Chapter 11
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 11: Meeting My Bias
The next day.
Viktor appeared in the lecture room riding something.
“Good morning. Nice to meet you all.”
A smiling mask.
A morning greeting refreshing beyond that.
However, the Class E students could not respond at all.
They just stared at the clown with reluctant expressions.
““......?””
Expressions of utmost bewilderment.
Eyes wondering what on earth they were looking at right now.
The boy smiled as if satisfied with such a reaction.
A bizarre resonance leaked through the mask.
“It really is comfortable to have a vehicle! The Class E main building is quite far from the dormitory, after all.”
Not a short distance.
Thus, trams exclusively for students are deployed throughout the academy.
As the scale is comparable to a city, they have their own transportation system prepared.
“The ride comfort is good too, I should use it often.”
In context, a line marveling at riding a tram for the first time.
But what he admired wasn't something like a tram.
Something creaking under Viktor’s feet.
Students who confirmed this were lost for words one and all.
“As expected, rather than a tram moving by magic power, a rickshaw containing human sweat and hard work is better.”
A large rickshaw.
A structure with a roof over a base that would be at least 1 pyeong (approx. 3.3 sqm).
Under the cozy shade, even a white bed was placed.
It was a quite impressive design.
A spacious rickshaw, inside a single bed.
The clown was lying peacefully inside it.
“From now on, the moving path will be fluffy.”
And, the point pulling the rickshaw.
On the handles attached closely together...
“Haa, haa...”
“Ugh, eeek...”
Some students were standing exhausted.
Personnel ranging from the runner-up to 8th place in the class rankings.
They were pulling the rickshaw.
Whether they overdid it, they all looked like they were dying.
“This, ugh... fucking...”
One person chewing out curses with rough breaths.
Whether he heard that like a ghost, the clown sticks his head out the door.
“Oh my? Do you perhaps have any complaints?”
“Hiiik! N-No, Big Brother! We can run for two more hours!”
Whish-whish—.
He turns pale instantly and shakes his head.
Desperate denial as if terrified.
Other rickshaw pulling personnel also had the same reaction.
““......””
When Viktor thrust that mask forward, they made pretty expressions.
They shut their mouths as if trying to kill even the sound of gasping breath.
We have no complaints whatsoever.
Such words seemed to be heard beyond the silence.
Although they couldn't hide the sweat flowing profusely and the flinching brows.
“Everyone, is it perhaps hard?”
““No, Big Brother!””
“This is direct for muscle and stamina training. It’s a lot of exercise, right? It will really be a lot of help.”
““Yes, Big Brother!!””
Appearance with strict discipline.
If there was a normal reaction, it was only the runner-up.
Because only he didn't smooth out his frowning expression.
Sweating as if dying, he chewed out thick curses.
“This, shit... Making something like this in just one day...”
“Mr. Luyan.”
Of course, even he ended up swallowing a vain breath involuntarily when their eyes met.
He tried to glare at the clown, but his eyes were clearly terrified.
The masked boy stares at Luyan as if having fun.
“Mr. Luyan?”
“......”
“Is it perhaps heavy?”
“......No.”
“You will get a lot of stress when pulling the rickshaw. Such stress is also needed. You will probably think about it a lot before sleeping.”
“......”
“Thankful for training you, right?”
“......Yeah.”
Fuck.
It certainly seemed like I would think about it a lot before sleeping.
Luyan answering while biting his lip tight.
The reason the situation became like this was simple.
Not too distant past, just yesterday afternoon’s matter.
‘Damn it, got caught by some crazy bastard...!’
Class E students had many complaints.
Especially the higher the rank within the class.
If asked what the point of complaint was, it was indeed the unconvincing ranking.
-No... leaving aside other things, how can an E-rank be the class top student?
-It makes no sense. Leaving aside top student, it’s questionable if admission is even possible at that level.
-Isn't it really something like admission corruption?
-Something is definitely wrong...
Absurdity, question, suspicion.
Brows furrowed on their own.
-Plus... do you know what the bastards from other classes said earlier?
-They said it’s Class E where even such trash can enter as top student.
-If something like that is the class top student, the level of kids below him is all obvious.
Of course, these were remarks far from the truth.
Even students belonging to Class E were those who grew up hearing they were brilliant somewhere.
Children who passed after trying hard enough to die, hitting walls, and breaking them down.
Just by entering Grandia Academy, they were qualified to be evaluated as an excellent next generation.
-Damn it, those bastards...
-It’s just one grade difference...
However, for the parties involved, circumstances are different.
Originally, ranking tends to make people arrogant or miserable.
Because the world of numbers is cruel.
Upper class students look down on those below as natural, and lower class students suffer from inferiority complex looking above.
A phenomenon commonly occurring in a competitive society.
Class E students were also just victims of the system.
Inferiority complex that their possibilities and efforts were denied.
-Why does something like that wear the top student tag...!
-It’s fucking annoying enough, what would other classes think!
Prickly protruding hearts tend to head to innocent places.
That target was Viktor.
Glaring at the easiest opponent.
If they thought carefully, they would have known how cowardly that act was, but...
-Are we going to leave him like that? Leave an E-ranker above us?
-Everyone doesn't like it. Isn't it the same meaning?
-I don't know if it’s admission corruption or what, but he met his match.
These are buds that haven't bloomed yet.
Sprouts growing immaturely.
Those who haven't even shed a flower wouldn't know how to bear fruit.
-Can't we just teach him a lesson?
-He’s a rural commoner anyway. Nothing to gauge.
-Why touch him carelessly? Just threatening him roughly should do.
Subjectivity swayed by emotions.
That subjectivity exploded due to Viktor’s stimulation.
-What did that bastard say earlier?
-What? He can fucking crush us? A miscellaneous thing we don't even know where he popped out from...
-I didn't like him wearing a weird mask from the start.
-He looks like a guy words won't work on, shall we handle him moderately.
Thus after the schedule ended, they surrounded Viktor.
Fierce atmosphere.
Honestly, they thought the clown would be scared or run away.
All stats E-rank except theory. What would this mean.
It means he’s a nerd who only knows how to roll a pen while sitting.
No way he wouldn't be scared when the upper ranks including the class runner-up gathered to pressure him.
-Earlier you were babbling quite well? You can fucking crush us?
-But... why are you leaving in such a hurry? Are you scared?
-We still have business left.
Even if it wasn't particularly the boy, anyone would be intimidated in that situation.
Seven sturdy boys and girls surrounding.
Thus, they intended to finish sorting the hierarchy after scaring him moderately, but...
-Shall I just crush you right here?
-Since we’re doing it, how about making a bet? It’s a shame if it just ends.
The boy’s reaction was somewhat different.
Something that missed the students’ expectations by a long shot.
-The loser grants everything the winner wants for 1 year from now.
They didn't remember what happened after well.
Because it was difficult to even know what they suffered.
However, they were beaten into a mess.
In the end, it seemed they begged with both hands rubbing together.
-Hmm... surrender already? This is disappointing.
The mask twisted grotesquely.
Only that seemed to be barely remembered.
-You remember the condition, right?
-From now on, you will listen to my words obediently?
Fufu.
The voice behind the mask laughing unpleasantly.
““......””
And it was now.
“Everyone will grow huge muscles. It really is being a lot of help.”
The clown speaking while lightly getting off the rickshaw.
He taps the students’ shoulders.
‘Fuck...’
The students organized the rickshaw with liberated curses.
Like that, a few days later.
Day by day spent running and playing excitedly with little brothers.
It was exactly two days left until the Freshmen Welcome Exam.
‘No... taking an exam just a week after the entrance ceremony seems a bit crazy though.’
It has to be this much to be the field of elites.
Does it mean it’s the continent’s best educational institution?
Wiggle, wiggle—.
While lost in thought for a moment, the front pocket of the uniform wiggles again.
“Yes, Princess.”
“Are you talking about the Luyan gang? I let them rest for a while. Since we played happily all day yesterday.”
“Bullying. Where is such a thing among kids. It’s all playing.”
Light conversation exchanged.
Soon Carmilla asks as if remembering something.
“I did.”
“That is correct. But she doesn't stand out at all. Whether she is hiding, or skipping classes...”
“What do you take me for?”
“It is an overestimation, but thank you anyway.”
Bat with sparkling eyes. That I am weak is true, but she seemed not to believe it at all. Still, she was cute so whatever. I gently stroke her head with my finger.
Princess melting gently even while shouting like that. Whether she became drowsy quickly, purring sounds leak out. Maybe because the fur is soft too, the feeling was good. While walking like that, suddenly someone’s presence was felt.
Rustle—.
“......?”
Unnaturally shaking bush. I stare at the side where the sound came from.
‘Is someone watching...?’
Actually, rather than feeling a presence, I just saw someone behind the tree. How can I feel a presence. E-rank can't do such a thing. Even a head peeking out from a quite close location.
‘Who is it to be doing that.’
Shall I check.
Tap tap—.
Stepping. A few constant missed steps, then crackling space. I jump as if leaping on such a haze. The next moment. I had moved behind the bush. At the same time, eyes met with blue pupils.
‘Uh oh?’
Black hair flowing down following the turned head. Gloomily drooping hair, deep and transparent blue eyes embedded between them. Whether surprised, she falls backward as is.
“Heugyak...!”
Body buried in the bush. I was staring down at her blankly. Around those eyes, a little moisture is pooled damply.
“S-Sorry for p-peeking...!”
“......”
Even to the timidly trembling voice. It was the kid I remembered.
‘Why is she...?’
Her identity was none other than the person we were looking for until just now. The girl who became the reason I dared to enroll in the lowest class.
Seed of Disaster. Exactly 2 years later, a monster who half-destroys the academy. Also a grinder who comes to kill numerous supporting characters.
‘Also.’
Neugeume. (Nickname/Slang) (Lanne & Grandia Academy: The Märchen)
The supporting character I cherished the most in the original game. My original favorite character who made me cry several times.
Child of tragedy. Girl soaking in dreams.
‘Alice.’
She was exactly as I saw in the illustration. Trembling pupils, terribly messy hair. Looking down at the girl, mechanical sounds shimmer.
Ting—!
Status window floating in front of eyes.
I was facing the destruction I loved the most.