What Can You Even Do (2)
I stepped into the small conference room we'd rented for the squad battle meeting. Thankfully, I spotted a familiar face the moment I walked in.
“Oh, it's Deep! Good thing there's someone I know, dude.”
It was Revan. Honestly, I still wasn't sure if he was someone I could trust. But just having a familiar face around was a huge relief. At the very least, it would cut down on the chances of a fight breaking out.
Besides, Revan was the top student. His skills were undeniable. The entrance exam had been simple one-on-one duels, but if your combat ability wasn't outstanding, executing squad tactics would be nearly impossible. He was also someone I could trust with communication. Revan had a way of talking to just about anyone without much trouble. It looked like he'd already been chatting with the other squad members who arrived first.
Revan gestured toward the others. “Say hi! This is Allang, and over here is Rod.”
Both of them had neat hair and impeccable hygiene. One thing I'd learned since coming to this world was that personal hygiene was the easiest way to gauge someone's social rank. They weren't the kind of special, dazzling nobles you could tell apart just by their faces, but they were definitely aristocrats.
Still, the fact that they'd introduced themselves to Revan normally suggested they probably didn't hold strong prejudices against commoners.
“What the hell, he's a lowborn.”
“Oh, you mean that lowborn from the rumors? I saw the video.”
On the other hand, it hadn't been proven yet whether they held discriminatory views toward lowborns. Actually, they definitely did. You could tell just from their tone. It was completely different from Aron. They didn't just call someone a lowborn—they used the word itself as an insult. Though, to be fair, the term "lowborn" literally meant someone beneath contempt.
“Does he even have any skill?”
“Who knows. Looked like his body reacted too slowly to the Titan's movements. Honestly, it seemed like he was just repeatedly maxing out output and then stopping.”
It stung even more because it wasn't entirely wrong. But I had no intention of showing it or trying to join their conversation. They were openly badmouthing me right in front of my face. Trying to talk to them now would be pointless.
Revan laughed awkwardly and pulled me over, practically shoving me into a chair.
“Hey, don't say it like that. The guy's right here.”
“Lowborns aren't people,” Allang said flatly.
It wasn't even a matter of belief for him—it was closer to common sense. Revan frowned.
“Once you enroll in the academy, your status outside doesn't mean anything, right?”
“Then why don't you speak casually to Her Highness the Princess?”
Revan's face went blank for a moment before he clamped his mouth shut. He really had nothing to say in response. Academy matters were handled within the academy. Becoming a hero had nothing to do with your birth or class. That's what they said, anyway. It was complete bullshit.
People naturally preferred those at a similar level with similar experiences. It was only natural that those who stood out in opposition would be rejected or weeded out.
Luckily for me, I was pretty used to this kind of thing. Looking closer, I could see it. Those two probably didn't like Revan much either. Even if they didn't discriminate against commoners outright, the existence of a commoner better than them would still rub them the wrong way. They just didn't want to pick a fight with the top student.
“Whatever. Since we're in the same squad now, just don't get in the way.”
“As long as you don't stand out and annoy us. If your Titan gets destroyed, it drags the whole squad's score down.”
The two nobles turned their heads away as if they'd lost all interest in me. No interest? That was actually a relief. Someone once said that indifference was scarier than hate comments. But in this case, indifference was a good thing. It was way better than them actively insulting me.
I didn't even mind people like this. They just disliked lowborns and commoners compared to nobles. It wasn't personal hatred toward me. It was actually easier to deal with people who didn't want anything to do with me from the start. Much better than someone trying to analyze you, figure you out, and tear you down.
Revan, on the other hand, didn't seem to have much experience with this kind of treatment. He was looking at me with uncomfortable eyes. I deliberately avoided his gaze, worried that any reaction from me might make him lash out on my behalf.
Man, he really was the protagonist type. At first I'd just thought he was a nosy busybody who liked butting in, but after being in the same club, I could see his personality more clearly. He was the kind of guy who genuinely empathized and tried to fix things even when it wasn't his problem, while also having a strong need for recognition.
If someone were to pick a commoner-born protagonist, I could easily see them turning out like Revan. Of course, that kind of "what if" didn't exist.
What actually surprised me about Revan wasn't his background or personality, but his skill. On Friday, after watching him duel Aron again in the simulation combat class, I'd observed his match.
The Titan itself wasn't anything special. It was a heavy-armor type that emphasized generator output and defense. It used the standard Titan frame that most Imperial pilots employed—a highly versatile machine.
What I felt from that unremarkable Titan wasn't the creativity of a genius, but the polished experience of a veteran. It was different from me. He didn't take the initiative to confuse his opponent with flashy moves. He methodically analyzed them and completely dismantled their fighting style without taking any damage.
His opponent had been a noble who'd piloted a Titan multiple times. Yet Revan, a commoner who'd supposedly never even touched one before, was skillfully pressuring him. Where the hell had he learned to pilot a Titan like that? Had he actually survived on a real battlefield?
To others it might look like the style of a genius, but to my eyes, he was clearly a seasoned pilot.
While I was lost in thought, the door opened with a click. The person who appeared was a woman with brilliant silver-blue hair—our senior and the squad leader for this squad battle.
“Everyone's good at keeping time, huh?”
For someone saying that, the appointed time had been 2 PM and it was now 2:10 PM. Wasn't she the one who was late?
The first-years exchanged awkward glances. The two nobles seemed to be thinking the same thing. Allang and Rod quickly stood up and bowed their heads.
“Lady Karina of House Luna, it has been a while.”
“Oh my? There's no need to be so formal. We're at the academy, after all. It would be troublesome if things get too stiff.”
Karina Luna. I'd barely heard anything about House Luna. A count's family wasn't exactly low rank, yet there were still so many nobles I didn't know.
Following Allang's cue, Revan and I quickly stood up and bowed as well. It seemed less like they were worried about us and more like they didn't want to be rude to her.
Karina accepted the greetings with a casual wave and sat down. Since she didn't specifically tell us to sit, we waited a moment before taking our seats.
Karina slowly scanned each squad member's face before speaking.
“Well then, everyone. Shall we start with some light introductions? I think I've seen Allang and Rod before at a party. Isn't that right?”
“Yes, we're honored that you remember us.”
“It's been quite a long time, yet you still remember.”
“I remember both of you dreaming of becoming skilled pilots. Seeing you here as new students brings back such fresh feelings.”
It was a warm conversation. The count's daughter who didn't forget even brief encounters, and the nobles reminiscing about old memories. At the very least, she clearly wasn't the type of senior who tried to enforce strict discipline on underclassmen.
“On the other hand, it seems this is our first meeting with these two. May I have your names?”
Revan smiled brightly and bowed his head.
“I'm Revan! Like Allang and Rod here, I'm a pilot and—”
Karina tilted her head with a puzzled look.
“And your family name?”
“As for my family name… since I'm a commoner, you probably wouldn't know…”
“Ah, so you're a commoner. And the person next to you?”
Allang and Rod froze and glanced at Revan. Revan's expression stiffened slightly. This was different from Allang and Rod. Karina's reaction was on a completely different level.
I swallowed once before speaking.
“I-I'm… Deep…”
“Your speech gives it away immediately.”
Karina smiled. It meant there was no need to say anything more. She weighed the meaning of every single word. She expressed malice through polite speech that left room for interpretation. She acted like a true noble daughter, her vocabulary honed through countless social gatherings, casually suppressing those of lower status as easily as breathing.
Rod leaned in and whispered to Karina.
“Um, he's not just any lowborn. You probably saw it on the academy community. Deep is the pilot of that Titan that faced Her Highness the Princess.”
This seemed like he was actually looking out for me. Or maybe it was that kind of situation—fake people straightening up in front of the real deal.
Lady Karina looked slightly surprised before her eyes curved into a smile.
“Ah, so you're the protagonist of that unnecessary video. The one who received attention just for being fast even though he couldn't land a single effective hit.”
The room fell silent.
Lady Karina nodded once, then raised her smartwatch and projected a hologram.
Capture the flag, huh. I'd done that in the first Titan Core game too.
“Each squad will be given one base and one flag to start. You gain points by either completely eliminating another team or by stealing their flag and planting it in your own base.”
Revan raised his hand slightly.
“By points, does that mean we don't necessarily have to be the last surviving squad?”
“That's correct. I'm glad you were able to deduce that much.”
Lady Karina flashed a bright smile and looked at me.
“Then let's have Cadet Deep maintain constant vigilance. After all, he doesn't seem like he'd be very useful as combat personnel anyway.”
Constant vigilance. In simple terms, it meant I was to stay stuck at the base without resting or sleeping, guarding the flag. And if the flag was stolen and we lost, it would be entirely my fault.
Ah. For a second I felt like kicking the table like Ian would. I knew I shouldn't, but my body instinctively wanted to move.
The moment I started to rise from my seat, Revan blocked me with his arm.
“Deep is strong. If you're not sure, I recommend sparring with him once. He had an incredible battle with the third-seat Aron Dyke, after all.”
“Aron Dyke? You mean the son of Grand Duke Dyke of the Eastern Front?”
“Yes.”
Lady Karina lifted her head for a moment, then lowered it slightly as she stroked her chin.
“Then shall we have a match?”
“Then, through simulation…”
“No.”
Her curved eyes weren't gentle at all—they were sharp.
“For real.”