The Angular Protagonist Gets Hit Right Where It Hurts

The faculty office of Concordia Academy was quite different from the cramped rooms most people imagine. It wasn’t some tiny space like you’d find in an elementary, middle, or high school. No, it was more like a massive open-plan office divided by countless partitions. Each teacher’s personal workspace was generously sized, and they could even deploy transparent magical barriers for complete soundproofing. Even though it was early morning, a few students had already come to consult with their teachers, and those teachers were listening with genuine attention. Just from the atmosphere alone, you could tell how excellently the academy was running.

“Hmm. It looks like most of you are here.”

When Sekhmet and I entered, many people stood up from their seats and turned their attention our way. Among them was Miss Nora. She gave her red hair a little shake, waved at me with a small smile, and flashed a gentle grin.

Is it because of what Sekhmet said? I’m worried about how everyone’s going to look at me…

A few students, sensing the mood, quietly retreated. The teachers displayed a colorful variety of reactions that weren’t remotely uniform.

“Since you all seem busy from the crack of dawn, I’ll keep the introduction short. This is Ludo von Eisenwald. As I mentioned earlier, he will be taking over as the homeroom teacher for the Spinsters Class starting today. He will be granted full authority in place of Nora, who has been temporarily filling the role. Originally we should have brought him in sooner to coincide with the entrance ceremony, but as you all know, I tend to be rather lazy about such things. Since he’s been assigned at this slightly awkward time, I’d appreciate it if you would all look after him.”

Thankfully, I didn’t have to say a word. The principal handled the explanation herself. I just stood there awkwardly while the teachers stroked their chins, each reacting differently to the news with expressions that basically said, She’s really doing this?

“Um, we all understand the founding philosophy behind the Spinsters Class, but… are you truly planning to have the students in that class interact with the regular student body?”

A lion-faced beastman raised his hand. He appeared to be from the Lumiante Forest, just like Garara.

“A fine question. Following the wishes of the various kingdoms and family heads who sent those girls here, we will first encourage interaction and then allow them to roam freely so they may find suitable husbands. Therefore, please assume that the Spinsters Class will also participate in the orientation, club recruitment, and basic practical training listed in the March schedule.”

These were the academic events that had been mentioned in the hallway earlier.

At the beginning of March, the Spinsters Class had no homeroom teacher and the students themselves had protested, so I heard they skipped showing up to the entrance ceremony. But now both Nora and I were here. The orientation and club activities would proceed normally.

“I also have a question.” An unnamed female teacher raised her hand. “There will inevitably be idiots who insult the students simply because of the class name… How should we handle that?”

“The class was created precisely so they would feel that humiliation. Ignore the ones who badmouth them behind their backs. However, if anyone openly degrades them, punish them as a teacher should.”

“We need more concrete examples.”

“I see. The official slogan of that class is ‘Because they remain unmarried at this age, they have come here to find husbands.’ So if anyone spreads baseless rumors calling them stone-cold virgins or anything of the sort in order to sabotage their marriage prospects, punish them especially harshly.”

“So marriage takes absolute priority. Understood.”

Everyone nodded at the easy-to-understand standard. It seemed they had now grasped how the Spinsters Class should be handled.

The teachers’ murmurs grew openly audible.

“As the homeroom teacher for the Holy Maiden Lilith, I’m honestly envious. Especially as a believer of Agape.”

“I’m from the Kagurayama faction, so I wanted to meet Lady Hazuki at least once… but I hear she hasn’t left her room this entire time?”

“From what I’ve heard, her condition is quite serious. To think someone like her would be placed in a class like that.”

“I was secretly aiming for the position, thinking it would be a fast track to success.”

“More importantly, that martial artist who came from the far east was pretty nice… Spinsters Class or not, she’s a beauty, right?”

“What about Lady Nia and Lady Kiara? I don’t know why those two are in a class like that, but it feels like a waste to let a guy like him have them.”

“Is it really okay to leave a wimpy guy like that in charge?”

“If I remember correctly, Lady Sekhmet’s own daughter is in that class. Are we really allowed to assign a male teacher to them?”

“Shh. That’s taboo. Don’t touch it.”

While some were jealous or envious of my position, there were also plenty of people who openly pitied me for being saddled with such a bomb. Overall, there was a lot of concern directed at me.

“To think they’d give such a massive headache to a brand-new hire. That guy’s going to suffer.”

“No kidding. Every single one of them has quite the personality.”

“Lady Elena seems nice, but the moment that topic comes up she gets sharp and scary.”

“What about Lady Brunhild? I almost died the last time I tried talking to her.”

“That murderess who came from the Heavenly flawless Sect… can he even control her?”

“More importantly, Lady Aisha is a problem too. She basically controls the entire academy shopping district.”

“I wonder if he can even get someone like her to attend class.”

“If only he’d save our cute Tom…”

Although there was jealousy, since this was an official setting it didn’t get too blatant. As various opinions flew back and forth, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder hard. Sekhmet had waited for all their opinions to be aired before reintroducing me.

“Worry not. Unlike you disloyal lot who dare doubt this one’s judgment, the Ludo standing here has already fulfilled this one’s expectations in a single day~.”

“Are you perhaps referring to the duel that happened yesterday?”

“What? You already know about it!”

“Yes… A student came by earlier and said they saw Lady Elena fighting someone in the arena last night.”

“Do you know the result?”

A nod.

“I heard the man won and took Lady Elena with him.”

The moment one teacher reported it, the entire faculty office shook.

Everyone on the faculty seemed well aware of Elena’s combat ability.

“Is that true?”

Finally, someone asked the question out loud. The man had a Kaiser mustache, dragon-like eyebrows, and Beethoven hair—an appearance so striking you’d remember it after seeing it just once.

“And you are?”

“Pardon me. My name is Walter von Bernhardt. I am a new instructor who officially joined the faculty after passing the examination at the beginning of this year. The Eisenwald family that Lord Ludo belongs to is a neighboring house just across two territories, so we have met several times for formal greetings~.”

The man introduced himself while bowing excessively. His voice was just as greasy as his looks. He had a habit of adding strange emphasis at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠end of his sentences.

So that’s where I heard the name. He’s from the count family that governs the lands near ours. I do remember going with my father to pay respects. Since there were no major issues in our territory, we didn’t visit often.

Still, I didn’t remember seeing him back then. He probably wasn’t the eldest or second son—I remembered their faces. Since he was working here as an instructor, he must be the third son or perhaps an illegitimate child?

“I thought you looked unfamiliar. So you’re a new hire this year. Interesting that you share the same origin as Ludo. Very well. It seems you have something to say. This one shall permit it. Speak.”

“Then this Walter shall dare to speak~. Lord Ludo’s reputation in the surrounding territories is rather poor. They say he drowned himself in alcohol and neglected his duties, causing his soldiers to grow lazy and bandits to run rampant. They also say the reason he remains unmarried at his age is because he violated his own younger sister… At least, that is what the people of our territory believe~?”

“This one is already aware of the rumors surrounding Ludo. We thoroughly investigated his background before appointing him. Well then, Ludo, do you have anything to say about this?”

“It’s all a misunderstanding. It’s true that I enjoy drinking, but there isn’t a man in this world who doesn’t. My subordinates are all hot-blooded and simply cannot tolerate evil-doers like bandits. As you personally witnessed, Lady Sekhmet, isn’t our territory peaceful? And I have no memory of ever laying a hand on my sister just because I’m unmarried. It’s all baseless slander.”

“That is also true.”

Violating my own sister…? Just what kind of lunatics are spreading such nonsense? They can badmouth me all they want, but dragging my family’s precious daughters through the mud? I seriously want to kill them.

“…The man himself says so. What do you think, Walter?”

“They say fishermen need wind to make waves. There is always a reason behind the wind that creates the waves of rumor. This Walter has no intention of disparaging Lord Ludo, but I simply wished to emphasize that these stories are famous enough to reach even Lady Sekhmet’s ears~.”

No intention of disparaging me? He says that with a straight face. Sekhmet’s lips curled up in place of mine, on which veins were slowly beginning to bulge.

“This one understands your intent. You believe it is impossible for the protagonist of such terrible rumors to have defeated Elena, correct?”

“From the flow of the story, I understand that Lord Ludo has proven his ability. Howeeever~! To someone who knows the rumors, it is simply hard to believe. We all know Lady Elena’s heroic tales quite well, so anyone familiar with Lord Ludo’s reputation would naturally be suspicious. Moreover, I find it questionable whether it was even a fair duel. Therefore, I believe assigning him as homeroom teacher is excessive~?”

“My, what a spirited fellow. To think there would be someone who dares doubt this one’s judgment. Nora, what is your opinion?”

She gestured to the side as if to call forth another witness. Red hair swayed gently.

“I personally supervised the duel that took place that day.”

“You, the department head?”

“Yes. Aside from some rather crude language, it was a legitimate duel. Lady Elena also acknowledged her defeat. As a result, she very politely bowed her head and declared she would obediently join the Spinsters Class. I, Nora, am willing to stake my title as department head to guarantee that Lord Ludo’s ability is exceptional.”

“Ugh! Is that so. However, perhaps because I did not witness it myself, I still find it hard to believe~.”

Several teachers quietly agreed with Walter. It was a natural reaction since everyone acknowledged Elena’s skill.

“Are you saying you cannot trust my words?”

“No no no~. That is not it, but it was a duel, was it not? There may have been some underhanded tricks in the arena that outsiders could not notice. I hear the eldest son of Eisenwald is quite skilled with hidden weapons. What do you say about that?”

“It is true that hidden weapons were used, but there was no problem with it.”

“I see~.”

He slyly asked about the rumor that hidden weapons were my specialty, then received confirmation from the person who had supervised the duel that they had indeed been used. He was skillfully undermining me. We were complete strangers, yet here he was acting like this.

Sekhmet and Father’s concerns were spot on.

They had said there would be teachers who envied me. To think he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would try to humiliate me right in front of the principal. What a gutsy bastard. I bared my fangs.

“Aha, it seems there was one other spirited fellow here~.”

Sekhmet took a step back. That mischievous lioness definitely wanted to watch how I would respond. In other words, she was telling me, Go wild in my place.

“Lord Ludo?”

“Lord Walter. May I say a few words?”

“Uh… what is it, Lord Ludo?”

Since the principal had given permission, there was no need to hold back. I smiled faintly and walked right up to Walter until I was practically in his face. Close enough that a punch could fly at any moment. The moment our shadows overlapped, he immediately tensed up. I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

“It is true that I have a terrible reputation. My personality is indeed so sinister that I enjoy using hidden weapons. And I’m not good-natured enough to quietly let people who don’t even know the truth bite at my back.”

“What are you—”

“Behind me stand two guardians. Lady Sekhmet and Miss Nora. If you believe that Lady Sekhmet, my guardian and the principal, has made an error in judgment, and that Miss Nora misjudged our fight, then I am more than willing to accept a duel right now in order to protect both of their honors.”

“!”

I basically just said, If you’ve got a problem, let’s throw down. The faces that had expected nothing more than a verbal spat between teachers in the faculty office instantly filled with dismay.

“Th-there’s no need for that! This Walter did not mean it in that way. I simply thought everyone should know about the rumors spreading ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in our lands. If I did something like that, wouldn’t it be the same as advertising that the rumors are true~!?”

The moment I brought up the two names and pushed forward, he immediately shrank back. Did I really need to use polite speech with a bastard like this? No. Fuck that. I was so embarrassed in front of the parents who raised me that I immediately dropped the mask.

“My personality and the truth of those rumors have nothing to do with each other. If you could judge a person’s conduct solely by their personality, then nearly every human in the world would be a saint. On the other hand, what about you? You flap your mouth and spread rumors without even verifying whether they’re true, yet the moment you realize my actual personality you become flustered. Did you really expect me to stay silent and just listen quietly?”

“Wait, Lord Ludo. Your tone is—”

“Do not casually speak my name. I absolutely loathe parrots who were born human yet only repeat what others say. Hearing them squawk the words they just learned to their owners and everyone around them is truly grating.”

“Parrot?! How dare you mock this Walter, comparing him to a mere palace sparrow~!”

“Don’t ask me every little thing. You dress yourself up all flashy on the outside, but in the end you’re just a birdbrain. It’s painfully obvious you can’t tell what’s real and what’s fake from what you see and hear.”

I stepped even closer. When our noses were almost touching, Walter let out a startled “Ugh!” and the sound of people swallowing nervously echoed from all around us.

“I have no desire to be respected by a parrot, nor do I want to be friends with you. But don’t mistake me for a narrow-minded person. You were the one who picked a fight first.”

“It wasn’t a fight, it was—”

“No excuses. Remember my words clearly.”

I whispered into his ear, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“If you insult my guardians with your incoherent nonsense one more time, I will rip that tiny little beak of yours clean off. Got it, pudding-stache?”

“Guh!”

His face turned bright red. His mustache and lips twitched as if he had a mountain of things he wanted to say. He looked like he might snap and start a fight, but Walter ultimately chose to back down.

“Khh… My apologies!”

It was because his own previous behavior had been so blatantly obvious. He must have thought that since the principal and department head were present, I wouldn’t dare act out. Unfortunately for him, the lioness standing behind me was an eccentric who loved events like this.

“If you had not stepped forward, this one would have scolded him personally. Still, it was amusing, so it is fine.”

See? That’s the kind of person she is. Still, I couldn’t hate her since she had tried to step in on my behalf.

“That was entirely his own fault. Rumors or not, he was way too blatant.”

“I understand how you feel, but saying something like that in front of the principal is a bit…”

“He’s a recent hire. That’s typical of people who haven’t yet had the outside world beat the arrogance out of them. They think they can say whatever they want as long as they pretend to be respectful.”

“Ah, so he’s from a count family while the other is from a viscount family?”

“The moment he failed to inherit the territory and became an academy instructor, everyone already knew his place…”

“Unlike the outside world, this place puts fists before titles or etiquette.”

“On the other hand, the guy the principal personally chose has quite the backbone! I like him!”

“He’s the perfect talent to take charge of a class like that. You need some temper after all. Look at Department Head Nora—she’s too soft to handle the students properly.”

“If only our department head had even half that personality…”

“Hahaha! He can hear you, you know!”

“…I can hear you.”

Fortunately, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no teachers tried to make an issue out of what had just happened. If anyone did, it would only be a few ambitious types aiming for my position like Walter. On the other hand, the beastman teachers like Garara seemed to take a liking to me. Among them, a teacher who looked exactly like a lion approached me.

“You’re Ludo, right? I’m Lionheart. I’m the combat training instructor. Looking forward to working with you.”

“I’m Ludo von Eisenwald. It’s an honor. Instructor.”

We naturally shook hands and tested each other’s grip strength. He immediately flashed his fangs in a wide grin.

“Hahaha! You’re not all talk. Principal Sekhmet, I’ll take charge of Ludo from here, so you may return to your duties!”

“Mm. If you are taking him under your wing, then this one can rest easy. Well then, I leave the rest to you~♪”

With that, Sekhmet declared she had done her part and smoothly disappeared. I followed Instructor Lionheart around, greeting various people. Through this, I was able to connect with many faces. The beastmen in particular seemed to like me and treated me with exceptional hospitality every time I showed up.

Just like Garara. Do I perhaps have a hidden talent for being loved by this side?

I had awakened a talent I never knew I possessed while stuck in the territory, and thus spent a very busy first day.