Deviation

As Luna and I entered the main hall, my eyes locked onto the refreshment table. Trays of pastries, fruits, and drinks were laid out neatly. I hadn't eaten anything since waking up in this body, and the hunger was starting to make my brain fuzzy.

It was perfect.

But there was just a teeny-weeny problem…

Nobody was eating.

Everyone was so busy networking that nobody had touched anything on the table. It was almost like decoration at this point.

Is it poisoned? Some kind of test? Am I the only one missing something?

In my previous life, I would've marched straight to that table, social awkwardness be damned. Food trumps reputation. But in the body of Ice Princess, there was a certain reputation to uphold.

If I broke formation and went for the food first, the whispers would start immediately. "Did you see her? Couldn't even wait five minutes. So undignified." That kind of talk could snowball fast. So it was

a big no-no.

I bit the inside of my cheek, annoyed.

Just then, Luna tugged at my sleeve.

"Uhm."

I glanced at her. "What is it?"

She didn't answer right away, just shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Luna?"

"I'm sorry, Aria."

I waited for her to continue.

"I... I have to go."

"Go where?"

She fidgeted with her hands, still not meeting my eyes. "My parents. They told me I need to network with students from the higher guilds. They were really strict about it."

Her face crumpled, like she was on the verge of tears.

I felt a pang of guilt. "It's okay. You should go."

"But—"

"I'll be standing right here. Come back whenever you want."

Luna finally looked up at me, her expression confused rather than relieved. "Wait... don't you also

have to go? Your father always tells you to mingle with students from higher-ranked guilds, doesn't he?"

Right. That was something Aria's father would say.

But do I care what he says?

Hell no.

Besides, I had more important things to worry about. Like finding the protagonist.

"It's fine. I'll be here."

Luna stared at me for a long moment, clearly wanting to argue. But something in my expression must have stopped her.

"...Okay. If you're sure, Aria."

With that, she left reluctantly, glancing back at me once before disappearing into the crowd.

That worked out, I guess.

I felt guilty about it, but I'd also wanted Luna gone. The thing is, in the novel, when the main character approached Aria, she stood alone. But with Luna's personality, she would've clung to my side.

What unsettled me was how the plot compensated. In the novel, I had no idea where Luna went. I'd given her the setting of following Aria like a magnet. But at this point in the story, I hadn't even planned her existence.

It seems like the world was filling in my plot hole naturally. Would that change things as I know them? There was no way of knowing. The only thing I could do right now was search for the protagonist.

Where could he be? A noisy guy with black, messy hair.

Usually, his type was instantly recognizable. The energetic protagonist with messy hair who talked too loudly, made friends with everyone, and had that annoying "I'll never give up!" attitude plastered across his face at all times.

He should stand out in a crowd like this.

But as I looked around the hall, I didn't see anyone matching that description.

Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. My first instinct was to grab it and flip them over, some judo throw reflex I didn't even know this body had. But I reined myself in at the last second.

Is this it? Is it the main character?

I turned around.

***

It wasn't.

It wasn't the main character. Not the first guy, not the second guy, or the third.

I stood near the edge of the room, tapping my finger against my arm in irritation, scanning the

crowd with growing frustration.

Just then, a boy with an easy smile approached and reached out for a handshake.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Ethan Cross, Combat Class A-12."

I stared at his hand, then mentally sighed. This is the fourth one. When will it end?

You'd think at this point they would've learned their lesson. But they kept coming, only to get cold-shouldered by me.

Is it one of those "I'm different" mentalities? Or just iron will?

And for whatever fucking reason, the penalty isn't working. Or maybe it is, and their desire to

approach me just overpowers the intimidation? Is that how it works?

Please, system. Please.

I'm so, so sorry for calling you useless, but could you please increase the penalty effect by a hundredfold?

And it isn't as if they would simply leave when I don't engage. They keep talking until it becomes awkward. When they have nothing left to say. I couldn’t continue my search for MC because of it, and already wasted half an hour like this.

I watched Ethan's smile strain when I didn't accept his handshake. It was about to get worse. I had something worse planned for him.

Sorry, kid. I have no other option left.

"Don't talk to me."

"Huh."

Ethan paused for a second, but his smile came back just as quickly. "Sorry, I think I misheard."

I let my voice drop as cold as possible. "No, you heard me correctly. Don't talk to me." Even I was surprised by how flat and emotionless it came out.

Ethan took a step back. But he didn't leave. Rather than anger or indignation, he replied calmly.

"Have I done anything wrong, Miss Aria? If so, I would like to apologize."

Surprise hit me. He was replying calmly. Even apologizing for something he hadn't committed. It was certainly something I hadn't expected from these rich kids.

But it kind of annoyed me.

More than it should have.

"I don't like your face. That smile looks fake. Your voice is annoying. And honestly? Just standing near you is exhausting.”

I crossed my arms, letting the cold seep into every word. "So do us both a favor and leave."

The atmosphere turned chilly. Even the smile on Ethan's face was wiped out. But there was a glint in his eyes that struck me as odd. He replied, ever so calmly, "It seems I'm being a bother, Miss Aria.

But I see you've been searching for someone? I may be able to help you."

Ice shot through my veins as I studied his face closely, neat brown hair, warm hazel eyes.

My stomach dropped. How did he…

Just as I was thinking that, there was a loud booming noise.

"Hello? Can everyone hear me?"

At the center of the hall stood a group of five, two girls and three boys. One of them, a tall boy with sharp features, stepped forward, holding a microphone. What was odd was that he was wearing black glasses inside the main hall.

Even though I had never seen him, I instantly recognized who that was. So did others. The hall buzzed with whispers.

"Isn't that the Vale Guild Heir?"

"Yeah, he's with the other top guild heirs. What's this about?"

I had a bad feeling about this.

"I'm Adrian Vale, Combat Class A-1."

The whispers grew louder. Students craned their necks to get a better look. Some pulled out their phones.

Adrian's smile widened at the attention. "I've noticed a lot of people want to meet and interact with us, so I thought, why not? Let's introduce ourselves one by one."

He paused, letting that sink in.

"I'll call people by their position. You can come up here if you want to."

The crowd murmured with excitement. This was exactly what most of them had been hoping for, a chance to network with the top rankers.

He smiled politely. "Does anyone have any objections?"

An event that hadn't been in the original novel was unfolding right in front of me. A notification appeared to confirm it.

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[MAJOR DEVIATION IN PLOT]

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How? I didn't even do anything.