CHAPTER 12: ARIANA SOLMERE

The classroom erupted into conversation as soon as Samantha disappeared.

Naturally, one team was already set in stone — the protagonist’s group. Except there was just one problem: they had five members.

After a short discussion, Kael and Princess Celestia decided to form a team with two other cadets who practically begged to join. Meanwhile, the three remaining ducal heirs grouped together, adding another student to even the number.

Groups began forming rapidly.

Familiar faces clustered together. Friends pulled chairs and talked energetically. Team invitations were bouncing around like confetti.

Meanwhile, I sat alone.

Not a single person approached or looked in my direction.

Not surprising, but still... a little depressing.

I leaned back in my seat, watching the excitement unfold.

"...Sigh. How lonely."

It wasn’t like I expected someone to come running to my side with open arms. But witnessing everyone form teams while I remained untouched did sting more than I expected.

Still, I straightened my posture.

"Whatever. I’ll find a way."

Points were on the line.

I wasn’t planning to let this mission slip away just because of... social issues.

As the noise continued, I glanced around the classroom thoughtfully, eyes searching for possibilities.

Anyone would do.

Anyone... except that protagonist bunch.

****

Everyone was busy forming groups, whispering names and strategies, dragging chairs together. Every time I stood up and took a step toward someone, they would suddenly remember they already had teammates. A few even hurried away the moment I approached.

It didn’t take long to understand the situation.

No one wanted me.

Not even as a last choice.

I quietly packed my things and headed toward the cafeteria. Carrying a lunch box earned me a handful of confused looks. Bringing your own food wasn’t banned, but no one ever bothered—why would they? The academy’s food was free and decent.

For me, neither of those were true.

I found a familiar corner, sat down alone, and opened my lunch box. The cafeteria was far quieter than usual. Most cadets were busy planning their dungeon expedition teams, excitement buzzing in the air.

For once, the silence didn’t bother me. I was used to the quiet.

I lifted the hamburger, ready to take a big, satisfying bite—then stopped.

Someone was sitting across from me, at a neighboring table. Not close enough to be interacting, yet near enough to notice.

A girl, back straight but shoulders stiff. Her uniform was clearly expensive, tailored with fine embroidery that belonged only to high nobility. But her long bangs covered her eyes almost entirely, casting a shadow over her face. Every movement was cautious, like she didn’t want anyone to notice she existed.

Despite the gloom, her features were delicate—beautiful even—but buried under insecurity so deep that she seemed ready to disappear into the floor.

Ariana Solmere.

The second daughter of the Solmere Duchy.

Earlier, I mentioned the children of the four great ducal houses being part of Kael’s party. Three of them, to be exact. The fourth one... was sitting right here.

Some might ask why all ducal heirs were in the same class.

Simple: the protagonist was here.

Nobles go where the main character goes. It’s a world with game logic, after all.

Yet Ariana didn’t enjoy even a fraction of the admiration the others received. In fact, she was the opposite—an example whispered about by nobles of what they absolutely did not want their children to become.

She had no talent.

No magic.

No sword skills.

No achievements.

Her elder sister was a prodigy in magic.

Her younger brother had already reached Silver rank in swordsmanship at just fifteen.

Ariana?

She would run out of breath after swinging a sword a few times.

She couldn’t even cast the simplest spell.

Neglected by her own family, mocked by her peers, she had shrunk into herself. A girl who stuttered. A girl who avoided eye contact. A girl whose existence was often forgotten.

I didn’t even realize she had been in class earlier.

But seeing her here, now...

I couldn’t help the grin that appeared on my face.

I’m going to make her my teammate.

No matter what.

Because I knew something the world didn’t.

In the story, Ariana Solmere—ignored and unloved—would later join Infernus, a secretive organization that worshipped demons. There, away from the shadows of her siblings, she would discover her dormant genius in alchemy. She would rise to become a key villain in the latter half of the narrative, creating items that would trouble the protagonist’s party endlessly.

A difficult enemy.

A dangerous mind.

And right now?

A lonely girl sitting alone, just like me.

If the protagonist had his own party...

Then the villain should build his own as well.

This time, Ariana Solmere would not fall into darkness.

She would stand with me.

At least... that was the plan.

I took a breath, straightened up, and prepared to speak.

Step one of Operation: Villain Party...

Recruit the neglected genius.