episode_0018

“You… you…!”

“Yes, young master. What is it?”

“You knew all along, didn’t you?!”

“Oh my! Of course, I assumed you already knew, young master. That’s why I didn’t mention it.”

“Then why the hell did you draw your sword when I said I was going to Chris’s room?!”

“Because that room is full of dangerous things, of course. It’s only natural—piles of documents, traces of Lady Chris’s personal life, everything’s in there.”

This is frustrating. No, I’m the idiot for not realizing it sooner.

I was planning to discuss my return to the academy with Chris, but ironically, Chris is already at the academy.

Even though we talked about it just yesterday, I must’ve forgotten because I’ve been so distracted by this sudden trial I’ve been thrown into.

But Anna received orders from Chris this morning to protect me. So of course, she knew Chris was at the academy.

Which means she knew I’d be pointlessly struggling from the start. She followed me all the way here, fully aware Chris’s room was empty…

“You tricked me, Anna!”

“You brought this on yourself, young master. Both the young lady and I told you clearly—she’s busy balancing work and studies.”

Anna was still giggling, that infuriating smile plastered on her face. I wanted to wipe it right off.

But how?

If I tried to fight her, I’d obviously lose.

Trying to pressure her with the family’s authority wouldn’t work either.

Even if I tried to exploit her weaknesses, she’s an orphan with no close ties to any of the other servants.

Outwardly, she’s all smiles and warmth with everyone, but if necessary, she could kill them all without hesitation. That’s Anna. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be fit to be a hound.

“Now, let’s head back, young master. You’ve been walking since morning, and screaming like that must’ve tired you out. You should go back to your room and, pfft, rest.”

“……”

I stared at the firmly shut door.

Flash—

A devilish idea crossed my mind. It was a bit risky, but it was something I’d have to do eventually anyway.

“You’re usually assigned to guard Chris, right?”

“Normally, yes. Lately, due to the young lady’s earnest request, I’ve been stuck guarding you instead. Annoyingly so.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last part. Anyway, that means you’re supposed to stay by my side as your charge, correct?”

“…Yes, but?”

Anna looked uneasy but ultimately agreed. That was all the answer I needed.

I turned on my heel and started walking briskly.

“Where are you going, young master?”

“The academy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Since I’ll be attending again soon, I want to see the place in advance. Don’t lose sight of me.”

“Are you insane? You’re going to the academy now?”

“Insane? I’m still officially a student of the academy. What’s wrong with a student wanting to visit their place of learning?”

“Young master!”

Anna tried to stop me, but I didn’t relent. The justification was on my side—all she could do was appeal to emotions and tears.

What can you do if I want to go to the academy? Nothing, except follow me.

“Are you seriously going?”

“Perfect timing—I’m already dressed for going out. What’s stopping me?”

Anna, who had been trotting after me, only seemed to have a bright idea once we reached the mansion’s main gate. She grabbed my shoulder.

“Are you seriously trying to leave the mansion right now?”

“Obviously.”

“No, no, no. The outside is too dangerous. Lady Chris explicitly ordered me to keep you safe. Out there, I can’t predict what might happen!”

“I’ll be going back and forth every day soon anyway. Might as well get used to it now.”

“Ah!”

“If Chris told you to guard me, doesn’t that mean you should be prepared to protect me anywhere? Surely the Grave family’s hound isn’t just some lapdog who can only guard its master inside the mansion… Chris would be very disappointed, don’t you think?”

“B-But the knights stationed at the mansion could—”

“We shouldn’t bother them—they’re busy with training and security. Besides, you’re stronger than them.”

“Grr…!”

She looked furious, but she didn’t deny it.

“Do I need to throw another tantrum like I did at the door to make you see reason? Should I tell Chris the moment I see her that I can’t live like this?”

“Y-You wouldn’t…”

“Think I can’t? I can.”

I already knew. Anna chooses not to guard me outside, not that she can’t.

And I choose not to act like a lunatic, not that I can’t.

For a moment, our eyes met.

“Ugh…”

The battle of pride between two stubborn people ended with my victory.

Seeing Anna avert her gaze, I leisurely resumed walking.

“Take good care of me, just like you do for Chris~”

With Anna thoroughly defeated, I stepped out for my outing. A young master strolling around with his maid—how noble and refined.

Anna followed behind me like livestock being dragged to the slaughterhouse.

After walking for a few minutes, Anna grabbed my shoulder from behind and grumbled.

“Let’s just go back, young master! There are so many eyes watching us, and who knows who’s targeting us!”

“I’m well aware. But you can handle it, can’t you?”

The detection magic Rugh used would’ve been handy here. As Anna said, I could feel several persistent gazes fixed on us from all over the street.

Too deliberate to be mere coincidence.

But it didn’t bother me. Right now, I’m known to the entire empire as a madman.

If I were just an ordinary lunatic, that would be fine—people would either pity me or laugh and go about their business.

Just like in the world I used to live in.

But in this world, I am someone who stands in a position to shake the empire itself.

A madman suddenly wandering the streets with a maid in tow? Only an idiot wouldn’t have eyes on me.

Anna quickly whispered in my ear.

“Watch what you say. How am I supposed to handle anything out here? Let’s just go back, young master.”

“Tsk! We’ve barely been out. The academy isn’t even that far, you know?”

In the original story, the Grave mansion and the academy were very close. Otherwise, Chris wouldn’t have been able to balance her studies and duties.

Fiend Academy.

Among the many academies scattered across the continents, this was the pinnacle—the one every talented individual aspired to attend.

Undisputedly, for the past few centuries, it had stood as the greatest academy in the Perial Empire, the sole institution of its kind. Its scale, facilities, and faculty were all in a league of their own.

The people took pride in it, calling it the empire’s greatest national treasure.

And why wouldn’t they? Most of its students were imperial citizens.

Sure, they claimed to invite talent from all nations to cultivate individuals who would contribute to the continent, but the majority of those talents were either imperial-born or those who had pledged to serve the empire.

In the end, the empire, by continuously absorbing the brightest and most capable, steadily grew stronger, cementing its position as the foremost nation. And the more it did, the higher Fiend Academy’s prestige rose—a virtuous cycle.

As a result, students who enrolled for the sake of other nations—so-called patriots—were often subtly ostracized.

Ah, but of course, in previous loops, I was ostracized even more than those foreign students.

True to its reputation as a place where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer, Fiend Academy was located near the heart of the empire—close to the imperial palace.

Naturally, the Grave family’s mansion, as one of the empire’s greatest contributors, was also near the center.

Other transmigrators would have to endure days of grueling carriage rides or teleportation struggles just to reach the academy, but I could see its grand structure just by walking.

This is the difference power makes. Sweet, so sweet.

One of the few strokes of luck since I transmigrated here.

Now then, shall we go in?

“Impossible.”

“Excuse me?”

A guard standing bored at the academy’s main gate replied with a disinterested expression.

“To enter the academy, you need a letter of recommendation from someone of viscount rank or higher, or an admission permit issued after passing the entrance exam.”

“Uh… you know who I am, right?”

“Eric Grave of the Grave family, correct? I’m aware, but I can’t make exceptions.”

“Huh? But children of families with the rank of viscount or higher are granted special entry permits—”

“That privilege has already been used by Lady Christine Grave. If this is about re-enrollment, the necessary documents have been sent to your mansion. Please refer to those.”

SLAM!

The academy’s gates shut firmly.

Go back?

After shaking off all these annoying eyes and suffering this humiliation, you want me to just go back?

My blood boiled.

It wasn’t even my choice to leave the academy in the first place!

If not for Chris, I’d still be attending normally.

“CHRIS!!! I’M HERE!!! GIVE ME THE PAPERS!!!”

Making sure my voice carried loud enough for Chris to hear inside her classes, I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“Young master, you’re being so embarrassing right now…”