Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Netori or Die—Pick One
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"Netori or die. Choose. Go. Lol."
When Gold mentioned his instructor credentials, the girls' eyes changed.
Soon, requests for handshakes and hugs poured in from all around...!
......Yeah, right. Cut the crap.
The meaning behind the girls' gazes was appraisal.
The look of sizing up what kind of person he was, just like the one they'd given Gald.
"......"
"......"
"......"
In truth, he hadn't expected much anyway.
But wasn't this a bit too dry?
No matter the teaching style, this wasn't how you'd look at someone who taught you or studied alongside you.
Ignoring him? No, that wasn't it.
A few of the girls couldn't fully hide their curiosity and greed for friendship.
He could feel their interest in him, their desire to chat.
However, most of the gazes were utterly indifferent.
This was appraisal.
No matter how he thought about it, that's the right word.
......Appraisal, huh.
Gazes that evaluated him like an object, weighing if he'd be useful or not.
A third-party view, neither hostile nor friendly.
It had been a while since he'd felt such stares.
Even the girls around Laiyet were like that, but Laiyet herself had shown complete indifference toward him.
The girls who were curious about him probably held back because Laiyet and the oho-ho girl weren't making any moves.
It was a little disappointing.
Wasn't Prynar Academy all about merit, results, and pragmatism?
But these girls looked like any charismatic leader and her sycophantic followers anywhere.
Just that.
They must have gotten in through noble birth, recognized for family status rather than ability.
Gold's eyes narrowed.
"Have you all always been this antisocial?"
"Antisocial."
Laiyet crossed her arms, responding in her usual languid voice as she stared at him.
The aura she exuded, typical of her age, made him shrink back instinctively.
And among them, Laiyet seemed the toughest leader type, amplifying it.
"I don't know when you started caring about that, Gold."
"Hm?"
"Made a nice deal like a good merchant?"
She kept staring at him while sneering at Gold.
The mood was turning sour.
"A deal? This is my sworn brother."
"Oh, really? That's even more surprising. He doesn't look special to me."
Bam.
A powerful aura exploded from Gold.
Most of the girls, who had been appraising him coldly, were overwhelmed and flinched. Some even let out squeaks.
But Laiyet, who took it head-on, and the oho-ho girl didn't budge.
Laiyet aside, he'd underestimated the bun-haired girl, but she had some real grit and power.
Laiyet, still staring at him, finally turned her gaze to Gold.
Gold said lowly.
"This is my big brother."
"Yeah, sure, big bro. If I badmouthed your family, it'd piss you off. Sorry about that. But Gold..."
Her languid eyes glared at Gold.
"Since when did you become the type of man who intimidates women with violence?"
"...You're right. That was ugly of me. I apologize too."
Gold's aura subsided.
But attention was already focused.
Passersby murmured, wondering what was happening.
A crowd might gather...
But no.
They scattered hurriedly, as if they'd seen something they shouldn't.
After confirming the faces of the two in confrontation.
It showed how high their status was.
Gold and Laiyet ignored the crowd.
Just glaring piercingly at each other.
Both were the type who assumed superiority over others.
Gold went without saying, but Laiyet had that unmistakable vibe too.
Leaders commanding groups—kings, you could say.
When kings and queens got along, fine. But when they clashed, the underlings died.
As far as he knew, Gold never backed down first. What about Laiyet?
"......"
Laiyet closed her eyes, as if reluctantly conceding.
She wasn't the type to push to the end.
She stared at him again.
"If my words offended you, I apologize."
He didn't respond, just watched Gold still fuming.
Laiyet addressed Gold again.
"Instructor credentials. I know. The dorms were buzzing about it for a while."
"Dorms? Didn't you go home for break?"
"Does that matter, Gold?"
Did it?
But Gold looked puzzled.
"I heard the rumors. About the bold Outsider who crushed Knight Yulis and wiped out the Serton Count family."
"......"
"But that's not enough for Prynar Academy instructor status. And you wouldn't call him big bro for nothing."
He stayed silent. Gold too.
"There were vague rumors about slaying a dragon too. Maybe that's true. But... you know? We don't trust uncertainties. We live in a world where we can't believe until we see it ourselves."
Prove your strength, huh.
"Shabby clothes, sloppy attitude, average aura... To me, you just look like a regular citizen, Gold."
"You..."
Gold groaned, like he had a ton to say.
But he couldn't.
The fact that he'd bagged the leader of the Eight Demon Kings couldn't leak, and honestly, the rest was spot on.
"Since your eyes are trustworthy, I'll have some expectations. But you can't demand respect right now, right? We're not so low that we'd bow just because you're an instructor. We know our place and act accordingly."
"......"
"Gold. Haven't you acted the same toward those whose strength you haven't acknowledged?"
Gold furrowed his brow but didn't retort.
I see.
Prynar Academy was full of elites. These girls were probably from powerhouse families.
Otherwise, they couldn't act this way toward Gold of the Ten Great Families.
But that wasn't all.
Gold's confusion, and Laiyet's piled-up irritation suggested more.
Probably not her usual demeanor.
Gold sighed.
"So, no greetings or even a word to my brother?"
"You can have all you want on opening ceremony day. Not now. Or."
Laiyet smirked.
"You gonna pressure us with the Ten Great Families' power, Gold? I respect your house, but don't look down on us."
"We're not arrogant enough to belittle an imperial duke."
Ducal house, huh...
Chilling.
From his scant knowledge, a duke was like a second king in the empire.
This girl wasn't just a noble lady; she was princess material.
His earlier queen comparison might not be far off.
"Then, Gold. Need more talk?"
"No. None."
"See you at the opening ceremony then."
Kyahat! A snicker burst out.
It was the bun-haired girl.
Laughing in this atmosphere? She must be from a big family too...
Let's check.
Character settings.
He mentally recited the word, recalling the recent reward. The two before him were characters.
Might have good info... And he found it right away.
Hng.
He grinned unwittingly.
Laiyet glared coldly, annoyed.
He shrugged without meeting her eyes. The bun-haired girl snickered again.
He felt a vein pop on Gold's forehead.
Yeah, understandable.
What had Gold even done wrong?
Just asked if they couldn't be a bit sociable, at least greet him.
Because they'd straight-up ignored him at first.
He didn't care what they were usually like or how Gold normally acted with them.
At least, he thought his sworn little brother had enough rapport to chat with them and wanted to introduce him.
For his sake.
And now, he was holding back for him.
Staying silent here would make him a total idiot.
He lifted his downcast eyes.
He'd been plenty patient.
"Joooohn, so damn rude..."
He muttered loud enough to be heard clearly.
The atmosphere froze solid.
The followers eyed their leaders nervously; the two leaders stuck to indifference and observation.
He met their murderous glares calmly and spoke quietly.
"I'll prove my strength at the opening ceremony."
"......"
"No words still? Fine by me."
Laiyet raised one eyebrow questioningly at his words.
"I'm not interested in students who don't know their place, like you."
"What?"
"How...!"
The anger came not from Laiyet but the surrounding girls as they stood.
They sat right back down.
Because of his aura.
"Enough."
Something emanated from Laiyet, trying to dispel his aura. Impressive.
But still fodder.
He crushed it head-on. Boom. The air seemed to burst.
Laiyet's eyes widened.
"Serton Count aside, you called Yulis 'just that,' huh."
"......"
"You know? I hate Yulis. Even now that I'm sworn brothers with Gold, I hate her guts. But what can I do? Gotta acknowledge what's real."
He pointed at the girl.
"At least in combat, Yulis was way superior to you. What gives you the right to appraise me?"
"......"
Laiyet stayed silent.
Suddenly, powerful auras flared from various spots.
Two especially strong—probably Laiyet and the bun-haired girl's escorts.
"Ah, escorts! Right! With strong ones, you can act cocky. But they gotta be strong, yeah? Strong escorts."
Repeating "strong" made the escorts' faces sour.
"This all you got?"
Provoked, the escorts reached for weapons. So he told them.
"Duel if you want. But to the death."
"......"
"......"
"I'm warning you—I don't give a damn about optics. Don't think I'm weaker than the shady Outsiders you imagined."
No one drew.
Yeah, hate to admit it, but Yulis was strong.
No one here could overwhelm her.
"O-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!"
.....?
A shrill laugh.
He looked, incredulous—the bun-haired girl covering her mouth, laughing.
Fits the image, but hearing it was jarring.
"What're you trusting? Family."
Without giving him rebuttal time, the bun-haired girl continued.
"Feel pathetic relying on that instead of your own power? That's ordinary thinking."
Snap. She pointed at him with her fan, grinning—eyes full of curiosity.
She was testing him out of curiosity.
"Born bloodlines and environments are fine weapons. And ours let us ignore unproven riffraff—maybe even below assistant instructor."
"Is that so."
"Yes. Our families have enough power to teach you your place."
"Hmm."
He looked around.
And said.
"Not here, though."
"Pardon?"
"Kill you all and your escorts here—who's gonna stop me?"
"Crossing the line."
Laiyet finally spoke.
Thought she'd stubbornly stay mute. Flexible, huh.
"You seem to overestimate your strength..."
"Threatening a future instructor out the gate? Yeah. That blonde with the weird laugh is better than you."
Laiyet furrowed her brow, feeling more humiliated than expected.
The bun-haired girl laughed kyahat! at his words.
"What're you laughing at? You're no better."
"......"
The oho-ho girl's face went cold too.
Oof, chilly.
"Backers, huh. I got some."
"Ten Great Families? Hart might count. But even Hart can't just let this slide..."
"Told you, Ten Great Families got nothing on me. Mine are different. Kinda rowdy—might be fun living as a criminal after a minor crime."
"......"
Told 'em to shut up before blabbing, and they actually did. Nice.
Normally, an escort would've drawn and yelled about insulting their lady.
But they couldn't.
Even rotten warriors knew. Drawing now meant death—he was warning them—and ignoring it would prove it true.
"Instructor and student creds? How you planning school life?"
The blonde bun-head's amused tone.
Startled him—sounded like Asita for a sec.
Whatever. He'd handle it.
"Keep acting arrogant, and you'll kneel begging someday?"
"How? Bun-head."
"Bun...!"
The surrounding girls stifled giggles.
Some of you have buns too...?
The bun-girl glared around; laughter stopped instantly.
"Sorry. No intro, didn't know your name. If I did, I'd call you properly, Lady Bun-head."
"Bun-head" hit harder than expected; the poised girl trembled in rage.
"You... wanna die right here...!!"
"Die? That shadow guy's gonna kill me?"
The bun-head fell silent.
"Just so you know, to kill me, an ancient dragon... nah, condition's off. Hmm..."
What to pick. Whatever.
"Bring an adult dragon."
"Overconfidence is ugly."
He grinned at Laiyet's low words.
"Yeah. Ugly. Wonder if it's uglier than a hysterical woman over nothing."
"What?"
He grinned again.
"That's why your man's cheating."
"......!!"
Laiyet shot up.
Languid coolness gone, raw fury remained.
"Lady Laiyet...?"
"Huh?"
The girls murmured, confused by his meaning.
One—the bun-head—listened with keen interest.
Makes sense. Settings said they weren't friends; more like rivals.
Rival's weakness is always juicy gossip.
Laiyet trembled, then spat furiously.
"You...! What nonsense... bullshit!"
"Yup, bullshit."
"What?!"
"Your personality's so shit, no man could handle it—that's why. What'd you think?"
Stunned girls muttered "vulgar" and "low-class."
High school girls cursing him...?
.....
Damn rewarding.
"Or maybe your actual lover's cheati—"
Kwang!
This time, intense aura from Laiyet.
"You...! You know what the Fleur Ducal House is and still insult us like this...!"
"Whoa, no yelling. How would I know you? And."
He jabbed at her glare.
"I don't believe what I haven't seen myself. So if you want my submission and respect, prove your abilities."
Laiyet bit her lip.
Her own words thrown back—what could she say.
"Backer or whatever, you've made an enemy of Fleur Ducal House. Remember that."
"Looking forward to it."
She ground her teeth at his swagger.
"......Gold beside you making you arrogant? Hart's great, but if we all file complaints, you'll look ridiculous."
"You started the arrogance. Demanding proof from an instructor? Mind-blowing."
Her face flushed redder than he'd ever seen.
About to explode.
Mad? Act on it.
Escorts charge? Fine. No need for Ten Great Families.
If proving instructor status means fight, he'd oblige.
Come at him.
You showed malice first.
So he'd do as he pleased.
Malice with malice, kindness with reward.
But Laiyet, naturally cool-headed, seemed to hold back.
Exposing her secret here would be fun.
He knew now was time to back off—body collapse issue—but sometimes you just wanna smash it.
So...
"Add Graize Family to Hart."
Attention snapped to the sudden voice.
There stood a breathtakingly cute girl in uniform.
Shining brighter than even radiant Laiyet, it was...
"Ellicia? Back already...? Still in that form?"
El, heir to Graize Family.
Laiyet frowned; El beamed.
"Didn't hear? Laiyes? Hart didn't recommend him alone—Graize did too, even Brilja."
El stared defiantly at Laiyet.
"We. I recommended him. Got complaints?"
"......"
Laiyet stood abruptly. And commanded.
"Everyone, withdraw."
Escorts released weapons, eyeing her.
She strode past him, whispering.
"......Many rudenesses today. But Instructor, your attitude wasn't great either."
An apology?
A bit surprised, he turned; she left without looking back.
Followers glanced at El, then followed in a herd.
One girl—pale redhead—glared murderously; he barely resisted smacking her skull.
Only the bun-head stayed composed.
Sipping tea gracefully, she rose elegantly...
"Oho-ho-ho-ho-ho!"
Fuck, stop laughing like that.
Why's the cringe mine.
"Ellicia. See you next time."
"No thanks."
Bad chemistry?
Rare to see El that repulsed.
"You too, Instructor."
"Yes, student."
She went opposite from Laiyet's group.
Her entourage followed.
All girls gone.
Dead silence around.
He sighed involuntarily.
"Gold."
"Y-yeah?"
Seeing rare fluster on Gold, he lamented.
"Pretty people in this country all assholes by default?"
Fucking science.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The blonde bun-haired girl.
A major influence in her duchy like Laiyet, she recalled the newbie instructor who'd read her shadow.
"...Hot stuff."
Lick. Her tongue wet her lips—eyes far too sultry for her age.