A Fresh Start in Class C-2

Two weeks flew by in the blink of an eye.

I rose at dawn each day and trained until I nearly collapsed, circulating my mana and practicing precise manipulation. After grinding from dawn until lunch, I’d take a brief rest before launching straight into physical exercise. Since I couldn’t leave the dormitory, I stuck to bodyweight routines I could do indoors: a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, a hundred squats, a hundred burpees, and a hundred pull-ups. Meals were rare; I mostly fueled myself with bananas. The dormitory had a convenience-store-style facility, so I occasionally stepped out to buy some. Every trip to the first-floor store brought unfriendly stares, but there was nothing I could do about it. Vern’s past sins, after all. Besides, I didn’t particularly care. As long as I handled my own business properly, that was enough.

Still, a convenience store inside a dormitory? It was fascinating. A medieval world with corner stores… This place clearly wasn’t identical to the game I’d played. They sold just about everything, which was how I’d managed to stockpile so many bananas.

I’d driven myself to the brink of fainting during those two weeks. It was a short period, yet the results were tangible.

“Status ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠window.”

I had definitely grown. I allocated the newly unlocked remaining stats into stamina and strength.

“Only a single point each, though.”

This was a real, living world rather than a game, so the systems differed slightly. Raising experience or stats felt harder than in the game. Still, the accessory’s bonus stats helped, and I could sense genuine progress. I was still far from sufficient, but the feeling was satisfying.

It was slow, yet if I kept training steadily like this, the day would eventually come when I stood on the same starting line as everyone else.

My suspension was over. Starting today, I had to attend classes. I was already marked as a troublemaker; piling absences on top of that would make graduation nearly impossible.

I shut down the negative thoughts, rose from the soft, cozy bed, and headed for the bathroom. Since it was morning, I kept the shower simple. The boiler here was implemented as a magic tool. Unlike my old home—where the slightest twist might blast you with ice or scalding water—the temperature stayed perfectly balanced, letting me enjoy a genuinely refreshing wash.

I toweled my wet hair, then quickly dried it the rest of the way with flame magic. The relentless training had given me fine control over firepower, so drying my hair with a spell was now easy. I ran my fingers through the slightly fluffy strands to tidy them, then changed into the fresh clothes I’d laid out.

The academy recommended uniforms, but wearing one wasn’t strictly required, so I chose comfortable attire: a white shirt, ordinary pants, and a belt. It looked neat and tidy enough.

“Maybe I should throw on the uniform jacket? Set the right atmosphere.”

The uniform carried several enchantments—excellent durability and resistance to stains. It even had a weak defensive spell, which was why I used to wear it often in the early days when I lacked better options. Of course, since I preferred clean and simple looks, I rarely bothered with it now.

That should be enough luggage. Textbooks, writing tools, and a bag—everything essential. Fortunately Vern hadn’t completely abandoned his studies; the basic textbooks and supplies were all there. If they hadn’t been, I would’ve had to buy them. Coins saved.

“Hmm… Should I take this or leave it?”

Weapons were partially permitted inside the academy for dungeon runs, strategy sessions, and other practicals, but the lack of a scabbard was a problem. I couldn’t exactly walk around campus with a naked blade dangling at my side.

“It would’ve been convenient if the inventory function existed. Shame.”

Unlike the game, there was no inventory here. After looking into it, I learned you had to obtain a special item called a “magic pouch.” Even the low-capacity versions started at 500,000 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠coins. Way too expensive.

Now that my suspension was lifted, I needed to find a part-time job this week. The question was whether anywhere would hire me. Ha. Vern’s reputation as both a scoundrel and a delinquent preceded him. This could be troublesome.

I’d at least bring a knife. Just in case. I also needed to sell some items, buy a new sword and scabbard—there was a mountain of things to handle. This month’s expenses were going to be brutal.

By now, news of my broken engagement with Elisha should have reached the main family. Once that happened, either our house or the Isis family would begin to move. How exactly should I explain things to the family head? Should I meet him and bluntly declare that I’m leaving the family?

Never mind. I’d think about that later. For now, it was time to head to school.

....

It had been a truly long time since I last walked through these halls. I never thought I’d be attending classes again. The feeling was profound.

“I was demoted to Class C last time, wasn’t I?”

Let’s see. Unlike the mid-tier Class B or the elite Class A, Class C had the second-highest student count after Class D, so its classrooms were split into several groups. I belonged to C-2, which sat roughly in the middle of Class C.

“This must be it.”

I’d spent a lot of time wandering the academy’s interior on the way, so I was running late. If I’d left any later, I might have been tardy on the very first day.

The moment I slid the door open and stepped inside, a chilly atmosphere wrapped around me. The students’ eyes swirled with fear, wariness, tension, jealousy, and envy.

As expected.

No matter how harmoniously commoners and nobles supposedly mingled, jealousy and envy never truly disappeared. On top of that, there was no reason for them to view a son of the Flame family favorably. Especially not one who had caused endless trouble while leaning on the family name and then been demoted from B to C class. Plenty of people would look down on me. Even fellow nobles might glare at me with distaste. Vern’s reputation had sunk that low.

This could invite some annoying pests.

I ignored the students’ stares and walked straight to the rearmost seat by the window.

“So that’s Vern Flame? I heard he got suspended for causing trouble and got dumped into our class.”

“Demoted all the way to C? Guess his skills aren’t that impressive after all.”

“He used to strut around like he owned the place. This is karma.”

“Shh! He can hear you!”

“Who cares? This isn’t the mainland. It’s Oasis Academy. Nobles and commoners don’t mean anything here.”

“Y-yeah, but he’s that Vern…!”

“Didn’t he get demoted for beating up a C-class student? Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”

“Will you please shut up…!”

It was the exact development I had anticipated. Given how thoroughly Vern’s image had hit rock bottom, I’d expected as much. Therefore, there was no need to pay it any attention. I would climb back to Class B within this semester anyway.

A few minutes after I sat down, the front door slid open with a rattle. The homeroom teacher entered. A tall man with messy hair and a prominent scar across one eye placed both hands on the lectern and spoke in a booming voice.

“Looks like we have a new face today. With that in mind, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Caron Walker. Vern, if you have any questions, come see me at the faculty office on the third floor.”

Caron Walker. A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠genuinely decent teacher. Seeing how the instructors changed with each playthrough had always been interesting. Most academy instructors were good-aligned. They devoted themselves to teaching students and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cultivating talent. Caron was one of the rare few who, during special events, would sacrifice himself for his students.

While I was quietly moved by the sight of a character I only knew from the game now standing before me, Caron continued.

“On that note, I have an important announcement today. Everyone, listen carefully.”

The entire class began to buzz. Naturally. For second-years, an important notice at the start of the semester could only mean one thing.

“Tomorrow, a large-scale practical evaluation will take place. The entire second-year student body will participate.”

Of course. What else would an academy be about if not practical training? It was the chance to apply everything we’d learned in real combat. Since this was standard procedure upon entering the second year, everyone already knew about it. Still, because the exact content changed every year, tension was inevitable.

Now came the branch point. Would it be dungeon conquest? A battle royale? Or perhaps…

“The evaluation will be held at Mount Galia, located west of the academy. Assemble at the western gate by six o’clock tomorrow morning. That is all.”

“Oh, and don’t forget to bring your weapons.”

With those final words, he left the classroom.

As expected. A mountain practical meant the task would involve locating hidden objectives scattered throughout the terrain. Perfect. Exactly what I wanted. Things that were too easy stopped being fun.

I’ll take first place here.

But there was one crucial detail I had overlooked…

This world was slightly different from the one I remembered.

“This practical will not be an individual event. You will be working in teams. Everyone, gather around.”

…Huh? But I don’t have any friends?

It looked like this practical was going to be far more difficult than I’d anticipated.