Chapter 18: I Tried Returning Sarcasm with Sarcasm.
The entrance ceremony ended, and as I was about to leave the auditorium, I stepped outside.
“Phew… For now, the ceremony ended without any problems.”
I walked down the corridor with Liese and Fina. Liese, amazed by the auditorium’s splendor, whispered with sparkling eyes, “Wow, what an amazing place.”
Inwardly, I muttered, (So this is the start of my academy life, huh?), steeling myself.
However, that relief was short-lived.
From the other end of the corridor, the three high-ranking nobles I had been observing during the earlier entrance ceremony were walking side-by-side towards me.
Since it was a place where other nobles would also be exiting, it was possible, but to run into them even though I left a little early…
Walking at the head of the group was the renowned First Prince, Edward von Leclair. He was a prince whose golden hair shone even more dazzlingly under the sunlight.
His perfect posture and elegant gait, no matter how you looked at it, he was clearly the pinnacle of the light attribute.
Following behind him was the Prime Minister’s son, Raoul Diego Alberto.
His elegant silver hair swayed as he adjusted his glasses with one hand, his cold, sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
And lastly, there was the son of the Kingdom’s Knights Commander, Gald Reinhardt. His well-trained physique was evident even through the academy uniform. The moment he saw us, he unreservedly furrowed his brows.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Lord Serios of the Aegrid Family…”
It was Raoul who spoke to me in a sarcastic tone. Contrary to his elegant, silver-haired appearance, his eyes held a cold sneer.
“It’s quite a surprise to see you enrolling in this academy. For the rumored arrogant and lazy Lord of Aegrid Territory to take an interest in academics… Oh, pardon me. Could it be that this, too, is part of managing your domain?”
He spoke with a faint smile, as if deliberately provoking me. I could tell Fina, behind me, took a small, sharp breath.
“Raoul, that’s enough. Since Lord Serios has been permitted to enroll, he is a fellow student dedicated to academics here.”
Edward interjected. However, there was a hint of coldness mixed into his voice. The prince’s gaze swept over me from head to toe, an appraising look in his eyes.
“Nevertheless, I expect you to be mindful of your conduct, so as not to tarnish the Aegrid Family name. This is an institution where those who will bear the future of the kingdom gather. We expect appropriate behavior from someone with a bad reputation.”
This condescending remark from His Highness the Prince. Indeed, what a magnificently royal piece of sarcasm, I cursed inwardly.
“You guys, what’s with all the nitpicking? He’s one of us now, cut him some slack.”
Surprisingly, Gald interjected. Arms crossed, he stared at me with a somewhat irritated look. But immediately after he spoke—
“However, Serios, whether you actually have any strength is another matter. If you show any unsightly weakness, I won’t acknowledge you as one of us.”
There it is! So that’s how it’s going to be, huh? Still, I’ll give him credit for his straightforwardness. Though, he’s probably testing how I’ll respond to the provocation hidden in his words.
“…Is that so? Is my coming to the academy really that surprising?”
I replied quietly, trying my best to speak as calmly as possible while suppressing my emotions. If I got emotional here, I’d be playing right into their hands.
These guys suffered from Serios’s tantrums when he was a child. They’re probably still hung up on it even now that he’s fifteen.
“Unfortunately for you, I am here to learn as a feudal lord. I don’t believe a mere student without a title has any grounds to say anything to me, do you? Or are the three of you making these snide remarks because you hold some sort of peerage? Surely you wouldn’t say it’s just because your parents are influential, right?”
I’ll return sarcasm with sarcasm. I’m the villainous noble. I have no intention of losing for nothing.
“Kuh!”
“Hmph!”
The prideful Raoul looked as though he’d bitten down on a bitter bug, while Gald snorted indignantly. Only His Highness the Prince merely glared, his demeanor unchanged.
“I came to this academy to learn. That is all. Unnecessary prying is uncalled for.”
Raoul chuckled softly.
“Unnecessary prying, you say? My apologies for that. However, to strive in your studies while shouldering the heavy responsibilities of a feudal lord is truly admirable spirit. I do hope you maintain that attitude.”
Edward gave a slight nod at those words.
“Raoul, that’s enough. I have high expectations for you, Lord Serios. In a good way, of course.”
That’s definitely the face of someone who has no expectations whatsoever.
“Lord Serios, are you alright?”
Fina’s small voice came from behind me. I gave a small nod and replied, “I’m fine.” The fact that she was worried about me made me feel pathetic, as if she could see right through to my cold sweat.
“Liese, what’s wrong?”
Glancing beside me, I saw Liese with her lips sealed, her eyes downcast. For someone still so young, exchanges like this might have been painful.
“Don’t worry about it, Liese. We’ll just walk our own path.”
When I said that, she gave a small nod.
“I won’t forgive them!”
“Eh?”
“Their attitude towards Lord Serios! I absolutely despise those three!”
No, they’re your capture targets! As I watched the three of them walk away, I let out a deep sigh. You guys, your future wife already hates you.
I already know why those guys hate me.
To them, I’m just a noble dragging along a bad reputation from the past, lacking the power or charisma to manage my domain. No matter how much I improve the management of the territory and how much effort I put in, those who knew my past self won’t easily overturn their assessment of me.
It doesn’t matter.
I clenched my fists tightly. I know I’ll have to deal with them from now on. But I’ll get through this academy life my own way.