NOVEL WEB Ch. 37
Chapter 37 - When I Came to My Senses, I Was Human Scum (1)
-At Archenia Academy, regardless of status or origin, all students hold equal standing.
That was a major principle symbolizing Archenia Academy, the continent's premier educational institution.
This was the will of the first headmaster, intended to allow students to spread their wings based on ability, regardless of their status, unlike in the outside world.
However, this principle was merely a nominal value in reality; the truth was different. For the aristocratic faction, the dominant class at the academy, it was an unacceptable provision.
Due to this background, as time went on, the above provision became virtually nominal. A representative example was the ‘Imperial Contribution Family’ system, which gave additional benefits to families that had contributed to the Empire.
It was essentially an unequal system that showered benefits on prestigious families, but the academy was an extension of society, and the mainstream of society was the staunch aristocratic faction, the conservatives.
The academy’s dormitory assignment rules were one example that clearly showed the academy’s tendency to be steeped in such aristocraticism.
Among the academy's three dormitories, the Aurora Hall, which boasted the best facilities, was a place where, with the exception of some top-performing students, only students with backgrounds corresponding to Imperial Contribution Families could reside.
Yes, since it was the Aurora Hall with such excellent facilities, the terrace on the top floor was a given. From the floor finished with white marble to the classically carved pillars, it was creating a ‘noble-like’ scene in many ways.
On a refreshing afternoon of a certain day with bright sunlight shining down, only three men and women were enjoying teatime in a space that exuded such an elegant atmosphere.
And the members of the teatime were as follows.
The Empire's most well-connected figure and the head of the conservative faction, the successor to the Gloss Earldom - Milo Gloss.
The daughter of the Empire's most prestigious family, the Duchy of Enlight, and the Crown Prince's fiancée - Robelia il Enlight.
The student council president of Archenia Academy, and…… the Crown Prince - Claudio Renart Abellon.
Although Archenia Academy was full of children from high-ranking noble families, each of these individuals possessed power to which even others in the academy would bow their heads.
“This is the first time we’ve met since enrollment, young lord. Have you been well?”
It was the prince, Claudio, whose benevolent and gentle tone broke the ice. His white hair shone in the sun, and his deep silver eyes sparkled brilliantly.
“Ah, haha…… Yes, thanks to Your Highness.”
“I’ve done nothing at all.”
Milo could only answer awkwardly. After the humiliation he suffered at Rain’s hands during the entrance examination had already spread far and wide, what face did he have to bring up the story any further?
For the child of the head of the conservative faction to be humiliated by a lowly bastard, it was a situation where he should be apologizing for tarnishing their prestige.
But it wasn't that a blaming atmosphere was formed. It was rather the opposite.
“Fufu, you don't have to be so stiff. Everyone makes mistakes, you know?”
The shining platinum-blonde princess, Robelia, spoke with a smile as if she had seen right through Milo's heart. Though that refreshing single sentence was likely a fatal blow that stimulated discomfort for Milo.
“……Yes, Your Ladyship.”
“There you go again~.”
Seeing Milo’s stiff expression, the prince spoke to Milo with a benevolent smile still spread across his face.
“It’s true. You don't need to worry, young lord. I hear…… your opponent, that is, the bastard of the Enlight family, has been showing quite good results lately. You lost to a worthy opponent.”
The princess next to him nodded in agreement and smiled. It was a gesture to be as considerate of Milo as possible.
“Having been in the same grade since middle school, I understand what position that Enlight bastard held for you, young lord. But what can you do? People have their own areas of expertise. It is enough for you to strive in your field.”
And at the prince’s following words, Milo felt his heart sink.
In an aristocratic society, strength was honor. The words the prince had just spoken were certainly comforting and warm……. but at the same time, they clearly implied that his own evaluation had been lowered.
But he couldn't protest here. That would be tantamount to refuting the prince's words.
‘Ah, no……!’
Crown Prince Claudio's position in the conservative faction was absolute. The fact that he was the current emperor's eldest son was one factor, but it wasn't the whole story.
Claudio himself was evaluated as having the most outstanding talent and character among all the individuals the imperial family had produced so far, including both the direct and collateral lines.
Whether it was military might, scholarship, or popularity, he was the makings of a wise king who lacked in nothing.
For his evaluation to be lowered by such a prince came as a huge shock to Milo.
Of course, the prince was known for his gentle and benevolent nature, so he wasn't the type to give any disadvantages for this kind of happening.
However, Milo couldn't shake the thought that this lowered evaluation from the prince could bring disadvantages to his family. That was how absolute the prince's popularity and position were.
Pressuring people with only a benevolent smile, without a single harsh word, without even blushing.
This was how the prince handled people.
***
The afternoon teatime did not last long. It was because Milo had to leave first for a lecture.
Naturally, his face was pale.
Thus, only the prince and the princess were left on the terrace.
The prince, who had been wearing an amiable smile the entire time, finally relaxed his expression after Milo left. It was a frighteningly cold, expressionless face.
“I feel it keenly every time I have to deal with that man, but it’s enough to make one sick.”
“Fufu, for someone who says that, you had a very- radiant smile, didn’t you? As if your facial skin was fixed in a smiling expression.”
The princess, Robelia il Enlight, was the same. The bright smile on her face remained, but she unabashedly revealed the venom in her heart.
That was the relationship between the prince and the princess. The two, who harbored immeasurable venom within their benevolent faces, saw through each other, and thus did not bother to hide their true nature.
“More importantly, Your Ladyship, I hear the ducal family's bastard has become quite the topic within the academy lately. His exploits, I mean.”
“Mm- that's certainly true. The rumors have reached our grade level.”
“Reaching the 9th stage of the great monster battle in the entrance exam, victory in a duel with Milo Gloss, and even the subjugation of the Gargoyle in the practical test…… Quite different from the rumors.”
“Ah, right? I was surprised too~. To think our cute and lovely Rain was hiding that much power.”
“You didn't know?”
At the prince’s question, Robelia shook her head.
“Not at all.”
At that moment, not even a fragment of a smile was on Robelia’s face. Though it was quickly restored.
“That child can’t get stronger, no matter how hard he tries. He shouldn’t have been able to. But…… what on earth could have happened?”
At those words, the prince stared at the princess's face for a moment…… then moved on to the next topic.
“I heard Rain Enlight has joined hands with Regina. Did they have a connection from before?”
“There's no way they did. They never had a chance to connect before, you know?”
“……A strange affair.”
“It is strange, isn't it? To the point where I wonder if he’s possessed by a ghost. He pulls off astonishing achievements left and right, and even raises the prestige of the princess’s faction~.”
The prince muttered as he roughly loosened his necktie.
“Well, I’ve made my move, so it shouldn't matter.”
“Was what you did to that green weed-like young lord part of it?”
“You ask, knowing full well?”
“Fufu, you must be expecting that weed boy to get anxious and pressure my lovely little brother…… or something like that.”
“There is a flaw in the word ‘expecting.’ It is what will happen.”
“Yeees~.”
The prince, after glancing once at Robelia’s sly smile with impassive eyes, brought the teacup to his lips again.
Rain Enlight was a somewhat bothersome variable, but the prince chose not to intervene directly.
However, he couldn't help it if his ‘subordinates’ checked him on their own accord.
That, too, was the prince’s intention.
***
Thanks to my last outing, I was able to raise my combat power by another level, but at the same time, there was one problem I experienced.
‘I have no money.’
Yes, just as it sounds, I had no money at all. Last time, when I was making the 『Outlaw』, it was fortunate that Regina paid for it; if not, it would have taken quite some time to gather the funds to make an epic-grade gun.
Of course, the money source named Regina was still available, but continuously asking her for help wasn’t a very good idea.
Before the issue of shame, Regina was the type of person who would never do business at a loss. The type to have a merchant in the palm of her hand and laugh, should I say.
If I kept asking for something, Regina would try to get a corresponding price from me.
‘I’d rather offer up my organs.’
Considering Regina’s sadistic personality and twisted tastes as depicted in
Once I decided on that direction, another problem remained.
How to make money.
Well, actually, a method immediately came to mind. It was to take on requests. But in the game, you could just open the menu and accept a quest, but that wasn't possible here.
‘There probably are requests.’
According to the description in
Like monster subjugation requests, or escort requests. Their excellence was recognized, apparently.
The problem was that I knew nothing about that route.
Well, anyway, for that reason, I consulted with my advising professor, Acaite. It was close to a simple question of what I needed to do to receive external requests.
And at those words.
“Just go to the Academic Support Office and apply. They’ll review it and issue a permit, but it’s pretty much just a nominal procedure. 99% get permission.”
“What kind of people are in the 1%?”
“Students with improper conduct.”
If that was the case, it wouldn't be a problem. I hadn't caused any trouble so far, nor had I done anything to be blamed for.
Right after hearing Acaite's words, I immediately headed to the Academic Support Office. There was quite a bit of time left until the next lecture.
However…….
-……Wow, is that true?
-He walks around with his head held high so shamelessly…….
The guys around me murmuring wasn't something that started yesterday or today, but after the weekend, it felt like the gazes had become strangely harsher.
Anyway, I ignored it and arrived at the Academic Support Office and went through the procedure. The clerk in charge added that it would be out in about three days, and that except for very rare cases, a permit would be issued.
It seemed that, just as Acaite said, only the truly messed-up 1% were rejected.
I did wonder if I might be rejected for being a bastard, but they probably couldn't be so openly unreasonable…… so I relaxed.
‘There are a lot of sweet deals among the requests.’
Like other RPG games,
They might be difficult on the first playthrough, but if you knew the full story in advance, they were nothing special, those kinds of quests.
‘Things are going well.’
Lately, things had been going smoothly. So smoothly that I wondered if it was okay for things to go this well.
Well, the thought that I might be rejected did cross my mind unnecessarily…….
But what could possibly happen?