LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 36 - String (1)
Chapter 36 – String (1)
“Phew…”
I sighed, and rose from the bed, stretching my stiff body.
Despite staying in a top-tier inn the night before, nestled in the softest and most luxurious blankets, it felt like I had barely slept for an hour, if at all.
Whenever I fell asleep, a dream would haunt me—a ruffian stabbing me in the throat with a knife, spewing blood, and then waking up to my own screams. The cycle repeated in the early hours of the morning. Though the trembling in my hands had barely subsided, the events of yesterday still vividly replayed in my mind, tormenting me.
Was I unusually sensitive, or did I retain ethical values from a past life? Or perhaps, did everyone here go through a similar process after their first kill? Regardless, I needed to get used to it.
After all, it was a process that everyone had to face sooner or later. It just happened to find me a bit earlier than I anticipated. Silently repeating these thoughts to myself, I boarded the carriage heading from Drakton to the academy.
* * * * *
Contrary to the common impression given by the name of an educational institution, St. Clifford’s Academy was a place with a powerful power comparable to one great family.
The territory of the academy almost equaled that of the Duke of the North, which was said to be the largest in the empire, and thanks to its location bordering the western kingdoms, various goods and the latest fashionable cultures flowed endlessly into the academy territory. Although the headmaster of the academy never received any official title, they have always enjoyed the highest courtesy in imperial circles.
Even though the academy had such power, if it was determined, it was not a matter of course to cause a huge crack in the power structure of the empire by receiving large-scale donations and various materials from all walks of life as an annual event.
However, the reason why the members of the academy, including the faculty members, were respected by all people, was probably because they always use their powerful strength not for their own benefit but only for the cultivation and protection of students.
“At last, I have returned…”
I was standing in front of the academy’s main gate, savoring the sight of that majestic edifice that I had not seen in a long time.
If events had unfolded as originally planned, I might have been idling away in the south by now. The thought of having defied fate and returned here filled me with an exhilarating sensation.
Looking back, the past two months were indeed a whirlwind of activity.
Avoiding expulsion was a significant achievement in itself; establishing some rapport with the demons, resolving the surplus grain issue in the territory, and acquiring useful items occupied much of my time. Even the upright Archbishop of Westford fell under my influence by baiting him with the relic of Saintess Cynthia.
I struggled to avoid the dark future that will unfold in the next few years, and from the results so far, it seems that the first step has been successfully taken.
However, the real work starts from now on.
First of all, I will deal with the rest of the situation while looking at the situation, but then how should I live in the academy?
Even though it was for survival, I showed my changed appearance in the territory, the demon world, and the archbishop’s territory.
But is that still the case here?
A person’s abrupt transformation, especially one leaning towards positivity, exerts a potent force that draws curiosity from those around.
If the students, the academy staff, and especially the main characters guiding the original work were to realize the change in me, the likelihood of troublesome situations arising is quite high.
Above all, this is an all-too-familiar cliché – the situation where a 180-degree shift in appearance and character prompts curiosity from others.
If not handled carefully, scenes reminiscent of numerous web novels I read in my past life might unfold even for me. I need a plan.
Even if I can’t help but think that my appearance has changed, I don’t think people around me will bother to approach me if they realize that my personality is no different from the old Edwin.
If so, what should I do?
* * * * *
‘Let’s just go with the flow,’ was my surprisingly simple conclusion.
I had no desire to harass others simply because of my changed status or appearance; tormenting innocent people for personal reasons didn’t align with my temperament. So, I decided to let things be.
After all, my image had already taken a beating, and even if I didn’t actively trouble anyone, it was unlikely that their evaluation of me would undergo a significant reversal. I had received disciplinary action, and people would probably see me as a bit disheartened.
Just don’t be as much of a piece of trash as I used to be, and just be a regular, annoying noble that you can see anywhere. Show a slightly arrogant attitude, and ignore the commoner students if they talk to you… I can do that. Honestly, this wasn’t a very difficult task.
If I just do this, I can graduate from the academy without any problems, as an extra 41, without getting involved with the main characters.
However, it was a little sad to think that it will be difficult to make real friends with commoners, let alone nobles. Half of the students in this academy were commoners, and my thinking was more like that of a normal person, so I thought it would be nice to make friends with them.
I feel a little bitter, but…it’s okay.
I can’t help it because there were things I had to prioritize. And if I get lonely, I can think about it again later…
Fortunately, I wonder if I can manage my academy life as long as I don’t openly fool around like I used to.
Edwin…I caused dozens of problems, and it’s not like I did anything good, but I still didn’t do anything like the worst human trash, such as sex crimes, murder, or devil worship.
Of course, my actions crossed the line by the academy’s rules, and that’s why I was punished.
However, due to the nature of this era where barbarism still exists everywhere, the percentage of people who take the act of violence seriously, regardless of their status, was not very high.
And to such people, the seriousness of my actions may feel much less than I am aware of now.
In any case, it means that I can somehow cover up my past criminal record.
Should I call this fortunate? I was a piece of trash, but not a waste of trash.
Let’s do my best. If I don’t get involved in any strange things and just endure for a few years, a happy life in the territory awaits me after graduation.
Just deal with the things that seem like they will directly harm me, and leave the rest to the protagonist and his party.
I drew one last conclusion, took a couple of deep breaths, and stepped toward the main gate.
* * * * *
After my return, the first place I visited was the Bedtown in the academy territory, where mansions were densely populated.
New students at the academy were divided into six classes from A to F according to their entrance exam scores. Although not an official name, A to C were generally referred to as upper classes, and D to F were referred to as lower classes.
Before the disciplinary action, I was in the upper class of B, so I was using a single room in a fairly good place. But now that I’ve been demoted to D, the dormitory provided by the academy will also be assigned two or three levels below it; naturally, the accommodations would be shared by multiple individuals.
Of course, this was the academy. It was natural that the facilities were not so bad that they cannot be used at all, but if there was an alternative, there was no need to stay in such a place.
In any case, such a place could be said to be prepared for noble children who hate group life with commoners, especially on the surface. That’s why the demand for real estate agents in the academy territory was endless.
It was rare for someone like me to be demoted by two levels, but there were often cases of being sentenced to one level of class reduction. And in the first place, the number of noble children who were assigned to lower classes was not too small.
The only drawback was the slightly high price, but the common point of those who needed such a place was that they were the ones who had nothing but money left.
* * * * *
“As you requested, I have looked for a mansion in a secluded area. However, the facilities in such an area are always the same. This is the best sale within the conditions you provided, but…what do you think?”
I was touring the mansion, guided by a real estate agent.
I had asked for a mansion in a secluded place for the sake of freedom of movement, but he seemed to think that I might not like the facilities here, and was sweating profusely and desperately trying to sell the mansion with all his might.
However, contrary to his unnecessary worry, I think I like this place very much.
“It’s fine. It perfectly matches the conditions I was thinking of. Let’s sign the contract here.”
“Yes, yes? Ah…!! Yes! It is indeed an excellent choice! Now, this way…”
—Bang!
I stamped the contract without much thought.
The real estate agent seemed to be satisfied that he had sold a bad deal to a young master who didn’t know the world, and couldn’t hide his smile.
As he said, the mansion was a bit old, but that wasn’t a big problem for me.
It was a detached mansion located at the perfect distance from the surroundings, matching my preferences with its simple and modest decor. It suited my taste, especially since I hadn’t fully adapted to the extravagant sensibilities of the nobility yet.
Besides, it was small enough that I wouldn’t need to hire any servants.
While dust lightly coated various parts of the mansion, I was confident I could clean it thoroughly before my suspension was lifted in three days.
Three days later was the day my suspension was lifted, so I should be able to relax and unpack and clean the house until then.
This was the beginning of my first living alone, both in my previous life and in this one.
* * * * *
“This is the St. Clifford Academy’s administration office. How may I assist you today?”
“I’m here to apply for a dorm room withdrawal before my suspension is lifted. I’ve found a separate mansion to live in.”
“Suspension…? Ah Yes…um, there’s a sign over there. If you go to the academic support department, the staff there will guide you.”
The receptionist, who had greeted me with a smile, frowned when she heard the word ‘suspension.’
She quickly recovered her professional demeanor, but…
…come to think of it, the girls I asked for directions to the administration office kept looking at me sideways and whispering to each other even after they gave me directions.
Even though I’ve lost weight, was my impression still not good to other people? It was definitely the image I wanted for Edwin, but…something feels strange.
“I’m Edwin Reed of Class D. I’m here to apply for a dorm room withdrawal.”
“Yes, just a moment. Class D…Edwin Reed…Ah, here it is. Come over here and sign here…then…are you sure you’re the one? Documents related to the dormitory must be signed by the person in question.”
The staff working under the wooden sign that said ‘Academic Support Department’ found my name in a pile of paperwork, then looked at me and the paperwork back and forth with a suspicious expression. Why is she doing that? Oh, could it be that there’s too much of a difference between my face and the portrait in the paperwork?
“Yes, it’s me. I just lost some weight during my suspension.”
“What…even though it’s only been two months since you were suspended, how can you change that much? Don’t talk nonsense and call the real person. It’s annoying to work on a Sunday, but…”
“No, there’s a priest who lives on campus, right? I can just have him confirm my identity, right?”
“Didn’t you hear me say it’s Sunday? The priest is at the church on Sundays, not here! Now, I have nothing more to say, so please leave now. If you keep bothering me, I’ll call the guards and have you forcibly leave.”
Despite my protests that I was the real person, the staff at the administration office kicked me out.
This was an unexpected problem. I never thought that my appearance would change so much that I wouldn’t be able to be identified. And why was the priest out of town?
It was not a big deal, but if I don’t give the dormitory withdrawal papers to the agent I talked to earlier, I could have some legal problems.
After thinking about it for a long time in front of the Academic Support Department, someone approached me from behind and suddenly asked me, “Child, is there something wrong?”
When I heard the voice, I reflexively turned my head in that direction. And when I saw the person who spoke, I was able to immediately deduce their identity.
Golden blonde hair that resembles a field of grain in the harvest season; green eyes that naturally evoke the freshness of summer and Elven ears that were slightly higher and more pointed than those of demons. Although she had the appearance of a young woman, her experienced speech and dignified demeanor made it easy for the other person to guess how many years she had lived.
“Come over here. Maybe I can help you.”
The one calling me from over there was the one who has been protecting this academy for over 100 years, graduating countless graduates…no, an elf.
She was the principal of this academy.
—— End of chapter —–
Translator’s Notes:-
You can read the story ahead on my ko-fi (10 chapter ahead so far). Read here :- https://ko-fi.com/sacredtexttl/tiers
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