14. Suspicion That Can't Be Hidden

"Anyway, that's the entire system for the special class. Simple, right?"

After the self-introductions wrapped up, Professor Edn explained how the special class operated, whether the students were listening or not. Even special class students had rules they couldn't break, and if they wanted to attend lectures, they had to follow a certain procedure. Plus, special class students received unique student IDs with gold borders, unlike the standard ones. They weren't handed out in class; they'd be delivered to each dorm in about two days.

After the system rundown came the perks. Just for being in the special class, they got all sorts of benefits.

"Cafe discount coupons. Well, you all are nobles anyway, so you probably don't need them... Special class members get access to exclusive research facilities, sparring rooms, and magic labs. You don't even have to join clubs if you don't want to. Of course, if you do, no one's stopping you."

On top of that, special class students were treated as quasi-teaching assistants, granting them a higher status than regular students. Research funding was available if needed. Since we didn't have degrees yet, we required supervising professors for research, but they handled that by just lending their names—total freedom.

"Adventurer's guild gives bonuses on material requests too, to support your research. Register as adventurers, and they'll slap you with at least B-rank, no questions asked. Though with your skills, you'll probably bounce between A and S from the start."

Professor Edn listed every little perk, from adventurer's guild bonuses to special graduation requirements unique to the special class. Watching all this, I realized the special class position was a pretty high rank—higher than I'd expected.

"That's it. Now you're free to research here, slack off, or head to lectures. Do whatever. You'll do fine anyway."

And with that, Professor Edn's explanation ended. Only Shariel and I had listened to the whole thing.

"Oh, right, Celestia? Hang back a sec."

Finally, he called me aside.

Professor Edn's office.

Stepping inside, I first scoped out the room. Weird crystal orbs, incomprehensible modern art, stacks of books...

"Sit down, Celestia. Make yourself comfortable."

"Don't mind if I do..."

I didn't hesitate, leaning the Black Demon Sword against the wall before taking a seat. Legs crossed, slouched back, I glanced around. But my interest fizzled fast.

Boring.

I'd figured a swordsman like Professor Edn would have swordsmanship books... but it was all magic tomes.

"So, why'd you call me? Still sore about our spar and want a rematch? I'll win again, you know."

"Not for that. Celestia, you might already know, but the academy nominated you and the other three who helped take down that golem at the entrance ceremony. There's a commendation ceremony coming up."

"...Any fun stuff there?"

"Probably not. It'll be dull and pretentious."

"Might as well die."

"No need to see it that negatively. It's not a bad thing for you."

He said that and handed me a document. It listed the commendation ceremony's date, time, and location.

Right. I remembered now. The commendation ceremony was straight out of the original novel Star-Eyed Sword. An event where the protagonist's party all gathered. Glan, the star of the show, drew sharp glares from some nobles. It kicked off an early plot arc.

"Getting an academy commendation will bring great honor to the Fredericia family. It'll make convincing your father easier. I don't know the details, but you've probably got some deal with him... right?"

"Sharp as ever."

"That's why you put on that overwhelming show at the entrance ceremony—to get into special class."

"Professors aren't just anyone, huh."

"Not much of a deduction. Anyway, aside from the hassle, it's not bad for you. Go, behave, grab your commendation, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠come back. Got it?"

"You think I'll trash ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the place if it's boring?"

"Spot on."

"I'm not that crazy."

I stood up as I said it. Professor Edn kept misunderstanding me. Where else would you find someone as sensible as me...?

The commendation ceremony happened the very next weekend.

Academy Grand Hall. The same place the golem had invaded not long ago now hosted a event praising its defeat.

"For the above actions, in bravely stepping forward to protect fellow students and the academy, we hereby commend these students and award them commendations."

Me, Glan, Mariella, Yuria. The four of us.

Glan got the biggest recognition, naturally. He'd stepped up first to buy time for the students to evacuate, holding aggro solo until the two heroines jumped in. Thanks to him, everyone escaped safely, and academy damage was minimized.

Next was me, for landing the killing blow.

Then Mariella. She'd provided emergency aid to injured students and supported Glan and Yuria from behind as they held the golem.

And Yuria, the swordswoman with brown skin, a scar on her left cheek, and a fierce look. She'd pulled aggro when Glan struggled, playing firefighter thanks to her sharp combat instincts.

They lined us up by contribution, starting with Glan receiving his commendation.

"Glan Braden. We award you this commendation. Celestia Erienne El Fredericia. We award you this commendation. Mariella Yulisis El Raiklant..."

The commendations were handed out. I crumpled mine small and stuffed it into my skirt pocket the second I got it. What were they thinking, giving out paper this big? Couldn't they just email a PDF?

With the ceremony over, the awardees got a chance to chat briefly.

Behind the grand hall. Normally a prep space for lectures and events, it was now a lounge. The moment I stepped in, Mariella and Glan both called out to me.

"Hey, you."

"Celi!"

"This is why popular girls ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are such a pain... One at a time, please."

An awkward vibe hung in the air.

"Uh... you first."

Glan cleared his throat and yielded to Mariella.

Mariella approached and offered me a chair from the lounge. I sat facing her.

"You rushed in out of nowhere during the golem mess, right? What happened? No, more like... how did you do it?"

Mariella cut straight to it—probably asking how I'd cut the golem. I shrugged at her question.

"Just slashed it."

"And that worked?"

"You know I'm strong, Mari."

"Sure, but... logically, slicing golems isn't normal. Anyway... where were you even?"

"Special class seats."

"Special class? You're in special class?"

Mariella blinked in surprise. I nodded quietly.

"Ended up that way."

"Hold on, Mariella. That's enough."

Mid-conversation, someone butted in—the original protagonist, Glan, who'd yielded earlier.

"Glan?"

They were on first-name basis already. They looked awkward, so probably not close yet.

"Sorry, but stop there, Mariella. There's something suspicious about her."

"What're you talking about?"

"Trust me. Let me have a turn."

Glan sat across from me. The mood felt like an interrogation now...

"Celestia. Answer carefully. I suspect you were behind the golem incident."

"...!"

Mariella jumped at his words. So did Yuria.

"Why suspect me?"

"I'll ask the questions. How did you know my name from the start?"

He eyed me warily.

"Hold on, Glan. She's my friend. What the hell?"

"Indeed. Even you can't justify acting like that just on suspicion."

Mariella and Yuria—who'd been watching—stood up.

Glan glanced at them and nodded.

"You're right. My bad. Sorry for the rudeness, Celestia. But I'd appreciate honest answers."

Only then did Mariella and Yuria sit back down. I pondered how to answer Glan's question.

Easy enough. No point spoiling the plot—he wouldn't get it. And I had the perfect excuse.

"Heard rumors about a commoner in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the 'Fire and Sword' track admissions. Nobles have our networks. Lots of info floating around. Happened to learn you were Glan Braden, the commoner."

"Wait, Celi. I hadn't even heard that."

"Fredericia has its own channels. Raiklant probably does too... right, Mari?"

Nobles always had info networks for their gain. Raiklant was no exception. In short: Commoners wouldn't get it, but nobles have ways!

"So why did Fredericia dig up a commoner's enrollment news?"

"Just overheard it. Wasn't on purpose."

"Fine, say that's true. What about 'we'll meet a lot'?"

"No big meaning. Just fellow academy students."

I said it flatly, and Glan pondered. Standing, he added:

"Alright, I'll buy it for now. Sorry for suspecting you. But I'll be watching."

"Suit yourself."

His eyes screamed suspicion. He thought I was shady.

I mulled it over. Wasn't this actually good?

The mastermind getting suspected but shining in key moments... That's cool...

I decided to root for Glan.