episode_0009

“Ah….”

“Young master?”

“Ah…”

“Young master, if you keep acting like this, you might feel dizzy.”

Steven seemed to be advising me as he stopped me in my tracks, pacing around the same spot.

– You can never enroll in this sacred Twaros Academy!

“Steven, there’s no way I won’t get in just because I’m a troublemaker, right?”

The words I heard before catching the saints honestly bothered me.

If I were a teacher working at the academy, it wouldn’t be pleasant to know that there’s a ‘troublemaker’ among my students.

Especially if it’s an academy that values skill.

Steven seemed to reassure my anxious self.

“In the Twaros I know, that won’t happen. It’s a place where only skill matters.”

Hearing those words, I felt relieved.

But even with just skill mattering, a new feeling of fear crept into my heart at the thought of surviving solely on skill.

‘No, let’s think positively.’

That means even if I’m a troublemaker, I can make friends as long as I have skill.

“If you’re still anxious, it might be a good idea to visit the restaurant recommended by Miss Rose.”

“She recommended it again?”

“No, before going, Miss Rose recommended about 10 places.”

“…”

Honestly, I thought Rose hated me the most.

From the first time we met, she looked at me with a disdainful expression, as if I were annoying, and ever since then, she continued to watch me like I was a bug.

But why is she taking care of me like this? Is it comforting?

‘Why are you so kind that you make people misunderstand.’

“Young master?”

“Let’s go.”

It’s probably better than wasting time with an anxious mind.

I left the room with Steven. Ah…

“Where are you going.”

I happened to meet my father passing by my room.

“I was thinking of going to the restaurant recommended by Miss Rose.”

Instead of me, Steven spoke to my father.

“Hmm… Rose…”

“That’s right.”

“Logus, I’m sorry, but since you’re all grown up, go out and come back alone. I have something to do with Steven today.”

I had no reason to refuse since it was an opportunity for me to go out alone.

Still, I nodded my head with a slightly sad expression.

“Understood.”

“Yes, Steven, follow me.”

“Understood. Young master, if you look here, you can find your way quickly.”

With those words, Steven left with my father.

Not a hint of joy that a troublemaker son could enroll in a prestigious academy.

It seems that people around me still have a long way to go before they think I’ve changed.

I waited for my father’s silhouette to disappear. And as his fading silhouette passed, I went on my way.

“It’s farther than I thought.”

I checked the map Steven gave me. It was a bit far from the restaurant than I thought, but it’s better to go.

Since I got the chance to be alone.

I walked from the mansion to the restaurant alone.

Perhaps because I rode in a carriage, every road seemed unfamiliar. Still, I’ve always been good at finding my way for no reason, so I could reach my destination quickly.

And so I arrived at the store.

I was intrigued by the desserts displayed behind the glass windows of the relatively expensive-looking building.

“She recommended a good place again.”

Should I bring a gift next time we meet?

…No. She probably wouldn’t like it if I did.

With a wry smile, I grabbed the door of the shop. At the same time, someone’s hand reached out from the other side.

“I’m sorry.” / “I-I’m sorry.”

We both apologized simultaneously and looked at each other’s faces. Why is she here?

“Rose…” she muttered and disappeared.

She showed a smile when apologizing… but now she was glaring at me like a wild beast. Still, it’s easier to get close when you have this kind of relationship.

Of course, excluding troublemakers.

“Hello, Ro…!”

I thought I greeted her as naturally as possible, but she glared at me with a sharp expression and pointed her sword at me.

“Wait!”

What? Is she threatening me not to die until I kill her?

I raised both hands in a bewildered expression, and Sarah, disappointed, put her sword back into its sheath.

‘Is she forgiving me?’ I thought, but she walked into the dessert shop with a hint of anger, not yet overcoming her anger.

Um… is it okay to go in?

***

I never made it into the dessert shop.

In fact, I grabbed the handle to go in, but the chilling presence of someone who would kill me if I entered made me shiver, so I just went back to the mansion.

After endless waiting, the news of my admission to the academy finally came.

And.

“I’m back.”

I confidently entered the academy.

From current students to new students, many students were entering the academy.

“Milord, I will wait for you at the dormitory.”

“Okay.”

Steven and I parted ways at the halfway point, and I continued to follow the crowd inside.

Soon, a sign saying ⌜New students this way⌟ appeared.

Wasn’t today supposed to be an orientation?

I walked following the sign.

As the crowd thinned out, I began to stand out.

Before everyone’s curious eyes fell on me, I quickly walked into the auditorium.

I might not be able to enjoy it.

But it’s still the first day, so it should be fine.

I might eventually make true friends who understand me… right?

As I sat alone at the end of the auditorium, thinking that.

Thud.

The lights went out, and someone appeared at the podium.

As he took the microphone, all the lights began to shine on him.

“Before we begin, I will announce the top 10 students who passed the entrance exam to this academy with excellent grades. Five will come up on stage, and the remaining five will be shown on the screen.”

The strong students who had entered the academy without anyone being able to refute it stood on the stage.

The screen transitioned from ⌜Congratulations on your admission!⌟.

A picture of one person appeared on the screen.

He stared menacingly with black pupils that looked fierce.

‘Wait, why is that picture… me?’

…No, let’s think rationally.

The admission letter only said congratulations on admission. There was nothing else written.

So the conclusion was that the person in the picture just looked like me.

But even from a distance, and even looking closely, that was my picture.

Still, I tried to deny it internally, but the man on the stage denied that denial with a cold certainty.

“Ah, here is Logz Avantche. He received excellent grades, but due to the weapon theft and weapon use hidden in the pocket dimension bag of a fellow student, he was deducted points and dropped to 11th place.”

“He got deducted points at the strict academy, and still got 11th place?”

“That’s ridiculous. What place was he originally in then?”

I thought I would receive negative perceptions for no reason, but the atmosphere was surprisingly praising, so my spirits lifted.

Of course, I ignored the jealous remarks here and there. I had no intention of becoming friends with such people anyway.

“Next, I will introduce the remaining 10 students.”

Then, five students went up on the stage.

“The top scorers are Robart Gourik, Kadira Jurma, Asbel Felicia, Sia Chersil, and Ad Riovent. And the other 5 students are on the screen.”

On the screen, familiar names like Lina Iris, Sarah Hilta, and Cecilia Olettra were displayed.

As expected, my eyes were seeing correctly.

Meeting the wrong person, that’s why. Even among the people I’ve seen, he had a firmness and strength that could be considered top-notch.

“Then, the impression will be given by the 1st place winner, Robert Gourick.”

The other participants returned to their original seats, and Robert stepped forward to the platform.

With a look that wouldn’t lose out even if he were called the protagonist of this world, all the participants couldn’t help but admire him.

“I am truly happy to be able to achieve 1st place. I will continue to grow stronger and protect this country from monsters. Thank you.”

After finishing his short and concise speech, he stepped down from the platform.

A thunderous applause from the many participants greeted him.

‘So popular…’

I wish I had even half of that popularity… Am I lacking even in half?

“Next, we will have a speech from the headmaster.”

The bright atmosphere that everyone had been emitting disappeared in an instant, replaced by a tense and respectful air.

‘Is the headmaster really that remarkable?’

The headmaster, visible from afar, ascended the platform.

With each step he took up, a strong atmosphere emanated from him.

Certainly enough to make the kids nervous.

But he is the headmaster.

To me, the headmaster’s speech is just.

A time to sleep.

After that, I didn’t hear a single word of what the headmaster said, or what he presented next.