Chapter 9 – The Activities of an F-Grade Troublemaker 2

Humans live bound by invisible constraints.

Whether they are physical or indirect, they are certainly there.

These actions undoubtedly limit human behavior.

If one wishes to leave the academy, they could do so immediately.

For instance, if one were to stroll naked through the streets, they would be expelled on their own accord.

Or, by simply ignoring all constraints and fleeing far away, that would be the end of it.

However, these invisible constraints grip my throat tightly.

If I were to walk naked through the streets, I might be expelled, but I would also be imprisoned.

If I ignore all constraints and flee, the clause in my contract magic, ‘Maintain your grades,’ will automatically require my attendance.

Unless I lack the ability, failing to achieve grades I’m capable of is impossible.

The contract would assert its control over my body.

‘In the end, the only way is to defeat the chancellor… or for the chancellor to expel me.’

The conclusion is strangely inevitable.

I always return to the same spot, as if dragged by force.

This is because the problem is not just being expelled from the academy, but what comes after.

My reason for wanting to leave the academy is ultimately to minimize the impending calamity in this world.

My credibility has long been in ruins, so even if I explain, only a few will believe me.

That’s why I must attract attention.

That way, public opinion will worsen.

If the chancellor doesn’t expel me from the academy, and I can’t deliberately fail my grades, there’s no way out.

The final decision for expulsion lies with the chancellor.

So, how to pressure the chancellor?

By worsening my public image.

Then everyone will pressure the chancellor to expel me.

That’s why I won the fight with the professor ‘unreasonably.’

If I appear like a cadet maintaining grades ‘unreasonably’, rather than with real skill, it’d be hard to be viewed positively.

‘The higher the grades, the more attention one gets.’

Currently, there are two to three people trying to prevent my expulsion: Chancellor Sergei Darmore, martial arts Professor Maximilian Wilhelm, and magic Professor Rachel Dragan.

These three will hinder me to some extent.

Ironically, among the academy cadets who could help with my expulsion, my reputation is… moderate.

I don’t understand what mental gymnastics they’ve used to brainwash themselves, but since I won against the professor, my actions seem to have a plausible reason.

They think I’m a character who, disliking interaction with others, hides his true skills and deliberately acts the fool to isolate himself.

There are those who fantasize that I am such a person.

I guess they don’t understand why rom-coms are fiction.

‘Even if it’s the age for such fantasies, it doesn’t make sense… why?’

If I wanted to hide my power, why on earth would they think I’d fight and win against a professor on the first day?

I should’ve just been thoroughly defeated.

In reality, I am hiding my power, but only my special moves, which are completely unrelated to the concept in rom-coms.

After all, special moves are meant to be kept secret.

“So, how does it feel to be the cool, younger son of a duke who, despite possessing great power, chooses to hide it and live without caring about others’ opinions?”

“Shut up before you get labeled as the lively and kind-hearted male friend.”

Theseus Winterfield, who does not fit the image of the Northern Grand Duke’s family at all, ranted at me.

He’s like an anomaly, appearing cheerful despite coming from a cold place where people usually have less expressive faces.

“Separate from that, why are the two traitors who chose someone else over me here? Isn’t that right? Speak up, Lucas.”

Lucas Benevolent, the third son of Count Benevolent, and somehow more mature than me despite being younger.

These two, friends due to their parents’ close relationship, made me reconsider my thoughts about the nobles in WFS.

In this world, nobles are just like South Koreans, except in public or formal settings.

They might even be more open-minded since they don’t care about age differences.

As we talked, Theseus mentioned something that baffled him.

“You must be the only one at the academy hiding the fact that you awakened your aura. You could be hailed as a prodigy. So why not?”

“There was something I needed to do outside the academy, and revealing my awakening would have meant I’d be told to learn the basics at the academy. If only I hadn’t been caught planning to go to the Magic1 Realm.”

If only I had learned swordsmanship from the Sword Ghost in the Magic Realm as planned.

It all went wrong from the start.

‘Unlike other opportunities, learning from the Sword Ghost takes at least months, so I couldn’t sneak away.’

The less you know, the faster and higher you can learn from the Sword Ghost.

I intended to go with a high level in aura and nothing else.

But I was caught due to my financial transactions, and my expedition was exposed, leading to my enrollment in the academy.

During our casual conversation, Theseus asked about my academy plans.

“So, Abraxas, what will you choose for your major and elective courses?”

“I’m going for martial arts as my major, and for electives, a few magic courses, alchemy, and dark magic.”

“I thought you’d choose economics.”

“I know about that already.”

Even if it’s close to the modern era, my basic economic knowledge isn’t lacking.

I have enough understanding of patents, monopolies, demand and supply, and more that are required here.

After all, even economists fail to predict stock markets.

I can make money without studying economics, just like not all businessmen are economics majors.

“I’m majoring in magic, and… taking electives related to magic.”

“Lucas, why can’t you reach second place despite studying magic all day?”

Theseus expressed genuine curiosity, but Lucas simply rebutted.

“Still, my grades are way better than both of yours.”

“I won a fight against a professor.”

“That was because Professor Maximilian went easy on you, and it was within the context of a duel. Even using your awakening skills, you can’t beat a full-powered professor.”

“Well, I’ll surpass him someday.”

If only I could obtain the opportunity from the Sword Ghost, I might be able to manage it, assuming Professor Maximilian doesn’t know I’m an Aura Master.

While discussing, Theseus seemed curious about my ‘academy escape plan’.

“So, what mischievous act will you perform next?”

“Right now, I can’t do anything. I can’t worsen public opinion enough to justifiably get expelled. The girls here seem to have never seen a rom-com; they’re forcibly connecting everything together.

They think I want to be expelled but the chancellor recognized my abilities and held me back…? They don’t actually believe that, do they?”

I do have the ability, and if revealed, I would be held back.

But the reality is different.

Sergei knew about it from my father and is keeping me here out of spite.

That’s just his personality.

Honestly, I would also feel spiteful against someone who insulted me.

“Logically, it’s more realistic to think that you’re acting like a troublemaker not because you want to leave the academy and hide your abilities, but because you don’t want to interact with others.”

“Lucas, just keep studying.”

After exchanging pointless conversation, Theseus redirected it.

“So, are you giving up? Going to attend all four years?”

“No. I’m aiming for the performance evaluation in two weeks.”

“The one the seniors called a battle royale?”

“Yes.”

In two weeks, we will head to an uninhabited island to prepare for emergency situations like abduction, being stranded, or isolated from civilization.

The purpose is to foster survival skills in scenarios where we are disconnected from civilization.

But it’s just an expression of laziness, an excuse to avoid planning an actual assessment and to opt for a battle royale instead.

However, in such situations, I can stand out more.

Humans remember negative traits more easily.

My plan has only been delayed by ten days.

There’s no need to rush yet.

“So, what will you do for the next two weeks?”

Continuing the conversation, I simply replied to Theseus’s question.

“Networking.”

The reason I didn’t want to come to the academy was that there were other ways to become stronger elsewhere.

I don’t deny the academy’s functional benefit of [easily creating bonds (networking) with future power players under equal circumstances].

Even at the end of military training, there was an abundance of camaraderie.

Of course, it vanished as soon as we were assigned to our units, but recalling how happy everyone was to meet again, it seems like a good approach.

“So, you plan to woo both the top and second rankers?”

“How does networking turn into wooing in your logic?”

“That’s what it means to woo, isn’t it? Do you really think platonic friendships between men and women exist? With peers of the opposite sex, it eventually leads to either break-up or dating.”

“If we follow your logic, since you’re already engaged, your future can only end in a breakup.”

“One of us dying also counts as a future.”

I dealt with the Northern Grand Duke, who links every interaction with women to romantic delusions.

It’s tough to be in a relationship when the world is falling apart.

I might consider it if someone were to pursue me, but I don’t have the luxury to make someone fall for me.

In the first year, there are no factions or solid alliances formed yet.

It’s more like friendships or followers than factions, since we’ve only just joined the academy.

Us not wanting to form factions plays a role in this.

“Without factions, there’s no political influence among the cadets. It all comes from their parents or families. If it’s not about appealing to seniors, then relationships have to be formed based on competence.”

“So, one of them could end up being your wife in the future?”

“You should care more about your own love life, especially since you’re engaged.”

Of course, I’m not just looking at pure skill in forming a party, but if that were the criterion, I’d have no room to talk.

‘There are more talented people in the first year, but apart from those two, no one else would accept my offer.’

The reason I chose the top and second rankers is that they have no choice but to be desperate.

After researching, I found out that both of them wouldn’t be able refuse my offer.

We headed to the academy dining hall.

Upon entering, the cadets were buzzing with chatter.

Not everyone was, though.

In the middle of the dining hall, there was a zone openly avoided by others.

The first year’s top and second rankers, Elia Adonis and Sylvia Renen, sat facing each other, exuding an air of friendly rivalry.

People around them kept their distance due to their aura.

Breaking through this invisible wall were two high-status fools.

We approached them.

One of them, Sylvia Renen, the eldest daughter of the Renen family, noticed our approach and told us to leave.

“If you’re trying to get something from us, just turn back. It’s obvious.”

Sylvia Renen’s words.

But we also had something to say.

“This is a public space, not the women’s dormitory or the Isobal territory. So, we don’t see any reason why we should go somewhere else, do we?”

The Isobal territory is the land governed by the Renen family.

“Isobal… How much did you research?”

“Just asked the administrator, and they answered right away.”

The most important thing in building relations with someone is researching about them.

A socially adept person wouldn’t blatantly criticize something they dislike about the other person in public.

It would make getting closer difficult.

“Sylvia, let it go.”

“Elia. Have you forgotten why we came to this academy? We need to climb higher.”

“Exactly. So let it go? Look at their families, there’s no need for that.”

Elia Adonis showed a more friendly attitude.

Or at least, she didn’t dislike us.

Her friend being friendly, Sylvia Renen also reduced her hostility.

“So, can you drop the small talk and tell us why you’re here?”

Elia quickly got to the point.

I liked that.

We went straight to the point too.

“Would you be interested in an opportunity that allows you to build skills, earn money, and build your reputation all at once?”

The reason I wanted to leave the academy was that all the important opportunities were outside it.

Cadets are generally required to stay within the academy, leading to restrictions on movement.

But for the next two weeks, it would be hard to concoct any mischief.

Continuing my usual antics will only yield the same results.

So, I might as well do what I originally had planned.

Both of their ears perked up at my words.

“What is it?”

Elia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Just apply for a field study. You get paid for participating, and there might be additional rewards based on your performance

Oh, and for your information, the payment is about a year’s salary for a knight.”

We’re going on a field study just a week after the semester started.

It’s a legitimate application, so whatever happens, it’s not my concern.

“We would like to know what we will be doing there. It would be problematic if we were to suffer an injury or something.”

Sylvia Renen’s sharp remark.

Had it been another noble, they might have been outraged at being doubted by merely a baron’s family, but it didn’t bother me.

I’ve seen young kids get special treatment just because they’re related to the boss, so a rational viewpoint is nothing.

“We are going to…”

“Meet a dragon.”

We will leave the academy to hunt a dragon.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Listen to what people say until the end.

There are even bald guys who catch them in bikini armor.

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