After Stealing Hero's Mother, I Reincarnated in the Fantasy World!

Once his plans for the Cultural Vacation were set, Rain continued towards his class, chatting with Ael along the way and pondering the immediate future.

'Vacation in the Elf Kingdom... that would be something new.'

His gaze fell on Aelorian, who was walking beside him and talking nonstop.

Who would be better suited to show him the culture of the Elves than their Princess?

A smile slowly appeared on his lips.

'I'm relying on you, Ael. Prove the greatness of the Elves.'

Noticing his stare, she stopped speaking for a moment, but immediately continued.

"What am I talking about? Ah, yeah. Like my mother used to say..."

"Student Rain."

A woman's voice interrupted her words.

They stopped their steps, turning toward the voice.

There stood a woman in a black and white uniform, with a visibly worn face and black circles under her eyes.

Rain recognized her as the woman his sister had helped with her research.

'I think her name was Audrey?'

He had once 'destroyed' her work desk with Liana, so he couldn't forget her.

"Yes, do you need something from me?"

Hoping it wasn't compensation for the broken desk, he asked.

"You're being summoned, so please come with me."

'Summoned? Who could be summoning him at this time?'

While Rain was wondering about that, Ael threw her a look that said 'another woman', but nodded to him nonetheless.

"It might be something beneficial for you, so I think you should go. Anyway, don't we have a whole vacation ahead of us?"

"...Okay, I'll see you then."

Waving goodbye to her, Rain followed Audrey. As he walked through the corridors of the academy, he sized her up.

The disheveled shirt that didn't cover her breasts well, the dead eyes... she looked even more tired since their last meeting.

Her boss is probably still giving her a hard time.

If there was anything out of the ordinary, it was…

'Why does she blush every time she looks at me?'

Rain still couldn't find the answer to that question before they came to the right place.

"This way, student Rain."

Pointing to a large wooden door with exquisite carvings on it, Audrey quickly turned around and walked away with stiff steps, almost running away.

"..."

Putting those questions aside for later, Rain pushed open the wooden door, entering the lavishly decorated study, as if designed to show off its owner's influence.

He immediately noticed the business man sitting in the chair behind the desk.

Wallace. A man whose ambition was as big as his stomach, the academy's vice-principal...

And the chief benefactor of the hero Gray.

"Rain, 2nd year student. No notable accomplishments except for the last few weeks, frequent absences, and many ambiguities in academic life."

Playing with a stack of papers in his hand, Wallace summarized about Rain.

"You know quite a bit about me, vice-principal."

"Of course. It's my responsibility to know everything about everyone. Especially..."

Wallace stopped playing with the papers and cast a disgruntled look at him.

"About people like you, who ruin the reputation of our academy by dragging it into the mud."

A grin unknowingly surfaced on Rain's face, he knew exactly what Wallace was going to talk about.

'Protecting him even now... Gray is really lucky to have such a loyal fan.'

"Tsk. I will be deciding on your expulsion today, so pay more attention."

Today, Wallace was ready to completely crush that cocky face.

"First, I will read out a list of your infractions."

With those words, Wallace picked up several stacks of papers from his desk, beginning to read them slowly.

"Disciplinary violation of Academy procedures, Unethical behavior on Academy property, Showing unnecessary violence during a duel, Interfering..."

***

An unknown amount of time later...

'Damn, I lost.'

Clicking his tongue, Rain admitted his defeat.

It wasn't surprising.

'How could I have gotten such trash cards?'

He had just finished another game of cards with his system, who at certain points in Wallace's speech had awakened from her slumber.

'No, maybe Nari was cheating from the start by playing with me?'

If he could look at his system, he'd throw her a suspicious look right now.

[Haaaa... did you really think you could defeat the Goddess with the computing power of the entire system?]

'...At the very least, I won most of them.'

[...Maybe I gave in to you?]

'Yeah, of course.'

"....Exponential privatization of appointed indulgences for personal gain."

Wallace's monotonous voice came to an end and an unaccustomed silence enveloped the room.

'Oh, I think he's done talking now.'

Pulling away from the transparent table of cards visible only to him, Rain's gaze returned to Wallace.

That one was no longer in as good a condition as when they met.

His face was pretty exhausted and he had about 6 empty water bottles next to him, but still he had a victorious smile on his lips.

Wallace adjusted his suit.

Silver tongue. That was what he was called in tight circles.

His special ability, developed through many social battles as he climbed the career ladder.

Something that could defeat even a dragon in a battle of words.

This junior didn't stand a chance against him.

He could already see Rain crawling to his feet, his face in snot, and begging not to expel him.

Of course, right now he was still standing still, yawning with boredom... but that was only for now.

Clearing his dry throat, Wallace said with some confidence.

"I hope now student Rain understands the gravity of his transgressions?"

"Yes, very clear. Can I go now?"

Wallace's eyebrows twitched before he frowned deeply.

"You don't seem to realize the gravity of your situation yet. I could expel you at any moment. But that's why I'm giving you an opportunity."

Wallace handed him the papers from the corner of his desk.

"Sign a letter of resignation. It's the easiest way out for you."

Leaning back in his chair, he pronounced.

"If I really have to forcibly expel you... no academy in this Empire will accept you. Also..."

'Should I start another game of cards?'

Fortunately, Wallace soon coughed and reached for his 7th water bottle.

He was obviously very well prepared for today.

"So, will you do it, student Rain?"

"Nah."

This time the corners of Wallace's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Taking another look at that cocky face in front of him, and remembering Gray's desperate cry in the Final... Wallace clenched his fists.

"...fine. Then I'll sign it myself."

His tense hand lifted the pen.

Thud!

When Wallace was ready to fulfill his words, the door to his office swung open loudly, sweeping all the papers off his desk with a gust of wind.

Normally, anyone who dared to do such a thing in the Academy would be severely punished... but that couldn't be applied to the person who walked in.

"Principal Ophelia..."

"Yes, that's me. And that's why I want to know what my deputy was trying to do?"

"...I was saving the reputation of the Academy. His excessive violence during the Tournament Finals—

"Is it forbidden by the academy rules?"

"..."

"As long as it's a win, the rest doesn't matter. That's the only rule that rules here. Especially since they both agreed to it."

"Yes, but..."

"I hope you're keeping your personal feelings out of your job, Deputy Wallace?"

"...of course."

"Then I'm taking him."

Without another word, Ophelia touched Rain's shoulder.

The surroundings around him blurred and several landscapes quickly flew before his eyes until he found himself in a spacious room devoid of any decorations.

"This is my office, make yourself comfortable."

After saying that to Rain, Ophelia carefree sat down in her chair.

Despite her words, Rain didn't move from his place, just staring at her.

She didn't wait until the very last moment to 'save him', did she?

Looking at her satisfied face, he began to doubt it.

"Ah, that was so close, wasn't it? I bet your heart beat faster, right? But don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let that happen. "

"Yeah, thank you, Principal Ophelia."

"Wallace may be an ass, but he's still useful, so don't hold too much grudge for him. And yeah, no need for formalities. You can call me Big Sister or Mom."

Ophelia seemed to be in a great mood today, and he had no reason to refuse her kind invitation.

Grinning, Rain sat down in one of the chairs in front of him.

"So what brings you to the Academy today, Rain? It was quite a surprise to see you in my deputy's office."

Ophelia said, getting straight to the point.

"Tournament finalists can rest for 3 days after the Tournament is over, recuperating, did you know? For example student Gray...well, let's not talk about him."

"I'm fine. One night is enough to restore my stamina."

"Haha, okay, I like that confidence and vigor of a young spirit. So what brought you here after all?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, refusing to accept that he had come for nothing.

Rain smiled, confirming it.

"Rewards. Let's talk about my rewards."