The First Lesson of the Discarded Generation
Is this really a freshman orientation? I thought the atmosphere was heading toward a funeral parlor, with Erpin taking heat from Professor Cheren right from the start, but then he said, "Two of you are already sleeping in the first class, you rotten bastards."
It’s only gotten worse since before. Does he never get dry-mouthed? He’s been repeating the same thing for twenty minutes. "Golden generation, my foot. You’re not gold, you’re just a bunch of rust."
Fortunately, the students' stinging gazes are directed solely at me. The reason I openly acted like an attention-seeker to draw the focus of Professor Cheren and the students is simple: the preservation of Erpin von Herta’s value and her mental stability.
Erpin von Herta is called a genius mage and is the greatest asset of the first year, carrying the expectations of many. In the previous timeline, Muse Fairfield, Sia Stella, and Shirai were all in Class A, so the students' attention was scattered. But with those three changing classes, there are too many factors that could pressure Erpin. It is my opinion that I cannot let Erpin, who already carries enough pressure on her shoulders, be attacked any further.
Professor Cheren isn't wrong, but if this many students see Erpin cowering? Especially since she was sleeping in the front row from the very first class? It’s clear that even the first-year students, who should be working together to prevent their standing from shrinking, will look at Erpin with disapproval. In that case, it’s better for me to be the one hated.
I’ll be hated by many students, but I don't mind being a meat shield for that much.
"...!"
If Sia’s eyes are emerald, Erpin’s are peridot. They are closer to yellowish-green than green, and she always has a look of terror in them. 'Why is she staring?' As soon as she makes eye contact with me, she turns her head away with lightning-fast reflexes. Anyone would think I was the one who stared first.
Erpin von Herta. It’s a name that sounds like she’d be arrogant and crush opponents with sheer momentum, but she is closer to prey than a predator. She struggles even to make eye contact with others, and she even freaks out if the other person is a man. In short, she’s just a shy loser with no social skills. The reason she left the banquet hall as soon as the entrance ceremony ended was because she hates crowded places. That is why I pay as much attention to Erpin as others might think is an overreaction.
"You there, the one who’s been snoring and sleeping since the first class."
Professor Cheren made a gruff sound and pointed at me with his finger. Does he intend to humiliate me in front of everyone?
"Are you spacing out?"
"I apologize."
"You’re apologizing without denying it. I like that about you."
Professor Cheren wiggled his index finger. 'Suddenly telling me to come down?' Well, if a professor tells you to jump, you jump.
Professor Cheren never smiles when he’s angry. Judging by that sinister grin, he must be planning to make me do something strange. Even if I’ve adopted the 'attention-seeker' persona, it’s hard to stay up here and endure this.
"Aren't you coming down? Do you want to have a go at me?"
It’s unfair. I was trying to go down, but Shirai wouldn't let go, so I couldn't leave my seat. "I’ll buy you ice cream later." It was only after whispering that into Shirai’s ear that I was able to escape her persistent grip.
Thud. The students' gazes toward me are still stinging and cold. It feels like being trapped in a prison where everything is a bed of thorns. Choices always come with responsibility. Like hundreds of eyeballs following me quickly every time I take a step forward.
"You."
I finally succeeded in reaching the front of Professor Cheren. His tall stature and broad shoulders. A stylish hairstyle that doesn't fit a middle-aged man. A sturdy physique, a perfectly fitted red dress shirt, and a beige button-up vest over it. Even the black outer garment with fur attached and the straight scarf with an anaconda drawn on it. The pressure is different from when I watched him from afar.
"Turn around once, just like that."
When I froze, not understanding, Professor Cheren grabbed my shoulder with a strong grip and—whoosh!—quickly rotated my body 180 degrees. Then he whispered in a voice only I could hear.
"Taking responsibility is this scary."
Cheren Dragunov. Aside from his sturdy physique, he’s just another old man whose specialty is nagging.
"Look at these many eyes that are hostile toward you. Isn't it scary?"
Professor Cheren had noticed from the beginning why I had drawn their attention. The reason he intended for me to face hundreds of students was to teach me a lesson.
"You must have thought I was an idiot who didn't know your intentions."
"..."
"The world doesn't go your way, kid."
Amidst the eyes of countless students. I find myself nodding at the sincere teaching of Professor Cheren, who is my elder. Yeah, life really doesn't go the way you want. That’s why I’m going through this hell right now.
"Do you know why I nagged for twenty minutes? Huh?"
"Did you make the kids angry just to show me this sight?"
"Yes, that’s right. If I hadn't made a fuss, they wouldn't have hated you this much."
Fear spread everywhere cannot be compared to fear concentrated in one place. When I was sitting in the chair, there were few people in sight, so I didn't feel the pressure from those kinds of gazes. But now that the limitation of my field of vision is gone and I am receiving the gazes of hundreds of people directly, honestly speaking, it’s hard not to be scared.
To conclude, it went exactly as this old man intended. He wanted to make me experience firsthand that the price of responsibility is greater than I imagined. That’s why he nagged for twenty minutes. To make me think that the first class at the academy, which should have been monumental, was ruined because of just one person. This old man used these many students to manipulate their psychology.
— *Where did such a slippery guy roll in from?* Princess Nipia had said that. The real slippery one isn't me, but this sinister old man.
"Isn't the sacrifice for the sake of a lesson too harsh?"
"You were the one who messed with me first. How much of a pushover did you think I was to be snoring so vulgarly?"
I know. I know it happened because I started it first. Snoring during a sacred class and then having the audacity to say, *'Yawn, I slept well.'* Anyone would curse at me. But what can I do? The fates of many people—one person, no, all the students here, including the students in the swordsmanship department—are at stake. I know this is what criminals usually say, but I really had no choice.
Professor Cheren’s teaching method is misguided. "You must be happy. Making one student an outcast."
"That’s why you shouldn't have stepped up. An adult was in the middle of speaking."
Cheren finally took his hand off my shoulder and tilted his head to the right. The front-right corner seat from my perspective. That was where Erpin von Herta was sitting.
"Do you like her?"
He says this. "But you’re also pathetic. You covered for her even while suffering this humiliation, but she isn't even looking at you."
Erpin is hunched over, hiding both hands in her blanket. I can see them. Erpin’s slender hands trembling inside the blanket. Those light green eyes trembling, hidden behind her messy hair.
How timid is Erpin? According to the developer’s commentary, she once had a presentation during her middle school years, and it took her a total of one hour to read everything written in the script. She’s the type who can’t even make proper eye contact with people, let alone stand in front of others. It would be strange to expect anything from her.
"I didn't do it expecting anything. And I don't like her either."
"It sounds like a lie, but if it’s true, you’re a hell of a romantic."
I’m telling you, I’m not. It seems he has no intention of listening to me.
"I’ll return to my seat."
"Wait, you’d be a bit disappointed to return like this, wouldn't you?"
"...?"
"I’ll give you a chance to make amends."
Professor Cheren took a deep breath. To the point where his lungs were visibly full. And just like that time when he risked his life to fight the Asura Count, he shouted loudly, "Hey, hey, hey! You guys! Urgent news has arrived!"
The students who were looking at me with hostility tilted their heads. "If this guy beats me in a sparring match, I’ll give you free time during my lecture hours for the next four days."
Cheren Dragunov. He is a powerhouse recognized by Dean Celis. When he stretched out his left arm and deployed a *Mana Barrier*, the lecture hall was instantly engulfed in a turquoise aura. From now on, until Professor Cheren lifts the barrier, everything that happens here will be restored once the barrier is lifted. However, changes involving people as the subject are excluded. In other words, wounds sustained during the fight remain even after the barrier is lifted.
"The test begins."
*
1st Year Magic Department Class C Lecture Hall. The gazes of all the students here are directed toward the lecture hall stage. A duel between Professor Cheren and a male student that started suddenly.
"Pathetic."
The name of a sword that King Arthur is said to have used a very long time ago. An ice-form sword modeled after *Excalibur* covers the blonde male student with a sharp impression.
"Compared to your eloquence, your skills are mediocre."
"..."
It’s a one-sided picture that borders on assault. The male student’s body is already full of scratches. Thanks to Professor Cheren’s incredible strength control, not a single drop of blood is shed, but his hair is a mess, his uniform is torn in places, and it wouldn't be strange if he collapsed right now. Professor Cheren is using only two ice swords as his own handicap. Yet, the male student is in a situation where he can't even attempt an attack and is barely dodging the flying swords.
Even the students who were looking at the male student with murderous eyes until just a moment ago were secretly cheering for him at this very moment. If he just wins, they get four days of free time. Although the odds of winning seem non-existent.
"Ugh...!"
"Whining over just a scratch on your arm."
Bang! Bang! The sound of the ice sword hitting the floor and the sound of Professor Cheren’s yawn, soaked in boredom, occupy the lecture hall. It’s good that the male student is dodging Professor Cheren’s attacks. The biggest problem is that he can't dodge and counterattack. Just like now, when the male student dodges one sword and approaches, the remaining sword hovering around Cheren blocks his entry.
However, this is the Magic Department lecture hall in the Aether Hall. If they are admitted to Lumeris Academy, they should be able to use quite decent magic. But the students didn't think it was strange at all that the male student wasn't using magic. The barrier Cheren deployed is interfering with the flow of mana in his body. Most students must have already felt it. It’s not to the extent that they can't use mana at all, but students with below-average basic mana capacity have their mana flow completely locked, making them unable to use even basic magic. Of course, the standard is 'a student of Lumeris Academy'.
"This is my way of doing orientation, kid."
Because Professor Cheren is aware of that, he made the outrageous offer of four days of free time while using only two Excaliburs. Because he had no intention of losing in the first place.
Eventually, the male student, cornered by the ice swords, breaks into a cold sweat at the sight before him and gasps.
"Don't worry too much, as you’ll be in the infirmary when you wake up."
The moment the two ice swords headed toward the male student at Professor Cheren’s gesture—three arrows flew in a parabola from the air.
Whoosh—!! The flames of the three arrows instantly melted Professor Cheren’s ice swords into liquid, and a small girl in a hooded robe began to walk down the stairs, revealing her murderous intent.
"You’ve crossed the line."