Nylo Fledirian.
In the original story, Geoffrey was just an ordinary lackey who carried out oppression under Nylo's orders. Of course, there was a reason why the original Geoffrey didn't mind being under Nylo.
The main reason was that Geoffrey was shunned by all his classmates. Who would approach a student with a bad reputation?
Nylo was the exception because just like Geoffrey, he was also the type of noble who was petty and continuously oppressed those of lower status.
The original Geoffrey clearly had a foolish way of thinking. He was exploited by Nylo and eventually ended up becoming a lackey who continued to commit bad acts.
Now, as for the current situation, Geoffrey had directly ignored Nylo after Geoffrey completed his entire role written in the original story.
At first, Nylo might have still tried to be patient. But when Geoffrey suddenly disappeared, it seemed Nylo was also running out of patience.
Seeing him suddenly take such an aggressive approach like this...
Geoffrey sighed.
"...I refuse."
He really didn't need to do it anymore. Before, he became Nylo's lackey because he was in a situation that forced him. However, now he no longer had any reason to continue it.
Maintaining the storyline or whatever was already too difficult.
Ignoring Nylo's expression filled with confusion, Geoffrey stepped away and sat on a wooden bench in the corner of the training arena.
Nylo seemed about to say something with his petty expression, but he was stopped by Glenn's voice:
"Enough. Now, find your own sparring partners! Those of you who don't get partners will fight me. I will definitely recycle trash like you into something better!"
Just like that, the students shuddered in horror and immediately looked for partners to avoid fighting against a merciless Professor.
For a moment, Geoffrey glanced toward Nylo, their gazes met. Well, if everything went according to what happened in the novel, then Nylo should have already been humiliated by Cedric in the group exploration chapter.
'I remember clearly. Because he could no longer oppress Cedric, he finally decided to stop bothering Cedric and started oppressing students he could control.'
Then, the expression Nylo showed him now was very petty hatred. Geoffrey immediately knew that even at the Academy, he would never be able to live peacefully.
Whether it was the Academy, the Empire, or outside both, all of them equally wouldn't let him have a peaceful life.
'Maybe I'm cursed...' Geoffrey thought that was somewhat funny. The world seemed to be racing to destroy whatever he wanted.
Whether it was his previous life or now, the peace he desired seemed not to desire him.
With that thought, Geoffrey threw his focus toward Elliot. That student had a bloodline related to body enhancement, when combined with his intense training, he truly deserved to stand beside Cedric because of his extraordinary strength and endurance.
On the other hand, Melissa herself was different. That girl wasn't the fighting type, so she just stood there, watching the other students' battles.
Geoffrey then heard Glenn's roaring voice. A student seemed unlucky.
"HAH?! What kind of punch is this?!"
"Are you really a man?!"
"Your attack only tickles me!"
"Crazy, even trash is better than you!"
"....." Geoffrey's lips twitched as he looked at that unfortunate student.
'You're too harsh, Professor.'
While stretching his body, Geoffrey was about to think about what he should do in this free time. But he stopped when he heard approaching footsteps.
A girl with pure silver hair and captivating red pupils. Seeing Melissa up close immediately made Geoffrey understand why the narration in the original novel always stated that Melissa was very similar to a beautiful doll.
How could she not be?
Her skin was as white as porcelain, her expression was completely flat, then her movements seemed very reduced to only take efficient movements.
It's just...
"....What is it?" Geoffrey asked confusedly. He didn't know what made this doll seem interested in him.
It was very clear that Geoffrey and Melissa should never have interacted at all. Well, of course that knowledge was based on his novel knowledge, nobody knew what happened behind the scenes.
Melissa seemed to stare at him and didn't move for a few moments, then after some silent time, she raised her lips:
"...You weren't looking for me?"
"Looking for you? Why?"
"...You were staring at me earlier."
"That was just coincidence."
"..…."
"..."
Geoffrey was truly grateful. His heart pounded hard because of something unknown, he really felt worried because of the possibility of a connection between the real Geoffrey and Melissa in the past.
Fortunately, that was just his worry.
'Gave me a scare....'
Even so, Geoffrey still didn't understand the reason why Melissa came to him just because their gazes met briefly.
At that moment, Geoffrey felt Melissa's gaze stare toward his arm, tracing that part then returning to stare at Geoffrey flatly.
"..."
Without saying anything, she then immediately got up and left.
That made Geoffrey even more confused to death. How should he act at this moment?
She came for a trivial reason then left just like that without saying anything.
'Well... Whatever, at least that's not something bad.'
Geoffrey smiled with relief, rubbing his chest that kept pounding.
He then glanced at the afternoon sky that was still bright. Since he really had free time, maybe it would be good if he used it to really rest.
As for the demon invasion that was already approaching, that wouldn't happen today. Geoffrey didn't know the timing exactly, but if he had to calculate it...
'Maybe there are still three or four more days before they start.'
He glanced at the students who were training, then got up from his seat and left that training field.
Glenn didn't bother to reprimand Geoffrey. But his face clearly showed complex emotions, clearly Geoffrey's change was too obvious to ignore.
The boy who always attracted attention wherever he was had truly become quiet after disappearing for a week.
.....
On the other side.
Melissa stared sharply toward Geoffrey. It was difficult to understand what she was thinking, but her eyes never moved from Geoffrey's arm wrapped in bandages.
After staring at him for quite a long time, cold sweat had unknowingly moistened her face. Her face heated up, followed by her body temperature.
She truly fell sick suddenly. Even so, Melissa ignored all of that and muttered in a low voice.
".....The smell of a curse.... Disgusting."
Her smooth face seemed to wrinkle if someone paid close attention.
Only when Geoffrey finally left and disappeared from her view did Melissa finally throw away her gaze and lean against a tree.