Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Rejected
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Winter had retreated, and full-blown spring had arrived.
The place I stood was Neivil, the academy city built atop the northeastern plains of the imperial capital, Luft.
Neivil was where all the educational infrastructure for the academies converged. This city, grown around Luidel Academy at its center, was a cradle of learning where the empire's talents gathered.
Workshops, Erandar Church, shops and restaurants, libraries, dormitories, training grounds, leisure facilities—every amenity for students was diverse and abundant.
If one had to pick a symbol of Neivil, it was undoubtedly the central station of the empire-spanning Christoph train line.
The protagonist Aren also started his story by riding the Christoph to arrive here.
The upcoming scenarios would involve traveling to other imperial cities via the Christoph under the pretext of dungeon training.
Thus, it wasn't an exaggeration to say Neivil was the stage for most of End Academy's scenarios.
In that sense, receiving a mansion in Neivil was a stroke of good fortune.
Except it wasn't fully completed yet.
“……?”
I was staring at a barren plot where construction had halted after barely raising the walls.
When was it that I conquered the beast dungeon?
Not even a month ago.
Given this state, how long would it take to finish?
Come to think of it, I heard there was a prize money payout, but I hadn't received any.
All that was left was a pittance of a soldier's stipend. And after years of what amounted to passion pay, even that was pocket change.
Why had things turned into this mess?
I had a rough idea.
Right. Promotion, title, mansion, prize money.
It all seemed too generous.
Some noble faction member must have hated seeing a commoner climb the ranks and pulled strings to sabotage it midway.
“Haa.”
A sigh escaped me naturally.
I'd already checked out of the barracks, and discharge procedures were complete.
If I'd known, I would've applied for a dormitory instead.
‘Guess I’ll have to figure out where to sleep for a while.’
Worst case, I might end up camping on campus.
But frustration wouldn't change anything.
‘It’ll work out somehow.’
I turned my heavy steps toward Luidel Academy.
Luidel Academy was about a twenty-minute walk from the mansion I'd received, roughly ten blocks away.
Arriving at the main gate, the first thing that caught my eye was the stone gate emblazoned with the golden sun emblem.
Beneath it stood the imposing statue of the founding emperor, Cyrus, gazing down at the people with sword raised.
Students passed the statue without a second glance.
Some even offered prayers toward it.
Later, in a scenario where the church launches an assault, that statue would animate and turn hostile.
‘Smashing it now would get me in hot water.’
Blasphemy, they'd cry.
In the end, I ignored it and followed the students into the building.
As of today, my official status was Haribal Belder of Luidel Academy's first-year Scout Team A Class.
Heading to the classroom at the end of the second-floor corridor, I mentally sorted out my upcoming schedule.
I was familiar with the raid team route Aren belonged to, but the scout team side was less certain.
All I knew was that the homeroom instructor was a man named Callux, infamous for being a strict grader.
I'd used him once as a guest later on, and as an A-Class instructor, his performance was surprisingly solid, as I recalled.
Even so, since scout and support teams would merge for the class evaluation later, it would likely follow a route similar to the original.
That meant the first day would feature 'Follower' selection.
The long-awaited party member choice.
Follower selection was the first main event in End Academy.
It was an event to choose a partner for a month-long dungeon training, forming a one-month companionship contract with the selected party member to build bonds.
Here, players not only gained a new companion but could also develop relationships with the chosen partner as the protagonist Aren.
Depending on the choice, it added points toward certain heroines available in the ending.
Originally, I planned to pick a decent mage student from the scout team as my follower.
Since I had a high chance of tackling the doll dungeon myself.
The boss of the Doll Dungeon was the twin dolls [Roze and Lirian].
They had a gimmick where defeating one would resurrect the other after a set time.
Thus, it was best to down one quickly and then rush the other. Roze had weak physical defense, while Lirian had weak magic defense.
In other words, physical DPS on Roze, magic DPS on Lirian.
But unfortunately, the game's two core magic DPS characters had ended up in the scout team.
‘The options are Cecilia or Luna.’
Might as well enjoy it since things had come to this.
I'd confirmed it sparring with Senia.
This build was all-in on physical DPS.
I could handle physical DPS myself, so no need for Senia too. Only two left.
Cecilia was a familiar face, which was comfortable.
But purely on performance, hybrid-type Luna was overwhelmingly appealing.
The problem was Luna's behavior was far too suspicious.
The other students had merely shifted actions due to my butterfly effect.
But Luna? I couldn't predict her motives at all.
If we'd fought in the entrance exam, I'd have lost for sure. Maybe Victor had placed her last on purpose.
Yet in that situation, Luna forfeited the exam. And a character who should have been in the raid team had slipped into the scouts.
Above all, Luna alone having favorability level 3 made no sense.
A few days ago, out of curiosity, I'd checked Senia and Cecilia's favorability toward Renee.
[Senia Ren]
[Favorability Level: 2]
[Cecilia Ren]
[Favorability Level: 2]
Even these two, after prolonged interactions, were only at level 2.
For reference, Elia's was 0.
Level 2 was already quite high.
But Luna?
Without ever speaking, level 3.
So my choice was Luna. Talking to her directly might reveal something.
Crossing the classroom threshold, the eyes of the already-seated students turned to me in unison.
But I was getting used to it now.
In a few days, these stares would fade.
Among them, the Ren sisters and Luna's stood out especially.
“Come on in.”
“You're later than I expected?”
The Ren sisters sat side by side in the front row, inexplicably leaving the middle seat empty as if waiting for me.
‘Are they insane?’
First class, front row.
Sandwiched between two girls.
The academy's most spotlighted twin beauties, no less?
No thanks. Rejected.
Wasn't the classroom rule the back row? I gave them a light nod and headed straight to the rear.
Senia laughed it off with an ahaha, but Cecilia glared at me with clear displeasure.
What do you want me to do? It's not like you can force me.
Settling into my seat, the clock struck nine.
The bustling classroom quieted. The first class was about to begin.
I watched the door, waiting for Instructor Callux, desperately recalling his profile in my head.
Glasses, strict... Was that all?
Maybe nothing else.
But the one who appeared from beyond the door was someone I never expected.
No, I knew even before the door opened. Radiant sunlight leaked through from the other side.
“Attention.”
Golden hair and eyes.
And a voice I knew better than anyone's.
“As of today, I am Adelin Windsor, taking charge of Luidel Academy Scout Team A Class and serving as your swordsmanship instructor.”
Why was Sis there?
She'd clearly told me she turned down the instructor position.
I'd gone all out in the entrance exam for her sake too, but getting backstabbed like this?
As Adelin's eyes scanned the students, the room erupted in chatter.
Most gazes held awe and respect.
It was natural. She was the Empire's Greatest Sword. A name even strangers knew.
If fighting without her Abyss Core, few in the empire—maybe three at most—could confidently claim to be stronger.
Adelin brushed off the heated stares with practiced ease.
That aside.
‘Shouldn't it be the raid team? Why scouts?’
In the original, Adelin was in charge of the raid team.
With highest prestige, it made sense for Luidel's board to assign her there.
As if reading my doubts, Adelin smiled softly and continued.
“For reference, I was originally assigned to the raid team, but I pulled strings to switch to scouts. I heard this year's scout team has exceptional talents.”
She glanced my way with a smile.
Knowledge I never wanted just increased.
“That too, but some of you might know: I'm originally from the scout team. Better to lead the familiar scouts than take on raid for the first time.”
Adelin spoke with a cheerful laugh, then narrowed her eyes.
“So don't think you'll lose to the raid or support teams in the upcoming class evaluation—not on my watch. Got it?”
Her declaration sparked anticipation and excitement among the students.
“No way... Lady Adelin herself guiding the scouts? This isn't a dream, right?”
“I knew choosing scouts was the right call!”
“Don't underestimate Scout Team discipline!”
I smirked inwardly.
‘We’ll see...’
Adelin's training style was beatdowns.
Original or reality, that much was the same.
The original raid team endured it, but could these guys?
“Alright, alright.”
Adelin clapped to calm the room.
After light student introductions, she stepped to the blackboard and picked up chalk.
“We'll start with Luidel's official curriculum. More details later, got it?”
The words on the board: Follower Selection.
As expected.
Some students tilted heads and whispered. Many seemed unfamiliar with "follower."
“As you know, Luidel Academy was made to conquer the Demon God's Dungeons. But you can't conquer dungeons alone, right?”
At that, some glanced at me.
With looks saying, Didn't that guy do it solo?
Not wrong, but not entirely. "Alone" meant frontline only.
I conquered the beast dungeon thanks to support from behind.
Without Mina's heals, I'd have died multiple times.
“So Luidel always starts by choosing your most trusted comrade. In my case, that bond became my adjutant.”
Crus's story.
“For the next month, you'll train with your chosen partner—for dungeon practice, practicals, spars, everything. That's Follower Selection.”
Adelin glanced at the entrance exam evaluations she'd brought in.
“You'll pick followers in order of entrance exam scores. The target can accept or refuse. Refuse, and your pick order drops to the back, waiting for others.”
Of course, most wouldn't refuse.
No reason to turn down a top-scorer with priority.
Follower choice directly impacted all scores for the month.
No one wanted to be pushed back and stuck with a weak link.
But I wasn't thrilled. I hadn't taken the exam like the others.
My score ranking was unknown.
The problem: My targets Cecilia and Luna were top prizes.
If I ranked last, missed them, and lost the mage too, my plans would derail instantly.
“Alright, starting with top priority.”
Then Adelin's eyes turned to me.
“Total score: 85 points. Cadet Haribal Belder.”
Luckily, needless worry.
Whatever the criteria, priority was mine.
Students seemed accepting. Many had been eliminated by my "Understood?", so they got it.
“Cadet Haribal?”
Adelin grinned playfully.
“Pick a student here as your follower? You can even choose me, your instructor. Though I can't guarantee your grades then.”
Honestly, tempting.
‘Pick Adelin and bulldoze to the fourth dungeon.’
Alluring, but I resisted desperately.
Stick to plan: Cecilia and Luna.
I looked at them in turn.
Cecilia blushed under my gaze.
But regrettably, not her this time.
Cecilia wasn't a completed magic DPS yet. Even with White Shards wrapped, full efficiency was far off.
So the conclusion was set from the start.
“I choose Luna Grace as my follower.”
Nods rippled through the room.
Grace Family's only daughter, genius mage. Picking Luna was utterly rational.
Except for Senia and Cecilia. They shot me incredulous looks.
But what could they do.
If it irked them, bring their own magic DPS.
I quietly approached Luna, awaiting her answer.
And Luna spoke.
“I-I refuse...”
“?”
Rejected.