Chapter 2
Well, I'm not sure why I did it myself.
Should I say a sudden irritation rose inside?
Perhaps it was an action stemming from the frivolous thought of 'Our precious protagonist is being threatened!!'
One thing was certain.
"Ugh..."
There was a little pig rolling in front of me.
And the fact that the one who knocked him down was none other than me.
"Haha, this is troublesome."
Mouth corners curving gently.
It was a sly laugh.
I wanted to show the kindest expression possible, but due to my trait, it wasn't easy.
No matter what, I couldn't shake off the lecherous feeling.
Well, what can be done?
I gave up roughly and bent down.
Then I spoke to the little pig lying in a ridiculous state.
"I've committed an unintended discourtesy. Are you alright, Young Master Holint?"
"Eek...! Just who are you?!"
The guy suddenly accelerated and shouted.
As the pain from the shock subsided, it seemed anger at falling was rising.
The reaction is bigger than expected.
"My~ How apologetic."
"Where did such a lowborn pop out from! You dare knock down the son of Baron Holint?!"
"My eyes were dark as I was in a hurry."
"You call that an excuse...!"
"You have quite a loud voice."
I expressed regret at the piglet's anger and introduced myself elegantly.
"Let me introduce myself. The sole heir of Count Snakers family. I am Yuda Snakers."
"Snakers...?"
For a moment, the guy who had been fuming stopped.
It seemed he was halted by the family name 'Snakers'.
Right, it would be strange not to know.
It was a family belonging to the prestigious ranks after all.
Watching the guy's face harden, I smiled brightly.
"The C-Count family of snakes...? If so, are you perhaps the young master of the snake?"
"I'm honored you remember."
"Ah..."
The pig's complexion turned pale white.
It seemed he realized he was screwed.
But what use was such late regret?
The snake coiled tightly around the neck had no intention of releasing its prey.
'What? Baron Holint family?'
As far as I knew, it was a shitbug family with no background, wealth, or character.
With such a status, you dare bully a commoner?
And our lovely protagonist at that?
"I-I'm sorry...! I-I committed rudeness without recognizing your noble status...!"
The guy hastily bowed his head.
The sight of him bending his waist that had been stiff until just now was truly incomparably servile.
Well, it's understandable to show such a reaction.
He had disgraced the young master of a prestigious family in front of others.
"Huhu... It seems you were aware of your rudeness?"
"I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry...!"
"Hmm?"
I deliberately tilted my head as if to provoke.
It would be unfortunate news for the guy, but I had no intention of showing leniency.
I wasn't interested in such filthy apologies.
'You should have apologized to our poor protagonist, not me.'
Then I might have considered it a bit.
Behind the long coiling bad thoughts, I smiled faintly.
"How amusing."
With a leisurely word, I extended my hand.
An elegant movement like a snake parting bushes.
It soon lightly touched the pig's shoulder, delivering a chilly energy.
"Seeing you act so freely... I can't help but laugh."
Flinch, the guy's eyebrows trembled.
I know this type of bastard very well.
People who are tightly wound with pride and inferiority, wanting to show off themselves somehow.
They are the humans I despise most.
The method to make such types eat shit is simple.
It's to shatter their pride.
Humiliate them, mock them, ignore them, and destroy their characteristic pride.
"It's pathetic, shall we say?"
Yes, operation name.
Ridicule with all your might.
I lightly flicked my tongue.
Between the parted lips, a uniquely coquettish voice leaks out.Â
I didn't particularly think about the lines.
Anyway, if I just mutter roughly, the trait 'Smiling Mask' will take care of it.
"Judging by your previous words, it seems more fitting for a street thug than a nobleman, don't you think?"
=Did you wrap a rag around your mouth? And you call yourself a noble?
"Moreover, yelling at a delicate young lady... There's not a trace of chivalry to be found."
=Don't you have any class? If you're going to live like that, just cut off your dick.
"It seems your capacity is the opposite of your physique."
=You look big but your mind is fucking narrow.
"The Baroness must have a hard time. Well, they say raising children is the most difficult task."
=Your mother.
A fierce barrage of consecutive hits.
The guy seemed unable to come to his senses in the dizzying parade of insults.
How's that? This is K-gamer's teabagging.
The point here is the other students watching us.
The sight of a guy who was rampaging like a tiger until just a few minutes ago being exposed as a puppy.
The onlookers will laugh.
The more they do, the more his pride crumbles.
"You're really a peculiar person."
=Retard.
As I was continuing the enjoyable bullying, suddenly a girl appeared in my vision.
Pink hair, trembling green eyes.
It was our lovely protagonist.
'Regia Philertz.'
She was kneeling on the floor looking this way.
Trembling like a frightened rabbit.
As expected, just like in the game, she's a cute creature.
I gave a light wink.
Towards the girl whose gaze had just met mine, meaning not to worry too much.
'By the way... It seems about time.'
I muttered while checking the time.
No sooner had I thought that than a stream of voice was heard in my ear.
<The entrance exam will begin soon.>
<Applicants, please move according to the guidance.>
An announcement breaking the flow.
Only then did I stop the bullying and remove my hand from the guy's shoulder.
His face was flushed red.
Seeing his arm trembling, it seems he was quite ashamed.
"Shall we stop here for now? I hope we don't meet again!"
=Don't act up. If you don't want to die.
I smiled brightly.
This time I didn't hide the lecherous atmosphere at all.
It was a blatant warning.
"...Thank you for your generous mercy."
The guy bit his lip for a moment, then bowed his head and retreated.
He was truly a 'third-rate villain' as if drawn in a picture.
I guess it feels real that this is inside a game.
Chewing over frivolous thoughts, I moved my feet towards somewhere.
"Lady."
Our protagonist quietly trembling.
I extended my hand to her.
"Are you alright?"
"...Ah."
The girl who had been in a daze for a moment soon came to her senses and took my hand.
"Th-Thank you..."
"Don't mention it."
"It was a troublesome situation, but thanks to you I survived."
"Haha, I just did what I had to do."
"St-Still, you ended up saving me..."
The protagonist who didn't spare words of thanks even though it was just a personal 'punishment'.
I can already feel her kind heart.
It felt like my chest was swelling up.
Is this really the 'Regia Philertz' I know?
I'm a fan. Please hug me.
Swallowing such words with effort, I held a smile on my lips.
"You may have heard earlier... but I'm Yuda Snakers."
"I'm Regia Philertz."
"Meeting like this must be fate. Would you like to accompany me?"
"A-Accompany?"
"You see, this is my first time at the academy. Since I didn't even bring an attendant, I was feeling lonely on this unfamiliar path."
"Ah..."
Green eyes pondering for a moment.
Probably due to her personality of being uncomfortable with nobles. It's still the early part of the game after all.
The girl who had been hesitating soon nodded.
"...If it's alright with you, Young Master."
"It would be my honor."
It felt like meeting a long-admired idol.
As I was immersed in indescribable emotion, a broadcast urging us was heard again.
<We announce again.>
<The entrance exam will begin soon.>
<Applicants, please follow the guidance and move.>
I said,
Towards our frozen protagonist.
"Then, shall we go?"
"Y-Yes...!"
Three years after possession.
It was finally time to enter the academy.
***
During the past three years, there were quite a lot of worries.
As I was suddenly dragged into this world, the confusion in my heart was also great.
-Is this a dream...?
-Or have I really gone crazy? Damn, I should have played games in moderation.
-I don't know anything anymore...
I think there was a period of wandering for a while.
To adapt to a new environment, sufficient time is always needed, isn't it?
I was no different.
It was only after about a month had passed that I realized.
That all this situation was reality.
And that there was no way to return.
Having realized the cruel fact, I resolved to live adapting to this world.
There's nothing more foolish than clinging to things that can't be helped.
Rather, it's wiser to accept it.
-Well... Come to think of it, it's not so bad?
I decided to think positively.
Anyway, it was a lonely life without anyone by my side, so I didn't have any lingering attachments.
It's also fortunate that I possessed into the game I had been so immersed in.
-I should see the ending.
I hadn't possessed the body of the final boss for nothing.
Perhaps this was an opportunity given to my gamer life that had burned tens of thousands of hours.
1943 repeated tries.
Even at the end, I was dragged here without seeing the ending, so I had never seen it even once.
The happy ending of this world.
-This time for sure.
That's what an unfulfilled dream is like.
I wanted a sparkling story.
The reason I obediently came to the academy following the flow of the original work was because of that.
The goal I set was simple.
Enjoy academy life, help the protagonist's group. Prevent the world's destruction.
At the end, I wanted to see a happy ending.
-In that process... It would be nice to get close to the characters from the original work.
It was my life game after all.
If the children I had always seen only through the screen were running around in front of my eyes, how great an emotion would that be?
It was the inevitable heart of a weeb.
If we become close, I must treat them well.
I'll take care of dangerous enemies for them, and work hard to pamper them.
If Yuda was a traitor who deceived everyone in the original work, I resolved to become a reliable helper.
Yes, I certainly resolved that, but...
"...Uh, ugh."
Why has she been like this since earlier?
"Miss Regia. Aren't you too stiff?"
"Ah... I-I'm sorry!"
"Oops~ I wasn't trying to hear an apology."
Regia flinching even at a light word.
It was like the appearance of a frightened rabbit.
'What's this? She didn't have this kind of personality originally.'
I tilted my head.
There certainly was a setting that she had difficulty dealing with nobles, but it wasn't to this extent.
Her characteristic innocence wasn't showing.
'What could be the problem?'
I looked the girl over for a moment while pondering.
It wasn't long before I could understand the reason.
"It seems you've hurt your wrist?"
"Ah."
Perhaps she hurt it when falling earlier?
Regia kept touching her wrist.
It seems my probing question was correct, as the girl showed a bitter smile.
"...It seems I twisted it a bit."
"This is serious. An injury right before the exam."
"It's okay. It's not painful enough to affect the exam."
"Still, I'm worried."
I quietly let out a sigh.
Is there anything I can do?
After worrying for a while, I soon rummaged through my pocket as if I had thought of something.
"Miss Regia. How about using this?"
"This is... a bandage?"
What I took out was none other than a bandage.
A pure white medical bandage without a speck of dust.
I handed it over nonchalantly.
It certainly wasn't a size that should fit in a coat pocket, but let's just gloss over that.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
"It happened to be in my pocket. I'd be glad if Miss Regia would use it."
"Uh... huh?"
"Here you go."
"H-How, from such a small pocket...?"
"It's a secret."
I smoothly passed over the bewildered girl's question.
To prevent further questions from continuing, I grabbed the defenseless girl's arm.
"Eek...?"
"Please bear with it for a moment. I intend to secure it so it doesn't get worse."
I unrolled the bandage and wrapped it around her wrist myself.
Though Regia seemed flustered at first, she soon accepted the gentle touch.
"Th-Thank you... It seems I keep receiving help from you since we first met."
"You don't need to feel burdened."
"But......"
"I'm more than glad just to have been able to help Miss Regia."
"Huh...?"
Oh dear. Did I speak too immersed in memories?
Regia floating a few question marks above her head.
The pink girl tilted her head and carefully opened her lips.
"Do you perhaps know me, Young Master?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah, no... It just seems like you're treating me too familiarly..."
What followed was indeed a troublesome question.
How should I excuse this?
As I was just letting out a frivolous smile.
What saved me in such a situation was a thick voice heard from behind.
"Yuda Snakers. It's your turn next."
It was the assistant supervising the entrance exam.
He nodded his pen a few times while holding the applicant list, then lightly gave me a look.
"Please move to the exam room following the guidance."
"Ah~ Of course! I'll go right away!"
As it was an opportunity to avoid answering, I stood up raising my hand high.
Nice timing.
"It's my turn. Then I'll go take the exam and come back."
"Uh, uhh... Y-Yes! Good luck on the exam...!"
"Haha! I'm glad you're cheering for me!"
Well then, I'll be going!
With those final words, I moved my steps towards the exam room.
***
Stepping into the exam room with a pounding heart.
I was full of anticipation.
The continent's premier educational institution and the setting of the original work. Gallimar Academy.
I wonder what interesting things will happen.
As it's called a prestigious school, the entrance exam must be novel and interesting, right?
"Please attack the target here."
However, it didn't take long for such expectations to be shattered.
I asked the assistant with a blank expression.
"Surely by target you don't mean... that very small, precious, and adorable doll standing in front?"
"That's correct."
"Oh my..."
I exhaled a disappointed breath.
In the direction my gaze was fixed, there was only one scarecrow-like doll placed.
I wanted something more spectacular.
"I believe you know how the scores are measured."
I don't know.
"We've been broadcasting with magic tools so that the people in the waiting area can also see other applicants' exams."
I didn't see because I was chatting with our protagonist.
"I wish you the best of luck."
Damn, really.
I couldn't give such answers to the assistant grading.
I guess I'll just adjust and hit it roughly.
If I had known it would be like this, I should have listened to the instructions properly...
'...Sigh'
Late regret was of no use.
Here's the continuation of the translation:
Having accepted the cruel reality, I took my stance while inwardly holding back tears.
It was a stance for casting magic.
'I guess I should output magic... just enough to get a mid-range rank?'
I quietly examined the target.
As expected, it wasn't an ordinary doll.
Various magical structures for defense, absorption, calculation, etc. were woven beyond the fabric.
I suppose it lives up to the name of 'the best' in its own way.
'I'll have to be careful... not to get caught.'
I didn't particularly intend to take the top spot.
A position that receives a lot of attention comes with corresponding annoyances.
I wasn't interested.
I wouldn't do it even if they gave it to me.
'Just enough not to break the doll.'
With a small self-mutter, I aimed my finger.
A finger gun made by extending the thumb and index finger.
As I concentrated mana at my fingertip, it wove into a single bullet tinged with pitch-black.
"Bang."
Pssh-!
Behind a sound like air deflating, darkness was fired.
A fragment flying quickly.
The next moment, it touched the target's forehead.
Thud-!
The shadow violently struck the defense magic formula.
The fiercely rotating bullet seemed to pierce right through the brow, but soon gradually lost strength.
Though shabby on the outside, its essence was an entrance exam prepared by the academy.
It doesn't easily allow breakthrough.
In the end, the mana bullet scattered without leaving even a single scratch.
Crash...!
The doll that had been standing still fell from the recoil.
I looked over the target sprawled on the floor.
'This should be good enough, right?'
The doll wasn't damaged, and the magic I cast wasn't particularly flashy either.
There was nothing to draw attention.
Just about average academy output.
It was an impeccably clean control even in my own opinion.
"Wow~ Controlling power really is difficult."
I muttered so it couldn't be heard.
With a satisfied smile, I dusted off my hand where mana residue remained.
Good.
It's going according to plan.
"Huhu, shall I go watch Miss Regia's exam when this is over?"
...At that time, I had no idea.
The academy faculty.
The professors watching my exam through the magic tools were thrown into a frenzy.