Chapter 3: I don't want to be in charge!

"So nobody knows anything about these new teachers?"

Yukari shook her head as she handed Tsukune the stack of newspapers to box up, still warm from coming right off the printing press. It was nowhere near the level of any professional machine but it still was significantly easier than doing each one by hand. "Apparently all the new staff members arrived while we were away for summer break. The other teachers said they saw the old headmaster meeting with the new one several times but that the start of the semester was the first time they ever saw the new faces."

Kurumu had already filled up the box she was in charge of. "Is that even allowed? A headmaster just giving his job to some stranger and then leaving to go who knows where? And I know we all have human disguises but isn't that mask just a little bit suspicious?"

"Well, I mean, he did show Moka and I his face the other day when he was asking us for directions." Tsukune reminded the two of what he'd told them before, after the assembly. "Mr. Ainz didn't look that scary or anything. Still, I had no idea he was the new headmaster. He didn't say anything about it."

Yukari folded her arms and puffed out her cheeks. "There's a real weirdo teaching my Economics class now. He knows his stuff, yeah, but he keeps posing all the time and whenever he talks he always does so with these big dramatic proclamations. Even Mr. Maki doesn't go that overboard. And that outfit he wears, like he thinks he's some old retired military officer… It's almost like he's trying to announce to everyone their grab of power."

"Grab of power?" Tsukune and Kurumu both asked at the same time.

A twinkle flashed in Yukari's eye. "A strange new headmaster taking the place of the old. Only hiring strangers whom he knows but no one else does. Strict, almost militaristic discipline between the staff. There can only be one conclusion." She shot up straight from her chair. "This school is being taken over by the Yakuza!"

The dumbfounded silence that followed that statement was deafening, with the witch seeming somewhat oblivious to the blank white faces of her friends staring at her.

Tsukune leaned forward, whispering to her politely as he could. "Yukari, you really shouldn't throw out such big accusations at people like that without proof. Especially when…"

It was no mystery exactly what, or more specifically who, he was referring to.

Just a short ten feet away, seated at the desk in front of the classroom's blackboard, was Albedo, quietly turning to the next page of the newspaper she was reading.

Frankly, it shouldn't have come as any surprise to the group to discover she had arrived here before they did. Ms. Nekonome was the advisor to the Newspaper Club. If Ms. Albedo was taking over in her duties, it only made sense she'd be taking part here too, even this early in the day.

Though despite being here, she had primarily stayed out of the group's way this entire time. Save for the obligatory exchange of greetings, Albedo had not said one word to them for over an hour, letting them work on their own while she simply started reading through all the past editions of the Yōkai Times the club had saved in storage.

"Moka? Are you okay? You've been really quiet today."

Moka gave a semi-startled jump out of her funk, not realizing for a second that someone was talking to her. "Hm? What? Oh! Sorry! No, it's okay. I'm fine." She said, waving her hands to try and push away her friends' worries. However, the still concerned look on Tsukune's face showed he wasn't quite buying it and soon Moka gave in. "Really, it's nothing, it's just… Well…" She trailed off slowly. "Tenmei… He was the one who took me in after my mother disappeared and I had to leave home. He couldn't be there a lot when I was a kid because he was always travelling or taking care of business at the school, so it was mostly his assistants raising me. But still…he gave me food and a roof over my head so I…I just hope he's alright."

Everyone had gone quiet; Tsukune looking upon his friend with great sympathy, as she'd never told him this before and he felt terrible for being so inconsiderate.

Little to the notice of everyone else, Moka's story had caused Albedo's eyes to glance up too. Though outwardly it seemed otherwise, she had been listening to every word of the group's conversations. This just happened to be the first part that caught her interest.

"So she has a connection to the old headmaster too, and quite a significant one at that. How interesting…" She thought, making a mental note to inform Lord Ainz of this new information as soon as she had a chance.

"I'm sure he's fine, Moka." Tsukune tried to tactfully assure her. "Just probably got called away on business again, like you said."

"Yeah! He's one of the three Dark Lords, isn't he?" Yukari added. "Those guys have been alive for 200 years and are said to be some of the most powerful monsters to ever exist. There's no way he's gotten into any kind of trouble he can't handle!"

Though it happened slowly, a small smile did manage to break its way through Moka's gloom. "Yeah, you're right." She said, more pep in her voice, deeply grateful to have friends whom would say such things to her. "I'm just being paranoid, getting worried over nothing."

The group's attention was then captured by the loud crinkling of a closing newspaper.

"Headmaster Ainz is an exceedingly busy man." Albedo said to her students, now that she had their eyes focused on her. "However, given your close connection to his predecessor, I'm certain he'd be willing to set aside time to talk so he can put your mind at ease. Of his many incredible qualities, his generosity is certainly not one to be underestimated."

They all were somewhat stunned, not having expected her to speak up like that. But Albedo's words and smile did seem very sincere and helped to put them all more at ease.

"Alright!" Tsukune said brightly, standing up from his seat. "All the other students will be arriving soon for morning classes, so we should get out front before they arrive. Our paper won't hand itself out." He smiled, holding up the last few editions to be packed with confidence.

At his words, the faces of the rest of the club members lit up too. "Right!"

As they watched him walk over to retrieve the other filled boxes, the girls conversed amongst themselves.

"Doesn't Tsukune seem a lot bolder lately?"

"Yeah, like he really belongs here!"

Moka smiled gently as she looked at his back, having just been thinking the same thing.

Within a few minutes and the noise of the students left with them, the four going out the door with all their supplies ready for business, leaving Albedo alone in the classroom.

She was the only one who knew it was actually five sets of feet that walked out that door.

"Wow! They went on an expedition to the human world!"

"That's so intense."

"They must be really brave."

Those were just some of the many excited voices Tsukune heard around the club's stand. It really showed the power of positive word of mouth. Even students whom would usually ignore their table on the way to class were stopping to pick up a paper, just to see what all the excitement was about. The four of them couldn't hand out the latest edition fast enough.

Even once they'd returned to Yōkai Academy, more and more news continued to come to them from the human world regarding the Witch's Knoll and as such the article in their paper was continuously being updated until almost the very last minute.

It seemed like the entire world was aware of the Witch's Knoll now, thanks to the battle against its lady, though the explosions and rumbles were mistaken (and covered up) as dangerously unsafe construction activities. The company that wanted to develop over the land tried to clear up the confusion but all the attention caused more and more people to become aware of the issues behind what they were doing. Environmental groups poured in to demonstrate against the planned toxic dump and in the end construction was suspended, at least for the time being. For now, that peaceful knoll filled with all those sunflowers still stands, protected and undisturbed.

But…as Tsukune couldn't let himself yet forget…the Lady of the Knoll died that night, and Ruby was still to this day recovering from her injuries. The two people whom had fought the hardest to save that land in the end were the ones who suffered the most.

"I couldn't change the witch's mind about trying to kill the humans…because in truth she wasn't wrong about what humans were putting her and so many other monsters through." Tsukune thought to himself, hiding his gloom behind a pleasant smile as he handed out another paper to a fellow freshman. "We saw firsthand that night how deep the chasm between humans and witches really is. But that shows even more why we've got to find a way for us all to coexist, and why I've got to find a way to exist at this school, on my own. I can't keep being so useless and depending on them all the time."

After around ten more minutes and the crowd finally cleared, leaving behind a single table in a very empty front of the school.

"Yay! Another popular edition!"

"We got rid of almost every one." Tsukune remarked with happy exhaustion, overturning one of the many now empty boxes as Kurumu hugged him excitedly from behind and Moka tried to pull her off.

After a bit of clean-up, Moka was quiet for bit, an idea coming her, before she finally spoke up to voice it.

"We should celebrate." She said. "Let's have a "Successful Back-to-School Edition" party!"

The suggestion was a surprise to be sure but the responses were immediate.

"Great idea, Moka!"

"I'm in!"

"How about after classes today?" Kurumu threw out, as none of them had any other extracurriculars they'd have to go to.

Everyone gave nods in agreement, though then Moka said "Oh, should we invite Gin?"

The following responses were also immediate, at least from Yukari and Kurumu.

"Knowing that perv, he's probably off putting moves on some girl, and hopefully just that, if she's lucky." Kurumu stuck her nose up at the very idea, still sometimes feeling the phantom presence on her breasts of their club president's hands. "Besides, he didn't help at all in putting this edition together. Why should he get to take part in the reward?"

"He's an enemy of womankind!" Yukari declared with her fist up in the air.

Tsukune chuckled a little at all the interaction. Ginei Morioka was exactly everything they said and probably even more, given all the stuff he did that they probably didn't know about. Perverted and lazy seemed to be his default whenever he was around them. Still, he was the one who found Ruby when they all thought she had died too and had even put himself between them and one of Kuyō's fireblasts; an action that nearly cost him his life. Even after Gin trying to pin all his perverted antics on him the very first time they met, Tsukune simply couldn't bring himself to hate him.

That said, the decision was unanimous. They weren't going to tell Gin anything.

"I'm gonna have a beer!" Yukari cheered.

"What are you talking about, Yukari?" Tsukune laughed with a pat on her head, unsure if she was being serious or not, so best he discourage it regardless.

"…Weird. You guys actually like each other?"

Everyone turned to the soft voice at spoke out to them, so much so that they just barely heard it.

"All friendly and stuff..." The strange girl said, her hand moving lightly through her messy purple hair, getting it to run more against her cheek than in front of her eyes. "I don't get it."

Everyone in the group as given a small pause. None of them knew who this person was whom had come out of nowhere to talk to them in such an odd way.

She walked forward to them, seemingly so that they could hear her better. But at this Tsukune nearly gave a step back, as he found the stranger suddenly in his face, barely a few inches apart.

"Wh-who are you? Where's your uniform?" He asked quite a bit awkwardly, given her closeness. Aside for her skirt the girl's sweatshirt and striped leggings were far from what the school allowed for its female students to wear. She didn't seem to mean him any harm (though admittedly her expression seemed fairly neutral all around) but it was uncomfortable how she just stared at him like this.

After a few more seconds, not seeming to get the hint she was too close, the girl popped the lollipop she carried out of her mouth.

"So you're Tsukune Aono." She said with a gentle smile as she took a small lick of the candy, a small red blush coming into her cold features. "Cuter than I expected."

Tsukune gave a surprised flinch at the unexpected comment. He wasn't sure if any of the others had even heard it, she was so quiet.

Finally stand back up straight, the stranger walked over to one of the boxes on the table and casually withdrew one of the copies.

"I'm taking a paper." She called back to them nonchalantly as she was already several feet away and getting further, leaving the group behind in utter confusion.

"Tsukune…who was that?" Moka asked him dryly, just the faintest hint of jealousy in her voice.

"I have no idea, I swear!" Tsukune told her honestly, realizing how suspicious that must have looked.

"What did she even want?" Kurumu asked, glaring off bitterly in the direction the girl had left. Moka had always been there and she didn't take Yukari that seriously as a threat but she didn't need another rival in the competition for Tsukune's heart.

"Well…whatever." Moka said, deciding not to let it get to her. "Let's just look forward to our party, okay?"

There were collective cheers of agreement from everyone and they quickly worked to finish packing everything up, not wanting to be late for their first classes.

As Tsukune folded up the portable table and carried it away somewhat clumsily, he took no notice of the little girl whom had been sitting beside the group's stand since before they even set it up out here.

"GAAAAH! This is so boring!" Aura griped to herself, leaning her head up to the sky and far back enough that her scalp hit the dirt behind her.

Despite her loudness, the withdrawing Newspaper Club heard her just as much as they saw her, which was to say not at all. The 9th tier spell [Perfect Unknowable] most certainly lived up to its name. Nothing short of physically assaulting one of the group (or, the less violent option, simply ending the spell) would get them to notice she was there.

["Aura, can you hear me?"]

The words of her master rung inside her head and Aura immediately and literally leapt to her feet. "Loud and clear, Lord Ainz!" She said, standing at attention as she connected her end of the [Message].

["Ah, good. The spell still works as it should. Do you have an update for me?]

"Not really much of one. The guy is SUPER weak." Aura informed him, her voice sounding as if she was almost pitying such a pathetic person. "I mean, all those girls around him aren't really anything that special either but they're still way stronger than him. I don't think he could last even a few seconds against Nazarick's weakest POP monster."

["Hmm…well…I suppose in comparison to us anyone might seem that way. Still, it does gel with Demiurge's suspicions. Continue to keep a close watch on the boy. Inform me if anything of interest occurs, however minor."]

"You got it, Lord Ainz!" She gave a salute to him, despite her master not actually being there, nor were visuals part of what [Message] shared, and Ainz's side of the spell closed out.

It was the one thing that made Aura most happy about this job; that it was Lord Ainz himself who asked her to do it. However dull a task, if it was an order from the Supreme One, she would do it for over a hundred years without rest and without regret, so long as it served to please him.

"Still though…could you guys do something more entertaining?"

The call ended and Ainz lowered his hand away from where his ear would have been; a feature of a living body he no longer possessed.

"Alright, good. I shouldn't have to worry about that part for the time being."

Albedo, Demiurge, and Pandora's Actor were certainly among the most intelligent beings in all of Nazarick. Despite the situation, Ainz felt grateful to have them here. However, in terms of judging an individual's stats and rough overall level, Aura, as a Ranger, was practically unmatched. Her job levels gave her unique insight into various racial types and how best to tame them. If there was anyone who could figure out Tsukune Aono's true nature, it was her, while Albedo would investigate the more interpersonal aspects of his life. One way or another they'd find out what his significance to the headmaster is.

"I feel kind of bad for Aura, honestly. She's used to working outdoors and with animals. This campus is decently large but it's still pretty confined in comparison to the sixth floor and the forests outside of Nazarick. She doesn't have as much room to run around. I should check if the school owns any other land nearby. Maybe the twins could use it as a place to play when they're not working." Ainz made a note of that idea for later. "For now though, it's time for me to focus on my own tasks." He ended that train of thought, finally having reached the room number the nurse had directed him towards.

The Yōkai Academy infirmary was practically a full hospital in its own right. One might be concerned that a school needed such a large medical facility, as why would any parent send their child to a place where such injuries were that common? But then again there was the simple factor of just how many different species of monsters resided at the academy, each with their own varying biologies and thus different methods of required treatment. Even discounting that adolescent monsters were known for being more territorial and violent than their older counterparts (especially during puberty), the uniquely diverse care that could be given here vs. anywhere else in the world certainly justified the infirmary's size and cost.

Ainz knocked on the door first but he did not wait to hear a response, simply wanting to be considerate and give the person inside a few seconds to let her know he was coming in.

Opening the door and Ainz immediately saw the girl's silhouette etched out by the sunlight coming in through the window, having sat up in her bed when she heard his knocking. Her scarlet eyes widened significantly upon seeing him, Ainz having little doubt it was because of the mask, and he held up his hands to gently calm her.

"Please, be at ease. I mean you no harm." He said, making certain to not yet close the door or walk towards her, as he did not wish to make her feel trapped. "I am Ainz Ooal Gown. I am filling in as temporary headmaster here at the academy while the Dark Lord Tenmei Mikogami is away. May I come in?"

Despite the softness to his speech, the girl was still clearly uneasy about him and did not answer back right away. However, Ainz allowed her all the time she need and was eventually rewarded for his patience with a nod of consent.

Closing the door behind him to give them some privacy, Ainz walked forward and pulled up a chair beside her bed. Even sitting, he was still quite a bit bigger than she was.

"Please, forgive the mask. I wear it for very personal reasons." Ainz gave as his explanation. He supposed he could just take it off just for a moment to assure her but doing so too often would likely cause people to doubt why he kept it on. The illusion magic he used to fake a human appearance didn't cost that much MP but Ainz felt the shortcomings in the disguise became more and more apparent the long one was given a chance to look at it. Such a thing wasn't a risk worth taking unless he had to. "It's Ruby, correct?"

The girl silently nodded again, causing her long black hair to brush across her shoulders. Given the small string ties on the nearby table, Ainz could guess she normally wore at least some of it in a ponytail or pigtail style.

"I was informed it was only a few days ago your bandages were able to be safely removed and you were allowed to walk around. How are you feeling?"

"I-I am doing q-quite well! Thank you for asking."

Ainz wasn't particularly surprised to hear her stumbling over her own words. "You don't have to feel nervous. I have no intention of forcing you away until you are ready, regardless of whether you've fully recovered or not. As you are not a student you are being considered a guest, and it would be quite rude to treat a guest in such a pushy manner, no?"

Her expression as appreciative…though still a bit hesitant. The way she looked down at her hands, unconsciously kneading her sheets, he supposed he shouldn't be surprised she had a great number of things weighing on her mind right now.

"I had a teacher pick me up a copy of today's paper before it went out." Ainz said, regaining Ruby's attention as he reached into his robe and pulled out a folded Yōkai Times. "I figured you may have an interest in seeing it."

Handing her the paper, Ruby's eye was immediately caught by the front-page headline.

Tale of the Witch's Knoll.

Her breath became slightly shorter and she held the paper with noticeably shaky hands, but after a few seconds she did begin to start reading, while Ainz simply sat in patience.

"[Mana Essence]." He invoked the spell, speaking too quietly to be heard under his mask.

To Ruby's own eyes and the eyes of anyone else, she was unchanged. Simply a teenage girl reading the paper. But to Ainz, it was like a spectral pyre had been lit on the bedspread, centered completely around her body.

"Alright… I had heard this girl was a witch and this level of mana is appropriate for someone who specializes in magic." Ainz studied Ruby in the silence. "Given what I'm seeing, she's definitely comfortably within 2nd tier, but that's about it. Back in the other world she'd probably be about the level of a silver plate adventurer. Then again, she is still recovering and is still pretty young, so it's conceivable she could possibly reach 3rd tier." If he recalled correctly, 6th tier magic was the highest any human in the old world had ever reached and those who did were just four people in total. He wondered what this world's current limit was.

"Headmaster Gown…?" Ruby spoke, snapping Ainz out of his thoughts.

"Hm? Yes, what is it?"

Ruby had a noticeable lump in her throat, one large enough to make her hesitant. "This article… It talks about my lady…how she tried to keep the knoll safe…but it doesn't mention she was the one attacking humans or that she was going to kill so many… This paper…it almost makes her sound like…the victim in all this…"

Ainz watched her for a moment, curious what kind of response she was looking for, if any at all, as her eyes had never left the paper as she spoke.

"…Unfortunately, it's rare these days to hear news reports without some bit of bias attached, regardless of if it's this side or that side." He told her with a few waves of his wrist. "The supervisor I have in charge of the Newspaper Club I'm certain will instruct them to stick to just the facts from now on, but if I had to guess…I suppose a victim is just simply how they viewed her."

Ruby's hands tremble just slightly more, like her fingers were too paralyzed to obey her brain anymore, and soon small droplets of water started hitting the page.

The paper listed many different writers, and the main author of that particular article was Tsukune Aono.

Ruby's sobs soon became much more vocal, her front curling up into her legs on reflex. Moving with caution, Ainz hugged his arms over her body and allowed Ruby to cry into his chest, which she thankfully accepted.

"You have been through a great deal and suffered a greater loss." Ainz said with his head past her ear. He held her tightly enough so assure provide comfort but kept his arms loose so that she may break free of his hold at any time. "You are welcome to stay at this academy for as long as you need and to take your leave whenever you wish."

He allowed her to stay there for many minutes more, until her cries quieted down and her trembling ceased. When he moved his arms away and she did not stop him, Ainz released her from his hold and stood up from his chair. "I shall take my leave now. Be sure to get some rest."

He turned and had taken a few steps towards the door, when Ruby's voice cracked behind him. "H-Headmaster Gown! Please, wait!"

At her request, Ainz turned to face her again. "There is no need to be so formal. Ainz will be fine."

"Al-alright. Headmaster Ainz." Ruby corrected, unable to help herself from putting some kind of title in front to show respect. Used to this sort of thing and more from the NPCs, Ainz let it go. "I apologize if I may be overstepping my bounds here but…"

She bit her bottom lip, working up the nerve to say what she wanted.

"Please, hire me for a job at this school!" She asked with a flare of determination. "Anything will do, no matter what it is."

It was only because of the muscle memory of his old living body that Ainz felt his face lift a nonexistent eyebrow. "Curious. What brought this on?" He asked her.

Ruby made an effort to keep her courage high, not wanting to chicken out. "The Witch's Knoll has a lot of attention on it right now. While it's a good thing that it's getting protected, that also means I wouldn't have a lot of privacy if I went back. Even if that wasn't the case…I don't think I could stand being there right now knowing she's not…" She admitted, the cause of the depression in her voice being quite obvious. "I don't have anywhere else to go besides this school. This is just because of my pride but I'd rather work to earn my keep than just be a pampered guest. I'm sorry. I know it's an inconvenient request."

As she bowed her head in apology to him, Ainz stroked the chin of his mask in pondering.

"…As luck would have it, we are going to a bit of a transition period with the school's staff at the moment." He commented, getting Ruby to lift her head back up in hope. "However, many roles are currently set in stone, so more than likely you'd be running around to wherever you're needed on any particular day. You'd be functioning more as one of my aides than anything solid, and I should warn you I can be quite the taskmaster."

Ruby sat up straighter in her bed. "I-I wouldn't mind that at all! I helped my lady out with whatever she needed in our day-to-day life, so I don't mind taking orders. I prefer it, actually."

Acting as though he was in deep thought, Ainz slowly turned around, to where Ruby couldn't see anything past his back, and reached into his inventory. Such a thing was held in a pocket dimension he could access from anywhere and to anyone else it would look like his hand was just disappearing into the air. Until he knew more about what was common and uncommon in this new world Ainz wanted to avoid showing off such an ability right in front of people.

Having withdrawn the sought-after item, Ainz returned to Ruby, presenting it to her. "This is yours, correct?"

"This-! This is-?!"

It was a long, thin staff that Ainz held before her, the crescent circle at its top looking like it once had held something akin to a dreamcatcher in its center, given the numerous strings. With how beat up the wood was, the object had certainly seen better days.

"It was recovered from the battle at the knoll." Ainz explained as he handed it over, Ruby holding the stick like it was made of precious glass. "It's my understanding that witches require an object of power in order to use their magic. In your case, yours was this wand, yes?"

"Y-yes. That's right." She said, her eyes in a constant shift back and forth for whether they should be captivated by either him or the wand.

"Depending on what you require, I can provide the necessary materials needed to repair it, or, should your wand be beyond that, for you to build a new one." He said. "Make no mistake, I do not make this offer out of the generosity of my heart. I simply have an expectation for my subordinates to be in top condition."

Ruby's face lit up. "So-! You'll let me-!"

"I am highly considering it, though do not quote me just yet." Ainz eased her. "There are still some details to be worked out beforehand. In the meantime, I do suggest you get some rest. It would hardly make a favorable impression if you were to collapse on your first day."

"Y-yes, sir!" Ruby exclaimed, giving a deep bow of her head in thanks.

Giving a simple nod back, Ainz's business here was concluded and he left the room.

Closing the door behind him gently, his back slouched greatly and he gave a long sigh of relief.

"How that went so well is beyond me. I thought for sure I was going to screw it all up any second there!"

Ainz carefully soothed out the crunkles in his robe and then adjusted his mask to make certain it was on straight. He was so happy he didn't have the ability to sweat.

"Demiurge and Albedo are probably going to praise my amazing manipulation skills but all of that just now was complete luck. All I'd planned on doing was building a friendly rapport with the girl so I could learn more about magic from her over time. I didn't expect her to come out and ask me for a job!"

This world's magic was clearly different from that of YGGDRASIL, and as of yet there didn't appear to be any carryover like in the previous world. He had Mare researching for him in the library and so far there was no mention of tier-based arcane magic, though that of course didn't mean it couldn't still be here at all. At the very least it was safe to say it wasn't part of this world's history. When Demiurge had informed him about a witch staying in the school's infirmary and the reasons behind it, it was an opportunity Ainz couldn't pass up.

"The object of power requirement is certainly a big difference. Even low-level human players in YGGDRASIL could use magic unarmed. Equipment was meant to simply enhance those stats or give new abilities." He pondered to himself as he started making his way back to the building's entrance. He was seen coming into the infirmary so it'd be odd if he teleported away and no one ever saw him come back out. "Still, this is valuable information to know and it thankfully means I can use magic out in the open without raising too much attention. Depending on if male witches exist in this world, I can claim that my gauntlets, or better yet that my mask is my object of power. It'd give a believable reason why I'd be so reluctant to take it off. Ahhh, but would that gel with the religion excuse I already gave?"

As he walked on, ignoring the stares of the nurses due to his odd appearance, Ainz tried to consider any pitfalls that could come with Ruby's employment. He'd definitely ask Demiurge and Albedo their opinions on it as soon as he had the chance but for the moment having her work for him did seem like a good way to study this world's magic up close. It was certainly better than his default idea if things hadn't gone so well of just looking through her memories, which would have cost him a lot of MP and might not have netted anything of worth.

For now, the only potential problem he foresaw was the Newspaper Club.

"They were responsible for the Witch of the Knoll's death and Ruby knows they go to school here. Her thankfulness towards them could be just an act and her real reason for wanting to work here could be to get a chance at revenge. I was already going to have her kept under close watch anyway, so that'll be something else we'll keep an eye out for. Wouldn't want to get up one morning and discover Ruby's been torturing Tsukune all night or something."

"Achoo!" Tsukune gave a small sneeze, one he was thankfully able to direct at the floor in time so that it didn't hit anyone. He was partially drowned out by the chatter of all his other classmates, though that quickly subsided as the bell rang and Albedo took her spot at the front of the blackboard.

"Alright, quiet down. Now that you all have had time to settle back into school life, it's time to address some pressing business." She said, getting some heads to perk with worry. "It's time to choose new class officers."

"…Class officers?" The class unknowingly thought together in unison.

Albedo nodded her head. "Your School Festival happens in your second semester. As such, we need people to take charge. After all, it's the student council who oversees the entire thing and each homeroom has someone representing them." She explained as she started writing the required positions on the blackboard. "One president, one vice president, and two secretaries. Any volunteers or nominations?"

Her tone giving silent permission, the lower murmur of the class talking amongst itself started to fill up the background. Some people could be heard telling their friends they'd make a good officer before immediately chickening out or friends joking to each other how they'd volunteer them, whether they liked it or not. As for Tsukune, he just relaxed his elbow onto his desk as he leaned against his hand, giving a small breath of relief.

"Thank goodness, it's just normal school stuff." He chuckled to himself, having been made instantly paranoid by his past experiences that he was about to be slapped in the face by some new catastrophe. "This doesn't concern me at all, so I can just-"

All attentions were gathered as a lone student from the back raised their hand.

"I think Tsukune would make a good class prez."

Tsukune felt his throat close.

The standing student…it was the same purple haired girl from earlier.

"You again?!" He almost jumped out of his seat. "You're in my class?!"

"Yep." She replied so casually, and why were her cheeks turning pink again?!

Not recognizing the student's face, Albedo checked her seating chart. "Mizore Shirayuki? She was chronically truant for most of the first semester." She read the previous teacher's notes. "Well, she's not really that important but, given Lord Ainz's interest in the boy, this does possibly bring up a very useful opportunity."

"Very well then. We have our first candidate: Tsukune Aono!"

Tsukune's front snapped back to face her. "What?! NO!" He yelled with a begging tone but Albedo simply ignored him and continued writing his name on the board.

All around him, his fellow students started clapping for him and giving their congratulations.

"What are you all clapping for?! Stop it! I won't do it! You need to get someone el-! Are you even listening to me?!"

"Congratulations, Tsukune!" Moka glowed as she was finally able to praise him as well after homeroom had ended.

His legs had carried him out into the hall but his mind until now had been a million miles away, stressing over his situation.

"I meant what I said! I'm not going to do it!" Tsukune shook his head furiously. "I don't know why Ms. Albedo wouldn't let me withdraw my name but it doesn't matter. She'll need to find herself a new candidate."

"Aww, but I think you'd make a great class president, Tsukune."

He knew she was just trying to be supportive but she was being supportive in the wrong direction! Instead of lifting him up it felt like he was being tilted over the edge of a cliff.

Carefully, he took Moka aside. "Moka, aren't we forgetting something very basic? I'm the lone human at this school for monsters!" He reminded her in a hushed whisper.

He was then reminded about all of his past injuries by the small sting that tickled his side whenever he moved too much.

"…And I want to make it at this school on my own." Tsukune added, calmer as he let Moka go. "I can't keep getting rescued by you guys all the time. I've nearly been killed just walking past the wrong person in the halls. Who knows how much attention I'll attract to myself by running for class president? Do you see what I mean?"

He'd hoped his argument was enough to convince her and that she'd help him talk with Ms. Albedo again. But…

"We need to go buy snacks!" Moka said cheerfully out of nowhere. "For the party tonight!"

It was like a rubber band inside his head was being stretched further and further until it finally snapped.

"Did you hear a word I said?! Moka, I'm serious!"

"Tsukune, you'll be fine!"

"Listen to me!"

While it probably wasn't the most mature thing to do, Tsukune had ended up storming off during the conversation.

"Won't take me seriously, huh? Well, see if I ever take your advice again, Moka." He huffed under his breath to himself as he stomped down the halls. He knew she was just trying to help the way she thought was best and he'd definitely apologize to her later but right now he just needed time to cool off.

Speaking of cool, Tsukune for a second swore he felt an odd breeze touch over his shoulder and tickle his ear. It was enough to make him stop, as apart from that the air in the hall was still. Had he just walked past an air conditioner?

"Hey… Congratulations…"

"Not again…" Tsukune's thoughts sobbed. He recognized that shy voice.

Turning around and sure enough, it was the purple haired girl.

Before he realized what he was doing, Tsukune was right in her face, about as close as she was with him earlier this morning. "What is your problem?! I almost got stuck being the class president thanks to you! What's the big-?!"

He was distracted from his mad rantings as the girl quickly started fumbling around in the pocket of her sweatshirt, soon pulling a folded newspaper out of it.

"I read the paper you passed out this morning. The article you wrote was awesome. As usual…" She said, partially hiding her lower face behind the paper, showing off that it was indeed the Yōkai Times.

Her words threw Tsukune off for a moment, not having expected her to say anything like that. When she nominated him, he thought it was because she just wanted to mess with him. Was she still doing that or…?

"My name is Mizore Shirayuki." She formerly introduced herself to him. "I already know who you are. I'm…your biggest fan." She said, her face covered with what Tsukune was now certain was a shy blush.

Author's notes: Sorry a decent chunk of this was kind of taken directly from Rosario+Vampire's manga. When I came up with this story and mapped things out, I figured that the Mizore introduction arc would be a good place for the Overlord characters to be thrown into the world. My idea is that over time you'll see how their presence starts branching this timeline away from the main R+V timeline of the books, and thus naturally the starting point would be the most similar. I just wanted to make sure I acknowledged it, especially since, until the differences become more apparent, I really do feel like I'm just plagiarizing the manga. So I do thank you all for your patience with me. I promise the story will be more than just Overlord characters watching the events of Rosario+Vampire.

Since people have been asking, I'm hoping to upload this story at least either once a week or every other week, depending on how things go. I want to try getting more back into writing so I'm trying to push myself to being able to upload as much as I used to with some of my Grim Tales stories. If nothing else, I wanted to make sure I at least had most of next chapter written before I uploaded this one so I could at least guarantee there wouldn't be a long wait between the two.