26 - Hard to Wash

The professor made his way down the aisle, collecting the forms and handing out the report cards one by one.

The air in the room was thick with anticipation, but the moment Devin received his...

"Ugh..."

He groaned

He then turned to his right, where Raye was sitting, frustration was evident in his face.

"What are your scores?"

Devin asked.

Raye looked at him with a frown, then, after that...

"Here."

He handed him his card.

"That frown screams low scores. Don't worry, buddy, you're not alone."

Devin said as he patted Raye on the shoulder.

He took his report card, and looking at his grades...

=====

Magic Theory: A

Alchemy: A

Magic Understanding: B+

Combat: A-

Runes and Ancient Symbols: B-

-----

Ranking: 113/3000

=====

"..."

Devin became silent.

He looked at Raye.

"What the fuck?"

Then he cursed.

"They said you were stupid!"

He even added.

"So much for not basing on rumors, huh,"

Raye replied sarcastically.

"Wait, why were you acting unsatisfied earlier?"

Devin asked.

"Unsatisfied? I was frowning because you were so loud."

And Raye answered with a shrug.

And feeling defeated...

"Gugh... My bad."

Devin just grumbled.

*****

(Raye's POV)

'A few more...'

I thought as I looked at my grades.

If I had gotten into the top 100, I could've ended up in A-Class. That's a shame.

'Or maybe a good thing... Some important characters are still in that class. If I did get there, I'd be risking messing up the game's progression every day.'

Meanwhile, B-Class didn't actually appear in the game, they're just there to fill up the class rankings.

'Even the C-Class and D-Class got more of a role than B-Class.'

In short, this was the best place for me to be if I wanted to avoid messing with the game's storyline.

'Let's just be happy that I wouldn't get demoted.'

Anyway, after the report cards were handed out...

"Now, line up outside of the room."

Our professor exclaimed that.

And we all followed his instructions.

...

Soon, we found ourselves standing in one of the outdoor training grounds behind Xapham Hall.

B-Class gathered among the other classes, A-Class and C-Class.

"What do you think will happen?"

Devin asked, looking at me.

"A joint training session."

I simply replied.

"Ehh, we're gonna fight again?"

Devin followed up.

"Idiot, fighting is not everything in training. But if you want to, ask any of them for a duel."

I responded.

Thankfully, before Devin could blab any more...

"Attention."

The professors of A-Class, B-Class, and C-Class came to the front and demanded our attention.

"..."

Everyone went silent.

And after making sure we were all listening...

"We're going to have a joint training session now."

Professor Sariel announced that. He's in charge of A-Class.

*****

"Nothing's going on, everyone's doing their own thing. It's like we're just sharing the place."

Devin said after looking around and seeing that the classes were grouping on their own.

"Don't worry, duels are bound to happen when you pile up classes like this."

I replied to him.

"What do you mean?"

He asked.

Then, with a shrug...

"Some students from the lower classes hate the A-Class. They don't like how well they're treated despite being both students of the academy."

I answered.

"That's just stupid. They worked hard to get into the A-Class."

Devin rebutted.

Then, looking at him and pointing at myself...

"Some didn't."

I said that.

"..."

Realization struck Devin.

Even if the academy says that your family background doesn't matter here, that's far from the truth. Some undeserving people get into higher classes using their family name.

'Like Raye, for example.'

C-Class and D-Class consist of low-rank nobles and commoners. They have nothing but hard work.

So, seeing those noble scum get into A-Class pisses them off.

"Then, don't you think you'll get asked for a duel too?"

Devin asked me.

And with a carefree expression on my face...

"Nah."

I responded.

"I'm not in A-Class anymore."

I added.

And just as I said that...

"Yeah, you're not anymore."

I heard someone talk behind me.

I looked at the source of it, and Devin followed suit.

There, I saw three stupid-looking young men. I could tell they were nobles just based on their showy appearance.

Anyway...

"You really fell low, huh? Conversing with a commoner and all, along with getting demoted into the lower class."

The young man in the middle said. He has black hair and eyes. He looks annoying too.

'He's the leader, huh.'

I already know why they're here. They must've been really quiet and obedient to Raye when he was still part of the Alvah Dukedom.

But now that I've been disowned, they want to assert dominance.

'I'll just ignore them. I'm not obligated to respond to them.'

I thought.

"Get lost, Erick."

Though, Devin spoke up.

'Oh, he knows them.'

That's a surprise.

"Ohh, if it isn't Devin. I thought Raye was talking to a commoner, turns out it was you."

The young man in the middle, who I presume was the one called Erick, said sarcastically.

"Ah wait! Aren't you basically a commoner after your dad killed himself and your vassals stole all your family's assets?"

Then he immediately added.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

His two lackeys laughed with him, they looked like hyenas.

"..."

I was stunned. I didn't expect to learn Devin's past like this.

And it angered me how he and his lackeys could make fun of something like that.

"You bastard!"

Devin exclaimed, catching the attention of many around us, even the professors.

"Your family is the one who pushed my father to death! And you all orchestrated the stealing of our wealth too!"

He added. I could see him really angry. I wouldn't be surprised if he threw a punch now.

"Go cry about it."

The Erick guy replied, his tone and what he said pissed me off. No, everything about him annoyed me.

'I need to calm down.'

But unnecessary fights should be avoided.

"Calm down, Devin."

I stepped up to break off the fight between them.

"Tsk... okay."

And though reluctant, Devin complied. He doesn't want to cause a scene too and get kicked out.

'Like me, he probably has a goal too.'

But then, annoyed that his provocation didn't work...

Fwip-

The Erick guy grabbed me by the collar of my uniform.

"Why don't you stop intervening? Don't forget that you don't have the Alvah Dukedom behind you anymore, so you better stop acting up."

He said, looking at me, annoyed.

My eyes widened, not because of what he did or said.

"My uniform..."

But because he wrinkled my uniform. There's dirt on his hands too from training, and it smeared all over my white uniform.

'This is the best set I have...'

I thought. I got pissed.

The Erick guy keeps throwing insults at me.

Then...

"What, cat got your tongue—keuk!?"

Before he could finish talking, I grabbed him back by the collar.

Looking at him in the eye...

"[Gust]"

I cast a magic.

SWOOSH—

"GAAAHHH!!!"

Bam!

"Keuk!"

And sent him flying to one of the outdoor arenas, falling butt-first.

Tap—

I immediately followed and stepped onto the arena as well.

And with a frown on my face...

"I request a duel."

I declared that for everyone to hear.

'You better prepare, I'll make you pay, you bastard.'