Chapter 22
Right after the freshman welcoming exam.
The students of Class E were still immersed in the lingering aftermath.
The whispers of the audience still seemed to hover around their ears.
-Sigh, how can an overall grade E be the top student of the class?
-If trash like that managed to become the top student, what must the level of the kids below him be like?
-Tsk, tsk... They don't even meet the standards.
Lingering aftermath.
That word, having been trampled by mockery countless times.
Like a pierced lung struggling for breath.
-Oh my, look at them struggling over there.
-Ahaha! Dangling like that, what is this? Are they even crying?
-That's why low-level trash shouldn't be allowed to enroll....
Everyone heard it.
The contempt directed at Class E, the corners of mouths twitching with ridicule.
The children could only hang their heads low in unison.
They gritted their teeth at the humiliating shame that made them tremble.
-Oh my, are they trying to act like a salutatorian? They're especially stubborn.
-They're forcing themselves to stand up? I guess they can't grasp reality....
The students of Class E.
They, too, were once called a prodigy wherever they came from.
They possessed valuable talents and immeasurable potential.
Therefore, they were always full of pride.
'However.'
Even such people were treated as nothing more than an underachiever here.
Grandia Academy.
The greatest educational institution on the continent.
A transit point where countless talents pass through.
In a place where the real deal gathered, they were simply far too ordinary.
'This is too much.'
The efforts they had accumulated so far were easily denied.
Furthermore, they did not even have noble blood running through their veins.
Commoner. Begging for learning from a lowly status.
Being ignored by the other noble students was, in a way, perhaps an expected position.
'We only did our best....'
Skill, power, money.
They lacked every single one of them.
It was all too natural for such people to be despised in this place.
Even the faculty did not sanction the conflicts between classes.
Under the pretext of encouraging competition and inspiring the venomous spirit of the cadets.
Therefore.
The children's hearts could not be protected by anyone.
Yes, it definitely should have been that way....
-Hehe, it's not nice to mess with someone else's bread shuttle.
Someone stepped forward.
The boy wearing a mask.
He gave the shoulders of the battered students a light pat one by one.
Leaving them with the words to rest, he walked towards the sparring ground where they had been thoroughly trampled.
'....'
Up until then, the students didn't hold any particular expectations.
A sparring match between the top student of Class C and the top student of Class E.
Because the result was obvious to anyone who looked.
Class E's total defeat was already a confirmed matter.
After all, this exam was a stage prepared just so they could be mocked.
-Mr. Luyan, you've worked hard.
-Please rest for a bit.
The result would be the same.
He too would be thoroughly crushed and receive countless ridicules.
Thus, if there was only one thing the kids of Class E prayed for.
'Please.'
Please.
Let this dreadful moment pass quickly.
Let us escape from those detestable voices.
The children sprawling out in the waiting area harbored such resignation.
The wretched state of defeated soldiers who had lost their will to fight.
Like that, as they only burned the bitter aftertaste like a cigarette.
-Wh-what the...?
A miracle happened.
A uniquely relaxed voice, rich with laughter.
Behind the bizarre mask, a casually delivered ease.
-Hmm.
-You said you'd finish this in one strike....
-Is this all you've got?
It was the moment everyone's expectations were shattered.
The boy completely overwhelmed Shariel.
Without being burned by the raging flames, nor tainted by the soot.
-....
The bitter and stinging mockery from Class C.
He shut them all up.
It drew admiration regardless of upper or lower classes.
The sight of his back piercing through the flames, wielding a colorful sword.
Until he finally grasped the victory.
He had shattered that incredibly high wall.
Not stopping there,
-So
-Anyone else have complaints against my Shuttles?
He subtly pressured the students remaining in the Waiting Area by glaring at them.
On the other hand, he was showing a V-sign with his fingers to the students of Class E.
He was protecting them.
He had struck a blow on behalf of his resentful classmates.
Of course, the person himself might not have meant it in such a kind way....
At least to the exhausted students. To the eyes of the kids in Class E, it looked that way.
-Did he take our side...?
-Why? Even though we are in the same class, we aren't exactly on pleasant terms....
-Besides, we even teamed up to kick him out of the Top Student spot....
The eight people known as the Bread Shuttles were especially moved.
Those who belonged to the upper ranks of Class E.
As much as they had great pride in their skills, they also had deeply bruised hearts.
The goodwill that approached such children.
-You all worked hard today.
-Don't pull the Rickshaw tomorrow, and just get plenty of rest.
-Because your bodies and minds must be exhausted from the exam.
Moreover, right after the exam, even the detailed consideration he showed.
The Shuttles couldn't help but soften their hearts.
A dangerous guy, an unpredictable guy.
Until that assessment changed into a guy who might just be fine.
-He might actually be a decent guy....
-First of all, even though we did that, he stepped up to stop us from being insulted....
-...I should apologize properly. For looking down on him and trying to threaten him recklessly back then.
The Shuttles couldn't help but think.
That this person in front of them might truly be qualified to be called Hyungnim.
That if they stayed by his side, they might be able to learn a lot during their Academy life.
Therefore, the Shuttles decided to express their gratitude to the boy first.
""Are you here, Hyungnim!!""
A resounding chorus.
"We have been waiting, Hyungnim!"
"Hyungnim! Please come and sit over here!"
"We laid out a Cushion in advance!"
This was the background story of the Bread Shuttles' sudden change in attitude.
***
"Hmm...."
I could not hide my bewilderment.
Because of the hospitality that poured out as soon as I entered the classroom.
After receiving polite greetings, I sat in a seat that even had a Cushion.
'...What is this?'
Especially with the Bread Shuttles standing at the forefront.
With a genuinely pleased expression, too.
Even if they normally couldn't say anything, their annoyance usually showed all over their faces.
Of course it would. Pulling a Rickshaw, Topblade Play, Sonic Play, and so on.
I ordered them around like that, so if their expressions didn't distort, would they even be human?
Perhaps because of that, I could always see their brows furrow whenever we met....
'Why do they look so happy today?'
Didn't they suffer a crushing defeat in the exam yesterday?
I thought the mood would be like a funeral, but the atmosphere wasn't as gloomy as I expected.
I tilted my head to myself.
"Hyungnim, what's wrong!"
"Uh... it's nothing."
"Yes! Please tell us if you need anything!"
"...."
No, seriously, what is wrong with you guys.
At this point, it was getting scary.
While I scratched my head in discomfort, one of the hesitant Shuttles spoke up.
"Hyu-Hyungnim... Thank you for yesterday!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"About yesterday's exam. We were truly impressed. We knew you were unusually strong for Class E, but to think you would overwhelm the Top Student of Class C! And Princess Labriel, who is called the Genius of Pyromancy, at that!"
"Ah... that's what you meant. She was certainly a tricky opponent."
"Haha! Such humility, even though you won with just a Balloon!"
"I was just lucky."
"Rumors have already spread widely within the Academy."
No, it really was luck.
I'm incredibly weak.
It's only because I use a Bug constantly, but my base Physique is fixed at E-rank, you know?
It's a body that would get pierced even if you guys flicked a booger of Magic Power at me.
'This is awkward....'
[Still, hasn't everyone's attitude become much more agreeable?]
'That is true, but.'
[They must have been impressed. Yesterday's exam had that much of an impact. You, Victor, even struck a blow to Class C on behalf of the kids who were being thoroughly trampled.]
'Is that so?'
Did I inadvertently succeed in raising my favorability?
Well, what I did yesterday was pretty flashy, after all.
Since good is good, I decided to just nod and move on.
"Ahem, let's devote ourselves from now on. You can't remain in Class E for your entire Academy life."
"Yes, Hyungnim!"
Hyungnim, huh.
I was the one who ordered it, but hearing it now felt a bit strange.
Plus, having everyone, regardless of gender, call me Hyungnim....
I cleared away my idle thoughts and exchanged a few words with the Shuttles gathered around me.
'Well... since it turned out like this, should I actively use them from now on?'
Even though they are Class E students, basically all of them have a solid foundation.
Underachievers who truly lack talent can't even enroll in Grandia in the first place.
In other words, these guys are also talents with plenty of potential for growth.
If I just clear their growth routes without any blockages, they can become strong enough to rival Class A.
It's probably because it's a game that the balance was set this way.
'In my past life, playing things like [Clearing the story only with Class E characters] was even a popular trend....'
Meaning they aren't completely impossible to raise.
The difficulty is quite high, but for a Veteran like me, it wouldn't even be a problem.
If I just succeed, it's like gaining reliable allies.
I was planning to stay in Class E for a while anyway, so I thought maybe I should raise them while I'm at it.
'Especially the one who gets really strong... was it Luyan.'
Class E Salutatorian, Luyan Jestar.
If raised well until the latter half of the original work, he was a guy who could pull out S-rank performance.
"...."
Unlike the other students, Luyan was sitting quietly in the corner of the classroom.
His gaze seemed as if he didn't even want to look this way.
Does he still have some pride left?
'If I want to conquer this, that's the way to go....'
A figure who is practically the spiritual pillar of Class E.
He looks small on the outside, but his balance is solid.
Even if his efficiency is a bit bad in the beginning, once his blood points are unblocked, his potential explodes.
Because he's a pretty boy in appearance, he had quite a fanbase in the original work too.
Although he has a minor problem of having strong pride....
'Should I think about that later?'
While quietly organizing my thoughts, a message suddenly popped up before my eyes.
Ding-!
[Sub Quest]
-Details: Raise all Class E students into experts of B-rank or higher.
-Quest Deadline: Before graduation
-Penalty upon Failure: None
-Reward: Character exclusive item Scales of the Black Tuner (S-)
So this is treated as a quest too, huh.
Furthermore, the Scales, it was a whopping S-rank item.
As for me, there was no reason to refuse.
I lightly clicked the quest acceptance button.
'Good... things are going smoothly.'
Talking with my mouth, organizing thoughts with my head.
Around the time the bustling situation was settling down.
My eyes met Alice's, who was mixed in among the kids.
"Oh."
I felt glad to see her.
Because I was late for the exam yesterday, I couldn't watch her test.
I heard she declared forfeiture as soon as it started.
'It's a given, though....'
Since Alice still can't properly control her own abilities yet.
She's probably afraid of hurting others, so she hesitates to activate her dreams.
She was truly a pitiful child.
To think she's destined to become a disaster in the end, even with such altruism.
The original story had many gloomy parts, if I do say so myself.
"Miss Alice."
I waved my hand lightly as a greeting.
Since we got acquainted last time, I should be able to approach her more amicably.
Because Alice was the supporting character I cherished the most in Neugeume.
I wanted to stay as close to her as possible.
I also had to stop the future where she becomes a disaster.
"Good morning."
"Eek...."
However, the glad greeting was not returned.
The girl was startled as our eyes met.
Her shoulders shrank, and then trembled slightly.
The flustered girl soon avoided my eyes.
'What.'
Without stopping there, she quietly slipped out of the classroom.
I could only stand there blankly.
What.
What is it.
'No way.'
Did I just get dumped without even confessing?
***
Alice.
A few days ago, she had seen something she shouldn't have.
-Our, our eyes met...?
-H-how? This has never happened before....
The 70th Floor of Purgatory.
The back of the Monster that reigned there.
The girl, who carelessly peeked near it, had her gaze caught by the Clown.
-I-I'll die.... I'll be murdered, they'll, they'll silence me....
-Sniffle, w-what do I do....
A situation where she felt her life was in danger.
Having seen what she shouldn't have, she thought she would surely be silenced.
However, unexpectedly, no harm came to her.
Time passed without her knowing why.
'Why...?'
Alice pondered while on the verge of tears.
The Mask, which had stared right through her with a bizarre smile, remained etched in her mind.
Alice took that as a sort of warning.
'So he's not going to kill me yet? B-but the moment I speak of it....'
There simply was no reason to go out of his way to kill Alice.
Clearing the 70th Floor, something even the Faculty of Grandia didn't dare attempt.
He was someone who killed the Master of such a space with a single gesture.
Overwhelming power.
A situation where the fate of the Academy had practically already fallen into his hands.
In such a situation, he probably didn't think there was any need to silence her.
'He was telling me to behave myself....'
If she opened her mouth, she would die.
He was someone who dismembered a Dragon with a single finger.
Even the Faculty of Grandia would be laughable to him.
'I have to stay still. Quietly... I have to live as if I'm dead.'
It was a cold, rational judgment.
No, she might have just been somewhat terrified, but....
'If I tell anyone, who knows what will happen to the Academy....'
This was the best Alice could do.
Because there were simply too many things she didn't know.
Why?
Just why?
Why would someone that strong enroll in Class E?
Why was he moving while hiding his strength?
They say all the top-tier strongmen are out of their minds, so is the boy that type of person too?
Why hasn't the Academy noticed his presence?
Could it be that he is an existence so far beyond the Faculty that they can't even sense his strength?
Could the Dean stand a chance against him?
'I don't know, anything....'
Tens of thousands of questions bloomed, but none were resolved.
Only the Fear in her heart continued to grow.
Alice repeated it to herself several times even while going to school.
'Never.'
I must never get involved with that person again.
I must never catch that person's eye.
I shouldn't even pretend to know him.
-Then how about this. Being friendly from now on?
The words she had heard before bothered her, but it should be fine.
Frankly, is there any reason for such an incredible person to pay attention to her?
Since she had been warned, showing an attitude that she completely understood would be enough.
Giving him the assurance that she would never speak of it.
'T-then... it'll be fine.'
Right.
I'll just live quietly.
He probably won't pretend to know me or anything, either.
Her hopeful imagination worked in overdrive.
Alice took a deep breath, making that resolve.
Yes, she had definitely made that resolve, but....
"Miss Alice."
What in the world is this situation?
"I finally caught you. Running away like that all day...."
Right before her eyes was the Mask, smiling bizarrely.
And the wall positioned behind her so she couldn't escape.
One of the Clown's hands was resting on that wall.
Thump.
A boy and a girl, a romantic composition straight out of a novel.
However, Alice felt as if she might wet herself right then and there.
"Y-y-yes...."
A voice trembling like a goat's.
The Clown chuckled, then gently took her hand.
"How about a quick date? Just the two of us."
"Y-yes.... W-what...?"
Her shoulders were trembling.
Alice felt like crying.
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