22 Chapter 22

"talking" (Mc to system) [System]

Facing the female protagonist group causing trouble, Ifia was not surprised at all.

Although she chose to avoid confrontation yesterday, it wasn't because she was afraid of them. She simply didn't want to invite too much trouble.

Irene and the others thought she wouldn't dare to jeopardize their relationship over a money issue. Similarly, Ifia believed they wouldn't really break ties over not lending money.

In that case, let's see who loses patience first!

Anyway, she had no money but plenty of confidence!

"Ifia, where did you go last night? How can you stay out all night!"

Before Fiona could speak, Irene preemptively said, her words carrying more accusation than concern.

Her voice was not deliberately lowered, and it echoed loudly in the enclosed classroom.

Staying out all night sometimes carried a special connotation, and with Ifia being a cute and pretty girl, it added a hint of romance to the situation.

For a moment, not only commoner students but also some nobles couldn't help but look over with curiosity.

Bathed in numerous gazes, Ifia didn't feel ashamed or uncomfortable. Instead, she confidently let people look at her.

So what if she stayed out all night!

Being able to maintain a moral boundary and refuse the beautiful Amelia as a sleep companion, Ifia felt like she was a saint!

Thinking this, Ifia straightened her chest, her face expressing pride and arrogance.

"Irene, do I have to report to you if I stay at a friend's house? My friend is an elegant and beautiful lady. Chatting with her is very pleasant, so I lost track of time and ended up staying overnight. There's nothing I can do. Although I feel a bit embarrassed, she even asked me to stay more often~"

Ifia's tone at this moment was not as polite as before.

Since the female protagonist Irene wasn't someone easy to get along with, Ifia had no desire to spend time with her.

The supporting character and the protagonist were destined not to coexist peacefully.

In this case, there was no need to maintain the previous politeness, or else she would be looked down upon. During the days Ifia spent in the slums, she gained some insights, at least when peeping through the door crack, she became more aware of the principle of survival of the fittest.

Once others perceived you as weak, apart from disdainful mockery, you would also face incoming humiliation.

Nobles might at least keep a facade for the sake of their reputation, but commoners would directly judge and treat you differently.

Their methods were more straightforward and brutal.

Irene thought Ifia, who seemed innocent, would feel embarrassed about staying out all night, but the subsequent development was unexpected. Ifia not only didn't feel ashamed, but also showed a triumphant look.

The words she spoke afterward, both overtly and covertly, clearly hinted that her friend was a noble!

This immediately dispelled people's doubts and also brought a new evaluation of Ifia.

Being able to befriend and stay overnight with a noble meant that their relationship was undoubtedly close. To be appreciated by a noble, Ifia must be different from other commoners.

At least, there hadn't been a harmonious relationship between a commoner and a noble in the class.

It seemed like Ifia was underestimated!

Irene quietly raised Ifia's danger level, thinking she was pretending to be naive while secretly being a ruthless person, putting on an innocent facade while being a cunning individual.

However, Irene didn't know that Irene's thoughts were a bit far-fetched. Ifia said what she did just to show off.

If it weren't for the desire to keep a low profile and the inability to mention Amelia's name, she would have been showing off long ago. To be able to live in the mansion of the Duke's daughter, others wouldn't even dare to dream about it.

But she actually moved in~

"I'm just worried about you."

Seeing Ifia quickly turning the situation around, Irene didn't continue to hold on. Her voice softened when she spoke again, and her face showed a timely expression of being misunderstood. She didn't explain too much, but it made people feel that Ifia didn't appreciate good intentions.

Indeed, she was the female protagonist. Even though her physical appearance and figure were lacking, she had a way with words.

After hearing Ifia's words, Fiona couldn't help but feel indignant on her behalf.

"Ifia, is it wrong for Irene, as your roommate, to worry about you? It's just because she's so kind, others wouldn't bother at all."

Fiona, as the female protagonist's sidekick, played her role well.

She anticipated and acted in advance without receiving any orders.

As the target of the attack, Ifia didn't get angry. Instead, she looked at Fiona with pity. She felt she was already foolish at times, but now there was someone even more foolish.

Perhaps, maybe, Fiona's skill points were all invested in studying, leading to deficiencies in other areas compared to normal people.

However, Ifia didn't find any friendship in this. She wasn't like Fiona, who would help count money even after being sold!

"Yes, she's so kind and caring, she'll definitely lend me money!"

"Lend… lend money?"

Fiona originally had a lot more to say, but when she heard Ifia mention borrowing money, her expression couldn't help but freeze for a moment. Then she quickly regained her composure, nervously staring at Ifia, afraid that she might hear something she didn't want to hear from that small mouth.

Ifia must have money, or else how could she explain to Ronnie!

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Ifia looked at Fiona with a helpless smile and spoke, "I didn't know the desserts at the Pulis Academy store were so expensive. I accidentally spent all my living expenses for this month. I can only borrow some money from Irene and pay her back next month."

Ifia had already thought it through.

As long as she took the initiative and decisively asked to borrow money, Fiona would lose face if she brought it up later.

Walking the path of a troublemaker left no room for the trouble to turn!

When Ifia mentioned the desserts at the Pulis Academy store, many commoner students in the class subconsciously nodded in understanding.

They had fallen for it too!

The desserts, which seemed plain and simple, were indeed expensive outside, but not as costly as those at the Pulis Academy store!

It was practically robbing people, yet they still gave you a small piece of cake.

"Ifia, you don't have any money left at all?"

"Of course, I originally planned to stay at my friend's house for a few days until I receive the reward for being the first in the grade. Then, I'll have money."

Then, Fiona, persistent as ever, continued to inquire and received a positive answer.

She elongated her face, looked disappointedly at Ifia, feeling that Ifia was really unreliable at crucial moments.

Why was she so gluttonous!

If Ifia hadn't spent that money and allowed Fiona to give it to Ronnie, then they could have reconciled, and not let that disgusting girl, Britney, continue to dominate Ronnie!

Fiona was filled with worries about how she would explain Ifia's lack of money to Ronnie. Meanwhile, Irene, when Ifia mentioned being the first in the grade, subtly frowned.

If it were yesterday, Irene would definitely not be so wary of Ifia. However, times had changed.

Ifia missed almost a month of classes, and even if she were intelligent, it would be impossible to get good grades in the exams.

Especially considering that Ifia was just a commoner, unlike some nobles who received elite education from a young age. Yet, now she was claiming to be the first in the grade!

What did she have up her sleeve that made her so confident?

Irene's expression remained unchanged, but she clasped her hands behind her back, clenched her teeth, and looked at Ifia with a hidden hostility. She wished she could read Ifia's mind to know whether Ifia truly had the ability or if she was just bluffing!

Regardless, she wouldn't back down.

Being the first in the grade was her position!