After the assault incident I led was somewhat resolved, the first class began.
“Look there, the Crown Prince didn’t attend.”
“Seems the injuries from the attack at the last coming-of-age ceremony are real.”
“I heard… cough. It was quite a serious injury.”
“If we make a wrong move, we might end up like that too…”
The atmosphere was more chaotic than usual.
Even though they were nobles, the intruders who invaded without hesitation caused fear.
It wasn’t unreasonable to harbor fear.
‘Being hostages here without guarantee of safety… How unsettling it must be.’
It was a gateway to becoming a true noble, a small social circle, but in fact, they were hostages held by the families under the imperial law.
Even if they felt extreme anxiety, it didn’t mean they could return to their families unless they were willing to give up their noble status.
But crisis meant opportunity.
There were those who raised their status through this Kerzo’s intrusion.
Representatively, Luciana stood up to them boldly.
And including her, the first-year students who flexibly dealt with the assault and performed well.
“Tch. Without nursing her fiance, why did she come to the class?”
“In such a serious situation where the line of succession might be interrupted… She seems rather relaxed. She could have skipped class anyway, so why bother coming?”
Of course, there were also those who criticized Luciana without regard to factions.
“Quiet! Please focus on the class.”
Nevertheless, amidst such an atmosphere, the Professor continued the class nonchalantly.
‘He’s quite calm, considering.’
Nobles could hold him accountable, and he could be discouraged by that. Yet, seeing him confidently defend his dormitory made it clear he was quite a character.
“The participation rate of first-years is too low, so I’ll announce it again.”
Professor Marks, who had now become quite familiar, brought to mind a notice I had seen on the bulletin board before.
[Special Class Recruitment for Dispatched Missions]
[Subjugation of Northern Monsters]
As soon as I saw it, a semi-transparent status window appeared above my head.
[Quest Initiated!]
[A dispatch class is a special class that takes place in a different area outside the academy.]
[Participate in the dispatch class.]
[Reward: Bonus points, ???]
It was a quest and a notice, something often seen in the original work.
It’s likely that what Professor Marks mentioned is related to this.
The Northern region, and moreover, a matter directly requested by the Speda family.
As it was a subject that all A-class students had to take, it seemed that quite talented first-years had gathered.
“If you participate in the dispatched mission to the North, you will receive extra credit for all classes, including mine. Those interested, please apply.”
However, before the professor finished his speech, the classroom quickly fell silent.
“…No one?”
“I’d like to ask, Professor Marks.”
Representing everyone, Luke raised his hand.
Under the slightly drooping hem of his clothes, the jewelry-adorned accessories glittered, attracting half of the students’ attention gathered here.
More precisely, the attention of the nobles’ faction.
‘Well, now he’s practically the representative of the noble faction.’
Originally the leader, Riu Caspera’s influence had somewhat waned after losing to me in our duel.
And in her place,
The nobles of the noble faction found a perfect replacement and installed him as their leader.
Right, the son of the Golden Duke, who controls a quarter of the upper echelon, remarked, “Isn’t it mainly the second and third years who participate in dispatched missions? I’m curious why suddenly even distant us are being dragged into this.”
“Well, um…”
Professor Marks seemed uncomfortable, trailing off.
‘Oh, I’m curious about that too.’
Originally, dispatched missions were part of the curriculum mainly after the second year in the original work.
It was an area of practical experience not permitted for freshmen.
A special class focused on battling monsters in various regions and exploring unknown dungeons!
…However, they would probably only go to places already explored by adventurers or mercenaries.
To put it nicely, it was real-world training with guaranteed safety.
To put it bluntly, it was exploitation in exhausted areas and labor exploitation.
That’s what dispatched missions were.
Even with the peculiarity of this mission being in the North, the mechanics and rewards would ultimately be similar.
Nevertheless, despite such a future, it was quite an attractive option for academy students.
The reason being…
“Of course, it’s good to receive extra credit. But for us, it’s also true that it raises unnecessary suspicions and makes it difficult to approach rashly. Wouldn’t it be better to at least explain the reasons?”
Aspiring to be the student council president.
Or rather, aiming for the power and honor that would come after that, the nobles couldn’t afford to miss out on extra credit.
‘Moreover, considering the academy’s special rules.’
In a place like this, where even small social circles were the same, electing a student council president without distinguishing grades was one of the biggest honors one could achieve here.
For lower noble children, just being elected as president or a candidate was enough to receive offers for scouting or marriage counseling upon graduation, regardless of their abilities.
It was a sweet honor that every student who entered the academy dreamed of at least once.
Of course.
Even if it’s helpful like extra credit, since the dispatched mission itself is practical, it’s true that it comes with risks.
That’s why the participation of first-year students, especially those whose skills are lacking, is particularly low.
“Well, fine. It’s not a big problem to let you know.”
After a moment of contemplation, Professor Marks nodded and spoke up.
“In simple terms, you’re being acknowledged, students.”
“…Acknowledged?”
“From the entrance exam to the recent attack. You have shown your abilities. That’s why the principal decided that you can handle dispatched missions as well.”
Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Luciana.
“Perhaps, the next student council president might come from the current first-year.”
At that moment, I could see it.
Those who were considering conceding the position to someone else, like me.
And those like Luke, who had already given up and were only seeking personal gain.
Excluding those groups, all the nobles’ eyes followed Marks’s gaze to Luciana with jealous glares.
Hmph.
I covered my slightly upturned lips with my hand.
‘They’re seeing Luciana as a competitor.’
They were truly like frogs at the bottom of a well.
It was quite amusing how those who wouldn’t last even a few seconds against her considered her competition.
Just look at the recent attack incident.
Among Class A, only half… no, even that was questionable if they could hold their ground.
Elizabeth, who seemed to share my thoughts, met my gaze.
-Isn’t it amusing? These ignorant fools running amok without knowing their place.
She, who received my silent agreement, also pursed her lips with a smile mixed with ridicule.
-Agreed. Dreaming of reaching heights even though you’ve never tried to catch a single monster.
Reading her lips, unable to use consonants yet, I recalled past memories.
The Northern Monster Subjugation. It was already experienced during Luciana’s adulthood ceremony.
And considering she had experienced vampire and werewolf attack incidents, what could possibly be difficult?
Back then…
“Well, it’s just a ‘surface reason.’ There’s a real reason behind it.”
At Professor’s words, wiping away the corner of my eyes, I had no choice but to stop the conversation I was having secretly with Elizabeth.
“Oh, what’s that?”
“Whether it’s the second or third year, no one volunteered to participate. That’s why even the first years were given the opportunity.”
It’s strange.
Not participating in the dispatched mission, especially when the competition for the student council president was fierce.
At the moment when Luke and the curious nobles, including me, were questioning, Marks answered coldly.
“It was supposed to go smoothly. Surely the academy didn’t even know they would make the absurd demand for students to subjugate the Northern Three Great Monsters.”
“The Northern Three Great Monsters?”
“Yes. They’re famous for being the fiercest in the entire Manhett Empire.”
Gulp.
Those who were blinded by extra credit began to realize reality one by one.
“What should we do?”
“The Northern Three Great Monsters… I haven’t even tried to catch monsters in the East.”
“It’s incredibly cold there. Can we even catch monsters there?”
“Ahem. If the seniors had reasons to decline, then if we interfere…”
“Right. We can’t tarnish their honor.”
They should just give up because they’re scared.
Caught up in the rationalization stemming from giving up like the seniors did, they couldn’t help but kneel before it.
Amidst this, someone raised their hand.
A familiar rose-adorned ring was on that finger.
“I’ll do it.”
The classroom was once again filled with a strange silence.
“I proposed it, but is it okay if I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Aren’t you already the top student? Even without going on the dispatched mission with an overwhelming difference, you could maintain your position, couldn’t you?”
Luciana, who represented everyone, grinned at the old man’s question.
As her hair cascaded down her shoulders like melted silver, her sharp voice pierced everyone’s hearts.
“What a meaningless question. The Speda family must always remain at the top.”
The Red Queen Effect.
A theory that even if one organism evolves, other surrounding organisms cannot achieve victory by transcending the environment no matter how hard they try.
While it clearly meant that competition never stops as long as competitors exist, and if you miss the flow, you’ll quickly decline, at this moment.
To me, it came with another meaning.
The Red Queen.
No, should I call her the White ‘Queen’ with her silver hair?
Everyone here dreams of being the student council president in their hearts and slowly grows, but they all maintain their positions because they’re running in the same direction.
Originally, it was impossible to surpass the fame created by that monstrous talent combined with effort. One could only conform to reality or fall like Icarus, who dared to reach for the sun. Even now, some nobles were seen admiringly gazing at her as she confidently finished speaking. Pride swelled in their chests.
After she finished her response, she turned her gaze to the side. The Holy Maiden in the second seat, and me in the third. …Unfortunately for the prince, even the empty seat due to illness didn’t catch her eye.
‘He should have seen this.’
“Yielding the top spot to a commoner, how can we call ourselves exemplary nobles to them? It’s an intolerable disgrace. Especially yielding to our most cherished subordinate is even more so.”
Even the subsequent remarks were perfect. Assertively declaring her aim for the student council presidency, her speech also exuded a competitive spirit.
Stimulated by the emotions thickly layered within the blue walls, various reactions were displayed by everyone.
“Ugh, pretending to be so grand.”
“We’re not even considered, are we?”
Some felt anger and embarrassment from being ignored.
“That’s the attitude of the top student…! There’s a reason why the lord takes notice.”
“Indeed, Luciana! That’s what makes her so charming! Rise and shine, uphold the dignity of a warrior….”
Some showed admiration and recognition.
“This is interesting. As a loyal servant, I have no choice but to follow. I’ll join as well.”
Of course, I was also similarly stimulated by Luciana’s broad provocation.
The note from Professor Marks, confirming my raised hand following Luciana’s lead, continued.
“Is that all? Well, the life of a loyal servant is tough indeed. You have to comply with your master’s will.”
…Hmm. Such is life. A subtle current flowed between Luciana and me as our eyes met. For this moment, we slightly deviated from the lord and servant relationship. I pursued Luciana’s overwhelming talent, and she aimed to crush my invincibility. The strange relationship that had persisted since our first encounter was still shining now.
…Well, at the very end, I’ll yield the top spot to her anyway.
The unfulfilled wish of Luciana in the game to become the top student
Considering the absolute power of the student council president, it would have greatly helped prevent her downfall.
“I, I want to join too! I’m from the North, and I’ve also researched nearby monsters!”
“Haha, isn’t it a bit much for a mere foot soldier to intervene? Yield to me.”
The students’ arms reached towards the sky in a disorderly fashion.
“…Is this the influence of one person?”
Mark’s professorial sigh seemed to meticulously list their names.
***
“It’s been a while since I visited my hometown.”
“We won’t stay long anyway. Besides, if we think about it, it hasn’t been that long since we left.”
Luciana, leisurely sipping the tea I brewed (or rather, Bathory in the shadows) from our carriage, maintained her composure even amidst the shaking carriage.
“Hmm. The coachman’s skill leaves much to be desired.”
“It’s probably because they’re from the Academy, not the Speda family. It’s not easy for someone from the central region to drive on such rough roads.”
Calming down Luciana, whose brows slightly furrowed, I surveyed the people in the carriage. The Academy, where grades equate to direct authority, was indeed a place where even the selection for such dispatched classes depended on grades.
As such, there was a unfamiliar figure among them.
“Ah, Lady Speda seems to have a rather close relationship with a loyal servant?”
Among them, ranking sixth in the entrance exam, with a sword at his waist and a blue cloak, was a youth who even at a glance seemed to proclaim, “I am from the East.”
His name was Theodore Trehar.
Simultaneously, “It seems a representative candidate from the East will join us here.”
He was one of the male leads in the game, known for his distinctive narrative and setting that attracted avid fans.
…Well, it wasn’t unexpected. He was a fervent Southerner, sincere even in that regard.
“There are various monsters living in the East, including sea serpents, but I wonder how it is in the North. Hahaha!”
He had come solely to test his skills against the fierce monsters of the North.
“Sigh. If only there weren’t additional points…”
In contrast, the reason here was quite realistic. Since the succession to the title wasn’t certain, grades at the Academy were crucial for her.
Ranking seventh in the entrance exam was Camilla Roberk, a noblewoman from the West seen for the first time in a long while.
She brushed her green side hair over her ear, “Somehow, except for me, everyone else seems to be from noble families representing each region.”
Truly, this year’s first-years represented the golden age of the Academy.
“So, Lady Speda, what’s the name of the monster we’re going to face…?”
With her arms crossed, Luciana replied, seemingly unimpressed.
“By this time, it’s probably the time for Wendigos to start jumping around. I’m sure father has a reason for requesting our help.”
Luciana’s gaze turned cold.
***
Monsters adapt to the characteristics of each region, but among them, the monsters adapted to the harsh environment of the North are particularly fierce.
The three Great monsters of the North.
Over the years, residents bestowed such nicknames on the creatures that plagued the North.
The Diamond Wolf with exceptional organizational skills, the Yeti with its massive physique and formidable strength, and the alluring Wendigo.
As the carriage entered the city walls, the gaze of deer hidden among the evergreens followed relentlessly.
Thud.
It was accompanied by the sound of something being sharpened.
Cliche Novel 