Chapter 27: Mylan Steak House [2]
It might have seemed like the customer was picking on an innocent waiter for no reason.
But I had no choice.
I know very well what it means that the protagonist is looking at the waiter here.
Money.
It's definitely because of the money.
A full scholarship that the protagonist received as the second-highest-ranking student in his class. It's one semester long.
This may seem excessive at first glance, considering that other academies guarantee at least one year of scholarships to top students.
At Leferia Academy, which pursues development through endless competition, a scholarship of more than one year was nothing more than a bad practice that could only breed lazy pigs.
That is why, in order to receive a scholarship from Leferia Academy, one had to win the competition that continued every semester.
But the main character works part-time as a waiter here?
It means that he needs money urgently.
And that means his first-semester grades are ruined.
'Does it make sense that he skipped the first semester?'
The first semester of the first year is Chapter 1 of this game.
No matter how difficult the game is, one card is one card.
It is only in the second chapter of the second semester that the protagonist's talents begin to truly reach their limits.
So, even if you are just an average user, it is difficult to get the full scholarship, but you can still get at least half of the scholarship by maintaining a score within the top 10.
Even with this much, it is possible to barely focus on your studies with the minimum amount of support sent from your family and the money you can earn through quests in Chapter 1.
But this main character is working part-time.
That means he didn't even get a half-scholarship.
It means he is taking a worse path than the average user.
This is…
'There is no answer.'
Either way, Kamian looked bewildered.
"Sir, do you know me?"
I know.
I know very well.
But of course, I couldn't answer like that.
While I was pondering for a moment, not knowing how to respond, I heard whispering around me.
"Isn't that guy Max Seltrin?"
"Huh? That's right, that human."
"Why did that loser come to a place like this instead of going to a bar to have a drink?"
"Shh, lower your voice. He can hear you."
"Listen if he want to. What is he going to do, make a mess here?"
All I heard was gossip, like some rumor about my reputation.
As expected, that guy Max is really annoying, really annoying.
I let out a bitter laugh inside, but I felt Kamian's expression change.
It seemed like he finally realized who I was after hearing what people had to say.
"You are...."
An expression far from friendly.
No, it was closer to contempt.
That would be expected.
Judging from the protagonist's personality and values, Max is the very definition of trash.
It means they are like water and oil that can never mix.
But, you know.
I feel the same way.
It's not just because the main character has that kind of expression.
It's because the main character is ridiculously ruining the game from the first chapter.
Again, the only person with even a 0.0001% chance of clearing this game is the protagonist.
But the main character has been playing the game from the first chapter without any answer.
Just thinking about how to handle this situation gave me a headache.
"Sorry. I got the wrong person."
I calmed down and suppressed my emotions.
I had a lot to say, but at least not here.
In a place where so many people's eyes are on me.
"… … ."
Kamian stared at me silently for a moment, his face thoughtful.
Meanwhile, the gossip around us did not stop.
That was when.
"Oh, really."
Hiresia muttered in an annoyed voice.
She jumped up from her seat.
"I'm sorry for making a little noise with you guys. It's nothing serious, so could you please just calm down and be quiet? You're not the only ones here to eat, are you?"
She shot out a word to those who were gossiping without hesitation.
It seems that she was annoyed by being interrupted by people right before the moment when she could enjoy the steak she had been looking forward to so much.
As the provider of the cause, I felt a pang in a corner for no reason.
But you know what?
… The commotion got even bigger because of my senior.
Just like my worries, a man with a temper got up in a fit of rage.
"No, did you pay the rent here? Why are you telling me to do this and that when you didn't pay the rent?"
A man shouted loudly.
… Ah, what is this?
The place where each person was holding and preparing became a mess from the beginning.
I tried to step forward and take responsibility for the situation.
But.
"Calm down. A little."
Huh.
My steps stopped reflexively.
I felt a creepy aura that sent shivers down my spine.
'This is… … .'
I realized.
That Hiresia truly raised and radiated energy.
She looked serious as if she was facing a life-or-death battle.
It was a joke that she did that just for the sake of a steak, but her energy was anything but a joke.
As expected from a high elf, a fraudulent race, she is openly and incredibly strong.
If I can feel this creepy pressure from behind, what would it be like for a person who is directly affected by that energy?
"Huh, huh?!"
A man whose face suddenly turned pale and frozen.
I felt like I was shrunken like a mouse in front of a cat.
Not only the man, but the crowd that had been chattering became as quiet as a library.
Everyone was crushed by the energy.
Breaking the silence, she opened her mouth again.
"Let's be quiet. Okay?"
"Well, let's do that."
The man who had been angry returned to his seat quietly as if nothing had happened and became a living stone.
I didn't even dare to look at him and just lowered my head to the table.
-Hmm.
-Huh, hmm.
Only then did the others awkwardly look away and keep their mouths shut.
The atmosphere calmed down in an instant.
I gave her a mental applause.
Something tells me she's become a lot more aggressive than the one I knew in the beginning of the game, but let's not worry about it for now.
Even a dog will bite if you touch it while it's eating.
Anyway, now all that was left was Kamian.
As expected of the main character, his face hardened as if he had sensed that the aura just now was ominous.
As I glanced at him, Hiresia spoke to me.
"Am I mistaken?"
"Yes, that's a mistake."
"I see? Then, may I ask you to order?"
She nodded at Kamian.
Kamian, who had been frozen, answered.
"Please speak, sir."
It is no easy task to control my expression and respond as casually as possible.
… But why are you working here part-time while ruining your grades, you idiot!
"Here, steak tartare for two, please. Oh, and the wine, Mariposa. Just one glass."
I'm abstinent from alcohol because of my health, but I have to give her the luxury of having wine with her steak.
"Your order has been received. We will prepare it right away."
Kamian confirmed the order, gave a polite greeting, and walked away.