/CHATTER/ /CHATTER/

Upon entering the classroom, the atmosphere resembled that of a high school, making me feel the nostalgia that I had not felt for a long time.

Students chat with each other with awkward expressions on their faces while trying to integrate themselves into the groups that are ready to be formed.

Some of them knew each other beforehand and decided to stick together, some of them craving the attention that would be given to them, and some of them minding their own business.

A scene that was all over the place, with students talking loudly and excitedly about the things they liked about the academy and their life, etc.

/SILENCE/

Though that chatter came to an end the moment, I entered the classroom, with silence ensuing.

/MUMBLE/ /MUMBLE/

"It is him, right?"

"Yeah. That Callius."

"That speech. He really has a huge ego. "

"They are calling him Scorch Demon, right?"

"Yeah."

/WHISPER/

'Youngsters nowadays…. They can't even hold their tongue.'

I thought since I was able to sense the whispers they were mumbling amongst themselves.

However, of course, amongst people that were inside, they were those I knew beforehand.

Like the girl with fiery red hair that was glaring at me.

'Emma is here, huh?'

I thought as I threw a glance at her.

'And, Arthur.'

Beside her, there was the supposed protagonist.

His blonde hair and blue eyes had the fixed characteristics of the main character, and the uniform of the academy was enough to amplify the 'radiant' aura he was spreading, which had already gotten the attention of most of the youngsters.

However, his eyes were not matching his radiant aura at all since he was looking at me with contempt, even though he was good at hiding it.

'It seems this semester won't be as boring as I thought. Though I also feel like someone pulled some strings.'

Since the chances of me countering with the main cast in the same class were really low, considering our rankings and the distribution of the classes, I had assumed that I would not be encountering them in the same class. (N1)

Well, even if I did, I thought that would be at most one of them.

But seeing two of them in the same class, someone must have done something.

'Well, it won't matter anyway. You can't stop me anymore.'

I thought, as I headed to the seat that was beside the last familiar person to me in this class.

"Callius!"

And the voice of a girl that I had been missing for a long time came.

Again, the same red hair but different from Emma, whose hair was closer to orange; this girl had more crimson hair.

"Aliya."

As I answered while signaling her with my eyes, she immediately scanned the crowd around us and judged the situation while calming herself.

Reaching the seat that was right beside her, I sat down and relaxed.

/CHATTER/ /CHATTER/

Of course, soon, the classroom was once again filled with chatters, though this time, there was a topic that got my attention.

"Who is that girl?"

"Ah….. Isn't she the daughter of the new rising merchant?"

"Merchant?"

"Yes. Haven't you heard Verdant Ventures?"

"Hmm…. That new rising group. I heard about that name, yes….. So, she is the heir of that group."

"Yep, she is. Their fame had already widespread thanks to that new genius blacksmith that appeared out of nowhere."

"Dorakorli Copperhide, right? He was the one that made the weapon of Princess Jasmine if I am not wrong."

"Yeah…. I heard the weapons he made would be a lot better quality than others, and they would last a lot longer too."

"Nah… Those are just rumors. He is pretty overrated."

"Man, talk after seeing his products. I can easily confirm that he is the best blacksmith I have bought from so far."

"Where is your we-….."

While listening to the surroundings, I turned my attention to the girl that was beside me.

"It seems you did an outstanding job."

And said with a slight smile.

"Hey. When you say it like that, it feels like you have doubted me?"

"Really? I don't think so."

"It really feels like it."

"You know I never doubt you, right? If I did, I wouldn't have talked about all those things."

"….."

"Right?"

"Yes, yes."

She answered while regaining her smile, though I could see little stiffness inside those irises.

'She has already started doubting me.'

I thought.

This was to be expected, considering all the information, even up to little details that I gave her, like about the talented people, the resources that were there to be grabbed, and treasures that were lost.

You know, when I said they were villainesses, most of them had their own characteristics.

For instance, if Diana is a yandere and magically strong girl, then Aliya would be a calculating and smart plotter that would do her things with her mind.

So, for a girl like her, not doubting me after all that information would be something that was not matching her characteristics.

Even if you love someone or like them, that doesn't mean your brain can't function.

'Though, I will fix this later.'

I thought while waiting for the teacher to come. In the end, a talk will be needed after all.

"We can talk here, right?"

Aliya asked while she was gazing around.

"Yes. For the time being, Diana won't pay attention to you, though you should be careful."

"To think you had such a sister. Now that I think about it, the other one is here, right?"

"Yes."

"Emma, was it?"

She said while throwing a glance at the girl that was chatting with the others in the class.

"Yes."

"I see."

"I know you want to talk, but you need to hold yourself for now."

"Okay."

She answered.

At some point, I had already talked with Aliya about my past since, sooner or later, everything was going to be revealed when we entered the academy.

/TOK/

Though before we could talk further, the door of the classroom opened, and a man with a bulky build entered inside.

"Attention!"

With his voice amplified with mana, he immediately gathered the attention of the students inside.

"We shall start the class now."

Just like that, my first class started.

-----------------------------A/N------------------------

N1: Since they are trying to make the classes balanced, normally, it must not have been possible for Arthur(Rank 10) and Emma(Rank 9) to be in the same class as Callius(Rank 1) since basically the other classes will be filled with low ranks.