Try That, That
Try That, That
It was a continuous series of shocks, the ranking match.
The top student of Class E, Viktor.
The top student of Class B, Caitlin Retus.
The duel between the two students ended with Viktor's overwhelming victory.
The girl, who showed incredible performance worthy of a Class B top student, and the boy, who parried all of her attacks and seized victory.
The high-level match content was more than enough to captivate the students.
"Really... I can't get that match out of my head."
"If they said I could pay to watch it again, I think I'd hand over the money without a second thought."
"The match itself was incredibly flashy. Especially the Class B top student's part was so intense..."
"And the Class E top student, who casually brushed aside that kind of fierce assault with simple, sharp moves..."
To the point that stories about the ranking match were featured on the front page of the academy newspaper for a whole week straight.
Especially, Viktor's stock was soaring to its peak.
"This ranking match, that Class E top student kid... Viktor, right?"
"Is he really from Class E? He doesn't seem like the kind of skill level that should stay in a lower class..."
"I was curious about that part too. How could they let a kid like that enroll in Class E?"
"I asked a professor who supervised the entrance exam? He said there were no mistakes in the grading or anything like that."
"What? So, at the time of enrollment, he really was only at the Class E top student level?"
Being from Class E and overwhelming the Class B top student.
That was a part that couldn't help but attract the students' attention.
The kids each raised their questions and discussed stories about Viktor.
"That kid... his overall stats were E-grade, right?"
"Ah, right. There was that rumor too."
"That's actually true. I was watching from behind during the stat measurement."
"Wh-what?! Oh my god, I thought that was just nonsense...!"
Moreover, according to the overall stat evaluation, Viktor was E-grade.
And yet, throughout his ranking match against Caitlin, he controlled the situation without a single scratch on him.
"No... if your overall stats are E-grade, aren't you weaker than most ordinary people?"
"And with that body, he beat the Class B top student? Just how much of a monster is he...?"
"Come to think of it, they said that guy doesn't use magic at all, right?"
"Huh? That can't be right, can it? Watching the match last time, he often used something like short-range teleportation."
"Idiot. How can he use magic with E-grade mana sensitivity? That probably wasn't magic either."
"Then what is it if it's not magic?"
"Well... if there's any possibility, maybe it's something like curses? And not the well-known ones, but obscure, indigenous curses."
"But you know. Even if he's skilled in curses, is it really possible to overwhelm the Class B top student with basic stats that weak...?"
"That, I don't know either..."
"Where the hell did a guy like that pop out from...?"
Viktor, who had rapidly risen to become a superstar of Grandia Academy.
Simultaneously, one rumor began spreading quickly among the students.
"I hear Class A is planning to scout him soon?"
"I heard they've already started the paperwork for class promotion?"
"Well... it doesn't make sense for a kid like that to remain in Class E."
"It seems several professors are eyeing him too? I hear some even want him as a direct-line assistant."
The rumor that Viktor would soon be scouted into Class A.
Given that he actually showed a performance that overwhelmed Caitlin, he was more than qualified.
Already, some of the Class A executives had expressed opinions that they wanted to bring him in...
"So jealous~ His value is about to shoot through the roof."
"He seems skilled enough to at least reach mid-rank in Class A."
"Sigh, is there nothing for me...?"
Not only that, but his actions after the ranking match also became a topic.
Some Class B students who frequently picked fights with Class E.
The day after the ranking match ended, he barged in and beat them down one by one.
"He even crushed their mental state into powder, I hear?"
"Wha...? Does that make sense? He took down the entire Class B all by himself?"
"It wasn't a fight, more like he straightened out their discipline? I guess they had some promise among themselves. That if Caitlin lost the ranking match, they'd all grovel before Viktor..."
"Why would they make a promise like that?"
"They probably never even imagined she'd lose."
"True."
The actions Viktor ordered the Class B students to do were as follows:
The 'Top Blade play' - spinning their heads and crashing into each other.
The 'Sonic play' - when moving, they had to move not by walking but by somersaulting forward.
The 'Energy Blast play' - when Viktor clapped his hands, they had to fly 30 meters backward.
It was truly an extreme and ruthless retaliation.
"Will the Class B kids finally tone it down a bit now?"
"Phew~ Serve them right, serve them right! Honestly, it was annoying how they strutted around subtly."
"I heard the Class E kids treat their top student like an older brother, and I finally understand why today."
"Exactly. When I heard he made them pull rickshaws, I thought he was some crazy guy... but it seems he's pretty loyal."
"Isn't this cool even from a guy's perspective? He took the chance and completely cleaned up the kids who usually bullied his classmates."
"Right. Honestly, Viktor seems legit."
"That's not it, you fucker."
A hot potato.
Grandia Academy was that noisy for a week.
A week after the ranking match.
I spent my days quite annoyed by the focused attention.
"Student Viktor."
Ever since the ranking match with Caitlin ended, love calls came from here and there.
"Could we have a little talk?"
"Ah... Professor Clovun, isn't it?"
"You know me. That should make our conversation quicker."
Faculty members who approached me several times a day.
Without exception, their questions were about whether I had any thoughts of becoming a graduate student.
Even if not as a direct-line assistant, it seemed they wanted to nurture me as a regular teaching assistant or an outstanding student.
"I have a proposal I'd like to make to you."
"A proposal...? What kind of proposal for a mere student like me...?"
"By any chance, have you considered delving deeper into curses?"
"......"
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to scout you into our research lab."
"Scout, you say..."
Well, I had walked such an outrageous path so far.
It was only natural that the faculty would be interested in a student type they'd never seen before.
They probably wanted to put me in a teaching assistant position, keep me close, and observe me.
"Our research lab is short on people lately. If there's a promising student, I'm thinking of taking them as a disciple..."
Professors who had their eyes on me.
Even just today, this was the seventh proposal I'd received.
Each time, I had to smile awkwardly.
"That's a very kind offer... but for now, I'd like to focus only on my studies."
"Eh-hey, why are you like this. If you come in as a teaching assistant, I'd look favorably on your grades too."
"I still feel I have a lot of shortcomings."
"Tsk, is that so...?"
"I'm sorry."
"No, no. I think I pressured you too much. Let's talk again if there's a chance later."
The elderly professor made an expression full of deep regret.
With words promising a next time, he turned away.
He even smacked his lips as if disappointed.
I felt a little sorry for a moment, but it wasn't as if I could accept the offer.
'Because I already have a predetermined position.'
Javert's direct-line assistant.
It was the position I had been promised by her after the informant capture incident.
'I should announce this soon too.'
Once it was announced, perhaps these scouting proposals would die down.
Having to refuse every time wasn't a particularly pleasant feeling.
It seemed I needed to discuss it with Javert soon.
'Well... still, it's not a bad feeling.'
There are this many people who want me.
They are interested in my exploits and actions.
Having a high value means just that.
Of course, I shouldn't get too swept up in that sense of satisfaction...
'Because I'm not that kind of guy.'
Shaking off miscellaneous thoughts, I walked down the main building street.
Whoosh~
Before I knew it, it was early summer, with winds carrying a warm heat.
I crossed through the gently settling greenery that had begun to descend.
As I savored the brief moment of leisure, the girls walking beside me were noisy.
"Vi, Viktor-nim...!"
Pekkom, a head of black hair peeking out.
Alice was holding out a booklet to me.
"Today's academy newspaper also has Viktor-nim's story on the front page!"
"Alice-yang."
Eyes sparkling.
Newspaper pages, clumsily cut out, were pasted inside a notebook.
It contained everything that had been in the newspapers for the past week.
"Oh-ho... It seems you've been cutting out and preserving only the parts where I appear."
"Eh."
"I never imagined you'd gather the materials with such devotion."
"Ah... Yes, yes. I, I wanted to... show Viktor-nim..."
The girl's face instantly turned red.
Her wavering, wall-colored eyes that had lost their direction were quite cute.
While watching that reaction, Lanne, who had been lurking nearby, also chimed in.
"It's amazing! I should say, as expected of Sir Viktor!"
"That's an overestimation. How should I put it, it's a bit burdensome too."
"Such humble words! In our Class A as well, voices saying we should recruit Sir Viktor are starting to emerge one by one!"
"Ha, haha..."
I laughed awkwardly.
'I'm starting to think I might have become too famous...'
Well, it was actually a good thing.
Because I had plans for the future.
For that, it was better to make a name for myself within the academy as much as possible.
'Because... I plan to devour this whole academy.'
The showy actions I've taken so far.
All of it was connected as part of a single plan.
Soon, a crimson wind of reform will blow through Grandia Academy.
"Huhu."
I laughed with an expectant heart.
Walking along as if on a stroll, my feet had already reached the destination before I knew it.
B Main Building.
"Now... how shall I torment them today?"
It was the space where Class B students lived.
Humming a tune, I flung open the classroom door.
Perhaps because of the unannounced visit, some students sitting in their seats jumped in surprise.
"Nice to see you all again today!"
Regardless, I strode boldly into the classroom.
The place where my unhesitating steps stopped was the very corner seat.
The seat where a girl with yellow hair was sitting.
The top student of Class B, Caitlin Retus.
Also the girl who became my subordinate through the servitude bet last time.
"Caitlin-yang! I'm here!"
"......"
I greeted her cheerfully.
The girl was making a rather shocking sight.
Wearing a red collar around her neck, she was trembling in her seat.
"Oho, you're wearing it well."
"......"
"Caitlin-yang?"
"......"
"Gay Tlin-yang."
"......"
"Answer."
"......"
Despite my persistent calls, the girl stubbornly kept her mouth shut.
I had no choice but to gently tug the end of the collar.
Between her healthy, tanned skin, the yellow hair cascaded softly.
A sweet fragrance characteristic of girls her age wafted, and soon Caitlin was looking straight at me.
"Caitlin-yang."
"......"
Her face was red, looking like it might burst, likely from shame.
Of course, I had no intention of going easy.
Tapping the collar, I spoke.
What we had agreed upon.
This was a promise based on the duel, an oath, possessing binding force.
In fact, according to Grandia Academy regulations, it was written that students who violate this face penalties ranging from minimum demerit points to maximum expulsion.
"Caitlin-yang."
"......"
"Do you want to be expelled?"
"Fuck, you perverted son of a bitch..."
"Ah-ah, that's not it."
I reprimanded the growling sound.
How dare this Pokémon rebel against me, its Pokémon Master.
"What did I say? When answering, always add something, right~?"
"Shut, the fuck..."
"Caitlin-yang?"
"......"
"Expulsion."
"......Fuck."
"Last chance?"
The girl's shoulders trembled as she hung her head low.
I called her in a bright voice.
"Now, Caitlin-yang?"
"Pee..."
"Hmm?"
"Pee, Pika-chu..."
"I can't hear you well?"
Finally, Caitlin answered loudly.
"Pi, Pika...☆ Pikachu...!"
Steam seemed to be puffing furiously above her head.
As if praising her, I stroked the girl's head repeatedly.
"Aigoo, good girl~!"
"Ugh... Fucker..."
Tsk.
What kind of Pokémon swears.
"Expulsion?"
"Pika... Pikachu..."
"Aigoo, good girl~!"
Crackle~
Sparks flying between tightly clenched fists.
Caitlin had her lips tightly bitten.
"Pika..."
That was no simple Pikachu.
It was a scream imbued with the humiliation of a blonde, tanned, delinquent girl.
"Uuugh...!"
"Aigoo, how adorable~!"
Gotta do what you gotta do.
How dare you talk big and then lose?
You're the one making my academy life fun.