Chapter 3
Rodelin de Lucid.
I recalled information about her.
A genius in swordsmanship and the youngest of the prestigious Lucid family, a noble house among noble houses.
At just fifteen, she earned the moniker 'The Lone, Noble Sword.'
Despite being only a second-year, she had achieved the remarkable feat of securing the position of vice president of the student council from this year.
To summarize the character Rodelin, it would be apt to describe her as the 'embodiment of perfection.'
'One of the five monsters of the Academy, too.'
But her nature was not monstrous.
Outwardly strict, but inwardly gentle, she was a character of strong exterior and soft heart.
She would listen to the weak and empathize with the pain of others.
Yet, she was merciless against evil, no matter who it might be.
'...No. There is one exception.'
The Lucid family to which Rodelin belonged.
Initially her pride and joy, her view of the family began to crumble after learning its secrets.
Still, Rodelin loved her family and struggled to protect it, only to be ultimately discarded by them.
Yet, she continued to love and cherish her family.
Before she was discarded, after she was discarded, and even after being discarded again and losing everything...
That's how it was.
'It's a character I felt sorry for, and here I am facing her.'
I couldn't help but be sentimental.
Of course, this was all from my perspective.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
The Lucid family had guarded the borderlands abutting neighboring kingdoms for hundreds of years.
Perhaps due to such an upbringing, Rodelin considered herself a soldier, characterized by her stern manner of speaking.
"Didn't you hear me? I asked you what you are doing."
Rodelin's eyes blazed fiercely.
Eyes like a wild beast.
Not only was she hailed as a genius in swordsmanship, but her excellence wasn't limited to that.
All her stats easily surpassed the average.
This meant she was also highly intelligent.
'...If I'm not careful, I'll be expelled right away.'
The badge of guidance hung on Rodelin's left arm caught my eye.
Her standing in Annwood Academy was significant.
Before even considering her position as vice president of the student council, she was a student trusted by the professors.
In the game, Rodelin expelling a few troublemakers before the entrance ceremony is an actual event.
"Can't you hear me? Depending on your response, I might expel you right here in the square. This place is within the jurisdiction of the student council, after all."
Rodelin's gaze sharpened slightly.
I wanted to observe a bit more, but now didn't seem like the right time.
Already, my appearance was suspicious enough.
I had to focus. I had to prove that I was not suspicious at all.
And in times like these.
A smile is the best.
"Keke, as you can see, I'm just standing here. Isn't the weather nice today?"
"Yes, it's a fine day. But I'd prefer if you went somewhere else. Today is the entrance ceremony, and the prospective students are trembling with nerves."
"That's a bit difficult."
Did she not expect to be refused?
Rodelin's gaze turned fierce.
"Why is that?"
"I'm a prospective student too. I'm waiting to attend the entrance ceremony."
"...You?"
She seemed truly incredulous.
Rodelin, who did not discriminate against people, reacting like this.
It was a moment that made me realize again the weight of slit-eyed characters in this world.
'It seems to be the epitome of injustice.'
I wasn't sad. In fact, I felt good.
I had the feeling that I could find a new hidden piece.
'Especially since encountering the forces of evil seems to trigger many events.'
Recruitment offer, human experimentation, abduction for demonization, revered as a cult leader, marriage(?) and so on.
Depending on the situation, I might have to comply with their demands.
After all, this is that kind of game.
"Stop grinning like an idiot. Do you find this situation funny? You seem clueless about what's happening."
Rodelin had unconsciously placed her hand on the sword at her waist.
Oops, I had been lost in my fantasies for too long.
But it's okay. I know how to 'conquer' Rodelin.
I wiped the smile off my face and spoke.
"Keke, I can't help it. If I don't smile, I'll end up in a worse situation."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If I frown in this situation, they'll pick on me for frowning, if I get angry, they'll torment me more for being angry. That's why I smile. At least then they don't beat me too severely."
"That's because your actions are suspicious..."
"I haven't done anything. Not now, not earlier, and... not even in the distant past."
I trailed off slightly.
Rodelin didn't seem to fully understand my words.
It's not because she's dumb.
'It's because she has never experienced this herself.'
Rodelin, born into a noble family.
It was only natural for people she met for the first time to harbor good will towards her.
Her pretty appearance and impeccable conduct contributed to that, but anyway.
"I'm hesitant to say this in front of the vice president of the student council... but do you know what 'prejudice' is?"
"Prejudice?"
Prejudice.
A word meaning unfair and biased thoughts.
Being the intelligent Rodelin, she should be able to grasp it from this hint.
Rodelin's body jerked slightly. Simultaneously, her hand left the sword.
To judge me based on my appearance alone.
'She must have realized her mistake.'
Rodelin, a character who is rigid and pure, yet lenient towards the weak.
By now, her conscience must be pricking her.
It's time for the final blow.
I spoke with a trembling voice.
"Is someone like me... not even allowed to attempt the entrance exam?"
There's no way tears would come from these small eyes.
I'm not skilled enough in acting to fake crying.
But this act was enough to convince Rodelin at the moment.
"So that's it. I've made a big mistake. Despite living a tough life, you haven't become twisted. That's truly admirable."
By now, Rodelin's head must be filled with a movie-like unfolding of my unfortunate life.
If she's reacting like this, imagine how others must have treated me.
"I'm sorry. I misunderstood. I apologize sincerely."
"Keke, I heard there was no prejudice in Annwood Academy... But it seems that's not entirely true."
"No, no! It's not right to judge based on just one person. Yes, yes... Prejudice! That's the real prejudice!"
Rodelin desperately tried to console me.
The sternness in her eyes had long since turned puppy-like and droopy.
'She's cute.'
Today is actually Rodelin's first day as the vice president of the student council.
The day new students arrive and her own advancement to the second year.
It was natural for her to be tense.
Rodelin might be called the epitome of perfection, but she is still just a 16-year-old kid.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Zero."
"Alright, Zero. I highly regard your effort and pride... I'd like to give you points, but you're not a student yet. That's unfortunate."
"There's no way someone like me could be admitted."
"Don't, don't give up! If you get in, I'll treat you well! I promise, on my name. You'll receive one point as soon as you enroll!"
This is big. My lips were twitching, my heart was thumping.
It's a total chaos.
Am I falling in love? Impossible.
'Ah... I wish I could tease her a bit more.'
She's a character as noble and exalted as her title, 'The Lone, Noble Sword' implies.
Yet to see her so flustered.
If you're human... no, if you're a seasoned player, it's a situation that would tempt you to tease.
But let me be clear, I'm definitely not a pervert.
I'm just someone who wants to take care (sort of) of the characters within the game.
'Rodelin...'
Rodelin is a mature character.
Many people liked that about her, but oddly enough, I didn't.
Children should act like children, and adults like adults.
That's the role and difference between children and adults, as I see it.
'For a child to become an adult so quickly means they've lived a life carrying a significant burden.'
Family discord, struggle for survival, absence of money, absence of love, and more.
There are too many and too varied reasons to count.
'Rodelin is burdened by the weight of her prestigious family lineage.'
It's something I can't help but know since she's a main character.
Maybe that's why I feel like teasing Rodelin.
To show her that she still has a child's heart within her.
To let her know she doesn't have to be so strict with herself.
To show her that she can freely express her emotions.
Anyway, the way to make Rodelin act like a child is very simple.
Physical strength, intelligence, a virtuous nature, and the formidable support of the Lucid family.
She's perfect in every aspect but has two vulnerabilities.
'If her secrets are revealed or if there's any talk even remotely risqué, she turns redder than anyone, innocent as a child.'
I approached Rodelin, who was visibly confused, and whispered in her ear.
"Your skirt seems a bit short... Have you shortened it? A little deviance from the vice president of the student council... How interesting."
Rodelin visibly shuddered.
-Even the dignified Rodelin, after all, is a teenage girl going through adolescence.
The desire to look even a little prettier is something that can't be avoided.
She considered shortening her skirt a significant rebellion, but since she only shortened it by 1cm, no one else noticed.
That was written in her character profile.
Players found it incredibly cute.
"You, you...! How did you...!"
"Ah, I apologize. Was it a secret?"
"Of course it's... No, no! More importantly, don't tell me everything you've done so far was just an act...!"
"Keke, I don't quite follow you. Oh, but be careful. It's so short it might show everything."
The difference was actually too slight to be seen with the naked eye.
But to Rodelin, that 1cm seemed to represent a significant deviation.
Her face turned so red that even her ears seemed to ripen.
Steam seemed to rise from her head.
Ah, really. She's too cute.
Cute enough to make one smile without realizing it.
"Hey...! It's too loud here! The entrance exams are about to start. Everyone, calm down!"
In her confusion, Rodelin chose to run away.
It was as I watched her receding figure.
"Defeating the vice president of the student council... He's as scary as he looks."
"Look at her red face. He must have done something unsavory."
"Let's move further away. His reach might extend to us next."
Quietly, quietly-.
The circle that had formed around me had grown larger than before.
And I hadn't done anything wrong.
Ah, really.
Isn't this world just too full of prejudice?
--TL Notes--
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