“Yifia, why are you so dead set on joining the Art Club? Of all places!”

Eileen took a moment to compose herself before speaking. The complex look on her face made Yifia’s heart skip a beat. *Even the female lead was shocked by this Art Club?* A faint unease crept in.

But when Amelia introduced the Art Club, she’d seemed perfectly calm—no hint of anything off.

Yifia felt she and Amelia got along well enough. *Surely Amelia wouldn’t set me up… right?*

She turned to Eileen, eyes silently pleading: *Tell me more.*

“The Art Club of Pris Academy has a long history,” Eileen began. “It produced many painters whose fame echoed across the Westis Empire. In interviews, they called it the cradle of their growth—a magical place for inspiration they could never forget, even after graduation.”

“Naturally, painters across the empire pride themselves on having been members. Artists outside Pris Academy have long admired it… though membership is strictly limited to academy students.”

“But precisely because of its prestige, admission standards grew even stricter.”

Eileen shot Yifia a disapproving glance. *How could her new roommate dream so big—to aim for the Art Club?*

“Take Loki Lilith, this year’s standout freshman. Her piece *The Butterfly Lady in the Garden* stunned everyone with its ethereal beauty and delicate brushwork—a true rising star! Yet after confidently applying, she was rejected outright. Reason? ‘Insufficient fame.’ Her father was only a minor viscount—deemed unworthy.”

Crushed, Lilith abandoned painting entirely, vowing never to touch a brush again.

After that example, applicants weighed their chances carefully. *No qualifications? Don’t invite humiliation.* If nobles faced rejection, commoners didn’t stand a chance.

Every Art Club member was elite nobility. Baron Amalia among them.

Amelia came from a distinguished house and exceptional talent. As vice president, even the club president sometimes sought her counsel.

Pris Academy’s Art Club had become a private garden for the aristocracy. Entry required an expensive invitation—nothing less.

And now her roommate Yifia wanted to apply? A terrible idea.

Eileen already pictured Yifia facing harsh scrutiny during the interview.

“*So the Art Club’s really that prestigious?*"

While Eileen saw delusion, Yifia quietly sighed in relief. *I thought something was wrong with it… But that’s it?*

To her, sky-high standards were nothing new. As the “useless” one who couldn’t join any club, she’d just lean on connections.

Relieved, Yifia patted her chest lightly. She met Eileen’s waiting gaze and humbly smiled: “Everyone needs a dream. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get in.”

No need to boast—backdoor entry required discretion.

“Then… good luck,” Eileen said. Seeing Yifia’s resolve, she dropped further warnings. *Let her learn firsthand. I’ll comfort her after rejection.* Time to study.

This time, the enlightened Yifia stayed quiet. She shifted from propped-up recline to flat on her back, eyes darting at the ceiling. Remembering Amelia’s gentle reassurance and the Art Club’s internal recruitment, she let out a soft, smug chuckle.

Catching herself, she buried her face in the blanket.

Brimming with excitement, she turned inward.

【System, this “befriend Amelia” task isn’t hard at all! I’ll wrap it up easily!】

【Complete it first, Host. Pride comes before a fall. Overconfidence ends in empty hands.】

【Ugh! Other systems encourage their hosts! Why do you always rain on my parade? Just wait—I’ll finish the task and make you call me Dad!】

Annoyed by the system’s sarcasm, Yifia shot back. Sure, she’d slacked off before—but she was trying now! Why did this useless system keep ruining the mood?

*Tomorrow, after I join the Art Club, you’ll see.* Her social skills would shine. *Friendships blossom with time… Wait, did I misuse an idiom? Eh, close enough.*

【…】

The system watched its naive host and doubted its choice. *Can she really save the world?*

This book-world had collapsed over a hundred times. Previous hosts—brilliant, diligent experts—led by other systems, all perished. Rumor said: all died by Amelia’s hand. Total annihilation.

Yet this host mistook a wolf for a lamb, smugly unaware of lurking danger.

Thinking of scrapped counterparts, the system groaned inwardly. *Why did the lottery pick this SSS-rank world?!* Honestly, it needed more S’s. Amelia’s true form was beyond human comprehension. The world itself felt glitched—barely any strong fighters on humanity’s side. Bound by rules, the system could only offer minimal aid.

With each reset, memories wiped clean for all… except Amelia. She grew eerily perceptive, as if piercing world laws, her nature turning crueler.

Once, she left a sliver of hope.

Now…

Last reset: within years, Amelia orchestrated battles that wiped out every empire. Humanity neared extinction. Amid screams and bloodshed, she stood atop the walls, swirling wine with crimson eyes gleaming, watching System X865’s host lose all four limbs.

Remembering that host’s final shriek, the system glanced at Yifia—lying smugly in bed, toes wiggling happily.

*…Maybe naive cuteness works miracles?*