Chapter 153: Escape (4)

"Huh, why is it acting up now? It was calm even when its horn was cut. Hahaha, I apologize for the commotion. I'll calm it down immediately."

Narang seemed flustered as he tried to calm down the artificial unicorn whose horn had been cut.

But the creature wouldn’t stay still.

Clang, clang-!

The unicorn repeatedly rammed itself against the iron bars that imprisoned it.

─ Vroooom!

Of course, the bars weren't ordinary, so the unicorn couldn't break out, but it kept snorting.

······While looking directly at me.

Whispers of surprise erupted from the audience.

"Why is the unicorn suddenly acting like that? Is it because it's artificial and its emotions are unstable?"

"Umm, I don't think that's it. It's been calm until now, right? It was calm even when its horn was cut. It's strange for it to act out suddenly."

“That's true. But nothing has happened since, so why?”

"Did a virgin fall from the sky or something? A unicorn getting excited... that's the only explanation."

"Oh, speaking of which, isn't that unicorn continuously looking in one direction?"

"······Yes, it is."

People were murmuring, following the unicorn's gaze.

Naturally, it was in my direction.

"······."

Awkward.

The artificial unicorn also appears in the game.

Of course, it's artificial, but it possesses all the characteristics and nature of a real unicorn.

The most famous trait of a unicorn is, of course, its fondness for 'pure individuals'.

This includes both men and women.

'······Was Theo a virgin?'

Of course, he's only 16, so it's a possibility... but it's surprising.

That's because Elinia Academy is known for its blind dates and social mixers.

With so many promising young men and women gathered away from the world, it's natural for relationships to form.

Especially given their age, they're more interested in relationships than studies.

And naturally, the students of the Hero Department are at the top of this social hierarchy.

In the game, the male students of the Hero Department even earned the nickname ‘Academy Bombers*’.

But for Theo, despite having world-class looks, to be a virgin...

I guess good looks don't mean much if you have a lousy personality.

Or perhaps he only had eyes for Piel?

"Ahem."

The surrounding gazes are a bit burdensome.

I enjoyed the attention during the Knight Department tournament, but I'm not used to this kind of curious gaze.

I cleared my throat and, using the [Amplification Orb], I enhanced [Twisted Noble's Dignity].

I then calmly looked around.

······But it's strange.

People were looking in my direction, but they weren't looking at me.

To be precise... they were looking at Mari and Natasha sitting next to me.

"······."

"······."

With faces flushed in embarrassment, Mari and Natasha couldn't lift their heads and were only staring at the floor.

'Hmm.'

There's only one possible explanation for this.

They could never mix.

A choice had to be made here.

"Yes, thank you for recognizing me, Mr. Johnson Paris."

While I didn't accept his handshake, I acknowledged his greeting.

Above all, my priority was graduating from the academy with excellent grades.

Being in Mari's bad graces for over three years before graduating from the academy isn't ideal.

Johnson frowned.

"...Such an attitude isn't very pleasing. Theo, no matter how outstanding your ability is or the fact that you hail from the Marquisate of Waldeurk, there's a limit to what one can do alone in this society."

Johnson still reached out to me.

He was right.

An individual's power is insignificant before the strength of a group.

In this world, just like the modern world, connections, affiliations, and educational backgrounds rule.

Unless one is like Neike, who can shatter the system itself, it's better to become a part of it to survive.

Naturally, my response was—

"Regardless, I believe in taking care of my partners. Currently, my partner is Professor Mari Jane, Mr. Johnson Paris."

"...Fine. Let's see how you do, Theo. No matter how talented you are, if you're too arrogant, you won't survive here."

"Thank you for the advice."

Having said that, I averted my gaze from Johnson.

It was a clear sign that I didn't want to continue the conversation.

"...Let's go."

Johnson led his entourage away.

Mari stared at me with wide eyes, speechless.

"Thank you... Student Theo..."

She whispered softly, a voice audible only to me.

"I didn't act for thanks. It's my principle."

"...Still, thank you. It makes me reconsider how I used to see you as the same kind as Johnson."

Mari spoke, gazing at the ground.

'Before my possession, Theo must've been a brat just like Johnson.'

Bits and pieces about Mari's past emerge throughout the game.

She had been a target of intense scrutiny by the aristocratic heroes.

After securing her position as the youngest professor in the Hero Department of Elinia Academy, the scrutiny intensified.

'It's natural to dislike me.'

The Theo before my possession naturally drew lines between nobles and commoners, much like Johnson.

Of course, Theo was even more stubborn than Johnson.

Johnson at least had the skills; Theo was just an arrogant brat without any real talent.

That's why Mari wanted to give me a hard time during the first class.

'Well, that's all in the past now.'

I didn't want to dwell on the past anymore.

Theo was Theo, and I am me.

With a faint smile, I said,

"The best revenge you can have now, Professor Mari, is to successfully complete our research presentation. Forget the past and focus on the present."

"...Yes, I understand. Thank you, Theo."

Mari's cheeks flushed as she looked at me and smiled brightly.

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*uh this most definitely is a cultural thing as I have no idea why they would be called 'bombers'

'아카데미 폭격기' the first set of chars is academy, then the next set translates to bomber/bombing aircraft.

Just assume they're like the popular kids in highschool? Searching this actually shows up as aircraft toys called 'academy bombers' so me dunno.