H-How did I end up like this?

I gulped while looking at the woman with an intimidating physique in front of me. There was a big smile on her face while looking down at me. I unconsciously took a step backward with a nervous smile on my face.

"A-Are you Sister Krone?" I asked which indicates hesitation. My eyes went to Grandma who was only standing on the other side. There was a strange smile on her face while staring in our direction. 

"It was real. There was really the youngest student who was studying under Grandma," She concluded before bending her body to lean on me. "So you're the little kid from Gracefield Orphanage. A child that was under Ma'am Isabella."

"Yes--"

"HOW WONDERFUL ❤~" Sister Krone exclaimed. I almost jolted my body because of the shock. She suddenly placed her big hands on my plumpy cheeks before squeezing them. I was kinda surprised because her hands were actually warm and comfortable.

I-- mean... she's not really scary, but her behavior can sometimes make you jolt. 

"Such a pity that an adorable child would stay in this place," Sister Implied with a smile on her face. She suddenly leaned closer to my ears as she whispered something to me. "If I were your Mom, I wouldn't bring you here that early," Krone asserted. 

I paused when I heard that from her. 

As I expected, Sister Krone is indeed competitive. It wasn't a surprise if she will say something like that. However, her tone, her face, her actions, it makes my body jolty. 

"NOW! WHAT CUTE CHILD YOU ARE ❤~"

"Eh?" I squealed when she suddenly yanked at me. 

"Krone, enough with that," Grandma suddenly spoke with a warning. Her eyes went to the window of her office. The dark sky outside was currently full of stars which made it pretty. "We are here to discuss your promotion. Let's do it quickly, the child has to sleep earlier."

The woman immediately stand straight as she placed her hand in her chest. "Yes, Grandma," Sister Krone replied respectfully. "Conny needs to grow taller~," She beamed with a large smile before patting my head.

I just nodded softly when I felt her warm hand on my head. Although Mama Isabella's warmth is different from Sister Krone's, It's so comfortable and warm. It makes me remember Mama Isabella, 

Ah right, What am I doing here anyway?

I don't know either.

Grandma Sarah told me yesterday that I would attend the meeting with her if I wanted to meet Sister Krone. However, I don't know her intention of doing this thing. Is this a test or something? 

"The day of your arrival to the Orphanage is already scheduled," Grandma Sarah started to talk. "I am hoping that you would do a great job, Krone," Her hands went to the pile of paper on her table. "However, that is not the reason why I called you here."

Grandma glanced at me. "The Head was currently impressed with Conny's performance in her past tests," She paused before giving me a strange smile. "A special event would happen on the day of Tifari because of her."

What?

"Ti...fari?" I unconsciously mumbled.

"Tifari? Are you serious, Grandma?" A surprising reaction appeared on Sister Krone's face. "Do you mean the head?" She asked before returning her gaze to me. "and this child?"

"You know that you cannot think of her as a normal child," Grandma let out a clack. She handed the paper in her hands to Sister Krone. "After all, she deceived Isabella for years thinking that she's just a normal child. Secretly grabbing information about the orphanage."

"Isn't impressive?"

I gulped.

I don't think that this is a good thing...

The shock becomes more evident in Sister Krone's face when she heard it. However, she immediately controlled as she closed her eyes with a strange smile. "Gracefield Orphanage is truly admirable. I am glad to have the opportunity of working in that place~ ❤"

Yeah, an opportunity that will cost your life.

I don't know whether help or sympathize with her, cause just like me, she's just a cannon fodder. Sister Krone is also doing her job to survive anyway. Too bad, Mom is more good at working than her.

But if I were given a chance, I would also like to save her.

After all, unlike the other reincarnators and transmigrators. I am not reluctant to change the storyline.

"Grandma, what kind of special event would happen on the day of tifari?" I raised my head when Sister Krone said that. "What is the connection of Conny to that event?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"An auction."

"Huh?" I reacted.

Don't tell me...

'You want me to arrange it in a way where you can manipulate them,' I answered. I placed the paper on the table. "Am I right?'

Peter Ratri's smile went wider when he heard that. He glanced at me as if I am an interesting specimen for him.

'I'll try to balance the distribution of the... kids,' I paused after averting my eyes. 'I'll create different factions where we can both practice the quality and quantity of the... kids,' I informed him before taking the pen in his hand. 

'You seemed to know the hierarchies within the Demons,' Peter Concluded.

'I don't, but I speculate that there must be ranks within them,' I lied. 'But since you mentioned it to me, then there must be lower Demons and higher Demons. Queens, nobles, etc...' I paused. 'Then quantity is for the lower Demons and quality for the higher Demons.'

'Are you trying to recreate the system?' He asked before leaning himself to the table. 

No way! I am not that intelligent to do that. I'm kinda scared right now. Being a fake genius is so hard. Is it too late to go back and run away with them?

 'No, I'm trying to figure out if an auction could work,' I unconsciously mumbled. I don't know where did I get that word, but that was the first thing that came out of my mouth. I took a deep sigh before shaking my head.

'An auction,' he mumbled.

'No, Nevermind.'

Darn, he's really doing that? 

"There are no further details yet, but the caretakers of the farms already know about it. As Isabella's future assistant, you should also know about this," Grandma informed Krone. "After all, you'll her to take care of our goods."

"Thank you for informing me, Grandma."

I secretly clenched my fist when I recalled my conversation with Peter Ratri. I tried to not make it obvious, but this thing is making my head hurt. I thought that he'll just take the data that I created, but it seems worse than that.

"Grandma. What's the reason for informing me of this?" I asked. The two glanced in my direction.  "There must be a reason, correct?"

"Indeed," She answered me with amusement on her face. "No matter how hard you try to keep your moderation, you won't be able to succeed," Grandma told me. "Show me the real you, my child. Do not hold back."

"I am not holding back anything." 

"Are you sure?" She asked which made me hostile to her. "Then are you aware of the reason why Isabella asked for an assistant?"

Of course, I am aware...

However, I can sense that there is more than those words. I lowered my gaze when I realized something.

Mom knows the reason why I choose to become a Mom in training. And that is because I was hoping for the other children to escape. She must've already speculated that they already know a lot, but I could only trust Emma, Norman, and Ray for this.

Of course, Mom is not dumb. 

Grandma let out clack. "Do not overthink anymore. Eniza must've told you about the elimination exam," Grandma spoke. "The Head wants to trust your ability," She said. "That's why you are tasked to assist and to be the judge of your classmates."

"What?" I asked.

"Grandma, that's too much power for a kid," Krone who was only listening reacted.

"Krone, get out of here," Grandma told her.

"But Grandma--"

"Do you not hear me?" Grandma replied with a serious expression. 

"I'm sorry, Grandma," Sister Krone uttered with respect before gazing at me. "Goodbye, Conny," She said with a wide smile. Sister Krone immediately turned her back on us as she left Grandma's office. 

A moment of silence covered the room.

"I don't want to," I said with a firm voice, breaking the silence between us. I raised my face to look directly at Grandma. "I want to refuse. It's not fair for the other children."

I think I can't do that, I won't be able to do that.

"I am not asking you to be fair, nor you will become an exemption for the incoming elimination exam," Grandma told me. "But I want you to pick candidates for the incoming auction among your classmates."

"The sister academy faction needs to provide goods for that event. Prove to me that Isabella made the best choice when she tampered with your scores. Prove to me that you're truly more than that."

Tampered?

"What do you mean?"

•••••

Me: Why do you have to put a heart in Krone's Dialogues?

Also me: I mean--- It's Krone okay?

Anyways, Long time no see! ❤