Chapter 14

With a clear pronunciation and a natural, effortless tone, no one in the class could match it.

"Nice to meet you."

It wasn't a mishearing.

Only then did Caron stop laughing and began to scrutinize the girl.

"Wow, she's so cute..."

"Looks like a doll. Let's be friends."

"Does she like plankton?"

"I like it!"

"She won't crush you!"

The younger the kids, the higher their aesthetic standards, or rather, the more straightforward they were.

In the eyes of these children, the new arrival, Calypso, looked like a small doll.

"My name is Calypso Aquasia Del."

With her loosely tied twin braids, long eyelashes that were visible even from a distance, and the bright blue eyes that were a symbol of her lineage.

"I heard that this class is the smartest and the top class among the educated ones."

Although her expression was rather indifferent, it added to her cuteness.

"That's why I have high expectations for this class. I hope there are many classmates who can meet my expectations."

Her sharp eyes, which were less prominent, also contributed to this cuteness.

When her ambitious introduction, which was far from childlike, came out, even the teachers looked at each other in surprise.

"Wow, wow. Did everyone hear that? Let's welcome the new classmate with applause!"

"Yay!"

"Welcome!"

"She's so cute!"

Fortunately, the mostly peace-loving whale children greeted Calypso with bright smiles and claps.

Calypso, who was mostly welcomed by the children, sat down... but instead of sitting among them, she plopped down at the very back.

"Now, everyone, please return to the activity of making shapes with blocks for today's assignment. When you're done, call the teacher."

"Okay!"

When the children were given free time, they focused on the task but also hovered around Calypso, who was sitting alone.

This was true for the orca children as well.

Why is she so small? Is she younger or just not growing well? I don't know!

Such conversations went back and forth.

'Hmm, she looks so... hazy!'

In the midst of this, Caron could barely manage to laugh at Calypso.

"Hey."

Calypso turned her head. Her expression was indifferent.

"Is that your lineage's hair color?"

Calypso gazed at the child who had approached her.

Oh, you're so big.

'My neck hurts.'

Sitting down, the child looked quite large.

He must be the oldest, around 8 years old, but even considering that, he was much bigger than his peers.

Moreover, as he approached, the other children, including the curious orca kids, flinched and backed away.

It was impossible not to notice.

'So, he's the leader, huh?'

Calypso slightly stretched her neck and stared at him intently.

When it comes to a showdown, intimidating the opponent is the first step.

"Is it the same lineage?"

Calypso's eyes glowed blue.

I'm taking over this class now.

"Didn't you know by looking at my hair color?"

Caron flinched.

Soon, Caron seemed angry that he had flinched and huffed.

Seeing this, Calypso judged.

'No strong guy gets excited easily.'

A truly strong person remains calm even when excited.

'Like my second older brother.'

Fortunately, it seemed there were no crazy guys like her brothers in this class, or at least no outstanding orcas.

Comparing them to those exceptional guys would be unfair, though.

"How old are you?"

"I'm eight. You... are very small for your age, aren't you?"

Calypso, instead of being flustered by the teasing, tilted her head cutely.

It was a rather adorable gesture, but she was unaware of it and spoke calmly.

"More like, how much of a failure are you to be this big and still not in a middle-level institution, but in a kindergarten, or rather, this primary institution?"

"Of course, I'm outstanding... huh?"

"Failure, idiot. Isn't it more strange that you're still here?"

Calypso's indifferent response made Caron's face turn bright red.

"Education for merfolk is mandatory up to the middle-level institution. Most 8-year-olds move on to the middle-level institution."

The ability to advance to the next grade depends on physical and intellectual capabilities.

Especially for orcas, physical strength and intelligence are required.

"No matter how strong you are, if you're stupid, you can't go to the middle-level institution. Why are you boasting about being a failure?"

Since he was still here despite his size, it wasn't a time to brag.

The children had gathered around to watch.

Even the orca kids were slowly approaching.

Calypso glanced around with her large eyes.

'Laila... probably won't stop this.'

The teachers were just watching.

"Yuck, you're a dwarf mop!"

"Hey, kid."

Calypso called out to one of the onlookers.

The child, whose shoulder twitched, had a head with a gray base and navy blue spots.

Calypso's mind ran through the features of various whales.

"Are you a ghost whale?"

"Y-Yes! Yes...! Of course!"

"Can you count numbers?"

The child nodded hurriedly, pleased that she had correctly identified his species.

"Yes! I can count well!"

How impressive.

"Good, then count the fingers of this failure... What's his name?"

"Caron!"

"Right. What's your name?"

"My name is Joseph!"

"Right, Joseph?"

Calypso confidently held out her finger to the ghost whale child, Joseph.

"Count this finger."

"O...ne, two, three. Three!"

"Good. Now tell Caron my age."

"Yes! Miss, you are three years old!"

Caron blinked.

Calypso smiled.

"Tsk, do you want to be in the same class as a 3-year-old?"

* * *

Caron's face turned very red.

It was intentional.

'He must realize how much of a failure he is, even by his own standards.'

Actually, being 8 wasn't too late, but it wasn't a reason to proudly puff out his chest.

Why is the leader of this class like this?

'Even the side-line orcas from the previous chapter weren't this bad.'

Without the kids around.

I scanned the orca side-line.

It was easy to spot the ones with plain gray heads.

"Wh-What! Don't say ridiculous things! How can you be three! We orcas can't even speak properly until we're five...!"

Where did he get the idea that his head is the same as mine?

I looked at him indifferently and turned my head, hearing a snort from his nose.

At that moment.

"Ah, no!!"

A fist came down on my spot as the surrounding children shouted.

Bang! Even though he was still a child, an orca is the strongest aquatic creature.

The soft floor was slightly indented.

If he had aimed a bit better, I might have ended up like that floor.

"Hmph! Even if you're from the main lineage, you're just a small land kid..."

"You need to learn manners first."

"What?!"

Hmm, I don't know if it will work, but...

I ran over and headbutted him.

'I'm giving you a headbutt instead of a punch, you know.'

...It was a feint, and my head, which was still larger than his small fist, was the perfect size!

Clang!

Did Pierre's hard work pay off?

I was more surprised to see him fly.

'...What? The training really worked?'

I didn't expect it to be useful in a real fight.

"Ouch, the ground...!"

"Caron, what are you doing!"

For a moment, as I ran, I felt lighter.

It was a similar feeling to when I awakened the power of water in the previous chapter.

I looked at my hand, but no water came out even when I tried to force it.

Through the dust, I saw Caron lying on the ground.

He looked pitiful, but it was nothing serious. He wouldn't die from this.

'Yeah. I know, because I grew up getting hit. Don't whine, you.'

He was busy holding his head and groaning.

When our eyes met, I immediately grabbed a block nearby.

'Until yesterday, Pierre made me clean and organize things until I was exhausted from labor.'

Using the feeling of breaking stones and holding a hammer...

When I tightened my grip, the block crumbled in my hand.

The children's "Wow" and Caron's pale face were visible.

"Trying to fight?"

"..."

In orca fights, the winner and loser determine the hierarchy.

Caron's eyes looked down. The posture of a defeated animal is the same.

I blew on my cute fist as if I had been waiting for this.

"My dad said not to get hit."

I'm taking over this class from today.