"Huh, why is it acting up now? It was calm even when its horn was cut. Hahaha, I apologize for the commotion. I'll calm it down immediately."
Narang seemed flustered as he tried to calm down the artificial unicorn whose horn had been cut.
But the creature wouldn’t stay still.
Clang, clang-!
The unicorn repeatedly rammed itself against the iron bars that imprisoned it.
─ Vroooom!
Of course, the bars weren't ordinary, so the unicorn couldn't break out, but it kept snorting.
······While looking directly at me.
Whispers of surprise erupted from the audience.
"Why is the unicorn suddenly acting like that? Is it because it's artificial and its emotions are unstable?"
"Umm, I don't think that's it. It's been calm until now, right? It was calm even when its horn was cut. It's strange for it to act out suddenly."
“That's true. But nothing has happened since, so why?”
"Did a virgin fall from the sky or something? A unicorn getting excited... that's the only explanation."
"Oh, speaking of which, isn't that unicorn continuously looking in one direction?"
"······Yes, it is."
People were murmuring, following the unicorn's gaze.
Naturally, it was in my direction.
"······."
Awkward.
The artificial unicorn also appears in the game.
Of course, it's artificial, but it possesses all the characteristics and nature of a real unicorn.
The most famous trait of a unicorn is, of course, its fondness for 'pure individuals'.
This includes both men and women.
'······Was Theo a virgin?'
Of course, he's only 16, so it's a possibility... but it's surprising.
That's because Elinia Academy is known for its blind dates and social mixers.
With so many promising young men and women gathered away from the world, it's natural for relationships to form.
Especially given their age, they're more interested in relationships than studies.
And naturally, the students of the Hero Department are at the top of this social hierarchy.
In the game, the male students of the Hero Department even earned the nickname ‘Academy Bombers*’.
But for Theo, despite having world-class looks, to be a virgin...
I guess good looks don't mean much if you have a lousy personality.
Or perhaps he only had eyes for Piel?
"Ahem."
The surrounding gazes are a bit burdensome.
I enjoyed the attention during the Knight Department tournament, but I'm not used to this kind of curious gaze.
I cleared my throat and, using the [Amplification Orb], I enhanced [Twisted Noble's Dignity].
I then calmly looked around.
······But it's strange.
People were looking in my direction, but they weren't looking at me.
To be precise... they were looking at Mari and Natasha sitting next to me.
"······."
"······."
With faces flushed in embarrassment, Mari and Natasha couldn't lift their heads and were only staring at the floor.
'Hmm.'
There's only one possible explanation for this.
Both Mari and Natasha are pure, meaning they have no experience with men.
Given how the artificial unicorn reacted after we entered...
'Unbelievable.'
It seems that within this vast hall, only the three of us are inexperienced.
There appear to be more than two hundred people here.
That said, it's quite surprising.
Natasha is 21 years old, while Mari is 28.
Mari, who looks like a beautiful reporter when dressed up, is understandable, but even Natasha, who's quite a beauty...
Is there some kind of reason behind it?
If they ever decided to, they could meet a decent guy quite easily...
They must have incredibly high standards.
The much-discussed research presentation of Narang had come to a close.
Before the presentation began, a brief break was given.
"Well, that was quite the spectacle,"
Said a man with a smug smile, approaching Mari.
Of course, he was a familiar character.
'Johnson.'
A prominent young noble and hero.
He was also known as Mari's rival.
In the game, he belittled Neike for being of commoner origin only to be humbled later.
'Of course, his abilities are unparalleled among his peers.'
Mari, the youngest professor at Elinia Academy's Hero Department, also boasted unmatched abilities within her age group.
However, Johnson always felt a step behind Mari and thus harbored resentment towards her.
With a lofty attitude, Johnson, sitting down, looked up at Mari and remarked,
"Being a commoner has its perks, like your knack for showmanship. Thanks to today's event, everyone now knows your name, Mari Jane. Ah~ I'm so envious."
"...I already told you I have nothing more to say to you."
"Come on, what's wrong with appreciating your peer? Don't be so cold. Share some of the spotlight with me."
With an exaggerated gesture, Johnson glanced around.
All eyes from the surroundings were on the two of them.
"······!"
Mari's face turned beet red.
Johnson chuckled slyly and said,
"Speaking of which, disappearing during my presentation was rather rude. Probably scared, huh? But I understand. Approaching thirty and still single must be tough, huh?"
As Johnson laughed loudly, the group standing behind him joined in.
'I really don’t like this guy.'
I calmly stared at Johnson.
Though the game and this future have diverged significantly, individual personalities seem to be the same.
Mari took a deep breath.
"······Sigh. I'm not sure what that has to do with being scared, but I’d appreciate it if you left. You're making me uncomfortable, Johnson."
"I wasn’t planning on staying long anyway. In fact, I'm more interested in someone else."
Johnson extended a hand towards me.
"Direct descendant of the Waldeurk family, Theo Lyn Waldeurk. I read about you in the newspaper. Despite being at the bottom of the Hero Department, you defeated the top student in the Knight Department Tournament, right?
Truly impressive. You showcased the grace of a noble, especially against an uncultured commoner with mere brute strength. I'm Johnson of the Paris Count family. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"······."
I didn't shake Johnson's hand.
What he truly sought was a blatant opportunity to belittle Mari.
Mari and Johnson were like oil and water.
They could never mix.
A choice had to be made here.
"Yes, thank you for recognizing me, Mr. Johnson Paris."
While I didn't accept his handshake, I acknowledged his greeting.
Above all, my priority was graduating from the academy with excellent grades.
Being in Mari's bad graces for over three years before graduating from the academy isn't ideal.
Johnson frowned.
"…Such an attitude isn't very pleasing. Theo, no matter how outstanding your ability is or the fact that you hail from the Marquisate of Waldeurk, there's a limit to what one can do alone in this society."
Johnson still reached out to me.
He was right.
An individual's power is insignificant before the strength of a group.
In this world, just like the modern world, connections, affiliations, and educational backgrounds rule.
Unless one is like Neike, who can shatter the system itself, it's better to become a part of it to survive.
Naturally, my response was—
"Regardless, I believe in taking care of my partners. Currently, my partner is Professor Mari Jane, Mr. Johnson Paris."
"…Fine. Let's see how you do, Theo. No matter how talented you are, if you're too arrogant, you won't survive here."
"Thank you for the advice."
Having said that, I averted my gaze from Johnson.
It was a clear sign that I didn't want to continue the conversation.
"...Let's go."
Johnson led his entourage away.
Mari stared at me with wide eyes, speechless.
"Thank you... Student Theo..."
She whispered softly, a voice audible only to me.
"I didn't act for thanks. It's my principle."
"...Still, thank you. It makes me reconsider how I used to see you as the same kind as Johnson."
Mari spoke, gazing at the ground.
'Before my possession, Theo must've been a brat just like Johnson.'
Bits and pieces about Mari's past emerge throughout the game.
She had been a target of intense scrutiny by the aristocratic heroes.
After securing her position as the youngest professor in the Hero Department of Elinia Academy, the scrutiny intensified.
'It's natural to dislike me.'
The Theo before my possession naturally drew lines between nobles and commoners, much like Johnson.
Of course, Theo was even more stubborn than Johnson.
Johnson at least had the skills; Theo was just an arrogant brat without any real talent.
That's why Mari wanted to give me a hard time during the first class.
'Well, that's all in the past now.'
I didn't want to dwell on the past anymore.
Theo was Theo, and I am me.
With a faint smile, I said,
"The best revenge you can have now, Professor Mari, is to successfully complete our research presentation. Forget the past and focus on the present."
"...Yes, I understand. Thank you, Theo."
Mari's cheeks flushed as she looked at me and smiled brightly.
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*uh this most definitely is a cultural thing as I have no idea why they would be called 'bombers'
'아카데미 폭격기' the first set of chars is academy, then the next set translates to bomber/bombing aircraft.
Just assume they're like the popular kids in highschool? Searching this actually shows up as aircraft toys called 'academy bombers' so me dunno.
