Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Expulsion Canceled
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I wondered how to explain this to Rin, who was staring at me blankly. To talk about the current situation, I'd have to mention the sexual harassment incident too.
Wait a second.
"But you don't care at all that I was labeled a sexual harasser?"
Thinking about it, if she was reacting like this just from misunderstanding who I was dating, there was no way she'd stay quiet when the harassment rumors spread.
"There's no way you'd do that."
Rin wiped away her tears, steadied her voice, and spoke clearly to me.
"I already told my friends. That you're not the type to do something like that."
"And I wrote a letter to Dina too."
"What? To my sister?"
"Yeah."
I handed some tissue to Rin, who sniffled again, while trying to calm my confused mind.
In my previous life, I hadn't made a single excuse and had slipped out of the academy without anyone knowing, so I never imagined Rin would go this far for me behind the scenes.
'And she even wrote to my sister.'
Dina McKlein. My older sister, a fifth-year on the verge of graduating from the academy. She was off in another region for practical training now, so we hadn't crossed paths here.
'Not many people even know I'm her brother.'
I'd never been the standout type of student to begin with.
"Just hold on a little longer. Dina will sort it all out once she gets here."
"......"
A bitter taste crept back onto my tongue.
Back then, I'd acted like the tragic protagonist in some drama, never confiding my grievances to anyone, just running away.
"Don't worry about the harassment case."
"Huh?"
I figured I should tell Rin, so I started explaining the current mess and what was happening in the girls' dorm right now.
Judging by the commotion upstairs, it seemed Eve and Tana had handled things well enough—no rush on my end.
"So you were pretending to be lovers on purpose to catch the real culprit?"
"Yeah, and they've probably got him by now."
Rin broke into a bright smile, pinched her cheeks to snap out of it, and returned to her usual expression.
"Oh, I misunderstood. Sorry. But you could've told me ahead of time."
"......"
I might have in the past, but not now. Honestly, just being in the same room with her made me fight back nausea.
'Still, I'm getting used to it bit by bit.'
At least there were no headaches or dizziness like the first time we met. Small mercies.
"So the misunderstanding's cleared up now, right?"
"Yeah."
Rin fidgeted with her fingers like something was off, but I slowly opened the door.
"It's noisy upstairs, so we can head back to our rooms naturally."
"......Got it."
I escorted her to the stairs leading to the fourth floor, and right on cue, Eve and Tana came down.
They both smiled at first, but their expressions shifted subtly when they spotted Rin beside me.
"You okay?"
No time to worry about that—I checked on Eve's condition first. She nodded, saying she was fine.
"Where are you headed?"
"First floor. Calling in the other professors for a full rundown."
"Good, that's a relief."
"The polymorph wore off in front of everyone, so your name will be cleared soon. Congrats, Daniel."
"Really glad it worked out."
Tana and Eve offered congratulations, but their tones felt insincere, chilly even. Suddenly, Rin gripped my hand tight and spoke to them.
"Thank you so much. I wanted to help since Daniel got framed."
"It's fine, we handled it."
"Let's go."
As the two headed down the stairs, I shook off Rin's clinging hand.
"Let go."
"......We used to hold hands a lot before."
"When was that?"
It had been nearly ten years since we'd played together as kids, holding hands without a care. Back then, hanging out with Rin and Ares had been pure fun.
"Go on. Lingering here will just cause more misunderstandings."
"Okay."
Only after watching her climb the stairs did I return to my room.
"Your expulsion... is canceled."
Watching the dean speak so elegantly, as if trying to mask her frustration, felt utterly satisfying.
She refused to admit her own mistake, brushing it off as a failure of the other professors' investigations—pathetic flailing.
The harassment had been the key factor in the expulsion, and this was her way of compensating for the false accusation.
'A hollow victory.'
Honestly, I hadn't expected it to be revoked so easily—left me a bit dazed.
But the dean's attitude flipped in an instant as she met my eyes.
"However, you know your poor conduct led to this situation, right, Daniel? The violence incident and failing to take the exam are proof. From now on, strive harder to—"
"What are you talking about? The violence was a frame-up too, and I missed the exam because other students interfered."
"Sigh, all these excuses..."
"To begin with, Chapheni targeted me for his first crime because he found my trimmed nails in the dorm trash. He didn't even know who I was. The second time, he used me again since I was close to Eve."
A bit heated, I glared down at the seated dean.
"Poor conduct? Don't twist logic to blame the victim."
"Daniel! Haven't you considered your tone lately? Even as a commoner, you should show basic manners."
"I'm a commoner, but I know how to admit faults and apologize. You're just shifting your misjudgment onto me. I nearly got expelled as a sexual harasser at 18."
The dean cleared her throat awkwardly and gestured for me to leave. Mana laced her hand, pushing me back naturally, but I answered firmly.
"I'll clear the violence frame-up too. And I'll prove myself on the exam."
"Your mouth will get you—"
The door opened on its own as I exited, slamming shut with enough force to shatter. She looked furious, but sorry—not done with me yet.
I considered heading straight to class, but first period was nearly over. No point now; it'd just be break time. I headed to the rooftop to cool my head.
An empty rooftop.
The cityscape beyond the railing.
The height brought fierce winds, cooling the heat in my head.
Graffiti from delinquent students everywhere, even some cigarette ash on the ground.
Aios Academy was renowned across the continent, but whispers said its reputation was fading around now.
With elite noble heirs who had early education and talent, high scores were inevitable.
But their rowdy, undisciplined lives were starting to draw criticism.
Extreme focus on grades meant minimal character or etiquette training.
'That's how I got in.'
All the scandals forced them to admit a few commoners as a public relations shield.
I knew nothing of the academy from my previous life—I'd ignored all info from that time on purpose.
"Sigh, the violence thing..."
I'd already planned for that. No expulsion needed anymore, but I didn't want to walk around framed.
In my past life, I'd been too timid, bearing all the injustice. Not this time.
I'd seen guys from May's crew who knew about my violence incident—beat answers out of them, and it'd spill.
"Hm?"
Presence behind me.
I spun, seized the lunging assailant's throat, pinned her wrist to neutralize the weapon, and flipped her down.
"Guh, ack!"
"Ah......"
A white-haired girl.
In uniform like me, she glared in shock—her "weapon" just a stick.
"Sorry, you came at me suddenly."
"Gah! Hah!"
I'd gripped her throat hard; she panted roughly, still glaring.
"You......!"
She scowled, about to speak.
She looked familiar—now I remembered.
'One of the girls trailing Ares?'
One of Ares' flashy catches. His girls were skilled; that sneak attack would've caught any other student off-guard.
'Daily life in the Demon Realm Forest.'
Attacks came from underground, sky—simple backsides were tame. Sensed them instinctively now.
"I overreacted, but you snuck up first."
"......"
"So why? Tell me the reason."
I crossed my arms, waiting. She pouted, scratched her head, glanced at me.
I widened my eyes threateningly; she caved, spilling it all.
"Well, you're friends with Ares, so I got curious about your skills."
"That's it?"
"But you didn't get hurt! You're impressive—Ares couldn't block my ambushes either."
Figures.
Her type was obvious.
Snow-white hair, ambush expert.
'Extermination Squad alum.'
Ares attracted weird girls—felt a bit sorry for him.