Chapter 23: School Opening Ceremony (3)
"I'll head straight to the academy then. You two take care of the luggage."
"Yes, understood, Young Master."
Philip nodded with his usual smile.
"Master! Have a good day!!"
"Please take care, Young Master."
Cage waved her hand while Rishe bowed politely.
With their send-off, I made my way to the Royal Academy.
The academy wasn't far from the mansion in the Capital City, so I arrived quickly even on foot.
As I approached the guard on duty at the entrance, he momentarily lost his words when he saw me.
Wait... why are you making that face? Is it that strange for me to attend school?!
I had a lot I wanted to say, but knowing it wouldn't do any good, I silently handed over my student ID. The guard looked back and forth between the ID photo and me.
His expression suggested he was wondering if he was dreaming.
"Y-yes. You're verified."
He even stuttered, apparently finding it hard to believe I was attending school normally.
I really thought I'd gotten used to these reactions...
Won't it be even worse once I get inside?
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate is eager to see the students' reactions.]
I can already see what's coming... whatever. I'll have to face it eventually.
I took back my student ID, which the guard handed over with trembling hands. I put it back in my Subspace Ring and entered through the gate. The Royal Academy before me was overwhelming compared to any school I'd seen before.
All the universities I'd seen until now were just rows of high-rise buildings. But the Royal Academy was like something out of a movie, with enormous European-style buildings spread out everywhere.
It's strange seeing in real life what I've only seen in games before.
Somehow it feels more like I'm touring a foreign country than attending school.
With this peculiar feeling, I made my way toward the auditorium.
"Hey, isn't that Cain?"
"Huh? Holy crap. It really is. But what's going on? Why isn't he late for once?"
"Hey... that's not all. He's not drunk. Is this for real? What is this, the end of the world?"
What the hell!! The world is ending, you bastards! And if you're going to talk behind my back, at least do it secretly!!
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate sympathizes with their reactions.]
Damn. I understand, but why am I so annoyed?
Of course, the Cain they knew probably drank every day, was always late, and even acted like a Ruffian.
It makes sense that they find it unbelievable that I'm attending school normally.
So I can understand why they're acting this way.
But damn. Aren't they being too obvious about it?
I stopped walking and frowned, glaring at the guys gossiping about me. They noticed my gaze and fled elsewhere.
Just as I was about to resume walking casually...
"Wow... he really didn't hear. They say Cain showed up today not late, not drunk, and in a perfectly normal state!!"
Now they're not even trying to hide it—they're straight-up trying to kill me with words.
Wondering who was trying to verbally murder me, I turned my head toward the voice.
My eyes met with an unexpected person.
It was none other than Illin.
As our eyes met, an awkward silence fell between us.
"......"
"......"
As this cold atmosphere surrounded me, Illin, and her best friend Jenny...
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate asks who that girl is to be looking at you like that.]
Ah... right. The Constellation wasn't around when I broke up with Illin, was he?
Well, that's not my problem. Come to think of it, this is the first time we've met since then. Is that normal?
Now that I think about it, I do feel a bit sorry about what happened back then. The broken engagement was unavoidable since my life and Points were at stake, but I was too harsh, just saying what I needed to say and leaving. My conscience pricks me just a tiny bit.
But honestly, Illin's eyes were scary back then. If I hadn't run away, I definitely would have gotten beaten up.
Illin flinched when our eyes met. Unlike her, Jenny beside her smiled kindly and greeted me.
"Oh... Cain! So the rumors are true—you're really not late and not drunk?"
Judging by how friendly she is, I guess she didn't have a bad relationship with the original Cain.
...No, that might not be the case.
From what I remember, Jenny's character is naturally bright. So there's no guarantee she was actually friends with me.
I should just act nonchalant.
"Isn't that how it should be?"
"It feels really weird hearing you say that. But... did something happen between you two? Why is it so awkward?"
Jenny looked back and forth between me and Illin. She continued:
"Well, you two were always a bit awkward, but this is different from the awkwardness I know. Don't tell me you b..."
Just as Jenny was about to say "broken engagement," Illin hurriedly covered her mouth.
"Mmph!!"
"We'll be going now. Good day."
Illin, probably remembering what happened, bowed with a bright red face. Then she quickly grabbed Jenny with one arm and ran off in a hurry.
I tried to stop her to apologize, but she must have different physical abilities than me because she was already out of sight.
Tsk! I can apologize later.
I glared at all the students around who were glancing at me like they were watching a morning drama. They all averted their eyes, looking at distant mountains.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate asks who that girl is.]
Why is she so curious about this?!
Thinking it wouldn't do any good to tell the Constellation, I ignored the message as usual and continued walking toward the auditorium.
***
"Huff! Huff!"
Illin ran at full speed with Jenny tucked under her arm. When she looked back, she couldn't see anyone following.
Stopping her run, she unceremoniously dropped Jenny to the ground. Jenny stuck out her tongue and winked one eye with an apologetic face.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I didn't know you two had broken off your engagement."
"Sigh... it's fine. It's my fault for not telling you."
"But doesn't Cain seem really different? Normally he would have been late and drunk. And his expression seems different too, like the heavy atmosphere around him is gone. Do you know anything about it?"
At Jenny's question, Illin shook her head in confusion.
It was true—the Cain she saw today was different from when he had turned into a Ruffian. His atmosphere wasn't dark.
He wasn't drunk, he wasn't late, and his body even seemed to be in better shape...
No! What am I thinking about!!
Illin quickly shook her head after briefly thinking about the changed Cain.
Come to think of it, how was he when we broke up?
At that time, she was so focused on thinking "How can I end this without hurting him?" that she didn't look at him carefully.
But.
Yes. He was similar to how he is now back then too.
While Illin was deep in thought, Jenny spoke up beside her.
"Illin, you can think about Cain later. We're going to be late for the opening ceremony. Let's hurry."
"Ugh! I wasn't thinking about Cain!!"
"Sure, sure. Anyway, let's go quickly."
She wanted to deny Jenny's words more, but if they stayed here any longer, they might be late for the opening ceremony. The two ran quickly toward the auditorium.
***
When I arrived at the auditorium, I looked around. Student council members were directing students. I approached someone with a "Student Council" badge to get instructions.
The male student who saw me approach was startled.
Oh for God's sake. I'm getting tired of this. Fine, just be surprised.
"Excuse me. Where should first-years sit?"
"Huh?! Oh... there! Over there!"
He pointed to the far left where students with "First Year" badges were sitting.
"Thank you for letting me know."
"U-uh?! No, it's nothing."
I bowed my head in thanks. He was so shocked by my gratitude that his eyes bulged out. Sweat even poured down his forehead.
Ignoring his reaction, I went to where the first-years were gathered. Just as I was about to sit in an empty seat...
Suddenly, the students around me moved to other places.
What's this? Some new form of bullying? Is there some deadly disease you get from sitting near me? Why are you all looking at me like that?
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says you're being bullied.]
I know that without you telling me.
I pretended not to notice the piercing gazes and sat down. The nearby students looked at me with disgust.
Excuse me? Do you have to look at me like that? Anyone watching would think I'm soaked in alcohol! Huh?!
Just to be sure, I sniffed my uniform.
Yeah, these bastards are just acting this way because of Cain's image from the first semester. Damn you, Cain. I'm going through all this because of you.
Getting punched in the stomach by the game protagonist, getting punched by Bilg, nearly dying at the hands of the fallen Saintess, almost getting caught by the seemingly stubborn Illin, and now what? Being ostracized on the first day of school?
Why? Is Illin going to sit next to me next?
While I was inwardly dumbfounded by the current situation, the seats had all filled up except for the ones on either side of me.
-Now, before we begin the Royal Academy's opening ceremony...
"We're sorry!!"
Jenny interrupted the student who was about to start the ceremony.
She quickly apologized with Illin in tow, bowing her head. Then they hurriedly ran to where the first-years were gathered.
Looking for empty seats, the two made eye contact with me.
Does everything really happen just as I say it? What the hell? System, is this some kind of warning that the death flag isn't over yet? Or is the Constellation up to something?
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate asks if you planned this.]
No. Why would I plan this!
The Constellation doesn't seem to know about my relationship with Illin yet, but if he knew and saw this situation, he'd probably be laughing his head off.
For some reason, I can picture Cage laughing right now.
But fortunately, Rishe didn't see this situation.
If she had seen it...
A chill ran down my spine at the thought.
Damn. That's really fortunate.
Anyway, judging by the Constellation's reaction, he's also bewildered by the current situation.
The two sat on either side of me since all eyes were on them.
Illin's earlobes turned bright red, probably not expecting to face me again after running away earlier.
With my ex-fiancée from three weeks ago sitting next to me, I also felt embarrassed, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down.
And so the opening ceremony began, regardless of our awkward situation.
***
As expected, opening ceremonies are the same everywhere—a person who looked like the principal just gave a boring speech and it was over.
I got up from my seat and turned my head toward where Illin was.
She had already fled, leaving the seat empty.
She's really fast. Well, there's no need to rush an apology.
With that thought, I made my way to my assigned class.
It was A-class, right?
If I remember correctly, A-class barely appeared in the game. I recall that on the opening day, there was an extra who picked a fight with Kim Su-yong, and Illin and Jenny were in A-class.
By now, that extra must be getting beaten up.
It's truly unfortunate that he's picking a fight with Kim Su-yong even without anyone to provoke him.
In reality, Kim Su-yong is practically the strongest in our year at the academy, so picking a fight with him proves that guy is just a third-rate extra.
Come to think of it, Cain isn't much different.
I walked, ignoring the guys who kept glancing at me. The classroom wasn't far from the auditorium, so I arrived quickly.
Without hesitation, I opened the door, and all the students in the classroom turned their attention to me.
Among them were Illin and Jenny.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate admires your ability to draw attention.]
I just opened the door.
I ignored all the stares directed at me and sat in an available seat.
As expected, all the students nearby fled to other places.
Yeah, damn it, get lost!! You bastards!!
If I'm going to be ostracized anyway, I'd rather be treated like a crazy person so people avoid me than be pathetically bullied.
Huh? Just try messing with me!! You'll die, you bastards!! As long as I don't die!
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate bursts into laughter at your crazy behavior.]
I don't know what expression I'm making right now, but judging by his reaction, it's definitely not a pleasant one.
Eventually, all the students who were staring at me turned their heads away, looking like they didn't want to step in something unpleasant.
As the students whispered about me, someone else flung the door open with a bang!
All the A-class students, including me, turned their heads toward the sound.
Huh? What the hell?
I blinked in confusion at the current situation.
According to the original story, the extra who should have been getting taught a lesson by Kim Su-yong right now appeared through the back door.
Why are you coming from there?