Jealousy Ignites into Fury (1)
The moment jealousy and envy transform into hatred and rage (1). The first exam concluded amid a storm of controversy, yet the academy wrapped things up without further comment. A half-hearted apology along the lines of "a powerful monster appeared, sorry" was all they offered, leaving everyone dumbfounded. Not that it mattered much to me. I'd claimed the mark from that monster, after all. Strictly speaking, it was more like I'd thrashed around desperately and gotten lucky running into the headmaster, but still.
The second and third exams were simple affairs—measuring basic stats like stamina and mana. Shouldn't they have done this first before that ridiculous final test? Unable to contain my curiosity, I turned to the proctor tallying the marks.
"Haha…… does this give out a lot of points?"
"Hmm…… You're quite impressive. I heard there was quite a commotion with that rampaging entity this time. Special points are being awarded. By the way, did you really take that thing down? That's amazing~"
"Nah, it wasn't because I'm strong or anything~"
……Apparently nothing unusual happened. Good to know. With Kasa and Silph both summoned at once, my leveling speed had picked up nicely.
That Intelligence stat I'd dumped points into out of curiosity felt like such a waste. I kept funneling everything else into Vitality. How much it would actually help remained to be seen through steady combat practice.
Spirit Link. Spirit Link, huh…… I still wasn't entirely sure what it did. Since most of my abilities were passive, the only way to figure it out was through actual use.
-Cain! The entrance ceremony's starting soon! Let's go!
"Can't you talk without exclamation marks?"
The little lizard tilted its head, tongue flicking out as if to say, "What do you mean?" Cute enough that I let it slide.
Anyway, this academy had a weird system—you had to submit your marks after the second and third exams before you could even attend the entrance ceremony. Felt like the order was completely backwards, but I chalked it up to incompetent administration. Wasn't the first time I'd seen things run on a whim……
I received my seat number and stepped into the plaza. Moments later, a familiar voice called out from ahead.
"Cain! You made it back alive!"
"Ah, Eve."
What do you mean, "made it back alive"? Was I supposed to die out there?
"I didn't go there to die, you know."
"But Cain, you always seem to be bleeding everywhere when you fight~"
The ash-gray-haired saintess, Eve Abraham, approached with a bright smile. She scanned me from head to toe, her gaze lingering briefly on Kasa before she flashed a heart-fluttering grin.
In the game, Eve Abraham had been a distant, benevolent figure who only ever wore a gentle smile. This Eve showed far more expressions—and my racing heartbeat proved it.
"Found something interesting again? Shame I can't see it clearly."
"Hmm~ It just kind of happened. I really thought I was dead for a second there."
I laughed it off, glossing over my encounter with the headmaster. The stares around us were sharp. Of course they were—some nobody was chatting casually with the Vessel of God, Eve Abraham. The woman who stirred men's dreams at night was speaking to me like we were close. Naturally, that didn't sit well with the crowd.
The real problem was that Eve seemed to be enjoying even this. Like I'd said before, she probably knew exactly what she was doing. Smiling at me while her eyes flicked over the surroundings—she wasn't being subtle. And the reason was simple: it was fun. What a lively girl. Whether it was her nature or the boredom of her upbringing, she kept putting me through trials. The hostile looks were becoming a real burden.
"Ahaha…… Hey, Eve. Shouldn't you go sit down now?"
"Hmm? Hehe. But I want to talk with you more~"
Damn it. She'd noticed I was uncomfortable. When she grabbed both my hands and lifted them, I thought the entire plaza was going to explode. In an instant, the surrounding gazes shifted from jealousy and envy to pure rage and hatred.
"Ahem…… Are you the Vessel of God, Eve Abraham?"
"Hmm?"
Someone had finally mustered the courage to approach. Muscular build, noble bearing—he looked like a knight-family scion trying (and failing) to appear refined.
"I'm Vermillion of the Vermon family, Saintess."
"Oh my. Nice to meet you, Vermillion."
Eve's expression flickered for the briefest moment before hardening. Even though we'd only known each other a short time, we'd grown close enough that I could read her shifts easily.
"My family once received a great favor from you. Though my own abilities are lacking, would you grant me the honor of escorting you?"
"……"
Eve's face was anything but calm. I casually used Spirit's Eye on him.
Level 30. Nothing special. I clicked my tongue and looked at the muscle-head calling himself Vermillion. Sensing my gaze, he met my eyes and shot me a killing intent so thick it made my legs tremble. Seriously? Sending killing intent at this age? This was exactly why I hadn't wanted to stick around. I just wanted to sit down already.
"Hmm…… Verm…… Vermil?"
"It's Vermillion, Saintess."
"Right. Anyway. Verm-whatever."
The saintess's benevolent smile was gone. In its place was someone whose fun had been interrupted and was now thoroughly annoyed. The look on Eve's face clearly said, How should I deal with this human who ruined my enjoyable moment? That icy expression sent chills down everyone's arms.
"I was talking with my friend Cain. I heard knight families value honor. Is that true?"
"Ah, yes. That—that is correct."
The bastard finally realized things were going south.
"Then sending killing intent at my friend—what kind of honor does that represent? I'm curious what sort of household raised you."
"Ah, th-that's……"
"Hehe~ Well then, how about you apologize to my friend? Ver. Mil. Li. On?"
She was deliberately mispronouncing his name to pressure him. This was a woman I never wanted as an enemy. The way she flipped her attitude the moment something annoyed her and crushed others with sheer presence was terrifying. The poor victim named Vermillion stood there, face flushed crimson, completely lost.
See? That's what you get for butting in.
"Eve. That's enough. You're going to kill the guy."
"Cain. This person just interrupted our fun—our conversation—and even sent killing intent your way. He's being incredibly rude. I want an apology."
So you're mad because he ruined your fun? Watching him tremble under everyone's stares made me feel a little sorry for him. Then a cough echoed from the stage.
"Eve Abraham. That's enough. Go prepare for your speech."
"Yeees~"
"Speech preparation?"
I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term. Eve stuck out her tongue playfully, caught.
"A few students are giving speeches. The top student from each department and me."
"Hmm…… Guess I've been talking to someone pretty important."
"Hehe…… I am pretty amazing~"
In this world, the existence of a saintess carried immense weight. Chosen by God amid countless threats, bearer of the fate of salvation, one who devoted herself to all humanity. Though the academy seemed peaceful, the outside world faced not only human power struggles but also invasions from the Otherworld. The academy had been founded to train professional combatants against such threats. Some said its original purpose was gradually being diluted, but that wasn't my concern.
"I'll be right back. You'll wait, right?"
"I can't move from my seat anyway."
"Haha! True. You're really fun."
Eve, who found even small things amusing. At this rate, maybe I actually had a talent for comedy. I raised my eyebrows at Silph and Kasa. Both shook their heads in disgust.
"Hey, I'm still your contractor. Isn't that a bit harsh?"
-Materialist.
-Boring!
"……"
Yeah. Whatever. I waved the spirits away with a sulky expression and started looking for my seat. The sharp stares still hadn't gotten any easier to handle. If I was marked like this from the start, nothing good would come of it. No matter how thick-skinned I acted, I was still part of society. I couldn't tell if Eve Abraham was trying to torment me or simply didn't care what happened to me. Leaving me alone like this…… What was I supposed to do…… Cry?
……My body still wasn't fully recovered. Walking was a struggle. I should've asked Eve to heal me earlier. Just as I was searching for my seat with a miserable expression, someone grabbed my arm roughly.
"You look like you're having trouble."
"Ah, th-thank you."
The moment I looked up to thank them, I nearly swallowed my tongue. Pinkish-blonde side-tail. Neatly groomed purple eyes. That signature high-knee socks that had once reignited every male player's preferences. Panzy Vlad.
"Hmm? You know me?"
Of course I did. The undisputed top student of the Martial Arts Department. A dual-sword wielder whose fighting style was far more aggressive than her cool, blunt personality suggested. Her disciplined conduct and mindset made her a role model, and her skill only made her shine brighter. Her knightly honor was impeccable—she wouldn't ignore someone in need.
"Ah, haha…… You're famous, after all……"
Famous as a performance character, that is.
"You seem to be having trouble standing. Would you like some help?"
"Huh? Ah…… Haha, I'd appreciate it."
The stares grew even sharper. After Eve Abraham, now Panzy Vlad was approaching me. Obviously the looks weren't friendly. But Panzy swept the surroundings with a glare. Cold killing intent. Everyone coughed and looked away. Panzy sighed and led me by the hand.
"Sorry. You don't seem used to the attention."
"Ah…… Yeah, I guess."
I dragged out my words like a total loser. Honestly, who wouldn't react this way in this situation? I rationalized it to myself as I let Panzy guide me.
"We're classmates, so speak casually. This is fate, isn't it?"
"Ah……"
Stop saying "ah," you idiot!!!!
"S-sure?"
"Kukuk…… Eve Abraham must find you entertaining."
She'd noticed my inner loser. Panzy smiled faintly and pointed at a chair.
"Judging by the number, this should be your seat."
"Thanks, Panzy Vlad."
"Hmm…… So you're in the Magic Department? I heard something happened during the male students' exam, but I didn't expect you to be this frail."
"Born a weakling, unfortunately……"
"Eh? Uh? Ah, no…… I didn't mean it like that. My apologies."
When I replied in a completely deflated tone, Panzy waved her hands in a panic and apologized before disappearing backstage to prepare for her speech.
Haa. This damn body. I slumped into the chair like I was collapsing and stared blankly at the stage. I could feel Eve peeking out from backstage, her eyes burning like fire, but I was too tired to care. The boys next to me were glaring, so I casually flicked my hand and had Silph kick up some dust.
"Uwaaah! Dust got in my eyes!"
"What the—?! Why'd the wind suddenly blow?!"
Good thing I didn't set anything on fire. After the announcement to take seats and quiet down, a familiar figure stepped onto the stage.
"Ahem. Greetings. I'm Urd Destin, headmaster of Destin Academy. Welcome, all of you who have enrolled."
Jet-black hair and golden eyes that seemed to see through everything. The founder of Magic Engineering. Headmaster of Destin Academy—Urd Destin. So that was his name. I'd played the game countless times, but this was the first time I'd heard the headmaster's name. Old memories surfaced, and I flinched. Urd, who had been giving a dull speech, seemed to glance at me. Our eyes met. He definitely saw me. Shit. What now? Had I been marked? Urd looked at me for a moment before turning away and finishing his speech.
Whew…… Maybe it was just my imagination.
"……Lastly, we'll hear speeches from the top students of each department and, ahem…… the overall last-place student and saintess, Eve Abraham."
See? I told you her exam scores were trash.