Is The Super Famous Sorceress The Villain?

"W-what is this situation?" I murmured.

We were in the middle of class. Miss Noir was explaining something about sorcery, but I couldn't focus at all. The reason? I could feel all the girls in the class staring at me intensely. However, I, Mila Vellerth, am not intimidated by anyone.

Glare! I returned their stares with the same, or even greater, intensity. Gradually, the girls began to give up.

What's their problem? Have they never seen a guy before? Yes, I know he's a model and all, but come on, this is ridiculous.

The boys were also sneaking envious glances at Warren, but that didn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

As I observed Warren, I felt a mysterious aura surrounding him. I don't know how to explain it, but this guy doesn't seem normal. Another thing kept circling in my mind: that look from earlier… Was it my imagination, or was it truly filled with rage?

I decided not to dwell on it and tried to focus on class. Besides, my grades aren't the best, and exams are coming up, so…

Glare!

"!!!"

Suddenly, I felt an even more intense stare. When I turned to my right, I noticed Warren was staring directly at me. He didn't even look away when he realized I'd caught him.

W-what's his problem?

I quickly averted my gaze and tried to concentrate on the lesson. Or at least I tried, because I could still feel his eyes on me.

"!!!!!"

"Mila, hey, Mila." A whisper from behind made me discreetly turn around, careful not to alert Miss Noir. It was Gris calling me.

"You might have a chance, Mila," Gris said with an encouraging smile, giving me a thumbs-up.

"G-Gris..."

"G-o-o-d L-u-c-k."

Gris! You're getting a lesson after this!

I tried to convey a message with my eyes: "I'm not interested at all, Gris!"

"What?"

"I said I'm not interested!"

"But don't you see how he's looking at you? He's totally into you."

Even though I tried to whisper, I was pretty sure the entire class heard our conversation. When I turned around, I noticed Miss Noir looking at me with an anguished expression, her arm extended in my direction.

"?" At first, I didn't understand, but then…

Whoosh!

"Wahhh!"

The chalk in her hand flew at high speed, grazing my cheek like a projectile.

"Stop the noise, Vellerth!" she barked. I'm not sure, but I think I saw smoke coming out of Miss Noir's nostrils.

"S-sorry!" I immediately stood up to apologize.

Miss Noir turned back with a grunt to continue the lesson, and I sat down, feeling worried. But…

As soon as I sat, I felt that threatening gaze again. I swallowed nervously and turned to my right. Just as I thought, Warren was still staring straight at me.

This wasn't just awkward anymore; it was terrifying. The bell rang, marking the end of class, but the discomfort lingered.

******

Later

"Ow, ow, ow! Mila, stop!"

"Not yet! I almost got shot because of you. Take this! My special keylock!"

"W-wait! My glasses! Ow, ow, ow!"

It was break time. Gris was crying in pain as I locked her in an abdominal stretch. We were in the classroom, and luckily, Warren had left, taking all the girls with him. I think I overheard them heading to the cafeteria.

Munch, munch, munch.

"I don't see what they all like about that guy, honestly!"

"Mila, s-slow down when you eat."

After punishing Gris, we sat down to eat.

"Hmm... I think he's kind of attractive. And besides, it seems like he's into you."

"W-whaaaaaat!? You want another keylock?"

"Sorry!"

Normally, Gris is the one scolding me, but today the roles were reversed. All because of that Warren. Maybe we should call it the Warren effect. For Gris, as serious as she usually is, to talk about romance… that guy must be something else.

"Anyway, Mila, have you seen the news?" Gris asked, returning to her usual serious tone.

"News? No idea. Did something happen?"

"Oh, Mila, you're so carefree!"

She spoke in a tone like a mother scolding her child.

"There've been massive robberies all over the city. Since Friday, several establishments have been looted, and the culprits haven't been caught. This has never happened before."

Robberies? I was expecting something more exciting, but this?… Boring.

"They say it might've been..." Gris hesitated. "Never mind."

Was there something else she wanted to say? Well, it can't be that important.

Gris continued, "Even Trio Encanto has gotten involved in helping the police investigate!"

Trio Encanto, huh? Now that I think about it, on Saturday I overheard Dasha Vienna talking about catching some criminals. I wonder if it's related to what Gris is saying.

"Well," I said nonchalantly, "if they're just thieves, I'm sure Trio Encanto will catch them." Though after what I heard on Friday, I'm not so sure. I mean, Her arch-nemesis served them as a servant.

Gris shook her head at my comment. "Trio Encanto can't intervene directly unless it's a supernatural threat, like an Aberration."

"Really?"

"Are you even a fan, Mila?"

A fan? I should put her in another submission hold, but I'll let it slide this time.

"Trio Encanto can't act durectly unless it's an Aberration. However, there hasn't been anything like that in a long time. Don't you think it might be an Aberration different from Warmonger? Another sorcerer?"

An Aberration different from Warmonger? There hasn't been anything like that since the Great Destroyer. But considering what I saw on Saturday, it might be a whole show, just like with Warmonger.

Also, even if Trio Encanto acted indirectly, they could capture them. However, I remembered the image of Dasha Vienna on television that day; she looked genuinely worried. And then a doubt crossed my mind: what if it's something they can't catch? Like another sorcerer? If that's the case... It seems to me that the fear reflected on Dasha's face would make sense.

In the end, I told Gris not to worry and that they'd handle it. Still, she seemed deeply concerned.

But then again… if it's an Aberration different from Warmonger, things could get really bad.

*******

The afternoon was settling in. Classes were over, and I was heading to the metro station. This time I was alone, as Gris had something to take care of. She didn't tell me exactly what, but she seemed busy.

However, what she told me earlier wouldn't leave my head. Too many doubts swirled around in my mind: Katrina, Trio Enchant, Warmonger, Aberrations, sorcery... There's so much I want to investigate, but I don't even know where to start.

"Damn it!" I grabbed my hat in frustration, and the people around me started avoiding me like I was some sort of weirdo. I ignored their stares and kept walking. But then…

Glare!

"Huh?"

My pulse quickened immediately. I had a bad feeling. I felt like I was in danger. I quickly turned around, and what I saw made me scream in terror.

Warren was running toward me with a knife in his hand!

'Huh? Why isn't anyone stopping him?' I thought. But then, a doubt echoed in my mind: Is he a sorcerer?