Happy Evil Heartbreaker [Modern LitRPG]

Xanthia was a girl fraught with insecurities, a fact that did not escape Dematero's discerning eye. It was clear to him that her nervous demeanor was not an act; she simply lacked the guile to deceive through appearances alone.

With a vivid imagination and a perceptive nature, Dematero had begun to envisage various scenarios, ultimately concluding that Xanthia was a girl plagued by social anxiety yet yearning for companionship. He resolved to guide her, to ease her integration into the class, believing it to be his noble duty.

Indeed, many men find a peculiar pleasure in the role of mentor. A certain authoritarian president was once quoted as saying, "Men have two great pastimes: seducing virtuous women and reforming those who have strayed." To mould a girl into the ideal image one holds in mind is a task that can yield a profound sense of accomplishment.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Dematero gently scratched his head, adopting the most comforting tone he could muster. "Xanthia," he began, "I would be delighted to be your friend. It takes real courage to reach out, and I'm certain that before long, you'll have many more friends in our class."

He was rewarded with the blossoming smile he had hoped for, and Xanthia responded with a sincerity that touched him deeply. "Dematero, you have such a kind personality. Please do look after me in the future."

Dematero beamed, his smile stretching wide. He had never been desk mates with such a sweet and delicate girl before. Compared to Xanthia, the more forceful girls he had known seemed like distant memories. How could he ever resist such a charming desk mate?

"Let’s take care of each other, hehe..." he chuckled, then added with enthusiasm, "By the way, I think your voice is absolutely lovely. It would be perfect for singing. I particularly adore Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' and Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time'."

Xanthia quietly made a mental note of the songs. She had yet to delve into the music of this world, and it was a pleasant surprise to find that both Madonna and Cyndi Lauper still existed in this parallel universe. She wondered if her favorite, Louis Armstrong, was also present here.

Out of curiosity, during lunchtime, Xanthia discreetly took out her phone in the school cafeteria and searched for Louis Armstrong. Thessaloniki First High School had strict rules against mobile phone use, but as a day student, Xanthia was willing to take the risk, provided she wasn't caught by a teacher.

The search results appeared swiftly.

The good news was that Louis Armstrong did indeed exist in this world. The bad news, however, was that many of his classics were missing, including "What a Wonderful World." Yet, there were new, unfamiliar songs that she had never heard before, a delightful surprise for a long-time fan like herself.

What astonished Xanthia the most was discovering that in this world, Louis Armstrong had written two songs dedicated to his mother. They were contemporaries in this era of flourishing retro music, a butterfly effect that Xanthia found endlessly fascinating.

Intrigued, she searched for the "Top 3 Singers of the 1980s," only to find that the expected artists had been replaced by completely unfamiliar names. This parallel world often left her memories in a muddle, blending familiar entertainment with the unfamiliar, causing no end of confusion.

She decided that after school, she would indulge in an evening of music, listening to all the artists she remembered. It would be a way to honour the wishes of her former self.

Though Xanthia harboured no ambitions of becoming a professional singer, she found the idea of learning to sing intriguing. It would not only bring her personal joy but also serve a practical purpose. In her previous life, she had been hopelessly tone-deaf, often left to mime the words during radio station outings with colleagues, a source of much embarrassment.

Moreover, during her student days, a girl with a good voice could shine at any event and even secure a prime position in choosing a partner. Since Xanthia aspired to become a radiant, beloved figure, the more talents she acquired, the better.

Putting away her phone, Xanthia began eating her lunch in earnest.

As she entered the school cafeteria, a challenge mission called the "Clean Plate Campaign" had popped up. If she could finish the cafeteria's "unappetizing" meals for seven consecutive days, she would earn the attribute of "Foodie."

The "Foodie" attribute came with remarkable benefits—preventing weight gain, enhancing nutrient absorption, and accelerating physical growth. It could even be upgraded to "Gourmet" (blue), "Food Connoisseur" (purple), or "Divine Taste" (gold).

Such an advantageous attribute was too good to pass up. The prospect of indulging in delicacies without gaining weight was delightful, and Xanthia found herself eagerly anticipating the rewards.

The attribute "Divine Taste" intrigued her most of all. Wasn't that the talent of Erina Nakiri, the young lady from that gourmet anime? If she were destined to become a refined lady herself, it seemed only fitting to have such a distinguished talent.

Despite the challenge's name, Xanthia didn’t find the cafeteria food unappetizing at all. Perhaps it was a matter of perspective. In her previous life, she had subsisted on cheap takeaway meals that were far worse than the cafeteria’s offerings.

Xanthia dined alone, despite having made friends with Dematero that morning. It would have been too forward for a boy and girl to share a meal together—such a thing would surely attract unwanted attention.

Thessaloniki First High School had strict rules regarding student relationships. Those who wished to date had to do so in secret.

From across the cafeteria, Dematero noticed Xanthia sitting by herself. A pang of sympathy tugged at his heart. He felt increasingly concerned for her, especially as he sat opposite Glenn, enjoying a lively conversation.

"So, how’s it going with your new desk mate?" Glenn asked with a hint of curiosity.

"It’s going well. She’s actually quite cute," Dematero replied with a smile.

"Cute?" Glenn raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Do you know how my new desk mate, Xenia La Sagrada, described her?"

"How did she describe Xanthia?"

"They say she might have autism, that she's unwell, always carrying medicine and frequently taking sick leave. Apparently, her familia isn’t well-off, so she’s very insecure—she can hardly lift her head when she speaks."

Glenn’s words, relayed from Xenia, painted a picture of Xanthia as a fragile, almost pitiable figure. Xenia had drawn her conclusions from careful observation; girls from affluent familias were usually well-kept, with nothing amiss. But Xanthia seemed more like a small, neglected twig on the roadside—a child without a mother, as the saying goes.

"Really? I didn’t know any of that," Dematero said, somewhat taken aback. "But she does seem rather timid. As I mentioned before, all my previous desk mates were quite domineering, so it’s been a bit of an adjustment to have someone so gentle. It’s quite refreshing."

"Girls like her are often very sensitive. You’d better be careful not to hurt her," Glenn advised.

"Glenn, don’t be ridiculous! You know it's usually the girls who bully me when we're desk mates, not the other way around."

As they finished their meal, the two boys moved to dispose of their trays. At that moment, they happened to pass by Xanthia and witnessed a curious sight—

Xanthia had finished her meal but was meticulously cleaning her plate, even downing the free seaweed and egg soup with an air of reverence. She was determined not to waste a single morsel, knowing it was the key to earning the "Foodie" attribute.

But to Dematero and Glenn, this display only confirmed their suspicions. Surely, this girl must come from a poor background, for she seemed so frugal, unwilling to waste even a scrap of food.