The Dorm Supervisor Scandal Evolves Overnight
The scandal with the dorm supervisor had evolved in just one day, thanks to Elarra von Sterling pulling an all-nighter to distribute her bloodshot [Correction and Apology Statement] extra edition. But the academy brats' imaginations had far exceeded anything I could control. In the spot where the lecherous label had been stripped away, an absurd rumor of a "forbidden romance transcending the stations of baron and duke's daughter" had taken root before I knew it.
"……."
On the way to school. As we walked along the academy courtyard's well-paved stone path, the students around us stared with eyes full of awe and fantasy. Among them, one gaze in particular sent chills down my spine—a sticky, blatant stare that felt utterly viscous.
I turned my head slightly without breaking stride.
Behind the massive oak tree in front of the academy's main building. Seraphina von Lumière, the marquis's daughter from our class, was peeking our way, half-hidden behind the pillar. Her hands clasped to her chest, cheeks flushed like a fan spotting a celebrity power couple in the front row, she poured out an ecstatic gaze. The grotesque intensity, even her breathing ragged, gave me goosebumps.
Ugh… what's her deal? This is supposed to be an elite school…
It felt different from the usual wary glances or surveillance—more like an ominous curse or outright stalking.
"Cadel. What's wrong?"
Reina, walking beside me, asked with an innocent smile. I hurriedly nudged her back and quickened our pace.
"Nothing. Just got chills all of a sudden... Let's hurry. We'll be late for first period."
I ignored Seraphina's gaze clinging to my back and headed to the classroom with a lingering unease.
Dust billowed in the training grounds. The outdoor "Practical Magic Basics" class that had dragged on all morning was finally over.
I'd been sidelined from the lesson, but the magical explosions and brats' battle cries from all sides had already drained me dry.
Ah, hot and tired. Time to grab some food.
I brushed the dirt off my uniform and turned toward the cafeteria, dragging my weary body. But today, my academy life had no intention of flowing smoothly.
Thud—!
A massive frame blocked my path like a mountain. It was Leonhardt von Leonis, head of the emperor's faction.
With a look more resolute than ever, he glared fiercely and bellowed.
"Cadel Evans! Today, I'll confirm your worth once and for all. No more excuses to run!"
Ah… here we go again…
"I'll test with my sword if you're fit to stand by Her Highness the Lady!"
Why's it your call to test that…
His lion's roar echoed thunderously, drawing gasps from the first-years exiting the grounds as they all turned to stare.
I rubbed my temple, debating whether to dodge this duel too.
This blockhead's got zero intention of backing down… Sigh… My fate…
Getting hit by that martial god's wooden sword would shatter at least four bones, no doubt.
Please, just make it eight weeks recovery. At least file it as workman's comp.
I inwardly shed bloody tears and entered full resignation mode. But outwardly, I flashed the perfect business smile of a ten-year veteran and opened my mouth with elegant courtesy.
"Ahem… Ahem. I'm deeply impressed by young Lord Leonis's fervent zeal. To think you'd pay such mind to a nobody like me."
I lightly placed my right hand over my heart and bowed politely.
"I'm terribly worried my paltry swordsmanship might offend young Lord Leonis's noble eyes."
Inside, curses and screams clashed, but in this rigid class society, it was the most perfectly obsequious humility a low baron like me could muster before a marquis's heir.
"Cut the insincere crap and grab this sword!"
Leonhardt growled, tossing one of his two training wooden swords from his belt at my feet.
Whoosh—!
I bent to pick it up. Gauging its weight roughly, I continued my polite formal speech toward him.
"Surely there's a format to this duel, young Lord Leonis?"
To my calm question, Leonhardt raised his wooden sword, snarling.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
Amid the suffocating tension of the onlookers, the absurd matchup between the knight faculty's top student—over 190cm of hulking might—and a low baron braced for eight weeks off began.
Leonhardt strode to the center of the outdoor grounds and shouted.
"Evans! Prove your true strength!"
He gripped his wooden sword with both hands, bellowing a kiai.
Where does he get this stuff from?
I walked up to him, letting the sword tip rest naturally on the ground, and stood with legs spread wide.
From brutal "training" sessions disguised as beatings from Duke Astrea in my youth, I'd learned a harsh truth etched in my bones: I had zero talent for swordsmanship. Better to go limp, absorb the impact naturally, and cap it at eight weeks than flail awkwardly and lose a wrist.
…Just please don't hit there. I don't wanna end up a eunuch.
I inwardly shed bloody tears and entered full resignation mode again.
But facing my utterly listless "no-guard" stance, fury rose in Leonhardt's eyes.
"You bastard…! Mocking me to the end?!"
Mistaking it for ridicule, he ground his teeth and unleashed his full aura. A mana wave erupted from his massive frame, rippling across me and the grounds.
Onlookers tensed and backed away.
Rooooar—!
Dust swirled as heavy magic pressure lashed outward. Befitting the empire's knight faculty topper, it was a sharp killing intent that pricked the skin.
Yet facing that fearsome pressure head-on, I nearly gaped.
…Yawn. Why's it so warm?
I stifled the yawn forcibly. No wonder—I was the guy who took Reina's feral beast-like killing intent full-body every day and soothed it.
Compared to hers, Leonhardt's aura was like a gentle spring breeze scattering cherry blossoms.
"……?!"
Leonhardt's jaw began to quiver faintly. I met his wavering eyes. He stared piercingly, not daring to charge.
Hit me already… The suspense is scarier.
A bead of cold sweat dripped from his brow.
What's his deal? Tense up and shit yourself or what?
The suffocating silence shattered with a loud rumble from my gut.
Gurgle—
This damn navel clock blared indifferently amid the drawn-out standoff.
Ah, so fucking embarrassing…
As I cringed to mutter something, Reina spoke from behind.
"Hurry up and end it."
Arms crossed, she glared down at Leonhardt like a bug.
"Cadel's hungry. It'd take one second to lop your head off, so quit wasting time and charge already."
Instantly, his massive shoulders twitched and froze.
Clunk.
The wooden sword slipped powerlessly from his hand to the ground.
"……Guhh!"
He clenched his fists, then roared like a beast with tears in his eyes.
"I yield!!"
He spat those words into the air and bolted from the grounds without looking back. His broad back looked pathetic—probably my imagination.
"……?"
I picked up his dropped sword, thinking, This punk sweats buckets posing solo, then what the hell?
As a ten-year vet high school teacher, I couldn't fathom male students' psyches.
I scratched my head and tossed the sword into the rack.
"Sigh, anyway, it's over. Let's eat, Reina."
I shoved aside my bafflement and headed to the cafeteria with Reina trotting up eagerly. The first-years' gaping stares at our backs? Not my problem.
On the way to the cafeteria. Reina's silver hair beside me was tousled by the outdoor class winds and dust.
I reached out naturally.
"Hey. Hold still, you've got something in your hair."
Ex-ten-year teacher habit: hands move on reflex for sloppy uniforms.
I casually, affectionately straightened her smooth silver locks as she tilted her head quizzically.
"Cadel. Thanks."
Delighted, she smiled shyly.
It was just my everyday routine to tidy her up, but this was smack in the academy courtyard.
"Haa…!!"
Suddenly, a muffled but intense gasp erupted from behind a massive stone pillar.
Startled, I turned to see Seraphina von Lumière—the marquis's daughter who'd tailed me with sticky stares since morning—hiding behind the pillar, face tomato-red, peeking at us. Her eyes gleamed with that insane, idol-obsessed fanatic glow.
"Haa…."
I rubbed my forehead with a deep sigh.
Fixed the reporter, now a stalker?
"Cadel, what's wrong?"
"Nah, just hungry… Let's eat quick."
I nudged Reina's back and hurried off.
My exhausting academy life, shaved daily by the brats' antics, marched on today too amid utter delusions.