The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent-Chapter 320

Alice shot me a sharp remark when I continued to look clueless.

"Think about your image. You seem to have forgotten, but you were once one of the most feared figures among the empire’s nobles. And now, you’re the only one who’s still out in the open."

Ah.

I see now.

Just because the academy and schools had a similar system didn’t mean "academy = school."

This was an institution for nobles. And if you went to the separated classes, there were commoners, too.

Even without considering the noble-commoner divide, there were huge disparities in status even among the nobles.

Some had bitter rivalries, some had relationships akin to master and vassal... It was far too different from a normal school setting.

"It’s good that you’ve been relaxing more lately, but don’t let your guard down too much. You should at least remember the basics."

"......."

Alice’s words were so logical that I couldn’t think of a good response.

"So, what should I do?"

"That’s easy."

Before Charlotte could answer, Claire cut in.

"Just start talking casually to everyone. Simple, right?"

"......."

The three of us fell silent.

Alice, who had been reprimanding me just moments ago, and Charlotte, who had started this whole conversation, now seemed unsure.

They had brought it up themselves, but hearing the idea spoken out loud made them realize just how unnatural it sounded.

Sylvia Fangryphon, speaking casually to everyone in the academy...

Even I couldn’t picture that.

"But honestly, there’s no other way."

After thinking for a long while, Alice finally spoke again.

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"Yeah. It’s not like we can tell you to go back to speaking formally to everyone again."

"I wouldn’t want that either."

Charlotte and Claire chimed in.

"So... I should just start talking casually to everyone starting today?"

"......."

There was a brief silence before they all nodded.

Claire was the only one smiling as if it was the most natural thing in the world, while Alice and Charlotte looked slightly uneasy.

No, seriously—what exactly do they want from me?

*

I decided to go along with what the three of them had said.

However, I didn’t immediately apply this change to the entire academy all at once.

I started with those around me first. That way, the shock would be a little less intense.

"So, Charlotte, from today on, I’ll talk casually with you."

"I thought you said you were only matching my speech because I spoke formally? Well, I suppose that’s fine."

Charlotte spoke with her usual prim tone, but she accepted it without any visible shock. No, in fact, she was smiling brightly as she said it.

"Of course, I’ll continue speaking the way I always have. I speak this way to everyone, after all."

"Of course."

I nodded at Charlotte’s words.

Honestly, it felt incredibly awkward. I truly considered Charlotte a friend, and that was a genuine feeling, but this felt like when you finally switch to informal speech with a coworker you’ve become close with.

Not that I’d ever actually done that before. I was just guessing that’s how it would feel.

Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

Alright, time to apply it to the next friend.

Just in time, Sophia was returning to class, having stepped out for a bit during lunch.

"Sophia, hey."

"...What?"

The moment I greeted her, Sophia froze in place, gripping the doorframe stiffly.

Then, instead of stepping into the classroom, she backed out through the doorway.

"What’s going on? What is happening? What are you thinking? Are you planning to use me for something? Was it just my delusion that we were actually friends?"

She started spouting all sorts of strange things.

"......."

"You should have just spoken casually from the beginning."

I turned to Charlotte for help, but she let out a deep sigh.

"Hmm... I think you just missed your timing."

Alice tried to comfort me, but honestly, it wasn’t much help.

"It’s fine, Sophia. Just come sit down for now."

At Claire’s words, Sophia hesitated before reluctantly returning to her seat.

Her desk was in the same place, but she had subtly moved her chair slightly away from me.

"So, my sister decided to be a little closer to people now. That’s why she’s switching to casual speech with everyone."

"Don’t."

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Sophia cut me off with a firm look.

"Don’t do that."

And she emphasized it again.

...Okay, saying it like that kind of stung.

"I nearly had a heart attack just now. If the people around me hadn’t reacted normally, I would’ve fled straight to the Holy Nation."

The Holy Nation was far away, and even if she tried, Belvur’s army was occupying the place.

Honestly, staying in the empire seemed like the safer option for her, but I decided not to say that out loud.

"It’s only because I’ve known you all for a long time and could gauge the situation based on your reactions that I managed to keep my cool. But if anyone with a weaker heart had been here, they might have actually suffered a heart attack on the spot."

What, am I some kind of grim reaper?

"Hmm... but why? My sister isn’t that scary."

At Claire’s words, Alice, Charlotte, and Sophia all turned to stare at her at the same time.

They all had the same expression—one that seemed to be questioning whether she had lost her mind—but realizing that it was Claire, they quickly gave up and turned back to me instead.

"...Maybe it’s your expression?"

Alice murmured, resting her chin on her hand.

"That could definitely be a big factor."

Charlotte nodded seriously.

"It’s not just that, but yeah, your expression plays a major role."

Sophia added, backing them up.

"What’s wrong with my expression?"

I asked, and Alice gave me a serious look.

"I’ve trained for years to understand your expressions, but most people haven’t. Whether you’re speaking formally or casually, if you keep that same blank face and monotone voice, people will still find you intimidating."

"...So, should I just smile when I greet people?"

"If you do that, their hearts might seize up from the shock, and they could suffer a brain hemorrhage on the spot."

What the hell is she even saying at this point?