episode_0012

The continent’s finest educational institution, Gallimard Academy.

As winter gave way to spring, a new breeze swept through the Academy.

It was the day of the entrance ceremony.

In the auditorium, where students of the new cohort had gathered, the ceremony was well underway.

Excitement filled the eyes of the fresh-faced children.

[Congratulations to everyone present on your admission.]

[I am Gaston Gallimard, the dean of this Academy. Before I begin my introduction…]

An aged voice echoed widely.

The white-haired old man stood on the podium. Though it was merely a ceremonial congratulatory speech, it held the power to stir the students’ excitement.

Most of the children, steeped in anticipation, listened intently to the dean’s address.

Of course, not all of them were.

There were also students whispering among themselves.

As if they had an interesting topic of conversation, they exchanged hushed words.

It was a story about a certain boy.

“Did you hear? About the top student this time?”

The rankings of the entrance exam had been released a few days prior.

Due to the entirely unexpected results, the students couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

“The Princess Royal lost the top spot… Honestly, it’s unbelievable.”

“Do you know anything about this year’s top student?”

“Well, I heard he’s the son of the Serpent…”

“The Snakers family? It’s undeniable that they’re a prestigious family, but weren’t they unrelated to martial arts?”

“That’s what I find strange too.”

The First Princess was called a genius seldom seen in a generation.

Her reputation was comparable to that of any hero.

The news that such a girl had only managed to secure the second place in a mere Academy entrance exam was difficult to accept.

Especially since the one who took the top spot instead was an unexpected individual.

“The young master of the Snakers family?”

“He’s been veiled until now, hasn’t he? He’s never once shown himself in high society…”

“In the first place, they haven’t had any interaction with other families for the past few years.”

“What on earth happened?”

“Oh, come to think of it, my friend said they saw him at the entrance exam. The Snakers young master, that is.”

“Really? What was he like?”

“Well…”

The topic grew even hotter, especially as eyewitness accounts spread.

Anyone who had observed him on the day of the entrance exam knew that the boy’s performance hadn’t been particularly outstanding.

“I heard he was subpar?”

“Subpar is too harsh a judgment… Maybe just barely scraping by in the middle ranks?”

“What, that means he’s still far from the top student, doesn’t it?”

“How did he surpass the Princess Royal? Wasn’t there really an error in the ranking?”

“Isn’t that highly probable? They say there was a similar mistake once before.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but one thing I can definitely say is…”

Public opinion turned negative.

“That this current top student is all hype.”

The students quietly swallowed their mockery.

A subtle flicker of hostility.

Those who rise to high positions are inherently disliked by others.

This is especially true when someone unqualified sits on the throne.

“Ha, top student. Unthinkable.”

“My father always said he disliked the Serpent family. He said they were too sly to know their true intentions.”

“How dare he steal the Princess Royal’s position?”

The Serpent boy was also in such a situation.

Though it was not his intention, he ultimately incurred the students’ wrath.

The children, each with a biased view, glared at the podium.

[My address as dean concludes here.]

[Next, we will have the freshman representative speech by this cohort’s top student, Juda.]

[Please come up immediately.]

Click-clack.

With the sharp click-clack of shoe heels behind him, the blond boy ascended the podium.

Despite his rather casual gait, an air of dignity flowed from him.

It was, unexpectedly, not a bad first impression.

[Hello. I am Juda Snakers, and I will be delivering the freshman representative speech.]

His narrow eyes were slightly squinted.

The boy, wearing a somewhat unsettling smile, greeted the students.

His voice had an ominous quality to it.

***

In life, unexpected accidents always occur.

Situations where plans, thought to be progressing smoothly, are completely overturned.

Unfortunately, I was in such a situation right now.

-I’m the top student?

The role of an inconspicuous extra.

My dream of quietly blending in with mediocre grades had just been spectacularly shattered.

To make matters worse, a freshman representative speech?

A headache pulsed at the reality, which was utterly impossible to accept.

What on earth was this situation?

Based on my entrance exam scores, it should have been difficult to even be in the middle ranks, let alone be the top student.

No, more than that, if there was going to be a representative speech, the Academy should have informed me in advance…

-We sent a letter to the Snakers family.

-We even received a reply confirming it… Could it be that you weren’t informed of the relevant details?

I had nothing to say. Damn it.

The Academy probably didn’t anticipate such a case.

That a talent capable of claiming the top spot in the entrance exam would be treated as nonexistent by his own family.

‘Aish, my father.’

Even if you’re not interested in your son, there’s a limit.

This is why Juda went astray in the original story. I seriously feel like I’m going to snap.

-Student Juda, it will soon be your turn to go up to the podium. Please prepare yourself.

The freshman representative speech I was unexpectedly entrusted with.

It was enough to drive me crazy, but there was no paradise to escape to. It was simply a moment where I had to comply.

I stiffly moved my feet.

As I approached the podium, I felt all eyes converge on me.

“…”

Before I knew it, eyes were focused intently on me.

From the original characters to the dean, the faculty, and all the other students, everyone was staring in my direction.

It was too overwhelming a situation for an outcast, but…

What can I do? If they tell me to do it, I have to do it.

I couldn’t exactly hypnotize the entire auditorium. Swallowing tears of sorrow, I opened my mouth.

“Hello. I am Juda Snakers, and I will be delivering the freshman representative speech.”

It was a relief that I at least had the ‘Smiling Mask’ trait.

At least I didn’t have to worry about stuttering or making mistakes.

Finishing what wasn’t quite a consolation, I turned my eyes to the students… and noticed something strange.

“…”

“Hmm?”

The students were unnaturally quiet.

A chilly silence hung in the air. I tilted my head, a question mark hovering above it.

“Why is everyone like this?”

What, why are they so proper?

Aren’t children usually talkative no matter where they go?

Could it be that they’re nervous because it’s the entrance ceremony?

As that thought occurred to me, my tension eased a little.

Perhaps kids are just kids after all. They have a docile side without even realizing it.

“Huhu… Seeing everyone frozen like this, it seems you’re all nervous because it’s the entrance ceremony.” =So cute, so cute.

I had no intention of standing out in the speech.

I should only say pleasant things.

A typical protagonist would declare war on the entire student body here, but I didn’t have the capacity for that.

I also had no intention of staying in the top student’s position for long.

I just planned to make a brief impression on the original characters and then return the position to its rightful owner.

The top student spot was a hassle, despite the good treatment.

I wasn’t the type to covet unnecessary fame.

‘I just need to see the ending.’

There’s no point in me forcibly clearing it.

I’m just a player who loves games.

I just wanted to see our protagonists break through their limits and reach the end of the world.

Being an extra who subtly offers help was enough for me.

Yes, I am a shadow.

I hope to be an inconspicuous supporting character.

Reminding myself of my goal, I smiled faintly and continued speaking.

“I believe you’ve all heard about me. I’ve risen to the top student position, beyond what I deserve.” =I also don’t know why I’m the top student, but it means ‘please take care of me’ for now.

“I was worried it might be boring… but indeed, my expectations weren’t off the mark after all.” =I had worries, but… it means ‘it’s a relief that everyone seems to be excellent, just as I expected.’

“So this is the continent’s finest Academy.” =This is the continent’s finest Academy. It means pure admiration.

“I’m truly looking forward to life here.” =It means I’m genuinely looking forward to it.

As I offered these pleasant words, I heard murmuring among the students.

They must all be impressed by the top student showing such an attitude.

Oh, it’s Hyung speaking. Yes, that’s right, that’s true.

Hyung received K-etiquette training, so he’s always humble.

“I look forward to it.” =I look forward to it.

“My seat is always open, so those who covet it are welcome to challenge me. I will accept you anytime.” =My seat (friends) is always open, so those who wish to become close are always welcome.

“I hope you will be able to satisfy me.” =I hope we can all become good friends.

Warm lines, inviting friendship.

It was a passage that evoked a scene from a youth slice-of-life story.

“This should be enough.”

Before I knew it, the given speech had reached its end.

I roughly finished what I was saying.

Just before stepping down from the podium, I left one last remark that came to me belatedly.

“Oh, right. I’m not a villain. Please don’t hate me.” =Even though I have narrow eyes, I’m not a bad person.

It was a reasonably satisfying time.

This should have surely instilled a sufficiently positive image in the students.

I exited the podium with a benevolent smile.

‘Perfect.’

There was a slight hurdle, but I overcame it splendidly.

With this, I must have definitely made an impression.

Even if I’m later dethroned as the top student, I might still receive an evaluation like, ‘That guy. His skill wasn’t much, but his character was decent,’ right?

Spinning my ‘happiness circuit’, I returned to my seat.

***

[Hello. I am Juda Snakers, and I will be delivering the freshman representative speech.]

The moment the boy’s first words echoed, all the students in the auditorium couldn’t help but freeze.

They closed their mouths as if by a pact.

They didn’t know why. It was simply instinct.

It felt as if something terrible would happen if they didn’t shut their mouths immediately.

“…”

A chilling silence descended.

An unknown sense of uncanny foreignness licked stickily at their necks.

Even as an unpleasant sensation colored their entire bodies, the children couldn’t even twitch a finger.

What on earth was this ominous feeling?

Surely no mana, no aura, no killing intent was felt. What was this dreadful premonition then?

Screech-.

Even at the mere sound of creaking planks, it felt as though their necks would be severed.

Most of the students were sweating coldly, and among them were some who were breathing raggedly as if they couldn’t get enough air.

[Hmm? Why is everyone like this?]

Trembling gazes were fixed on the podium.

Tension rippled across the thin surface.

Goosebumps, rising as if about to spill, seemed to perfectly convey the students’ terror.

It was a sensation utterly difficult to explain.

Clearly, the boy’s power was dreadful.

His mana was below average, and even that was faint in density. Nor was his body trained in martial arts.

All information visible to the eye indicated the boy was weak. But…

‘What on earth is going on?’

‘He clearly looks like a weakling… but I can’t let down my guard.’

‘My limbs feel like they’re stiffening.’

‘It’s not magic, not an illusion, not an aura. So what on earth is this terrible uncanny feeling…?’

‘Damn it. Just a top student who’s all hype…!’

For some reason, their senses rang an alarm.

No basis existed.

Reason asserted that they could crush the opponent immediately, but instinct warned the exact opposite.

To beware of that boy.

Most students were filled with bewildered expressions.

Only a few top-ranked students maintained a detached attitude, observing the podium with interested eyes.

Did he know of such an atmosphere?

The narrow-eyed boy began his speech with a sly smile.

[Huhu… Seeing everyone frozen like this, it seems you’re all nervous because it’s the entrance ceremony.]

The opening remarks were blatant provocation.

It was an ill-natured greeting, mocking the students who had just been frozen stiff.

“Such insolence…!”

“He’s just a brat who’d fly away with one punch…!”

At that, some students’ eyes widened. Regardless, the boy continued speaking.

[I believe you’ve all heard about me. I’ve risen to the top student position, beyond what I deserve.]

His words had a subtle underlying jab.

The rumors circulating among the students about him. The boy seemed to be scoffing as if he knew everything.

[I was worried it might be boring… but indeed, my expectations weren’t off the mark after all.]

[So this is the continent’s finest Academy.]

[I’m truly looking forward to life here.]

His narrow eyes slowly scanned the students.

It was a meaningful passage.

It felt as if he was treating the students as trivial beings. Contempt was etched onto the boy’s tongue.

[I look forward to it.]

[My seat is always open, so those who covet it are welcome to challenge me. I will accept you anytime.]

[I hope you will be able to satisfy me.]

Furthermore, the boy displayed an arrogant attitude.

If you have complaints about the top student’s position, don’t just grumble behind my back, come out. I will face you directly.

His words were calm but held an oppressive air.

It melted into the boy, forming an unsettling atmosphere.

[This should be enough.]

Before long, the allotted time had reached its end.

The boy roughly concluded his speech.

He, who had been giving an unpleasant eye-smile, left one last remark just before stepping down from the podium.

[Oh, that’s right.]

[I’m not a villain. Please don’t hate me.]

An echo resonated in the silent auditorium.

The students merely wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, gazing at his retreating back as he exited.

***

“How astonishing.”

“…”

The white-haired old man murmured, as if in admiration.

Selena snapped out of it at that voice.

Her consciousness wasn’t entirely clear, perhaps due to the alcohol, but she strained to focus her eyes. Her long purple hair cascaded down.

The call was heard once more.

“Selena.”

“Yes, Dean-nim.”

This time, she answered without missing a beat.

Seated beside her was Selena’s master and the Dean of Gallimard Academy, Gaston Gallimard.

He was expressing interest in a certain boy.

“I’ve got my eye on an interesting child.”

“Thank you.”

“Though no great power is felt, to still possess charisma that overwhelms the audience…”

The old man’s lips curved into an arc.

He wasn’t destined to be the top student, but he was a flower that, if polished, could blossom beautifully.

“It is regrettable. The fact that a child with such potential is suffering due to your stubbornness.”

“…”

“Do you know? Because of the crown you forcibly placed on him, that child is now hated by many students.”

“…I know.”

“If you knew, then that in itself is outrageous.”

The dean lightly smacked Selena’s head.

As she silently accepted his touch, the old man quietly posed a question to his disciple.

It was a question filled with concern.

“This time, I will not help you. Are you confident?”

“What are you referring to…”

“The class placement test.”

The faculty meeting that took place a few days ago.

There was a condition imposed on Selena, who had arbitrarily decided the top student, as a form of punishment.

“Do you truly believe that child can maintain the top student position?”

It was a question, yet not truly a query.

The dean had already concluded that the boy’s rank would plummet in the class placement test, and the other faculty members felt the same.

Some were even scoffing among themselves.

Selena ignored their childish reactions and lightly opened her mouth.

“Well…”

Her crimson eyes were imbued with an indifferent light.

Selena reminisced.

The overwhelming pressure she had felt from the boy during the entrance exam, and the unknown terror that had crushed her.

“We’ll soon find out.”

The woman replied plainly and turned her head.