I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 160: First Years After Party [1]

? Noah's POV ?

The night after the First-Year Entrance Ceremony was quiet.

Save for the faint hum of conversation drifting through the academy's hallways.

I had just finished freshening up, my damp hair tousled from the towel slung over my shoulders.

The mirror reflected a face I had grown all too familiar with.

Arrogance laced with apathy, though tonight, there was an edge of irritation.

The invitation card lay on the desk, mocking me with its contents.

The gold-embossed letters gleamed under the candlelight.

[First-Year After Party – Bring a Plus One]

I stared at it for the umpteenth time, muttering.

"How did I miss this?"

Where the hell was I supposed to find a plus one?

Especially when the entire academy despised me?

Being "infamous" had its perks—False Evil Points, for one—but this was an unnecessary pain I didn't want to deal with.

My mind wandered to Maya.

She'd probably shove me into a wall for even suggesting it.

Not that I blamed her.

Anyone in their right mind would decline an offer from me.

Find adventures at M-V-L

I sighed, leaning back in my chair.

This was pointless.

Just as I was about to toss the idea altogether.

I noticed Mari moving about the room, folding my clothes and humming softly to herself.

A sly smile crept onto my face.

"Well, well..."

I murmured, an idea forming.

"Hey, Mari," I called out, my voice casual.

"Yes, young master?"

She replied without looking up, diligently smoothing out the creases in my coat.

"How would you like to be my plus one for the afterparty tonight?"

I asked, leaning forward in my chair with my most charming (manipulative) tone.

Her hands froze mid-fold, and for a moment, I thought I had her.

But then she turned to me, wide-eyed, and shook her head furiously.

"Oh, no, young master, I couldn't possibly—"

"Why not?"

I interrupted, feigning disinterest.

She hesitated, fumbling for a reason.

"Well... I don't have anything appropriate to wear...

A-And I wouldn't want to embarrass you, young master...

Besides, I have chores to finish."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Chores? At this hour?"

Mari looked away, mumbling incoherently about laundry and organizing drawers.

Her excuses were laughable, but I kept my composure, standing up and heading to my closet.

"Well, suit yourself," I said nonchalantly, rifling through my clothes.

"Not like I care.

I'm sure I'll figure something out."

Inside, I was grinning.

---

[Character Catalogue]

Mari Cosgrove

Age: 21

Role: No influence on the main storyline

Title: None

[Description: A maid serving the infamous Noah Ashbourne. She feels overwhelming guilt even for the most minor offenses or actions, often to an irrational degree.]

---

I knew her too well.

The pang of guilt was already creeping in.

"Anytime now..."

"..."

"Y-young master?"

Mari's voice wavered.

I turned, suppressing a victorious smirk.

Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

Her legs shifted awkwardly as though rooted to the spot by indecision.

"Mari feels a pang of guilt for the smallest things.."

I thought to myself, barely containing my amusement.

"I... I'm sorry, young master..."

She stammered, bowing slightly.

"It was foolish of me to refuse such an honorable offer.

Please forgive my earlier rudeness."

"Of course."

I said, letting a long pause hang in the air.

Finally, I walked over and patted her head lightly.

"Go get ready."

Mari's eyes widened as her cheeks flushed a deep red.

I could see the wheels turning in her head—she had clearly expected me to lash out or call her some unsavory name for refusing me earlier.

Instead, I offered her a calm command, laced with just the right amount of arrogance.

"You've got twenty minutes."

I added, returning to my desk.

"Meet me at the center of the Tuition Cube garden."

"Yes, young master!"

She squeaked, scampering off as if her life depended on it.

***

As soon as Noah left Mari couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"D-did young master Noah just p-pat me?"

She thought, her face a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

***

? Noah's POV ?

The moon hung high in the sky.

Casting its pale glow over the vast expanse of the Ravenwood Academy grounds.

I stood at the center of the tuition cube, the faint hum of magical energy resonating around me.

The night was calm, yet my thoughts were anything but.

My gaze fell to the ornate carriage parked nearby—a sleek black design with silver trimmings.

A new addition to my increasingly chaotic life.

It wasn't a purchase made out of luxury but necessity.

And I had used the last money I had in my name or rather the amount I had before getting financially cut off.

Commuting around the academy grounds was an ordeal, and I'd had enough of riding the bus amongst the others.

Of course, the old man—my personal driver—had turned it into a spectacle.

The scene replayed in my head vividly.

The moment I informed him of his new assignment, the man had dropped to his knees, eyes brimming with tears.

"Thank you, Young Master!

You're too kind!

Too generous!"

"It's just a carriage, not a damn throne!"

I'd snapped, crossing my arms.

"I bought it for commuting, not for my... posterior!"

But he wasn't listening.

He clung to my legs, sobbing profusely.

"I am forever grateful, Young Master!

Truly, you're a blessing upon this earth—"

"Let go of my legs, old man!"

My voice echoed across the courtyard.

But did he let go? No.

He tightened his grip, pressing his face against my boots like they were relics of some divine power.

The absurdity of it all made me grit my teeth.

"You're embarrassing yourself."

I growled, trying to shake him off.

Still, he clung.

Finally, I did what any rational person would do—I punched him on the head.

"Get off me!"

The old man yelped, releasing his grip and tumbling back.

I could swear I saw a puff of smoke rise from his head as he clutched it, eyes wide with betrayal.

"Young Master, that hurt!"

"It was supposed to!"

I shot back.

"Now, get back to work, and stop acting like I cured you of some terminal illness!"

The memory brought a smirk to my lips despite myself.

For all his dramatics, he was loyal to a fault.

If nothing else, I could rely on him for discretion—something sorely lacking among the student population.

My thoughts were interrupted by a burst of laughter.

A group of students—most likely first-years—strolled past, their voices carrying in the still night.

"Did you see him earlier?

What a spectacle!"

One of them giggled, clearly unaware of how sound traveled in the open air.

"Yeah, the infamous Noah Ashbourne.

He's nothing like they say."

Another chimed in, though their tone was dripping with sarcasm.

I narrowed my eyes, a familiar wave of irritation bubbling to the surface.

There was nothing I despised more than being the topic of conversation.

Especially when I was present to hear it.

It wasn't just a Noah Ashbourne thing either—back in my old life as Kim Hajun, I'd loathed it just as much.

"If you're going to talk about me, at least do it behind my back."

I muttered under my breath.

Before I could spiral further into annoyance, I caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the corner of my eye.

Mari.

Usually, she was in her maid uniform, but tonight she wore a sleek black dress that accentuated her figure, the fabric glinting faintly in the moonlight.

"Good evening, Young Master," she said, her voice as composed as ever.

For a brief moment, I considered complimenting her appearance.

She looked… refined.

Elegant, even.

But, true to form, I said the first thing that came to mind.

"You look different."

I remarked bluntly.

Her brow arched ever so slightly.

"I'll take that as a compliment, though I'm not entirely sure it was meant as one."

"Whatever," I said, waving her off.

"Come along. We're heading to the Hall."

"The Hall?" she repeated, tilting her head.

"Don't make me repeat myself. Let's go."

The two of us made our way across the grounds, the noise from the Hall growing louder with each step.

It was the after-party for the first-years—a chaotic gathering that I had no real interest in attending.

But appearances mattered, and as much as I hated to admit it, there was a certain expectation for someone of my status to at least show their face.

It wasn't as though I'd be the only upperclassman there.

No doubt other second-years, and maybe even a few third-years, would make an appearance.

And if anything went wrong—which, given the nature of these events, was almost a guarantee—there'd be professors and academy staff on hand to intervene.

'I'm not going to play hero...not that I could. '

As we approached the grand double doors, I couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"This is going to be a pain," I muttered.

Mari glanced at me, her expression unreadable.

"You could always skip it, Young Master."

"And give them more reason to talk about me?" I scoffed. "Not a chance."

The doors swung open, and we were greeted by a cacophony of voices, laughter, and music.

The Hall was packed, the air thick with the mingling scents of food and drink.

Mari followed closely behind me as I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping over the crowd.

I spotted a few familiar faces—some of them glancing my way before quickly looking elsewhere.

Typical.

"Well," I said, mostly to myself, "let's get this over with."