episode_0017

“That thing just now… wasn’t it black?”

“6th grade? That strong guy is just a freshman? Could it be that student is that… … … .”

“Shh, there was a story at Claudia’s house. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

“It’s true that I consulted with Claudia, but that was only when I limited my power. But why did I clearly show my sword at the entrance ceremony?”

“Isn’t this different from the promise?”

After the manticore was cut in half by the protagonist’s sword.

When I entered the VIP room with the chairman, it was already noisy inside.

The topic of conversation is, of course, the swordsmanship that the main character showed at the end.

To be precise, it was because of a demonstration of power that went beyond what was ‘discussed in advance’.

‘I’m getting tired of work.’

The deal between the protagonist and Claudia Lisha was made with regards to her admission.

In exchange for the Academy allowing the protagonist to enroll, Claudia, a noblewoman, agreed to appease the nobles’ discontent.

It was the lesser of two evils that the Lisha and Claudia families, who were inferior in skill to the youngest knight, could choose.

There was one premise to it.

‘Seal the sword energy and use only one arm in sparring.’

What, just a certain level of strength? Such restrictions are meaningless. Even if you ask me to use only the strength I had as a high school student, it would be difficult to control it, and in urgent situations, I can just use more strength.

That’s why the Academy and Claudia restricted only the sword and the arm. Restricting the inspector from using one arm and the sword, which is the condition that divides the 5th and 6th grades, is a very strong restriction.

The problem is that even if you do that, the main character is still the strongest in the first year.

Still, it was an unusual level of restriction, so Claudia would have been able to appease the other nobles with it.

It was unfortunate that he blatantly broke that rule on the very stage of the entrance ceremony.

As expected, as soon as the chairman and I entered the VIP room, the VIPs’ eyes turned to us.

“Chairman! That freshman used a sword. Is that okay? If they just use a sword like they are doing now, there’s no point in competing!”

“No matter how many restrictions you put on him, he’s still a 6th rank. He could be a knight commander if he came to our territory right away. Accepting such a strong person as a new student… … … .”

“Are you sure you got a clear promise to keep the restrictions? At least there should be a clear punishment or example for this incident!”

The guests questioned the chairman.

The chairman’s response was initially limited to one thing.

“I never turn away a student who asks to learn. That’s a rule I’ve always kept for decades running this Grandis Academy. Do you really think I have anything to say about that?”

“That’s… … … .”

“… … … Hmm.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… … .”

Just go out there shamelessly.

It is true that there was a backroom deal between the Academy and the Claudia family regarding the protagonist’s admission, but that had nothing to do with the chairman. That was the official announcement, and considering the chairman’s personality, it was right for the VIPs to think that way.

It’s not like there were no 6th-grade freshmen in the history of the academy, and officially, the chairman only acknowledged the protagonist’s passion and allowed him to enroll.

It would be unthinkable that the chairman, who was influenced by a certain finance director, would slightly bend his convictions because the academy was facing the crisis of bankruptcy three years later.

The chairman has been dignified, honest and upright for the past several decades. Such conduct has made it impossible for the distinguished guests to object to his words.

… … To be honest, it’s just because the chairman is overwhelmingly strong. There’s no guarantee that he won’t get hit if he says something wrong, right?

‘Well, you can’t say anything to the president just because one new employee at the Blue House broke his promise, right?’

Anyway, when the chairman came out like that, the VIPs’ gaze naturally turned to me, who was standing behind him, a member of the staff and clearly the weaker party.

There is no one among them who does not know my face. Even though I took office last year, I am one of the closest associates of ‘that’ CEO, so it is even more so.

At their murderous gaze demanding an explanation, I.

“I am the head of the finance department, so please direct all complaints and questions to the student affairs department.”

Passed on.

Why? It’s not my field, right?

What I have to think about is the cost of repairing the wall that the main character keeps destroying, not the protest response to breaking the restriction.

Above all, the VIPs never brought up the topic of ‘backroom dealings with the Claudia family’ in front of the chairman. It must have been a natural choice for the VIPs, who knew very well that the chairman really hated such backroom dealings.

In the end, it is true that there was a backroom deal under the chairman’s and my leadership, but the VIPs cannot openly mention it. They would not want to turn the Claudia family into enemies over something like this.

First of all, there was no official problem with the protagonist’s admission. So what happens now?

‘The students who don’t know anything about backroom deals are the ones dying.’

If we can’t protest to the parties involved in the backroom deal or to the Claudia family, then the only thing left is the student body.

I feel a little sorry, but bear with it. Isn’t this the job of the student affairs department?

Above all, if we really look into the cause, it lies with the main character who used the sword without permission. I was just doing what I had to do as a member of society.

Instead, the student body has decided to give them a little bit of convenience in the upcoming departmental budget allocation.

“Then, I will take my leave now.”

I greeted the chairman and the guests and immediately left the VIP room.

I also felt burdened by being in the same place as high-ranking officials.

Because I have someone I have to meet.

*

“Lu, Ruth! What the hell did you just do!?”

“… … It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing special, that’s black! So you’re the freshman from the rumor!”

“Rumors… … ?”

“There was a rumor that a 6th grader would become our classmate! Of course I didn’t believe it, but it really was true!!”

“… … … … .”

“If you’re a 6th grader, you’re stronger than our village lord’s knight commander! You’re truly an amazing person!”

Mina almost jumped in front of Ruth, who had her sword sheathed and had an indifferent expression.

In front of Mina, who was praising Ruth purely and whose eyes were shining with admiration.

Ruth could hear other sounds around her.

“What, it’s really 6th grade… …? It wasn’t just a rumor, was it?”

“Did you just see that? It’s a black mark, a black mark! What the hell, why is that monster coming to the academy?”

“Isn’t that a nuisance? As long as there’s a monster like that, it’s impossible to be number one no matter what we do. We’ll all be buried under that guy’s fame.”

“Only the youngest daughter of Count Claudia and the youngest knight were left in a sorry state.”

“You clearly came to the Academy to monopolize attention because you weren’t satisfied with being called a genius. What did you lack at that age and a 6th grader to come here?”

Jealousy, envy, suspicion.

However, new students in administrative or magical fields who were in completely different fields simply looked at him as someone amazing or interesting.

Most of the freshmen in the martial arts class had a negative view of Ruth.

If you are a 6th grader, you can become a knight commander in any territory, and if you go to the palace alone, you can be made a royal knight right away. Especially since such a strong person is of a similar age or younger than them.

Students who knock on the door of Grandis Academy, except for those in the administrative field where most are commoners, are mostly people with their own ambitions or goals.

They are nobles, geniuses, and promising students. They are students who have chosen Grandis Academy as the stage where they can make a name for themselves and do their best.

But Ruth, the existence of a 6th grader is a wall that cannot be reached by any effort or talent. Even if Ruth was not actually a freshman but a hidden instructor, the students would all accept it.

Even if Ruth were a great noble or a genius whose name was already known, that might not be the case.

Ruth was a person of fallen noble birth and whose name was not even known at all. Naturally, jealous eyes followed him and asked, “What is that guy?”

Of course, not everyone was like that.

“You’re strong, Ruth.”

“… … Claudia.”

“I’m honored that a 6th grader knows me.”

Among them, there are those who are rather interested in Ruth’s existence, those who look at her with a favorable gaze, those who hide their true feelings, and those who, on the contrary, think of her as an opportunity.

Lisha Claudia approached first with her blonde hair tied in a ponytail and a bright smile.

I was the one who hid my true feelings.

‘Where on earth does this guy come from… … .’

Of course, thanks to Ruth, I avoided the opportunity to compete one-on-one with the youngest knight. Not getting first place is the same, but at least it will be considered an inevitable defeat against a ‘suddenly appearing 6th-rank monster’.

But that was that, and it was inevitable that Lisha’s pride, who had never doubted that she was a genius, was greatly hurt.

For Lisha, who was convinced that the only knight her age was the youngest, Ruth’s presence was truly irritating.

But, it is not possible to reveal such feelings as they are.

Although Lisha was unmanned, she was also the daughter of a noble family.

“I use a spear and you use a sword, so our specialties are different, but… …we’re in the same martial arts field, and we’ve seen each other often for the past three years, so let’s get along well from now on.”

A smile full of kindness, and the hand of a noblewoman extending herself first.

Even though it was Risha who would suffer the most from Ruth’s presence, he showed his acknowledgment of the other person.

“As expected, it’s the Claudia family.”

“It’s a shame that such a nice person suddenly got into the school… … .”

“Risha, you must be a spearman, right? I wonder if I can get closer to using a spear too.”

The entrance ceremony where all the freshmen gathered. Especially since most of the attention was focused on Ruth due to the sword she had just shown.

Lisa’s reputation was naturally rising.

‘I don’t know why he wore it when he decided not to wear it… … … Anyway, even though he’s a 6th rank, he’s from a fallen noble family. If you treat him well now, he might join the Claudia family after he graduates.’

If that really happens, Ruth will become Lisha’s strongest ally.

It’s true that the higher the rank, the more treatment you get. But even so, it’s absolutely not the same as being equal to a high-ranking noble.

Of course, there is a chairman who is from a commoner background and even treats the king with contempt, but that is because he is an 8th grader who is outside the standard. There is no way that this guy Ruth could become an 8th grader.

So, while clicking her tongue inwardly and perfectly pretending to smile, Richa asked Ruth to shake her hand first.

“… … … … … .”

‘……uh?’

Because Ruth didn’t accept the handshake, but just stared at it.

Lisha, who had become so embarrassed, suddenly felt sad.

‘No, why on earth aren’t you shaking my hand!?’

The young lady of the Claudia family did this for me. Then, wouldn’t it be natural to shake her hand and ask for her favor?

Even if you don’t go as far as bowing, it’s basic courtesy to at least shake hands.

Are you just going to ignore them if they’re not of the same rank?

As five, ten, twenty seconds passed and Ruth still hadn’t shaken her hand, Lisha’s smile began to crack.

“What? Why is he like that?”

“Are you ignoring Risha now by saying she’s a 6th grader?”

“What kind of guy is that… … He really has no manners.”

At that time, the atmosphere among the students around me was gradually becoming more tense.

There was applause.

Clap clap.

“Okay, students? I would like you all to return to your seats. We have to finish the entrance ceremony.”

“Huh, huh?”

“The chairman’s closing remarks will be made soon. The staff is putting the messy chairs back in place, so please go to your seats!”

“That’s right. We’re still in the entrance ceremony, right? Let’s go back first.”

“By the way, didn’t you think you saw that person somewhere just now? In the dormitory waiting for successful applicants… … .”

“You seem to be a faculty member, but you must have just seen me passing by. Let’s go quickly.”

The students began to hurriedly return to their seats at the sound of applause and the man’s words.

Lisha, Ruth, and Mina, who had been fidgeting behind them, also turned their heads toward the man who had suddenly intervened in the ambiguous situation.

“Minister of Finance… … ?”

“Lisha Youngae, nice to meet you. I am Adam Keynes, the head of finance at Grandis Academy. I always express my gratitude for the hard work of the Claudia family and the Count.”

“Ah… … That, that’s right. This is our first meeting, yes.”

Lisha was about to say something to the familiar face, but she quickly responded to Adam, who greeted her with perfect etiquette, saying, “It’s our first time meeting.”

Ruth hasn’t shaken his hand yet, but this will naturally lead to a breakup. After glancing at Ruth for a moment, Richa looked back at him with a bright smile.

“You must have been very shy today. Next time I see you, please shake my hand?”

“… … … … .”

‘At least give me a proper answer. It’s annoying.’

Still not responding, Lisha lowered Ruth’s evaluation to the same as, or maybe even lower than, the youngest knight, and left first, muttering curses under her breath.

Ruth looked silently at Adam, who had intervened in the middle.

“The one standing behind you is Mina Glicken, right?”

“Oh, oh? Do you know my name?”

“I heard that Baron Glicken adopted a talented girl as his daughter and gave her his surname. I look forward to the future.”

“Thank you! That, the finance… … manager?”

“This is Adam Keynes. You won’t see me during your time at the Academy anyway, so there’s no need to memorize it.”

“No! I’ll definitely say hello next time I see you! Then, Ruth? Let’s go back to our seats… … !”

“Oh, I’m sorry to Mina, but I need to talk to Ruth for a moment.”

“Huh?”

“Well… … .”

When Adam pointed to the sword that Ruth had made with a bitter smile, Mina’s face turned pale as she realized the situation and turned her head to Ruth.

It was a face that showed the inside of her as it was pure.

“Ruth, what should I do… … .”

“Don’t worry, Mina. Nothing will happen to your friend. Grandis Academy always puts its students first.”

“Ah… … Yes!”

Adam, who had been calming down Mina, saw her off, and Mina also looked back at Ruth a few times before returning to her seat.

In the center of the auditorium, the noise grew as the students returned to their seats.

“Student Ruth Spero?”

“… … Yes.”

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“… … … Okay.”

The academy’s finance director and the blue freshman faced each other.

For some reason, Ruth, who had not responded to Lisha, nodded in response to Adam.

Adam.

… … He was glaring at Ruth with eyes filled with intense emotion.