Chapter 22
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 22: Asking for a Date
Immediately after the Freshmen Welcome Exam. Class E students were immersed in that lingering feeling. Murmuring of the audience still seemed to shimmer in their ears.
-Phew, how can a total E-rank be the class top student?
-If such trash wears the top student tag, how would the level of kids below him be?
-Tsk tsk... things not even up to the level.
Lingering feeling. That pronunciation was because they were trampled by ridicule several times. Because the lungs pierced by a dagger breathed that much.
-Oh my, look at that struggling over there.
-Ahaha! Hanging danglingly, what is it? Even crying?
-That’s why why did things with low levels enroll...
Everyone heard it. Contempt directed at Class E, and lip corners shaking with ridicule. Children had no choice but to bow their heads deeply one and all. Gritted their teeth at that shuddering humiliation.
-Oh my, is he runner-up with that shape? He’s particularly tough.
-Getting up persistently? Maybe he can't grasp reality...
Class E students. They were also people who heard they were brilliant somewhere. Harbored valuable talent, and had immeasurable potential. Thus, children who were always full of pride.
‘However.’
Even such people were only treated as underachievers here. Grandia Academy. Best educational institution on the continent. Stopover point where numerous talents pass through. In a place where real ones gathered, they were too ordinary.
‘It’s too much.’
Efforts accumulated so far were easily denied. Even their bodies were not of noble blood. Commoners. Position begging for learning with humble status. Being ignored by other noble students might have been a natural position in a way.
‘We, just did our best...’
Skill, power, money. Didn't possess a single thing. It was too natural here for such people to be despised. Even faculty members didn't sanction conflict between classes. Pretext of inciting competition and inspiring students’ spite.
Therefore. Children’s hearts could not be protected by anyone. Yes, it must have been so clearly...
-Fufu, cannot use if others touch my bread shuttle.
Someone stepped forward. Boy wearing a mask. He patted the messed up students’ shoulders once each tok tok. Afterwards, leaving words to rest, he walked to the sparring ground where they were trampled severely.
‘......’
Until then, students didn't have much expectation. Sparring between Class C Top Student and Class E Top Student. Because the result was obvious to anyone. Class E’s complete defeat was already a confirmed matter. Since this exam was a stage prepared to be ridiculed from the start.
-Mr. Luyan, good work.-Rest for a moment.
Result will be the same. The guy will also be smashed thoroughly, and receive numerous ridicule. Thus, if there was content Class E children prayed for, it was only one.
‘Please.’
Please. May this tedious moment pass quickly. May we escape from those hateful voices. Children sprawled in waiting seats harbored such resignation. Appearance of defeated soldiers who lost will to fight. Like that, when they were burning only bitter taste like a cigarette.
-W-What...?
Miracle happened. Unique voice thick with laughter. Behind the grotesque mask, leisure transmitted humorously.
-Hmm.-You said you would finish in one shot...-Is this all?
It was a moment everyone’s expectation broke. Boy literally overwhelmed Charienne. Not burned by fire demon, not scratched by soot either.
-......
Bitter and bitter ridicule of Class C. Made all of that shut up. Regardless of upper rank, lower rank classes, evoked admiration. Back figure swinging colorful sword, piercing through flames.
Finally even grasping victory. Breaking the wall that was so high. Not stopping there,
-So-Anyone else having complaints about my shuttles?
Glaring at students remaining in waiting seats, he pressuring implicitly. On the other hand, toward Class E students, he was showing V-sign with fingers. He covered for them. On behalf of resentful classmates, he fed them a blow. Of course the party involved might not have meant such kindness... At least students with tired hearts. In Class E children’s eyes, it looked so.
-Did he side with us...?-Why? Even though same class, not particularly a welcome relationship either...-Besides we joined forces and tried to remove the guy from top student too...
The ones who received resonance particularly were eight people called ‘Bread Shuttles’. Those belonging to upper ranks within Class E. As much as pride in skill was big, they were also hearts with many lumps usually. Goodwill approached such children.
-Good work today.-Don't pull rickshaw tomorrow, take a full rest.-Since body and mind must be very exhausted because of exam.
Furthermore, even detailed consideration approached immediately after the exam. Shuttles had no choice but to loosen their hearts. Dangerous guy, unpredictable guy. Until such evaluation changed to ‘a guy who might be okay’.
-Might be a really okay guy...-First of all, even though we did such things, he took the lead and prevented us from being cursed at...-......Must apologize properly. Looking down on him back then, and trying to threaten him carelessly.
Shuttles ended up thinking. Maybe this person in front of eyes is really a person qualified to be called ‘Big Brother’. If by this person’s side, maybe we can learn a lot during academy life. Thus, Shuttles decided to convey gratitude to the boy first.
““Did you arrive, Big Brother!!””
Loud chorus.
“We were waiting, Big Brother!”
“Big Brother! Please come sit here!”
“We laid a cushion in advance!”
Up to here was the inside story of Bread Shuttles’ stance change.
“Hmm...”
I was unable to suppress bewilderment. Because of hospitality poured as soon as entering the lecture room. After receiving polite greeting, sat in a seat with even a cushion placed.
‘......What is it?’
Especially at the lead stood Bread Shuttles. With expressions as if glad at that. Even if these guys can't speak usually, annoyance is revealed all in expressions. Well that must be so. Pulling rickshaw, Top Blade game, Sonic game etc. Worked them like that, if expression doesn't crumple is that human. Because of that, whenever encountering, frowning brows were visible to eyes...
‘Why do they look in such a good mood today?’
Also didn't they suffer a crushing defeat in the exam yesterday. Thought it would be a funeral house atmosphere, but air wasn't as gloomy as thought. I tilted my head alone.
“Big Brother, what is wrong!”
“Uh... nothing.”
“Yes! If there is anything needed please speak!”
“......”
No, why are you guys like that. It was scary at this point. As I was scratching my head feeling uncomfortable, one of the hesitating Shuttles opens mouth.
“B-Big Brother... thank you for yesterday!”
“Eh? What story is it?”
“Yesterday’s exam. I watched really impressively. I knew Big Brother was strong unlike Class E, but to think you would overwhelm Class C Top Student! That Princess Labriel called Genius of Pyromancy!”
“Ah... was it that story. Certainly she was a tricky opponent.”
“Haha! Humility indeed, when you won with a single balloon!”
“I was lucky.”
“Rumors already spread widely within the academy.”
No, really luck I tell you. How weak I am. It’s because I go around using bugs a lot, basic weight class is fixed at E-rank you know? It’s a body that gets a hole even if you guys flick a booger of magic power.
‘It’s awkward...’
‘That is true but.’
‘Is that so?’
Did I succeed in unintended favorability farming? Well, since I committed so flashily yesterday. For now good is good, decided to pass nodding.
“Ahem, let’s devote ourselves from now on. Since we can't remain as Class E throughout academy life.”
“Yes, Big Brother!”
Big Brother huh. Although I ordered it, hearing it now felt a bit strange. Besides regardless of gender calling Big Brother Big Brother... After clearing distracting thoughts, I shared a few words of conversation with Shuttles gathered around.
‘Well... since it became like this, shall I use them actively a bit from now on.’
Even if called Class E students, basically everyone has the basics down. Truly talentless underachievers can't even enroll in Grandia in the first place. In other words, these guys are also talents with sufficient growth potential. If growth route is released without blockage, they can become strong enough to match Class A. Probably balanced since it’s a game.
‘In previous life, play like [Breaking Story Only With Class E Characters] was popular too...’
Means they aren't kids impossible to raise. Although there is quite difficulty, it wasn't a problem for stagnant waters like me. Gaining reliable allies if successful. Anyway I intended to stay in Class E for a while, thought occurred to raise them while at it.
‘Especially the one becoming strong... was Luyan.’
Class E Runner-up, Luyan Zestar. If raised well until the latter half of original work, a guy who pulls out performance up to S-class.
“......”
Unlike other students, Luyan sitting quietly in the corner of lecture room. That gaze seemed not wanting to even look at this side. Does pride still remain.
‘If targeting, it is that side but...’
A figure who is practically the spiritual pillar of Class E. Looks small outwardly but balance is solid. Even if efficiency is a bit bad in early game, a guy whose potential explodes once blood points are opened. Appearance is also a pretty beautiful boy, so there was quite a fan base in original work too. Although there is a trivial problem that pride is strong...
‘Think about that later.’
While organizing thoughts quietly, suddenly a message floats in front of eyes.
Ting—!
Is this also treated as a quest as expected. Besides Scale, it was a whopping S-rank item. For me, there was no reason to refuse. Quest accept button clicking lightly.
‘Good... unravelling smoothly.’
Sharing conversation with mouth, organizing thoughts with head. Around the time the situation gathered noisily ended. Eyes meet with Alice mixed among children.
“Oh.”
Glad feeling. Because I was late during exam yesterday, I couldn't watch her exam. Heard she declared forfeiture as soon as it started.
‘Natural thing but...’
Alice cannot control her ability properly yet. Afraid of hurting others, reluctant to activate dream. Truly a pitiful child. To be destined to become a disaster eventually even possessing such altruism. Original story also really, many parts are gloomy if gloomy.
“Miss Alice.”
Waved hand to greet lightly. Since broke the ice last time, can approach more friendly. Alice is the supporting character I cherished most even in Neugeume. Wanted to stay close as much as possible. Also had to prevent the future where she becomes a disaster.
“Good morning.”
“Hik...”
However, gladly offered greeting didn't return. Girl startled as eyes meet. Shoulders shrank, then tremble parr. Girl wandering about soon avoids eyes.
‘What.’
Not stopping, slipped out of lecture room quietly. I had no choice but to stand in that spot blankly. What. What is it.
‘Surely.’
Did I get dumped without even confessing?
Alice. Few days ago, she ended up seeing what shouldn't be seen.
-E-Eyes met...?-H-How? Never happened like this even once...
Purgatory 70th floor. Back figure of monster who reigned there. Girl peeking by that side carelessly, got her gaze caught by the clown.
-I-I’ll die... Be murdered, s-silenced...-Sniff, w-what do I do...
Situation where she felt life was in danger. Since she saw what shouldn't be seen, thought she would surely be silenced. However, unexpectedly no harm was inflicted on her. Time flowing without knowing the reason.
‘Why...?’
Alice agonizing while sobbing. Mask smiling grotesquely while piercing through her already remained in brain. Alice accepted that as a kind of warning.
‘For now not killing? B-But the moment I divulge...’
There was no reason to dare kill Alice. 70th floor conquest that even Grandia’s faculty members couldn't dare. Person who killed the master of such space with a single hand gesture. Overwhelming power. Situation where academy’s fate already passed to him. Must have thought no need to do something like silencing in such situation.
‘Told me to behave well on my own...’
If open mouth, die. Person who chopped a dragon with one finger. Even Grandia’s faculty members would be funny to him.
‘Have to stay still. Quietly... live as if dead.’
Judgment made cool-headedly. No, might have been somewhat scared but...
‘If I inform anyone, don't know what will happen to the academy...’
This much was Alice’s best. Since there were too many things she didn't know at all. Why? Just why? Why did such a strong person enroll in Class E? Why moving hiding strength? Heard top-tier strong people are all out of their minds, is the boy also that kind of person?
Why didn't the academy side notice his signs? Is he an existence distant from faculty members enough to not even detect that strength? Can the Dean oppose him?
‘Don't know, anything...’
Fifty thousand questions bloomed, but nothing was resolved. Just fear in her heart only grew bigger. Alice repeated inwardly several times even while going to school.
‘Never.’
Must never get involved with that person anymore. Must never get marked by that person. Must not even pretend to know.
-Then how about this. Getting along close from now on?
Words heard previously bothered her, but whatever. Speaking bluntly is there a reason for such a great person to pay attention to herself? Since received warning for now, just showing attitude that understood clearly will do. Giving such assurance that she will absolutely not divulge.
‘T-Then... it will be fine.’
Yes. Living quietly. He also won't pretend to know her or do such things. Hope circuit running diligently. Alice took a deep breath pledging so. Yes, clearly pledged so but...
“Miss Alice.”
What is this situation.
“Finally caught you. You were running away like that all day...”
In front of eyes grotesquely smiling mask. Also, wall placed behind so she cannot run away. Clown’s one hand was touching that wall. Kabedon. Boy and girl, romantic composition likely to appear in a novel. But Alice felt like she would wet herself right now.
“Y-Y-Yes...”
Voice trembling like a goat. Clown smirked, and held her hand gently.
“How about a date for a moment? Just the two of us.”
“Y-Yes... Yes...?”
Shoulders trembling violently. Alice felt like crying.