Chapter 10: The Emperor 3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: The Emperor 3
Since dwelling on Clara wouldn't change a thing, I decided to change the subject.
Family matters were best settled among family, after all. However, if things looked like they were heading toward a worst-case scenario, I wouldn't hesitate to intervene.
"Did you have another reason for summoning me? I assume this wasn't just a social call."
While it was true that Joden sincerely viewed me as his savior, a simple greeting could have waited until I officially started attending the Academy a week from now.
As the Student Council President, he surely knew the entrance exams were held today. Would Joden really summon me just to say hello, knowing I’d just survived those grueling tests? Not a chance.
"How would you feel about joining the Student Council?"
"The Student Council?"
I couldn't help but be surprised. It wasn't because I’d never been part of one before; back when I played Croaka, I had joined a few times.
In Croaka, joining the Student Council isn't difficult. You can get in as long as you score above a certain threshold on the exams. But that was only because the character I played back then was Lucas.
"But I’m a commoner, aren't I?"
This was the real reason for my surprise. As far as I knew, every single member of the current Student Council was a noble.
In fact, never in the Academy's history had a commoner joined their ranks. This wasn't necessarily due to blatant discrimination, either.
For nobles, the Student Council was a dream-like institution where they could build connections with the high-ranking aristocracy. For a commoner, however, it was a ticking time bomb—a place crawling with the most powerful young blue-bloods in the land.
"Being a commoner doesn't matter. What matters is ability and whether you can keep the other students in line."
That was the second reason commoners avoided the Student Council.
No matter how much the Academy preached the principle of equality, the moment you stepped outside, a noble was a noble and a commoner was a commoner.
How many commoners could actually command such nobles?
And how many nobles would actually follow them?
"Other commoners are too afraid of the nobility to join, but surely it is different for my savior?"
This man knew full well that I wasn't afraid of titles.
"Furthermore, joining the Student Council comes with many benefits. No student would dare look down on you for your status, either."
As Joden said, it was an attractive offer. They provided scholarships, and it allowed for active involvement in Academy affairs.
"It certainly sounds convenient, but I must refuse!"
However, to achieve my goals, I couldn't be tied down by the Student Council.
"Is that so? Then it can't be helped."
Joden gave up faster than I expected. Now I actually felt a little disappointed.
"Aren't you giving up a bit too quickly? You could have at least tried to persuade me one more time. I'm hurt!"
"Once my savior has made up his mind, would anything I say change it? I'm sure you have your reasons."
Perhaps because he was used to dealing with eccentrics, he didn't let himself get swept up in my pace.
"Still, if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, do not hesitate to ask for help. The Adelian family does not forget its debts."
"Haha, that's very reassuring. I'll be sure to impose on you if things get tough."
The name of the Adelian Ducal Family carried immense weight.
Joden’s words meant that if anything happened to me, the entire Adelian family would have my back.
"Well then, I'll be going now. Next time we meet, please treat me more casually. We're schoolmates now, aren't we?"
"I shall consider it."
With that, I left the Student Council Room. Now, it was time to head to the inn for real.
According to Croaka, the soup served there was cheap and delicious, and I’d been dying to try it.
♪♪♬♬♬♪♪♪♪
"Hmm-hmmm~ I’m the most marvelous clown in all the world~~."
I hummed a tune as I strolled through the Academy grounds. I could feel the students' eyes on me as I sang. It couldn't be helped; a handsome guy who could also sing was bound to draw attention.
As I walked, I spotted a very welcome face.
"Senior Johanna~~~!"
Beautiful platinum blonde hair and those slightly vacant blue eyes. My favorite character, Johanna Freya.
I called out to her loudly and ran over. Hearing her name, she turned toward me.
"Senior Johanna, what are you doing here? Don't tell me you were waiting for me?"
Of course, that wasn't likely. She was probably out for a breath of fresh air or on duty for the Disciplinary Committee. However, her response left me in shock.
"I was."
"Huh? Really? You were waiting for me?"
Waiting for me? Why? I hadn't even done anything to get flagged by the Disciplinary Committee yet.
"I watched the exam."
I wasn't particularly curious about how Johanna had watched the exam. The game had already mentioned that club representatives monitored the tests.
"I was worried the recording wouldn't be able to capture the full glory of my handsome face."
Could that be it?
"Ah! Don't tell me you were waiting for me just to get a proper look at my face?"
"That's not it."
Johanna denied it with a rare, dead-serious expression. Ouch. You didn't have to be that blunt!
"Then why were you waiting for me?"
If it wasn't for my face, I had no clue.
"I saw you fight."
"Hehe, I did fight quite well, didn't I? How was it? Was I cool? Did you fall for me?"
I expected another denial, but contrary to my expectations, the corners of her mouth lifted into a very slight smile.
"It was amazing."
Though her expression flattened immediately after, this was the second time I’d seen her smile. My heart throbbed. This girl, who had never smiled once in the game, had smiled because of me.
"...Ah! Senior, you smiled again!"
To hide my fluttering heart, I spoke even louder on purpose. Johanna touched the corners of her mouth as if she couldn't believe it herself.
"I didn't smile."
"Your expression went back to normal right away, but I'm certain. I saw it clearly with my own two eyes."
"I did?"
Johanna forced a smile, as if trying to remember how she had done it. She was beautiful even when forcing it, but that natural smile from a moment ago was several times prettier.
She looked genuinely confused. I reached out and gently took the hand she was using to poke at her cheek.
"You can learn to smile slowly; there's nothing to worry about. I'll stay by your side and keep making you laugh."
Johanna looked at me intently with her characteristic blank eyes, seemingly startled by my words.
"A special person."
'Being an "odd person" is fine, but I'd prefer it if you remembered me as a "special person."'
I felt embarrassed that Johanna hadn't forgotten what I’d said earlier, so I quickly changed the subject.
I was glad I was wearing a mask. At least she couldn't see how red my face was.
"Senior Johanna, there's something I'm curious about."
I created an illusionary doppelganger that looked exactly like me.
""Which one do you think is the real one?""
Johanna had previously said that the butterflies I made with illusions felt unnatural. I figured even she wouldn't be able to tell the doppelganger apart. This was the skill I was most confident in.
"Hmm."
She stared intently at me and the doppelganger with her piercing blue eyes. There was no way she could get this right.
After staring for a full minute, Johanna pointed a finger.
"You are the real one."
She was pointing right at me.
"Uh... Senior, how did you know?"
I was stunned. I was so confident she wouldn't be able to tell. But her next words wiped all other thoughts from my mind.
"This one... looks more special."
In what way? To my eyes, both looked identical. There was absolutely nothing that made one look more "special" than the other.
While I was reeling in confusion, she launched a surprise attack.
"Do you want to join the Disciplinary Committee?"
Because the question was so sudden, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"No thanks."
At my immediate refusal, Johanna turned and walked away as if she were running.
Ah, she's sulking.
"Senior~! That's not what I meant!"
After that, I spent a good while explaining the forty-three reasons why I couldn't join the Disciplinary Committee.
* * *
It was on my way to the inn after finally finishing my explanation to Johanna.
So much had happened today.
I’d played with a little girl and met Johanna. I went to the Academy with her and teamed up with the main characters I’d only seen in Croaka to take down a Golem. I talked with Joden for the first time in a while, and finally, I talked with Johanna again.
"Come to think of it, the day started with her and ended with her, too."
Starting and ending the day with Johanna—could anyone be happier than me?
Plus, I got to see her smile twice. I felt like nothing that happened today could possibly surprise me more than that.
Or so I thought.
Until I was kidnapped.
* * *
I had lost consciousness, but a voice brought me snapping back to reality. It was a voice that felt like it was being driven directly into my brain.
"I didn't want to bring you here this way, but there might have been prying eyes, you see."
If Croaka 0 were ever released, this man would undoubtedly be the protagonist.
The man who, despite being illegitimate, climbed to the very pinnacle of the Empire through sheer strength.
The Emperor. He was looking down at me.
My hands trembled slightly, like prey standing before a predator.
Even my poker face couldn't stop the shaking.
"I'll ask you directly. Where did you learn Shadow Step?"