episode_0002

Next Monday morning arrived.

“Keueung….”

I stretched, loosening my stiff body.

Checking my wristwatch, it was 6 AM. With a lecture scheduled for 9 AM, I had to wake up at this time considering preparation and travel time.

I roughly dusted off and arranged the bedding. After that, I headed to the communal shower room.

Turning on the water, cold water came out. Unlike other dormitories, even simple magic tools are not installed in the lowest-grade one. Still, it’s not to the point where I can’t wash at all.

After finishing my shower, I returned to my room and put on my uniform. It was slightly wrinkled but didn’t smell.

Lastly, I looked at the broken window and tidied up my disheveled hair and clothes.

“I should get a mirror soon, and while I’m at it, the window and the floor too….”

A tree floor with a hole in the corner of my vision came into view.

“I need to repair it.”

Even this requires money. Since I’m going to the academy from today, I should be able to fix it within two weeks.

I picked up an apple from the desk and took a bite. The crisp, refreshing sound echoed. My mouth was soon filled with sweetness.

“I’m starting to get sick of it.”

Filling my stomach with fruit for six meals on the weekend makes me sick of it. I wanted to eat something with a chewy texture soon.

Still, I have to endure with this for a while. No one will help a rascal with no money or popularity.

Fortunately, these fruits are scattered outside the dormitory, so there’s no need to worry. It’s because it’s in the outskirts where human hands don’t reach. However, the disappointing thing is that there are no rivers or animals around, so there’s nothing to eat but fruit.

After finishing breakfast and leaving the dormitory, Ellaim was waiting at the entrance. As a supervisor, she follows me wherever I go. She even watched me silently from below when I was picking apples.

“……”

“……”

Our eyes met. Neither of us spoke.

Unlike the first day, Ellaim didn’t even say anything first. I could only see her will to focus on the given mission.

“…Sigh.”

A sigh came out at the taciturn companion. I wanted to have a conversation with her since she was a character I liked, but the body of the rascal is preventing it.

But in a way, she also looks pitiful since she came here against her will.

‘…I don’t know when the mission will end.’

Originally, a mission that would be over when I die. But because of me, the mission deadline has disappeared.

‘I should send a letter to my father later.’

Ellaim is talented enough to be the captain of the Knights, who support the Arden family. It’s too much of a waste for her to be consumed by this kind of mission.

After finishing my thoughts, I started moving. I’ll be late if I don’t start moving soon. And Ellaim followed me from behind.

***

After walking for a full two hours, I arrived at the Knight Department building.

“Huk, huk.”

I was exhausted and sat down on a nearby bench to catch my breath. There’s still time to rest, so it’s okay.

As I was doing that for a while, my attention was drawn. Quite a lot, too.

-Hey. Isn’t that ‘him’?

-Yeah, it’s that bastard. Tsk, it’s disgusting from the morning….

-I heard he was kicked out to the lowest-grade dormitory. He’s a mess.

-I knew it would be like that. He’s nothing more than a commoner without the family.

-Shh! What if he hears you! You know his personality!

-Let him hear. There are more than one or two kids who are out to get him.

The voices were small, but they were meant to be heard. Well, those kinds of conversations are very mild.

-When is that bug going to die?

-A human trash who only touches the weak-!

-Because of that demon bastard…!

Many students were openly cursing. Constant jeers and criticisms stabbed at me throughout my break.

I roughly ignored them and checked my watch.

“Shall we go soon.”

I got up from my seat and started walking. But I was out of breath in less than 2 minutes.

“…Damn it.”

I can only sigh at this trashy body.

Kyle Arden is not a pig rascal. Rather, he has a tall height and a moderate physique. But unlike his normal appearance, the inside is rotten. Especially the muscles are in a state that could be mistaken for being left alone for 5 years.

‘Is it rascal-like if it’s rascal-like.’

Well, it would be funnier if the rascal worked out.

“Should I work out a little.”

The road to school that I have to repeat hundreds of times. I can’t leave it like this. I’m good at training, so I can quickly build up my stamina and muscles.

Meanwhile, I kept moving and arrived at the lecture room.

[A-1]

I carefully opened the door. At that moment, my gaze was focused and the back of my neck trembled.

“……”

Enmity surges from everywhere. It was better delivered because it was a narrow space.

But I calmly found an empty seat as if nothing was wrong. Then some students frowned and spat out curses.

Even so, I calmly waited for the lecture. To me, those gazes seemed cute.

Creak.

Then the professor came in. He had a puzzled look on his face at the calm atmosphere, but nodded at me when he saw me.

“I will start the lecture.”

The professor opened the book. Thus, the first class in this world began in an uncomfortable atmosphere.

***

Kyle Arden has many enemies. If there is an enemy who doesn’t like me the most, it can be said to be a student from a noble family.

It’s because Kyle’s personality is so terrible. There’s no way there would be a noble who likes him when he acts arrogantly even to the same nobles.

As a result, in the current completely fallen state, he was easily preyed upon by various noble factions. Especially for them, he was an easy toy to harass.

Just like now.

Thud, thud

Crumbled paper balls fly and hit me. When it hits my head, they giggle and laugh, and when I unfold the paper, there are curses written on it.

‘This is… annoying.’

I already predicted that the students would harass me. But to think they would bother me during the lecture. I couldn’t fully concentrate on the lecture.

I would understand if they were victims. But I can’t help but get annoyed when I see nobles who have nothing to do with me bothering me simply because I’ve become easy.

‘The professor doesn’t seem to want to stop it, and if I let it go like this, the intensity will only get stronger.’

After finishing my thoughts, I secretly drew up mana. I glanced at the professor. He didn’t notice.

I concentrate magic power on my index finger. I quietly moved my finger under the desk.

I draw various shapes inside the circle. I carve letters inside it. A magic circle the size of a palm completed like that.

I recited quietly.

-Faint

Mana pours out in clumps. The manifested magic moves along the floor. With delicate manipulation, the magic touched the soles of the two guys’ feet.

“Uh…!”

“Eueok…!”

The two fell over making strange groans. It was a small sound, so there was no big commotion. Only the students around reacted.

“What all of a sudden.”

“Why are they doing that.”

No one suspected me.

‘It’s quiet now.’

Peace has come since the obstructors disappeared. Kids should be put to sleep after all.

More than that….

‘There’s too little mana.’

It’s a basic level of magic, but all the mana in the dantian was exhausted.

‘I can only sigh. Only sigh.’

This result would not have happened if I had steadily trained the mana technique.

Even if you have good skills, it’s better not to have them if you don’t train them.

‘It would have been enough if I had just eaten one elixir….’

However, the Arden family, who recognized Kyle’s talent early on, did not pour much support into Kyle. Kyle could not eat the elixirs that would have been at least hundreds of them.

So Kyle’s mana is particularly low. Looking at it, it’s not comparable to the noble children, and it’s about the same level as the commoner students.

‘I need to build up mana too.’

I don’t need a lot. It only needs to be at the level necessary for graduation. I can reach the middle-upper ranks in a year at a leisurely pace.

I stopped thinking about it and focused on the lecture.

‘Interesting.’

The knowledge of an unfamiliar world was quite interesting.

***

The lecture went smoothly.

I also received an assignment. It was the first assignment I had ever received throughout my previous life.

I packed my assignment with a slightly excited heart and got up from my seat. Rustle, a piece of paper rolling on the floor gets caught on my foot.

“Kyle Arden.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Clean the lecture room before you leave.”

A heavy voice is laid down. Kyle used to swear at the professor, so the reaction is no different.

“I understand.”

I obeyed willingly. Then everyone looked at me strangely, but soon went their own way.

“Then….”

I was left alone and cleaned up the trash. I didn’t feel sad. I’m just curious about the different treatment.

Cleaning took about 10 minutes. There is a next lecture, but the academy provides a 20-minute break to allow students enough time to move.

The next place is the outdoor sparring arena. Sparring classes are scheduled there.

My body slightly rejects it as I head there. This is because Kyle hated this kind of lecture.

‘Because his talent is exposed in front of others.’

The former owner had no capacity to endure the shame. The life record that could be seen in the game explained that he had skipped almost all of the sparring classes in the first year.

Meanwhile, I arrived at the main gate of the sparring arena. There are still some students left as there is still time. The whispers grew louder at my appearance.

And amidst the commotion, there was someone walking towards this side from the opposite side.

Black hair and black eyes that indicate a specific lineage. Skin as white as jade that contrasts with it.

She, who I remember seeing sometime.

‘Ariel Tianis.’

The person who dropped me into hell and the protagonist of this world.

The moment I recognized her existence, my body flinched for a moment. I controlled it.

The princess in a neat uniform was talking to a classmate and gradually narrowed the distance. Then she discovered me and stopped walking.

“Kyle Arden….”

A smile disappeared and a small voice flowed from her lips. Silence lingers. The students avoided the spot, and only the two of us were left in the hallway.

“It’s been 3 days. Is academy life bearable?”

The 4th princess asks kindly.

The appearance of asking about well-being is not the reality. It is to confirm my situation in words.

You’re done now, so how do you feel.

But even if it implies that meaning, it doesn’t matter. So what.

But I have to answer.

“I’m doing better than the princess’s concern.”

“There must be ‘many’ inconveniences different from your usual life.”

“It’s okay except for the place to sleep. The lowest-grade dormitory is not a place to stay comfortably. It seems it will take time to adapt.”

“The lowest-grade dormitory is a temporary building. It would be uncomfortable for someone who only used good things. Still… you seem to be doing better than I expected.”

“Isn’t this also thanks to the princess’s benevolent grace.”

That’s because the reason I wasn’t expelled was thanks to Princess Ariel. Of course, it’s because she wants me to suffer.

The 4th princess stared at me. She looks displeased.

Immediately after, she slowly walked towards me.

Just a step away. She put her face to my ear and whispered.

“I wonder how long that mask will last. A month? Whatever it is, it’s better to maintain it for a long time. If something like this happens again….”

The princess smiled as if there was no need for further words. It’s a smile that feels really scary.

The students will not know this aspect of the 4th princess. Only me and the people around me would know.

That’s not her true nature. She treats those who she defines as evil without mercy. That’s her way of expressing anger.

“I understand.”

I smiled with a masked face.

“You have to use that talent well to help the family.”

“To think you would give me this much attention. It’s an honor to the family.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

She frowned as if she felt disgusted and distanced herself. It seemed like the situation was settled.

“By the way, how long are you going to keep your neck so stiff?”

“What do you mean, Princess.”

“Have you forgotten even the basic etiquette now? If you’re holding a grudge about the last incident and ignoring me….”

I was wondering what nonsense she was talking about, but I soon realized what she meant. But I didn’t act.

“I didn’t know that the princess would care about ‘just’ that kind of thing.”

“Just that. To dare to insult the authority of the imperial family…!”

The princess got angry as if she had received a great insult. But I interrupted her because the sight looked so awkward, or funny.

“Princess, why don’t you stop? It’s obvious that you’re acting.”

The emperor’s direct line, and the status of a princess.

A position standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

The princess has tremendous power. However, she does not use the power through her background except for the academy rules.

She doesn’t even have the guards she deserves. She only wears uniforms. She eats in the cafeteria like everyone else, and studies in the library or training grounds, making the same arduous efforts.

She acts as if she’s just a student, not a noble. As if it’s natural.

If you were to determine the model for the right life, the princess would be the one.

Such a person is promoting her origins? It’s a contradiction.

The princess stopped abruptly. She turned her head and stared at me.

“……”

“Above all, ‘When entering Tianis Academy, everyone is equal in the status of a student, regardless of family, country, or status’. Isn’t it?”

The basic premise and rule of Tianis Academy, the sacred place of learning.

Even the emperor of the empire is treated as an ordinary student if he is a student, a principle set by the founding emperor when he established the academy.

Of course, even the princess is just a student here and must act according to the rules.

Then the princess laughed as if she was dumbfounded.

“I don’t think you’re the one to say that. It was none other than you who broke those rules better than anyone else.”

I shrugged at the princess’s growl.

It’s not wrong.

But as time passes, the meaning fades and gradually changes.

It’s the same now.

As much as 400 years since its establishment. Too much time has passed to fully adhere to the rules.

That’s why I’m safely attending the academy.

“In the first place, I’m not the only one doing it, other people are doing it too.”

“So you’re saying that what you’ve done so far is justified…!”

A voice filled with anger. I took a respectful stance and said calmly.

“I’m just advising you not to wear a mask that doesn’t fit, unlike me.”

It’s an action that doesn’t suit her personality.

It’s more appropriate for the princess to come forward publicly, like a trial. Instead of doing these mischievous pranks.

“And there are many people who will slander me even if it’s not the princess. Leave it to them and focus on your studies.”

She is a supporting character with the protagonist.

We are already tied together by a bad relationship, but it’s better not to get involved any further.

So it’s better to keep a distance.

For the princess, and for personal safety.

“……”

The princess’s complexion hardened in an instant. She looked at me with an unbelievable expression. After moving her lips for a while, she opened her mouth.

“Who the hell are you…?”

The princess said that as if she felt a great sense of incongruity. Did I show it too much?

I said with a puzzled face.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“But, the rascal I know….”

“You must be tired from focusing on your studies. Shall I tell the professor?”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant….”

It was a princess who rarely stuttered. I ignored the reaction and checked my watch.

“It’s time. Then I’ll be going now.”

I quickly settled the situation and hurriedly left the place. The princess said, “Uh, uh,” but in the end, she couldn’t catch me. Various emotions were blooming on the princess’s face as she passed by.