BXBX NOVEL Chapter 3 – The Wrong Genre (3)
Chapter 3 – The Wrong Genre (3)
Chapter 3 – The Wrong Genre (3)
Nobles and commoners.
The inevitable existence of social class disparity.
However, this place is the Ivory Tower which houses the precious talents of the Empire, a cradle. Here, one’s status matters less than their abilities.
For this reason, it was natural to see students of various backgrounds mixed in the cafeteria.
“How are you going to approach the exam this time?”
“Hmm, honestly, I just want to burn it all down.”
“Uh, an arsonist. I didn’t see that coming.”
“Just kidding, just kidding. Why are nobles always so serious?”
A noble female student casually speaks to a commoner male student.
“Huh? What’s this?”
“It’s an apple. I heard you like apples.”
“Well, I do, but… you’re not going to eat more?”
“I’m full. Hmm.”
“I don’t think so—”
A noble male student attends to a commoner female student, offering something more.
‘I like this.’
Quietly toying with his utensils, Deus nods his head.
Nobles ahem and haw, while commoners must bow their heads. If it had been maintained here in the cradle, I would have suffocated.
Maybe I would have spread the beauty of democracy here.
“Hmm.”
Chattering. Bustling. If one were to describe the cafeteria, it would be just like that.
However, it wasn’t the case near Deus. Both seats on either side were empty, as if a void had been created around him.
Deus is a freshman. He’s never done anything strange or caused trouble. He’s even a promising student. His performance at the entrance ceremony is still talked about among the teachers. In short, it’s advantageous for them to quickly get close to him.
Yet, no one sits next to him. It’s the same on the opposite side. They even go as far as avoiding the back seats and reluctantly sitting down due to a lack of space.
“They say they don’t discriminate against foreigners with black hair… but it seems like they do…”
Deus purely attributed the reason to his black hair.
In this regard, although various hair colors are visible, black is so rare. Hence, other students find his hair peculiar. In the end, he once again misunderstood.
“Ugh… he’s, he’s too scary…!”
“Did you see his eyes? I feel like he could tear someone apart with just his gaze!”
“That’s the freshman? Our junior? Should we speak politely if we make eye contact?!”
Wide shoulders. Arms thicker than others’ thighs. Buttons on his shirt look like they might pop at any moment due to the tension. Beneath them, muscular arms that boast his presence.
Just his physique alone exudes a formidable aura. And it doesn’t stop there; even his expression is quite sharp. Especially his eyes. Just looking at them makes your legs tremble.
With him like this, anyone would be afraid to approach!
“I like his appearance… but… I want to talk to him… but he’s too scary…!”
“This is a hundred percent true. On the day our shoulders bump, bones will surely break.”
“Even a defense ace might be subdued with one hand?”
The surrounding students whisper while cautiously glancing over.
‘I should dye my hair or something. Black hair stands out too much. It’s not worth it.’
Deus was in the midst of cultivating misunderstandings upon misunderstandings.
—Clack.
“Huh?”
“Oh!”
“Eek?!”
Students who were watching this direction all let out astonished gasps.
Someone sat down with a tray. In front of Deus! In front of that intimidating man!
‘What’s this.’
Even Deus is surprised. He never imagined someone would sit in front of him.
He was momentarily flustered, but soon gratitude and joy overwhelmed him. There’s nothing as pitiful as eating alone. Who could it be? Who is this kind soul who offers companionship!
“Ah, hello.”
“You are.”
That ping-pong girl from earlier. The one who suggested going out for lunch.
He thought she was strange. Thought it wouldn’t fit. But now, facing her like this, those thoughts fade away.
“….”
She brought a tray, but she hasn’t touched her utensils once. Her hands are trembling as she stares downward. She mustered up the courage to approach, but she still looks embarrassed.
Watching her for a moment, Deus sighs.
“I’m fine. It’s okay, so you don’t have to do this.”
“Uh, uh huh?”
“You can eat alone. So if you don’t want to sit, you can go to another seat.”
Poor thing. That’s why she wanted to offer some comfort, right? But she seems uncomfortable with all the attention on her unusual hair. Her kindness is enough. Just coming over like this is already something to be thankful for.
Your kind heart will be remembered for a lifetime. Ping! Deus thinks to himself, and he resumes moving his utensils.
“…No.”
“Huh?”
“I-I don’t want to sit… with you. No.”
She said no? But then why is she trembling like that? After a moment of thought, Deus gives his response after various considerations.
“Just in case you’re wondering. I’m not a weirdo, you know? My hair color and physique might be different from yours, but I’m not a bad person…”
Wait, saying that, doesn’t that make me seem even weirder? Normal people don’t introduce themselves like this. This is embarrassing. Scratching his nose, Deus waves his hand dismissively.
“Anyway. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Uh, yeah… You too.”
—Clatter, clatter.
He focuses on eating for now. With a body like his, the energy expenditure is tremendous. If he doesn’t eat well, all his training will go to waste.
“Hey.”
The pink-haired girl sitting across cautiously speaks up. Unlike Deus’s half-empty plate, she barely touched her food.
“Um, your name. What is it?”
There’s food in her mouth. Speaking with food in your mouth is bad manners. So, Deus lightly taps his chest name tag with his left hand.
“Deus. That’s my name.”
—Nod.
“My name is Yurishia.”
“Yurishia.”
“Yeah. If it’s too long, you can just call me Yuri.”
What’s a good response when you’re given someone’s name? After a brief thought, Deus comes up with the easiest answer.
“Nice name.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah.”
Yurishia’s head sinks back down. Her ears and even her neck turn red. But Deus doesn’t notice as he focuses on his plate.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
He confirms that Yurishia’s meal on the opposite side of the table hasn’t decreased much. So when Deus asks, Yurishia suddenly raises her head.
“Huh?! Oh. I-I don’t eat much. Honestly, I’m not good at eating lunch.”
“Still, eat what you got. You need your daily nutrients, and it’s impolite to leave food when the cooks put effort into making it.”
If you leave your food, you’ll have to eat everything in hell! Never leave any, you punk!! Suddenly, faint memories of Grandma’s scolding come to mind.
“Oh! S-sorry! I’ll be careful!”
—Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
In an instant, Yurishia cleared her plate. It was quite a combat-like meal in itself.
“No. That’s too much.”
—Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
“Eat slowly. You’ll choke…”
—Gulp!
“I finished!”
“…Goodness.”
Was it two minutes? No, it didn’t even seem that long. What’s with this ping? No, it was Yurishia, right?
“Um, Yurishia.”
“Yeah?”
“Next time, it’s important not to leave any food and chew slowly. You might choke if you don’t.”
“Oh, yeah! I’ll do that! Thanks!”
Blushing but smiling shyly, the pink-haired girl. That was Deus’s first encounter with Yurishia.
Or so Deus once again misunderstood.
****
“Aaaaah!!”
I’m late! What should I do? Being late on the first day! How stupid! What if I get on the wrong carriage, thinking it’s mine?!
As soon as she got off, Yurishia sprinted at full speed towards the main gate. However, time was running short. Unless one was a telekinetic ability user, arriving on time was impossible.
“What do I do? What do I do?!”
Yurishia was an ordinary, somewhat timid girl. Even after awakening her abilities in the telekinesis category, that aspect of her didn’t change. Thinking of being late on the first day made her eyes well up with tears.
While she was running and sobbing…
“What’s this? Are you late too?”
Turning to her side, she saw a giant male student running beside her. His speed was definitely not slow, yet he looked so relaxed.
“Um, well!”
Trying to answer, her breathing changed. That change in breath caused her to stumble. The male student caught her just before she could fall.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yes.”
“No, you’re not. It looks like you twisted your ankle slightly.”
“Oh, this isn’t good. If I’m late…”
“With your speed, you’re already cutting it close.”
—Click.
The male student grabbed Yurishia’s hands and helped her up. Thanks to him, she could clearly see the face of the one who helped her.
“Don’t worry. You won’t be late. I’ll help you.”
Despite his somewhat fierce gaze, the pupils within were clearly those of a kind person. Despite his imposing stature, there was no sense of threat. Above all, his calm yet strangely warm voice was quite impressive.
“Ah…”
Just as her face turned pink like her hair.
“Let’s go.”
“Uh…”
Like carrying luggage, the male student slipped Yurishia onto his side. As he rolled his foot, the road began to blur.
—Swoosh!
“Whooaaa?!”
You’re, you’re too fast! What’s going on? Help! Please help! I can’t breathe! The wind is too strong! Whoooaaa!
“We’re here.”
“Whoooaa…”
After putting Yurishia back on the ground and patting her head, the male student, without even looking back, disappeared.
“…”
Yurishia, who was staring blankly at his back, sighed. She didn’t even get to say thank you. She missed the necessary greeting.
“Um, hey!”
She tried to follow him hastily, but he was already long gone. Fidgeting with her fingers, Yurishia bit her lip.
“Th-thank you. Really…”
Meanwhile…
“Contract fulfilled. Successful.”
He didn’t ignore the misfortune of a kind person. Thinking of that, Deus nodded satisfactorily.