Ch.16EP.5 – I’m Instructor Ihan

The Royal Academy, attended by talented young individuals aged 18 to 25.

This academy, more commonly known as Pendragon Academy, was similar to a military school.

Social status didn’t matter; everyone was simply a student and cadet.

Whatever one did outside the academy was irrelevant.

…Except for criminals, of course.

Due to these characteristics, the academy attracted countless types of people, including many students who enrolled to break through the limitations of their social status.

However, the academy’s entrance exam was incredibly difficult, and even if one succeeded in gaining admission, graduation was equally challenging.

Not only did students need to complete their credits, but they would also be expelled if they failed to achieve average scores in certain specialized subjects or fell below the standard requirements.

Average graduation rate: 10%.

It was a rare sight to see only 100 students graduate out of 1,000 who enrolled.

However, graduation opened the path to high positions in the kingdom, so even nobles were reluctant to quit the academy easily.

Well, despite such difficulties, new students weren’t intimidated; rather, they exuded confidence.

They believed in themselves.

The belief that “they” would definitely graduate.

And for good reason—they were individuals whose “talents” had been recognized.

Being admitted meant that most of them had been called prodigies or geniuses since childhood.

So, in their arrogance, they had no worries about being expelled.

…Though they notably lacked confidence in becoming the best.

That’s because this semester featured an unprecedented gathering of geniuses.

For example:

“Is that woman the magician?”

“She opened the world of spells through self-study, right?”

“A genius indeed.”

A beautiful woman with striking blonde hair.

Her beauty evoked images of fairies, a mystical race, but even more eye-catching than her beauty was the faint blue ripple of light emanating from her body.

Mana.

The talent of a magician, innate to only a few humans.

Being born with it was incredibly rare, and it was no exaggeration to say one was blessed by nature.

Irene Windler.

A commoner by birth and one of only ten magicians among this year’s incoming students.

However, her talent stood out even among those ten, which was why everyone paid attention to her.

If yesterday’s newspaper was correct, even the Duke Galahad had adopted her as his ward…

It was only natural that all eyes were on her.

“…Umm.”

But she didn’t seem to enjoy the attention. Irene Windler shyly turned her head away from the gazes.

Automatically, people’s attention shifted to other notable figures.

The disciple of the Mercenary King.

The eldest son of the Sword Master family.

The second daughter of the Prime Minister’s family.

The son of a great merchant.

Descendants of mystical races.

These were undoubtedly the biggest catches of this semester.

“It’s a shame to say this about previous classes, but this year’s batch is truly extraordinary.”

“Who would disagree?”

“Even the royal family has already taken notice of some of them.”

“Indeed.”

“Still, among all these outstanding individuals, I think that person will be this semester’s top student.”

“Certainly…”

“I agree.”

Among the array of exceptional talents, one figure shone particularly bright.

With a noble aura and handsome features.

The man, armed with an overwhelming presence, reminded onlookers of a statue just by his appearance.

Roen Dmitri de Lionel.

An illegitimate son of a Grand Duke family. Yet a genius whose status as a bastard seemed irrelevant.

His skills were already said to rival those of most knights, and he was known for opening new horizons in martial arts.

While the gazes directed at Irene Windler were filled with wonder and surprise, those looking at Roen contained equal parts faint envy and admiration.

Many revealed their baseness, wanting to somehow defeat him despite his illegitimate status.

“—–.”

Yet, his face showed not the slightest disturbance.

His face, devoid of humanity, appeared cold at a glance.

As if his entire being proclaimed, “I am different from you.”

That might be what made him somewhat unlikable, but ordinary people were too busy admiring him.

Noble bloodline and overwhelming talent. His accumulated achievements and the feat of entering as the top student.

A considerable number, from commoners to nobles, cast admiring glances his way.

[We will now commence the entrance ceremony. Students, please take your seats, and guardians and guests, please be seated as well. I repeat, we are now beginning the entrance ceremony, so guardians and guests, please-!]

The entrance ceremony finally began, leaving behind the promising students who foretold countless storms.

* * *

‘…I-I’m nervous.’

Irene Windler.

Though she tried to hide it, her entire body was trembling.

This was because she was someone who found such attention quite uncomfortable.

If she had her way, she wouldn’t care about the academy and would prefer not to attend, instead wanting to be like a pet squirrel, cozy in a warm nest, just playing and eating.

That was who Irene Windler was.

However, Irene Windler had to attend this academy.

The reason was none other than:

[Wow, Arin, look at this! There are so many people, wow…!]

‘Stop talking. I’m so nervous I feel like I’m going to throw up.’

[Arin, you’re just too timid. You should enjoy the situation.]

‘Do you think I’m an insane person like you?’

[What’s an “insane”?]

‘Someone exactly like you.’

[…Sometimes I think Arin says things I can’t understand.]

The noisy voice echoing in Irene Windler’s mind.

That voice belonged to a woman who had been with her for 7 years, and was simultaneously the original owner of this “body” that she now occupied.

If someone saw this, they might suspect schizophrenia, but Irene wasn’t schizophrenic, and she had memories of the world she originally lived in.

Therefore, she needed to return, and she had a duty to give this body back to its original owner.

‘Damn angel, I’ll definitely find you and pluck all your wings!’

Irene gritted her teeth as she recalled the one responsible for bringing her to this world.

[But, Arin. I’m not doubting you now, but is the “angel” you mentioned really at this academy?]

‘Yes, definitely! They appear near the end of the original story to help the female lead.’

[Ah, the person who’s the Duke’s real daughter?]

‘Yes.’

[Hmm, the Duke’s real daughter, I wonder what she looks like, hehe.]

‘…You’re lucky to have such simple thoughts.’

While her own head was about to explode.

‘Everything has been proceeding according to the original story so far, so the female lead will definitely appear.’

Hadn’t she confirmed it until now?

That the content of the original story was steadily progressing.

So she needed to catch the angel at the last moment, either subduing them or threatening them to find out the method.

A way to end this incredibly complicated cohabitation and for both of them to move towards a happy ending.

…However.

‘…Why is the male lead here?’

One thing Irene Windler couldn’t understand.

It was because of a certain man who was exuding a noble aura from one side.

Roen.

The male lead of the original story, who, if things had gone according to the original plot, would have started a rebellion in the Grand Duke’s family instead of attending the academy, becoming the iron-blooded Grand Duke at a young age.

But contrary to the original story, Roen had enrolled in the academy in the capital instead of initiating a bloody rebellion.

Seeing this, Irene’s thoughts became complicated.

She didn’t know what butterfly effect this deviation from the original story might bring.

Swish.

Flinch!

In an instant, as if noticing her gaze, Roen’s eyes turned towards her, and Irene quickly lowered her head as if avoiding his gaze.

She could still feel his blade-like gaze, making the top of her head tingle, but she shouldn’t look up.

[Arin, you coward.]

‘Shut up.’

[Hiing, Arin said a bad word.]

…She’s really annoying.

Five years younger, ugh!

‘…Ah, I’m not trying to be an old nag.’

Dealing with such an ill-mannered kid for 7 years naturally made her character deteriorate.

She prayed for the day she could catch the angel, to return to her originally kind personality as soon as possible.

And to take revenge by plucking all those damn feathers.

‘My college entrance exam, really…!’

She had no intention of giving up, even if it was just to get revenge on the angel who had brought a high school senior to this world the day before the college entrance exam.

The anger of a student preparing for the college entrance exam was deep and hot.

[Oh, Arin, look at that! It’s the teachers, the teachers!]

‘Not teachers, professors. Your words… Huh?’

Irene Windler blinked for a moment.

On the stage in front of her.

While checking the professors who were introducing themselves one by one, she noticed someone with a uniquely different atmosphere.

How should she describe it?

Like:

‘Why is Tom Hardy in a romance manga…?’

More precisely, he reminded her of a mafia role that Tom Hardy had played in a movie.

And as if to confirm this wasn’t just her imagination, people fell silent.

…As if the genre had suddenly changed.

* * *

‘…Did I dress inappropriately?’

He had worn a tailcoat as instructed to dress formally.

But since it wasn’t a party, he had been unsure what to wear and had just put on something resembling a suit.

It was neat and formal enough.

Additionally, he had applied some hair oil and combed it back, feeling quite satisfied with the result.

This wasn’t untidy, and it should make a good first impression.

It was just a bit tight.

Not because he had gained weight, but because his muscles had grown larger recently, making it cling to his arms and chest.

Fortunately, the tailor’s craftsmanship was good, and the fabric had some elasticity, so it wouldn’t tear. Still, it felt somewhat off.

‘I didn’t know it would be such casual attire…’

Other people were simply dressed neatly.

Few wore dresses or tailcoats; most wore light, casual clothes.

He felt he might be overdressed, and as if to prove this wasn’t just a feeling, silence fell as he stood on the stage.

…He’d throw this away as soon as he got home.

‘Let’s get this over with quickly.’

Ihan looked straight ahead.

He focused his gaze solely on the guy named Roen.

There was one reason: he needed to leave a strong impression on him, and focusing on just one person rather than letting his gaze wander would make his gaze more stable.

So Ihan opened the script he had roughly prepared to introduce himself…

“Hmph, a disgraced knight daring to show his face. How shameless.”

Scratch…!

In an instant, a different kind of silence fell over the auditorium.

The student who had spoken too loudly was now covering his mouth, realizing his outburst, and seeing this, Ihan smiled broadly.

‘…Right, what’s with the script? That’s not like me.’

Let’s be myself, just be myself.

Crack!

The podium shattered.