[13.4] Reika's "Popularity"

I sat in the Headmaster's office sniffling.

He stared at me with exhausted eyes, "The nurse already healed your ankle. Why are you still crying?"

That d*mned nurse! I was trying to get out of class and she just had to heal my ankle!!

Ugh. No matter. I will just have to milk it.

It's time to copy Felix.

I bit my sleeve while sobbing pitifully, "I-I'm j-j-just so s-scared… I don't w-wanna go back… I'm going to get hurt again! WAAAH!"

He flinched at my display and stiffened up. Just like before, he had no idea how to cheer me up. He reached out to pat my head, "There, there."

"..."

I fought off the urge to smack off his hand as I continued to act pitiful.

What else does Felix do!?

...Oh right! The eyes!

I turned up my puppy dog eyes and looked at him somberly, "I don't wanna go back to class. I'm going to get hurt again… Do you want me to get hurt?"

The Headmaster felt as if his heart had been pierced by an arrow. He looked out the window listlessly. He cleared his throat, "I think… I think it's best if you stop participating in the specialty classes. Clearly, combat class is too dangerous for you."

I wiped at my tears, "I-I can go back to crafting class… I messed up, but I actually did enjoy it so…"

"Not a chance. Your teacher is very adamant about not taking you back."

I crossed my arms, "So rude! Doesn't she know that no student should be left behind!?"

"You aren't a normal student. You created a living book that likes to stab people with a fork." He waved his hand, "I will just have to assign you a private tutor for the evenings. It's obvious that the classes are not a good fit for you."

I forced out a laugh, "I've never encountered being so bad at something before."

He gave me a look, "How strange for you."

I lowered my head with a pitiful expression, "But who could possibly tutor me? I'm an excellent magician already."

He clicked his tongue, "They won't be there to teach you."

"What? Are they going to be babysitting me or something?"

"Exactly."

"Oh…"

He pulled out a file, "You aren't the first one I've had to do this for."

My eyes lit up, "There are more people who are just as bad as me!?"

"Well. One."

I deflated.

He added, "And, she actually has a medical condition whereas you are just… Troublesome."

I deflated even more.

And thus, I was brought to the library to meet my first tutor.

The first tutor was an older woman who carried around a ruler. She paced around me while smacking the ruler in her hands, "What is the answer to number 12?"

I mumbled as my mind drifted elsewhere, "B?"

"Wrong!" She raised up the ruler and smacked my hand, "Pay attention!"

"Eek!" I pulled back my hand and rubbed it. I glared at her, "Hit me again and I promise I will shove that ruler where the sun doesn't shine."

… Let's just say that tutor didn't last long either.

The second tutor was assigned the next day…

And promptly screamed and ran away.

But why? Was there something on my face?

I looked at my reflection which showed a skeleton staring back.

I snickered, "I've always loved Halloween costumes."

The next tutor arrived…

"ACHOO!" I rubbed my nose, "Ah. That was a bad sneeze."

The third tutor promptly fainted.

Turns out he was a germaphobe.

...Scaring away the fourth tutor really wasn't my fault. When she found out I was the one behind all the previous incidents, she turned in her notice and left the Academy.

And just like that, I scared away all possible tutors…

...Well almost.

The Headmaster sighed as he walked me to the library, "This is the last tutor. Please don't scare him away. He's the only one to accept you after all your mishaps."

I rolled my eyes, "Happy accidents."

He frowned, "And why did you scare them all off? What dissatisfied you so much?"

I tapped my chin, "One lady dared to injure my precious hands."

His face twitched, "And the rest?"

I forced a smile, "They were very rude."

"They only asked you to pay attention."

"Exactly. They were rude."

He sighed and didn't pester me further.

We entered the library where he escorted me to a desk, "Here he is. Please be good this time."

I looked around, "Huh? Where is he?"

He pointed down.

I followed his eyes, "...Isn't that a pile of trash?"

The Headmaster elbowed the trash which groaned and started to move. Suddenly, a disheveled and exhausted face rose from the desk. He looked at us sleepily, "...What? You're ruining my beauty sleep."

"Looks like you need more than just beauty sleep." I muttered to myself while taking a few steps away from him.

Not only did he smell like he hadn't bathed in days, but he looked so malnourished and sloppy. His long back hair was in knots and even the bags under his eyes had bags.

The Headmaster spoke, "Marx, I've brought Reika."

He blinked, "Who?"

"...Reika. The girl I asked you to tutor?"

"When'd you ask me that?"

"...Last night."

"I was drunk then. I don't remember."

"...You're always drunk."

He burped, "You're right."

I looked at the Headmaster in horror, "Please don't leave me with this man."

He rubbed my head with a frosty expression, "Have fun."

Once he left, I sat down as far away as possible from the smelly man. I stared at him in disgust while he stared back at me silently.

1 minute passed.

He continued to stare at me.

10 minutes passed.

I cleared my throat, "So um. What will you teach me?"

He waved his hand lazily, "Absolutely nothing. Goodnight."

I blinked in disbelief as he laid his head down and quickly fell asleep. I leaned over and poked him, but he didn't move a bit.

I tilted my head, "Did you die old man?"

He mumbled something back that I couldn't understand.

I shrugged and hopped out of the seat. I looked through the library and collected a stack of books I hadn't read yet.

As I dropped them on the desk and sat back down, I poked my head around the stack of books with a grin, "I think we are going to get along."

"...Don't care."

"..."