Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Class A (2)
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Iliad Academy.
Among them, Class A was home to the most elite prospects in the continent's heartland, the ones dubbed with that title.
Kids blessed with talents that could touch the heavens, destined one day to shake the world with their names.
Han carefully pushed open the classroom door.
He hadn't gotten a proper night's sleep, his eyelids heavy.
It was all because of that strange energy he'd felt during the sparring match.
It tickled his body, urging him to pick up a sword, and he had no choice but to follow that instinct.
But now, with sleep pressing in, he couldn't help thinking he should've ignored it and just rested.
Han yawned silently as he scanned the classroom interior.
A few students were already seated inside.
Han took a seat as quietly as possible.
Next to him sat a girl with a doll-like face.
'Agnes... was it?'
The magic and swordplay he'd seen at the exam grounds, blocking the instructor's attacks multiple times.
Even without aura in the instructor's strikes, the fact that she'd blocked them repeatedly drew eyes.
In a normal Iliad Academy freshman class, she could've vied for top spot.
However.
"Nice to meet you all...."
All eyes in the classroom turned to her.
The monster considered closest to topping the academy's freshmen intake.
She flinched under the attention and quickly took any empty seat.
It was only natural that gazes converged on Adel, who'd pulled off the stunt of grabbing the instructor's sword during the test, but she clearly couldn't help feeling shy about it.
Students trickled in one by one, and Deron still hadn't appeared by the time the professor finally entered.
"Attention, everyone."
Whether it was magic or not, the professor's amplified voice filled the room.
The professor gave a brief self-introduction.
A 6th-circle mage who'd been at the academy for over a decade.
And a senior to these students.
The professor looked over his juniors and said,
"We don't usually bother with roll call, but since it's the first class...."
The professor slowly scanned the room, calling names.
Han, Agnes, Sophia, Adel.
And Deron.
"Deron? Deron Phillasia? You're not skipping the very first class, are you?"
"I'm here, Professor."
The voice came from the main door.
Han, who'd been pulling out his notebook; Sophia, peering out the window.
Even Adel, who'd been spinning her pencil idly.
All eyes turned to Deron.
And Deron bowed toward the professor.
"My apologies. I wasn't feeling well."
"No, no, it's fine. Class hasn't even started yet."
The professor waved off Deron's apology.
Only once the professor accepted it did Deron straighten his bowed posture fully.
Clack.
The moment Deron stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
An otherworldly handsome face that naturally drew gazes. Footsteps imposing enough to call intimidating.
A refinement that seemed to embody every ounce of noble etiquette and poise.
His features held not arrogance, but dignity.
If not for the blood staining his lips and the slight wobble in his steps, no one would've believed he was an invalid.
Deron scanned the seats before fixing his gaze on one spot.
Han couldn't make out what he was saying, but it looked like he was muttering something toward him.
Deron staggered slightly as he approached the seat beside Han.
"Is this spot free, by any chance?"
He asked, looking down at him.
Meeting Deron's bloodshot eyes, Han nodded without thinking.
'Damn...!'
He'd been unconsciously cowed by Deron's presence.
It was impossible to believe they were fellow students—this brutish, ferocious aura.
Han broke out in cold sweat.
Deron, meanwhile, sat down with apparent satisfaction.
Basking in everyone's stares, his icy expression unchanged.
And what Han observed over the next 80 minutes was Deron listening to the lecture without his posture slipping even once.
**
"Fuck."
I'm screwed.
That's the conclusion I reached after much deliberation.
The first class at Iliad Academy is crucial.
It's easy to chat with other students, gauge first impressions, and above all, build ties with the main cast.
But right now, I'm outside the classroom.
"Cough!"
Vomiting blood.
This damn body of mine can't handle stairs.
My lifespan's extended, but it still freaks out over something like stairs.
I knew nothing about this terminally ill condition, but puking blood nonstop when my days were numbered anyway was straight-up horrific.
Still, once I threw up once, it wouldn't come again for a while.
So I climbed the stairs.
Wonder if I'll be late if I head in now.
Sighing heavily, I entered the classroom and drew all eyes.
...Right as the professor was calling my name, naturally.
I apologized for being late to the first class and looked around the room.
According to the novel, he should be in Class A....
"Found you."
My pocket... no, the protagonist.
The hero, Lee Han.
The protagonist of Became the Academy Hero.
This time, no massacre route—I'll make damn sure he lives.
I cautiously asked permission and took the seat next to Han.
Next to the protagonist? Off to a good start.
The professor tentatively began the lesson.
But I didn't need to listen.
Even if Iliad Academy was the continent's best, I'd already seen it all once in the novel.
...Grades don't matter anyway.
Pretend to listen and that's that.
I jotted notes like I was paying attention while checking out the main cast.
Protagonist: Lee Han.
Heroine 1: Adel (Rebecca von Katrell, Saintess)
Heroine 2: Erina Philstein, Sword Saint
Heroine 3: Agnes Bayern, Magic Swordsman.
Heroine 4: Sophia, Archmage.
And Heroine 5, who hasn't shown up yet.
'On paper, it'd be a total harem party.'
I rolled the pencil in my hand.
Now wasn't the time for notes; I needed to organize info.
One perk of transmigrating into this novel: instead of pencils, we use mana pens. No snapping mid-use annoyance.
'Oh right, Agnes.'
The one who gets second strongest after Lee Han in this story.
I carefully turned to glance at Agnes.
True to the novel's description, she had an icy expression while copying down the lecture.
Magic Swordsman.
Common view was they were half-assed jacks-of-all-trades with magic and sword.
Agnes shattered that notion.
That was why I aimed to wield both magic and sword myself.
Talent. Offer overwhelming talent, and magic swordsman was the ultimate path.
The scene of her sweeping demon armies with 5th-circle magic fused with aura was still etched in my memory as a highlight.
Stunning looks, too.
Thinking about it, Petra could hold her own against the heroines.
I'd considered chasing after her once she left, to hunt whoever emanated that killing intent.
But I dropped it—my body's condition was off.
Plus, 'that event' was coming up soon.
I needed to conserve lifespan as much as possible.
'Grab any opportunities available at this point, too.'
Whether for the protagonist or his heroines.
Or even the villainous fodder.
All those fateful encounters would go straight into my mouth.
Why?
Because I need to live, too.
Lifespan's already down to 118 days.
Black Dragon's Mana, inner core fragments—whatever, I needed spiritual medicines ASAP.
'After class, swing by quick.'
**
The class dragged on ridiculously long.
80 minutes of pointless lecture.
I never pulled this crap in college.
And fighting off sleep thanks to this cursed body made it even tougher.
I packed up my stuff... oh wait, no stuff.
Petra said not to carry anything that'd strain my body.
So I just had my lightweight-enchanted magic sword on me.
I stood and headed for the door.
Pop some spiritual meds, pull a bit of lifespan, and I'd feel better.
It'd worked when I ate that Black Dragon inner core fragment and gained 200 days.
"Deron."
As I was about to exit, someone called me.
I turned to find the voice's owner.
Reminding myself in my head to use proper noble speech.
"What is it?"
"I'd like to have a word with you."
Agnes Bayern.
The future magic swordsman.
Her wanting to talk to me?
I pondered briefly before asking why.
"It's a bit embarrassing to discuss here. Could we move somewhere else?"
I recalled Agnes's character traits.
Knightly, noble, aloof as an ice block—doesn't mingle easily.
And her secret no one knew: She hates to lose.
Win-at-all-costs competitive spirit—even learning from enemies if needed.
Erina had diligence; Agnes had passion.
For studies, magic, swordplay.
That's why she ranked second academy-wide in the original.
Of course, first was the protagonist.
Agnes approached the top-ranked protagonist to ask him to be her sparring partner.
...Surely she won't do that to me, too.
No, it's plenty possible.
Right now, I'm one of the two who took down the instructor alongside Adel.
I secretly hoped not, but accepted her proposal anyway.
Rejecting would've made building a connection with her way harder later.
"Then lead the way."
Agnes guided me to the training grounds.
My hunch is wrong, right?
No way, no way.
"Please take a look at my sword."
"What?"