Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: School Life #01
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An unfamiliar ceiling.
‘Definitely... after only staring at the underside of a bunk bed for so long, waking up to a ceiling feels kinda refreshing.’
The sunlight streaming through the window stabbed at my eyes, and I rose with a fresh sense of vigor.
A glance at the clock showed it was exactly one minute before 6 a.m. After living twenty years where slacking off meant death, my body had rewired itself—no matter how exhausted I wasn't utterly wrecked, my eyes snapped open at this hour.
“Alright, let's check today's progress.”
Lately, the start of my daily routine had surprisingly become measuring my height.
“Up 0.2 cm again today. Spiritual medicines really do pack a punch.”
After the Rose Pavilion incident wrapped up, I left the intense battles to my lovers and focused on building my physique by taking elixirs that promoted physical growth.
In my second regression, I'd bulked up decently with tattoos and such without needing them, but nothing beat feeding growth elixirs to a first-year in his prime development phase.
“Muscles are filling out nicely too... and my hair's not falling out as much these days.”
Was it the stress-free, happy school life? Or maybe no severe injuries meant no lingering aftereffects.
‘A body that doesn't ache on rainy days—truly the best.’
In my first regression, I'd pushed my body to the brink just to survive. The second, I'd tried every training method to get stronger. The fourth, I'd fought villains solo, leaving no part of me unscathed. This injury-free body was an absolute golden opportunity.
‘And now, thanks to the shop, I can grab elixirs whenever needed. Could I actually kill the Demon King this time?’
I might be counting my chickens before they hatched, but the thought that I could really take down the Demon King brought a smile to my face.
That bastard who'd screwed me over countless times. Opportunity permitting, I'd kill him—even if he was a 21st-century-style, survival-specialized, big-breasted big-sis Demon King.
*
“It's weirdly noisy outside. What's going on?”
After a quick wash in the bathroom adjoining my bedroom, I headed to the living room in my robe, hair still damp, drawn by the commotion.
“Do you really think that's the best choice?”
“Of course it is. Isn't my opinion the obvious answer, Your Highness?”
“Even for you two, I can't yield on this. The right answer is clear.”
‘...What the hell is this?’
Agnes Ermengarde, Lin Shaomei, and Violet Purplecrow were split into factions, arguing fiercely. I'd never seen these three clash so intensely, and it left me stunned.
“This Seat withdraws support from Shaomei! From today, we shed the supporter dynamic—Shaomei and this Seat are one body now! Any attacks on Shaomei regarding this matter will be seen as attacks on this Seat!”
“Miss Violet, even as your contractor, I can't agree with you this time! Miss Agnes Ermengarde, as the Imperial Princess, has the true answer!”
“Hah, are your eyes all messed up? When it comes to knowing Young Master best, isn't Miss Violet the only one?”
With Sion Idris backing Violet, Unicorn supporting Shaomei, and Al'Miraz defending Agnes, I felt dizzy and approached Sirka, who was watching quietly from the side.
“Oh, Master! Slept well? You look pale... was it lack of sleep from yesterday?”
“N-No, it's not that... What's going on, Sirka? Why are they fighting first thing in the morning...?”
“Ah, why the six of them are fighting? They started debating your styling about 30 minutes ago and it's been like this.”
“...What?”
They were fighting over my styling? For 30 minutes?
“What kind of insane nonsense is that...?”
“Well... the three of them gathered to discuss today's schedule, and...”
The story was a bit long, but the summary was simple.
While chatting about this and that, talk turned to what style suited me best.
It started innocently enough, but Shaomei's claim that nothing beat a cute big brother style heated things up.
“Her Highness Agnes argued for a wild, masculine Master. Miss Violet countered that an intellectual, refined Master was the most handsome, and it escalated from there...”
“And it's gone on for 30 minutes, with the others joining one by one to make it this mess now?”
“Yes! Lady Sion's backing Miss Violet, Unicorn's with Miss Shaomei, and Al'Miraz is supporting Her Highness Agnes!”
Ah... my headache was intensifying.
The first conflict in my peaceful harem—not even mindless 4P talk had sparked this—and it was over my style? Was it really that important?
“...At least you're not fighting.”
“Everything works for me! Master's cock stays the same either way, right?”
Damn it. She was the worst case. No one I could trust.
In this situation, only I could step up. I sighed softly and intervened.
“Girls? No fighting over weird stuff first thing in the morning... How about we all go grab breakfast instead?”
“Huh, Arthin...?”
“Big Brother...”
The six, deep in heated debate, stopped at my words and regained their composure, falling silent.
‘Phew... good. They listened without much fuss...’
“Look! This cute face of big brother Arthin! Glasses or rugged looks are nice, but this fresh cuteness is the best!”
Momentarily off-guard, Shaomei yanked me into a hug, tousling my hair and wrapping my robe tight around me.
“W-Well, it is pretty cute...”
“Nngh... I kinda like Teacher in that style too...”
Girls, why are you agreeing? I said stop fighting!
“Seriously, Shaomei, you're still lacking. Take a good look!”
Violet pulled me from Shaomei's arms, took glasses from Sion, slipped them on me, and neatly combed my hair back with her fingers, crafting a mage's refined look.
“This sleek side part, the hint of maturity peeking through the freshness, the intellectual vibe, plus the calm sexiness of the glasses! Intellectual style is best for Arthin, period!”
“Mmm...!! The glasses do suit Big Brother...”
“This Seat's heart skipped a beat for a moment, but...”
“Hey, girls, enough with this...”
“But you all don't grasp Arthin's wild, primal charm yet, that's why you're saying that.”
As I tried intervening again, Agnes gripped my hand tight and pulled, while Al'Miraz snapped her fingers to summon wax and a comb, starting to style my hair.
“See? This wild, masculine vibe radiating from Arthin. Grow the hair a bit, add some curls, a light beard, and imagine how trustworthy he'd look!”
“Y-Young Master in a bad-boy style...? I'm falling in love again...”
“Eek...! I kinda miss that rough look from the fourth regression too...!!”
These girls had no intention of listening.
“How about soft perms for a gentle impression...!”
“That's good, but a dangerous, shadowy vibe could work too...”
With me as their live mannequin, they stopped outright fighting, instead taking turns dressing me in their favorite styles for a more mature debate.
‘...Whatever. Let it be.’
No fighting was progress. I let them style me, skipping morning training to serve as their doll that day.
“Hehe, either way looks great. Knight and succubus, or evil mage and female disciple vibes...”
I envied Sirka, munching popcorn from who-knows-where, watching from a step away amid the chaos.
**
In the end, Violet and Sion's glasses-wearing Arthin won the most votes for the day's style.
Meaning, I had to wear glasses I only used for late-night studying and head to class like that.
“Next time, find some cute points that suit Big Brother more...!”
“This Seat will scout fashions perfect for Arthin tomorrow...!!”
“Please, you two, stop. I nearly collapsed this morning.”
“Hahaha! You really have it rough, Arthin.”
After parting with Violet and Agnes, with Sion, Al'Miraz, and Sirka off to their tasks, our group heading to class was me, Jorba Pelkas, Shaomei, and Unicorn.
“Jorba, don't you have a ton of girls too? You deal with this often?”
“I'm always the same style. My ladies love this bold Jorba look.”
Jorba's tone was annoyingly smug, but he wasn't wrong.
Even in the academy uniform, he'd unbutton a few to show chest muscle, slap on sunglasses, dye his red hair blond, and that sunny, straightforward handsome face had its share of admirers.
‘...Strangers would think he's out to steal my girls.’
And yet his taste was purely harem-building, never hitting on others—that rule felt unbelievable. He looked like he'd use a hypnosis app.
“You're giving me a creepy look, Arthin?”
“No way, Big Brother Jorba. Every tip from a harem senior like you is gold—I'm grateful.”
As I buttered him up and opened the classroom door, the noisy room fell briefly silent.
“...Hey, Arthin! Right on time today.”
“What classes you hitting today, Arthin?”
Unlike weeks ago when they just stared in awe, my classmates now greeted me casually and friendly.
“Dunno, probably swordsmanship and Intro to Elements...”
“Basics of Administration? Or Astronomy Principles at least!”
“Saving those for later, sorry Leyvan.”
I responded to each greeting, settling into our usual spot at the far back.
“Big Brother's popular now, huh? Seems like more fans than us!”
“Only natural! As Unicorn's contractor, his popularity is a given, no?”
Truth was, it wasn't the unicorn deal. Diligently attending classes led to good group work and joint training showings, warming a few classmates up.
I'd worried at first that getting friendly might erase my Academy's Red Madman title, but since my rep improved only in this class, the title stuck.
“Hey, partner. Close call today.”
“Ah, hello! Mr. Arthin! Miss Shaomei! Mr. Jorba! Lady Unicorn!”
Kaiyen Silversword, already there, greeted me warmly. Claire beside him bowed politely.
“Claire, ease up on the formalities already? Jorba's two years older, sure, but as Kaiyen's friend, casual is fine.”
“What're you saying, Arthin? All pretty girls can drop the formalities with me.”
“R-Really? Arthin? Hehe.”
Claire's thrilled face at my casual suggestion tugged at my heartstrings a bit.
Same year, but treated us distantly for being common-born? Or saw me as something grand?
‘Nah, it's this idiot's fault.’
“...Sit next to me, partner.”
Kaiyen subtly offering the seat beside him with expectant glances soured my mood.
That cute, kind girl—a major heroine in the original story—was stuck on the outskirts because this world's Kaiyen was gay.
‘The first girl the protagonist saves, the commoner he crushes on, the growing heroine—zero flaws...’
“Thanks for saving the seat!”
“...That's partner's spot...”
“Huh? What was that, Kaiyen?”
“...Nothing.”
Shaomei, catching his glance, swiftly claimed the seat to shield me. Kaiyen deflated in disappointment.
‘Gotta tell Violet and Jorba to look out for Claire.’
Kaiyen tried in his way, but... honestly, Claire hadn't shown her original story feats in the past four regressions.
Makes sense—he was too busy trailing me and causing trouble to care for his heroines. Should I help with his other ones too?
“This Seat claims the spot beside Arthin!”
“...Then sit by me, Lady Unicorn?”
“...Jorba's a no, Shaomei—switch seats.”
After some shuffling, we finally settled.
Drag!
“Okay, quiet down! Morning roll call!”
Teacher Senia Reeves entered, hushing the rowdy class.
Ah, during the Rose Pavilion case, Senia was the kidnapping victim but cleared after confirming she was just held as sacrifice material, resuming homeroom duties soon after.
“Seriously close—roll call any second!”
“Blame yourselves for wasting time on outfits.”
“...I like partner's cute style, though.”
“Nee~? What'd you say, Kaiyen~?”
“...Nothing.”
As Kaiyen withered under duty-student Shaomei's glare after mumbling, Senia, mid-greeting, slammed the desk.
“And today, we have a new student to introduce! Give a warm welcome applause for our newcomer?”
“Huh? Someone new now?”
What? Transfer at this time? No one came to mind.
“Another villain maybe?”
“Possible, but... we nabbed the Flesh Brothers yesterday—no way a villain already...”
Whispering with Shaomei, I shut up at the sound of footsteps entering the classroom.
That person...