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Chapter 22 - The Vain Man (3)

Life at Gallimard Academy moves at a relentless pace.

As the most prestigious educational institution on the continent, its curriculum is designed to be of the highest caliber.

Even the freshmen are no exception.

No time is given for adjustment.

Lectures filled with specialized knowledge and academic papers abound.

A flood of assignments rains down on the students.

It’s a Spartan education, as if saying, "If you can’t handle this, you don’t belong at Gallimard."

And all of this happened in just one week.

- This is madness.

- I knew Gallimard had a reputation, but I didn’t think it would be this intense.

- Have you finished your assignments? I don’t even understand half of them...

- Forget that, we have a practical exam in two weeks! How can there be eight exams in a single semester?

Class A, hailed as the future of the Empire.

Even though it was composed of the top students, they were not spared from the rigors of their studies.

In fact, they were pushed even harder.

Being in the advanced class, they were burdened with responsibilities that weighed them down.

- Before we begin the lecture... all Class A assignments will be three times that of the regular classes.

- Great talent requires equally great nourishment.

- These are orders from the Dean. Please fulfill them excellently.

What’s surprising is that there haven’t been any dropouts yet.

Perhaps because they are all elites from prestigious families, they seemed somewhat prepared.

Though they still shared their complaints among themselves.

"Hehe."

Of course, none of that mattered to me.

As I idly twirl my pen out of boredom, the pink-haired creature beside me fidgets before speaking.

"My lord...?"

"Ah, Miss Regia."

"I-I was doing the assignments, but I-I ran into something I didn’t understand..."

"Oh my~ I suppose I must help you then!"

I had already graduated from the academy’s curriculum long ago.

Back in the days when I was hunting for the happy ending, I conducted endless research.

Unless it’s the latest papers from the Magic Tower or alchemists, nothing here could stump me.

"Let’s see... this is a problem about the extremes of illusion magic?"

"Y-Yes, I tried solving it several times, but it keeps leading to a paradox..."

In that sense, our protagonist’s newbie actions were enough to stimulate this veteran’s heart.

Those teary green eyes.

"It, it’s too hard... I-I can’t solve it."

"It’s not difficult. For problems like this, you can use the ‘Ilia’s Formula.’ Let me show you."

"Huh?"

I smile and lean closer to her.

Was she startled by my enthusiastic approach? Regia gave a cute reaction.

It even looked like her face was turning a little red.

"Now, focus."

"O-Okay..."

I walk her through the solution step by step.

As I’m finishing the explanation, a voice murmured behind me.

It’s Irene, with her usual indifferent expression.

"Surprising."

"Sorry?"

"I didn’t think you’d be good at studying too."

"Hehe, I’m quite the model student, you know?"

For some reason, my shoulders feel lighter.

The sense of helping the protagonist, a peculiar joy that I can’t quite put into words.

"Perfect. It seems you’ve understood it well, I’m glad."

"It’s all thanks to your kind explanation, my lord... Hehe, thank you."

"You’re quite a diligent student."

I finish the impromptu tutoring with a bright smile.

As we complete the assignments, time flies by, and we get up from our seats.

"Shall we head back now?"

"Y-Yes...!"

"Finally done?"

We exit the quiet library.

As we step out of the space filled with the scent of books and paper, the sparkling sunlight touches our eyes.

A refreshing breeze immediately greets us.

Whoosh—

The scenery outside the building was pure spring.

Blossoming petals, the tender sway of bushes, and the gentle warmth that wasn’t too harsh.

We walked across the peaceful path.

"The weather is lovely today."

"Indeed."

"Now that I think about it... Gallimard’s campus is truly beautiful."

"Well, the academy is the size of a small city."

"There’s a reason it’s called the best."

As we make small talk, a group of students approaches from the opposite direction.

They were also freshmen.

Were they heading off to do their assignments too?

I was about to pass them with a light nod, but their atmosphere seemed off.

They stared at us with obvious disdain.

- Is that him? The one Lady Vanity mentioned?

I listen closely.

By extending my hearing to the limit, I can hear the murmurs of the students.

Their voices were filled with hostility.

- He doesn’t look that strong, just as they said... How did he end up in the top spot?

- Well, you saw the class placement exam, didn’t you?

- I only heard that the Princess forfeited.

- She’s such a mysterious person.

- She must’ve found it too trivial. She likely decided he wasn’t worth her time.

- That sounds like something she would do.

They probably never imagined I could hear them.

We were quite a distance away, after all.

Unfortunately for them, I can hear it all.

Even if you were having a conversation on the other side of the continent, if I wanted to, I could listen in.

I smile ominously.

‘So it’s Emilia again.’

I chew over the name I briefly caught.

It’s been a week since the semester began, but the students’ opinions of me hadn’t improved.

I hadn’t really shown them anything impressive.

Most students still thought of me as a "phoney top student."

And even those who didn’t were in the "neutral gear," finding it difficult to make a judgment.

Emilia had played a significant role in shaping this sentiment.

- I’ll make you regret it.

It seems her warning wasn’t just empty words.

She’s been diligently executing her plan.

Manipulating public opinion and tarnishing my reputation.

It looks like she’s planning to isolate me before slowly taking me down... but watching it all unfold was quite amusing.

"The name of Vanity is indeed formidable."

Second only to the Imperial Family, they are the rulers of the Empire.

Whether they like it or not, the students can’t help but be mindful of the villainess. They never know when they might lose their heads.

Though I doubt Emilia would actually go that far.

She’s twisted by her inferiority complex, but she isn’t the type to resort to taking lives.

She’s more of a typical villainess in that sense.

"But it’s starting to get annoying... what should I do?"

How should I play with this?

As I pondered, Irene, who had been peering at me, whispered.

"By Vanity... you mean that blue-haired girl we ran into before, right?"

"Correct."

"Are you planning to kill her?"

"Why do you always jump to that conclusion?"

Does she really want me to kill someone?

I stare at her incredulously, and she awkwardly looks away.

"...Never mind."

"Do I really look like such a bad person?"

"With that murderous look and ominous smile you always have, who wouldn’t think so?"

"This is just how my face is."

"Liar."

Judging people by their appearance.

It’s such a sad world.

Did she think I chose to look this way?

As I pout in frustration, I hear a voice from behind.

"N-No...!"

"Hmm?"

A timid voice, full of trepidation.

I turn around to see the pink-haired girl, trembling but still raising her head.

What could she possibly want to say?

"M-My lord is... he’s not a bad person!"

"Oh?"

"What?"

"My lord, he’s a, a good person. He’s not bad at all..."

"Good heavens."

I cover my mouth in surprise.

Did our protagonist really just say that? That I’m not a bad person?

"M-My lord is a kind person! He’s scary, but! But he’s not bad at all..."

Her green eyes swirl with emotion.

Yet, despite the turmoil, she spoke each word clearly.

Our protagonist, earnestly defending me.

How could I not be moved?

I should be shedding 30 liters of tears right now.

Unable to contain my joy, I respond with a beaming smile.

"I’m touched, Miss Regia."

"You’ve always been so kind to me, my lord... Hehe, thank you."

"Mhm."

Now that’s the right reaction.

Such a stark contrast to a certain ungrateful fox who lives nearby. She could learn a thing or two from this.

I shoot a silent glare.

"What?"

"Don’t you feel anything when you see Miss Regia?"

"Nope."

"Really?"

"...Nothing, I said."

She refuses to admit it to the end.

Is she trying to pick a fight?

With a disgruntled heart, I firmly grab her luscious red tail.

"Eek?!"

"This is your punishment."

"W-Wait, you...! I told you not to touch my tail! It’s sensitive... Eek?!"

"Accept it graciously."

Our lively conversation continues.

The path back to the dormitory was bound to be a bit noisier.

***

A few days passed.

It was about time for everyone to settle into the academy routine.

Humans are creatures of adaptation, after all.

Even those who were struggling with Gallimard’s rigorous schedule seemed to be finding their rhythm.

I was just going with the flow.

- Phoney top student.

Unfortunately, the bad rumors still persisted.

Instead of dying down, they had intensified with time. It seems she’s really gotten worked up.

Maybe I pushed her buttons too much last time.

But nothing major had happened yet.

To be precise, they were still laying the groundwork for something big. It felt like they were preparing a stage.

I could sense it intuitively.

Something interesting was about to happen.

‘I’m looking forward to this.’

Even in the face of impending crisis, I couldn’t help but enjoy the chaos.

And then, as I waited, today, the big event finally came.

"Oh my~ What’s going on here?"

The moment I stepped into the classroom, I saw the scene.

The villainess and a few other students were surrounding the protagonist, who had fallen to the floor.

"M-My lord...!"

Regia’s tearful eyes meet mine.

She doesn’t seem physically hurt... perhaps her legs gave out.

It looked like she’d been harassed quite severely while I was away.

"Pardon me."

I approached the group of students.

After taking a few steps, a figure blocked my path.

"I was wondering where you ran off to, leaving this commoner behind... but you’ve finally shown up."

Blue hair.

An arrogant tone.

I smile knowingly.

"I figured there’d be someone who wanted me to show up."

"How insolent."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"Hmph."

Emilia scoffs lightly.

Her lips curve into a smirk, but it’s clear her expression is full of contempt.

"This is the end of your arrogance."

"Hm?"

"Today, I’m going to bring you down. Have you enjoyed playing the phoney top student?"

"Thanks to you, I’ve had a lot of fun."

"I hope you find what happens next just as entertaining."

She sneers as she finishes speaking and clasps her hands together.

With graceful fingers, she removes her white gloves, revealing her pale skin beneath.

What she was about to do was obvious.

Smack—!

The sound of impact as something hits my chest.

The gloves she threw fall to the ground.

Before I could even react, Emilia recites the line she had prepared, her voice clear.

"I, Emilia Vanity, in the name of honor and order, challenge Judas Snakes to a duel."

A duel.

A fight that no honorable noble could refuse.

She was determined to settle this.

"The price of defeat... is to leave Gallimard Academy at the victor’s discretion."

Her blue pupils gleamed with intensity.

The surrounding students began to murmur.

They couldn’t believe she had staked something like this, and they stared at us in shock.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

"Your answer?"

All eyes were on me.

They were waiting for my response.

A sinister smile crept onto my lips. Without hesitation, I gave them what they wanted.

"I accept."

Wow.

A duel with expulsion on the line.

This is going to be so much fun.