How to Steal the Protagonist's Women

In the upper echelons of the Stura Magic School, there exists a high-altitude meeting room.

Despite its grandiose name, the interior was surprisingly modest.

The wallpaper was worn and tattered, and aside from a long rectangular table and chairs in the centre, there were no other furnishings.

The table, which could seat 20 people on either side, had only 10 people sitting at it.

The high-altitude meeting room was accessible only to full professors, and unless summoned by the dean, there was no reason to visit.

In such a place, 10 full professors were waiting for the dean.

The oldest-looking white-haired woman sitting next to the head seat spoke first.

"It's been a while since we last gathered like this after the entrance ceremony."

"I didn't expect to be called here on a weekend."

The ages of the professors varied.

From an 80-year-old elder to a middle-aged man in his mid-40s, the range was diverse.

The seating arrangement seemed to follow the order of age.

At the far end sat Wolfgang Dabrek, who had taught magic circle casting in Seong Suho's class.

He was the professor who had given Seong Suho both demerits and merits.

He was the youngest-looking person in the room.

The white-haired woman next to the head seat leaned in and looked at Wolfgang.

"Oh my, our Professor Wolfgang~ Did you come looking for your mommy?"

"No! Professor! I'm not that young anymore, please stop…"

"Oh, but you're still at the age where you'd look for your mommy, aren't you?"

At her words, the other professors began to chuckle.

The atmosphere felt less like a formal meeting and more like a casual conversation at a senior centre.

'Sigh… This is why I hate coming to these meetings.'

While the teasing side was all smiles, the one being teased was having a hard time.

Especially since the woman teasing Wolfgang was one of the fearsome professors who had ruled the school during his student days.

She was notorious for deducting points if students spoke out of turn, claiming they lacked manners.

But her attitude toward students and fellow professors was worlds apart.

In this high-altitude meeting room, while waiting for the dean, she was just an old woman who enjoyed teasing her colleagues.

"Or did you come looking for your grandma?"

"No! Professor!"

"Hahaha!"

Her laughter, clutching her stomach, was a far cry from the dignified and terrifying professor she had been during his student days.

The professors who had once inspired fear now sat side by side, laughing.

But they were so different.

When they gathered like this before a meeting, they all turned into playful children.

Thud!

Someone entered the noisy high-altitude meeting room.

With neatly combed white hair, a tall stature, and an appearance that suggested he was in his early to mid-30s, he was clearly the youngest-looking person in the room.

But the young man, walking leisurely, sat at the head seat and smiled at the elders.

"I apologize for calling you here on such a precious weekend."

"If the dean calls, we can't refuse. Unless we want to get fired, that is. Hehe."

"Hohoho."

The woman who had joked with him was at least 80 years old.

No one here knew the dean's exact age, but it was estimated to be over 300.

It didn't seem like the kind of joke one would make with the dean.

But the professors here laughed along, riding the wave of the atmosphere.

Only Wolfgang awkwardly smiled and tried to gauge the mood.

'…The atmosphere here is always hard to get used to.'

The Stura Magic School was known for its strict environment.

Especially between students and professors, there was an insurmountable wall.

But among the professors, while there was a hierarchy, the atmosphere was more like that of a family.

No matter what a professor did wrong, they would be forgiven, but no matter how well a student performed, they would be severely punished.

That was the Stura Magic School.

And the one who created that atmosphere was….

"Now, let's get to the main point."

The grand mage who had once dominated an era, Dean Ludwig Liebenstein.

His absolute principle.

Protect your allies at all costs, and show no mercy to your enemies.

If both were allies, he would side with the one he had known longer and was closer to.

Though he had personally experienced war and created this peaceful era, he never abandoned this principle.

Even the dean, with his warm smile, would show no mercy to anyone who harmed his family.

"The reason I've gathered you all here today is to recommend someone to fill the vacancy of an assistant professor."

"…"

Everyone suddenly fell silent.

The meaning of those words wasn't that one of the assistant professors would be promoted.

It meant that one of the assistant professors would be removed.

At the Stura Magic School….

The idea of the dean dismissing someone was almost unimaginable.

The fact that someone who so fiercely protected his allies was preparing to dismiss someone was shocking even to the professors.

However, the professors didn't ask for reasons and began suggesting candidates.

Several adjunct professors were nominated.

The dean muttered one name after hearing it.

"Sonya Friedrich…"

"I personally think she's the most suitable candidate."

"She's a bit young, though."

"Yes, but not only is her personal ability outstanding, but her qualities as an educator are also highly regarded."

The dean closed his eyes for a moment, pondered, and then made a decision.

"Very well. I'll notify the adjunct professors who have been nominated by the end of this weekend. Next…"

***

After finishing the meal, I was invited to Sonya's house.

And not just me, but Luna and Louis were also invited.

Louis seemed to want to go somewhere else with Luna after the meal, but he reluctantly accepted the invitation due to Luna's insistence.

Luna had stubbornly insisted on visiting Sonya's house.

As we left the restaurant, two carriages were waiting.@@novelbin@@

And the passengers were…

Karl Fiedrich, Sonya, and Louis boarded the larger carriage, while Luna and I took the smaller one.

This arrangement was made by Sonya.

She had orchestrated it so that her husband and Louis could have a good conversation.

I couldn't forget the look on Louis's face as he couldn't refuse Sonya's request.

'Well, it's good for me, but I have no idea what she's thinking.'

[I think she might be trying to help you.]

'…Really?'

Last night in the lab, Sonya had spoken as if she wanted to help me.

I honestly thought it was just lip service.

I thought she meant, "Date her, but you're mine."

That's how my mind works.

Actually, if it were my true nature, I'd want everything for myself.

Luna stared at me intently and then said.

"…You're amazing."

"Ah, thank you. You're beautiful too."

"Thank you."

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The quiet carriage was filled only with the sound of hooves and wheels hitting the ground.

I broke the silence and spoke.

"So, the thing you had today was meeting Louis?"

"Well… yes. He kept clinging to me, so I had no choice. Really."

"Hmm…"

Feeling mischievous, I looked at Luna with a suspicious gaze.

Seeing my expression, Luna began to stammer like a thief caught red-handed.

"I-I'm telling the truth! I really didn't want to come! But…"

Luna began to passionately explain herself to clear up any misunderstandings.

As I watched her, Armonia's communication came through.

[It seems her feelings have shifted.]

'Yeah… She's really cute.'

Luna's flustered appearance was truly adorable.

The woman who had always been confident and cold on the outside was now revealing her innermost thoughts in front of me.

[But Suho. Why did you accept Sonya Fiedrich's offer?]

'Ah….'

During the meal, Sonya suddenly suggested that I stay at her house for the night.

I accepted without much thought.

The look on Luna's face when I accepted was as if she had lost the world.

'Well, there must be a reason Sonya suggested it, so let's wait and see.'

[…Understood.]

Armonia seemed to have some complaints but remained quiet.

When I was invited to dinner yesterday, Sonya suggested I stay overnight.

I had planned to just get a pass and leave.

Since she had a husband, I thought she'd return home quickly like last time.

I didn't expect her to bring it up so openly during the meal.

Sonya's husband also smiled at me and encouraged me to stay.

They were an enigmatic couple.

As I listened to Luna's explanation, the carriage suddenly stopped, having reached its destination.

I held out my hand to Luna and said.

"Then, can I make plans with you next week?"

"…"

Luna stopped her explanation and looked at me with surprised eyes.

She stared at my hand for a moment, then placed her hand on mine and smiled.

"…You have to keep that promise."

"Of course."

Luna and I got out of the carriage and headed toward the Fiedrich mansion.

***

We enjoyed teatime at the white round table in the garden.

One thing I realized after Sonya's invitation today was that I wasn't much of a talker.

Karl Fiedrich and Louis exchanged elegant conversation, while Luna and Sonya listened attentively.

Karl Fiedrich had an impressive degree of knowledge, hard to believe for a merchant.

Louis, as a noble who frequently attended social gatherings, led the conversation skillfully.

In my mind, Louis had been promoted from a jerk to a jerk who could talk well.

Still, I was able to join the conversation thanks to Karl, who kept engaging me.

Eventually, the topic shifted to music.

"Ah! So it was you who was invited that time."

"Yes, I was honoured to be invited to celebrate the birthday of the princess of Levin Kingdom."

"I was too young to recognize you back then. After that, I tried so hard to learn the violin."

"Oh, do you play the violin?"

"Haha, no. I tried hard, but my skills fell short, so I gave up."

"The effort itself is what matters."

"Haha, thank you."

Karl asked a servant waiting nearby to bring the violin from his room.

Upon hearing this, the servant immediately brought a dark green violin case.

Karl carefully opened the case and took out the violin.

The deep brown violin exuded a powerful aura as if it had weathered many years.

"We have guests today, so I'll play, though my skills are humble."

Karl stood up and, under our expectant gazes, began to play the violin.

The beautiful tones spread through the garden like waves.

Even I, who only listened to game background music, felt a serene breeze flow through my chest.

Louis, of course, as well as Luna, Sonya, and the servants attending to us, all absorbed the music with their entire bodies, not moving a muscle.

It felt as if the sound of the violin was seeping into our bodies, not just our ears.

As soon as the performance ended, the garden was filled with applause.

"That was truly amazing."

"…It really was. I thought it was incredible when I heard it in the hall back then, but hearing it again, thank you."

Louis and Luna continued to praise him.

"Wow, you play really well."

Not knowing what else to say, I followed their lead.

Karl handed the violin to Louis.

"Would you like to give it a try?"

"Oh? Karl…. Is it okay to use this violin?"

"Of course. We have esteemed guests; I can't just hand over any violin."

Louis carefully took the violin and adjusted his posture.

"Ah…. It's been a while, so I'm not sure how well I'll do."

As soon as he began playing, he started with an intense energy.

If Karl's performance was like a calm breeze, Louis's was like a raging storm.

'Damn it! All you talented people should just die!'

[The world is inherently unfair.]

'Damn it!'

It was certainly a different feeling from Karl's performance.

While Karl's playing moved the soul, Louis's was more about entertaining the ears.

When the performance ended, everyone in the garden applauded.

With so few people, there was no need to fake it.

'Tch, all of you should just die.'

[Suho, your expression is showing too much.]

I chuckled awkwardly at Armonia's words.

Fortunately, no one seemed to notice.

I had an image to maintain, so I complimented him.

"You play well."

It was the most sincere compliment I could muster like a broth boiled a hundred times.

But Louis's gaze seemed to mock me as he looked at me.

He turned to Karl and said.

"Why don't we give our friend here a chance to play?"

"Ah! Do you play the violin?"

Karl looked at me with great expectation.

'…I've fallen into Louis's trap.'

[It's fine to decline if you're uncomfortable.]

I couldn't force myself to do something I couldn't do.

Besides, this wasn't just any violin; it looked incredibly expensive.

"I'm sorry. I've never played the violin before…"

But Louis interrupted me and forcibly handed me the violin.

"Why not just try holding it? You'll probably never get the chance again."

Thud!

Luna slammed the table and stood up, raising her voice.

"Louis!"

Though I was the one who should have been upset, it was Luna who got angry.

'Wow, he's really crossing the line now.'

[…Suho.]

'Huh?'

[Right now….]

Armonia began to say something to me.

As I was communicating, a heavy silence fell over the garden.

Luna immediately apologized to everyone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin the mood…"

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have joked like that…"

Louis apologized, but his gaze didn't include me.

He was apologizing to the other three people.

As the two cautiously sat down, the sound of violin strings vibrating echoed through the garden.

All eyes turned to me.

The melody floated like bubbles drifting on the sea, sometimes calm under the sun, other times swallowed by a raging storm, plunging into darkness where nothing could be seen.

The sound of the bay's current led everyone in the garden into a stormy ocean.

I never closed my eyes.

My violin, leading everyone through the ocean, finished its 10-minute performance and brought everyone back to the garden.

When I looked around, Karl and Sonya were just emerging from the music, looking at me with moved expressions.

Louis was staring at me in shock, unable to speak.

The silence was broken by the sound of one person clapping.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

It was Luna, who was looking at me with tears like dew in her eyes.

***

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