Chapter 333

It’s pretty standard for assistants to start from the third year, but the academy operates a bit differently.

From the third year on, practical training becomes the main focus, meaning there’s a fair bit of traveling abroad. So, first-year assistants are usually handled by second-years.

If someone were to ask if a second-year can really be an assistant, I’d say it’s possible. Being an assistant mainly just means helping out the professors.

To put it simply, it’s kind of like the assistants at a training camp guiding the recruits. So, ‘ability’ is super important.

“I’m supposed to be an assistant?”

“Hmm? I thought you would.”

“I’ve been thinking about it.”

But it seems Karas picked up on my secret intention to assist somehow. Or maybe he just threw it out there without much thought.

It’s more likely the latter, seeing as I hardly ever interact with Karas. He’s busy doing his own thing.

Given that we haven’t really interacted, for him to figure it out instantly… I mean, he’s a pretty dangerous guy.

He reads people’s minds too well. That’s Karas’s biggest strength.

“With that ability, he could easily hold people’s weaknesses.”

That’s why the troublemaker siblings can’t do anything against Karas. He knows their psyche too well.

It’s genuinely a scary ability. He didn’t just come up with the ‘red flavor’ ideology for nothing.

“This punk…?”

“This punk?”

“This person is going to be an assistant…?”

Leo seemed pretty shocked too, almost ready to curse. But when I raised an eyebrow, he quickly backed off.

After Leo, Diana also expressed her doubts. Unlike the hot-headed Leo, Diana was more rational.

“Uh… brother? Is this person really going to be an assistant?”

“Probably.”

“Putting ability aside, I wonder if he can guide properly…”

Diana’s point was entirely valid. So, I didn’t feel too offended or anything.

Most classes are taught by the professors, but assistants play a surprisingly significant role during exams.

Professors usually prefer observing from a distance rather than getting directly involved. So, unexpected situations tend to fall on the assistants.

“He probably didn’t expect torture or bomb vests.”

Also, the reason I want to volunteer as an assistant is because of Reina.

Reina goes through a year at the academy before ultimately dropping out, mainly due to issues with her peers, as I mentioned earlier.

She’s lively and confident, but she’s the only one from Frozen. She has no one to confide in at all.

What’s worse, a lot of this year’s freshmen are from the Eastern Empire, which makes her situation stand out even more.

“She might not be outright bullied, but she’s definitely treated like a ghost.”

There’s no downside to getting closer to Reina. In fact, she could turn out to be a major ally in the future.

Moreover, considering she’s been pampered by the prince and her brothers, her relationship with Frozen should improve significantly.

I will help her establish better friendships. The most immediate thing is the issue of the common language.

Even if Reina isn’t the best at academics, she must at least cope with the common language to make her future easier.

“Let’s wrap up the introductions here. Sivar, you’re free to go.”

“Sure.”

I waved my hand vaguely and got up to leave. I didn’t forget to glance at Leo and Diana before heading out.

Since we’d be seeing each other often, it was a silent gesture to do well. Maybe not for Diana, but Leo might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Diana had this subtle expression when she looked at me, almost smiling lightly.

“I wonder what would happen if rumors of the scandal spread at the academy?”

Since my character isn’t great either, I have no intention of getting closer. Other girls wouldn’t just sit back and watch.

I just need to keep an eye on Reina. Karas will manage them well enough.

If any bad rumors were to spread, it would tarnish the Matra Empire’s reputation considerably.

Who knows, the emperor might even take direct action to correct things. Only if I show my habits, though.

“Excuse me!”

“?”

The entrance ceremony was wrapping up, and just as I was about to head back to the dormitory, I heard a familiar voice by my ear.

When I turned around, a stunning beauty with blue hair and a bold expression was staring at me.

It was Reina, who I thought had gone to the dormitory. She tilted her head at me.

“Uh? That’s strange. You have red eyes, but…”

“…”

“Are you perhaps a sibling? That could be possible.”

“I have no siblings.”

Even in the future, I lived alone without siblings. I replied flatly.

This made Reina look even more puzzled. A single hair sticking out from the center of her head formed a question mark.

I hadn’t noticed before because I was wearing a fur hat, but that antenna-like hair is Reina’s trademark.

It perfectly showcases her confident and lively yet somewhat clumsy personality.

“Huh? Then who are you? You look just like someone I know. Your eyes are red too.”

“You’re thinking of the right person. I’m Sivar.”

“Ah! Really?”

“Yeah.”

Just to be safe, I reminded her of what happened back then. I didn’t need to mention all the other details, just capturing the lightning bear was enough.

Her face lit up in excitement. Unlike others, she was quite expressive with her emotions.

“Sigh. Kids like this…”

I watched Reina chatter away, feeling a bit sorry for her.

To think they’d make such a bubbly and cheerful girl drop out over bullying. My heart sank a bit.

If she had started the academy even just a year earlier, she might have made many friends by now. What a pity.

“Please take care of me! Moving forward!”

“Sure. Take care.”

“Go strong!”

“Not ‘go strong,’ but ‘farewell.'”

When I pointed out her language mistake, Reina exclaimed and covered her mouth. Then she even giggled.

Suddenly, Ellie popped into my mind for some reason. But at least Ellie is somewhat competent academically.

“Work hard on the common language.”

“I will!”

Reina waved her arms as she skipped off to the dormitory. I couldn’t help but smile slightly at her vibrant and bold demeanor.

I wonder how long that smile will last. I really hope it doesn’t fade away.

“By the way, don’t the freshmen engage in duels?”

I bet Reina will come out on top in overwhelming fashion. She might not be the smartest, but her physicality is quite impressive.

That will definitely attract all eyes, but it could end up being a curse.

Even though she’s a princess, bullying her should be out of the question. But human malice always exceeds expectations.

Especially considering Reina’s sweet-natured personality. She tends to bottle things up inside even when problems arise.

“Who will be the assistant before that, I wonder?”

*****

At the academy, professors aren’t assigned by year but rather by class, which means one professor is in charge from start to finish.

As a result, the professors end up taking the lead throughout the entire term, and their sense of responsibility also increases.

Of course, this could lead to power struggles related to politics, but the responsibility of professors remains unchanged.

“Haah…”

So, it’s only natural that Malboro would be sighing as the second-year first semester begins.

Recently, Malboro has been sighing quite a bit, and it’s obviously due to the class he’s in charge of.

While the other classes are relatively quiet, his has been consistently causing trouble non-stop.

And at the center of it all is Sivar, a student with significant notoriety at the academy.

“What kind of bizarre mischief will he come up with this time…?”

Sivar is a student who has wandered in from the wilderness far removed from common sense. He’s been causing all sorts of chaos.

Especially during exams, he’s been giving professors, including Malboro, headaches, and I can only imagine second-year students will be even worse.

So the professors gathered for a meeting to figure out how to proceed with classes, expecting Sivar to stir up trouble as usual.

Now, he’s somewhat accepted the common sense of civilization, but it’s impossible to completely prevent the chaos. That’s the professors’ stance.

“It’s a relief he’s a good kid, but…”

The one silver lining is that Sivar is fundamentally kind-hearted. Most of the violent incidents he gets into are due to the other side’s fault.

He’s just surprisingly brilliant both physically and intellectually and ends up creating unforeseen havoc.

While humans, being weak, usually use tools, Sivar is strong and uses tools, messing things up even more.

What kind of antics will he pull this time? Malboro stepped into the classroom with a complicated mix of emotions.

“Did everyone enjoy their vacation? Starting today, you’ll be attending second-year classes. Though it’s not too different, just a heads up that experiential learning and external classes will be involved.”

The second-year classes aren’t that different from first year. The only change is the environment.

And there’s one standout feature, which Malboro decided to address.

“By the way, starting from the second year, we’ll be electing student assistants. Exceptional skill and leadership will be necessary.”

“Will other classes elect assistants as well?”

“Yes. And students who want to participate will gather and engage in duels. Each student will face off twice, and the one with the most victories will be elected as the assistant.”

The basic requirement is having strong fundamental skills. All the students understood and accepted this.

Leadership isn’t a problem either. Though it’s called leadership, physical strength generally translates into charisma.

This method fits perfectly with the academy’s meritocratic principles. Once Malboro finished explaining, he suggested,

“Alright then, let’s choose the assistant hopefuls first. Anyone who wants to be an assistant, raise your hand.”

As soon as he said that, plenty of hands shot up. The most noticeable one was the crown prince of the Matra Empire.

Come to think of it, didn’t he mention his younger siblings having enrolled? Malboro nodded and shifted his gaze.

Just like that, from the princess of the Matra Empire to the red-haired Tartar princess.

Most were expected, but there was one person. Just one person Malboro definitely didn’t see coming.

“…uh.”

The moment he laid eyes on that person.

“Why… is that guy… here?”

In Malboro’s mind, the universe expanded.