Chapter 17

"Then, let's start the first orientation, shall we?"

The voice of the old man, who seems to be the homeroom teacher, can be heard, but I don't really care...

Right now, I just want to drift along like a cloud in the sky, without thinking about anything, letting the wind carry me.

"Hey Allen. Wake up? If you fall asleep from the start, you'll be targeted, you know?"

...Who do you think caused this?

You cheekily secured the seat next to me.

I don't even have the energy to retort...

"Let's start with introductions.

I am Godolphin von Wanchish.

I will be the homeroom teacher for this year's Royal Academy 1st Year A Class.

Incidentally, I was appointed as the school's trustee yesterday.

Some of you might recognize me."

Upon hearing those words, the entire class was in an uproar.

"No way! That 'Buddha Godolphin' is our homeroom teacher?!"

"That Godolphin, who was the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights until a few years ago?!"

He seems to be quite famous...

But I don't really care...

"A hero of the previous war!"

"Why is a military heavyweight coming to the school?"

"I heard he is known as the king's right-hand man?"

"He is said to be a magic knight with dual attributes and an expert swordsman, right?"

What a man with many titles...

But I don't really care...

...No, I heard something that caught my attention.

A magic knight with dual attributes...

What a romantic title, I'm envious...

I raised my face a little.

"In his youth, he lacked magical talent and entered the Royal Academy in the E Class, but through blood, sweat, and tears, he became a great knight and a great mage, that 'Indomitable' Godolphin von Wanchish is our homeroom teacher..."

Hmm, in his youth, he lacked magical talent, huh.

I don't know who you are, but thank you for the detailed explanation.

I slowly sat up.

◆

"Now, the reason why such an old man as myself has been dispatched as a teacher to the prestigious Royal Academy...

Actually, it's by the king's request."

Godolphin started the conversation with a grandfatherly air.

"Can I interrupt for a moment?"

It seemed like a very important conversation was about to begin, but I cut him off without hesitation.

I couldn't bear to listen to the old man's long speech.

Godolphin, who had his momentum cut off, didn't seem angry and urged me to continue.

"Hmm. Speak then, Allen Lovene."

I stood at attention, looked the old man in the eye, and activated my body enhancement to the max.

Then, I bent my waist to a precise 45-degree angle, as if measured with a protractor.

"Please make me your disciple, Mr. Godolphin!"

In this world, there is a culture of bowing when making a request.

But having experienced the bowing training in Japanese companies, which is drilled into new employees to the point of absurdity, I can't help but feel that everyone here lacks sincerity.

Bowing is profound.

The quick lowering of the head, the pause for the necessary time, and the slow raising, the control of the tempo.

The depth of the angle expressing the heart's desire.

The straight back, as if pierced by an iron rod, and the fingers stretched to the point of curling, the attention to detail is endless.

My classmates looked at me with frightened eyes, as if I were a schizophrenic, after my sudden change from an outlaw to a model student.

But I can't miss this opportunity. Every second counts.

Godolphin, with his white beard and narrowed eyes, was unreadable, but I kept my gaze fixed on him, waiting for his next words.

"Hmm. ...I'll have to backtrack a bit, but it can't be helped.

I don't like being verbose either."

The old man in front of me sighed deeply and then said something completely unexpected.

"Allen Lovene.

You are suspected of cheating on the entrance exam."

...Cheating?

What are you talking about, old man...

"You must have seen it.

The symbol next to Allen Lovene's assigned class on the bulletin board..."

I did my best to avoid being graded by that hungover security guard.

"That symbol means provisional admission, which means the decision on your acceptance is pending."

That scruffy-bearded man did indeed declare me qualified before the exam.

But are you saying I should have rejected it on the spot, saying, "That's cheating"?

Are you implying that the practical exam was actually a test of the heart?

After that, I did take the exam from the scruffy-bearded man, albeit reluctantly.

"You have two paths.

One is to prove your worth and stay at this Royal Academy.

The other is to leave the school as a miserable coward."

My body trembled with anger.

Now I understand...

Mother was talking about this.

I am being unjustly crushed by someone.

She said to show them, to crush anyone who stands in your way.

Even if the scruffy-bearded man made a mistake, it is unacceptable to transfer the responsibility to me, a test-taker.

But in this guarded situation, with no weapons, proving my worth to this old man is nearly impossible.

I kept my gaze fixed on the old man, counted the cards in the classroom in my mind, and took a step forward.

In response, Lio stood up and positioned himself between me and the old man.

Is he in on it too?

"Very well, Lio."

Lio looked at me with disdain for a while but then reluctantly moved aside.

"Allen Lovene. Is this how you intend to demonstrate your worth?"

"Hmph. I didn't cheat.

It's pointless to say anything to you, who are trying to make me the bad guy from the start."

I kept my gaze on Godolphin, slowly approached the blackboard, and held the eraser in my left hand.

"Hmm. If that's the case, shouldn't you prove it in a different way?"

"Hmph. Who are you to say that?

To blame a hungover examiner's mistake on me, a test-taker, and lecture me like that is ridiculous.

Do you think I'll cling to this school and wag my tail?

To you, I'm probably just a worthless speck of dust.

But I will crush anyone who stands in my way, no matter who they are!"

I declared loudly.

"Huh? ...Your cheating suspicion is about the written exam?"

...Huh?

"The results of your practical exam were decided unanimously by all examiners, including myself, for the first time in 20 years.

No one has any doubts about that."

I pretended to clean the brand new blackboard eraser, put it back in its original place, and returned to my seat.

I closed my eyes and crossed my arms.

"Please explain."

I don't have the courage to open my eyes, thinking about how everyone is looking at me.

Then Faye, in a whisper that echoed throughout the classroom, said worriedly,

"Allen? You don't need to crush anyone?

...Your face is red. Haha."

◆

"Your cheating suspicion is due to the inconsistency between yesterday's written exam and the results of the kingdom's common written exam.

I can't go into details, but the judgment indicates that the improvement in your academic performance is unnatural."

Godolphin then unfolded a piece of paper.

It showed that I had failed the criteria in 4 out of 5 subjects.

Especially in magic theory, which was always difficult and which the pre-awakened 'Allen' hated, the error rate was 99.99...%.

"Of course, after receiving these results, a thorough analysis team investigated every move you made from the moment you entered the school gates until you left.

But there was nothing suspicious.

There was no trace of using magical artifacts.

But... it's impossible.

One subject could be a miracle, but four subjects, really?"

"...Well, let's hear your explanation."

2022/08/03 Revised

I added some expressions.