I Became the Pretty Face of the Academy – Chapter 8

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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[Hmph, are you trying to pick a fight with me now?]

[There’s no reason I can’t. Why? Are you scared to go up against that commoner?]

[What, are they going to have a showdown?]

Since Lockstryn Aindarok was ostracized from the group of freshmen, he had never witnessed the situation unfold.

However, since the protagonist can also just go with the flow without intervening, this part was proceeding smoothly on its own.

Somerbadge does not discriminate based on origin.

If you have a talent for magic, pass the entrance exam, and pay the tuition, your admission is decided.

A conflict between nobles and commoners.

It’s a cliché story.

“A practice room, you say?”

Kanin asked again.

“There was a dispute between the male students. There are six of them.”

The practice room is one of the specially permitted spaces where attack magic can be used.

This is because if you can’t use magic during class, you can’t learn it. Using attack magic in the practice room is not a problem.

However, there is a condition.

“Was there an observer?”

“I don’t think so.”

“At times like this, it seems Weirein isn’t always wrong.”

There is a condition that when students use magic in the practice room, there must be an observer of at least the rank of a full professor.

It’s unlikely that they would condone fights between students, so it was naturally kept a secret from the professors. Late at night, so as not to be caught.

They thought that by observing one of the two rules, they could avoid some degree of punishment even if they were caught. It was a childish way of thinking.

“The practice room exit is blocked by monsters. It was too much for me.”

“What?”

“Good heavens, we must hurry.”

Kanin’s face hardened.

Did Lockstryn mean that monsters had appeared that were so numerous that even he, Lockstryn, deemed it ‘too much’?

‘High-level, then.’

Kanin had encountered just one high-level monster while circling the outskirts.

He had no idea how a creature of that size had entered through any of the tunnels, but it was fortunate that he was the one to encounter it.

A high-level monster is not something to be taken lightly, even by a professor who has reached the 5-star level.

The practice room was in the northwest, close to the center. At least it wasn’t far.

However, when they arrived, the area around the practice room was already in ruins.

“What happened…”

“Mage, be careful!”

Swish!

Something like a tentacle flew at them.

The wind barrier Baeller had erected deflected it for a brief moment. But Kanin couldn’t take his eyes off what was below.

“What, what in the world is this?”

It was an absurdly large hole.

Could this even be called a tunnel? It would have been better to call it the entrance to some hell.

Kanin asked cautiously.

“Lockstryn.”

“Yes.”

“Were there high-level monsters?”

“There are.”

High-level monsters.

They are terrifying creatures capable of destroying a small city in an instant.

There is no place to step on the arbitrarily dug-up ground, and the famous majestic trees of Thaumaturgy are lying around in pieces like straws.

Lockstryn Aindarok.

Did he fight here?

And after all that, he survived with only such a minor injury and requested for support?

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…Yes.”

“You’ve done all you could.”

Because monsters contain magical power, by the time they reach a high level, they can no longer hide their presence and scatter it around.

Coming this close, I could feel it. Two high-level monsters.

“Wait here a moment.”

“Understood. Please be careful.”

Baeller bowed his head and stepped back.

As he descended the dark stairs, Kanin smelled the faint scent of blood. The practice room, built spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of people, was quiet.

Crunch. Crunch.

However, there was only the loud sound of a monster’s teeth grinding together. Kanin’s hand holding the staff trembled faintly.

There.

The children were not there.

“You’ve lost your mind, you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You fought against a high-level monster? And you ended up with just that?”

“Haha.”

Let’s just leave it at that for now.

It seems he thought I was responsible for the mess in front of the practice room, but the truth is this.

[Wait, what’s that noise outside?]

[Hey, uh. I don’t think this is the time for us to be fighting, is it?]

[It’s a monster!]

Just before the fight was about to begin, an unseasonal roar was heard from nearby. When they go outside, they find the outside already in ruins.

It’s a story where the children are forced to join forces against the great threat of a high-level monster, regardless of their status.

So the traces of magic around here were not made by me, but by the other children.

Of course, the freshmen can only buy time by luring the monster into the practice room, and the player, who was a bystander, has to call for a helper.

And the reason why the time had to be synchronized.

“Professor!”

Not long after, Kanin appeared.

Baeller shouted in surprise at the sight of him covered in dark red blood.

“Don’t mind it. It’s not my blood.”

“Th-that’s a relief. Since I’m fast on my feet, I’ll go call the first-aid squad…”

“There’s no need.”

Kanin’s voice was chillingly cold.

He has a habit of forcing himself to be calm when he can’t be. His steps looked unsteady, perhaps from the aftermath of the battle.

But what Baeller found most strange.

Why isn’t anyone?

Coming out with him?

“There were no students inside.”

“What? Hey. Aindarok. Didn’t you just say there were students inside…?”

“I did say there were.”

“What, what do you mean?”

I wasn’t at leisure enough to answer everything. Even though I knew this would happen, my heart is pounding like it’s going to burst now that I’m facing the result.

“Lockstryn.”

Thump!

Kanin’s foot stomped the ground.

A pile of earth with a radius of 20 meters soared up and filled the hole. It was a manipulation of magical power truly befitting the renown of an Archmage.

“Go back and make sure to report this.”

“Report what, sir?”

It’s obvious what words will come out of his mouth. And yet, my voice, my outstretched hand, is trembling.

Kanin opened the left hand he had been holding tightly. I carefully received it with both hands.

Aldin, Cromwell, Zixen…

Name tags with such familiar names. Because I personally searched for them on foreign websites.

A total of six. Since they are fellow freshmen, I see them every time during class.

Seeing them chattering happily among themselves from a distance would make me smile for no reason.

Thinking that I wouldn’t be able to see them in just a few days, maybe it was a sense of disappointment, or maybe it was something like guilt.

“…There were no surviving students.”

My head was spinning with a buzzing sound.

In the first episode, these six children die.

It is so destined.

If I had brought Kanin just ten minutes earlier, I could have saved the children, of course.

I could have stopped them early in front of the Tower of Freedom.

I could have stopped the fight itself long before that.

―I didn’t do that.

Because it would change the future.

Because I don’t know the consequences that the six students who survived, deviating from the official history, would bring.

“Keep that in mind.”

No one will be able to blame me.

“You’ve done your part.”

What’s the big deal about a few minor characters with no importance dying?

I played the game several times and it was nothing. A material to create a gloomy atmosphere.

They were scheduled to be consumed that way, and it went as scheduled.

“No student could have faced two high-level monsters.”

“Is that so?”

“Go back to the tower and rest. I’ve woken up all the professors, so the situation should be over soon. I’ll make sure to report your contribution…”

I feel dizzy.

Is it because I’ve been staying up late these past few days? Or am I a damn selfish bastard, to the point where I’ve even stopped thinking?

Lest I forget, I gripped the name tags in my hand tightly.

“Baeller, take Lockstryn to the Tower of Truth―”

Thud.

His voice cut off.

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He was not young.

A vague sense of anxiety about the future would visit him from time to time.

‘Hey, how long are you going to live like that?’

There was nothing wrong with what he said.

The indie game market was unstable.

It’s not uncommon for a game made with great care, without any special support, to be buried without anyone’s interest.

But until now, money had been a secondary issue for me.

‘Listen, this noble fellow, you see. He was actually a prodigal son who was kicked out of his family…’

It was just fun.

I was satisfied just being able to do what I wanted, and I was happy with the fact that I could make a living from it.

Watching the small world I created with my own hands.

Is there anything more enjoyable than that?

To love the story I created with my own hands, and the people who live there.

Is there anything more gratifying than that?

“Ah. He opened his eyes.”

It was an unfamiliar ceiling.

The soft curves were calm. The decorations, combining red and gold, were gorgeous yet not garish.

The top floor of the Tower of Truth has a distinctly aristocratic color, more so than any other room, to the extent that even royalty would not complain about staying there.

“……Why.”

“Magic depletion, exhaustion, dehydration, mental and physical weakness, low blood pressure, hypothermia, I was wondering what strange rag Baeller had brought, but it was Lockstryn!”

It was Ainim’s voice. Hearing that cheerful voice should have lifted my spirits.

My body felt heavy, as if I had fallen into a swamp.

“The princess’s bed has 3-star healing magic constantly in effect. The first-aid squad was short-staffed, so we brought him here. It is 6 AM.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it…”

“Your thanks should be directed to Her Highness, not me.”

I just glanced over and saw Ainim nodding her head vigorously. I just bowed my head.

Maria’s report was concise and clear, making it easy to grasp the situation.

So this is Ainim’s room.

Except for the location, my actions are identical to the foolish protagonist’s. Although I’ll meet Ainim in person later, he also faints there. I didn’t intend to imitate even this.

I forced myself to get up.

“I’ve been a bother.”

“You’d better not go out. A huge crowd has gathered.”

Ainim said, pointing out the window.

The sun was just beginning to rise dimly, but the campus was already filled with a crowd that had gathered in various places.

It was only natural, as Somerbadge, the cradle of the empire’s talent, had been attacked on a considerable scale.

“Just stay like this for today.”

Although there was still a lot to do, I lay down for now. I need to receive healing magic. The addictive softness is a bonus.

Then I suddenly realized.

“My hood…”

“Maria said she washed it and hung it up to dry. That was a strange item too.”

“Is Your Highness alright?”

“Are you worried about me? Hmm, I don’t think I’m alright.”

Could she have been hurt?

It would have been her first time seeing a monster in person, so even Ainim might have been flustered. She looks fine on the outside…

“When I look at you, my heart tingles, I want to reach out my hand, and above all, I find it so enjoyable to endure such impulses.”

No, that’s not what I meant.

Ainim muttered, clenching and unclenching her fingers. This guy’s charm doesn’t care about the time or place.

“Could this be love?”

“I don’t think so. Absolutely not.”

“What a shame.”

The joking was brief.

Now I had to face reality.

Even though Ainim didn’t ask, she spoke up after seeing the change in my expression. What a devilish kid.

“Eight people died.”

Then she stealthily glances at me. You’re alright, right? After confirming, she continues.

“Six freshmen, two servants.”

“And.”

“About 70 people were injured. Fortunately, there were no outsiders, so there won’t be any major friction.”

Since it was past midnight, there would have been no outsiders. Since it is the academy owned by the empire, Somerbadge, that is responsible for the lack of management, there was a high probability that they would have had to pay huge compensation in that case.

Therefore, it’s a relief, that’s the conclusion this princess comes to.

“You’re so heartless. We’re fellow freshmen.”

“I’ve never even spoken a word to them, have you? You’re the same.”

“I…”

I tried to force a smile, but only the corners of my mouth went up, making my expression strange.

“My case is a little different.”

“I know. You tried to save them, didn’t you? It’s not your fault, is it? Forget it.”

It’s not my fault.

Ainim’s words are not wrong. Through this kid’s eyes, ‘Lockstryn Aindarok’ might indeed be like that. He is not at fault.

But to ‘me’.

“Tsk.”

Ainim chided.

It was no more than a puppy’s bark. When I didn’t relax my expression, she pondered for a moment, then Ainim reached out her hand.

“Good boy, good boy…”

Stroke, stroke.

What I thought was a puppy was reversed, and instead, Ainim was stroking my head. There was no time to ask what she was doing.

She suddenly stopped her hand.

“Ack! I couldn’t hold back!”

She lets out a cute scream.

In the end, she couldn’t resist the 10-level charm. I wonder if she was thinking something like, ‘I lost,’ to herself.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter in the end. If she was trying to cheer me up, she succeeded in an absurd way.

“Anyway! Even for me, two would have been tough. Don’t be too disheartened.”

“Not even one, Your Highness.”

Even that high-level monster would have been a bad ending right away if I had brought a clumsy professor other than Kanin.

I emphasized again with a firm face.

“Absolutely not. You must not get hurt.”

“Hmm? Okay…”

I barely managed to save the docile Eruil by throwing myself at her.

I wonder if it would be of any use to Ainim, who wanders around to who knows where. I had no choice but to urge her.

“A letter has arrived for Count Aindarok. It seems to be from his family.”

“A letter, you say?”

By then, my heart had calmed down, and I calmly accepted the letter Maria handed me. A shining golden shield.

It was the crest of the Aindarok family.

In particular, the wax seal with black in it meant that the letter was sent directly by the head of the family.

“It seems Margrave Coltman sent it. It seems even that rock-like man knows how to write a letter.”

“Anyway, don’t go anywhere and rest comfortably! I think I have to go here and there.”

It’s not polite to peek at such a letter. Ainim left the room with Maria, and I was left alone to carefully open the envelope.

I wonder if he sent me some pocket money.

[Lockstryn Aindarok.

I commend your courage in running away after stealing the family heirloom. I paid ten times the price to buy back the treasure you sold off for a pittance.]

From the moment I read the first sentence.

For a very brief moment, I lost the consciousness I had just regained.

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