It had only been a few days since Tridric’s kidnapping incident, and less than a week remained before the Midterm Exam began.
Therefore, now was hardly the right time for a new incident to occur.
But…
‘Why is the heir of the former assassin guild leader glaring at me as if trying to kill me?’
Skadi no longer kills people.
Despite possessing the presence of an exceptional assassin from the royal family, she was assigned to work at the Academy instead of being used to eliminate political rivals.
That was because she firmly swore never to kill anyone with her own hands again or train others as assassins.
She even said she would rather die than do such a thing.
She was sent here to teach self-defense techniques at a public institution.
‘So, Skadi wouldn’t really be glaring at me with the intention to kill… but the instinct to feel nervous is unavoidable.’
Especially since I had no idea why she was acting this way.
Contrary to what she said in the first lecture—that she had no intention of teaching enthusiastically—Skadi had actually been quite diligent with her students.
So for her to suddenly be unable to focus on the lecture and just glare at me with a hostile look, how could I not feel unsettled?
On top of that, Yor was getting sensitive because of Skadi’s gaze, which doubled my anxiety.
“Um… Professor? The lecture is over.”
“Uh, uh…?! Ah! Sorry~! I didn’t check the time~? Thanks for your hard work today, go get some rest~.”
Skadi ended the lecture hastily after checking the clock, only after an extra student raised their hand and spoke—about five minutes past the scheduled end time.
This was unlike her usual punctual dismissal exactly at 5 PM.
‘Should I ask her the reason? Or quietly slip out of the classroom avoiding her gaze?’
I hesitated, wavering between these options, but in the end, I had no choice.
Because Skadi called my name.
“Karvald Austri, stay behind for a moment.”
Her tone was clipped, coldness dripping from her voice.
Perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere, the students quickly left the lecture hall.
Before I could even prepare myself, I found myself alone with Skadi.
“…Did I do something wrong?”
I had intended to just ask what was going on, but the word ‘wrong’ slipped out without me realizing it.
Skadi’s expression was so cold that it unnerved me.
Still, I was sure she would deny my words outright.
After all, the only recent thing I did was help Reysir rescue Hailga.
That was clearly a good deed, not a mistake.
But Skadi’s reaction was unexpected.
“Did you say ‘did something wrong’…?”
Muttering with a sarcastic expression, she looked as if she was saying I had no idea what I did wrong, much less feeling remorse.
She was undoubtedly holding a grudge against me.
Her inexplicable hostility was bewildering. I couldn’t understand why I had to face such a look and felt unfairly treated.
“I’m sorry, but I honestly don’t understand your reaction. If there is a reason, please tell me.”
It would be strange if I didn’t feel defensive.
Still, I answered cautiously and politely, not wanting to provoke her further.
But all I received in return was anger.
“You bullied your classmates all last semester and still don’t understand why I’m angry?!”
Although I got an answer, my confusion only deepened, tangled up like a huge knot.
I didn’t understand the meaning behind her words, beyond the emotion they carried.
‘She’s bringing that up now? I even shared meals with Reysir this morning and lunch today.’
Skadi was surprisingly uninformed for a former assassin.
Even during her assassin days, she received target information from the guild, which was enough to carry out missions without gathering intel herself—according to her profile in Nas-e.
Still, she wasn’t someone who could afford to completely block out information.
‘She must have learned about this possessed body’s past because of the kidnapping incident Tridric caused.’
A student abducted another student inside the Academy.
The culprit even tried to disgrace one of the Four Great Ducal Houses in the process.
Because of that, the culprit wasn’t just expelled but stripped of their noble status and demoted to commoner.
Even with the Midterm Exam so close, this was a major scandal that everyone was talking about.
Those who didn’t know Karbaldr’s bad reputation would certainly have taken an interest in this incident.
People must have asked around how Tridric could dare to frame a noble family’s heir.
‘As a result, Karbaldr’s bullying of Reysir last semester resurfaced.’
Even though Skadi wasn’t the type to care about rumors, she couldn’t help but hear about it.
So it’s not strange at all that she found out about this possessed body’s past misdeeds.
But here is where the real mystery begins.
‘If she heard those rumors, there’s no way she wouldn’t know that I helped resolve the incident and now eat meals with Reysir as friends. The conflict between us is settled, so why would a third party interfere based on old events?’
It might be understandable if Skadi were Reysir’s guardian.
‘But no, can I just let this go?’
Even if I didn’t do it, I would be willing to pretend to apologize and bow my head.
But Skadi and Reysir have no connection whatsoever; they are complete strangers.
So she isn’t angry in place of Reysir, feeling sorry for his suffering.
Nor does it look like she’s trying to scold a misbehaving student as a professor.
If that were her goal, she’s far too late.
‘What good does it do to scold a student who has already reflected?’
It would only provoke defiance and backfire.
More importantly—
If her purpose were simple reprimand, the hostility in Skadi’s eyes wouldn’t be there.
She might be disappointed, but her anger was excessive.
‘Why would someone with no acquaintance to the victim be genuinely furious and hostile toward the perpetrator?’
When I reframed the question like that, the answer finally came into view.
Despite knowing everything about Karbaldr’s situation, why did I fail to understand his wrongdoing?
Because I, like Reysir, had also been bullied before.
Even though Reysir forgave Karbaldr, he must have felt uneasy and vaguely displeased instead of relieved.
‘If Skadi had a similar experience, even without direct involvement, she could fully empathize with the victim’s position and justifiably be angry at the perpetrator.’
If that was true, a new question arose.
‘When, where, and how did the heir of the former assassin guild leader experience such a thing?’
‘Was my guess correct?’
‘If so, who was the person that insulted and tormented her character?’
‘Was it a past event or something still ongoing?’
I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t muster the courage.
It was such a sensitive matter.
I couldn’t just blurt out whatever I wanted without a plan.
For that reason, I dared not speak.
Skadi simply glared at me silently, as if daring me to offer an excuse.
“……”
“……”
Although our reasons were different, the silence between us stretched on for a long while.
Skadi was the first to break it.
“I thought it was admirable and impressive that you maintained confidence despite having an obvious weakness, but I never imagined that attitude came not from high self-esteem but from a sense of superiority…”
She seemed to have concluded that I could trample over anyone I disliked at any time, which was why I kept such a proud demeanor.
Because I was possessed by someone born into a powerful noble family, attracting all kinds of attention but also possessing a clear flaw that led to subtle contempt.
‘How much effort had I made to not be looked down on by others?’
A wave of bitterness washed over me.
But I couldn’t bring myself to spill it out.
I could have tried to explain Karbaldr’s upbringing as a sob story to change Skadi’s mind, but I didn’t want to.
I didn’t want to defend Karbaldr’s misdeeds or plead for understanding.
“That’s why I said in the first lecture—I am not good at all.”
“………I don’t think there’s any need to continue this conversation. You may leave now.”
***
After Skadi coldly ordered me to leave, I bowed my head slightly and exited the classroom.
I headed to the personal training ground.
Although my mood was more unsettled than usual, I couldn’t neglect my training.
‘The Midterm Exam is coming up next week after all.’
Since there was only one theoretical subject, I didn’t need to study as much as others, but that didn’t mean I could skip exam preparation entirely.
I had to prepare for the practical test.
‘I hope Skadi isn’t deliberately trying to lower my exam score. That can’t happen…’
Karbaldr’s background meant I had to maintain top ranks in theory subjects at all costs.
Although my practical combat scores could be somewhat lower without much consequence.
Still, if my credits totaled three or more subjects, I’d have to take supplementary classes over the break, so I couldn’t be careless.
Basic Physical Training was hard to score high in, but with good attendance, a C grade was guaranteed.
So the subjects I really had to worry about were Swordsmanship Introductory Lecture and Martial Arts Lecture.
Now I even had to be concerned about Dagger Arts.
At least the practical exams were held in front of everyone.
If I achieved the objectives clearly, no matter how much a professor disliked me, they couldn’t arbitrarily give me a failing grade.
In this situation, the best thing was to train hard.
With that resolution, I hurried to the personal training ground, where Yor was waiting and immediately pulled out a whiteboard from his pouch and wrote:
「Unfair」
“Thanks, Yor. You’re the only one who truly understands my situation and feelings.”
I couldn’t hide my bitter expression.
In response, Yor cutely meowed, as if he knew perfectly well he was my only source of comfort right now.
‘Five minutes should be fine, right?’
When feeling down, performance drops.
I decided to play with Yor for exactly five minutes before starting training.
She JUST found out? Damn.