Chapter 59

59. The Third Place (1)

Mr. Leang pushed up his glasses with his finger.

A pair of small-lensed glasses, the type that sit on the bridge of the nose.

They suited his slender build well.

"Quite touching. Therefore, I will also give Miss Luna a demerit point."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because you disrupted the class. Your friend is important to you, but not to others. You deserve a demerit."

"That, that's...!"

She gently held Luna's hand under the desk.

And mouthed, "Stay quiet."

"Poor? What the hell are you talking about?"

Luna, Luna.

How could it turn into that?

The first part is the same!

"Hehehe!"

"Ah, they're so funny."

It was when the children burst into laughter at the unexpected comedy.

"And Miss Yuridia, I will also give you a demerit point."

"......What?"

"Enjoying your friend's punishment. As a fellow noble, I cannot stand by and watch. I will give you a demerit point for taking your friend's misfortune as your own happiness."

"That, that's not fair! I wasn't the only one laughing!"

Mr. Leang pushed up his glasses again.

"Miss Yuridia laughed the loudest. How about that as an answer?"

"That's not a reasonable answer at all!"

Yuridia immediately retorted.

A logical list of reasons why it was unfair for her to receive a demerit.

But the demerit had already been given.

Because.

'The teacher has been recruited by Teron.'

Teron's faction gives demerits to the top students and merit points to the others.

It was natural for them to have the upper hand in the midterm exams.

Involving the teacher in the students' conflict.

If you were to call it a villainous move, it was a villainous move.

"I was only worried about Miss Yuridia. There are many who would try to bring down someone with a guaranteed future like her."

"But if you give me a demerit for that reason...?"

"Was my concern too much? If so, I will cancel the demerit."

Yuridia flinched. She was being pressured.

If she said one more word, it would be pointing out the teacher's mistake.

That would be crossing the line.

Yuridia clenched her small fists and bowed her head slightly.

And smiled.

"No, I will take your advice to heart."

"Excellent. Miss Yuridia will make a good noble. Well, it's time. That's all for today's class."

Leang pushed up his glasses once more and left the classroom.

Chaos erupted in the classroom.

Because the gap between Yuridia and Teron had narrowed.

"Hehe, I knew it. I knew you'd get in trouble for being so loud."

"Just because you got a few merit points, you think you're something."

"What? Are you done talking, you guys!"

As the Yuridia faction rushed over, the Teron faction also stood up and formed a line.

"What did we say wrong?"

"Anyone can see that it's not Miss Yuridia's fault!"

"Then are you saying the teacher was wrong?"

Andwood Academy is the empire's top academy.

The teachers are the best of the best.

In such a place, the authority of the teacher is absolute.

But if you point out that they are wrong?

It won't end with just a demerit.

"It's because you guys used underhanded tactics!"

"What tactics are you talking about?"

"Obviously! You guys... manipulated the teacher..."

"Manipulated the teacher?"

"Ugh..."

The Yuridia faction couldn't continue.

If they said the teacher was bought off, they could be expelled immediately.

An accusation without evidence is just slander.

When the Yuridia faction was at a loss,

Teron stepped forward.

"Yuridia, how disgraceful."

"......Disgraceful?"

"Yes. Acknowledging your own inadequacy and bringing a gang to cause trouble. That's what I call disgraceful, what else?"

Yuridia's eyebrows twitched.

To receive her own words back like this.

What a humiliation.

'Oh, scary, so scary. They say the young these days are scary...'

Is this what they mean by MZ?

Of course, it's none of my business as a bystander.

Life is a comedy from a distance, a tragedy up close.

And I am watching from a distance.

A very enjoyable viewing, indeed.

"Damn, that teacher. Why did he do that all of a sudden?"

"Hehe, it will happen often from now on. So, please be quiet from now on."

"You seem to know something?"

"Hehe, it's a secret."

"......Okay?"

Creak, creak.

"Miss Luna? Why are you grinding your teeth?"

"Why not?"

Knowing the answer, I closed my eyes.

The terrible pain from the top of my head!

I couldn't help but scream.

"Ahhhhh!"

"......"

Yuridia and Teron's eyes met.

Ah, I see?

To you, it's also a comedy from a distance, a tragedy up close?

I gained another insight.

* * *

"Damn, that's so annoying."

Luna grumbled and picked up her spoon.

Why is Luna upset when I'm the one in pain?

It was strange.

"What did you do last night to keep dozing off in class?"

"I don't snore."

"You were closing your eyes... Oh, right, you can't see."

Luna nodded in agreement.

That's right. I yawn, but I don't snore.

'It's because of my half-closed eyes.'

Some teachers even periodically ask me questions to check if I'm sleeping.

'Funny, but not likely.'

Fantasy world classes.

With the faculty of Andwood Academy, all the classes were interesting.

'Mr. Leang's class was also interesting.'

Although he often talked about his experiences, which took up a lot of time, it was a good class for me.

Each of those experiences was nourishment for me, who lacked experience.

Even if it was just a verbal explanation.

"So why were you spacing out? You usually concentrate well."

"Hehe, a lot has happened."

"Want to get hit again? I understand, just wait a bit. Finish this first."

When did I say I wanted to get hit?

I was genuinely curious but decided to let it go.

'Well, I didn't get much sleep.'

Partly because of replaying my conversation with Caron, but also because I spent the whole night organizing the information I needed to sell.

I realized after my first transaction with Caron.

'Information is money.'

I am a veteran of this game.

In terms of information, I was on par with Caron.

'Perhaps I can do business.'

I could sell not only to Caron but also to others.

Just thinking of a few, the Emperor, Elester, Duke Luke, Rodelin, and so on.

There were plenty of potential buyers.

'The Information Guild is also useful.'

Selling information while hiding my identity.

There's no better place.

I decided that if I had to go out, I would visit the Information Guild first.

Why am I so obsessed with money?

'Because I have the Shop Window skill.'

The only hope to clear this game is through the gamble of potential.

And in the [Shop Window], you can buy stat points.

'This time, I got 20 gold from Caron.'

I had information worth over 1,000 gold.

It's not expensive. Information has its value.

"Anyway, what are you going to do?"

"Hehe, what do you mean?"

"I mean, Mr. Leang. You seem to really dislike him."

Leang must be doing a good job.

Even Luna, who is usually oblivious, noticed.

'Leang...'

Well, he is a headache.

If we leave him, he'll keep giving us demerits until graduation.

But.

'There's no need to worry too much.'

He will be dealt with before the midterms.

Will the Yuridia faction find evidence and expose him?

No. He will be 'dealt with.'

'He will meet a tragic end.'

At the hands of the protagonist's party.

That's right. Leang de Fleurs.

He is the first boss, the boss who concludes Chapter 1.

But as I said, life is a comedy from a distance, a tragedy up close.

And the Chapter 1 boss is very close to me.

What do you mean?

Ding.

- Defeat the boss, 'Leang de Fleurs'!

Defeat the teacher controlled by the cursed sword, Leang de Fleurs.

To clear, you must defeat a hidden boss, not a regular one!

If you repent and then defeat Leang de Fleurs, you will receive additional rewards.

Leang de Fleurs (0/1).

Reward: 200 exp, 10 gold

Additional Reward: Open Eyes (F) > Open Eyes (E)

Penalty: All stats decrease by 5

*This quest cannot be refused.

That's right. This teacher, Leang.

Is a character I have to kill with my own hands.

* * *

"Oh, ice cream. You want some too?"

"Hehe, yes."

"Great, I'm in a good mood! I'll buy it today!"

Luna ran to the stall.

"Phew..."

I sighed slightly and checked the quest window again.

The main quest window that appeared as if waiting for the right moment.

The reward is not bad.

The word 'repent' is a bit bothersome, but since it's a condition for the additional reward, it's not something I have to risk my life for.

The phrase that the quest cannot be refused?

It's not a problem since I never intended to refuse it.

The current issue is.

'That I have to kill someone.'

Even though it's in a game, I can't just dismiss it as a game character.

They laugh, cry, get angry, and chat with us.

Beings with whom emotions are exchanged through conversation.

And this applies to Mr. Leang as well.

'Is it just because he's a villain that it's okay to kill him?'

I am not a psychopath.

In a world where villains deserve to die and murder is justified.

Guilt is still inescapable. That's.

'Especially for the first murder.'

The instinctive hesitation to kill a fellow human.

'If I don't feel guilt, I might as well be a psychopath.'

What emotion will I feel when I kill Leang?

If I feel nothing.

I wouldn't be able to continue this game.

"Hey! Move out of the way!"

"Kyaa!"

Luna, holding two ice creams, rushed over.

Then she blocked my path.

"Seriously, you can't let your guard down for a second!"

"I, I was just trying to greet my best friend! Move out of the way!"

"Who's your best friend! That's mine!"

That's right. The one who made Luna rush over like lightning.

Pure evil, Neg Raymon.

Alex was also behind him.

'They seem to be getting along well.'

He's a good kid for listening to my request.

Of course, it's natural for the protagonist.

I exchanged a light nod with Alex.

"Zero, eat this while I deal with that guy. I bought a triple-decker."

A triple-decker ice cream, at least 30 cm tall.

It was impressive.

"Oh, I won't lose today! I've been exercising! It's better to hand over my friend willingly!"

"Hmm, is that so? Let's see."

Crack, crack.

Luna twisted her body from side to side, warming up.

A familiar sight.

Then I realized.

It was the same as what I saw with Caron.

The moment the killing machine Luna revealed herself to the world.