Watch Your Mouth, Day or Night
"From this moment on, I'm placing a special mark on everyone."
Isolet, glaring at us with our dazed, shocked expressions, declared this as she tore the magic scroll from her bosom.
Shooo...
A gray energy emerged from the torn scroll, burrowing into everyone's bodies before vanishing in an instant.
"This mark can only be damaged by the special magic formula that will be distributed at the end of class and the special weapons. Once it takes a certain amount of damage, the mark disappears, and I'll be notified immediately."
Scanning my body with star mana, I could indeed feel the mark embedded within.
"Anyone whose mark disappears can no longer continue the exam. The team whose commander's mark vanishes first loses. Everyone understand up to here?"
The students nodded quietly, and Isolet continued in a low voice.
"Now, for the rules on elimination."
The elimination rules she explained were quite straightforward.
The majority of the winning team avoids relegation to Class B, while the majority of the losing team gets sent there. According to Isolet, this gives each team's 'commander' tremendous authority.
First, the winning team's commander gets to select some people for elimination—from both the enemy team and their own. Even if you win, you can boot out anyone who didn't contribute or who sabotaged things.
The losing team's commander, meanwhile, can choose which of their own team members stay in Class A.
In other words, defying a commander with that kind of power is something that almost never happens...
"I won't protect you, Young Master Frey."
Guess I was wrong.
Someone was already challenging me.
"I'd rather go to Class B than protect you..."
It was Perloché, glaring daggers at me from the cluster of commoners.
She could easily have entered as a noble student but chose to enroll as a commoner, insisting that a saintess is merely God's proxy, not nobility. Seeing her stare at me with such hatred made my chest ache for some reason.
"Come on, don't be like that. Just sit down already. If someone as noble as you drops to lowly Class B, the Church of the Sun God will throw a fit, won't it?"
"Shut your mouth."
I tried a sly tone, but Perloché spat back coldly, looking repulsed.
"Keep this up, and... I won't have a choice."
"W-what do you mean, no choice?"
In the end, not even ten minutes into the practical evaluation, I had to pull out my last resort—the one I'd saved for if things went south.
"I'm heading over to surrender to Clana right now."
"...Pardon?"
Perloché's face went blank.
"W-wait a second! Young Master Frey!"
"P-please... wait..."
The commoners, realizing what that meant, started clinging to me desperately.
"Um... why is everyone doing this?"
Perloché, still looking dumbfounded, asked. I smirked and replied.
"If I surrender to Clana right now... most of the people here would get sent to Class B without a peep."
"T-that can't..."
"And from what I hear, most of the Class A commoners are barely scraping by on those special scholarships. Right?"
As I grinned, the commoners hanging onto me bowed their heads, biting their lips hard.
"W-wait! But... if you do that, Clana will just pick you for elimination! So calm down first..."
Perloché warned me urgently.
"Doesn't matter to me if I drop to Class B."
"W-what?"
"I'm the acting head of the most powerful ducal house out of the empire's three. What could possibly happen if I end up in Class B?"
"T-then... you're really going to surrender!?"
I smiled at the furious Perloché and headed for the door of the empty classroom we'd commandeered for our strategy meeting.
"It's fine, Perloché. I'll make sure you're not eliminated. I've got to focus on dropping as many of these lowly scum as possible."
"You... ugh..."
"I'll go surrender to Clana then. See ya."
As I opened the door, Perloché grabbed my arm in a panic.
"I-I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Her voice trembled as she dropped to her knees before me. The watching commoners turned away silently, clenching their fists.
...Phew, crisis averted.
I sighed inwardly, sat down, propped my legs on the desk, and put on an arrogant expression.
"So, where are we setting up our base?"
According to Isolet, both teams had to choose a base of operations. Apparently, it was policy to give academy students real combat experience amid the recent surge in erosion phenomena.
"Um... since the exam runs through the whole break... couldn't we just hide somewhere?"
A female student raised her hand, and the other commoners chimed in agreement.
"...Yeah, good idea. So, where do we hide?"
I asked flatly, and the girl who'd spoken first glanced nervously at me before suggesting cautiously.
"Um... how about hiding in the forest..."
"Rejected."
After my ordeals in the Ashen Forest and the woods near my house, I grimaced and shot it down. The girl backed away in fear.
"To my house..."
"Rejected."
"The inn my family runs..."
"Rejected."
We went back and forth like this for a while until everyone fell silent, glaring coldly at me.
"...So, how long are you all just gonna stare daggers at me?"
"............"
I couldn't stand the silence and prodded, but they kept up the icy stares.
"Fine, whatever..."
Memories of being surrounded by an angry mob in the previous loop flashed through my mind. I closed my eyes, steadied myself, and spoke.
"...All of you, come to my house."
Silence blanketed the room.
"What's your angle?"
Perloché asked coldly.
"Angle? How rude. I'm just doing this for you all..."
"What nasty scheme are you plotting this time?"
She kept pressing despite my excuse, so I muttered with a sullen look.
No... even when I'm trying to make us win, it's a fuss...
I'm dead set on winning this team battle.
It's the perfect chance to purge all the rotten nobles to Class B.
If my commoner team wins with me as commander, Clana will keep only the helpful, decent nobles in Class A.
That means freedom at last from the nobles who've dogged my every step, maxing out my stress levels.
Of course, most nobles she rejects will be high-ranking ones with bribe money and calculating minds—they'll likely see her as an enemy and check her from then on.
In short, a commoner win cleanses the academy of annoying nobles, restores fairness, and naturally curbs Clana.
But there's a catch.
If I go all-out helping the commoners win, rumors might spread that I'm secretly a good noble who helps commoners.
That'd be the end of me.
So for this exam, I need to harass and sabotage the commoners overtly while secretly propping them up from behind to ensure victory.
"Frey! Answer me! What's your game!?"
"Shut up and pack your bags. All of you, to my house. I'm graciously extending mercy to you lot."
Finishing my thoughts, I ignored Perloché's shout, flashed a sinister grin, and spoke. The commoners looked uneasy, hemming and hawing.
This... gonna rack up a ton of villainy points over break?
Just from my grin, they were already dreading what I'd do to them at my house during break. Looked like a villainy point bonanza.
"By the way... where do you think Clana and the nobles are holing up?"
"The imperial palace, maybe?"
"Nah, no way. The palace? Come on."
"But if they really are at the palace... we could sneak a peek, right?"
As the commoners packed with a hint of excitement, the exam's special rules included an imperial decree forgiving any intrusion, even into restricted areas.
That suggested...
"Young Master, this feels like Clana's trap. So..."
"I know."
"Pardon?"
Kania sidled up quietly as I packed. I replied softly.
I'd been unsure seeing Clana's confused look earlier.
But a veteran like her could mask her expressions easily.
If I hunkered down in my room with ironclad defenses all break, even with Moonlight backing, assassinating me would be tough.
But the decree lets nobles legally invade the ducal residence...
No better shot at killing me.
Her sharp mind probably calculated I'd hole up, so she set this up.
Though she has other motives too, no doubt.
Letting students decide Class A relegations is unprecedented—suspicious, even.
If she's behind it, there's a hidden agenda.
I still don't know how she pulled this off with her shaky power base.
"Kania, when do they reveal the commanders' locations?"
"In one week. Both commanders get notified simultaneously then."
"...Plenty of time."
I was swamped already; forced location tracking made my head throb.
But what can you do? Might as well exploit it.
"Frey."
As I headed out, someone grabbed my arm.
"You...?"
Turning, I saw Ariane, Irina's childhood friend, glaring at me.
"Talk with me a moment."
"No thanks, too annoying."
I didn't want to tangle with Ariane, who was as fierce as Irina, so I tried to brush her off firmly—but
Pajing...!
Ariane, grinding her teeth, threw up a barrier blocking my path and glared.
"Just a moment, please."
"Haa..."
I sighed and turned back, heading into the classroom with her—leaving the door wide open so the commoners peeking from outside could see.
"...What's her deal? Why's Ariane like that?"
"Dunno, she's lost it. Someone stop her."
"Leave her; no one's reining that one in."
"So, what do you want?"
At the classroom center, I asked arrogantly.
I already knew exactly what she'd say, but playing dumb works best here.
"A plea: please give Irina back."
Pretending ignorance a beat, Ariane squeezed her eyes shut, knelt, and began.
"I'll do anything you command. Bark like a dog, crawl on the floor, offer my body—whatever. Just return my friend."
Tears streamed down her face.
"Irina, come here a sec."
Gazing calmly at her, I beckoned Irina, who stood quietly amid the murmuring crowd.
"You know her?"
As Irina entered silently, I smirked and asked.
"I... don't... know her."
She bowed her head, her expression vacant, soul drained.
"Irina! What did he do to you!?"
"........."
Ariane couldn't take it, grabbed her, and shook—but Irina just avoided her gaze.
"Sorry, but..."
After watching, I pried Irina from Ariane, wrapped an arm around her waist, and said,
"...Irina's already a handful; no room for more slaves right now."
Leaving stunned Ariane behind, I exited with Irina.
"What're you gawking at? Let's move out already."
I shooed the still-watching commoners, then walked the hall quietly with Irina.
"...You can let go of her arm now, Young Master."
"Ah."
Kania approached with a cold look from behind; I startled, released her, and mumbled awkwardly.
"Uh... Kania. The ducal residence is gonna be noisy over break. You okay?"
"Haa..."
Kania sighed, then replied blankly.
"I'll manage somehow."
Feeling a bit sorry for her, I thought of buying her a fatigue potion—then Perloché appeared behind us.
Panicking that she'd overheard, I relaxed seeing her pouty glare and asked.
"What now?"
"What did you do to Irina?"
Sensing a long talk, I sighed.
Looks like I need a fatigue potion too.
......
"Young Master, bringing so many students home... what about the 'main quest'?"
"Main quest?"
Riding the carriage to my ducal residence—now our forward base—Kania asked quietly.
"Yes, it's such a big event... we should prepare early. If the exam lasts till break's end..."
"It's fine. My plan calls for striking at the absolute last moment anyway. We've got time."
I leaned back, replying casually, and murmured.
"Good... everything's perfect. For once, it's all going smoothly."
Until now, it was variables and mishaps nonstop.
Day one of regression: main heroines' memories wouldn't surface...
Scenes I didn't remember popped up...
Unknown systems appeared...
But now, everything's in calculations.
I've got a way to lead commoners to victory while raking in villainy points. The next main quest, 'Slave Market Liberation,' has been meticulously planned since last loop.
Variables could still hit, but this time, I'm confident I can handle anything...
"...Frey, you sure you're okay?"
"Huh? What?"
Irina asked worriedly, interrupting my thoughts.
"Can you really handle Ariane on your own?"
I sighed softly.
"...Who knows."
Ariane's good-hearted, but once she snaps, anything goes.
If her specialty was offensive magic instead of barriers, I'd have zero ways to deal with her.
Even leaving the room with Irina earlier, her killing intent was palpable.
"Haa... whatever, can't be helped. At this point..."
Thud!
"...Huh?"
As my hard-won calm frayed again, a loud jolt rocked the carriage, slowing it.
"...What's going on?"
Frowning, I peered cautiously out the window. A man was blocking our carriage.
"Hey! Get out quick! You know who you're dealing with...?"
The driver yelled, but the man replied gravely.
"I've come to see Young Master Frey Raon Starlight. Forgive my rudeness; it's urgent."
".......!!!"
Me, Kania, and Irina froze at his voice.
Because it belonged to the Demon King's second-in-command from the previous loop.
"...Stay here. I'll handle it."
"Y-Young Master!"
"Frey!"
To keep Kania and Irina back, I exited swiftly, facing the suit-clad man calmly.
"So, what is it?"
"Well..."
He smiled.
"...You'll need to come with me right now."
"Why?"
My hand drifted to my sword hilt, but
"We can't start the executive meeting without you, Frey."
"What?"
I doubted my ears at his words.
"...Congratulations on becoming the top executive, Young Master Frey."
Looks like I need to watch my mouth from now on.