The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 9

9.

As I pulled back the hood of my cloak, sleek black hair cascaded down my back.

“Oh my…”

Laura Freeze let out a lamenting sigh.

Her chaotic thoughts refused to settle, prompting her to walk aimlessly.

Thud.

Her long shadow fell over the fountain in the slums.

‘It was all for Ellie.’

Laura Freeze couldn’t help but be astonished by Yuto’s meticulousness. He was compensating for Ellie’s flaws more skillfully and discreetly than she ever could.

“Is it possible to know such things with foresight?”

Even if she understood, his thoroughness was remarkable. Laura Freeze was aware of her former colleague Ellie Ingrid’s shortcomings, but she couldn’t come up with a brilliant idea to remedy them.

‘If it were possible, I would have thought of it long ago.’

Ellie’s stone-faced stubbornness and arrogant mindset weren’t issues that could be easily touched. It was a more complicated problem than reconciling between the Sylvest Elves residing deep in the green forest and humanity.

‘…If only Ellie would come to her senses soon.’

It was undoubtedly going to be a great help in future battles. Fixing Ellie’s arrogance would assist in ‘that’ fight that was bound to happen later. If her tendency to act recklessly could be improved, the risks during expeditions would be considerably reduced.

“Still, leaving Ellie in the hands of that man…”

The time spent with Yuto was short.

Regardless of Yuto’s merits, that period was utterly insufficient to build trust. Naturally, it was difficult to exclude him from her wariness.

“Ha…”

Moreover, there was a slight lump in her chest. It was hard to comprehend that a complete stranger understood Ellie better than she did.

However, Laura Freeze brushed off that inferiority. As someone who had reversed time, she was an elder who had spent more years than Yuto. Succumbing to jealousy was no different from being immature.

“Cletta Barriet.”

But what about her?

Her raw instincts were unpredictable.

An uncontrolled beast.

A troublesome nuisance that couldn’t be easily handled.

Yuto’s interference was like a fool’s bravado.

“Heh. As expected, Cletta is something I must deal with.”

That felt right.

Laura Freeze was certain of it.

Yet, she remained oblivious.

The truth was that she was secretly wishing for it. The current Laura Freeze could never comprehend that truth.

“Yuto, come up to the podium.”

I responded to Instructor Julia’s call and walked to the podium. Behind me, Laura Freeze followed. All eyes in the auditorium were focused on us.

What was all this about—

“Due to your merit in the recent ‘Space-Time Exploration’ class, I am pleased to announce your promotion. Congratulations!”

That’s how it happened.

Clap clap clap—

Applause erupted from the students of Class C, including the instructor. The recognized merit was stemming from “volunteering for the sake of everyone.”

As for Laura Freeze, it seemed her feat of “lifting the monster’s curse” was acknowledged.

As a result, both Laura Freeze and I were promoted to Class B. Originally, rankings would change based on end-of-semester evaluations, but—

Such cases did exist.

‘It was common in episodes.’

Promotions of players or protagonists happened often.

It was just something I hadn’t experienced at the beginning.

“Yuto, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?”

“No, I’m not.”

It felt more like nostalgia.

I didn’t know how to react because it still didn’t feel real.

However, perhaps misinterpreting my demeanor, the instructor and students began to speak with an emotional fervor.

“Ugh…! I know. You probably didn’t expect such a quick farewell. But don’t worry. Although you’ve dropped classes, the fact that we were comrades hasn’t changed.”

“Yeah, Yuto. I’ll follow you up, so go ahead and take a breather at the top!”

“Yuto! I’ll work hard! So… so please wait for me!”

What are they saying? They can’t climb up here.

None of them have ever been on the higher class roster.

It’s pathetic, really.

“I will be waiting.”

I lamented them with a flair of emotion that wouldn’t work.

If this were a game, the shot focusing on them would be the last moment, so I left the classroom coolly to pay my respects.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you leaving?”

“I’m just feeling nostalgic.”

“…? I guess you’re more sentimental than you appear.”

“Seems that way.”

Sentimental, huh?

I could understand Laura Freeze’s reaction.

It likely seemed that way.

But I felt not even a trace of camaraderie toward them.

Where my nostalgia lingered was—

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They were the experience points they gave.

Would I level up even if I’m kept at a distance for a while?

How unfortunate.

Regrettably, I decided to look forward to new comrades instead.

Delicious, I hope?

He’s more sentimental than I expected.

The occasionally harsh gazes were a misconception. When Yuto engaged in self-induced sacrifice, I merely thought of it as a tactic to assert his worth.

When in truth, it was a commitment to solidarity with them.

‘The more I see him, the more he seems like a good person…’

Why did that make me feel repelled?

It wasn’t outright rejection.

Why is that?

I even had the petty urge that it would be better if he were a villain.

‘Why am I feeling this way?…’

Laura didn’t want to be swayed and set aside her musings. She turned her attention to the unpleasant stares directed at her and Yuto immediately upon entering the Class B classroom.

“Welcome! I’m Instructor Geoffrey, in charge of Class B.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Yuto greeted the instructor with his usual friendly face, while I offered a light bow.

He had a grand stature and a burly appearance.

At first glance, Instructor Geoffrey, who seemed to favor hand-to-hand combat, didn’t pay him any mind. But the students of Class B were not welcoming. Some even greeted us with outright disdain.

‘They must have grievances.’

Class promotions were a form of competition.

Someone moving up means someone else is dropping down.

With 24 students in class, if Yuto and I were promoted, that meant two others from Class B were demoted.

That’s probably not sitting well with them.

“After both of you briefly introduce yourselves, please take your seats.”

“Then I’ll go first.”

Surprisingly, Yuto dropped his usual friendly demeanor and made the first move.

“I’ll skip my introduction.”

Huh?

“I’m not planning to stick around with you guys for long, anyway.”

Huh?

Yuto pointed upward.

“I’m going to be moving up to Class A soon. So, I doubt there’s a need for any introduction.”

No way.

Yuto’s introduction was a clear provocation.

…But why?

Wasn’t he supposed to introduce himself with his usual smile and calm attitude?

Thud.

Yuto really finished his introduction and walked away to find an empty seat.

The unexpected turn of events left me speechless.

I was the one left at the podium, yet all gazes were fixated on Yuto.

‘What’s that guy thinking again?’

He continuously blindsides me with unexpected actions. It was undeniably absurd, yet I found myself barely suppressing a strange urge to laugh.

“I feel the same way.”

I didn’t want to admit it.

“My introduction will also be omitted.”

This time, I felt a kindred spirit to his sentiments.

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Yep. The aggro is absolutely delectable.

What I liked most was the phrase at the end.

[‘Cletta Barriet’ is obsessed.]

Absolutely wonderful.

Since she was the only potential gain from Class B, laying down the ground was profitable.

But why did she act like that?

The protagonist had stated a succinct line in the original, but this time it was different.

Did Laura Freeze have a reason to draw aggro? Thanks to her, a provocation duo was born.

“I don’t like those two at all.”

“No one’s saying otherwise. Are we just supposed to rot in Class B for life?”

Strictly speaking, they had picked a fight first, but I decided to show leniency. The prospect of experience points in front of me softened my heart.

“Hey, you there, guy.”

“Yeah? Are you talking to me?”

What’s going on?

The target girl came to me of her own accord.

Cletta Barriet was known as a ‘tsundere.’

Small yet sassy.

But more than anyone, I knew how to handle this sassy girl.

“Wait a second.”

Just as I was about to engage in conversation with Cletta Barriet, Laura Freeze jumped into the fray.

As expected, the protagonist wouldn’t help so much as meddle.

Fine. Go ahead and do as you please.