Is This Even a Class?
Instructor Scarlet Redfield let out a booming laugh from the command post erected on the mountain plateau. "Five out of eight in the Special Class passed... My predictions weren't just off—they were completely demolished."
She had been prepared to run them ragged in the mountains for a full week. Instead, they had reached the destination in a single day—barely a few hours, in fact. It was undeniably a miscalculation, but a delightful one.
Leaning on her greatsword like a cane, Redfield scanned the five students standing before her with eyes full of amusement. "Kim Eun-ha, Lucas Arthur, Lane Arthur, Liu Yen, and finally Namgung Min."
"Yes, ma'am!" the five chorused.
"I have plenty of questions, but let's narrow it down to one." Her expression was a perfect blend of genuine delight and utter disbelief as she fixed her gaze on Liu Yen. "Liu Yen."
"Yes."
"Do you... logically think a jeep was permissible?"
"......"
She's really going to nitpick that? On second thought, it was a perfectly reasonable question. But still—couldn't a girl have some wiggle room?
"If I'm not mistaken, that jeep is an artifact you pulled out, Liu Yen."
"...That is correct."
"Why not just summon a private jet? You could've flown straight here and ignored all the obstacles."
Huh. She has a point. I hadn't considered that. ...Though come to think of it, if we'd flown, we would've missed all the arrow-shaped hints. The jeep really was the right choice.
I glanced at Liu Yen standing beside me with an approving look, only for her to flinch as if she'd seen something horrifying before whipping her head away. She'd been acting strangely in the car earlier too—her moods seemed to swing wildly.
"Ahem. Namgung Min?"
"Ah, yes, Instructor."
"Judging by Liu Yen's reaction, I assume the jeep idea came from you."
"Correct!"
"...I'll ask the same thing I asked her. Do you honestly believe a jeep was allowed?"
"Of course."
Why were Liu Yen, Kim Eun-ha, and the Arthur siblings staring at me like I was some kind of eldritch horror? They'd ridden in it too. What was their problem?
Instructor Redfield seemed momentarily speechless at my confident reply, but she quickly recovered and looked at me with the same skeptical expression.
"Your reasoning?"
"There are three points."
"Three whole points, you say? Let's hear them."
If she wanted an explanation, I'd give her one.
"First, it wasn't prohibited."
"Meaning?"
"You only told us to reach the destination. You never established any rules, restrictions, or prohibitions regarding the method."
"That's true, but a jeep is hardly within the bounds of common sense, is it?"
She wasn't wrong. Though it was a bit rich for the academy to be lecturing anyone about common sense.
"If you were going to hold us to that standard, Lily White-Rose wouldn't be here as our senior."
"......"
"You also never mentioned this was an individual trial rather than a team exercise."
"...Oh-ho."
At first her expression had said What nonsense is this? but my follow-up seemed to spark her interest. She nodded slowly. That nod probably meant I could keep talking.
"While driving up, we saw the obstacles. Artificial monsters clearly stronger than us, hidden seniors, high-level magic barriers, and traps everywhere."
"All perfectly reasonable trials for the Special Class."
"They would have been, if their placement had been reasonable."
The artificial monsters—each strong enough to require a Hero or princess to defeat one-on-one—had been camouflaged in trees and bushes. The seniors had buried themselves underground for ambushes. Even in a fair fight our odds were slim, but surprise attacks? Against far superior numbers? That wasn't education. That was just cruelty.
"I counted them on the way up. Twenty-four artificial monsters, seven seniors including Lily White-Rose, thirty-one magic barriers, and fifty-two traps."
"You counted them one by one?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
Using Observation made it simple enough. And those numbers only covered the path we'd taken. The entire mountain probably held at least twice that many.
"I can state with certainty that we cannot break through those obstacles alone at our current level."
"How can you be so sure?"
"The fact that the Hero is still struggling somewhere on this mountain is proof enough."
The Hero was a cheat character who could hold her own against most third-years. If even she hadn't arrived yet, it proved no one could make it alone.
"This is our first class. We haven't received any academy education to develop our classes yet. We were given no hints or strategies. When you throw students into an environment like this without any guidance, you should at least assume they'll work together."
"Hmm."
"But you didn't. As a result, Prince Kim Seong-il, the Hero, and the Saint have all begun acting individually. Our own group nearly split up as well."
So don't talk to us about common sense. How were we supposed to regroup if we scattered across this mountain? You weren't actually planning to keep us out here for days, were you?
And there was still one point left.
"Finally, didn't you say we would develop our classes through real combat?"
"I did."
"Combat classes like Imperial Family, Mage, and Psychic would naturally grow. Let's say my Fortune Teller class grows too—but what about Great Wealthy?"
The Great Wealthy class simply made money. It wasn't about running a business. If anything, expensive items simply looked different to them. How was that supposed to grow here? Were they expected to pay for hints?
"The growth of Great Wealthy through real combat is extremely limited. The academy must know this."
"So?"
"Then naturally we must utilize the class's unique characteristics. Spending money. Using artifacts."
In the game, playing as Great Wealthy made artifact usage mandatory. Physically, it was the weakest class after Fortune Teller. The only way to compensate for its pathetic combat ability was through artifacts. During Great Wealthy playthroughs, using artifacts during tests or daily life never triggered any penalties.
...Though that was a game. The memory of getting dragged away for digging up the flowerbed made me nervous.
"Using artifacts is how Great Wealthy grows?"
"Artifacts are typically one-use items, and that jeep is no exception. The more artifacts we use during class, the greater the need to earn money, correct?"
It sounded like a stretch? It was a stretch. But Liu Yen hadn't entered Romance Academy through normal means. She'd forced her way in with massive donations. Naturally, the academy had no proper curriculum for Great Wealthy, so they made an exception by allowing artifact use. Originally this would've been discussed during first-year finals, but there was no harm in permitting it early. As a bonus, Liu Yen would have a chance to shine during midterms.
"...An interesting argument, Namgung Min."
"You flatter me."
"So those three reasons mean the jeep—or rather, artifact usage—isn't a problem?"
"Yes."
Instructor Redfield chuckled at my logical explanation, then turned to Liu Yen, who seemed to be spacing out. I followed her gaze and saw Liu Yen wearing an incredibly complicated expression.
"Don't you think it's a reasonable argument?"
"......"
Instructor Redfield knew about the deal between Liu Yen and the academy. That's why she was framing my somewhat forced reasoning as reasonable and presenting it to Liu Yen. It was tacit permission to use artifacts.
Liu Yen clearly understood this, yet...
"...Yes."
She seemed to be thinking about something else entirely. Something she couldn't understand. And she kept glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
Observation
"Good work today, Namgung Min. Rest for now... and let's talk about that promise from before."
"It would be my honor, Your Highness."
"It ended surprisingly quickly. All thanks to you, fortune teller."
"Not at all. Without Lucas, we would've been completely blocked by the barriers."
"That's nice to hear... However, I have no desire to see that madwoman again, so I'll be taking my leave first."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Namgung... Min. You worked... hard."
"Haha, Lane, you worked the hardest of all. Make sure you rest well today."
Kim Eun-ha, Lucas, and Lane left first. Since we'd been told to rest until the Hero, the Saint, and Prince Kim Seong-il arrived, I could relax too.
I was waving goodbye to the departing group when I felt a presence beside me and turned my head.
"Ah, Liu. Good work today!"
"...Hey. Fortune teller bastard."
"Yes?"
"Why did you do that?"
"Are you asking about the artifact usage?"
"Yeah, you bastard."
Asking so directly made this a little... embarrassing. But I supposed I should answer.
"Liu, if things continued like that, you'd end up dead last in the Special Class. Are you okay with that?"
"What?"
"It's true, isn't it? Without something like this, there aren't many people you can beat with pure force. And as I mentioned earlier, it's hard to measure Great Wealthy's growth. You'd probably finish near the bottom in both midterms and finals."
"......"
Liu Yen's face crumpled. Of course. Even if her goal wasn't academy life, no one wanted to be dead last. Especially not someone as competitive as Liu Yen.
"That's why I got permission to use artifacts. For you, Liu."
"For... me?"
The words seemed to hit her like a physical blow. The shock on her face was almost painful to watch.
"Hey, you fortune teller fuck."
"Yes."
"Do you know what that vicious bitch calls me?"
Liu spoke emotionally, as if something inside her had finally burst. Like she was dragging out her worn and tattered heart.
"She calls me a paranoid patient. She always says that. Don't you know what I'm like?"
"I know very well."
"Then don't you know that I investigated you because I was suspicious? That I approached you pretending to be friendly? That I interrogated you in the car earlier?"
"Of course I know."
"You know, but why? Why?"
Suspicion. It was never a pleasant feeling to be on the receiving end. No one wanted to get close to someone who doubted their every action and word. It was a defense mechanism meant to keep others away while also preventing oneself from reaching out. That was Liu Yen's mental illness and her core psychology.
"Tell me honestly, you bastard. What do you want? Money? Information? Or my life? You're the first person I've met who keeps digging and doubting no matter what. Just shut up and tell me."
"Liu."
"Who sent you? The Lion Society? The Red Snake Faction? Or is it Revold Corporation? Are you that bitch's spy?"
"Liu."
"Tell me."
"Liu."
"Tell me!!!"
She was panting, glaring at me with venomous eyes after spitting out her words without pausing for breath.
...Now I finally understood what Liu Yen felt toward me.
She was exhausted. Exhausted from investigating me and finding nothing. Exhausted by this fortune teller with his strangely accurate readings. Exhausted by Namgung Min, who kept treating her normally no matter how harshly she acted.
She was tired of suspecting me.
"Liu."
"What the hell are you?! Why are you approaching me?! Just tell me and I'll listen! I also want to——"
——stop suspecting people.
It felt like I could hear the words she swallowed.
Why was I approaching Liu Yen? Well...
"It's obvious, isn't it?"
"What?"
"Liu, after this class ends... you promised to tell me your secret, remember?"
I took a step toward her. Then another. She almost took an involuntary step back, but then looked up at me with an expression that said Of course. I knew it. As if the suspicion she'd harbored all this time was finally being rewarded, her face twisted into a forced smile.
To that smile, I spoke softly.
"The truth is... I've never had a friend before."
"...What?"
"So you're my first friend, Liu."
"...What are you——"
"Hey! You two over there!"
Before Liu could respond to my confession, a familiar voice called out from behind us. I turned my head.
"Huh? Aren't you that senior from before?"
"Yeah, you bastard. I'm the senior whose leg you crushed under your car wheel. And the bitch behind you is the one who was driving that damn thing, right?"
The male student who appeared had a rather crude posture and tone, with bandages wrapped around his nose. The senior we'd run over was glaring at Liu Yen while touching the hilt of his sword.
"I think I need to give my juniors some proper education."
...Seriously? A delinquent senior appears at a time like this? From the way he was looking only at Liu Yen—the one in the driver's seat—it seemed he'd developed quite a grudge against her.
"Um, Senior. Haven't you had trouble sleeping lately?"
"...What? How do you know that?"
How did I know? The dark circles under his eyes were so prominent only an idiot wouldn't notice. I gave him my friendliest smile and drew his attention away from Liu Yen.
"I'm a Fortune Teller."
"A Fortune Teller... Ah, that first-year?"
"Yes. I'm honored you know of me, Senior."
"Whatever. Right now I need to deal with that bitch first——"
"Senior, you've been having some academic issues lately, haven't you?"
"W-what? How do you know that?!"
How did I know? What student didn't have academic issues? I kept drawing the delinquent senior's attention with my "fortune telling" while naturally positioning myself to hide Liu Yen behind my back. My mouth never stopped moving.
"Actually, I'm also quite good at physiognomy... and your face is truly remarkable, Senior."
"Remarkable? You think so?"
"Looking at your overall features, your face is large enough to receive all the fortune and wealth in the world. With such prominent cheekbones, your path to the future will be as solid as a mountain. And that long philtrum means you'll live a long life!"
"Ahem. I-is that so?"
Plenty of people called physiognomy a scam, but I'd never met anyone who got angry at being told they had a good face.
"Is that all? Your eyes are quite wide-set, so you'll be involved with at least two women... possibly three. Your broad forehead suggests you'll be able to overcome your current worries without much trouble!"
"Ha, haha. This junior is pretty good, huh? Haha."
Physiognomy wasn't difficult. Just say some vague positive things about their face and nine out of ten people would beam. This senior seemed especially gullible.
"Wow, I've read thousands of faces, but I've never seen one as blessed as yours! It's truly a face that has received heaven's favor!"
"Hmm, really? Well... if you say so, I suppose it's true. Hahaha! Ah, I'm Drucas Abell. Second-year Swordsman. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask, junior."
"It's an honor to make such a reliable senior's acquaintance on my first day! My skills are lacking, but if you ever want your fortune read, please call on me!"
"Wow, what a smooth-talking junior. Though... what was I about to do again..."
"Ah, Senior? Isn't that Lily White-Rose over there? Are you sure it's okay for you to be here?"
"W-what?! I need to avoid that madwoman! Take care of yourself too, junior!"
As expected, Lily White-Rose's name was instantly effective. I watched the senior sprint away without looking back, then turned around again. Now that the delinquent was gone, I could continue my serious conversation with Liu——
"...Pfft."
"Huh? Liu?"
"Khh, kuhahaha! What the hell were you saying? Big face, wide cheekbones, long philtrum, wide-set eyes, and a broad forehead? You basically called him ugly!"
"Physiognomy isn't about judging appearance."
"Puhahaha! Ah, haha. I haven't laughed this hard in ages."
Liu Yen, who had been roaring with genuine laughter, looked up at me with a smile. It was the same standoff as before, but the atmosphere was completely different. Wondering if her mood was swinging again, I spoke first.
"Um... should I forget what I said earlier?"
"What?"
"What you said before... Should I just forget it?"
She'd probably tell me to forget it anyway. Might as well beat her to it. But Liu just looked at me and let out a hollow laugh.
"So if you say you'll forget, you really will..."
"Liu?"
"It's fine. You don't have to forget."
With those words, laced with lingering laughter, Liu Yen began walking away first.
"See you later, lackey."
What conclusion had she reached in that short time? I couldn't be certain about anything, but I understood one thing clearly.
Liu Yen would continue to suspect me. It was an illness she couldn't overcome on her own. I'd keep being doubted going forward. But even so...
"See you later, Liu."
I wouldn't be leaving her side. At first it was for the ending, then for the money. But now I thought of her as a friend. That reason was enough.
"...Uh, um, so."
"Keep talking."
"You want me to read your fortune...?"
"Yes."
"A love fortune, specifically...? From you, Your Highness?"
"...Yes."
"......"
Goddamn it. What the hell is this now?