VCAM 01

Chapter 1

“A Math Teacher Finds Work in a Fantasy World’s Cafeteria”

“Over here, Kai. You should fill your stomach at the cafeteria.”

The headmaster—whose real name was Werner Einswald—said this with a calm, grandfatherly smile.

Before Kai was a cafeteria that looked more like it belonged inside a palace than a school.
The ceiling was high, a chandelier hung from above, and the polished marble floors gleamed dazzlingly.

“No way… what kind of fancy restaurant is this…? I heard it was a student cafeteria, but this isn’t what I imagined…”

Floating light orbs hovered overhead. Magical trays delivered food on their own.
The feeling of being in another world was in full swing.

When he was shown to a seat, a uniformed attendant handed him a menu politely.
The menu was filled with unfamiliar dish names.

• “Herb-Roasted Draf Chicken”

• “Magi Soup”

• “Lulpan Grill with Eucalyptus Sauce”

• “Steamed Pommel Mushrooms”

“I can read it, but I can’t imagine the taste… Ah, forget it, I’ll just get the one at the very top!”

A little while later, the dish arrived—an enormous roasted chicken leg, cooked whole.

“Whoa… and it smells amazing…! This looks so good!”

The moment he took a bite, the flavor and the aroma of herbs filled his mouth.
The skin was crispy, and the meat juicy.
Even though it was seasoned only with salt and magical spices, the depth of flavor was incredible.

“Umm… amazing! Wait… this will totally be a hit back in Osaka…!”

Kai was so overwhelmed with delight that nearby students turned to look, silently thinking, Who is this guy?

◆◇◆

After finishing his meal, the headmaster led him to a classroom.
Three elderly men were waiting—scholars in mathematics dispatched from the Magic Ministry.

“So, he… knows ‘mathematics’ in this other world?”

“Let’s put him to the test. You, try solving this.”

They handed him a problem analyzing a rune magic circle.
The paper was filled with intricate patterns, geometric arrangements, and formulas describing magical energy flows.

“Wow, this is just like a geometry problem on the Center Test… Alright, hold on a sec…”

Kai grabbed paper and pen (a magical writing tool) and began organizing the equations.
Elliptical center coordinates, vector dot products, angle transformations, inflow/outflow balance equations—

“Hmm… so the magical energy density along the X-axis depends on Y… oh, it’ll be easier if I draw an auxiliary line here…”

Within minutes, Kai finished the calculations.

“Here. This should solve everything. And this part needs fixing, or the magic could go out of control.”

The professors peered at the paper and froze.

“…No mistake. He’s analyzing the structure of magical formulas… mathematically!”

“Impossible… only a handful in the kingdom can understand these formulas…”

“And to grasp it in such a short time… is he some kind of monster?”

Kai looked blank.

“Uh… in Japanese high schools, we teach this level as normal…?”

(…Well, maybe not exactly… perhaps it was a bit too difficult. Was I the weird one…?)

The decision was made immediately:

“He shall be employed as a temporary mathematics teacher at Roselia Royal Magic Academy!”

Thus, Kai officially became part of the academy.
The teacher’s robe he was made to wear somehow suited him perfectly, enough that students whispered, Who’s that handsome young man?

“No way… handsome is a stretch… but thanks, now I finally have a place to sleep and eat…”

◆◇◆

That afternoon, Kai wandered around the academy.
The architecture was grand and made of stone. Vast grounds with gardens, fountains, and carriage paths—every bit of it luxury unimaginable to a commoner.

“Ah… so this is what they call a ‘noble academy,’ huh.”

At the extravagant fountain, a crowd had gathered.

“What’s going on… a fight?”

Pushing through the crowd, Kai saw a girl facing a noble-looking young man.

“…Luthea, I’m breaking off our engagement.”

It was Leon Adelheit, the kingdom’s first prince.
A perfect prince with blond hair and blue eyes—the main romance target in a typical otome game.

Facing him was a girl with golden hair and ruby-red eyes like jewels.
Her expression was fiery, her dress perfect.

She was the “villainess” of this otome world: Luthea von Valenstein.

“…Oh? Are you joking, Leon? Breaking our engagement? Why?”

“I have no heart left for you. I… love someone else.”

“Someone else…? You mean that commoner… the girl called Filia?”

The students murmured in shock. A sudden “engagement break event” was unfolding.

(…No way… this is just like in those otome games…)

As Kai stared in disbelief, his eyes suddenly met Luthea’s.

“…Who are you, commoner? How dare you look at me?”

“Huh? I—I’m not doing anything…”

“That way of speaking… I don’t like it. Are you some weirdo who snuck into the academy?”

“Wait, seriously? First impressions, and you’re like this… you’re too prejudiced against Kansai dialect…”

“Ugh… that accent… it’s annoyingly sticking in my ears… it irritates me!”

(Eeeeehh!?!)

—And that was the worst first encounter with the villainess, Luthea.