he was aplete jerk, but perhaps I’d been mistaken. Thinking back, I was the one who had picked a fight during the tournament, not him. The real jerk was me.


    Richard looked at me with a troubled expression.


    “Uh, you should really go back quickly before things get moreplicated...”


    “Ah... yes. Thank you.”


    In the end, with the unexpected help of Richard Haulman, I managed to shake off the persistent middle-aged man.