“Things are developing differently than I expected.”
I walked towards the cafeteria, pondering the changes in the academy.
“The curriculum was supposed to change after the first year.”
In the game, the second year was much busier than the first, both in terms of the villains faced and the course activities.
“But the situation is different now.”
Many factors could have influenced the game's plot, leading to these changes. Small events often trigger larger ones, a phenomenon known as the butterfly effect, but not every small thing brings about significant change.
“If I had to mention a key factor, it would be Sylvie's awakening.”
To trigger such a big change, some catalyst is needed, and in my opinion, besides myself, the only thing I can think of is Sylvie's awakening.
“And Sylvie's awakening is the most reasonable trigger.”
In this world, some powers far exceed people's imagination. Dragons, mythical creatures, otherworldly beings, entities close to godhood, perhaps even gods themselves.
And the power Sylvie possesses is one of them.
“The authority of the First Lord.”
When this power awakened, other beings or the [Exalted] must have sensed the energy spreading from the academy. The world began to change, with the number of monsters increasing as each dimensional rift appeared.
The world is gradually descending into chaos, and changes in chaos tend to be more frequent. Powerful forces lurking in this world have long been plotting in the shadows to make themselves the strongest.
“Sylvie's awakening merely provided them with a reason to act.”
The academy might want to nurture students before the situation spirals out of control. Considering the headmaster's power and status, he seems to have foreseen these changes to some extent.
“But this also makes things more dangerous.”
The academy will want to control Sylvie's power and protect her from threats, but they also know that her growth is crucial. They can't lock her up in the academy while she grows.
“They are more likely to integrate her into the student body, hide her identity, and let her grow in the natural chaos.”
This is easy to understand, and it's what happened in the game.
“But if there's one thing that worries me, it's her premature awakening.”
As Sylvie awakens her dormant talent, she will be assigned to the academy's rising star.
Ethan Hartley.
Back then, as players, we had entered the top ten and were striving to become the strongest.
“But that's not the case now.”
The current Ethan isn't strong enough, and his ranking is low. I doubt the headmaster would arrange for Sylvie to be with Ethan.
This actually means that Sylvie's dynamics and the relationships around her have deviated from the game's trajectory, which foreshadows that things may change.
“I need to be prepared.”
If Sylvie is kidnapped by external forces, the situation will become even more complicated. Even the Federation is hard to trust, and if she is controlled by demons…
“Then it's game over.”
My thoughts continued to drift through the various changes that might occur in the future.
As I approached the cafeteria, the students' clamor gradually replaced the silence of my contemplation.
The cafeteria doors opened, and a burst of noise rushed towards me.
The clatter of trays, laughter, and lively discussions intertwined, echoing the vitality of academy life.
“Everything is as usual.”
Joining the queue, my eyes scanned the figures of the cafeteria staff.
The cafeteria staff worked busily behind the counters, ensuring that every student could eat smoothly.
In the crowd, I noticed that the woman I often saw in the cafeteria was missing.
Her disappearance reminded me of her figure. Someone who tried to hide the scars on her body, concealing the past.
‘I guess I won't see her again.’
This world is truly cruel. For the weak, no one cares about their future fate.
I found an empty seat and sat down. The low hum of the cafeteria gradually faded into the background, and my attention turned to the food in front of me.
Just then, my senses picked up some subtle movements behind me.
‘Hmm?’
Someone was using mana.
Thud!
With the sound of a foot kicking something, a student accidentally tripped behind me, and the food on the plate flew towards me.
‘Should I cooperate?’
Since I had foreseen what was about to happen, I had time to avoid it, but I didn't. I needed to confirm something.
Splash!
Food splattered on me, and sticky residue landed on my hair and clothes.
The student who had tripped came over, with a look of surprise and guilt on his face. “I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... Someone used magic, and I fell.” He stammered, with sincere remorse in his eyes.
‘He's not one of them.’
I didn't see any signs of lying in his expression. Usually, people have some small signs of nervousness when they lie, but he didn't show that.
‘He's from the Magical Engineering Department.’
I recognized the badge on his uniform. This department is not highly regarded in the academy and is often looked down upon by the Hunter Department. It wouldn't make sense for him to draw unnecessary attention to himself.
I didn't show hostility and nodded. “It's okay, accidents happen.” I replied calmly.
“Th... Thank you.” He stammered and immediately turned to leave, as if he too had noticed the gazes around him.
“Heh… For an orphan, you have a knack for attracting trouble.”
The group who caused the scene, with an air of arrogance, continued to enjoy it among his companions. “Look at this guy, he actually uses this method to fit in, how pathetic.” He sneered, with malice flashing in his eyes, as if enjoying the moment.
“Yeah, it must be hard for him, after all, he's an orphan.” Another person interjected with a cold laugh, a contemptuous smile on his lips.
“Right, I heard he's willing to do anything to get attention.” The last person added sarcastically.
I didn't speak, just continued to stare at them, observing their behavior.
‘Are they being instructed, or is it from the heart?’
Things might not be as they seem on the surface. These people might just be targeting me for fun, and if that's the case, it's easy to deal with. I can choose to ignore them directly, or respond like they do.
But if there's someone else behind it, it's different.
If I choose to ignore them, they might try to deal with me in another way, trying various means. And if I fight back, they will use other means to put me in a disadvantageous position.
“Someone like him would probably sell himself for a living.” The leader sneered, his eyes filled with malice, his smile growing more smug, as if anticipating my next reaction.
Although he said sharp words, I could see some unnaturalness in his behavior. His gaze wasn't completely focused on me, his hands were slightly clenched, and the corners of his eyes flickered slightly.
‘Found you.’
Just then, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that his gaze shifted elsewhere.
I followed his gaze and saw the person I expected.
‘Trevor Phillips.’
He was sitting in the corner observing, while eating with his friends.
My eyesight is sharp, and I can capture details even from the corner of my eye. And I also saw him nod to the bully.
‘That confirms it.’
The reason I cooperated with these bullies was to confirm whether the mastermind behind these rumors was really Trevor Phillips. It's not wise to act on mere speculation, I need to confirm it's him.
“Tch, just looking at this guy is annoying.”
When the bullies seemed to lose interest in trying to provoke me, the leader suddenly stood up, giving his companions a signal that others could hardly observe, and they followed.
I remained sitting calmly, pretending not to care, not showing any emotion even when the leader passed by me.
‘Now’s the time.’
In that instant, I felt a wave of malice in the air. My intuition told me that some kind of danger was coming.
Thud!
“Ah…”
Just as he was about to pass me, the leader acted quickly, using something hidden to stab at my shoulder. His movements seemed casual, like an accident. However, I had anticipated it.
I quickly sidestepped, barely dodging the stab. The thin needle brushed past my arm, and I saw tiny traces on the tip of the needle.
‘Poison?’
If I hadn't dodged, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
“You… you almost tripped me, you bastard.”
However, the bullies didn't give up, but decided to change their approach. The leader turned around, pretending to be angry, and shouted loudly.
“Watch your feet, idiot! I almost fell because of you!”
He walked towards me, aggressive, and continued to accuse me for no reason. “You dare put your dirty feet in my way? What? Are you trying to get back at me?”
I remained calm, responding to his feigned anger with a blank expression. “I didn't put my feet in your way, you fell on your own.” At the same time, I felt someone approaching.
“Did anyone see what this trash just did?” The leader shouted to the bystanders, his tone filled with feigned anger.
The bystanders exchanged uneasy glances, seemingly drawn into the potential conflict. Just then, the rumors about me began to work.
“He does look a bit suspicious,” one person whispered to another, their tone filled with uncertainty.
“Yeah, I heard he's the one being talked about in the academy recently, right?”
The bullies seized these whispers, using them as evidence for their accusations. “See, even they think there's something wrong with you,” the leader sneered, a triumphant light flashing in his eyes.
‘That trick really works.’
This undoubtedly proves how powerful public opinion is in misleading people.
‘Sigh…’
Things are becoming annoying, not because I'm powerless, but because it's like a scene from a movie.
Just then, a majestic voice rang out in the noisy cafeteria.
“Enough!”
