Ch.4Dubious First Meeting – 4

The combined time of the three welcome speeches was just over a minute. During that time, the last speaker declared that he would take the top spot for all three years, and the oath was essentially skipped by the Crown Prince’s authority.

After the entrance ceremony that would go down in Bellium Academy’s history—for better or worse—I had, unsurprisingly, become an extreme celebrity.

From first-years to third-years, from junior teachers to the chairman, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know my name and face, nor anyone who hadn’t mentioned me.

“Some teachers argued that you should be punished for disregarding Bellium Academy’s traditions and formalities. What do you think the result was?”

“Seeing as nothing has happened to me yet, I assume the request was denied.”

“Precisely. The chairman personally stepped in and said he would overlook what happened at this entrance ceremony. He mentioned it was the most entertaining thing he’d seen in a long time, and that was his way of showing appreciation.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“There are practical reasons too. I also supported your position, and they could hardly punish me along with you, could they? Consider this another debt you owe me, and don’t forget it.”

“…Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I was joking.”

The Crown Prince said this with a voice full of amusement, then mentioned he was the type who saved the best for last and set an appointment to meet again in two days, which concluded our conversation.

As a bonus, Beatrice later embraced me so tightly I thought I might be crushed, saying it was a brilliant speech.

“What a shameless bastard. How dare he show his face?”

“Did you see him smiling just now? Truly disgusting.”

The interest in me hadn’t diminished at all, even after more than a full day since the entrance ceremony. The reactions generally fell into two categories:

Those who gritted their teeth calling me an arrogant punk, vowing to get back at me someday, and those who, after hearing I had received perfect scores in both practical and written entrance exams, decided to wait and see.

Of course, the latter group was much smaller.

‘Well, it’s not something I need to worry about.’

These sentiments would naturally fade once I proved myself with skill. After roughly gauging the situation during the entrance exam, I was confident that I wouldn’t struggle at the academy level.

However, there was one thing I hadn’t anticipated:

“Are you listening to me, Mr. Crate?”

The woman addressing me now.

Despite my declaration that I would take the top spot for all three years—while deliberately making direct eye contact with her—she had applauded with a pure smile that showed not the slightest hint of displeasure.

This was Aria April.

“Mr. Crate?”

According to Priscilla’s description, she had such an impossibly kind personality that one might think an angel had descended in human form, so perhaps it made sense…

“Hey.”

—Poke.

I snapped out of my thoughts with a start as I felt something poke the tip of my nose. I saw Aria with her chin resting on one arm, smiling brightly as she extended her other arm.

“…What?”

“I’ve been calling you for a while, but you didn’t answer. I’m sorry. Was I interrupting?”

She was interrupting. I swallowed those words that had risen to the tip of my tongue and shook my head.

“No, it’s fine. You were asking which lectures I wanted to take, right?”

“Yes. I want to take exactly the same lectures as you, Mr. Crate. After receiving your challenge, I can’t just let it go. Starting this semester, I absolutely won’t lose, so you’d better be prepared, okay?”

Aria tilted her head slightly while resting her chin on her hand, smiling radiantly. With perfect timing, sunlight streamed onto the terrace, making her already brilliant golden hair shine even brighter.

‘She’s ridiculously beautiful.’

That was my first thought upon seeing her.

Perhaps because she was the protagonist of a romance fantasy novel, her appearance was truly beyond words. Priscilla certainly had looks that wouldn’t lose anywhere, but honestly, Aria was objectively a level above.

Any ordinary man would probably fall for her within about one second of seeing that smile.

“But is there any point to this? We’ll probably end up in the same lectures anyway.”

I brought my magical device next to the course registration device Aria had offered. Except for three blank spaces that hadn’t been decided yet, both schedules were identical.

The first-year curriculum at Bellium Academy was simple. From 9 AM to noon, students attended theoretical lectures assigned by the school, followed by lunch until 2 PM, and finally elective subjects from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Out of the 10 courses taken over five days, students could only choose half—five courses. Of those remaining five, two had to be non-graded liberal arts courses taken under the pretext of “rest.”

In the end, students effectively had only three courses they could truly choose.

“You’d probably be more comfortable hanging out with Brunhilde than with me. Above all…”

I glanced around. The hostile gazes that had briefly weakened due to Aria’s presence flared up again.

“You won’t hear anything nice if you stay by my side. As you can see, I’m thoroughly marked because of what I did at the entrance ceremony. They’re all eagerly waiting for just one chance to tear me apart.”

Despite my words, Aria firmly shook her head.

“I don’t mind. Once you properly demonstrate your abilities, those feelings will soon change. I can tell.”

“…”

For someone who was constantly described as oblivious, that was quite a sharp insight. I stared at Aria. What kind of woman was she really?

“Alright for now. Let’s talk about the details later.”

“Ah, you mentioned you had a prior engagement. It’s already time. Make sure you let me know which lectures you’ll be taking later, okay?”

Aria bowed her head and left with quick steps. As if taking her place, Priscilla sat down. The gazes around us intensified.

Especially the few male students, who were now sending glares closer to murderous intent than mere hostility. It was certainly a situation that could lead to such misunderstandings.

“Senior Agnes.”

“…Yes, junior.”

Priscilla responded with eyes full of discontent. There were too many onlookers to speak informally and call her by name as she had requested.

“How have you been?”

“Not well. Because you weren’t by my side. When I’m alone, I keep feeling anxious. I wonder if I’m dreaming, and if I wake up, I’ll have to return to that time when I was no different from a doll. So it’s hard. Really hard.”

“…”

“It’s difficult, but I’m enduring because I promised you. You told me to trust you. Because you wouldn’t lie…”

What was meant to be just a casual greeting turned into a heavy emotional confession. I silently extended my hand. Priscilla eagerly took it, interlocking our fingers.

Although I had brilliantly twisted the original story’s development since the entrance ceremony, problems remained. Like the fact that Priscilla fell into extreme anxiety when I wasn’t around.

It was natural, since her liberation had been entirely orchestrated by me rather than achieved through her own power.

“It’s so warm…”

Priscilla rubbed my hand against her cheek, her eyes glistening with tears. As her expression melted into a dreamy daze, the already hostile students around us grew even more menacing.

‘I wonder, is the next class combat practice?’

It seemed I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a partner.

“Since no one likes complicated things, I’ll just explain the rules and get started right away. There are only two rules to follow.”

A heavy vibration resonated as the instructor, who had introduced himself as Jake, briefly lifted and set down a weapon that resembled a metal plate more than a sword.

“No magic use, no vital point attacks. If you understand, come forward when I call your name. Mira Crate, you’re first.”

“…”

“Why that expression? Where’s that ambition to be the top student for all three years?”

Jake grinned. His arm muscles, thicker than my thighs, and his thigh muscles, thicker than most women’s waists, bulged as if about to burst.

In truth, this instructor was actually quite friendly toward me. As evident from the macho muscles covering his entire body, he had laughed heartily upon seeing me, saying that a man born to be a real man should have that level of ambition.

That too was probably his way of encouraging me to show off my skills freely. It’s just that with his rugged face and intimidating muscles, it didn’t feel that way to the recipient.

I stepped onto the prepared stage, feeling the stares boring into my back. Aria was waving her hand slightly, while Brunhilde’s face showed curiosity about my abilities.

“Good, anyone who wants to face Mira Crate… oh my.”

Before he could finish speaking, almost everyone except Aria and Brunhilde indicated their interest. Jake let out a hollow laugh at the sight. I wasn’t surprised, having fully anticipated this.

After pondering briefly, Jake, finding it difficult to choose, pointed to the woman standing at the very front. She promptly stepped forward.

“What’s your name?”

“Scarlet Diana, sir.”

“Diana. Are you ready?”

“Perfectly.”

“Good. Both of you take your positions.”

The red-haired woman created distance between us with a look that said “you’re in trouble now,” placing her hand on the sword at her waist. I simply stood still in my spot. A faint blue light separated us.

“I won’t give any special warnings. Anyone who can’t handle their own weapon properly and actually stabs their opponent’s vital points wouldn’t be here in the first place.”

There was nothing special about dueling with real weapons. I just needed to do what I’d always done before. Just don’t actually stab.

“The blue light will disappear shortly. Consider that the starting signal.”

Soon after, the blue light that had risen between the red-haired woman and me disappeared.

Click—for whatever reason, the woman who had kept her sword sheathed until the very start of the duel made the sound of drawing her weapon.

That brief moment was enough for me.

“…Huh?”

In the next instant, I had stopped my blade just in front of her throat. Just a little more—about one finger joint—and it would have pierced her Adam’s apple.

Her sword wasn’t even halfway drawn. The outcome had been decided before she even realized it, and experiencing this cognitive dissonance, the woman spoke with a trembling voice.

“Th-that’s… cheating, isn’t it?”

“Why, do you think I used magic or something?”

I straightened my posture with a smirk. Only then did the faintly shimmering form in my hand become fully visible. I turned my head. Except for Aria, everyone’s faces were dumbfounded.

“It seemed like many of you were curious about my skills earlier.”

“…”

“Who wants to challenge me next?”