"You, okay?"
"A little bit better than before."
It's been bothering me for quite a while. As of lately, other students are approaching me with malicious intentions—their demeanor and how they're giving me the mock look says it all. Whenever they got close to me, I just give them a threatening gaze which works all the time. However, I wouldn't say the same with Lars or Erik when I'm not with them. They're giving off an impression of arrogance, but I've seen worst. They're all looking down on us because of our unfortunate situation. Whether they're nobles or commoners, they're all the same.
"So, what's with before? You got into a fight with them before?" I asked.
"Hm... What? What did you say...?"
"About earlier."
"Oh, that?"
"We met them during our training. And then they, approached me first... because they thought I'm a girl... And they tried to recruit me... in their faction."
"Hm...?" It took me a while to process what Erik said, but when it did... "Seriously?! Bahahaha!" I laughed my ass off.
"It's not funny. They approached me with not appropriate intentions... The fact that they didn't bother looking whether I'm wearing pants or a skirt. I don't even think my face is that good... It's probably my long hair."
"Bahahaha! That's the best part! I can't! My stomach!" I'm clenching my stomach.
Behind my laugh, I'm deeply sympathizing with Erik because I'm also a victim of it. I've been through a lot with the early days of my appearance. During those days, whether it was a man or a woman, they had no idea that I was a male, so it deeply hurt my pride which translated into a determination for myself. But despite all of that, I can't help myself to laugh because, despite Erik's handsome face, no person will mistake him for a female. Yes, he has long, silky hair that's prettier than most women, but...
"They must felt humiliated when you told them the truth! Baha haha!"
"They sure do... They even used that excuse to attack me. But I sure did beat the shit out of them! They even had the audacity to blame it to me earlier!" Erik laughed like a maniac.
His maniacal laughter resembles Arya's laughs. I already know that Erik was the most competent fighter among our classmates because of Instructor Sienna's high praise for him. But to defeat them was clearly impressive.
"Impressive." I applauded him.
"You know what's interesting? A loophole for us, everyone views us as incompetent students, so naturally, even if I beat that person into a pulp. No one will believe their accusation because of the title that's bestowed on our class. Furthermore, their pride wouldn't able to accept the reality of mere incompetent students has beaten them, so they won't tell a single soul because that's humiliating." Erik said.
"Well, I already knew about that. That's nothing new."
"Isn't it cool? I thought of that a few days ago."
Erik's speaking from how the students view us, unlike the educators who really know the purpose of Class F, and his second point about pride was a valid point. It would surely be disgracing when you're on the top class, fairly below that's considered the elites. And one day, a person from the lowest of low beat you up. I will feel the same too. The problem is, it wouldn't be good in the long run.
"Did they use their spirits?"
Earlier, Erik's opponent was hesitating on calling out his spirit and attempted to solely defeat Erik with his bare hands which gave Erik the upper hand in the fight. I don't know whether it's his pride or what, but it's stupid. Is he just deliberately handicapping himself because he's confident enough that he can defeat Erik without any use of it?
Erik's smile twitched. "Uh... Yeah. I took them out before they could even use them. You know, surprise element? Lesson number one by Instructor Sienna. I tell ya' it works—Uagh... I hate this feeling. My entire body feels weak."
"I won't do it next time. I promise."
"Thanks. I'll go to the bathroom then." He grunted.
"Okay, sorry again." After saying my sorry, I prepare my uniform before heading out again.
Lars below me was sleeping soundly despite the ruckus from earlier. The mana in Lars's body was relatively weak than any average person; however, that's gradually changing as days pass. Seeing him, I remember the time that Rosalyn invaded my room. I'm getting a feeling that she'll appear later... in here.
Now, I'm standing in the dormitory halls where a few students are walking past me. I walk to my left and straight until I reach the staircase. Upon reaching the ground level, I saw the three guys from earlier on the side, and as for the guy that got knocked out on the guy's shoulder the one whom I stopped from entering the fight.
"Yikes, unfortunate timing to meet them here."
When my eyes are fixated on them, one of them glances in my direction and our eyes met. He poke the shoulder of his friend, so the other two also met my eyes. I smiled at them condescendingly, provoking them here. I point my finger upward and made a circular motion, and lastly, I point my two fingers to my eyes. 'We're inside of the dormitory and many eyes are watching, so don't do something funny.' The message that I'm trying to send to them.
They easily got the message and rolls their eye the other way. I'm certain they're not here for me, but for Erik surely. Earlier, they're not even seeing me as a threat in their eyes. But now, it's different, as they became wary of my existence.
The hot-headed guy attempted to aggressively turn around but got stopped by the two. In response to his attempt of scaring me, I smiled and wave my hand to them. I provoked them not solely because of Erik, but because sooner or later, they would surely target me and it is fun to do. I love beating arrogant and stubborn people. Furthermore, it's not needed when my rumors eventually reach their ears.
But afterward, I remembered what Erik, I almost burst laughing but I managed to hold it back.
Once I'm outside of the dormitory, another group of fellows awaits me as they already lock their gazes on my face upon leaving the building. When I caught their gazes into me, I became frustrated but kept my composure. They're not normal people, as they're all noble-looking people from their uniforms; however, the problem is, I don't recognize a single person from them. They all rush into me.
"Are you Claude Weiss?" The person who seem to be leading the group spoke.
"Yeah? How can I help you?"
"Do you have a minute? We want to discuss a serious matter that will surely interest you."
Suddenly, when someone overheard that, naturally, it caused a commotion among the surroundings. In the middle of that, I'm racking my brain trying to recognize these people in front of me or figuring out their identity. So, I looked around to see the reaction of the surrounding. By their reactions, it's mixed. But there's one thing to point out, the badges on the left side of their chest, the badge that represents their faction; however, I have no idea where they came from. I ponder for a while before answering.
However, as I was about to answer, I saw Stephanie waiting for me in the shade of the tree. "Uh, sorry... Moreover, don't you guys already know that I already joined the Draconian princess faction? If so, that's my answer. Sorry, I'm busy." I presumed that they were here to recruit me because of Prince Lykos. His friendly approach towards me probably tickled their curiosity of those leaders in the other leading factions.
I run past them. I was expecting them to stop me, but once I glance back, I saw them frozen in place along with the other students who are watching my back as I approach Stephanie. Ignoring the gazes, I lock my gaze on Stephanie who was watching me.
'Why is she here?' I thought upon catching sight of her.
"Why are you here?"
"Didn't Adelle mention to you that we'll be entering a dungeon this weekend?"
"Ohhh! She's serious about that?"
"Huh?"
"I thought she's just making an excuse. I didn't expect it to be real. So where are we going?"
"The town obviously."
"Ah, I see. Shall we?" I asked for her hand.
"I thought you were leaving me hanging because I had been waiting here for a while... But you simply just didn't know... I was about to scold you how that's ungentlemanly of you." Stephanie scoffed, holding my hand.
"Really? I didn't mean to. Plus, I run into some trouble earlier."
"You're already troubling others?" Stephanie said in a worried manner.
"What? No. It was between Erik and them, I'm just watching on the sideline. I'm completely innocent, okay?"
"Mmm..." Stephanie squints her in suspicion. "Okay. I believe you. So where are your two friends?"
"They back in the dorm room, resting."
"Then what's with the group of people who talked to you earlier? Aren't they from the Dyiotika Faction? Why are they talking to you?" Stephanie looked at the group of people over my shoulder.
"I don't know. I rejected them outright." 'I'm not even sure why they approached me in the first place...'
"I bet, you didn't attempt to at least hear them first?"
"Nope. After I saw you, I went straight to you."
Stephanie gave me a long sigh. "That's so like of you. But that's disrespectful, okay? What if you offended them? You're always asking for problems, Claude. This is why most people who interacted with you in the guild hated you to the core."
"How? I sincerely apologize to them since I'm busy."
"You don't get it. They're trying to interact with you to get you to know better."
"Y-Yeah..." 'Most of them all had bad intent, though... They wanted to party with me because of Adelle. It was Adelle who warned me about them, so I don't see the problem. Then some decent one just ignores me the day after that, so I don't see where that's my problem.'
"You left them hanging and they're looking at us now. So, what are you doing to do?"
I bit my lower lip. "I won't ever go back. What's done has been done. It would be awkward between me and them, don't you think so?"
"They're one of the major factions, Claude. No matter how minor it is, it's needed to be solved. Do you want to start a war against them, this early?"
"Arya would love that."
"And you're tolerating her behavior? Unbelievable, Claude."
"No." Whenever Stephanie speaks to me in a calm manner, for some reason, I become an obedient person. "Haa... But first, do you know the people on there?"
"Hmm... I don't recognize anyone from them."
"Tch, let's go. I'll go talk to them even if it's against my will."
"Stop yapping nonsense and just do it. Hear them first and apologize for leaving rudely earlier, and then you can reject them. If that's their intention, but knowing you, I know that you didn't even know why they approached you in the first place."
"Ack!'
When we turn our heads in the direction of the group, they're already gone. What greeted us what the eyes of other male students from earlier, they were looking at Lily and me in bewilderment. They quickly avoid our gaze and proceeded to walk normally, but they kept glancing from time to time.
"And... They're gone... Looks like they made my life easier." I said as a relief.
Stephanie heaves a sigh. "You're hopeless."
"Wait a minute!"
Then at the distance, I saw Erik running toward us. "Erik?"