Chapter 108

As expected, the choices of the second years followed the storyline I knew.

The Royals chose the fortress we saw first, the Nobles picked a favorable hill terrain, and the Commons selected a flat area with a forest.

Everyone chose terrains that had defensive advantages.

Another commonality was that all these locations were in the rear.

Everyone had openly chosen to defend.

Rather than risking a crushing defeat, they planned to hold their ground and increase their activity scores through defense.

Good.

Everything was going as I knew it.

“Elaine!”

Elaine’s close friend, Lana, called out to her like a long-lost family member while running over.

She had been worried ever since she had impulsively sent Elaine over to us.

“Y-you’re okay, right? Right?”

“…Do we look like robbers or something?”

I couldn’t help but make a remark.

Lana ignored me and asked Elaine again.

“You’re okay, right?”

“I’m fine… I’m fine, so please, stop.”

Elaine tried to calm her friend with a red face, embarrassed.

It was understandable; everyone around us was watching intently.

Elaine and me.

Everyone was curious about our relationship.

A model student and a troublemaker.

The most mismatched pair, which made it even more intriguing.

“Th-that’s a relief. But…”

Lana was just as curious as everyone else.

No, she was probably the most curious among them.

“So…”

She seemed to struggle with how to ask, then closed her eyes and blurted it out.

“…What’s going on between you and Max?”

Everyone’s eyes were on Elaine’s lips.

It was a situation that could make anyone feel pressured.

Honestly, I wanted to answer for her.

After all, it was my fault that caused this situation in the first place.

Moreover, this relationship was only detrimental to Elaine’s image.

A top student and model representative of the year associating with a troublemaker and delinquent?

Just as clean water gets contaminated when mixed with muddy water, Elaine’s pure image would inevitably be tarnished.

‘Not being the protagonist has its downsides.’

The protagonist is considered a normal person.

But my reputation is far below that of a normal person.

People would think anyone associating with me is strange.

That was one of the reasons I kept my relationship with Hiresia a secret.

That’s why I was moved when she publicly acknowledged our relationship.

But now, Elaine was in a similar situation.

This time, it was largely unavoidable.

“There was a misunderstanding. We’ve resolved it now.”

When the moment came, Elaine was surprisingly calm.

Her expression was composed.

I looked at her with a surprised expression.

“A misunderstanding? And… you’ve resolved it?”

Lana exclaimed in disbelief.

Our relationship was one that everyone thought was irreparably broken, so her reaction was understandable.

I could feel the other students murmuring.

“Yes.”

Elaine affirmed nonchalantly.

Lana clutched her head.

“So, what kind of relationship do you two have now…?”

“Friends.”

This was good so far.

But then.

“F-friends? Surely you don’t mean boyfriend, right?”

“W-what… B-boyfriend…?”

Elaine stuttered, her face turning red.

Please, don’t blush out of embarrassment.

It makes it look like you really have feelings for me.

“W-why are you embarrassed…? Why is your face red…?”

Lana stammered, looking shocked.

Don’t do that.

…She’s just not used to boys.

But no one else would know that.

Suddenly, the murmuring grew louder.

“W-what’s going on? What’s happening here?”

“Can’t you tell? She’s embarrassed.”

“Why is she embarrassed…?”

“As someone who’s dated one girl, it’s obvious. She has feelings for him.”

“F-feelings…? They were so cold towards each other, how could that be?”

“…Bad boy.”

“Bad boy?”

“Girls are always drawn to bad boys.”

Someone suddenly started preaching the bad boy theory.

“Ugh… Stop spouting nonsense. My Elaine would never do that!”

A delusional guy living in his own world of obsession suddenly butted in.

“What do you mean ‘my’ Elaine? Does she even know your name?”

Hmm, the bad boy guy is better.

That was a good attack.

“W-what? You want to fight?”

Ah, it’s getting chaotic.

Chaos is never good.

At that moment.

Just in time, Professor Lawrence appeared.

“Everyone, be quiet. Time’s up.”

His voice was low but clear and commanding.

Finally, the commotion settled down.

I saw Elaine wipe her forehead with the back of her hand and let out a small sigh of relief.

Don’t do that.

…It makes you look suspicious.

“Everyone, line up.”

And so, the noisy reconnaissance came to an end.

* * *

The midterm results were out.

They were posted prominently on the hallway bulletin board.

Is there no student privacy here?

No, this is a jungle.

Every semester is a survival game in this jungle.

But I like it this way.

Competition is fun.

“Hmm, let’s see.”

As I walked towards the bulletin board, I felt the students in front of it looking at me like I was some kind of strange creature.

What’s with the sudden reaction?

Why are you all getting chills just from seeing me?

As I approached, the students parted like the Red Sea.

They flinched and moved aside.

I like this.

I checked the results with that thought in mind.

“Hey, what? I’m only 10th in the year? Is that why everyone was acting like that?”

I muttered in disbelief.

“Only? Only? Only?”

A voice that seemed to come from the depths of hell.

A hot, intense aura suddenly surrounded me.

Oops.

I must have shown too much of my privileged attitude.

I should have shown more consideration for the socially disadvantaged students.

As I tried to discreetly slip away from the crowd.

“Hehe, 29th.”

Riviera appeared out of nowhere, making a V sign with her fingers.

What? You only got 29th?

…Why are you happy about that?

I checked the results again.

### 29th in the Year: Riera

She had a lot of perfect scores.

As expected of a science genius.

But she lost so many points in the humanities subjects that she only managed 29th.

I guess short-term cramming wasn’t enough.

But at least she made it into the Royal cut-off of the top 30.

“Allen, 30th.”

Riviera suddenly mentioned Allen’s rank.

Now I understood why she was happy.

…Even though it’s just Allen, she saw him as a rival in the written exams.

Considering their scores, it’s understandable.

They’ll probably be good rivals in the future…?

“Wow, wow, 30th in the year! I’m 30th in the year! I did it!”

Allen suddenly appeared out of nowhere, making a fuss.

It’s probably his best score ever, so it’s understandable.

But the socially disadvantaged students won’t understand that.

They must be feeling a strong urge to rebel against the upper class that incites such envy.

“Look at this guy with no basic manners!”

“Keep your joy to yourself! Have you no sense?”

“Is 30th in the year all that? Is it all that?”

The disadvantaged students finally exploded.

Allen immediately cowered and apologized.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

He apologized in all directions.

I tried to drag Allen away.

Oh, I should check who got 1st.

I turned my gaze but didn’t need to check.

It was Elaine again.

“I’m sorry…”

“Hey, let’s go.”

I dragged Allen away.

Riviera followed us swiftly.