---

Time passed, and it was the day of the competition.

After waking up in the morning, we got dressed and left the professor’s lodging to step out of the academy.

We were heading towards Zuwei Academy.

The venue for the competition was the massive training ground located within Zuwei Academy. Unlike the large training ground at Jeminal Academy, which had smaller training areas within it, the massive training ground was, quite literally, a truly gigantic space.

This was a training ground that looked like it could host a grand martial arts tournament.

To be honest, it didn’t seem like a training area that students would typically use, so I was puzzled as to why it existed. Perhaps it was there because they needed it for the competitions, and it would be disappointing not to have one.

Thus, we headed towards Zuwei Academy, located directly opposite Jeminal Academy.

“Ugh… Why is it so far away when we’re in the same academy…”

Yui, who was next to me, grumbled in annoyance. Honestly, I understood her feelings. A typical introverted person like me would feel exhausted just stepping outside.

“That’s true. Would it hurt to keep them a bit closer?”

It seemed like someone wanted to ignite insecurity in private, as they were hell-bent on maintaining some kind of rivalry. The dean’s competitive nature stemmed from the fact that there were only two academies in the Empire.

With only two academies, if Jeminal Academy kept taking first place, Zuwei Academy would inevitably settle into being the perennial second.

What’s crucial here is not the fact that being second is emphasized, but that there are only two academies in the Empire.

Only two, and they’re in second place?

That means they’re in last place. Forever last.

“Aren’t they just a second-rate academy…?”

I could feel the energy from the opposing academy.

“I can see other professors and students, too.”

Naturally, we encountered students from Jeminal Academy wearing their uniforms, as well as other professors. Among them was Professor Acorn from the room next to ours, who, upon making eye contact with me, immediately looked startled and averted his gaze.

“What are you doing, Luke?”

“Just greeting.”

“What do you mean by that?”

*

Upon arriving at Zuwei Academy, I was genuinely impressed by the building.

Honestly, I thought all architectural styles in this era might look the same, but Zuwei Academy appeared to have a different flair—almost as if they had a dreamer among them.

It was evident that there was a strong desire to differentiate themselves from Jeminal Academy.

“Things are really chaotic here.”

Everything about the academy, filled with inferiority complexes, felt dismal. Today, the dean would be left with a bruised ego.

Lucia had come sharp and ready for a fight.

So, I had to respond in kind.

“Let’s head inside first.”

“Okay.”

“Sure~”

As we stepped into the academy, a throng of whites and browns caught my eye.

The whites were the uniforms of Jeminal Academy, which I was very familiar with, while the browns belonged to Zuwei Academy students—who had never been mentioned in the story until now.

But…

“What’s with this tension?”

“It seems it’s not just the higher-ups feeling competitive.”

The students’ glares were quite the spectacle. There was hardly any conversation, just intense silent exchanges through their eyes. Roughly interpreted, those gazes said:

– What’s that? Just a second-rate bug?

– This was our chance to finally take first place, but someone got scared and dropped out, making it impossible.

– What a pity; this could’ve been a good opportunity to put them in their place.

– Well, the professors will win for us, so it’s fine.

That’s not an exact translation, but you get the gist. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just the upper tiers fueled by rivalry. As the saying goes, “If the upper waters are clean, so are the lower waters.” If the dean’s drenched in inferiority, what difference would it make for the students?

And being the perpetual second place is a position that invites insecurities.

Especially since they’re not just second; they’re perennially second! With the first always taunting them, it’s only natural.

“Isn’t it funny? The ones stoking rivalry are adults.”

Surprisingly, the folks before me were supposedly all adults over twenty, according to their settings.

Naturally, it’s because the author decided that, but their behavior was far too childish.

They resembled elementary school kids arguing about who had the coolest mom.

“That’s true.”

“Let’s just head to the waiting room.”

– Thud.

“Oops, my bad…”

At that moment, someone bumped into me.

Well, to be precise, they tried to pass by while shoulder-checking me.

Until they tripped and fell instead.

“Ugh!”

“Who’s this guy?”

Typically, the one getting hit would be the one who’d get pushed away, but it seemed that this person was weaker and was the one who ended up knocked over.

The fallen guy had yellow hair and a fierce-looking face, and now that I noticed he was wearing brown student attire, he must be a student from this academy.

“Were you trying to pick a fight?”

But that kid definitely made that shoulder check on purpose, right?

To knock someone over like that, he had to brace himself on his shoulder first.

“Hey, Luna. Do I look like a student?”

I asked out of genuine curiosity.

“From just the face, you could pass for a student, but with that outfit? Not a chance.”

“Right?”

If I were in student attire, maybe I could see that misunderstanding happening.

But given my outfit, I’m an outsider on a competition day—there’s no way someone dressed like me would be a professor from the opposing academy!

So, the fact that he had the nerve to shoulder check me while knowing who I was meant he was asking for it.

“You’re just plain foolish.”

This is probably why schools focus on character building.

Knowing ranks matters, and brazenly acting up like that is a clear sign of being ignorant.

“I respect the professors from my academy, but why the other academy’s professors?”

Hah, he lacks any sense of respect.

Sure, I wasn’t actually older than him—probably the same age—but still, in society, seniority should matter, right?

Even if it’s just temporary status as a professor from one academy versus a student from another, he was being wildly disrespectful.

His words implied that he only respected his parents and had no intention of respecting anyone else’s.

There were similar characters from my past life, the kind who ignored the rules and ended up either transferring forcibly or getting expelled.

They truly lived like bugs.

‘Why does trouble always find me?’

How miserable was Luke’s original fate? It seems he never had a moment of peace; perhaps this is why notoriety is essential.

Notoriety is the quickest way to showcase who you are.

Honestly, if Lucia were here instead of me, would he have dared to shoulder bump her?

If anything, if Lucia intended to shoulder bump, she’d twist her arm 180 degrees to avoid the encounter.

Why? Because getting into a scuffle could lead to dying. Losing an arm pales in comparison to that.

– Thwack!

“What?!”

I was so fed up that I decided to give him a lesson.

A manly man speaks with their fists, after all.

The punk collapsed sideways from the punch to his temple.

Immediately, I withdrew my sword from my inventory.

“Hey, Luna. I’ve heard not to kill the students of my academy, but have I heard anything about not killing students from other academies?”

“I hadn’t heard that.”

“Right?”

– Stab!

So, I shoved the sword into the heart of the fallen punk.

“Ugggh…!”

Cough, cough. Blood spurted out of the punk’s mouth.

Had I decapitated him, it would have been instant death. But I wanted him to suffer a bit longer.

Typically, a stab to the heart wouldn’t be fatal immediately, but this wasn’t an ordinary person; he was a superhuman capable of using magical power, meaning he could endure longer.

The longer he suffered, the worse it got.

Letting go of consciousness is relaxing, but fainting here would mean true death.

He wouldn’t want that, so he’s likely gritting his teeth and holding onto his sanity, enduring this absurd pain.

But frankly, no one here could save him.

“So, why’d you want to mess with me?”

Lately, since I’ve been refraining from killing people to set an example, all sorts seem to be growing bolder.

He probably believed he had a backing of status since there’s a hierarchy among professors and students, leading him to think I wouldn’t retaliate.

Punks like him always exist. They act all high and mighty during school years, but once out in society, they’re utterly helpless.

Is it any wonder they get cocky here because they think they have someone to lean on?

“AHHH?!”

“Did you kill him for real?!”

The students watching us screamed in terror.

So, did I kill him or not?

In the medieval days, people dying was a common sight.

Just how sheltered did they grow up to cause such a commotion over death?

“The second-best has been killed! Everyone run!”

The students, who had been spectators, were momentarily stunned but quickly regained their wits and began to panic.

Wait, he was the second-best?

With that thug’s look, you’d think he was just a delinquent but apparently, he had some skills.

Then again, they don’t choose the first and second based on looks. If they performed well, they would naturally end up there.

But still, what a rotten personality he had to match his position.

Compared to this, Tia felt saintly.

Well… actually, maybe not.

“Ugh, what a fuss. Hey, I didn’t hurt him that bad.”

I poured some leftover alcohol I had on the wound to minimize the pain.

I’d never offered such kindness to someone about to die, but seeing the fuss he was causing, I specially stepped in to provide some disinfectant.

Injury can be treated with alcohol!

“Cough…! Cough…!”

He just started choking even more.

Right. I guess internet wisdom isn’t always reliable.

The idea that alcohol can disinfect is a myth, so I won’t be using that for myself.

“What’s going on?!”

At that moment, a silver-haired woman burst through the crowd.

This woman was someone I had met previously.

“Hey! It’s good to see you again!”

As I greeted her with a grin, Angela’s pupils dilated in shock.

“W-What are you doing here?!”

“Why? I’m here for the competition.”

I mentioned I’d meet her again, did I not?

Though she appeared unable to focus on anything, she darted her gaze between me and the thug bleeding out from a stab wound.

Then, she dropped to her knees in front of the thug and began healing him.

Under normal circumstances, it would be a guaranteed death scenario.

Angela’s powers are absurdly overpowered; the narrative stated she could save nearly anyone unless they’d already died.

However, the severity of the injuries may leave lasting effects, but even so, her ability is beyond comprehension.

The issue lies in the fact that she happened to meet the wrong master, inhibiting her from utilizing her abilities to their full extent.

It’s like in One Piece, where someone can blow up the entire world but ends up tossing a couple of pebbles.

This is kind of similar.

“Man, he’s lucky.”

I gently patted the cheek of the thug who had collapsed.

I had planned on killing him, but how fortunate that the one person capable of healing the dagger’s wound conveniently showed up.

If I had only been a minute later, things would’ve turned out amusing.

‘Hmmm…’

But merely surviving would be boring.

While pondering, I pulled out a card from my inventory and slipped it into the wound.

“Glugh…!”

“W-What are you doing?!”

Angela, who was treating him, was shocked.

Well, if he just gets better, that’d be dull, right?

I want him to live a life full of twists and turns, a little chaos.

Wildly surprised, Angela yanked the card out immediately.

I suppose she thought she needed to heal him first.

But I could just add another card afterward.

“Glugh, glug…!”

“Stop it! If you don’t heal him soon, he’s going to die!”

“Can’t you just heal him?”

By all means, continue healing while the card is in place.

The more you yank it out, the more he’ll suffer.

If you keep pulling out cards like that, he might die before you even finish healing him.

Angela had no options left.

Here she could argue with me about the thug or heal him with the card stuck in him.

Naturally, she, being a person, would choose to save him rather than allowing him to die.

“Sorry about this.”

While there was no need for her to apologize for treating some trash, it looked like she would offer her gratitude instead.

As she healed him, the card found its place snugly inside.

The card, which seemed to belong there from the start, gradually disappeared from view as his wound healed.

Afterward, Angela sighed while the thug remained unconscious.

“Ah~ That was a great view. Luna, Yui, let’s go now.”

“Where to next?”

“We need to get ready as it’s about time.”

I was preparing to throw down with the opposing professor.

 

---