Caged

The class' attention was fixed on Emil.

Emil's doubts were confirmed at this point.

Miss Olbrecht indeed didn't see him in a positive light.

She first mentioned his talents, which were close to nonexistent, and his origins, which were of commoner blood, despite not needing to.

Now she was defaming his parents, calling them incompetent for abandoning him and putting him on the spotlight.

Not to mention, nobody was yet aware that Emil used to be a servant.

Ricard, the Burton family's young master was in the same school, so it was a matter of time before everyone found out.

But he still could've went for a bit longer without the title of a servant slapped on his back.

Emil didn't know why she was doing this, but he didn't care.

Any favorable impression he built about her crumbled in an instant.

He wasn't most mad about being called out for his talents, origins, or even identity as a servant, but about her defaming his parents.

There were two things Emil hated the most in this world, monkeys, and people who spoke ill of his parents.

It was a full on war from here, with no turning back.

Emil stood up and cleared his throat, a resolute look on his face.

"Just like Miss Olbrecht mentioned, my parents were heroes who served in the war years ago and saved millions of people.

But there seems to be a misunderstanding here."

Emil spoke humbly and politely, radiating no ill will towards his classmates or teacher.

"Miss Olbrecht, while it is true that they rejected fame and power and chose a more simple lifestyle due to both their humble natures and for my sake, it is wrong to say they abandoned me.

For as long as I could remember, they raised me with love and care. They were the most wonderful parents a child could ask for and I can assure you, they would never, not in a lifetime do such thing as abandoning their own child."

Emil was usually a timid character. Living as a servant and being pushed around for years had its effects on him.

As such, he'd rather avoid trouble normally even if it meant looking like a pushover.

But right now he was fuming and said whatever was on his mind without any considerations towards who was who or what consequences his words would bring him.

If Miss Olbrecht insulted only him, he'd remain quiet to not get on her bad side.

She was a teacher with much authority and had an entire year to make life difficult for him.

But insulting his parents was crossing the line.

There were things even Emil, allegedly a pushover, wouldn't tolerate.

"They disappeared years ago just like you mentioned, but i can assure you they had their reasons for it.

Fame and honor attracts jealousy and jealousy can often ignite sparks of enmity.

My parents had many enemies who couldn't stand the sight of them. I'm sure whatever they did was to protect me, and that they're always watching over me no matter where they are.

The fact that I'm standing here is evidence of that."

Emil's face was honest and his tone certain, but his words were rather sharp.

He put special emphasis on the words jealousy, enmity, and others not standing the sight of his parents.

His words may have sounded simple and from the heart, but there were underlying meanings behind it. Everyone there could tell, including Miss Olbrecht.

Miss Olbrecht, who was more likely than not, not expecting a definitive reply as such, seemed stunned for a second before a grin like the one from earlier formed on her lips, this time longer and more evident.

Emil who was standing in his position confidently started sweating bullets under her gaze.

He didn't like her look, it didn't take long for him to realize.

It made him feel defenseless and see-through, like a rabbit being hunted by a lion, like prey to predator.

No, he wasn't even considered a prey. He felt like a child in front of her, which by all means he was.

A fox like her, whatever her response was, was sure to mop the floor with his face.

"If that's how you feel then I'm sure it's definitely the case.

Wherever they are, they can rest assured they left their child in good hands."

To Emil's surprise, Miss Olbrecht didn't retort and even took a step back in response.

Whatever her reason was, Emil was off the hook.

Maybe she found it beneath her to argue with a child.

"Likewise we will be expecting great things from you in the future, as the offspring of two great characters, and as a student of the Royal Academy."

Or maybe she had more plans for him later.

Emil wasn't quite off the hook yet after all, receiving yet another uncomfortable glance from Miss Olbrecht, this time for just a split second.

"Thank you for lending us your insight, you can sit down now."

Emil sat his butt down like an obedient puppy as he gulped and wiped the sweat off of his face, not daring to utter another sound again.

A difficult year was ahead of him.

he wasn't in a class anymore, he was in a cage with a lion.

It was in his best interest to pay extra attention to this subject and make sure to never fail a test.

If his teacher wanted to make things difficult for him, then she could by all means, but it was best not to give her an excuse.

The bell sounded out not long after, signalling the end of the class.

...

Two periods later, Emil's Alchemy and Runes classes were finished and he was having lunch in the cafeteria by himself.

The food here was great to say the least, better than what he was fed in the mansion.

A dish made out of Magical Beast meat, full of protein and calories. Magic took a heavy toll on the body, especially for Knights, making them burn high amounts of calories.

Magicians could replenish their energy with normal food, but Magical Beast food was superior in every term and beneficial to the students' health, as such the academy provided it to them.

The meat may have been from low level Magical Beasts but it was still unobtainable to a previously servant like Emil with his meager salary.

As such, he was more than satisfied when it came to his school's culinary department.

Enough to distract him from the condescending looks of other students, or the fact that he was the only one eating alone.

Many students had already formed Factions and few were yet to join one.

Factions were a crucial part of the school system and the sooner you joined one the better.

However, Emil didn't need to look for one since he was sure nobody would be willing to take him in.

He was an Elemental Saint, by no means lacking in talents even with his crappy quality mana pathways and weak vessel.

But to others, he was the academy's number one trash in history. He was bound to be ostracized and would probably never get to join a Faction.

That is until he proved himself by getting stronger and showing others he was on their level.

Emil, with that thought in mind, walked out of the cafeteria and headed for the library.

It was at this point he heard a voice behind him.

"How's the Academy's number one trash doing?"