Chapter 10
Chapter 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Entrance Ceremony, Part 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
At first, I glanced over, wondering what on earth she was talking about.
“What?”
“Are you deaf? I asked why you're sitting next to me. There are plenty of other seats.”
Before I could answer her sharp, biting tone, I found myself blinking.
The hair color that came into view was quite unusual.
*...Pink?*
And in pigtails, no less.
The distinctive hairstyle was the first thing I noticed, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Because... I knew this girl.
Even though this was definitely the first time I'd ever seen her. Ironically, I knew who she was.
*Luna Vermont.*
One of the heroines connected to Leonhardt, the protagonist of this novel's world. And among them, she was the one with the worst personality.
Her hairstyle was so striking that her identity came to me instantly.
The novel even emphasized how eye-catching it was. There was no way anyone other than Luna would have hair like this.
“Hey! Are you even listening to me?”
As she spoke again, her voice laced with venom, I was dumbfounded.
“Are these assigned seats or something? What business is it of yours where I sit? Can't you see we're in the same C1 class?”
“It matters because it bothers me! I can't stand having to be in the same place as a commoner like you.”
As the sharp retorts flew back and forth, a laugh escaped my lips.
She was talking nonsense, especially since she was also assigned to the C1 class.
Nevertheless, as the eyes of those around us gradually focused on our commotion, I decided I couldn't get into a fight on the first day of the entrance ceremony and stood up.
“Fine. I'll be the bigger person and move.”
“...What? Did you just say what I think you said!?”
As Luna shouted loud enough to make my ears ring, I simply met her gaze with a calm expression.
“...”
“...”
Our eyes met, and Luna flinched for a moment, but I just kept looking.
My impression had always been one that could change quite drastically depending on my mood.
I'd been told more than once that I looked intimidating when I stared at people with a blank expression.
In pointless disputes, I sometimes found it better to just meet their eyes rather than argue.
A person's impression can leave a much stronger mark than one might think.
“It's the entrance ceremony. Let's not get worked up.”
Relaxing my expression, I said the words lightly and turned away.
I moved a short distance away. Since the auditorium was so spacious, even a small shift created more distance than I expected.
“Hah. This is why commoners are just... hopeless.”
Even as I heard Luna scoff and mutter, I didn't even spare her a glance.
A character who was the epitome of headstrong and arrogant.
—Luna Vermont.
But right now, I was more curious about why she was in the same C-class as me.
*From what I remember, Luna was supposed to be in B3, or a class around that level.*
Her involvement with Leonhardt was supposed to happen much later. I recalled that they only got entangled when her trait began to show its true potential, around the time she moved up to A-class.
Luna's trait was Rare-grade, but it had something that made it seem to transcend its rank.
She possessed a trait that didn't match her fierce personality in the slightest. At first, no one recognized its true value.
[Battle Cure]
Healing traits are highly valued everywhere. After all, mending someone is far more difficult than harming them.
However, Luna's 'Battle Cure' had a peculiar aspect to it.
She could heal someone for the same amount of damage she herself had inflicted. It was what you'd call 'conditional healing'.
And no one at the academy knew this yet, not even Luna herself.
As I was organizing my thoughts, it suddenly hit me.
*Wait. Come to think of it, should I be trying to get close to Luna?*
She'd been nasty to me from the very first word, so I'd shot back with the same coldness.
But if I really thought about it... Luna's ability was anything but ordinary.
Later in the story, she plays a huge role with her outstanding healing, sticking to the protagonist almost like a necessity.
“...Hah.”
Had I let my emotions lead me to a poor decision? A small sigh escaped me as I turned my head again.
For some reason, my eyes met Luna's.
“Hmph!”
She looked at me, startled for a moment, before immediately scoffing and turning her head away. I couldn't help but find it ridiculous.
But more than that, I didn't understand.
*Why was she looking at me?*
I couldn't think of any reason.
Slowly, people began to fill the seats one by one.
“Excuse me, coming through.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
As I watched the arriving students find their places, my gaze flickered over to Luna.
*I wonder who could possibly sit next to someone with a personality as foul as Luna's.*
Right now, that was all I was curious about.
Just as I expected, the commotion around Luna continued.
“Go away.”
“...What did you say?”
“I said, go away!”
Whenever someone tried to sit near her, Luna would find some ridiculous fault and prevent them from sitting down, forcing people to leave an empty seat between them and her.
The people she pushed away and those watching nearby all wore uncomfortable expressions, but Luna remained perfectly unabashed.
*Being that shameless is a talent in itself. Seriously.*
While marveling inwardly, I wondered if Luna was trying to isolate herself on purpose.
Even if the academy was ability-oriented, if she treated everyone with such hostility, it was only natural that the entire class would shun her.
Just then.
“Luna~”
A woman with a black bob approached Luna with a cheerful voice, and I couldn't help but be a little surprised.
“Millia! What took you so long!?”
“Sorry, Luna, am I really late? My mother kept insisting I try on better accessories, so I got held up.”
“Anyway, sit right here. Do you have any idea how awkward it was waiting for you?”
As the usually abrasive Luna spoke in a soft, whining tone, the woman called Millia smiled and sat down right next to her.
They immediately began a lively conversation. For a moment, I felt like my brain couldn't keep up.
The woman sitting next to Luna.
The black bob, the mischievous impression, and above all, the name 'Millia'.
*She's in C-class too?*
Like Luna, this was the first time I'd seen her, but she was another person I already knew.
She was a minor character from B-class, known for being Luna's best friend. And because Luna cherished her so dearly, Millia appeared quite often.
I couldn't have identified her by appearance from the novel's description, but perhaps due to some 'main character's friend' effect, she was quite cute with her black bob.
And then, it suddenly clicked. I understood why Luna was in C-class.
Looking at Luna alone, there was no way she should have been in C-class.
With her family being the County of Vermont and her Rare-grade trait, she should have been placed in B-class under normal circumstances.
The reason she was in C-class despite all that...
Considering Luna's personality, she would have voluntarily come down to C-class even if her scores were good enough for B-class.
*If her best friend Millia was placed in C-class...*
That had to be it. Luna was the kind of girl who would proudly declare she came to the academy just for Millia. She was the type to bet her whole life on a friend, not just follow them blindly.
After that, the seats filled up without any further commotion. The entrance ceremony seemed ready to begin.
Besides C-class, most of the other classes were already filled with students, and the brilliant lights illuminating the auditorium began to dim.
That meant the speeches were about to start.
As the lights focused solely on the stage at the front of the auditorium, a person of distinguished age stepped onto the dais, creating a solemn atmosphere.
“First, let me say that it is an honor to see for the first time the many students who will lead the Empire to its boundless glory and future. For those of you seeing me for the first time, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Roswald Debellon, and I am the headmaster of the Central Grand Royal Academy. This year, we have even more special students who will brighten the Empire's future...”
As the headmaster continued speaking in a calm and considerate tone, looking over the students, I started scanning the people around me, only half-listening.
Right from the start, I'd run into Luna and Millia.
I had already met characters who could be considered main or major supporting roles.
I looked around to see if there were any other important figures nearby, but no one stood out.
Everyone had various hair colors and unique appearances, but none seemed to possess the characteristics that matched the main or supporting characters I'd read about in the novel.
*Then again, it's unlikely for a character of that caliber to be in C-class.*
Deciding there was no one else of note in C-class, I shifted my gaze to the B-class section, seated a short distance away.
“And now, this year's top student from the entrance exam! The student representative, Leonhardt Rorient!”
The headmaster's sudden announcement made me turn my head blankly toward the dais.
Thud.
Thud.
The sound of steady footsteps echoed softly through the silent auditorium.
A tall, blond man slowly ascended the dais to face the headmaster.
The white and gold uniform symbolizing A-class was impressive, but only for a moment.
My eyes were fixed on the man's figure.
*That man is...*
The protagonist of this world.
The protagonist of Grand Royal Academy.
—Leonhardt Rorient.
He was standing on the dais right now.
“Leonhardt Rorient. It is an honor to stand before you, Headmaster, as the top student of the entrance exam.”
“The honor is mine, Student Leonhardt. Now, in accordance with academy tradition, we will begin with a congratulatory address from Student Leonhardt, who achieved the top score on the entrance exam.”
As their voices rang through the auditorium, I found myself staring blankly, even though I knew all of this would happen.
How I would spend my days at the academy was important, of course. But I couldn't deny that my future also depended on Leonhardt.
*No, it's more accurate to say the future of this world rests on his shoulders.*
No matter what happens, Leonhardt must survive. He must overcome all the trials and tribulations this world throws at him.
“Wow. He's so handsome.”
“I know, right? He's gorgeous.”
“Is that this year's top student?”
“I heard he has a Legendary-grade trait.”
As all sorts of comments began to bubble up from the previously quiet and solemn students, a small smile touched my lips.
*Well, that's a protagonist for you.*
I'm not the protagonist of this world, after all.
I could feel the stark difference in the level of attention he commanded.
As I watched Leonhardt read his speech, I sensed that his gaze was directed somewhere specific.
Gently following his line of sight, I was startled.
*Glacia?*
In the original story, there was no way he could have been in the same class as Glacia. But right now, Leonhardt seemed to be looking right where she was.
It was as if they'd already met; even while continuing his speech, Leonhardt was staring intently at Glacia.
And as for Glacia...
“Huh?”
Why is she looking at me?