### Chapter 41. First Day of School (2)
After the orientation ceremony concluded, students were allotted time to head to their respective departments for a brief orientation.
This orientation, which provided explanations about the lectures and important notices from the departments, presented essential information crucial to future academy life.
As I exited the hall, I could feel the intense gazes of many students; still, I maintained a calm composure and walked out with Ria, heading toward our respective departments.
I was worried that my provocative speech might get Ria into trouble, but I trusted that she was now strong enough to handle it.
Thus, we arrived at the main lecture hall of the combat department.
Most of the students seated there, seemingly prepared for empty-handed combat, were burly, muscular types.
Making an effort to not dwell on the spectacle of muscles regardless of gender, I looked for an empty seat.
The back row by the window—I sat in the spot where the brooding protagonist might typically gaze out at the clouds muttering, “The clouds are crying.”
There, I avoided the overenthusiastic stares of my fellow classmates by fixating my gaze firmly out the window.
“Hey, you…!”
As I blankly stared out the window, I turned around due to an icy glare and a sinister tone directed at the back of my head.
And there stood someone familiar glaring daggers at me.
“Uh… What was your name again… Methan?”
“Meitan! What, that eco-disaster name of yours!?”
It was Meitan Grace, the guy eliminated in the entrance exam with just one kick from me.
He glared at me as if he was about to spout flames from his face, clearly agitated.
“Why did you call me? Actually, rather… Shouldn’t you have failed? I thought you were out after not doing anything and being disqualified. How much bribe money did you give?”
“Bribe money?? Just because I lost doesn’t mean I lack talent! But I’m more suspicious about you passing!”
“What?”
“Hah! I’ve heard all about your infamous reputation! You’ve been doing terrible deeds! There’s no way a guy like you could have defeated me fairly and become top of the class!”
“Isn’t it you who does terrible deeds?”
Indeed, recalling what he had told me during the exam, no one has indulged more in dirty deeds than you.
It was certain this guy, one of the standout rookies this term, was a disgrace to the empire’s reputation.
“—Therefore, I plan to expose the cowardly and dirty tricks you’ve committed here and now.”
“Hmm? Are there more?”
“You little bastard-!”
As I continued to ignore him, losing all patience, he raised his fist, completely ignoring the onlookers.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t…”
Crack.
Yet, Meitan’s fist never reached me.
“What the…! Wh- Professor?!”
“That’s right. I’m Professor James, and I’ll be overseeing these lectures. What’s going on here right off the bat?”
Meitan seemed oblivious to the commotion around him, but I had noticed a man silently observing everything with interest from behind.
“Long time no see. Did you rest well until the results were announced?”
“Yes. The secondary capital is quite something, isn’t it?”
Professor James.
A veteran knight of common origin with extensive war experience. In the game, he was a minor character whose name came up only because it was impossible to develop a martial-arts expert; I learned about him during the introduction of professors at the orientation.
Could this be the man who recommended me as the top student?
“It’s good to hear you rested. Balance is important—it’s crucial to take rest alongside hard work. But…”
Piercing gaze.
“What exactly is happening here?”
“T- Professor, it’s that…”
Caught by Professor James, Meitan, unable to pull away his hand, looked increasingly uneasy, sweat trickling down his face.
James was a legend in martial arts who earned fame on the battlefield. If word got out that Meitan was singled out by the famous descendant of a prestigious martial arts family, it wouldn’t do his standing any favors.
He must’ve realized this, which explained why his tail was between his legs as he tried to backpedal.
“Meitan Grace. I understand your feelings. Nobody likes losing; it’s unpleasant enough to make one frown. But venting that frustration on the wrong target is wrong. Your loss came from your own complacency, and if you wish to avoid that bitterness again, you need to nurture the seeds of your talent with the fertilizer of effort. Understand?”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Although it was hard for him to swallow being scolded by a quasi-hero who had been perfecting martial arts since childhood, Meitan’s face quickly darkened.
While it might look pitiable to onlookers, considering his unsavory proposal to Ria and unwarranted criticisms of me, I didn’t feel a shred of sympathy for him.
“Rab Netoire becoming top student was selected with the faculty’s full agreement. Surely there’s no one here who wishes to outright challenge the authority and judgment of the academy’s professors?”
As James glanced around, everyone averted their eyes, staying still like mutes.
It’s understandable they remained quiet, knowing that openly questioning the decision on the grounds that they didn’t like me might make their academy life difficult in the future.
“If there’s nothing further, please take your seats. We’ll begin the orientation for the new students.”
With James’ authoritative tone, students began settling down.
Though Meitan gave me one last nasty glare, it seemed he decided not to cause further trouble and took a seat far from me.
Naturally, the seat next to me remained empty.
“This concludes the basic explanation. Look over the handouts and turn in the registration forms by tomorrow afternoon. That concludes our session.”
After the basic explanation of the school system concluded, I intended to get up and head to the Department of Magic for my additional orientation, being a double-major.
“A moment, Rab Netoire—follow me.”
I hesitated for a moment at Professor James’ call but ultimately decided to follow him.
We arrived at his office in an awkward silence.
“Please take a seat.”
His office was as calm and orderly as the man himself.
Every item was neatly arranged, free of any clutter, reflecting James’ nature perfectly.
Sitting briefly on the couch as I looked around, James arrived with a fragrant cup of tea, placing it gently before me.
“Drink it. It’s expensive tea. Soothes the nerves, clears the mind.”
“Thank you, I’ll drink it with gratitude.”
The steaming cup calmed my mind as its refreshing and sweet flavor flowed through me with its warm essence.
Though I’ve never been one to favor mature tastes, its pleasant sweetness helped me drink it smoothly.
“So…”
When I was nearly done with my tea and James finally opened his mouth, gazing at me without having touched his own,
“Did you have any particular reason for deliberately provoking those students?”
!
‘Red flags, are they up?’
My speech may have appeared to merely provoke the students but in reality, I was igniting the latent competitive spirit within them, using myself as the spark.
Regardless of the criticism and envy it might bring, if this is the way to save everyone, I would endure it.
It didn’t matter if no one understood, as long as we could reach a happy ending.
‘And I didn’t expect this to be uncovered so quickly. I thought the professors would only dismiss it as childish provocation, knowing my reputation.’
I could continue hiding my true thoughts, pretending to act like the old Rab, but having an ally could ease the challenges of the future.
“What do you think of the current academy?”
“Hmm?”
“In my view, the academy has become stagnant water. Water sitting undisturbed without any crises will inevitably rot. Until someone comes to disrupt and freshen it up.”
“…”
“Are you saying you took on this role?”
I didn’t answer. I simply stared straight into his eyes.
“…I approve. Who would’ve thought there’d be someone who so clearly scratches my itch…”
Satisfied with my silence, James smiled faintly before gulping down the cooled tea.
Snap!
“After completing your course registration, bring your schedule to me. We’ll conduct individual lessons in any gaps in your timetable.”
“Huh?”
“Surely you didn’t think you could maintain your position with basic lectures alone? Whatever you’re planning, your current talent can only last till the end of the first semester. If you wish to reach your intended level of strength, you should join my individual training sessions. What’s your answer?”
…It rings true.
The method I’ve considered is groundbreaking for this world but has clear limits.
Though my mentor’s magical lessons were brilliant, those insights were from a mage’s perspective. From a warrior’s standpoint who uses aura, plenty needs adjustment.
Maybe through James’ individual training, I can achieve unparalleled strength unlike the Cecilia from my previous life.
“I will.”
“Good job.”
James bid me farewell, expressing his expectations, and sent me off, telling me to go and rest since I must be tired.
“Oh, and here. I brought this list of courses for the Department of Medicine. You’re a double-major, right? I remember because it’s rare. Use this to arrange your schedule more efficiently.”
Oh. Nice. Saved me the trouble.
Others must be winding down soon, so I should head to meet Ria quickly.
Having finished my discussion with Professor James, I made my way to the Department of Medicine to pick up Cecilia.
“–!”
“–! –!”
As I approached the vicinity of the Department of Medicine, the sound of a commotion made me curious.
Getting closer out of curiosity, a very familiar voice, one I’ve heard often recently, hit my ears.
“Please, don’t do this!”
“Madam! I implore you! That man is dangerous-!”
Thud!
Crack!
“Ughhh!”
“What the hell are you?”
The man’s scream of pain and the unpleasant sound of bones crunching filled the air.
Reflected in the man’s eyes as he faced me, my face was scowling more intensely than ever.
