The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 81: Outcast [4]

There was still a little time before homeroom started.

That explained why Buttcheeks was still hanging around this classroom instead of being in her own.

Honestly, I wanted to tell her to get lost and go back to where she belonged.

But now wasn’t the right time to say anything, so I held my tongue and kept my eyes on the book in my hands — [Basic Understanding of Magic], of course.

[ 1. What is Magic?

Magic is the process of manipulating energy (the world’s natural energy) to alter reality according to one’s will.

Every living being has a energy core where energy is stored and circulated.

2. energy and Its Nature

energy exists naturally everywhere: in the air, ground, water, and even inside living beings.

energy is neutral by default; it takes on attributes based on the user’s affinity and intent.

3. Magic Circles and Formulas

Spells are structured by forming magic circles or magic formulas with mana.

Beginners use pre-designed magic circles; advanced mages create their own.]

While pretending to read, I glanced around the room.

The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Painfully awkward.

Good.

It meant things were still following the original plot, more or less—a reassuring sign.

After scanning the classroom, my gaze naturally drifted back to Buttcheeks.

She was half-standing, half-sitting, awkwardly leaning against the edge of my desk, using her butt for support like some stray cat not sure whether to settle or run away.

I frowned slightly without realizing it.

Then I looked at her face—and saw it all there.

Fear.

Anxiety.

Depression.

Anger.

Self-loathing.

A full cocktail of emotions swirling behind those frustrated eyes.

It reminded me of the original story.

—"You’re doing things I never asked you to do. And who are you to keep throwing around my name like it means something?" freёnovelkiss.com

Leo’s voice had been colder than ice when he said that.

His gaze cut through Kiera like she wasn’t even worth recognizing.

Tears had welled up in her eyes, but she fought desperately not to let them fall.

Because she knew—once she cried, it was over.

—"Ryen might be frustrating," Leo continued, "but at least he has talent. I have no interest in a talentless bug like you belittling others, especially while dragging my name into it."

It had been a brutal scene.

But it didn’t matter how hard she tried.

The tears eventually fell, and Leo’s expression twisted in pure disgust.

—"Why are you crying? Don’t ever show your face in front of me again. You’re nothing but an annoyance."

That was her fate in the original timeline.

After that day, Kiera gave up on everything.

She became a hollow shell, drifting through her days like a ghost—until Ryen eventually reached out, offering a hand to pull her back into the world.

Looking at her now, I could see it happening all over again.

She was broken.

There wasn’t even a shadow of the proud girl from yesterday left after Leo and his team tore her apart.

And just minutes ago, she had genuinely thought I would mock her too.

Kick her while she was already down.

Honestly, in my past life, I probably would’ve.

But I’m an adult now (At least mentally.).

Besides, I don’t mock people who are already getting a brutal taste of what humiliation and abandonment feel like.

Especially when the people dishing it out had been her friends just yesterday.

Friends.

Yeah, right.

At that moment, Buttcheeks, lost deep in her own thoughts, suddenly turned toward me.

"Hey, loser," she said, her voice a little shaky but trying to sound sharp.

Still with that nickname?

Sigh.

Some habits die hard, I guess.

"What?" I replied dryly without even glancing up.

She blinked, hesitated—and then, almost awkwardly, said, "It’s nothing."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a small, almost invisible smirk on her face, followed by a tiny, relieved smile.

Tch.

She really had been terrified a moment ago.

And just me replying to her like normal... that tiny bit of acknowledgment seemed to lift some of the weight crushing her chest.

Honestly, it wasn’t surprising.

Anyone would be scared if their so-called friends suddenly turned on them, pretending they didn’t exist, treating them like trash.

But don’t worry.

The sweet, naive Ryen was about to step in and save the day.

Just like he did in the original.

Right on cue, I spotted Ryen making his way into the room, the confusion on his face obvious.

One of Kiera’s former friends pulled him aside, whispering something quickly into his ear.

Ryen’s expression twisted immediately.

By lunchtime, I bet he’ll ask everyone to stop.

Try to play the good guy.

The pushover hero who thinks everything can be solved if you just "talk it out."

It was pathetic.

But at least it meant everything was still on track.

For now.

As I turned a page in my book, pretending to read, the classroom buzzed faintly around me.

Whispers.

Quick glances.

Everyone pretending not to care but clearly eating up the drama.

Kiera stayed by my desk, fidgeting awkwardly.

She shifted her weight from foot to foot, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve.

I didn’t say anything.

Just let her stew in her own awkwardness.

Honestly, I didn’t really know why she was hovering here instead of running off to hide somewhere.

Maybe she thought being near me was safer than being alone.

Maybe she was just too stunned to move.

Or maybe... she was clinging to the last scrap of familiarity she had left in this classroom, even if that familiarity was just insulting me every chance she got.

Pathetic.

But strangely, not as irritating as I thought it would be.

Eventually, Kiera shifted again, her voice a little smaller this time.

"...You’re still reading that boring book?"

I kept my eyes on the page.

"Yeah," I said.

She didn’t respond.

Didn’t tease me about being a nerd or tell me to get a life.

Just stood there.

It was weird.

I snuck another glance at her.

There was a tightness in her jaw, like she was holding something back.

Her eyes darted quickly around the room, catching the judgmental stares before immediately looking away.

And for a second — just a second — her shoulders sagged, like the weight was finally too much.

"...Tch."

I clicked my tongue without meaning to and went back to pretending to read.

This wasn’t my problem.

I wasn’t here to play therapist.

I had my own plans to worry about — surviving in this messed-up novel world, for starters.

Still...

I could feel her standing there, like a ghost at the edge of my vision.

Hovering.

Waiting.

Maybe hoping for something, even if she didn’t know what.

Pathetic.

But also kind of...sad.

I closed my book with a soft thud and leaned back in my chair, stretching casually.

"Hey," I said, not looking at her.

She flinched, like she’d been caught doing something wrong.

I sighed.

"If you’ve got something to say, say it."

Kiera opened her mouth — then closed it.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

"...Forget it," she muttered, turning away.

And just like that, she walked off.

Not back to her old friends.

Just toward the classroom, after all the homeroom is going to start in few minutes.

I watched her for a moment, then I shook my head and reopened my book.

Not my problem.

Definitely not.

At least...

That’s what I told myself.