I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 43
Illein cast a spell to hide her hair.
While not as perfect as when she wore her ring, she was able to somewhat resemble her original appearance.
However, the difference in height and the absence of the Adam’s apple required careful attention.
She wore a scarf around her neck and made insoles for her shoes because her male body was over 10cm taller.
Moreover, she had to tightly bind her chest to the point of barely breathing, worried that her chest might protrude. She couldn’t even straighten her waist properly.
It was the worst start of her day.
“Illein.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Instead of attending the first period today, please go see the chairman.”
Illein was puzzled as Professor Sharian seemed to be singling her out for some special instructions.
“Is it about the student council?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know the details.”
Trembling with nervousness, Illein caught Damon’s worried look.
“Should I come with you?”
At Damon’s offer, Illein snapped back to her senses and shook her head no.
After the assembly, she had to accompany Professor Sharian to the chairman’s office. The tightness around her chest seemed not only from the bandage. She felt as though she was suffocating, and the tight binding seemed to double her physical exhaustion.
Every so often, she resented her curvaceous body.
“You may enter.”
Trusting Professor Sharian, who had always treated her well, Illein nodded and believed it would be alright as she went inside.
“Chairman, I have brought student Illein Thierry.”
As the chairman’s gaze moved from the desk to the door, he gestured for her to come in.
“Welcome, Student Thierry.”
Following the chairman’s gesture, Professor Sharian closed the door and left. Illein walked to a sofa area as directed by the chairman.
Then, the chairman, wielding a fancy silver cane, set up a teapot and cups, and promptly brewed some tea as she took a seat. He said to Illein.
“Please drink.”
“Ah, thank you.”
The chairman smiled at Illein.
“Why do you think I called you here?”
“I’m not sure.”
Unable to see the chairman’s expression, Illein fiddled with her teacup before taking a sip of the tea.
Surprised by the rich flavor of the tea, she quickly took another sip.
Observing her, the chairman smiled and said.
“I called you here because of a recent incident. Prince Edwin has also expressed a desire for the perpetrator to be severely punished.”
“Oh, that?”
“But Prince Edwin has said that you, Student Thierry, requested that they not be punished for that incident.”
“Me? Oh, yes.”
“So, I’m going to investigate.”
“What?”
Illein was shocked and gripped her teacup tighter.
“There’s also a report from Young Duke Candelaria about ongoing harassment. That’s sufficient to warrant action.”
“No, that’s not…”
“I cannot tolerate such incidents within Bellaine Academy. Here, all students are equal. That is our educational philosophy and my personal pride.”
“Ah…”
“So, I cannot simply let this go. I would appreciate it if you could tell me the truth.”
But Illein couldn’t tell the truth. Her father’s job was at stake.
“If there are other interests involved, please tell me. Then, instead of academy punishment, I could impose a different one.”
“How so?”
“Such incidents have occurred before in the academy. If I had always bent the rules for convenience, our Bellaine Academy wouldn’t have its current reputation. Trust me, Illein. If it’s difficult, I can give you time to think.”
As Illein listened intently, the chairman noticed her focus and smiled.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure how I can trust you.”
“Well, if you tell me, you’ll see for yourself. We could even use an oath spell.”
Illein pondered over his words. She still couldn’t speak outright.
After all, she had only met the chairman twice. She couldn’t be sure if he was trustworthy.
“I’d like to think it over and then get back to you.”
“Alright, I will be waiting, Student Thierry.”
With that, Illein was able to conclude her meeting with the chairman.
Illein was still struggling with the difficulties of being in a woman’s body.
It seemed that Edwin, who had been asleep in the morning, had taken the ring. The tracking magic showed it was still within the school.
She waited until lunchtime, hoping to ask him for the ring once everyone had left. But he rushed off as soon as lunch began. Instinctively, she grabbed her lunchbox and followed him as if shadowing him.
Edwin turned back, walking quickly as if trying to escape.
“Edwin!”
“Don’t follow me.”
He was moving very fast, and Illein, who had awkwardly adjusted her shoes to be taller, found it hard to keep up.
“Wait…!”
She desperately chased after him.
So, they continued, passing from one classroom corridor to the next— from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd, all the way through to 10th, racing down the long corridor.
“Edwin!”
“I said, don’t follow me.”