Chapter 13

"Ahh...."

Squid. If it's squid, I'll admit it.

Among our aquatic animal humans, they were especially chatty and gossipy, like magpies among land animals.

"Besides, it was a shocking enough fact... Rumors always spread faster the more outrageous they are."

Is that something to say so calmly?

"It sounds like you're calling my story outrageous."

Frowning, I said, and Laila shrugged slightly.

"Isn't it a story that some people would rather be outrageous?"

When I looked up, Laila was holding out her hand.

Before me was a staircase.

Instead of taking Laila's hand, I climbed the stairs with a groan, as if to show off.

I, three years old. I can definitely climb this much.

Laila withdrew her hand without any sign of annoyance and smiled slightly.

"For example, someone like Lord Baiyan, who might be tense about the appearance of a genius... Lord Sorthe is also here."

They were each the son of an uncle and a cousin.

The eldest grandson of the eldest son of my grandmother, and the eldest grandson of the second son.

I shook my hands and said casually.

"Why leave one out? Belus is here too."

Laila hesitated for a moment.

"Why? Is he too much of a genius compared to me?"

Belus. The name of my eldest brother.

Since there was no answer, I shrugged and continued up the stairs.

Laila followed behind and said.

"Hmm, I see. Not only is your language ability good, but your strength and stamina are also impressive..."

"Did you notice that? You have a good eye."

"How could I lead this educational institution if I couldn't notice such things?"

See, you're subtly changing the subject when my eldest brother is mentioned.

I shrugged.

I guess you're saying I'm not yet on par with the greatest genius in the history of this elementary institution.

Belus.

He was the brother who gave me the most trouble in my previous life when I became the head of the family.

In the end, I fought and won against him and took him as my subordinate.

'Hmph. Is this life going to be any different?'

Laila couldn't hide her interest.

"By the way, was the rumor about not being able to awaken the power of water also false?"

"No, that's true."

But why? Laila didn't seem to believe it.

After all, I climbed the stairs almost like climbing a cliff, lifting my body with my hands, without even catching my breath.

"Do I look impressive?"

"I can't say you don't."

I smiled.

"Then tell Grandma that."

Tell her how smart and impressive this granddaughter is.

Then Laila asked something else, but I didn't respond.

If I keep my mouth shut here, the misunderstanding will only deepen.

'Besides, this isn't the end of what I can show.'

It's just the beginning. When I didn't answer, Laila gave up and climbed the stairs with me.

We soon entered a long corridor, and Laila, leading the way, pointed to a spot.

A golden half-plate with a whale drawn on it swayed in the wind.

"Right there is the highest-level class of this institution, the Alpha class, where you'll be starting from today."

* * *

Merfolk follow the characteristics and tendencies of their animal counterparts.

Thus, whale merfolk generally avoided conflict and loved peace, and were affectionate and close to their kin.

Furthermore, they had a great capacity for tolerance towards other races.

Even the nearly extinct humpback whale merfolk loved peace so much that they could tolerate hostile land animals.

In my opinion, that's why they're in danger of extinction, but anyway.

I knew the general tendencies of whales.

"Today's report session is over, so now we'll play a game of making shapes with the given blocks."

"Yay!"

However, among these whales, there was a heretic.

What's the point of saying it?

The orcas, who held the position of the head of the aquatic animals.

"Hmph. Why should I do such a childish game?"

"That's right, Karun-ssi!"

The fact that other whales loved peace was not important to the orcas.

And the other whales were under the control of this gang of orca thugs.

"Anyway, it's not normal for ordinary whales. To act like children with blocks."

"That's right, Karun-ssi!!"

Their behavior, driven by overwhelming thuggery and numbers, was no different from that of children.

In fact, the more instinctive the merfolk children, the more wild and untamed they appeared.

"Hey, move."

In this highest-level class, the Alpha class, which included the most elite and outstanding children from each whale species, including orcas.

"My turn..."

"What? Just!"

"Ah, teacher...!"

Even among them, the orcas were the thugs, and among these orcas, the leader was the collateral line's 'Karun'.

"Um, Karun, you shouldn't hit the beluga whale."

"Did I hit him? I just had my hand there, and he bumped into it."

"..."

"What, are you wrong? Speak up."

"Ah, teacher...!! Karun is staring at me!"

At eight years old, Karun was much larger than the other children.

"Karun, try to participate in the class without causing too much disruption."

"Yes, yes, I understand."

However, a common trait among whale merfolk.

Even at seven or eight years old, they couldn't help but speak in a lisping manner.

The Alpha class, which consisted of the best of the 7-8 year olds, couldn't escape this trait, and Karun was no different.

"Hmph, these puny things, not even as good as my fins... Get lost."

But Karun believed he was the best among these less capable whales.

Being in the highest class in this educational institution was Karun's pride, and being the best here was the pride of his family.

'Even if I'm not as much of a genius as the direct line heirs. I'm still...!'

He had the grand ambition to eventually awaken the power of water.

Moreover, the expectations were high not only from his family but also from the surrounding families.

Seeing Karun, who was larger, stronger, and more athletic than the average orca child, they expected him to be the one to awaken the power of water among the collateral lines.

"Ahh, there he goes again. Again and again."

"Again and again!"

"Hey, you two dolphins, not doing it properly?"

"...Yes!"

"...Yes!"

In this class, there was no one more outstanding than Karun.

This educational institution, run by orcas, was a place where the strong dominated everything.

Furthermore, the purpose of the educational institution for aquatic animals.

Therefore, the teachers didn't intervene unless the behavior was too noticeable, so Karun's bullying only grew worse.

Karun would be the leader of this class until he graduated from the elementary institution.

The orca children had long been under Karun's control.

"Today, we have a new friend, 'Calypso.' Let's all welcome her with applause."

This fact didn't change even if the teacher introduced a new child.

However... the moment Karun saw the small child walking behind the teacher, his eyes widened.

'Direct line?'

Jet-black hair, and a white spot on the head that looked like an eye.

Clearly a sign of the direct line of the orca family, a color rarely seen.

"Would you like to introduce yourself?"

Moreover, the person who followed behind was Laila, the owner of this elementary institution, whom no child could fail to recognize.

Karun, who wasn't afraid of teachers who rarely disciplined or ignored, instinctively shuddered at Laila.

"Indeed, our institution welcomes strong children, but Karun... it would be best to moderate your behavior."

This was because he had been warned by Laila once for hitting the dolphin twins, and he still remembered the power of water from that encounter.

Not just Karun, but other orca collateral line children with similar tendencies also tensed up at the sight of Laila.

Moreover, a girl... Karun soon recalled one fact.

"Didn't Lord Pierre have a daughter? But she couldn't awaken the power of water, right?"

"A useless child. We support Lord Baiyan, the eldest son of the head of the family. It's a good thing a useless one was born. She's supposed to be sold as a dragon's bride, so it's for the best."

"How about that, a useless one was born under Lord Pierre...?"

"Isn't that the mystery of genetics?"