I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

"It felt like... he was a scary kid."

"Right. Didn't he start smiling creepily while looking at the test paper? Or wait, can he actually see? His eyes were so slit, it was almost as if he didn't have pupils."

"I don't mean to discriminate, but I agree. The vibe wasn't good."

"There's a reason for physiognomy, you know. I was really creeped out!"

Their discussions about Zero weren't solely due to his appearance.

His boldness and creativity in breaking the shrub next to the door of the second exam site after the exam time had ended.

Furthermore, he was the first to pass Elester's illusion test.

"According to the record, it was just 1 second? Is that even possible?"

"Well, I doubt we could do it. At least, I know I can't."

"If Elester made no mistake... Hmmm. It's somehow even more frightening."

"I was more scared when Elester himself came to the staff room. Ugh, I thought I had made some mistake."

After the second exam, the Archmage Elester visited the staff room.

Moreover, he apologized, claiming he might have made a mistake in setting the rules and suggested changing the grading criteria.

"It was surprising, indeed, for him to apologize to us."

"Yes. It's not for nothing they call him one of the pillars of the empire."

In truth, compared to other teachers, those who graded the exams were less recognized and skilled.

Basically, they were assigned the more menial tasks.

But for him not only to apologize to them but also to gift them with nice snacks.

Although there was no reason for Elester to apologize, his actions were enough to amplify the rumors about Zero.

"How about the third exam score?"

"Let me see... it's 90. Huh? No, it's 85. Why did they deduct 5 points at the end?"

"It's written here. 'Too friendly looking.' What does that even mean?"

"But even with the deduction, isn't that an incredibly high score?"

It was quite a generous score for the usually strict Caron.

There were others who scored higher than Zero, but those who scored over 80 from him could be counted on one hand, at least in the past few years.

"What about the secret test score?"

"An extra 50 points. That's the highest, right?"

That was a massive score compared to the 10-40 points others received.

Essentially, it meant 'If you don't place Zero in the advanced class, be prepared to face my wrath.'

"Could they know each other?"

"Impossible. That man... no, that cold-hearted person?"

A man known for his strictness and lack of warmth.

Even after working with him for five years, no one had ever dined with him.

He always disappeared like the wind.

Every invitation was met with rejection.

"Maybe a secret son?"

"No way, that's too far-fetched. Besides, they don't look alike at all."

"True."

"You never know. Such a man might be incredibly great in secret..."

"Alright, everyone, calm down. The main character has arrived."

Startled!

The teachers who were jolted looked towards the door.

It wasn't exactly gossip, but the conversation was enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

However, Caron was nowhere to be seen.

"Ah... It wasn't about Teacher Caron but about student Zero. His name appeared on the test paper, and we were just..."

Everyone sighed in relief and patted their chests.

"Phew... For a moment there..."

"Teacher Prom! You really scared me!"

They quickly went back to grading the test papers.

The pace of grading didn't differ much.

Just a few students' difference. Everyone quickly got back to grading, and soon they would reach Zero's test paper.

"Is this that kid's test paper?"

"Let's see. This will be interesting."

"Alright, let's start!"

Zero didn't achieve the same renown as Rodelin last year, but he successfully became a topic of interest.

Perfect scores in the first and second exams, 85 in the third, and an additional 50 points in the secret test.

If he did well in the written exam, the likelihood of him becoming the top student was high.

But.

"..."

A heavy silence enveloped the staff room as the grading began.

"Uh..."

"Ah..."

"Is this... correct?"

20 points. 30 points. 25 points. 15 points.

These were the scores typically received when marking a straight line, which he apparently did.

In reality, the written exam wasn't that difficult.

It was designed for scores over 80, with only a few challenging questions for differentiation.

But these scores were unexpected.

Everyone murmured, 'Could he actually be incredibly dumb?'

"Wow, amazing. He got 95 points."

"Huh?"

"What's that? Tell us."

Everyone gathered around the teacher.

At the top center of the test paper, it read:

「Demonology」.

The study of demonic spells, magic circles, and their mysterious languages.

A field of study that many scholars had toiled over for centuries.

'Studying demonic magic might enable one to use incredibly powerful spells' was the premise that started this field.

It was still a field many people avoided. But 95 points in it?

"Well... I made the exam easy, but he even got the challenging questions right?"

"No, he got one wrong."

But the one he got wrong was...

"...a magic circle question open to interpretation. Didn't the Asil school claim just the other day that the interpretation was wrong?"

"That's right. But only someone deeply interested in this field would know that at this point, right?"

The question was left unchanged because the exams had already been prepared, and there was no proof yet that the Asil school's claim was correct.

However.

"What did the Asil school claim?"

"That it's not 'Flames of Hell' but 'Flames of Karma'... they said."

Everyone's eyes turned to Zero's test paper.

Zero's answer was 'Flames of Karma.'

If his answer turned out to be correct, it proves his deep interest in demonic languages.

Already a subject of many rumors, Zero scoring almost perfect in 「Demonology」 was troubling in several ways.

"It's a coincidence, right?"

"Surely. People have different interests... right?"

But why did a chill run through the staff room?

Then.

"...There's one more. A subject with 100 points."

"What? Which one?"

"Ethics."

"..."

Scoring poorly in other subjects but nearly perfect in Demonology, and 100 in Ethics? It was as if he was saying...

-'I might not excel in other areas, but I have excellent morals.'

-'So what if I like demons a bit? I'm an ethical person.'

-'Oh, I'm not a bad kid at all. See? Look into my bright eyes!'

...Even though his pupils were too small to be seen!

"...We, we need to keep grading."

"I, I don't know anything. I didn't see anything."

Exceptional appearance and excellent exam scores.

And the odd scores in the written exam.

'A follower of demons?'

'Or perhaps a demon himself.'

'Oh, Divine Being! Please look upon me with mercy!'

It was a moment that further fueled prejudice and misunderstanding about Zero.

* * *

"Hey, did you do well on the exam?"

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Luna's face.

Quite cute, indeed.

Of course, 3D isn't really my thing.

"You were more charming when you were 2D."

"What? What does that mean? Are you still half asleep? How did the exam go?"

"Hehehe, the black part was the text, and the white part was the paper."

"...You express failure in such an elegant way."

Yes, I completely bombed the written exam.

Should I have chosen 'Intense and Powerful Noon Assault' instead of 'Vigorous and Strong Morning Assault'?

Well, it's okay.

I gained a major insight during the written exam.

'I can read the language of demons.'

Among the hidden pieces in the game is the 'Ancient Demon's Grimoire.'

A hidden piece no one knew how to use.

The description only said it was a grimoire created by an ancient demon.

'What if I can read it?'

I might be able to use magic. Even ancient demonic magic!

"Keke, I'm looking forward to it."

"...Why can't you change that creepy way of speaking?"

"That is something I absolutely cannot change. Just like Miss Luna's innate cuteness."

"What, what are you saying!"

Thwack!

Ouch. That hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes.

From Luna's perspective, I'm a mysterious figure, yet why is she so rough with me?

Well, I decided to let it slide since she's a pitiful child.

Am I losing the fights?

...No, really.

"The final results will now be announced!"

With the teacher's booming voice, a large paper was posted on the blackboard.

Rustle, rustle.

The students gathered around the blackboard in small groups.

The names of the students were densely written on the paper.

To summarize the key information:

- Top Student -

Teron de Vyuern

- Second Place -

Yuridia de Rownter

- Class A -

...

Luna

...

...

...

Zero

Luna and my names among the top student, second place, and in Class A.

Luna rushed over and hugged me tightly.

"We passed! We did it!"

"Keke, congratulations, Miss Luna."

A bit wild, but what does it matter?

Seeing her so happy like a child.

I spread my arms and hugged Luna tightly. And then.

"You, you pervert!"

I got my ear bitten.

* * *

-We will now commence the entrance ceremony!

The resounding voice of the vice president of the student council, Rodelin, echoed through the auditorium.

To finish exams, grading, class assignments, and the entrance ceremony all in one day.

Such insane progress.

Whoever created this twisted world must have been out of their mind.

Otherwise, how could such absurdity happen?

In my opinion, the writer of this game's story is one of three things: insane, a pervert, or both.

-...Next! The student council president will give a speech!

The student council president stepped onto the podium.

Tall and handsome, with a polite demeanor and a gentle smile.

At first glance, he seemed like a good person radiating an aura of benevolence.

"Oh... Is that the student council president?"

"Miss Luna... It's not nice to refer to the student council president as 'that.'"

"I don't really want to talk to a pervert who hugs girls without permission."

"Keke, you were the one who hugged me first, and you seem to be quite enjoying this conversation with said pervert."

Yikes!

Luna bared her sharp teeth.

At this point, she was more beast than human.

'I should put a note on her back saying 'Do not touch.'

To prevent other kids from being bitten.

-Congratulations. From this moment, you are no longer examinees but... students of Annwood Academy!

Wowww---!!!

The students' enthusiastic cheers filled the air.

At the same time, a blue window popped up in front of me.

[Main Quest #1, 'Enter Annwood Academy' completed.]

And so, I became a freshman at the academy in this game world.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading