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Hundreds of eyes were all looking up at me.

Among them, there was no one who could resist my ‘wrath’.

My personality trait had now reached a level of control so refined that it could divert their gazes.

Since they couldn’t possibly understand personality traits, they’d probably mistake it for some unknown magic.

I opened my mouth.

“I welcome you all to your entrance ceremony.”

In the original story, Tristan killed Arthur and took all the positions he held.

The position of university chairman, which Arthur had held, also fell into Tristan’s hands.

It’s a funny story, but all Tristan wanted was the title of chairman of the empire’s top university.

It was a position he gained solely for boasting and bluster.

That’s why, in the original story, after becoming chairman, Tristan never even showed his face at the school.

But I’m different from him.

“I won’t waste time with long speeches.”

I looked down at the gazes focused on me one by one and continued.

“I will spare no support for students with potential. Whatever you imagine, I intend to provide even more.”

A student who met my eyes gulped.

“However, those who stagnate without effort will be mercilessly expelled from the school.”

“!”

It was a statement that should have provoked enough backlash.

Just as the auditorium was about to stir, I once again suppressed even the slightest ripple with my ‘wrath’.

I had to make sure it was firmly imprinted in their minds.

The battle with the players next year will be harsher than ever.

Once conscription begins across the empire, even the students of this school, filled with noble children, will be no exception.

It’s best to filter out those who won’t survive that battle in advance.

I told them clearly.

“You must constantly prove your worth. Those who cannot do so are not qualified to be my students.”

Overwhelmed by my ‘wrath’, no one dared to refute.

Then, a female student suddenly stood up from her seat.

“W-what if we don’t accept it?!”

A trembling voice came from her mouth.

She had directly confronted my ‘wrath’, albeit somewhat controlled.

“We’ve overcome countless competitions to be here! And you’re just going to expel us at will? The students are the owners of this school! Even if you’re the chairman, I don’t think you can make such decisions so arbitrarily!”

Her courage was admirable.

But if you die, that’s the end.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“You seem to be under a big misconception.”

“Huh?”

“The owner of this school is me, the chairman.”

“?!”

With the intention of not accepting any rebuttals, I focused my ‘wrath’ on her.

The female student then collapsed back into her seat.

To those who didn’t know, it would have looked like she was overwhelmed by my presence.

Confirming that, I finished my final words with a touch of ‘pride’.

“If you can’t accept it, leave. That’s all.”

*

“Sigh…”

As the entrance ceremony ended, sighs erupted here and there.

Those sighs were, of course, about the newly appointed chairman.

“Hey, aren’t we in big trouble? That person is the chairman now.”

“Will he really expel us if we don’t study well?”

“Hey, didn’t you see earlier? Do those eyes look like they’re lying?”

Tristan’s chillingly cold gaze.

The students who remembered it trembled.

Normally, events like entrance ceremonies with many procedures tend to have boring moments.

Especially when the chairman or chancellor drags on with their speeches.

So, it’s common to pass the time by chatting with those next to you.

But when the chairman appeared before them earlier, no one in the auditorium could speak.

Whether they knew what kind of man Tristan Ruelberta was or not, everyone’s mouths stayed shut.

Strangely, no one could even turn their heads in his presence.

As if he didn’t allow it.

“What do we do…? With someone like that as chairman, should I start preparing for transfer exams now…?”

“Where would you go? There’s no place in the empire as good as this school.”

“Ugh… I’m doomed.”

Students clutching their heads.

Among them, there were also students with complaints.

“I don’t like it. Just because he’s that notorious pig count?”

“But to call him a pig… hasn’t he lost a lot of weight?”

“Ugh. Anyway! How did a brat like that, not much older than us, become chairman? Must’ve been parachuted in.”

“Hey….”

“The school’s foundation is owned by the Ruelberta family. Even if it’s a national school, there was nothing they could do.”

“Tch. Well… that guy’s the richest in the country, right? So, he must’ve thrown money around again. Disgusting.”

“Shh. Watch your mouth. You could get in big trouble. He might retaliate.”

“Hey! Hey, hey…!”

“Huh? You’re…?”

A small, strained voice came from the side.

The students who had been chatting among themselves all turned their heads.

There stood Wendy, a small animal-like girl with her hair tied in two braids.

“P-please don’t speak so carelessly…! The count isn’t like that….”

Wendy spoke in a trembling voice.

For her, it was an act of great courage, but it didn’t seem to come across that way to the new students.

“Huh?! You’re the student representative who gave the oath earlier!”

“Huh?”

“So cute! How old are you?”

“T-twelve….”

“Aww! You’re the same age as my little sister! Are you really a new student like us?”

“U-uh….”

Wendy, bombarded with questions, couldn’t gather her thoughts.

She had intended to sharply point out their gossip about the count, but she was overwhelmed by their seniority.

What saved Wendy was the girl hidden behind her.

“Will you stop bullying her?”

“Huh?”

Luna, an intelligent-looking girl with glasses, spoke.

“I understand your feelings… but my friend is feeling uncomfortable.”

Her voice was unsure, but there was a backbone to it.

Above all, the gaze behind her glasses was oddly chilling, so the students surrounding Wendy had no choice but to step back.

“Ah, uh… s-sorry.”

“Thank you. Now, Wendy, shall we go back together?”

“Y-yes….”

There was an undeniable aura about Luna.

So, no one could stop her as she took Wendy’s hand and led her out.

And so, Wendy was led out of the auditorium by Luna.

Though there wasn’t much of a height difference between them, Wendy found it hard to pull her hand away from Luna’s.

Then, Luna, who was leading the way, stopped.

“Wendy…”

“Y-yes?”

Wendy gulped.

She was nervous, expecting something scary, and waited for Luna’s next words.

Luna suddenly turned around and grabbed both of Wendy’s hands.

“You were amazing!”

“Huh…?”

“Your oath earlier!”

Luna’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“I never thought you’d speak so impressively in front of everyone! And being the student representative means you’re this year’s top student, right?”

“Huh? W-well, maybe…?”

“I knew it! I never thought the first person I talked to today would be someone so incredible!”

“I-I’m not incredible….”

As Luna praised her, Wendy felt embarrassed.

No one had ever spoken to her like this before, so she couldn’t help but feel awkward.

“This must be fate. Shall we hang out together?”

“H-hang out…?”

As Wendy tilted her head, Luna smiled and said,

“Yes! Actually, there’s a café in the city I’ve been wanting to visit. Shall we have some tea there, just us girls? Someone’s coming to pick me up soon, but if it’s okay, you can come with me.”

“Uh….”

Wendy slowly shook her head at Luna’s offer.

“I-I’m sorry… I have someone waiting for me….”

“Oh? Did your parents come with you?”

“N-no… it’s not that….”

Wendy hesitated.

She was unsure whether to tell Luna that she was a servant.

Luna was clearly a high-ranking noble.

She was on a different level from Wendy.

Though Luna didn’t seem like someone who cared about status, Wendy lacked confidence.

Perhaps sensing Wendy’s hesitation, Luna gracefully backed off.

“Ah, I see. You must have some circumstances you can’t talk about. That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.”

“I’m sorry….”

“It’s okay. We’re friends, right? If it’s difficult this time, will you accept my invitation next time?”

“O-of course!”

As Wendy nodded repeatedly, Luna smiled brightly.

Seeing that smile, Wendy also let out a small laugh.

It was a relief to have made a kind friend like Luna at the entrance ceremony.

I’m glad I came… she thought, feeling reassured.

“Wendy.”

“Eek?!”

At the sudden voice, Wendy jumped and turned around to see Tristan standing there.

“What are you doing there?”

“C-count….”

Tristan looked down at her with an expressionless face.

“I was talking with a friend….”

“A friend?”

“Yes… this is… huh?”

Wendy tried to introduce the first friend she’d made at school, but she couldn’t.

The spot where Luna had been standing was now empty.

Only Wendy and Tristan remained.

 

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