Emilia took a sip of her drink before answering, "I simply don't feel like going with anyone." She took a quick glance at Aeron's expression which remained unchanged.
Rich Young Master let out a short chuckle, as if he found her response amusing. "Come now, surely you can make an exception. It's not every day someone like me asks."
This guy just oozed self-importance.
Aeron visibly flinched, while Livia's expression darkened further. Even lackey number one and lackey number two shifted uncomfortably.
Emilia, however, remained unbothered.
She tilted her head again, feigning curiosity. "Someone like you?"
Rich Young Master grinned, as if she had just set him up for the perfect monologue. "You know, heir to House—"
"Ah," Emilia cut him off with a nod. "So, your reasoning is that I should accept simply because of who you are?"
I felt a smirk twitch at the corner of my lips.
Rich Young Master faltered, the smooth confidence in his expression cracking just a little. "Well, I wouldn't put it that way, but—"
"Because," Emilia continued, completely ignoring his attempt to recover, "if that's your only reason, I'm afraid I'll have to decline again."
Absolutely beautiful.
The table went silent.
Livia was practically glowing with amusement. Aeron looked like he wanted to crawl under the table and escape the awkwardness.
I was just enjoying my meal.
Nobody was paying attention to me anyway.
Rich Young Master, to his credit, didn't immediately lash out. Instead, he let out a forced chuckle, trying to salvage whatever was left of his dignity. "Heh. I see how it is. Playing hard to get, huh?"
At this point, I wasn't even surprised. This guy is probably a third rate villian with this much IQ.
Emilia, however, simply picked up her fork and resumed eating. "Think what you will."
And just like that, she dismissed him.
Rich Young Master's smirk twitched. He was clearly not used to being ignored, but before he could say anything else, one of his lackeys quickly stepped in. "Uh, hey, boss, maybe we should—"
"No need," Rich Young Master interrupted, standing up from his seat. His expression had smoothed out again, though I could see the barely concealed irritation beneath it. "I get the message."
Even your lackeys do but not you.
But sure, let's pretend you do.
With a final glance at Emilia, he turned and walked away, his lackeys scrambling to follow.
The moment he was gone, Livia let out a snort. "Well, that was something. You handled it well, Emilia."
Aeron exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "That could have gone worse…"
Emilia, unfazed as ever, took another bite of her meal. "He'll get over it."
I, meanwhile, finally allowed myself a small hidden smirk.
This school might be filled with cliché noble drama…
But at least it was entertaining.
Why am I being joyful seeing all this cringe?!
Is my IQ being affected?
Am I under some kind of influence?!
That was definitely a scenario too, right?
A prime example of background characters being force-fed noble drama for the sake of the plot. And yet…
Where was my notification? Weren't I getting them whenever this type of thing happened?
I suffered through that nonsense! I had been forced to endure it! I should at least get some kind of compensation!
Hey, system, come out and refund me! Or repay me! Or whatever—just give me something!
You didn't even give me the reward for the first scenario too!
Not even a single flicker of text or the annoying voice.
My grip on my cup tightened.
A sudden chime rang in my mind, cutting off my incoming tirade.
[Hidden Condition Achieved: Defying the World's Will.]
- You have successfully resisted the Background Character Debuff and refused to be just another extra in the grand narrative. The world took notice.
Continue forging your own path, free from the invisible chains of predetermined roles.
[Title Earned: Background Character.]
You have mastered the noble art of being ignored when you want to be, yet paradoxically, have also broken free from the role of an ordinary NPC. A walking contradiction indeed.
[Achievement Unlocked: Firm Mind.]
Even in the face of unbearable cringe, external influence and secondhand embarrassment, you remained steadfast. Your mental fortitude is worthy of respect.
[New Ability Acquired: Anti-Narrative Influence.]
You are now slightly resistant to the effects of predetermined roles, plot events, and main character aura. The world's will still lingers, but it no longer controls you as easily.
I stared at the floating text in disbelief.
Background Character title?? Firm mind?? Anti-Narrative influence?!
…Was I fighting against the world's will this whole time without even realizing it?!
I put my utensils down, suddenly feeling the need to process my entire life.
But before I could dwell on it further, Livia nudged my arm.
"You okay? You spaced out for a second there."
I quickly composed myself. "Yeah. Just… processing things."
"Fair enough," she said, stretching with a satisfied grin. "Anyway, that was the best thing I've seen today. I almost wish he'd try again just so I can watch Emilia verbally skewer him a second time."
Aeron groaned. "Please, no. I don't think my heart can take another round."
Emilia, the undisputed champion of casual rejections, merely continued eating like nothing had happened.
I decided to resume my meal, putting the act of trying to figure out what exactly was happening aside.
One thing was for sure, though.
This school was a minefield of scripted nonsense.
I had the tools to dodge this world of cliches and cringes.
Not perfectly—but well enough to make the world regret giving me them.