Chapter 50. Reorganization

Saint-Denis Academy is pointlessly busy again today.

“Where are you going so early in the morning?”

I asked Odekerkh, who was moving about busily.

“H-haven’t you heard the announcement?”

“What announcement?”

“E-everyone. H-has to g-gather in the g-grand auditorium.”

I had been moving around restlessly day and night recently, so I had missed the news within the academy. To live a normal life, I need to know at least the major situations, so I should ask Odekerkh on the way to the grand auditorium. But does the word ‘normal’ fit with what I’m trying to do? I don’t know. Let’s just say it does for now.

“Your Highness.”

As I stood at the entrance of the auditorium, Michelle waved at me.

“Huh?”

Odekerkh, who was walking with me, was captivated by the sight of Michelle. Michelle in her uniform looked quite impressive. Come to think of it, this must be the first time Odekerkh has seen Michelle in uniform. The appearance he had seen during the entrance exam was that of a beggar.

I nodded in response to Michelle’s greeting and then checked the gazes of the others.

Without exception, every single male’s gaze was on Michelle.

‘She was born with a talent for attracting attention.’

The uniform Michelle was wearing was no different from that of the other female cadets. Yet, she alone gave off the feeling of wearing a dress. Even though her hair was black, not red, every single step was as radiant as if she were dancing. There was a reason the 3rd Prince was fixated on Michelle.

“Is that the new girl they were talking about?”

“Wow! Damn! She’s so pretty. What the?”

“Should I go and try to hit on her?”

“Hey, look at that and then talk.”

After my Mana Heart reached the 2nd Star, my senses have become more sensitive than before. I can hear whispered conversations clearly.

“But what’s the relationship between her and Maxim?”

“Don’t tell me, did he bring a girl to hang around with at the academy?”

“Make sense. Why would they do that for Maxim?”

“Right. What is that Maxim. He’s a bastard who lives in his own world.”

“Then you can go and hit on her.”

“You think I can’t?”

“If you can, then try.”

Tsk tsk tsk. I can’t help but click my tongue. Those who are preparing to be knights, whispering behind someone’s back right in front of them. It’s an ugly sight.

‘There’s not a single decent-looking fellow.’

There’s not a single proper person among those who talk about others. That’s the same now as it was then. By the way, it seems Maxim before I arrived was seen as quite insignificant.

In that case, are they only left with surprises from now on? Since it’s not someone else but me who has become the master of this body, it’s bound to be that way.

“D-don’t mind them.”

Odekerkh consoled me.

I smiled and looked at him intently.

I haven’t known Odekerkh for long, but the feeling he gives off is quite good. His consideration for those around him is warm. He is not arrogant. The proof is that he doesn’t act high and mighty just because he wears the epaulet that signifies a leader.

He seems to be a timid person. But he doesn’t mess up or turn away from his work because of his personality. The only problem that comes from his personality is his stutter. In front of people he feels a distance from, he stammers and becomes self-conscious… but that’s something that gets better as one gets entangled with people and rolls around a bit.

Being the child of a merchant guild, his sense of reality is quite good. Perhaps because of that, he accepts the words or actions of others without difficulty.

His talent as a knight doesn’t seem outstanding, but he’s not on the bad side either.

Considering he did his part in the entrance exam, it can be seen that he has great potential for growth.

Then let’s calculate the total score.

“Pass!”

“Huh? Wh-what is?”

“I like you very much.”

“Th-thank you.”

It’s really nice how he graciously accepts it even when I speak out of context like this. If I form a special unit, Odekerkh should be the first one I take. There is no better talent for softening a harsh atmosphere and mediating conflicts. What if Odekerkh gets angry? It must be the fault of the one who made him angry, so I can just beat that guy up.

“All rise!”

Professor Allegri, who was standing on the stage watching the cadets, shouted with all his might.

All the cadets rose from their seats at once, as if connected as a single body. Then, the heavy doors of the auditorium closed with a Kung! sound.

“Gentlemen. It is a pleasure to meet you all like this in the morning.”

At Allegri’s greeting, the cadets also shouted in one voice, “It is a pleasure!”

The sound of over a hundred people answering. It’s been a long time. It was a sight I had seen and heard countless times during my Leonhardt days, but back then it was so natural that I didn’t think anything of it, but seeing it again like this makes my chest feel tight and like I should be running to a battlefield or something… Huh? Isn’t that, Bryn?

“That bastard.”

Hearing his voice, it’s definitely Bryn. The fellow was glancing at me and chewing his lip.

Seeing the bruises all over his eyes, it seems he was beaten up by someone.

‘Did Hans hit him?’

Probably so. At a glance, there’s no one in the academy who would touch Bryn other than Hans.

By the way, the fact that that person is stealing glances at me means he has some kind of scheme… I should use Serena to create some quality time with Bryn soon.

“Ahem! I will now announce an important matter for this semester.”

At Allegri’s words, the tension in the hall heightened.

“First, all the classes that have been maintained until now will be disbanded.”

At the following words, all the cadets lost their voices. Looking around, everyone has a face as if they’ve been hit. Even in the midst of this, Bryn is still stealing glances at me.

‘He already knew about this. Then it means Hans’s gang also knew.’

I’ll have to call Armand later and ask. If he knew and didn’t tell me, I plan to teach him what sorrow is.

“The dormitories will also be moved from class-specific dormitories to the central dormitory for everyone.”

“What? Why so suddenly…”

A student in front tried to protest, but at Allegri’s gaze, he couldn’t even finish what he was saying and shut his mouth.

“Everyone, look at this.”

Allegri brought a box the size of his own body from behind his lectern. He sighed and shook his head.

Warrr.

As the box opened, the letters that filled it poured out.

The hall stirred. The cadets seemed to have a rough idea of what the letters were.

“Does anyone know what this is?”

No one could easily answer.

“These are letters written about how difficult class life is. It’s not even a year’s worth of letters. This is from one semester. Last semester wasn’t particularly numerous either. Since the class system was created, this amount has poured out every time. I thought it would get better if I taught you what a proper spirit is, but it didn’t get better at all. So shouldn’t we do something? Isn’t that right, gentlemen?”

“……”

“Why are there no answers? It is all something you have created with your own hands.”

It was a declaration that since all sorts of absurdities had been committed, they would overhaul it from now on. So Allegri told them to obediently accept the new changes.

The cadets shouted, “We understand!” and accepted it. No, they had no choice but to accept it. Because they had no option to refuse.

“I have heard everyone’s answer well. Then, the next item. Three weeks of personal time will be given. After three weeks, each and every one of you will be tested.”

“What?”

“We’re all taking the test separately?”

“What kind of test?”

“A test all of a sudden? We just took the entrance exam.”

Words popped out from among the cadets.

Allegri paused for a moment and watched their complaints.

“Isn’t this changing too suddenly?”

“What happens to all the points we received as a class? Don’t tell me they’re all being erased? That can’t be right.”

The cadets’ voices grew louder.

“Quiet!”

The loudest sound ever shook the grand auditorium.

Allegri scanned the cadets with angry eyes.

“Why do you gentlemen think you entered this academy? Just to get points and graduate?”

“……”

“Didn’t you enter to become the strength of Poinus? To protect the country from the threats of neighboring countries by strengthening your power one by one! Aren’t you in this place for that reason? Are you only thinking about graduating comfortably, instead of thinking about personal completion?”

Everyone shut their mouths and swallowed a groan.

“After three weeks, all tests will be held without notice. A ranking will be determined based on that time. The next matter will be discussed after the test. That is all for today.

Dismissed!”

Allegri left the auditorium.

The remaining cadets poured out the complaints they had been holding back without rest.

“Th-the classes are gone…”

Odekerkh also seemed to be quite shocked.

By the way, it’s quite a coincidence that such a change is happening at this point in time.

According to Allegri’s words, the problems with the classes were quite old. But they left it alone until now and suddenly bring about a change? And right after I arrive? There was no mention of it before the entrance exam.

I can’t shake the feeling that something has been activated to make this happen.

‘I’ll have to have a little chat with Bryn.’

A very friendly one.

***

On a deep night with the moon high in the sky, Armand and I took our places deep in the forest.

“Do I really have to be here?”

Armand asked, trembling with anxiety.

“I have to check. How can I believe your words?”

“No, it’s true! I didn’t know either.”

Armand said, full of a sense of injustice. It didn’t particularly seem like he was lying. Judging by how he said he didn’t know even after I smacked him on the head.

“Um, you know…”

This time, Serena opened her mouth.

“Do I have to be here too?”

And she asked, looking my way with anxious eyes.

“Huh? Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“No… since I’ve already called him, I was wondering if it’s really necessary for me to be here…”

“You have to confirm that he came properly. Why? Is it burdensome?”

“It’s not that there’s no burden.”

“Wasn’t it burdensome to leak the exam questions?”

“……”

I don’t know why she asks questions she can’t even get her principal back on.

“He’s coming.”

Armand said, hiding his body.

I also jumped up into a tree and hid myself among the leaves.

“Noona. What’s going on this late at night? What did you have to say that you called me here?”

Bryn found Serena, his face flushed red. Seeing his eyes blazing, he is full of lust. Well, a woman called him into the forest late at night, and secretly at that.

“No, just. I-I wanted to see you.”

Serena said, looking around. It was a suspicious action for anyone to see. But it seemed such things were not visible in Bryn’s eyes. He was so caught up in his desire that he was only staring intently at Serena.

“Really? You wanted to see me that much? Huh?”

Bryn grabbed Serena’s hand abruptly. He then caressed her arm and let out a creepy smile.

“L-like this is a bit…”

“Huh? Why? You said you wanted to see me. I wanted to see you too, noona.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then come here.”

Bryn pulled Serena strongly and tried to hug her.

Serena tried to push Bryn away, saying, “No, wait a minute. W-wait a minute.”

“Hey, why are you being like this. If you called me all the way here, it’s all for that, isn’t it.”

“No, it’s not that. I have something to say…”

“What is there to say? I gave you money before. So what is there to say?”

So she sold the exam questions for money. She said her living expenses became tight after refusing to go back home, so she was supplementing her income that way.

“That is…”

“What? Are you going to say some bullshit like it’s suddenly burdensome? Damn, did I call you? You called me here, noona. Then isn’t it all for that?”

That Bryn fellow is seriously in heat.

“You have nowhere to go anyway. Just do as I say.”

Bryn began to push Serena with force.

Serena resisted fiercely, saying, “Don’t do this. Please.”

And watching this, I clicked my tongue.

“He’s a real son of a bitch.”

A son of a bitch panting with bloodshot eyes. That’s exactly what Bryn is right now.