Chapter 77: Shocking News [2]
"What is this?"
As soon as I left the dormitory, I felt the stares pouring in. I had never experienced this on my way to school before. It must be because of what happened yesterday.
The rumors seemed to have spread already. The school is large, but it feels small at times like this.
"Tiring from the morning."
I frowned. I don't mind being the center of attention, but not early in the morning. Because I lack energy in the morning.
And because yesterday was a tiring day.
"Yawn."
I yawned once, still not fully awake, and walked on, ignoring it. Of course, I could hear the murmurs along with the stares.
"Is that rumor true? Did he really get a perfect score?"
"Yeah, I checked with a sophomore I know. It's true."
"I can't believe it, though. Did he just freeload?"
"If that were the case, would there be such a fuss? They say he solved it all by himself."
"No.. No matter how I think about it, does that make sense?"
Those who couldn't believe it.
Considering my reputation so far, that would be the more normal reaction. And this was just a minor issue.
"Was he hiding his abilities?"
"Stop reading fiction, kid. Was it skill? It was just a stroke of luck."
"No, it wasn't luck. In my opinion, it was a leak of the exam content. The academy will be turned upside down within a week."
"You know something. Surely someone has already reported it?"
"No, but Professor Karen wouldn't…"
"Would the professor do it? One of the teaching assistants must have taken a bribe."
Those who showed distrust beyond disbelief. What, a report? Investigate all you want, guys, see what comes out. I clicked my tongue.
But I wasn't particularly worried. It was what I had expected.
You can't be satisfied with just one spoonful. It's unrealistic to expect people to say, "Oh, that guy was actually hiding his great talent!"
Just because a troublemaker showed ability once.
"That's normal."
Of course, that was the reaction of the majority, but there must be some who see me differently. Especially those with keen eyes. Like Professor Karen or Elaine.
'Now that I think about it, she must have heard the news.'
I suddenly thought of my fiancée, Regina. She had told me to show my qualifications. I interpreted it as the last test to see if I was qualified to maintain our precarious engagement.
A kind of ultimatum.
And I'm probably right.
'I wonder how she reacted.'
I was curious, but I had no intention of seeking her out. I'll let her come to me. That's the flow I think is right. The surroundings became noisier.
"Just let them talk."
I gave up, emptied my brain, and decided to walk to the classroom. But then. I saw a familiar figure. A man who looks fine on the outside. But inside, he's not even glass, he's tofu-mentally.
Sunny Benesse, a team member with zero contribution.
Well, strictly speaking, it wasn't zero. He did fulfill his quota in the second test, so I could give him 0.001. And since he beat up Dennis, he could get some extra points for that.
Anyway, the important thing is that he's here. As the saying goes, sharing pain halves it, and sharing annoying stares does the same. That's just my thought.
"Hey."
I called out to him, somewhat cheerfully. He flinched, recognizing my voice.
Still a timid guy.
"…Oh, Max. Hi."
He didn't run away pretending not to know me but turned his head to greet me. I guess there was a reward for toughening him up yesterday. I patted Sunny's shoulder.
"Let's go together."
"…Yeah."
He didn't stutter, so it must be working. He has grown. But.
"What, what, what's this?"
He was startled by the stares suddenly directed at him and began to stutter again. A weak guy. He needs to grow more.
"What do you mean what? Don't you remember what we did yesterday?"
I did it all with Riviera, but since we're in the same group, I said 'we.' That's why not just anyone can be a leader.
"Of course, I remember."
"The rumor has already spread."
"Huh? Already?"
"Yeah, dude. We're celebrities now."
"Huh, huh."
Startled, Sunny couldn't even manage his expression properly.
Anyway, the important thing is that the attention was divided. I'm the most noticed because I'm a notorious troublemaker, but Sunny is also a member of the team that got a perfect score.
Naturally, he would have some degree of attention. People will think Sunny also contributed.
"Who is that guy?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you know him?"
"Ah, it's Sunny. Sunny Benesse."
"That Benesse? Then is that guy the good-for-nothing eldest son of the Benesse family?"
"Probably? I heard that Shadow-like guy got a perfect score with Max this time."
"They were in the same group? What a trashy combination."
Sunny, with tears in his eyes. I silently patted his back.
Sunny, you really have a terrible reputation.
It's okay, extras live like that.
You're an extra meant to boost your brother.
"Then was he the key player?"
"I doubt it. They say he's not even worth the dirt under his brother's nails."
"Cough, cough…"
Sunny almost coughed up blood.
I understand, Sunny. The dirt under the nails was too harsh. It's true, but still too harsh.
"Hey, he's still the legitimate heir of the Benesse family."
"Yeah, he makes more sense than that Max guy, right?"
Heheh. Enjoy it, you 0.001 contribution guy. .
I lightly (?) hit him on the back, telling him to get a grip. Why is he making a dying sound when I hit him lightly? Well, anyway, as expected, sharing the aggro made me less tired.
Just like this to the classroom…
Huh? I spotted another familiar figure. This time, it's not an extra. It's a named character.
A Four-dimensional named character. I quickened my pace to close the distance. The distance closed as I followed.
At that moment, I locked eyes with Riviera, who had turned her head. As soon as she saw me, she made an obvious face of annoyance and tried to run away at a faster pace. But I was quicker.
"Where are you running off to?"
My hand grabbed her bag first.
She shook her head and clicked her tongue. Then she asked.
"What again?"
"We were a team."
"The evaluation is over."
"We were a team."
"The past is the past. Pathetic."
"Enough, let's share the aggro."
"Refusal."
"It's okay. You're already involved. Thanks."
I mimicked her way of speaking childishly. Huh? This is kind of addictive?
"Keuk, remember, I will definitely remember."
Riviera pouted her lips in warning.
That look. It was just cute. 'Ah, is this a bit too much?' I reflected. Even though I know exactly who she is, I can't help but approach her when I see her.
Why? Because her reactions are interesting. I keep approaching her without realizing it because she reacts.
And that weakens my vigilance against her. I need to correct this. A small mistake can end a life in the game world.
I need to be vigilant, especially when dealing with a named boss like her.