A Direct Appeal Regarding the Lowest-Ranked Class
I achieved a perfect score on the written exam. In the Practical Exam, I won every single match. And yet, I wasn’t assigned to the top-tier S-Class, but to Class E, the lowest-ranked class.
…Moreover, even Ragna, who, despite not doing well on the written portion, had won all her matches in the practical, was also assigned to Class E.
I’d heard that this academy valued practical skill assessment more than written exams, and if that was the case, it should be strange for Ragna not to be in C-Class or higher at the very least.
…No, I understand. The commonality between Ragna and me.
It’s that our ‘Professions’ don’t exactly make a good impression.
For example, Ragna’s ‘Red Mage’ is considered relatively decent among the many disappointing mage professions in JRO, but even so, mage professions are generally seen as inferior to those that focus on physical attacks, like ‘Knight’ or ‘Warrior.’
And as for my ‘Farmer’ profession—in JRO, it was undeniably the strongest due to its average stats, versatile and straightforward bonuses, and above all, the lack of a level cap, allowing for infinite growth. However, precisely because of this late-blooming nature, in this world, it’s considered the ‘weakest,’ the ‘absolute bottom’ of professions.
“Ahem, all of you might be somewhat respectable for having been admitted to the Hero Academy, but this class is the lowest-ranked, a gathering of the academy’s particular dropouts.
You all need to understand that properly and strive humbly and earnestly.”
Tuning out the words of the unmotivated, shabbily dressed Class E homeroom teacher, I was mulling over various things.
“Hey, isn’t that the rumored prodigy from the Marquis Dukeheart family?”
“I heard he was disowned.”
“I saw that! Marquis Dukeheart was seriously angry; it was terrifying.”
“For real? But how’d he even get into this academy? He’s a ‘Farmer,’ right?”
“Dunno. Apparently, he’s Reina-sama’s former Fiancée, so maybe there’s something to it? Not that I know for sure.”
I tuned out the murmuring rumors from my classmates as well.
“Hey, Haito. What’s this about being the lowest-ranked class? Never mind me, but there’s no way you should be in the lowest rank, Haito! I can’t accept this!”
“No, I think it’s strange for you to be assigned to the lowest-ranked class too, Ragna.”
“Right? And what’s with this homeroom teacher, anyway? Looking down on us right from the start, calling us the lowest rank. I don’t like it. Haito is definitely stronger than that teacher!”
It seemed we could sit wherever we wanted, so Ragna naturally ended up in the seat next to me.
From there, Ragna kept whispering such things to me.
Incidentally, the teachers at this academy are at least level 30 or higher, and there’s a high probability they’re stronger than my current self, so I really wished she wouldn’t say things like that.
…It’s just frustrating to admit I’m weaker, so I won’t say it out loud, though.
However, even so, after getting a perfect score on the exams and demonstrating my abilities, this treatment was a little dissatisfying. Besides, if the ‘Farmer’ profession was looked down upon too much, it seemed like it would become a major obstacle in reinstating my engagement with Reina.
…Including confirming that aspect, I decided I would go for a direct appeal to the person in charge of this academy once the Class E introductions were over.
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“I cannot accept Haito being in Class E! He performed much better than I did in both the practical and written exams, you know?”
“W-Well, even if you say so…”
When I headed to the Academy Headmaster’s office to make a direct appeal, there was someone there before me.
“…Reina.”
“Haito…”
I never imagined Reina would have come to make a direct appeal before I did. The Academy Headmaster looked quite troubled by the protest from Reina, the princess of this country.
“Um, I’d like you to introduce that person over there later,” Reina said, her interest shifting.
“Ah, yes.”
Conversely, Reina had turned her attention to Ragna, who had tagged along with me for my direct appeal, exclaiming, “I’ll go with you too!” I’ll have to explain this later. …The thought made me feel a little down, but that aside—
“Academy Headmaster. I’d also like to ask… Is the ‘Farmer’ profession really that terrible? From my experience with it, the bonuses don’t have any quirks, and the base stats come out as they are, so depending on those base stats, I think it has the potential to be a pretty excellent profession.”
“That’s true,” the Academy Headmaster replied gravely, his expression serious.
“Honestly, I believe ‘Farmer’ is exceptionally inferior among all professions in this world. As you say, having no quirks means there are no beneficial advantages. That’s why, Haito-kun. As long as you are a ‘Farmer,’ I was intending to reject your admission on the grounds that you have no aptitude for being a hero.”
“Yes.”
“However, Haito-kun, you were the only one in this academy to achieve a perfect score on the written exam, and in the Practical Exam, you even managed to defeat Reina-sama, whom I believed to be the strongest among the new students.”
“A-A perfect score!? …Even I, who was second, could only manage 430 points across five subjects at best…”
Reina, murmuring, “As expected of Haito…”, wore an expression that was a mix of surprise and a little sadness.
“Of course, that’s something achievable now, when you’ve just acquired the profession. I believe that with further training, the difference in professions will eventually reverse your respective strengths. However, this is the first time I’ve seen someone with such high ability become a ‘Farmer’.”
The Academy Headmaster might also know of cases where a ‘Swordsman’ with high stats surpasses an advanced profession like a common ‘Sword Saint.’
“Therefore, Haito. I’ve become interested in how strong an exceptional talent like you can become as a ‘Farmer’. Of course, my belief that ‘Farmer’ is weak hasn’t changed, but even so, I also think that you, even as a ‘Farmer,’ possess the potential to become a hero through your raw ability. Moreover, this academy holds exams twice a year—each time the semester changes—that can alter class assignments.”
“So that means…”
“This academy does not treat everyone equally, setting aside status, lineage, talent, and profession. This is because I believe all those things combined constitute a person’s true ability. However, I am not so senile as to let those with real ability stagnate by being bound by such things.”
“So, you’re saying that if I demonstrate my ability, there’s a foundation in this academy for it to be recognized?”
“Indeed. Haito, I have high expectations for you.”
The Academy Headmaster said so and sat down in his chair.
“Thank you very much. I will do my best.”
I bowed my head to the Academy Headmaster, not with a noble’s bow, but with a Japanese ojigi.
Reina and Ragna both nodded firmly at my words, and I felt like their eyes were filled with trust and expectation. …Well, no, it’s just me wishing that were the case.
And so, after leaving the Academy Headmaster’s office and walking a bit, Reina spoke up.
“By the way, Haito, could you introduce that Beastfolk person over there?”
R-Right.
Given the circumstances, it gives me a stomachache, but I should still explain. After all, I plan to marry Reina in the future—
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