Ch.32Entrance Ceremony (2)

Rustila scratched her cheek and said.

“I’ll go.”

“Huh?”

I was the one surprised instead. Rustila’s hand holding mine. I never dreamed she would express her intentions this actively.

But let’s think about this from another angle.

A daughter who isn’t even an adult yet holding hands with an unknown man in front of her parents?

Would any parent just sit there calmly without their eyes rolling back?

“Let go of that hand right now, Rustila!”

Her parents simultaneously lean forward to break apart our hands.

We easily avoided it by standing up.

“Huh? Look at this!”

“Dad will give you one last warning. Let go of that guy’s hand while I count to three. Now. One, two…”

“Father!”

Rustila shook her head repeatedly.

“Eidel is my friend. He might be a bit eccentric, but he’s a good person. I’m fine.”

“How can there be friendship between a boy and a girl?”

“At least… I think there can be.”

“You don’t know any better yet. Guys who look like that are always trouble.”

“Mom!”

“Rustila.”

“Both of you… please stop, just stop.”

Rustila gritted her teeth and glanced around.

Whispering sounds. People starting to gather as if they had a sixth sense for conflict.

Even I thought we were about to create an embarrassing scene.

There was no need to raise our voices and cause trouble.

I grabbed Rustila’s hand and pulled her. A cute “uh, uh” sound escaped from her lips. The distance between us narrowed to just a hand’s width.

I whispered in her ear.

“Go to the VIP seats over there. Ask Seti where my seat is, and sit there.”

“…What about you, Eidel?”

“I need to go up to the podium.”

Rustila smiled brightly and said.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Rustila moved away before her parents could say anything.

“Rustila, where are you going!”

“Honey, hurry after her!”

The two rushed to move.

But who is Rustila? She’s an athletic genius with calf muscles toned by secret home training.

No ordinary person could catch up with her swift movement.

“Ha, no! Why is she so fast…!”

“Stop right there! Rustila!”

It’s like playing cops and robbers, but the thief is too fast.

Anyway, I was able to get through this unexpected crisis situation.

“Lucky me.”

All that remained were four androids sprawled on the floor.

As I was contemplating how to deal with them, I soon turned around and walked away.

Well, someone will clean them up.

***

There are countless dreams in the world.

When the interviewer asked about her dream, Rustila answered sincerely.

‘My dream is to protect the Federation.’

When asked what profession she wanted to pursue, she answered like this.

‘I want to become the highest-ranked examiner. I want to become a soldier. I hope that every time I swing my sword, one person will survive.’

When asked for the reason, she answered.

‘The reason? When I was young, the planet I lived on was invaded by incarnates. That’s when I realized. There’s no safe place in this universe. So I’d like to make at least one corner of this universe safe.’

Some might mock it as an unrealistic dream.

But she wanted to pursue her passion sincerely.

And her best efforts were rewarded not with contempt or ridicule, but with acceptance to Stellarium.

It was thanks to Eidel.

Thanks to him, she was able to distance herself somewhat from her parents’ shadow. She became able to muster courage and express her opinions.

Rustila felt that change clearly just now.

“Haa, haa.”

She did it.

She really did it.

Two words filled her mind: rebellion.

Her heart was pounding.

It was the first time she had openly defied her parents. An unfamiliar sensation ran through her body like lightning.

Her chest ached as if she had committed a grave sin.

“Whew…”

She needed to calm down.

Rustila closed her eyes and took a slow, deep breath.

Seti was sitting beside her with a bright smile.

“To think that Eidel would give up his seat for you.”

“…”

Rustila opened her eyes, fidgeting with her fingers. The podium was clearly visible.

The VIP seats were truly special, she thought.

While she was deeply grateful for Eidel’s kindness, she also had doubts.

Is it okay for me to sit in a place like this?

Is it okay to keep receiving from Eidel without giving back?

“Sis, are your parents still unable to come this way?”

“I lost them along the way.”

Rustila’s feet were so fast that her parents seemed to have lost their way. The open-air theater was quite large, which contributed to this.

What was more bitter was the fact that Rustila’s parents had come without properly checking the local geography.

In other words, they hadn’t considered from the beginning that Rustila would be accepted to Stellarium.

That fact left a bitter taste. She felt that her acceptance, which was purely due to her admiration for examiners, wasn’t being acknowledged.

[Next, we will have the new student representative’s pledge.]

“Wow, it’s starting. Sis, look over there!”

As Seti nudged her, Rustila was finally able to escape from her thoughts.

A single scene was captured in Rustila’s azure eyes.

A tall boy climbing onto the podium, bowing to the principal and vice principal.

Within the podium scene that resembled a painting, the boy was exceptionally neat.

And handsome too. He gave off a strong model student vibe.

“I can’t believe that’s my brother.”

Seti repeated in disbelief.

[New student representative, Eidel von Rheinland.]

Eidel on the podium raised his hand and scanned the surroundings.

[Pledge. As students of the prestigious Stellarium Academia, we will always maintain proper conduct, consider friendship with colleagues, and devote ourselves to studies…]

His refreshing voice began to fill the open-air theater.

Valedictorian.

The fact that a boy who studied as well as him was her friend made Rustila’s heart race.

Seti seemed to feel the same way.

“I can’t believe he’s up there.”

That’s when it happened.

“I know, right?”

“…?”

An unpleasant voice suddenly came from nowhere.

Turning her head toward the sound, she saw a silver-haired, purple-eyed girl looking down at Rustila and Seti arrogantly.

“You’re… that girl from before?”

Rustila had met this girl before. Specifically, in a park on this Stellarium planet.

If asked whether she liked her or not, the answer was definitely not.

“My family name is Adelbein. Unless your family is on par with the Rheinlands, you should bow your head and give up that seat.”

“Who do you think you are? Is the Federation a class-based society?”

“Huhu, you can’t even take a joke as a joke.”

Rustila usually avoided conversation when faced with someone she didn’t get along with.

But this time, she wanted to confront her.

She had already gone against her parents’ wishes, so it seemed inconsistent to cower before a complete stranger.

[…This concludes the student representative’s pledge.]

“Oh my.”

On the other hand, Zernya paid little attention to Rustila. Her gaze was fixed on Eidel on the podium.

“That seat was originally mine…”

Tsk! Zernya clicked her tongue.

Not only had she been consistently arrogant since before, but she also harbored great hostility toward Eidel.

“…”

Rustila made an inner promise.

If this girl were to trouble Eidel, she would step in and teach her a lesson.

***

“Sigh, honey. We lost her. What should we do?”

Rustila’s mother, Ada Kersil, bit her nails anxiously as she urged her husband.

Her husband, Lloyd Kersil, was equally anxious.

She was their only daughter, obtained with great difficulty. They must pass down the family business to her. The tradition of the Kersil family must not end.

They had already decided many things. The ideal career path, the ideal lifestyle, even the ideal groom.

“Let’s… go back to our seats for now.”

Lloyd said, breathing heavily.

“She’ll have to come back to her seat eventually. Whether after class assignments or after today’s entrance ceremony.”

“What if she doesn’t come back? What if she stays at a hotel under the pretext of sleeping over at a friend’s house…”

“Then we’ll have to discipline her severely.”

Lloyd had actually already made up his mind.

Soon, he would have a major confrontation with his daughter.

***

Right after the entrance ceremony, we received our class assignments.

Classes are divided according to entrance exam rankings.

The very top and bottom ranks go to the elite class and supplementary class respectively, while the rest go to regular classes.

Seti and I were scholarship students, so we were in the elite class, but Rustila wasn’t. She was in the supplementary class.

“That’s a shame.”

“I know. If she had just done better on the practical exam, she could have been in the elite class with us.”

“So you think the same way as me, brother?”

Seti glanced at me with a smirk.

“Ah, how annoying.”

[Psychological state: She feels surprised yet comfortable about feeling a sense of kinship with you.]

Anyway, it was obvious that Seti and I would be together.

And that person would also be in the elite class.

“You two are always stuck together.”

Zernya von und zu Trisha Adelbein.

Speak of the devil.

“Are you siblings born in consecutive years? You get along so well.”

She started picking on us as soon as she appeared.

“Well, I guess that’s what they call birds of a feather flocking together.”

Her level of provocation is quite artistic. I wonder what her purpose is.

Could it be inferiority complex?

Whatever. No response is the best response for this kind of thing.

“Hey, let’s sit over there.”

“Sure.”

We passed by Zernya and went to the back.

“Sis, what do you want to eat for dinner tonight?”

“I’m craving sashimi after a long time.”

“…Are you both ignoring me right now?”

She went so far as to invade our refuge. Zernya adjusted her white scarf and spoke harshly.

“Hey, am I a joke to you?”

“What now?”

“I just can’t understand how you became the valedictorian, no matter how I think about it.”

Zernya, who had pulled her scarf all the way up, glared at me. Two pairs of brilliant grape-like eyes sparkled like fluorescent lights under her forehead, which was as wide as the Pacific Ocean.

“You don’t understand how I became valedictorian…”

Seti and I looked at each other and grinned.

[Seti von Adelbein Rheinland: 50 / 1000]

[Psychological state: She hopes you will play along with her.]

Zernya continued her offensive with a pretentious attitude.

“You two should enjoy this while it lasts. Luck doesn’t strike twice.”

“Sure.”

“Sure.”

“Do you know that this isn’t the official class but a temporary one?”

“Of course.”

“We do.”

“The practical evaluation that couldn’t be done during the entrance exam will start soon.”

“That’s.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, when the time comes, you should be prepared to pack your bags and leave this class…”

“You.”

“Should do that.”

“…”

The combined torpedo attack of the troublemaker siblings. No ship can withstand it. The heavily damaged Zernya vessel hastily retreated.

“Because the level is too low.”

That was her excuse.

“High five.”

Seeing Zernya fleeing with flushed cheeks, we lightly clapped our hands together.

This is more fun than I expected.

[— Notice: Your ‘SAN Parameter’ skill has leveled up to 2 after being used a certain number of times!]

[— Notice: From now on, you can detect the emotions of others in more detail.]

Moreover, my psychological insight skill also leveled up. It’s truly killing two birds with one stone.

[Seti von Adelbein Rheinland: 50 / 1000]

[Trait: ‘Achievement Drive’ – When you achieve something, your stress level decreases faster than others.]

[Psychological state: She feels considerable affinity toward you. There are still lingering resentments and doubts about past days. She hopes you will continue to remain as you are now.]

The amount of information has definitely increased.

However, what bothers me is that this isn’t entirely my own achievement.

It’s Cartesia’s ability to examine and sometimes manipulate others’ mental states according to her taste, which I find dissatisfying.

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is interested in your valid question.]

[— You have broken Mental Erosion (G)!]

[— 500 Fron will be attributed to you.]

I should always be cautious when using it.

While thinking about various things, I was chatting with Seti.

“Ah!” There was a sound. And then something got caught on the threshold. The commotion came from behind.

When I turned around, there was a girl with short dark green hair rubbing her waist after spilling her books.

“Ow, ow.”

She was even smaller than Seti or Zernya.

Her uniform was loose, and the cuffs were uneven. It felt like an elementary school student attending high school.

“I knew this would happen!”

Another girl entered after her.

She was over 175cm tall and had such a mature face that if she hadn’t been wearing a uniform, she might have been mistaken for a teacher.

She quickly picked up the fallen books and helped the other girl stand up.

“Mezulen, are you okay?”

“My, my lumbar! I think I sprained my 8th lumbar vertebra!”

“That’s why I told you! Let’s share the books! Why do you have to push yourself so hard…”

“Everyone sees me as a child. I can do this much on my own!”

Hair color, eye color, body type, speech patterns.

Combining all these factors, I guessed their identities.

“I’m so sorry for causing a disturbance.”

The tall girl kept bowing her head in apology.

The girl’s name was ‘Kristin Heresset’, the daughter of a famous legal family like the Kersils.

Kristin was clearly a girl who pursued a righteous lifestyle.

“Ah!”

Kristin met my eyes and suddenly pointed at me with indignation.

“You!”

“What, me?”

“Yes, you! You were on the podium earlier, weren’t you? Certainly, your name was…”

“Eidel von Rheinland.”

“Yes! Eidel von Rheinland! The troublemaker of the universe!”

I sighed.

Right. It would be strange if the daughter of the Heresset family, which has been a family of examiners for generations, didn’t pick a fight with me.

“I read several articles about your eccentric behavior on my way here! You’ve committed more evil deeds than I imagined. How could someone like you! Enter such a prestigious academy! And as the valedictorian no less?”

“Well, that’s…”

“It’s suspicious! It stinks! Did you bribe the entire school? Or do you have connections with the chairman? This doesn’t make sense no matter how I think about it. I should contact the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office for a thorough investigation…!”

“Listen when someone is trying to speak.”

Kristin’s rapid-fire speech didn’t last long. A man holding a thin blackboard poked the back of her head from behind.

“Eek! Who, who are you?”

“Hmm, I wonder who?”

“Ah, could it be… our homeroom teacher?”

“Heh, go sit wherever you want. The orientation will start soon.”

“Yes, sir…”

As if nothing had happened, the girl bowed her head deeply and went to sit by the window. The green-haired girl sitting next to her was still groaning and holding her waist.

Step, step.

The man who introduced himself as our homeroom teacher was now in front of the podium looking down at us.

His black hair was slicked back, and he wore sunglasses. He had something like a white cigarette in his mouth.

His clothes consisted of just a white shirt and black slacks.

Perhaps because of his tall stature, he had an overwhelming presence.

Gulp. Several students swallowed hard.

I was also tense since I hadn’t had time to find out who the Academia homeroom teacher was.

However.

“Congratulations on your admission, everyone. My name is Welton Yusoford.”

After hearing his name, I couldn’t help but feel deflated.

Damn it, it was you?

“Let’s get along well for the next year. Some of you might not see me after the class reassignment evaluation, but I’ll continue to be in charge of this class. I hope you all do your best to avoid class transfers.”

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

“Yes. What’s your name, student?”

“Zernya Adelbein.”

“Good, Adelbein student. Ask anything.”

Zernya glanced at us and continued.

“What’s the topic and schedule for the reassignment exam? Is there any prior notice?”

“Ah, about that? I don’t know either.”

“…?”

The entire class froze.

“You, you don’t know?”

“Are they going to spring it on us by surprise?”

“I see. Indeed…”

The students showed different reactions. Some frowned in disbelief, while others nodded in understanding.

As for me…

I was neither.

“Kuk.”

I just found the situation amusing and was observing it leisurely.

Clatter, the door opened then.

The person who entered through the front door was none other than Teacher Kendra Hemington.

A veteran teacher who teaches mathematics, with a wide-ranging concern for others but also diligent. I was familiar with her as she was the main supervisor of the exam hall where I took my test.

As soon as Kendra saw the boy posing at the podium, she glared and asked.

“Student, what are you doing at the podium?”

“Eek.”

Our class’s homeroom teacher… no, the student Welton Yusoford immediately came down from the platform and retreated to the back seat.

It didn’t take long for Zernya to explode.