Chapter 57

### Chapter 57: The Same Path, Different Dreams (1)

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#1

Before enrolling at Frontier.

Even as I burned my muscles to the limit every day to adapt to my changed body, I seemed to have been focused on a single goal.

I say "seemed" because my memory is not clear.

How could I recall where and how I honed my body and mind if I don't even know?

Perhaps it was because I didn't want to miss the miraculous opportunity that came to me. I must have pushed my body to the brink without a moment's rest.

It wasn't just about building strength and endurance; it also involved swordsmanship and magic training, which I had barely been able to progress in due to my limitations. I must have tried everything I could. If it were me, I would have done exactly that.

Thanks to that, I was able to harness the knowledge I had previously been unable to use, achieving a magic level equivalent to the third tier.

Swordsmanship, well, I still have a long way to go.

I believe that with consistent effort, I can improve.

I am satisfied just knowing that I no longer face the barrier of talent and have the potential to develop.

Achievement is truly like a drug.

A wall that seemed impenetrable no matter what I did crumbled so easily. The light that I could barely ignite by expending all my mana in a day can now be manifested in the physical world with a mere flick of my finger.

I haven't yet pushed my body to its limits in terms of mana circuits, but I am genuinely curious about how much mana I can draw and how much my strengthened body can endure the raging torrent of mana.

Is a sword really so easy to wield? It seemed like a simple task to just follow the instructor's words and move accordingly. Why did my past self, with its intricate and awkward movements, only elicit laughter from my classmates?

Now, the sword extends and strikes its target precisely as I intend, and sometimes it even defends against an opponent's attack reflexively without my conscious effort.

It is a realm of instinct and talent.

In less than half a year, I, who was once at the pinnacle of talentlessness, have acquired a decent level of talent.

No, it's not just decent.

The admission officer at Frontier evaluated my potential under very strict criteria and ultimately decided to admit me to the Epic Class.

That's right. The Epic Class.

The city of gold and dreams, the Royal Frontier Academy, where the best talents from across the Altima continent gather.

Even among the gathering of all these talents, the Epic Class is a group that shines like stars in the night sky.

I am a member of such a group.

The single goal given to me.

To enroll at Frontier with my own merit and obtain my diploma with my own hands. I believed that nothing in life could be more valuable than this.

I must have believed in proving my worth without a doubt and put in bone-crushing effort every single day.

Thus, not only did I manage to enroll at Frontier, but I also earned the right to wear the golden emblem symbolizing an Epic Class student on my chest, despite being assigned the last number.

It was an incredible achievement.

Therefore, I resolved that the new opportunity that came to me like a miracle, the starting line of my second life, would not be lost again.

To achieve this grand mission, I had to earn the highest grade, "A+," in every class for any reason.

I would not settle for anything less than the highest grade, "A+." I had to be the best student.

If I had the potential and the ability to achieve it but failed, it would be entirely my fault.

Now.

With the capability to achieve my goal and the goal not running away from me, I should be able to achieve it as long as I don't waste time.

The world welcomes me with open arms.

I just need to walk the smooth, well-trodden path with confidence!

...But.

What if an assassin suddenly appeared?

"This— The group assignments for this session were formed at my discretion. Please confirm your group members, and the deadline is next Thursday."

The deep frown lines between the professor's grayish-white hair and the weak, drawn-out words.

— Wow, we're in the same group.

— Where is he? Where is he in which group? Move aside for a moment.

— Ah— If it's Group 1, we're the first to present, right? Sigh...

The freshmen, oblivious to the dark future ahead, looked excited as they found their groups.

Seeing their fresh and fragile faces, I couldn't help but sigh.

—I had overlooked something.

The world is a place where we live together.

Perhaps I had become too accustomed to living alone and thought it was just a series of tasks I could handle on my own.

It was a grave miscalculation.

The first group project after enrolling at Frontier. An unavoidable harsh fate.

A wise person once said.

A task that one person can do should not be done by two, and a task done by three or more will never be completed.

It seems to be true.

During my middle school days, when most assignments were individual, I had only experienced a group project system similar to Frontier's a couple of times.

One of those times.

It was a simple task: collect appropriate materials for the given topic, write a thorough report, and present it when the deadline arrives.

Even though I was in a group with classmates I wasn't close to, as long as each person performed their assigned role diligently, the grade was practically guaranteed.

It was that easy. Collecting materials was just a matter of visiting the library whenever I had free time.

But, damn.

Why, on the day we were supposed to share the collected materials, did one person suddenly disappear the night before, citing an emergency?

Another person didn't show up at all, and in the end, only three of us managed to gather at a cafe. Why were only I and one other person the only ones who had done proper research?

To make matters worse, one of them placed a document on the table that was clearly copied verbatim from a related book without any review.

She insisted on finishing the meeting quickly because she had to leave in an hour, which made me feel dizzy.

A storm of chaos and destruction.

The outcome was predictable.

There were clearly four of us standing there.

But from start to finish, I was the only one who presented.

The other person who was genuinely committed to the task was someone who worked hard but didn't produce the expected results.

I understood their effort, so I told them to rest while I handled everything.

The other group members weren't stupid. Lorson Academy was prestigious, and their written test scores were not significantly lower than mine.

In other words, it was a calculated and deliberate action, and I, being naive, had to bear the brunt of it.

I admit, I was a pushover back then.

They must have known that I stood out in the class but consistently performed well in written tests.

They intended to delegate everything to me from the beginning. Literally everything.

I was a fool for feeling flattered and secretly rejoicing when I was unexpectedly made the group leader.

Thinking about it now, I am very angry.

I won't make the same mistake twice.

This time, I will do the group project for myself...

But with my grades held hostage, I can't act recklessly. I don't intend to be an excellent leader, but I still have some faith.

This is Frontier. The ratio of normal people should be high.

And I am no longer as insignificant as I used to be. I shouldn't have to do everything myself.

Of course, my goal is the highest grade, so to achieve it, I need the active cooperation of my team members.

They didn't enter Frontier to study carelessly, right? As freshmen, they must have some passion for good grades. As long as they approach the task with sincerity, that's all I ask. Just keep your promises.

"Thank you, students. I'll see you at the next lecture."

After the professor announced the end of the lecture.

Instead of leaving the lecture hall as usual, students stayed to find their group members.

I quickly checked my group by looking at the floating text where the professor had been sitting.

Then.

"...Oh."

A small sigh escaped.

[Group 6]

1. Ezio Crani (Epic Class, 1st Year, Autonomous Major)

2. Alphris von Chevlof (Gracia Class, 1st Year, Magic Major)

3. Hector de Alcantara (Epic Class, 1st Year, Autonomous Major)

4. Renny (Ordo Class, 1st Year, Swordsmanship Major)

5. Yuseph de Ria (Rocio Class, 1st Year, Sacred Arts Major)

Hmm...

They are all first-year students, which makes sense since this is a general education course for freshmen.

I rubbed my chin and sighed, not because of the three group members I had never met.

Then, there's only one left.

Hector de Alcantara, in the same Epic Class.

Since the first day of enrollment, he has been looking at me with a suspicious gaze and consistently hanging out with a group of people.

Hector de Alcantara, number 8 in the Epic Class, Hati Yuresian, number 10, and Jascal von Magnus, number 11.

Among them, Hector, who was looking at me with a haughty expression and crossed arms, was in the same group.

— Group 1! Anyone in Group 1?

— Group 3, gather here!

— Group 8? No more Group 8?

— One person is missing from Group 5... Nex? Nex Bertha? Are you here now?

During the break between lectures, voices desperately searching for group members echoed from all directions.

I ignored the glances that seemed to be directed at me, as I had already received a fair amount of attention and rumors about me had spread throughout Frontier. However, it was quite frustrating to keep getting into situations I couldn't remember.

Well, my situation is settled.

First, I need to gather the group members. I will check everyone's schedule today and arrange a meeting as soon as possible.

I raised my hand and called out.

"Group 6 members? If you're here, please gather here?"

#2

Ultimately, they managed to gather. The Group 6 members found me after confirming their group, and my unintended fame helped.

The five of us gathered in one place.

Hector silently sat down near me.

I thought he might have a hard time since he seemed to dislike me, but it might be better than expected.

Or not. It might be too optimistic to think he will be cooperative just because he agreed to gather.

"I'll call out names. Raise your hand if it's your name."

After confirming that all five were present.

I called out the names one by one.

"Hector de Alcantara?"

"..."

I looked at Hector while speaking. From his crossed legs and chin gesture, I could read his meaning. There's no need to raise his hand since I already know. Something like that.

...Okay. This is fine. It's good.

Next.

"Alphris von Chevlof?"

"Hey! That's me!"

Alphris raised his hand. His handsome face and relaxed smile suggested he was an active and charming guy. He could be the leader. Alphris, you would make a better leader...

At that moment, Alphris showed interest in me.

"Are you Ezio Crani? The one who fought with Lady Elena in the 4th District! Wow, I didn't expect to be in the same group!"

He burst into laughter.

I was taken aback and responded.

"Are you seriously believing that rumor?"

This is getting serious. The image of me in people's minds is becoming more monstrous.

"Of course! Rumors don't just appear. Even if it's exaggerated, the fact that you fought with Lady Elena must be true, right? And you're still alive. That's already amazing!"

He laughed again.

I shook my head with a sigh.

"It never happened, so forget the rumor. Next."

A small girl sitting next to Alphris, who had been quietly folding her hands, was called by the name I assumed was hers.

"Renny?"

"Y-Yes, yes."

She raised her hand politely. Why is she using formal language?

First impression... a country girl? A plain-faced girl with brown hair, giving off a fresh and innocent vibe.

But this type is better. She will do her assigned role properly. It's a relief.

Now, the last one.

I have confirmed the faces and names of all the group members. There's only one left, but since I started, I'll finish.

"Yuseph de..."

"Wow."

"..."

Yuseph, who had been leaning on the table with her elbow and chin, let out a mechanical exclamation.

If Yuseph's hair was really bright and shiny blonde, it would be closer to a slightly dull, ash-blond color.

Her long hair was loosely untangled, not messy like a broom, but it swayed irregularly around her waist.

She was only wearing a shirt and skirt, having put her uniform jacket somewhere.

The top buttons of her shirt were undone, revealing her collarbone, and her skirt seemed unusually short compared to the other girls.

What is this, exactly?

...Why am I getting PTSD from something that doesn't even exist?

Yuseph de Ria. Her name is beautiful, and she looks beautiful. It would be nice if her words were beautiful too.

"You're fucking handsome. Shit."

She spits out a crude curse on first meeting.

Clearly, it seems to be a compliment, but for some reason, my shoulders stiffened.

Yuseph grins.

"Surprised? You're cute. Maybe you're secretly innocent?"

"..."

No, this girl.

She seems to be a noble, given her last name.

Maybe she's from a fallen noble family like me, but even so, it's a bit... well, isn't it?

And what is her major?

...Sacred Arts?

Will she become a priestess in the future and, when a believer confesses to the church, will she curse them in the name of the deity?

"I like your type. Big bastard. I really like you. ...What do you think of me? Do I look like a poor bitch? Honestly, I don't have much to say even if you see me that way."

It seems I made a mistake.

I averted my gaze from her.

"Since we're all here, let's start by checking our free dates and times..."

"Why are you ignoring me, friend? Do you want to die?"

"..."

"Kidding. I know my limits. Besides, if I tried to make a move, I'd be the one to lose. Hahaha!"

My inner villain detector went off.

This girl.

The seed of chaos and destruction that will lead our group to ruin...

"Right. I have one more question."

While inwardly lamenting.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Wh-What?"

"Are you dating anyone now? Ah, maybe it's better if you're not? Hehe."

As Yuseph laughed, seemingly making a joke only she understood.

My gaze caught a movement.

Not far away, Rubia, who seemed to be talking with her group members, was clearly looking in this direction with her luminous green eyes.

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