The first day in Vermillion Class really suffocating, the tension is high, well it's somewhat understandable when here in this elite class who "supposed" belong to noble but for whatever reason there commoner here.
Man, the discrimination in this academy is really obvious.
I sat in the back, near the windows where i can see the academy park area where it's still quiet now, but if i remember correctly that area is always full during break time.
Sitting at the back and near the window somehow reminds me of the cliche scene in anime where the protagonist always sits here, oh it's not like I sit here because I consider myself the "protagonist" in this world though, it's just so I can keep an eye on the movements of the students in this class.
Yeah right, I kinda lied here, I always want to try to sit in this area since back in my world I always sit in the front, but whatever.
Oh speaking of protagonist, Lyria sat not so far from me, she choose the backseat too just like in the game, i always wonder why though, probably so that she won't be bullied during class time?
But honestly her existence itself already drawing so much attention, i mean, commoner in elite class? Yeah there no way you won't draw any attention.
I can see so much stare directly to Lyria, and not so quite insults directed at Lyria.
"You must be joking"
"How is someone like her even here?"
"This is an insult to all of us"
The class might be filled with so called prodigies, but nobles would be always nobles, too obsessed with looking down on others, especially commoners.
Lyria? She remained silent, refusing to respond.
I knew she was used to this kind of treatment, well in the game she was constantly looked down by the nobles and yet she endured it with unwavering determination.
Honestly i like that side of her, enduring all trials with the pure intention of learning and helping his family's economy, ahh a fitting setting for a hero I guess.
She don't know about it yet though.
But what surprised me more is, she, Lyria keep looking at me, as if she waiting for me to say something.
Well it's understandable since in the original scenario Tristan he was the first one who maker her life miserable, and yet her i am, doing nothing.
Wait, did she already heard a rumour about original Tristan?
Now i think about it, one of her companion is right now working as her personal maid, and i know very well about her hate for Althrone family, if i remember correctly his father supposed to work in Althrone family as gardener but he was killed, don't remember by who though.
"What?"
Not responding my word, Lyria averted her eyes as if she didn't care.
Someone stood bedside Lyria, he was Cedric Esenhart, he was supposed one of Tristan friend, or lackey? Don't really remember honestly.
He is the second son of the Esenhart family, a marquis family. if I'm not wrong, he was a boy with golden-blond hair, his piercing blue eyes filled with his disdain.
"You got some nerve commoner. Sitting here as if you actually belong here"
Ah here we come, another cliche words.
Lyria barely acknowledged him, merely glancing up before returning to arranging her books.
Cedric's sneer deepened. He wasn't used to being ignored.
"Did you really think a stroke of luck would make you our equal? It's pathetic, really. I don't know whether to laugh or pity you."
Lyria finally shut her book and met his gaze, her expression calm yet sharp.
"Funny. I don't know whether to laugh at how desperate you are for validation or pity you for thinking that belittling others makes you important."
A few murmurs spread through the class. Some students smirked, entertained by the exchange. Cedric's jaw tightened, his expression darkening with barely restrained fury.
"You—"
He began, voice laced with venom.
"That's enough. Take your seats"
A firm voice interrupted.
The professor had arrived, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Cedric stiffened, swallowing his anger. With one last glare at Lyria, he turned away and returned to his seat.
Lyria, meanwhile, simply smiled, calm, composed, and utterly unaffected.
I barely manage to hold my laugh honestly, i planning to interfere if thing go south but luckily the professor just come in the right time.
A tall man in a deep crimson robe stepped inside. Professor Alden Greaves, the main instructor of this class.
"Welcome to Vermillion Class,"
He said, skipping all pleasantries.
"You are not here because of your family name. You are here because the academy considers you the best. But don't misunderstand."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Just because you made it into this class does not mean you will stay here."
Some students stiffened.
"Vermillion Academy has no place for the weak," he continued.
"f you fail to meet our standards, you will be demoted to a regular class. And if you continue to fail… you will be expelled from the academy."
I smirked. I already knew this rule from the game, but hearing it directly carried a different weight.
"We will begin with a small test."
Instantly, everyone's attention sharpened.
"This is not a written exam. It is a dueling test."
Now the atmosphere truly changed.
Some students looked eager, while others were more cautious. But one thing was certain, no one objected. Combat was the ultimate way to establish hierarchy in this class.
Professor Alden's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"We will randomly select pairs. You must demonstrate your combat abilities and spellcasting skills. Remember, this is not a fight to the death… but I won't stop you if you wish to injure each other."
I could see some students exchanging glances. Some had already picked out targets they wanted to crush.
"Alright, let's begin."
Alden raised his staff, and a parchment flew into the air. Names began appearing in pairs.
I glanced at the board.
Tristan Althrone vs. Lyria.
Huh? It's not like in the original scenario, in the original scenario she was supposed to fight Cedric.
Did the scenario just ajust itself because my action? Or there something else?
I turned to look at her, and Lyria was already staring at me.
For a brief moment, I saw her hands clench into fists.
She probably thought this match was part scripted. She believed I was about to humiliate her, just like in the game.
Should i lose on purpose?
I stood up casually, making my way to the arena.
"Well then, let's start the show."
Lyria followed, her face filled with determination.
Around us, whispers started spreading.
"This is obvious… Lyria is going to lose."
"Of course, Tristan isn't someone who can be beaten easily."
Cedric grinned.
"Crush her, Althrone. Prove that she doesn't belong here."
I glanced at him.
"Oh? Since when did you start giving me orders?"
Alaric flinched, and a few students chuckled under their breath.
I turned my focus back to Lyria.
"I won't hold back,"
She said quietly.
I smirked.
"Good. Because I want to see how long you can last."
The duel began.
Lyria moved first, raising her hand and launching a burst of light magic toward me.
I dodged effortlessly, my movements swift as a shadow.
"Too slow."
I retaliate with fire magic, but Lyria raised a barrier just in time. Even though she was weaker than me, she had something most nobles lacked, combat experience.
Not surprising. In the game, she was a protagonist who steadily grew stronger.
We exchanged attacks, but I deliberately held back. I wanted to see how much she could improve, and find the right time to lose on purpose, if possible.
Then, as I stepped back to create distance, I noticed something, weird?
Her eyes.
Lyria was looking at me with anger.
This was different from the game.
No, like seriously, why? I haven't even doing anything to her in the first place and we barely do any conversation, heck pretty sure we talk only few times, 5 times or so maybe?
In the game, she only saw Tristan as an obstacle to overcome. But now, there was something else in her gaze.
Curiosity, doubt, even confusion.
As if she was starting to wonder, why wasn't I acting like the Tristan she knew?
No wait a minute, is it possible she just like me? Someone from another world who for whatever reason come to this world?
I lost my focus when i wondering if Lyria was reincarnated or transmigated to this world just like me when suddenly light beam launches toward me and throws me out of the arena.
"Enough,"
Professor Alden declared, stopping the duel.
"The winner is Lyria."
I lose.
But I didn't care about that.
What truly now was the possibility of Lyria just like me, if she is just right me then probably we can work together to stop demon invasion.