Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: First Day of Attendance
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The day after the massive duel between Rexton Wise and Arthin Ludwig had concluded.
The academy's atmosphere had settled down from yesterday's uproar, returning to everyday normalcy.
Except for one place: Class B of the first-years.
"Hey, it's today, right? Arthin Ludwig's first day attending."
"You think it'll be okay? From the rumors, he beats up any student he doesn't like just for making eye contact."
The majority of each class—social elites, mostly nobles or the wealthy clans of the Republic Federation—were uncomfortable with Arthin's return.
To them, Arthin was the one who disrupted the academy's order crafted by the student council and seniors, then beat them exactly a hundred times as a "winner's reward," landing them back in the infirmary.
'Honestly, it was kinda refreshing. Acting without honor like that was a disgrace to the nobility.'
'For such an uncultured guy to be the next heir? The Wise Count family isn't far from ruin.'
Of course, most people's true feelings differed from their outward appearances; they felt a certain satisfaction from Arthin's actions themselves.
In a student duel, not only did he bring out his family's knight against a Bronze-rank student, but the loser showed an ugly defeat, and he publicly humiliated a former Imperial Knight.
From the start, the downfall of a guy who strutted around publicly relying on his father's influence was a foregone conclusion.
"Yeah, we should keep our distance and avoid getting close as much as possible."
"I agree. If we get too near for no reason and catch the student council's eye, we're in big trouble."
But regardless of the satisfaction, it was true that Arthin had handled things in an unnoble manner, shown an extreme personality, and opposed the student council.
So naturally, the wary atmosphere toward Arthin wasn't limited to first-year Class B—it had spread throughout the entire academy.
"Ugh~ Look at them badmouthing him just because they don't like him! It really bugs me! Right, Kaiyen?"
And Claire, one of the minority— a commoner or low noble origin—couldn't understand her classmates' attitude.
Just yesterday in the arena, they'd all cheered together when Arthin beat down Rexton, so why were they suddenly acting all prim and proper now? She couldn't fathom it.
Of course, the only friend in class she could share such talk with was Kaiyen, so today too, she plopped down next to him and chattered away like a sparrow.
"What do you think, Kaiyen? About this Arthin guy coming in."
At her words, Kaiyen—who had been quietly listening to Claire's chatter with a blank expression—cracked a small smile.
"Who knows. Seems like it'll be fun."
"I bet he'll get along great with you, Kaiyen! You beat up those mean nobles who bullied me, right? Arthin beat up the bad Rexton too, so he must have a righteous side, different from the rumors!"
"Yeah, he might be someone we can get close to."
"By the way, what was up with that mass anemia incident yesterday? I woke up on the way back to the dorms and freaked out big time."
Claire kept chattering on without pause, jumping to a new topic, until the blonde half-elf teacher and Class B's vice homeroom instructor, Senia Reeves, entered the classroom.
"Alright, pay attention. You all skipped class yesterday to goof off, so we're studying hard today, got it?"
"Teacher! I studied super hard yesterday!"
"I saw you flirting with girls at the port cafe!"
Senia's entrance instantly melted away the tense atmosphere from moments before.
The official homeroom teacher for Class B was Sergei Chelepnitsky, the holy knight from the Northern Church handling the first-years' chapel duties, but due to his packed schedule and church obligations, Senia effectively ran the class. Whenever she was around, Class B aimed for a mild, harmonious vibe.
"Okay, it's been almost a month since enrollment, and midterms are coming up soon, so no slacking off. Final promotion exams factor in midterm scores for 30%? No use regretting it then."
Senia beamed at the students' loud "Yes!" response, then put on a slightly serious face.
"As you all know, today is Arthin from our class returning after his suspension ends—his first day attending. There are a lot of unfortunate rumors, but when I met him myself, he didn't seem like a bad kid. I hope our Class B students welcome him warmly."
When Arthin's name came up, the class mood froze a bit. Senia sighed inwardly.
But having promised to fully support Arthin's adjustment to school life, she was determined to make at least the kids in her class accept him.
"Come on in! Arthin!"
She hid her inner thoughts behind a gentle smile and turned toward Arthin waiting outside the door.
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"Arthin, when you go in, smile brightly at the kids and greet them, okay?"
"Teacher, I'm not a little kid..."
Right before entering the class, Teacher Senia had held my hand and begged me to mind even the smallest details.
'From the start, with that title's vibe, there's no way the mood will be good.'
Earning infamy among the academy students would happen naturally over time anyway.
To deal with the villains hiding throughout this school and resolve incidents, either the protagonist or I had to shoulder the notoriety.
In the original story, even after Kaiyen took down two Demon King Army executives and saved students, villainous slander, incitement, and the author's malicious plot twists meant almost no one liked him except a few.
Peeking through the classroom door window, thankfully the familiar faces were all still there.
If even the class roster had changed, a few plans could go awry, but it seemed things were proceeding as expected.
'First, I need to ask Kaiyen about me.'
Early in the semester, he always stuck close to Claire, one of the initial main heroines.
Why? He had no friends.
Right after the entrance ceremony, after knocking out Derek Conyac—who bullied Claire—Kaiyen was forcibly distanced from the other kids in class.
The only one who approached such a Kaiyen in the original was Jorba, but he wasn't the type to actively make friends, ending up like an isolated island in Class B.
"The problem is I've taken all the infamy from the start this time..."
If Kaiyen remembered me, he might approach first.
If not? He'd watch me with that usual blank face, like always.
'I'll gauge reactions during my intro when I enter.'
"Come on in, Arthin!"
At Teacher Senia's call, I opened the front door and strode in confidently.
Murmurs rippled through the class as I entered.
As expected, after making a huge scene using the 1st Arena, my status as a celebrity was set.
Well, it wasn't like catching the Demon King, so no big deal. Plus, I was confident I could steer this mood myself. No matter how harsh, could it be harsher than the church's sly foxes?
Ignoring it casually, I stood at the podium after Teacher Senia stepped aside slightly and scanned my classmates.
"Big Brother~! You're so cool!"
In the very back row, Shaomei was already waving before I even greeted, and next to her, Jorba watched me with arms crossed, as if appraising me.
Looking now, normally Jorba would wave back with his sleazy grin, but this time he just quietly observed.
'Jorba definitely doesn't remember.'
The villain candidates scattered around the class, eyeing me displeased or pretending not to, were in their familiar spots.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Arthin Ludwig from the kingdom."
And by the remote window seat, Claire staring at me with sparkling eyes for some reason,
next to her, the protagonist of this novel, Kaiyen Silversword, watching me with a stoic face.
"Lately, I've caused some noisy incidents due to personal issues with Rexton Wise. But starting today, my suspension is lifted, and I'll be with you all."
As I introduced myself to the class, my eyes fixed on Kaiyen.
How will you react, Kaiyen? Gonna keep that poker face?
"Since we'll be classmates from now on, I look forward to getting along with everyone."
I finished my intro in a strong voice, bowed lightly, and raised my head. The class was silent.
Then Shaomei poked Jorba's side, they clapped, and appropriate applause followed toward me.
The mood was still awkward, but my eloquent, powerful voice, refined tenor, and confident demeanor shifted the wary murmurs from moments ago.
The key was, next to Claire—who for some reason clapped as vigorously as Shaomei—Kaiyen still stared at me blankly.
'...Does he not remember me either?'
Just as I concluded it might only be women regaining memories—
I didn't miss Kaiyen's reaction in that instant.
"Okay, that's enough intro... How about sitting next to Shaomei, Arthin? ...Arthin?"
My hypothesis on regression memory—that among those deeply involved with me, only 'women' in a 'positive relationship' regained memories upon 'directly' seeing me—had crumbled thanks to Kaiyen's lip movements.
Indeed, Teacher Marianne had acted unusually friendly despite it being our first meeting upon seeing me directly. Jorba and Rexton's reactions half-confirmed men weren't involved.
And just now, that hypothesis shattered via Kaiyen's mouth shape.
Par . Tner .
The mouthing toward me was the partner nickname we'd set for each other in the 3rd cycle to get close.
'You... remember?'
Despite my startled gaze, Kaiyen smirked openly and gave a small wave.