Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

After a brief report (interrogation) by Principal Marble's side, Horas was finally let go. He collapsed on his bed and gathered his thoughts about what had happened today. The lab had appeared again, and the dungeon seemed artificially constricted.

It did not look like the work of the villain group since the two Horas had handed over to the authorities were just as stunned as him.

Something bigger was going on behind the scene. Something more sinister and unbearable was going to happen.

And along with all of this, the first major event of his book was also approaching - Emma Dew's encounter with a villain who would try to sacrifice her to obtain more power.

Horas did not remember how he wrote the scene, but he still knew the basics.

It would start with the introduction to the scent club. So the first scene had already happened in this timeline. It was time for the next event that bonded Emma tighter to the scent club - the first club meeting.

As far as Horas remembered, Emma had been discriminated against because of her friendship with Howard, and that shady senior had come to help her out. That had been the start of something between them.

Horas did not want to interfere with this but he could no longer trust the story. So he will have to go in person to check what was going on.

That was how, the very next day, the scene club members sat stiffly in their seats during their first official club meeting. An uninvited person was occupying one of the side tables and everyone could not help but notice him.

Emma Dew was no different. As soon as she walked into the club room, she was faced with the stiffening atmosphere of the room and she looked up at the person who caused it.

She was surprised to see their instructor Horas in the room. She was even more surprised to see him up and about already.

Emma had heard from Howard what happened yesterday during their club meeting. Howard was unable to go to school since he had been prescribed bed rest to check for any lingering effects.

But it seemed like Horas did not have this problem.

'Or, did he come to check on me since he saw me having a hard time a few days ago? S-Surely not. I must be thinking too much.'

Emma took her seat with her face red. She could not calm herself down now that this thought had penetrated her mind. She needed to calm down but she could not.

"Alright everyone, hurry up and take your…seats.."

The senior who had introduced Emma to this club walked in as well but he faltered as soon as he noticed Horas in the classroom as well.

The instructors hardly ever mingled with the clubrooms so it was a surprise to see Horas. What was even more annoying was that it cowshed with the senior's plans.

He had planted specific scents around the room that would clash with Emma Dew's scent and make people annoyed at her.

The senior had wanted to isolate Emma but it would be impossible to do if Horas kept on being in the room. No one wanted to go against Horas after all.

A few people tried to follow the instruction they had been given by him but one look at Horas was enough to make them back down. His reputation was just too strong.

'And is it my imagination or is Horas looking out for Emma Dew? It might look like he zoning out but his gaze is fixed on Emma's direction. Does he know of my plans? That cannot be possible.'

The senior was scared of what would happen next and he decide to fall back. He will not be able to get to Emma today.

Meanwhile, Emma and her surrounding females were all thinking the same thing.

"Is the instructor still looking? Oh my god, he's looking at me, right? Do you think he likes me?"

"No stupid. He's looking at me because he likes me. I am sure he is looking over at me right now."

"I-I think it's me he's looking at. I mean, he joined at this time when the new students joined so he's here for a first year."

Emma heard all these words but her heart still said that Horas was looking at her and no one else. It made her heart skip a beat to think that Horas liked her this much.

'No, I should not get my hopes up. I made this mistake with Howard before, thinking he liked me only to be sister-zoned by him. I am not going to make the same mistake again.;'

The orientation ended soon. Some people tried to talk to Emma but they ended up looking away as soon as she met their eyes. It was too bad that they were such shy people.

She did not notice how Horas was hovering around her group the whole day but many people noticed. And that was how the rumor of the reaper liking a first-year spread all around the academy.

……………….

"Yo Horas, I heard the rumor. It looks like spring has finally come for you, right?"

Horas dodged the hand that was reaching out for his head to ruffle his heir. He had too much practice dodging Mark to make it easy for him.

Now, Horas had two options about what he could do here. He could either allow Mark to keep making fun of him while he pretended like he was ignorant, or he could tell Mark the truth.

It was obvious which one won out in the end.

"Actually, regarding that rumor. There is a reason I went to the scent club today. Do you know how there are villains who managed to slip into the academy? Well, I followed one of their trails and it led me to the scent club."

Mark's teasing tone bleeds out of his voice all of a sudden. His serious look was something that was hardly ever seen so Horas was taken aback by it.

"I see. So that was the case after all. I expected it to be something like this. I hope you are aware of what you are doing because we can't interfere without solid evidence."

Mark was right. The higher authorities could not interfere without any solid proof in their hands.

But that was where Horas came in. He could help find the clued that tied this case together. And that was what he went to the scent club to do.

"By the way, are you sure your decision had nothing to do with a certain first year you were keeping an eye on? Don't worry, it's only a five years difference and I won't shame you."

Mark asked, coming back to his teasing tone. He was wearing Horas's patience thin with his teasing.

"Just shut up right now Mark before you get killed by me. I am not in the mood to endure all your teasing."

The sound of Mark's laughter along with the teasing along with pounding in Horas's head was making him mad. He was going to go to sleep and not think about it anymore.

That night, Horas found himself waking in the middle of the night for no reason. He quickly got off the bed, only to realize that he was not the only one up.

Tora had woken up in the middle of the night with agitation as well. She looked pissed off, sneezing all the while. It seemed like something had gotten in her nose. It seemed like there was a weird scent in the air tonight.

"Looks like we need to head out for an investigation tonight, Tora. I'm sorry that you had to wake up like this."

Horas apologized to his metallic companion and Tora replied with an annoyed growl. She had not liked to be woken up and now someone was going to pay.

Toras's sharp nose led the way and Horas arrived at the greenhouse of the academy.