MTLNOVEL Chapter 993: It Was Really Popular
*A/N: Quick note. The new chapter is the previous chapter since I felt the skip was too big so I added that in*
"Did you read that book?"
"I didn't manage to get it…"
"Ah… I heard that they will be printing more and releasing next week or something. Seems like they didn't have the funds to print more so they are using the sales they got from the first batch to pay for a second batch."
"Damn, if that's the case, they should have said something! I would gladly pay more just to get them to print more!"
"There's no need for that. Did you reserve a copy with them? They allowed those who went to line up but didn't get a copy to make a reservation for a copy."
"Oh yeah, I did. That was so good of them to do that. I think I might have rioted if they didn't."
"Well… If you want to know what happens to--"
"You even try to spoil me, I will kill you."
"Sheesh, I was just joking."
I kept my head down and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible as I walked past those two students that were discussing the event yesterday.
I know they definitely didn't know that I was the author but I couldn't help but be a little self conscious when I heard them talking about it.
Sure, my name's on the cover, but I learned that most people don't pay attention to the author's name for a while so I still have some time before people start making the connection. They'll probably only start looking at the author's name after they have finished reading the book for a while…
And it seems like everyone I passed by was talking about it which made it so embarrassing for me.
Give me a break ok? It's been years since I last did this and I forgot how embarrassing this was… This is why I preferred to just stay at home in my previous life…
I tried my best to ignore all my schoolmates as I got to my class, which was Lisa's Alchemy lesson today.
Walking into the classroom, I found most of the students all talking amongst themselves since Lisa wasn't here yet and there were still about a quarter of an hour left before the lesson starts.
"The part where they walked by the beach was soooo cute~"
"Ahhhh! No spoilers!! I haven't read to that part yet!!"
"Are you kidding me? That part is so early in the story!"
"I can't help it! I only managed to get one copy and I have to share it with my family! We've been taking turns reading it each day! We're planning to buy more copies once the next batch is printed!"
"Well in that case, did you read the part where Jules appeared?"
"Oh yes! I hated him! He's so damn arrogant!"
"Really? I thought he was cool though…"
"He's just being a selfish prick! Norman is so much better!"
"You're only saying that because he appears in the story more! You're so biased! Jules is clearly better!"
"Absolutely not! I bet he's some sleazy bastard with something to hide! Just you wait and see!"
"Hmph! Don't you dare slander my Jules! He's a gentleman! I'll fight you for him!"
"Hmmmph! Norman is clearly so much better! You must have bad tastes!"
Oh gods no… They're already forming fandoms… I can't get involved in this…
I tried to retreat to the back of the class where my usual space was a few of my classmates noticed me and tried to call out to me.
"Aster! Aster! Did you read 'To Tear Over A Tear' yet?!"
Everyone turned to look at me, clearly anticipating my answer.
Ugh…
I nodded, "Yes, I did…"
The girl who called out to me pointed at her friend, "Tell her that she's wrong! Jules is totally not a sleazy bastard!"
The girl who got pointed at did the same and pointed her own finger at her accuser, "No! You agree with me, right, Aster?! Norman is clearly so much better than that Jules guy!!"
I cleared my throat, "I… Don't think I've read enough to form an opinion about them yet so I won't say anything…"
My classmates looked really disappointed by my answer so I couldn't help but add in, "But err… I guess that's not the main point of the story right? For that particular part, it's more of how Nami is dealing with the both of them, right?"
All of my classmates paused and the two girls who had been arguing turned to look at each other.
"Aster is right… Even though she's alone and has that useless father…"
"She's still trying her best to run that business without any help… And she doesn't even hold it against Jules for divorcing her since she fell out of love with him…"
"That's right. I can't believe we almost forgot about that. She's pretty cool isn't she?"
"Yeah… Oh! Did you know that after they--"
"Shhhhhhh!! I said no spoilers!!"
I let out a soft sigh of relief before I headed to my place at the back of the class while the rest of my classmates continued their discussion about my book.
Ughhh… Maybe I shouldn't have started with the love drama story and just went for the standard power fantasy isekai trope… Or in this case, the reverse isekai trope… Do the people here even have the idea of isekai in the first place?
As I was wondering about that, the door opened once more and Lisa walked in, looking all the bit of the strict teacher that she was masquerading herself as in front of the other students.
Almost instantly, everyone fell silent and rushed to their own cauldrons, waiting for our alchemy teacher to begin her instructions for today's class.
Before she could start though, some brave soul at the front of the class raised his hand, prompting Lisa to turn to him with narrowed eyes.
Oh please don't do what I think you're going to do…
"Miss Lisa… Did you read 'To Tear Over A Tear'?"
Lisa's eyes narrowed even further and I was just about to feel relieved that she was sensible to retain her mask when she smirked.
"Of course I did. It's the most beautiful form of art in existence right now. Anyone who claims otherwise is most likely dead, blind or just have absolutely horrible tastes. The story doesn't feature perfect characters but shows how each of these flawed characters deal with their own and each other's flaws perfectly. Each time the characters are introduced, we see more parts of the other characters unveil themselves and the extra characters do not take attention away from the main characters but supplement them instead. While this was meant to be a love drama story, the drama is not forced and happens organically with events unfolding in interesting and also unexpected ways. Whoever the author is must have a wealth of experience and I have no doubt they are exceptionally talented in a multitude of things. I have nothing but great respect and love for the author for creating such a masterpiece for everyone to enjoy."
Every single one of my classmates were staring at Lisa in disbelief since this might be the most that they have heard her talk on a single topic with that much passion.
As for myself, I had already hid myself under my desk while burying my face in my palms.
Ahhhhhh!! Lisaaaaa!! You dummy!!
You are so doing this on purpose because you know who exactly wrote that book!
This is so embarrassing…
When I finally recovered enough to stand back up, I'm infinitely grateful that I was positioned at the back of the class so no one saw me doing that. And it seems like Lisa had returned back to normal like her earlier tirade had all been but an illusion.
She immediately started the lesson by giving us an assignment to start mixing a new potion and we immediately got to work on the task.
For me, this was another potion that I had worked on before during my private lessons with Lisa so this would just be a lesson where I worked on trying to perfect that procedure.
I was so focused on what I was doing that I didn't notice Lisa moving behind me until I took a step back to inspect my concoction and bumped straight into her.
Her arms immediately wrapped around my waist and I felt her breath on my ear before she planted a kiss on the side of my cheek.
"Ehehehe… I meant every word I said just now, you know?" She whispered.
I shuddered, "You're really enjoying trying to embarrass me, aren't you?"
"Ehehehe~ What do you mean, Aster? It's not like this is the first time I've expressed my love for you~"
"It is the first time you're doing it so publicly…"
"And I have you to thank for in allowing me to do that~ I think I'm going to abuse that privilege a lot more now~ Ehehehe~ You can look forward to it, Aster~"
She then spun me around to give me another kiss on the lips before pulling back and sashaying away from me, intentionally swinging her hips to draw my eyes to that smackable bottom of hers.
This Infrid… I am going to pound her on top of her desk once this class is over…