I arrived at the classroom early in the morning and didn't speak to Vivian at all.
You might think this was a pointless exercise, but surprisingly, it was the standard method to win Vivian over.
If you tried to build rapport by greeting or starting a conversation, the Vivian route was doomed.
Of course, when I first saw Vivian at the morning school event in the game, I did try to speak to her.
"…Yes."
The conversation ended with that short response, and from the next day, Vivian no longer came to school in the mornings.
After failing to build rapport through conversation, I wondered if I should resort to the dark tactic of 'Starting Harassment to Train', but then I was expelled immediately after groping.
After many failed attempts, I discovered the 'Silence' route.
Literally, it involved doing absolutely nothing.
Honestly, since every attempt to win her over failed, I proceeded with this out of frustration to see who would break first…
Surprisingly, this turned out to be the correct answer.
If you stayed silent for about a week, a 'Minor Kindness' event occurred, and if you naturally helped out there, the standard route progressed.
"And the non-standard route…"
Vivian's cheeks flush as she intently read that erotic fiction, which also inspired a non-standard route.
If the standard route was about pure affection training, the non-standard route involved gaslighting and brainwashing.
So, was I going to stick to the affection training?
No, I'd do both.
It seemed like the first day of the term in the classroom as students were noisily chatting away.
It's a mistake to think the lowest class at the academy was for dropouts.
"If my father sees I graduate well, he said he'd give me a share of the business."
"That's great. Then come to my domain. I've also been promised an independent domain."
Look at them, already painting gold on each other's faces.
Most students in Class 5, though lacking in talent, were nobles or children of prominent figures who gained entry through money or influence.
As such, many of them had known each other from social gatherings or tea parties since childhood.
I, too, was a scion of the noble Calliope family, but perhaps due to my complicated family situation, while some may greet me lightly, none attempted to forge close relationships.
"I actually prefer it this way."
There's barely enough time for the heroine, let alone dealing with extras.
Then, the classroom door opened, and silence descended in an instant.
Since before entering the academy, everyone had been incessantly warned not to challenge the authority of the professors, and even if they hadn't heard, the aura of the professor before them made speaking impossible.
"It's Loreos."
That short statement was enough.
Anyone admitted to the academy would certainly know who he was.
"…Let me make it clear. I don't like brats like you."
Insults that hadn't been heard until now began to fly.
"You're here because you used your family's power despite your lack of talent."
But no one could voice their discontent under the oppressive aura of the combat magician.
"Still, I'll take responsibility as a professor. If you follow exactly what I teach, you won't die a dog's death on the battlefield. However…"
With every word he spoke, the breathing in the classroom grew quieter.
"It's better to forget all the privileges you were born into and received by luck. I'm not at all interested in the surnames attached to your names."
Loreos surveyed the students with the eyes of a predator observing its prey.
I was used to these lines from seeing them over and over in the game, but not the other students.
"I'm relieved."
I, too, felt a bit more at ease.
The fact that Loreos's lines were almost the same as in the game brought a slight smile to my face.
How beautiful was that? Even if the lines were a bit rough, it's far more refreshing than seeing a heroine grovel at our first meeting.
"That's all."
As he spoke, the oppressive atmosphere in the classroom slightly eased, and the students let out short sighs of relief.
"Then it's time for the first lecture. Everyone, change your clothes in the locker room and rush to the exercise ground!"
Damn.
I knew it seemed too easy.
Born a commoner but talented in magic, I enlisted as a combat magician.
After about twenty years, I had become reasonably well-known. However, I sustained injuries in a war six years ago that were severe enough to make continuing my military career difficult.
Unexpectedly, I was forced to retire.
Having expected to die on the battlefield, I had made no plans for retirement.
I thought I would just live out my days quietly back home.
But the world wouldn't leave me alone.
I received a request to work as a professor at Carnea Academy, not on the battlefield.
At first, I refused.
However, tired of the constant visitors, I finally agreed to teach for five years on the condition that they would not bother me again, and thus I secured the professorship.
It was a position I had taken reluctantly, but I still had some expectations when I first entered Carnea Academy.
I thought the future of the empire I had defended was gathered here.
I was mistaken.
What I felt at the academy was disgust.
Nobles, unfamiliar with the fear of battle, dismissed my words as jokes, and talented commoners saw their abilities not as tools to protect the nation and its people, but merely as means to advance their own careers.
Even the small flame of passion I had was extinguished.
Thus, I decided to take charge of the remnants of Class 5 for the remainder of my contract.
It seemed natural for the least passionate professor to handle the least passionate students.
Instead of expecting anything from them, I planned to teach them just the bare minimum needed to survive.
But…
This time was different.
It wasn't merely the authority of an academy professor that compelled these proud nobles to endure the insults.
From our very first meeting, I exerted a pressure so intense that even seasoned soldiers would find it daunting, establishing the hierarchy with every word I uttered.
But…
"One slipped by…"
Vivian Beatrice instinctively altered the flow of her magic, subtly enough to evade the pressure.
That was surprising enough, but there was someone even more intriguing.
Yujin Calliope.
This was a first.
There had been students who utilized their abilities to dodge pressure, but none had withstood it through sheer mental fortitude, even laughing as if challenging me to push further.
"That should be interesting."
Recalling Yujin's composed face, the corners of my mouth curled up slightly.
I thought my inner flames had cooled, but they seemed primed to flare up again.
"…I feel like I'm going to die."
I was sprinting across the dusty playground.
Although the academy's curriculum was divided into knights, magicians, and those with unique abilities courses, this specialization occurred later.
The initial training for freshmen focused on physical conditioning.
You might wonder why, but on the battlefield, there were no magicians who relied solely on magic.
You couldn't just stand still when a monster was charging at you. You needed to run to create time for casting spells or to call for support.
Hence, basic physical strength was crucial, even if not to the extent required of a knight.
Let me reiterate: my physical condition was a 10.
That's average on a global scale, but it placed me at the bottom among academy enrollees.
As expected, I lagged behind the other students.
Even as I confirmed this, the other students had already completed their laps around the playground and were resting, while I still had half a lap to go.
"Haah…haah…"
No, I wasn't alone. Vivian was with me.
Vivian, who had invested all her stats in intellect and magic, was trailing even further behind than I was.
Her gym clothes, chosen to accommodate her large chest, made her arms appear disproportionately long and flapping, which seemed to only add to her struggle.
"Don't be so dramatic, Yujin! Are you pretending to be tired from just this?"
Professor Loreos glared at me.
He must be over fifty, yet he was running alongside me, without a single drop of sweat or a breath out of place.
"…Ah, I see. You've already developed camaraderie."
Muttering to himself as if he had an epiphany, Loreos chuckled softly.
I had no idea what nonsense he was referring to. Too exhausted to respond, I simply ignored him and kept running, until he shouted.
"Fine! Let's see how you do. The last one to finish will run three extra laps!"
He kept spouting nonsense, and then suddenly added three more laps…? He must be out of his mind.
It's no joke; I might actually die if I have to keep running.
I felt sorry for Vivian who was panting behind me, but survival was paramount, so I sprinted with the last of my energy.
'..almost.. there..'
The finish line was about ten meters away. Maintaining this pace meant Vivian would be last.
Thud, thud, thump-!
Just as I was about to cross the finish line, I tripped over nothing and fell.
"…."
Ah, this was both embarrassing and painful.
What kind of idiotic thing is this? I could hear the murmurs of the other students watching me.
"Haah…hah…"
At that moment, Vivian passed me. From my position, I could clearly see her chest bouncing, despite the puffy gym uniform.
"…."
"…."
Our eyes met as she passed by.
I sent her a look, begging for just one glance, but it was in vain; Vivian crossed the finish line, confirming my position as last.
Now that I was last, I might as well take a moment to catch my breath while lying down, when I heard Professor Loreos's stern voice.
"…To go this far. This is unexpected. But get up now."
"..Haah..just a moment..to rest.."
"The enemy won't wait for you on the battlefield! Get up and run!"
Ah, what a cruel world.
*****
Support me on my pat reon and gain early access to my creations.
https://www.patr eon.com/RroY_r18 (remove the space)
You can access up to 10 advanced chapters.