'...'
It wasn't that they weren't avoiding me; they didn't recognize me.
How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (4)
Today, having always appeared disheveled, I showed up with my hair neatly trimmed, causing a delayed reaction from the students who have always avoided and despised Luca.
Adding insult to injury—unlike the outside world, which just avoided him—some students at the school were more daring, openly ignoring and insulting Luca.
There are three main reasons for this:
First, because of the Pleroma rumors.
Second, because Luca, who can't use magic, got into the magic department through donation admission.
Finally, because a student with strong influence at the school particularly hates me.
And... that student is Leo.
'I've got a long way to go.'
Leo has excellent social relationships, grades, and conduct, making him well-established in the school. His magical abilities are also top-tier.
Given that someone like him openly hates Luca, it was taken as a sign by some bold but less refined students that it was safe to bully Luca.
That's why memories of blatant contempt and ridicule remain in Luca's mind.
However, the situation isn't entirely hopeless.
While investigating Luca's death, Leo confides in the protagonist about his past.
Unknown to Luca, Leo had seen Luca before he was seriously bullied by his brother.
Leo, who came from a family of medical practitioners and had minimal talent for ordinary magic, started devoting himself to magic after witnessing Luca's magic.
Having had a positive impression of Luca from a young age, Leo didn't fully believe the Pleroma rumors.
But this led to backlash on Luca.
'Having great talent yet yielding to strange rumors seemed foolish, so I treated him brusquely.'
Leo confides this to the protagonist while investigating Luca's death. And right now is likely the 'brusque treatment' period.
'How did I get involved in such trouble...'
But this could work in my favor.
Regardless of the type of emotion, it's better to have strong feelings than indifference.
Maintaining that intensity while dramatically reversing its direction can be advantageous.
Creak—
As I entered, the noisy classroom fell silent in an instant.
The surprise from seeing me looking different from usual was evident in their reactions.
Ignoring their stares, I found a seat at the back.
I felt a sharp gaze from afar.
"Well, look who decided to live longer."
A cynical voice reached my ears.
I silently took out a book, chuckling inwardly.
'All it took was a haircut for me to hear that I'll live longer...'
What kind of state had I been in for the past year?
Anyway, it's obvious who spoke those words.
I lifted my head to look at him.
A student surrounded by friends was resting his chin on his hand, glaring coldly at me.
With wheat-colored blond hair, blue eyes, gentle downward-sloping eyes, and a firmly set mouth, his immaculate appearance screamed 'model student.'
Even without Luca's memories, I could immediately recognize him.
That student is Leo.
Ding!
'Route 1 — 〈Chapter 2〉 has begun.
「Chapter 2. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (2)」
〈Chapter 2. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (2) 〉
Suggestion: Make 'Leonard Wittelsbach' your ally. (0/1) (167 hours 59 minutes 58 seconds)
* Route 1 ― 〈Chapter 3. Undecided (1) 〉
* Route 2 ― 〈Death 〉
'...Death.'
167 hours 59 minutes, one week.
This quest is casually suggesting such madness.
I found myself breathless.
'No.'
Even with a one-week deadline, there's a chance. Being in the same class as Leo now, I'm confident I won't fail this suggestion.
I broke eye contact with Leo's piercing blue eyes and sat down.
*
"Good morning, students. Did you have a good vacation?"
The professor greeted energetically, placing the attendance book on the lectern.
Unlike the professor's enthusiasm, the students' reactions were lukewarm.
Unperturbed, the professor continued introducing the class.
"You should know from last year, this class is about learning the history of magic."
A light subject for the first class, I liked it.
As the professor's explanation continued, I leaned back, emptying my mind.
When our eyes met earlier, I quickly checked Leo's favorability, which was -8.
Higher than most students here, who are at -10, but still a negative number.
To make Leo an ally within 168 hours, one week, I needed to speed up my existing plan.
I scribbled something in my notebook, then checked the time. Despite an hour passing, the class showed no sign of ending.
"This is the cornerstone that allows us to pioneer the future through understanding the past. We can autonomously navigate life by facing the microcosm of ourselves..."
"..."
Is it okay to talk like this for an hour in high school?
I stopped looking at my notebook and scanned the room. Most students were already zoning out, doing their own thing.
Clap—
The professor clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention.
"Now, everyone. Focus. I have one last question. What is the meeting that decided magic-wielders must attend the annual Eucharist? Anyone who gets it right will receive full marks for attendance this semester."
"The professor is at it again... How are we supposed to know that when we haven't properly learned it yet."
"What does he expect."
The students in front of me whispered almost inaudibly.
Despite the distance, that boldness...
You can only have such an attitude if you look down on the teacher.
'Reminds me of high school...'
Once you're seen as a pushover, it doesn't matter if you're a teacher or not.
Feeling a bit sorry, I listened to the professor.
"This won't be on the test. But knowing this is part of being a proud student of our 2nd Imperial Academy. It's an important event that reveals the origin of our divine power. Doesn't anyone know?"
Naturally, the classroom was silent.
I reviewed the routes of action I scribbled in my notebook, lost in thought.
Second-year, first class, first period.
This is not a bad time to start the plan for the suggestion and decide my course of action going forward.
'Shall I give it a try?'
Should I act as I did at home here in school as well?
I had already shown uncharacteristic behavior to the student who guided me, but that was just to one person. I could still change direction now.
Besides, the professor's question came from the divine power books I memorized tediously on my way here.
Knowing the answer, it's a good opportunity to use.
'Is there any prompt?'
I pulled up the quest window just in case.
No suggestions other than making Leo an ally.
It pops up for useless things but not when needed...
'Fine.'
Once is enough.
I read in the newspaper yesterday that my brother's royal magician group left for the papal state.
It'll take at least a year for him to finish his task, and since teleportation magic between countries is banned, he would have to travel by carriage or train to return.
Given the circumstances, he wouldn't return just to lock me in the basement.
'And... it was my brother who first told me to improve my grades.'
He's the one who scared me into doing what he says, so if I follow his orders, how could he find fault with it?
Answering a question in class should be cautious but wouldn't trigger direct action.
This is assuming the news even reaches him.
In the novel, my brother didn't place a watchdog on Luca. Given my state just after possessing Luca, it's understandable. A mentally and physically broken person couldn't act autonomously.
So, answering a question in class shouldn't immediately reach his ears.
I smiled, listening to the professor's complaint.
"No one? This is related to what I've discussed earlier. I'm sure we touched on this briefly last year..."
"..."
"Alright. Remember it well from now on."
"The Second Council of Leytherum."
Silence fell over the classroom.
Students packed into the classroom turned to me, their faces showing clear surprise.
The professor, too, seemed shocked that I answered, his mouth hanging open.
No one seemed able to break the stunned silence. Smiling softly, I spoke to ease the atmosphere.
"Am I wrong?"
"Student?"
"Yes."
"...Is that your answer?"
I tilted my head as if to ask if there was a problem.
"Yes."
"...You're correct. It is the Second Council of Leytherum. I know you missed many classes last year due to illness... but you remembered this?"
I ended the conversation with a smile instead of answering.
Meeting the many gazes directed at me, the students quickly looked away as if something was on my face.
What mattered was not the other students.
I looked toward where Leo was.
Instead of his earlier cold expression, Leo now looked at me in surprise.
At that moment, a new window appeared before my eyes.
Ding!
Chapter 2 Special Reward
Hint: Check your survival probability!