Chapter 7: Leading (1)

My previous life…
Before I got transmigrated into this game, I absolutely hated socializing with people.

The reason was simple.
My shabby self looked pitiful compared to everyone else.

But this time, I decided to build good relationships while attending the academy.
After all, this new life is a chance I’ve been given, so I might as well live it to the fullest.

However, I completely forgot one crucial fact.

I had been placed in S-Class.

“……”

Most of the faces around me were familiar.
Being assigned to S-Class meant that at the very least, these characters held significant roles in <Eterna Online>.

The Crown Prince of the Belkan Empire,
The Saintess of the Holy Empire,
The Lady of the Rustichel Ducal House—
All of them were memorable characters from the game.

Honestly, in this world, there’s no one more talented than these guys.
Even if you scoured the entire continent, you wouldn’t find a collection of talents like the students here.

But the real problem is different.
Among the people gathered here, only a handful have a properly functioning mindset.

The stronger the power, the more likely it is that a screw or two is loose.
In other words, they’re indeed important characters, but not necessarily in a good way.

That doesn’t mean they don’t have any merits.
If I can raise their favorability properly, they’ll be as dependable as a hearty stew.
The only problem is that building rapport with them is a pain in the *ss.

“…Is that him?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“His name was Luke… something?”
“Luke Richter.”

I knew this would happen.
They’re already wary of me.

In a way, their reaction is perfectly reasonable.
After causing such a commotion during the practical exam, it’d be weird if they didn’t know my name.

“A commoner, huh?”
“Yeah, a commoner.”

I can hear you, idiots.
I’m not a commoner—I’m someone without any social status.
…Well, I guess that’s pretty much the same thing.

“I heard that he blew up the exam hall with a 6-Star spell.”
“…That’s gotta be a rumor.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t make sense.”

The gossip, once it started, kept growing in scale.
The murmuring voices spread like ripples.

For someone like me, who spent my previous life cooped up gaming, this kind of attention is anything but welcome.
Just as the suffocating atmosphere was dragging on, the front door of the classroom opened, and someone walked in.

‘S-Class homeroom teacher, Louise.’

Being the homeroom teacher of S-Class is a role that most teachers avoid.
It’s not easy to handle a bunch of prodigies with such extraordinary talents.

But Louise has been the S-Class homeroom teacher for decades.
That speaks volumes about her competence.

However, Louise has one big flaw.
Her passion is so excessive that it’s almost unbearable.
No wonder the community gave her the nickname “Hot-Blooded Professor.”

Thud—!
Louise dropped the teaching materials onto the podium as if throwing them.

“Hmm.”

Standing at the front, Louise slowly scanned the seated students.
I rested my chin on my hand and fixed my gaze on her.

‘…Looks just like the illustration.’

Golden hair swaying at shoulder length.
Bright orange eyes reminiscent of a pumpkin.
Her appearance was exactly as depicted in the in-game illustrations.

As Louise turned her head, our eyes met.
At the same time, her lips curved into a faint smile.

…Did she just smile at me?

“Nice to meet you! I’m Louise, and I’ll be in charge of S-Class again this year.”

When Louise spoke, the students instantly focused on her.
Her opening line was so familiar that I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.
I’ve played the game so many times that I ended up memorizing it.

“This year’s batch sure has a lot of unique kids!”

It’s not just a lot—it’s unprecedented.
Among the professors, they’re probably already calling this year’s group the “Golden Class.”

“Today, I’ll explain the curriculum you’ll be studying for the next four years.”

I already know all about the curriculum.
I glanced elsewhere, uninterested.

Sitting in the front row was Aisha.
She seemed to have had a restless night, nodding off with her head drooping.