Chapter 58
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: School's Owner
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Hundreds of eyes were all looking up at me.
None among them could resist my 'Wrath'.
My trait had now reached a level of precision where I could control it to merely avert their gazes.
Since they knew nothing about traits, they would mistake it for some unknown magic.
I opened my mouth.
"I welcome you all to the academy."
In the original story, Tristan had killed Arthur and seized all of his positions.
The university chairman role that Arthur had held also passed to Tristan.
It was a ridiculous tale, but all Tristan had wanted was the title of chairman of the empire's top university.
It was a position he obtained solely for self-aggrandizement and showing off.
That was why the original Tristan never even set foot in the school after becoming chairman.
But I was different from that guy.
"No need for long-winded speeches."
I continued, sweeping my gaze over each of the focused stares.
"I will provide unwavering support to students with potential. No matter what you imagine, I intend to offer more than that."
A student who met my eyes swallowed hard.
"But those who stagnate without effort will be ruthlessly expelled from the school."
It was a statement ripe for backlash.
As the auditorium began to stir, I once again crushed even the slightest hint of unrest with my 'Wrath'.
I needed to etch it firmly into their minds.
The battle with the players next year would be harsher than ever.
When conscription began across the empire, the students herefilled with noble heirswould be no exception.
The best course was to weed out those who wouldn't survive that fight in advance.
I told them clearly.
"You must constantly prove your own worth. Those who fail have no qualification to be my students."
Overwhelmed by my 'Wrath', no one could object.
At that moment, one female student shot up from her seat.
"W-What if we don't accept this?!"
A trembling voice emerged from her mouth.
Though I had moderated it somewhat, she had confronted my 'Wrath' head-on.
"We fought through countless competitions to get here! And now you're expelling us at whim? The school belongs to the students! Even as chairman, you can't just decide like that!"
Her courage was admirable.
But death would end it all.
I slowly opened my mouth.
"You seem to be under a grave misunderstanding."
"P-Pardon?"
"The owner of this school is me, the chairman."
"?!"
With the resolve to accept no rebuttals, I focused my 'Wrath' on her.
And so the female student collapsed back into her seat.
To the eyes of strangers, it would look as if she had been crushed by my presence.
Confirming that, I concluded with words infused with 'Pride'.
"If you can't accept it, then leave. That's all."
"Haa..."
As the entrance ceremony ended, sighs erupted here and there.
Naturally, they were about the newly appointed chairman.
"Hey, aren't we in big trouble? That guy's the chairman from now on."
...
"He'd really expel us for bad grades?"
"Hey, didn't you see those eyes? Do they look like they'd lie?"
Tristan's chillingly cold gaze.
Recalling it, the students shuddered.
Events like entrance ceremonies, packed with procedures, inevitably had boring moments.
Especially when high-ranking figures like the chairman or president dragged on their speeches.
So people usually passed the time chatting with those nearby.
But when the chairman appeared before them moments ago, no one in the auditorium could utter a word.
Whether they knew what kind of man Tristan Ruelverta was or not, everyone's mouths stayed shut.
Strangely, in that man's presence, they couldn't even turn their heads.
As if he forbade it.
"What do we do... With a guy like that as chairman, should I prep for a transfer exam right now?"
"Where would you go? Where else in the empire is as good as this school?"
"Ugh... This sucks."
Students clutching their heads.
Some harbored resentment.
"I don't like him. So what if he's that infamous pig count?"
"But for a pig... hasn't he lost a lot of weight?"
"Damn it. Anyway! How did a wastrel like that, barely older than us, become chairman? Must be a parachute appointment."
"Um, excuse me..."
"The school foundation is owned by the Ruelverta family. Even if it's national, they couldn't help it."
"Tch. True... That guy's the richest in the country. Probably threw money at it again. What a jerk."
"Shh. Watch your mouth. You could get in real trouble. He might retaliate."
"Hey! Um, excuse me!"
"Huh? You..."
A squeaky voice like a squeezed mouse came from the side.
The chattering students all turned their heads at once.
There stood Wendy, a small girl with twin tails, looking like a little animal.
"P-Please don't speak so carelessly...! The Count isn't like that..."
Wendy said in a trembling voice.
It was a huge act of courage for her, but it didn't come across that way to the freshmen.
"Whoa?! It's the student rep from the pledge earlier!"
"Re-rep?"
"So cute! How old are you?"
"T-Twelve..."
"Kyaa! Same age as my little sis! You're really a freshman like us?"
"Eek..."
Wendy couldn't keep up with the barrage of questions.
She had meant to sharply call out their gossiping about the Count, but she wilted under the pressure from her seniors.
The one who rescued Wendy was the girl hidden behind her.
"Will you stop bullying her?"
"What?"
The bespectacled, intellectual girl, Luna, spoke up.
"I understand how you feel... but my friend is in distress."
Her voice lacked confidence, but her words carried backbone.
Above all, the cool glint in her eyes beyond the glasses made the students surrounding Wendy step back.
"Ah, uh... S-Sorry."
"Thank you. Now, Miss Wendy, shall we head back together?"
"Y-Yes..."
There was an atmosphere around Luna that forbade refusal.
So no one could stop her as she took Wendy's hand and led her away.
Thus, Wendy was pulled by Luna's hand out of the auditorium.
Luna wasn't much bigger than Wendy, but shaking off her grip was impossible.
Then, Luna, who had been leading, stopped.
"Miss Wendy..."
"Y-Yes?"
Wendy swallowed.
Tensing up, expecting something scary, she awaited Luna's next words.
Luna whirled around and grabbed both of Wendy's hands.
"You're amazing!"
"Y-Yes...?"
"Your pledge!"
Luna's eyes sparkled as she said it.
"I never imagined you'd speak so coolly in front of everyone! And as student rep, doesn't that mean you're top of the class this year?"
"Y-Yes? P-Probably...?"
"See! I couldn't have guessed the first person I talked to today would be someone so incredible!"
"I-I'm not that great..."
Wendy was flustered as Luna showered her with praise.
No one had ever spoken to her this way, making it all the more awkward.
"Since we're fated like this, want to grab a bite just us girls?"
"A-A bite...?"
Wendy tilted her head, and Luna smiled.
"Yes! I wanted to check out a café in town anyway. Want to have some tea together? Someone's coming to pick me up soon, but if it's okay, come with me, Miss Wendy."
"Eek..."
At Luna's kindness, Wendy slowly shook her head.
"S-Sorry... I have someone waiting for me..."
"Oh? Your parents?"
"N-No... It's not that..."
Wendy hesitated.
She wondered if she should tell Luna she was a maid.
Anyone could see Luna was high nobility.
Worlds apart from Wendy.
Luna didn't seem to care about status, but Wendy lacked confidence.
Perhaps reading Wendy's mind.
Luna backed off gracefully.
"Ah, you have circumstances you can't share. That's a shame, but nothing to be done."
"Sorry..."
"It's fine. We're friends, right? If not this time, accept my invite next?"
"O-Of course!"
Seeing Wendy nod vigorously, Luna beamed.
Seeing that smile, Wendy couldn't help but giggle.
Lucky to make a nice friend like Luna at the entrance ceremony.
Good thing she came... She was thinking, relieved.
"Wendy."
"Eek?!"
At the sudden voice, Wendy flinched and turned, finding Tristan standing there.
"What are you doing there?"
"C-Count..."
Tristan stared down at her with an expressionless face.
"I was talking with a friend..."
"A friend?"
"Y-Yes... This is... Huh?"
Wendy tried to introduce her first friend from school.
But she couldn't.
No one was in the spot where Luna had stood moments ago.
Only Wendy and Tristan remained.