Chapter 37
The class competition does not take place within the floating island Academia. No matter how vast Academia is, it is not absurdly large enough to accommodate all tests like the class competition, final exams, etc.
Considering the space occupied by residential areas, living spaces, and educational spaces, it requires a vast area.
Therefore, we were currently on the move.
A large transport heading towards the island where the class competition will take place.
This exclusive transport for Academia was about the size of a large cruise ship used for luxury travel.
It easily accommodated the entire first-year class, a few professors, and some visiting heroes.
Where we are currently is one of the hundreds of rooms on that large transport. Five people are seated around a round table.
“Tsk.”
My fiancée, who was sticking her tongue out at me when she saw me.
It went unnoticed by others around, passing it off as just not being in a good mood, but I saw it exactly.
In the unpleasant expression, one could discern what she was thinking.
Indeed, it means that you are the leader of Class 1.
If you keep bouncing like this, you lack charm, don’t you?
“In the end, it’s the ones we expected. They became leaders based on their entrance exam scores.”
Her blunt voice could be heard.
Except for one person, Erika mentioned all the figures present here.
Her words were 80% accurate.
The leaders sitting roundly in their respective positions here were members ranked from 1st to 5th based on their entrance exam scores.
Except for one.
“So, it’s not Leon who’s the leader of Class 3. Well, it’s not that I don’t understand.”
The short-haired man who heard me seemed to be thinking of someone, then furrowed his brow as if it were bothersome.
He is Bell, ranked 5th in the entrance exam, who took on the role of leader instead of Leon, from the Osel Kingdom, a commoner.
“…That’s right as you think. In various ways, that person is not suitable for a leader, so I ended up with the position.”
Bell sighed heavily.
As mentioned earlier, it’s understandable why Bell is suffering like this.
In general, the person who should have been sitting here as the representative of Class 3 should have been Leon, not him.
However, Leon, from the Osel Kingdom, is not suitable for strategizing or using people tactically.
He may excel in physical strength, but lacks in intellect.
A man who lives by passion, drive, and a sense of justice. That’s Leon.
That’s why Professor Paula, in charge of Class 3, did not recommend Leon as the leader.
“I just hope to peacefully finish this class competition. I don’t aim for victory, just don’t want to be last…”
Bell spoke wearily, as if feeling despondent.
Even though it hasn’t started yet, he already conveys to us a mindset of defeat.
Truly, he’s a guy who knows how to use his weaknesses as written in novels.
Feeling an unknown pleasure from the common denominator of indirect and direct experiences, the saintess Diphelia, who had been silent, asked.
Ranked 3rd in the entrance exam, she is currently the leader of Class 5.
“I heard you founded the Divine Student Council.”
“Were there current students who didn’t know about it?”
By deliberately choosing a provocative and eye-catching name, he made sure to attract attention, but if someone doesn’t know, it’s disappointing.
“I heard that the main theme is to grow together with the students. They are also making steady progress.”
“Don’t beat around the bush. The announcement of the events for the upcoming inter-class competition is coming soon.”
Perhaps because of her title as a saintess.
The problem lies with those affected by the Good Boy Syndrome. They drag on unnecessarily, paying attention to the surroundings, instead of getting straight to the point.
“The current Student Council President is Shugenhardt Trowa Lincarben. He’s your brother. Yet, using the name Divine Student Council… Is it a form of control over your brother?”
She is looking at me. Faint traces of doubt and a subtle sense of boundary can be felt.
But her eyes remain closed. She refuses to open her eyes. Because they don’t focus.
She can’t see. Her legs don’t move.
It’s because she overused the saintess’s power too much.
“….”
Prince Arterion, the protagonist, showed interest in her statement.
It was the first time they were in the same place since the last entrance exam, and he was still a man of few words, a solitary figure.
“Oh, am I the one who will go through such trouble for the first lad?”
“Even though brothers may seem close, I heard that noble society is about poisoning each other behind the scenes, isn’t it?”
“You’ve got yourself a friend who tells you such nice things.”
Looking at Erika, she responded with eyes that seemed to say, ‘So what if I told you?’
Not bending to anyone and casting sharp glances like a cat was Erika’s trademark.
“In Shugenharz, there’s an implicit rule passed down from ancestors. ‘Do as you please. However, excluding cases that harm the family members.’ A very desirable custom.”
“Shugenharz… was indeed a unique family as I imagined. Anyway, your actions do not harm the student council president. Is that what you wanted to say?”
The eyelids of Lady Difirelia slightly opened.
Although she couldn’t see, a habit ingrained in her body from past encounters emerged.
She might not be looking into my eyes, but out of courtesy, I met her gaze. Even though I couldn’t give her the answer she wanted.
“Well.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
Except for Bell of Class 3, everyone here belonged to the student council.
It was obvious that whatever I said would fall into the ears of the eldest son, but what would I gain from a losing business?
“Rather than about me. Wouldn’t it be more constructive to discuss the class as a whole before the competition? Or… were you in the midst of exploring the key figure of this performance, me?”
“Arrogant. We haven’t even decided on a topic yet, and you think we will be wary of you?”
Erika pierced me with a sharp look.
Even though she spoke like that, Erika knew my personality and skills better than anyone here.
“Sometimes it’s okay to be honest, Erika.”
“….”
It was her who schemed to drive Class 1 aggressively in order to stop Bargan in the original work.
Thanks to her, Liam and his group, who were in the same class as Bargan, were able to showcase their abilities to the public. Erika was also surprised by the unexpected appearance of Liam and Alicia, the complicating factors.
I itch to see the Erika of that scene in real life, but it will probably be difficult.
Even if the scene proceeds as it is, there’s an issue that I won’t be present there. I’ll probably be busy elsewhere.
It would be nice if there was a recording function.
Suddenly, Bell looked around. It seemed as though she was examining the movements of Academia staff.
“By the way, the preparation time is quite long. Will Haylion and his group also participate in selecting the events?”
“No, they won’t. The warriors dispatched from the church are mere spectators.”
Even if a person within the top 10 of the warrior rankings came, it wouldn’t disrupt the existing system.
It wasn’t because of Haylion’s appearance; Academia was a prestigious place of learning. The pride felt by professors and students was immense.
In short, they wouldn’t stoop to spying and being suspicious.
Even if the mentor ranked 1st among the warriors participated, they wouldn’t be allowed to contribute to event selection.
“Professor Paula will probably come soon to inform us of the events.”
While we were engaging in a kind of verbal sparring at this round table, extracting information about the opponents.
The Academia staff were selecting the events for the grand competition and preparing the stage. Those who had arrived on the island in advance would be working tirelessly.
The secrecy of not deciding on the events until the day was to ensure fairness.
If a specific professor leaked information to their class beforehand, wouldn’t it violate fairness?
“hahahaha… That’s really true.”
Bell let out a hollow laugh.
From a distance, Professor and his entourage were approaching, with Paula standing out prominently at the forefront.
Her footsteps were casual, seemingly unconcerned about the gazes directed towards her.
“Hey hey hey, everyone’s been waiting for a while, haven’t they? It took some time to get everything ready, right?”
Arriving at the table in no time, Paula, as always, let out a mischievous chuckle. Then, whether out of consideration for us who had waited long or to get to the important matter right away, she spoke up.
“So, the theme for this class competition is… well…”
What kind of theme would it be?
It would be most advantageous if it followed the story I knew. But as Haleyon’s case proved, there’s no such thing as an immutable future.
In the original, it was a game called ‘Capture the Hidden King.’ I wonder how it will be this time.
With a clucking sound from her mouth, Paula dragged on, finally stopping the sound effects.
And then she spoke.
From Noble mtl dot com
“This time, the game is ‘Capture the Hidden King!'”
“Capture the Hidden King…?”
“Let’s start by listening to the explanation.”
The people around demanded a detailed explanation. While I could guess roughly, listening accurately was a different matter.
Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to join that group.
‘Capture the Hidden King.’
I don’t particularly like vulgar words, but there’s one word that best describes the current situation. It’s a word I’ve never spoken or thought of since coming to this world.
Nevertheless, given the circumstances, I feel compelled to mention it.
Though crude, it’s an easy way to express fundamental human emotions directly.
Anyway, the emotion I feel right now is this.
Pure bliss.
***
“Indeed, the unfairness of Academia. The interior is like a royal palace. …I’ve never been inside, though.”
The girl with slightly orange-tinted auburn hair looked around, examining her surroundings.
Every time she turned her head, the shining expensive items seemed to dazzle her. They whispered to her.
Steal me.
Upon entering Academia, she received tuition, dormitory fees, and minimum living expenses. There was no discomfort for her, coming from the slums. In fact, it was far superior to any environment she had experienced before.
Yet, human greed knows no bounds.
Just by looking around, nobles carried various precious and luxury items besides their uniforms as they walked through the corridors.
Despite Academia’s pursuit of freedom and equality, the inherent class gap was undeniably present.
In the past, she enjoyed luxuries beyond imagination, but she had developed a new perspective on the world.
Just stealing one thing and selling it could fetch a substantial amount of money, igniting an irresistible temptation.
“But if I really sold it, I’d probably get expelled.”
If there were no consequences, she would act without hesitation, but this wasn’t the slum she grew up in. She’d definitely get caught. It was incomparable to stealing the change from the drunk neighbor next door, always intoxicated.
“That one…”
The girl stopped in her tracks and stepped aside. It wasn’t just her moving. Many around her seemed to avoid a particular individual taking the path.
Commoners were the norm, and even the nobles who appeared wealthy to her eyes stepped back with embarrassed expressions.
A path was cleared, and a nobleman known for his wealth and the woman accompanying him passed by.
She had seen a situation similar to the present before. In the past, when she lived in the slums, everyone would step aside and lower their heads when the local big shot passed by.
“Other than people bowing their heads, nothing seems to have changed from back then. Is noble society ultimately just the same as any other society?”
As she entertained such pointless thoughts, he passed right in front of her. She subtly raised her eyes to look at the man.
A prominent nose that seemed unyielding. Transparent skin. Even a hint of a luxurious fragrance emanating subtly.
The top student.
Trois Vargan Schugenhartz.
Even if she had entered alongside him, everything was different. Status, ability, reputation. Someone who seemed to have been born with everything from the very beginning.
Vargan walked away without a glance. Just strolling through the corridor, yet his aura was remarkable.
“It’s no joke to have a bodyguard trailing behind. It’s not just about looks in this world.”
Upon hearing about Vargan’s wealth at the beginning of the semester, she had thought about approaching him, but she gave up right away. It was because the bodyguard always by his side was a presence of a completely different caliber.
Although in the vicinity where she lived, men with perverted intentions would pursue her based on her appearance, in front of that bodyguard, she couldn’t even cast a shadow.
She admired Vargan, who seemed free to live as he pleased with such a beauty, but she didn’t feel jealousy.
One needs a sense of comparison.
The difference was so great that it would be embarrassing to compare herself with him.
She was considered a character from a completely different world, with no connection to him whatsoever.
“Huh?”
Until that moment.
When she returned to her room, she noticed something on her coat. There was clearly nothing there before. It was as if it had always been there, naturally.
She took out the letter envelope tucked inside her clothes.
Just by looking at the embossed seal and the quality of the paper, it was evident that this was an expensive item.
She brought the envelope to her nose and sniffed. A very faint scent of luxurious perfume emanated from the envelope.
“Shall I open it for now?”
The sender and recipient were not written on the outside. However, unless her long-standing habit had moved without her knowledge, this letter had likely entered her possession “intentionally.”
With caution.
When she opened the envelope, to her surprise,
“What, what is this?!”
With a purple smoke, the envelope disappeared, and she heard a whisper in her ear. There was no one around her except herself, but it sounded as if someone was whispering right next to her.
Still flustered, she calmed her heart and listened to the following words.
It was the first time she had heard it clearly, but she knew the voice.
The owner of the voice was making her an offer. An offer so sweet that she couldn’t afford to miss it.
“hahahaha, what’s all this about?”
As the voice magic contained within ended, she chuckled, running her fingers through her bangs.
She sat on the bed as if a weight had been lifted, accepting the joy that was gradually enveloping her body.
Suss.
The purple smoke, which had been faintly lingering with light, changed its appearance.
And.
⎯Tingling.
A gold coin fell to the floor and rolled.
It toppled near her shoe.