"If your students are dismissed, then I'll be on my way to see how other classes are handling their first day." As Hellen Goldenlaw stood up. I felt her stare on me, cold and calculating what my next move could be.
I'd already piqued her interest before, but now she's really going to keep an eye on me.
On my right, I see Lyon on his knees, looking at the ground. His mouth was wide open as he processed what had just happened.
I do feel a bit bad for causing his demotion...
I stretch out my hand, making a gesture for him to grab it.
"Tch." He roughly slapped my hand away and stood up on his own.
"Don't come near me." He headed for the exit, avoiding our classmates.
I don't blame him for doing that... Honestly, I expected worse.
I guess I'll need to add him to the list of students who want me dead.
That thought only made me let out a long, frustrated sigh.
I looked over at my classmates. Except for a couple of them, most avoided looking at me.
Who cares...? I have more important things to do anyway...
I exit the arena and head straight to my classroom.
---
Lyon was the first one to enter our classroom. After me, the others started arriving in groups.
I guess class dynamics are already being formed. And I know exactly where I ended up.
An outcast.
Not only in my class, but I probably won't be approached by anyone in this entire academy.
That's not entirely a bad thing, as I'll be able to get stronger alone without anyone interrupting me...
...
Anyway, classes... which ones do I choose?
Well... after thinking about it for half an hour, I came to a conclusion.
The main character came with four predetermined classes, leaving the player to choose the remaining two.
While this could be a smooth and natural way of meeting her... only one of the classes I want to choose is similar to hers.
She chose: Alchemy, Magical Training, Plans and Strategies, and Combat Training.
Meanwhile, the classes I want to get into are:
Monster Learning and Research. This isn't like the game where I can just press a button and my units deal damage. If I want to efficiently defeat monsters, I have to know their weak points.
Combat Training. Thanks to all the previous training I've done this past year, I'll start with a slight advantage. This class will help me improve my physical abilities, and it'll give me more chances to train with my daggers. This is the only class I can share with the main character—if we end up in the same group.
Theory and Practice of Dungeon Exploring. I'll spend most of my time in dungeons, so getting better at them is my top priority.
Close-Combat Applied Magic. Unlike Combat Training, which relies only on physical prowess, and Magical Training, which serves to advance your tiers, this class teaches me to fight using both my body and magic.
While it may seem redundant to choose both Combat Training and Close-Combat Applied Magic, the former will help me improve my proficiency in fighting without magic, while the latter will help me hone my fighting style that blends close combat with magic.
This class won't specifically help me improve my magical tiers, but it doesn't matter. I already have a low affinity and am limited in how much magic I can learn.
Items and Artifacts Study. Since I'll be falling behind in strength as time passes, I'll have to rely on artifacts and items to make up for my lack of capabilities in the future.
Market Economy. I need to sell and buy items, and I'd rather avoid getting scammed.
Those are my six...
Not everything is lost, though—she could end up choosing Monster Research or Dungeon Theory and Practice.
I submitted my choices to the system, and it arranged my timetable.
Honestly, I didn't want to choose all six... but I can't advance without them.
I look around and notice everyone talking with their own group. Even Lyon is talking with our classmates.
...
After staring at my timetable for an uncomfortably long amount of time, I decide to leave the classroom and buy something to eat.
This first day is only meant to introduce us to how things work around here, so after the introductions, students are free to do whatever they want.
I wonder what te main character's doing right now. On my first playthrough, I remember exploring as much of the academy as the game allowed me to.
The halls are empty. Did we finish that early?
These fancy long halls tend to be filled with students walking by, so seeing them be completely empty gives me an eerie feeling.
"And where do you think you're going?" A voice called out to me, making me turn around.
She's...
"I honestly had no intention of approaching you," she said, striking a confident pose while pointing at me. "But after your stunt today, I felt it was only appropriate to talk to someone like you."
Franchesca Von Themys, an end-game villainess. She makes the main character's life miserable from the very beginning, and it's her family that causes the most damage to the world by helping to provoke the apocalypse.
"Really? Sorry, but I don't think the princess of the northwestern peninsula should be interested in a mere peasant like me."
To me and many other players, she's a case of "I forgive her sins because she's really pretty."
With long, fluffy white hair and a mean-looking face thanks to her sharp red eyes, she's the first princess of the snowy kingdom of Montanev.
"Ha. Don't make me laugh." Her defiant smile clearly challenged me. "You may be a peasant, but you're no mere peasant, as you call yourself." She slowly approached me, the emptiness of the halls making the sound of her heels louder with each step.
"Being allowed to take the entrance exams way past registration time, and by the esteemed Director Hellen Goldenlaw herself," another step.
"And possessing a secret, unique magical ability that allowed you to become part of the S-Class," another step.
"A class no peasant has ever made it to before you." She was now only a step away.
"And you don't tremble in fear while I'm talking at you like everyone else. In fact, you even manage to keep eye contact." She leaned forward.
"You're no mere peasant. Are you?" That smile... it told me I couldn't hide anything from her.
"Well... maybe I'm a unique peasant," I took a step back "But a peasant nonetheless. As you can see, I lack a last name—a sign of my low status."
"Hmmm," she straightened up, still smiling. "Once again, I'm never wrong. You're certainly interesting... okay, it's decided..."
What is decided?
She confidently placed a hand on her chest.
"I'll allow you the pleasure of following me around. I'll even give you permission to talk to me whenever you want."
Huh?
...
"Thanks, I guess..." I knew she behaved rashly with the main character, but this is even more different than I expected.
"Ha. Your guess is indeed right." She handed me her timetable. "These are the classes I chose. Get into the same ones and you'll have better chances to impress me."
I handed her mine. "I've already chosen mine."
She looked surprised and spent a good few seconds inspecting the paper I gave her.
"Oh. This certainly isn't what I expected."
"Don't worry, we still have the required classes to get to know each other better." I took back my timetable and returned hers.
"Hmmm." She tapped a finger to her lip. "You sure did choose weird classes..." She seemed deep in thought.
"That does make you more intriguing to me."
This isn't how I expected my first encounter with her to go.
"Then keep at it and don't disappoint me. Understand, peasant?" She turned and began walking away.
"I'll make sure to maintain your expectations," I said my goodbyes in my own way before continuing toward the cafeteria.
Wait...
If I become friends with the villainess... does that mean I'll be seen as a bad guy by the main character?
...
I truly hope not.