Chapter 9
Javert Droit.
The Top Student Professor of Grandia Academy.
The woman was quietly lost in thought.
"...."
Her red hair cascaded down.
Green eyes blooming like leaves, without a thought to brush it away.
The woman's distant gaze recalled a recent moment.
The subject of that memory was a certain boy.
'Victor.'
A smiling mask.
A boy who hid his face behind a bizarre mask.
'He definitely... didn't avoid my eyes.'
During the entrance ceremony.
Javert had intentionally laced her gaze with bloodlust when she locked eyes with Victor.
It was to see how he would react.
Yet, rather than being terrified, the mask simply stared back blankly.
The widely stretched corners of its mouth seemed to mock Javert instead.
'He was completely unfazed.'
No, could it even be explained on that level?
The woman felt crushed by an unpleasant pressure.
A hollow breath unconsciously escaped her lips.
Javert recalled her mission.
-Professor Javert. You will be assigned as the Homeroom Teacher for Class E starting this semester.
-Please keep an eye on Student Victor. If you find any connection to the Cultists, or notice anything suspicious....
It was definitely strange.
Because despite giving her such creeps, she couldn't feel any Demonic Energy.
Not only that, there was no trace of dark arts on the boy.
That fact actually made her even more suspicious.
'If it wasn't Demonic Energy or a curse... what was that sensation?'
She was a woman who had executed hundreds of Cultists while working as an Investigator.
As such, she had quite a strong resistance to auras like Demonic Energy or curses.
However, the aura the boy exuded was different.
It was on a completely different level from what she felt from Cultists.
Even so, she was hesitant to easily drop her suspicions.
'There are plenty of suspicious points.'
The fact that all his Stats, except for the theory section, were E-rank.
The fact that he still showed an overwhelming performance in the practical exam.
The fact that he walked around leaking an ominous, unidentifiable aura.
The fact that he lived in the countryside until just a month ago, then suddenly took the Grandia entrance exam.
'A Commoner... and from the countryside to boot, he couldn't have received a proper education anywhere.'
Yet such a boy took the Top Student spot in the theory section.
And with a perfect A+ score, no less.
Objectively speaking, it was harder not to be suspicious of the situation.
'The problem is there's no conclusive proof....'
A situation with no physical evidence, only circumstantial clues scattered everywhere.
Therefore, it was perplexing for Javert, who was in charge of the investigation.
The woman groaned internally without changing her expression.
'Should I test him first?'
She checked the paper in her hand.
A table organizing the ranks of the Class E Students.
Aside from their ranks, everyone's Stat grades were also recorded.
Exactly twenty-eight people, and at the very top was the boy's name.
'It would be easier to monitor him if he were the Top Student rather than the Bottom Student.'
The one who moved Victor's rank from Bottom Student to Top Student was none other than Javert herself.
She placed him where her eyes would land more often.
Of course, it wasn't something Javert had done on her own authority.
Because it was something confirmed during the Faculty meeting.
-Adjusting Student Victor's rank....
-Well, I think it's fine. Considering his performance in the practical exam.
-It's not like she's asking him to skip a grade; just changing his rank within the class is....
The Faculty members seemed to accept it without much difficulty.
If it were any other student, maybe not, but they had all just watched the video of Victor's practical exam.
'Being the Bottom Student doesn't make any sense in the first place.'
The movements he showed during the practical.
It was Teleportation, whose principles and foundations couldn't be understood.
Honestly, it was at a level where it wouldn't be strange even if he were in Class A.
It was a mystery.
Just what exactly Victor's abilities were based on.
How could he show such a performance with such a frail body?
'I need to find out... what he's hiding behind that Mask.'
Her steps soon brought her in front of the lecture hall.
Without delay, the woman opened the closed door and entered.
"Nice to meet you, everyone."
Waiting inside were the Students of Class E.
Among them sat the boy wearing a Mask.
Javert greeted them calmly, her expression blank.
"I am Chief Investigator Javert. Starting today, I will be taking on the role of your Homeroom Teacher."
Even while speaking in a lifeless voice, the woman fixed her eyes on Victor.
Her gaze met the boy's just as he turned around.
That still-ominous Mask.
The Mask was smiling.
***
I found it hard to hide my bewilderment.
Before my eyes stood a red-haired woman calmly offering her greetings.
"I am Chief Investigator Javert. Starting today, I will be taking on the role of your Homeroom Teacher."
What the hell.
What is this.
My rank suddenly jumping up was baffling enough.
Why is she suddenly making an appearance?
'A Homeroom Teacher? Chief Investigator Javert...?'
Fuck.
I realized that something in this situation was going terribly wrong.
'In the original work, Professor Raphael was definitely the Homeroom Teacher....'
A twisted story.
There could only be one reason for it.
The inevitable fate of a possession genre, the butterfly effect.
The cause was me.
'Was showing off too much in the practical exam the root of the problem?'
I was complacent.
Since it was fine when I played the original game, I had judged that it wouldn't matter this time either.
I missed an important detail.
The fact that I shouldn't treat reality with the same mindset as playing a game.
The people of this world weren't NPCs running on a programmed script.
They were people who thought for themselves, felt emotions, and drew their own conclusions.
'Does that mean she's suspicious, too?'
Well, it must have been an incomprehensible report card.
My exploits in the practical exam had come back like a boomerang.
"...."
"...."
My eyes briefly met Javert's.
A strange tension settled amidst the silence.
'Javert....'
She was a character who only appeared after fulfilling a specific condition in the original work.
That condition was acquiring Dark Magic.
From then on, one would be monitored by Javert.
Even among the Faculty, she was someone who particularly lost her mind over Cultists.
If the Player tried any bullshit with Dark Magic, she would immediately tear their limbs apart.
'...Am I being suspected?'
However, she wasn't being direct about it.
I hadn't received any warnings, nor were there any threats.
If she was already certain, things wouldn't have blown over this smoothly.
'She isn't certain.'
It's just suspicion.
It was a natural outcome.
Because there would be no way to prove that I wield Demonic Energy.
'How can you prove something I don't actually use?'
I am innocent.
A Student with absolutely no connection to Demonic Energy.
The abilities I use are merely a Bug, and I have zero affiliation with the Cultists.
I had nothing to be afraid of.
'Tch, it's still a headache, though.'
There is a concept called the Demon's proof.
It is easy to prove the fact that a Demon exists.
Because you can just show the Demon right in front of them.
However, it is impossible to prove the fact that a Demon does not exist.
'Proving non-existence... It'll be difficult to prove my innocence. Unless they drop their suspicion, it means I'll continue to be in a position where I'm constantly being monitored.'
I racked my brain behind my calm Mask.
I organized my thoughts and devised a plan.
The butterfly effect.
I couldn't let myself get caught up and panic over something like that.
I had to accept the current situation and look ahead objectively.
'...Wait a minute?'
While racking my brain like that, a brilliant idea suddenly flashed through my mind.
'No, hold on....'
It was a truly genius idea.
I almost slapped my forehead right then and there.
'Isn't this actually a massive win?'
Javert, who was attached to me as my watcher.
I came up with an amazing way to use her to my advantage.
A situation where she might be more useful than the Mask of the Evil God or the Robe.
'I guess it really is a blessing in disguise.'
Crisis equals opportunity.
The corners of my mouth had already soared to the sky.
Fortunately, I was wearing a Mask, so my expression wasn't exposed.
'I'll put you to good use later, Professor.'
It was a mouth-watering situation.
There was nothing to be afraid of.
They probably didn't even know that I noticed their suspicion.
Instead, they would believe they were the ones controlling the situation.
'This is how you set the board.'
There was no need to shrink back just because I was suspected.
Acting unnaturally would only earn me more suspicion.
I just had to act brazen.
Act how a normal Student would.
'Javert is someone strict with the rules she sets.'
She wouldn't forgive anyone who violated those rules, even herself.
She was so rigid, you could say she perfectly followed the character she was based on.
In short, I just needed to walk the line of those rules well.
Of course, it would still be better not to do anything to make myself unlikable.
Since it's better to maintain a smooth relationship with the Homeroom Teacher.
'Anyway... this is a game I can't help but win.'
I confidently met Javert's eyes.
Since I was sitting in the front row, the distance between us was only a few steps.
I casually offered a greeting.
"I look forward to working with you, Professor."
"I look forward to it as well. It just so happens the class Top Student was sitting right in the front."
Javert replied, feigning ignorance.
She gathered the Students' attention and continued with a brief introduction.
About the upcoming curriculum and various things regarding Academy life.
I listened attentively to her words with sparkling eyes.
"The curriculum at Grandia Academy is tight. First, a Freshman welcoming exam is scheduled in a week... and the first midterm week begins right after fifteen days...."
This is something I really couldn't get used to.
I've heard of a Freshman welcoming party, but a Freshman welcoming exam is quite the novel concept.
I don't know who came up with it, but it's a truly garbage name.
"That concludes the announcements."
Javert finished her lengthy 30-minute speech.
Suddenly, her green eyes pierced this way.
"Then... Student Victor?"
"Yes, Professor Javert."
"Before we wrap up, I would like to hear the Top Student's aspirations. Since you are now in a position to lead the class, please give a brief self-introduction and share your thoughts with your Classmates."
Top Student.
At Grandia Academy, a rank isn't just a simple number.
It's the hierarchy within the class. The Top Student practically leads the class.
Simply put, it becomes a role like a Class President.
"Of course."
I stood up from my seat without hesitation.
And then I strode up to the podium.
I could feel glaring eyes piercing my back.
Gazes that didn't seem very welcoming.
As expected.
It seems my Classmates view me quite unfavorably.
They all must have checked my Stats.
Because in addition to the ranks, each Student's Stats were also posted at the entrance.
-Is that him? The guy who got E-rank in all his Stats, but still became the class Top Student?
-Seeing that his name is Victor, it seems to be him? He looks flimsy just from a glance.
-Fuck, this is ridiculous... I lost out to something like that?
E-rank in all Stats.
Aside from being the class Top Student, he was at a level where you'd wonder how he even got admitted in the first place.
Although this was the Lower Class, everyone here was an elite who had been called a Prodigy since childhood.
It meant they didn't lack pride or skill.
-His scores are rigged in the first place. Perfect scores only in theory and practical?
-It's obvious... There's no other explanation except that he has connections.
-Admissions fraud, what a fucking bastard.
This was why I aimed for the Bottom Student spot from the beginning.
If I had, there wouldn't have been so much talk.
-You can tell he has no muscles. That's a body that has never trained a day in its life.
-If I just throw a punch, he'd probably piss his pants in fear.
-Hey hey, keep it down so he can't hear.
-Motherfucker. When should we step on him?
The Students whispering among themselves.
They seemed to be talking only to each other, but they were actually doing it so I could hear.
Raising their voices just enough to reach this side.
'So sneaky, so sneaky.'
Well, it wasn't like I couldn't understand.
A Commoner from a rural village.
E-rank in all Stats.
Normally, he would be trash they wouldn't even make eye contact with.
But such trash was the class Top Student?
'How could they not throw a fit? They can't help but pressure me.'
The murmurs faintly reaching my ears.
I tapped my Mask with my finger.
Facing the pouring hostility, I stood using my smile as a Shield.
'Well... is there really a need to react nicely?'
That thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Come to think of it, this class is the same.
If a situation goes beyond expectations, adapting quickly to that changed situation is also an ability.
That is survival.
'The plan is already ruined.'
Because I was pushed to be the Top Student.
Hiding in the spot of Bottom Student and cherry-picking only what I wanted was no longer an option.
The point is to look forward.
Instead of whining, think and move on.
'This is actually a good opportunity.'
If I've risen to this position, I might as well become the thorough Top Student.
Crawling on the ground like this will only get me branded as a joke.
Academy life becomes exhausting once you're looked down upon.
I have to show a presence beyond that, enough that my Classmates wouldn't dare touch me.
"Hello, everyone. I am Victor, standing before you with this class rank."
If keeping quiet is out of the question, I'll just become the loudest one.
So that no one can raise their voice at me.
I made eye contact with the Classmates who had been whispering earlier.
"You there."
I covered the Mask with my palm.
Clicking the Status Window screen a few times.
Clink-!
[Set Effect Activated]
-Mask of the Evil God×1
-Robe of the Evil God×1
[Would you like to maximize the output of the granted Intimidation effect?]
A chillingly calm breath.
I gently clicked YES.
"Instead of sneakily whispering behind my back, why don't you come out and say it to my face?"
I smiled brightly.
That innocence mixed with my foul language created a dissonance.
The next moment, [Intimidation] was activated toward the entire class.
Whoosh-.
A pressure that felt like it was crushing their shoulders.
Dilating pupils, faces turning pale.
"Because I can completely crush you."
""....""
Since it turned out like this.
I definitely need to dominate the hierarchy of this class.
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