The first promotion duel of the year, the final selection event known as Dungeon Attack, had taken place almost a month ago. Since then, I had been through a fierce battle to the death with Tylus Arnell of the Empire’s Five Heavenly Swords and had also become one of the Pentagram in order to access the dragon’s library. It had been a hectic period, but before I knew it, the academy had returned to its usual routine.

And just as things settled down, I realized—it had already been three months since I entered the academy.

──Has it really only been three months???

The thought hit me, and I found myself questioning whether time was even adding up correctly. Considering all the events that had taken place, my current life at the academy seemed far more chaotic than in my first life. If anything, I could say that my first time around had been much more peaceful.

"How did it end up like this…?"

The disparity between my ideal and reality made me want to hang my head, but looking at it another way, this was essentially an investment in my future.

In my first life, I indulged in laziness, borrowed too much peace, and ultimately met a tragic end at the executioner’s block. Thinking about it that way, in this second life, I was enduring hardships, accumulating merit, and working toward a long and steady peace. All these current misfortunes would pay off when I grew old.

──I have to believe that, or I won’t survive…

As I forced this logic upon myself while walking through the first-year academic building, I once again felt the fearful stares of passing students.

"M-Make way! The Dragon Slayer Faction Leader is passing through!!"

"He's got that terrifying aura again today… He’s probably already taken down two or three people before getting here…"

"Eek… Another corpse must be lying somewhere in the academy…!"

"But, weirdly enough, that aura is kinda… alluring…"

Now that I had, for better or worse, earned the title of the strongest in the academy, simply walking down the hall was enough to strike fear into others. Some even started crying at the mere sight of me, while the more hot-blooded ones would sometimes launch surprise attacks from behind.

Looking back, I felt nostalgic for the time when I had wished for a peaceful academy life. Also, for the record, my sharp gaze is just how I was born, and no, I don’t have a morning hobby of killing people. Whoever just said that nonsense, step forward.

"Haa…" I let out a sigh.

Lately, I had been holed up in the Grand Library, so I hadn’t been dealing with this nonsense as much. But now that I was heading toward the classroom for the first time in a while, this was what I got.

"Hiii! I-I'm sorry! Please don’t kill me!!"

"…"

──What did I even do to deserve this???

Another female student had just burst into tears after merely passing by me, leaving me at a complete loss. Sure, I knew my eyes were intimidating, but was I really that terrifying? Having people cry just because I existed was honestly depressing.

"Haa…"

I sighed again.

At this rate, I should’ve just stayed in the library today. But unfortunately, running away wasn’t an option. Today was an important day—one that would balance out the "accounts" that had been steadily growing over the past few months.

"Finally… Finally, the day has come…!!"

Since coming to the academy, I had been waiting for this day. Words couldn’t describe how much I had longed for it—it felt like an eternity of dark nights.

Standing before the Special Advancement class for the first time in a while, I couldn’t help but let out a twisted grin.

"Heh… Hehehe…"

"You seem to be in a good mood."

"…"

A sudden voice struck my ears.

My heart nearly stopped from the sheer shock, and before I knew it, I heard a familiar girl’s voice right beside me.

"──Since when have you been here?"

"Hmm, since that girl started crying when she passed you?"

…So basically, from the very beginning. I didn’t say that out loud, though. Pointing it out would only highlight how oblivious I had been, and by now, I knew there was no point in trying to argue with Freesia, who had recently gone from battle maniac to full-on assassin.

"Ah… I see…"

"Yep."

Feigning composure, I stepped into the classroom.

"Good morning, Aniki!!"

"Good morning!!"

"Ah, yeah… Good morning…"

As I exchanged greetings with my classmates for the first time in a while, I kept a composed exterior, but internally, I was anything but calm.

Lately, Freesia’s stealth skills had grown terrifyingly sharp. No matter how much I tried to stay on guard, I never sensed her presence at all.

──Seriously, why?

Her hidden talents, which I hadn’t known in my first life, filled me with nothing but fear. At this rate, I might really get stabbed in the back someday.

Trying to ignore that horrifying possibility, I took my usual seat. As expected, Freesia sat right next to me and continued the conversation.

"So, what’s got you smiling so adorably?"

"Adorably…? Isn’t that the wrong word?"

"Nope, I think it fits perfectly. So?"

Seeing that she wasn’t backing down, I decided to answer her.

"It’s nothing much. It’s just that today is──"

"Alright, everyone’s here… Oh wow, you two are actually here, huh?"

Before I could finish, our usual unmotivated teacher, Mr. Volt, walked in.

Looking genuinely surprised to see me and Freesia attending morning assembly, he quickly composed himself and stood before the lectern.

"You guys have been in this academy for three months now. At first, you were all at odds with each other, but now you’re getting along. We even have someone from our class who made it into the Pentagram. Honestly, I’m shocked. It’s been an incredibly eventful three months. And when I think about it…"

Everyone listened intently as he spoke seriously for once.

"──Your first year here… your time in this academy will probably pass in the blink of an eye. There will be plenty more happening in the coming months, but for now──"

Taking a deep breath, he announced loudly to the class:

"──Your long-awaited summer vacation starts now! Take this time to rest up!!"

"Uooohhhhhh!!"

The classroom erupted into cheers.

Hearing those words, I could no longer contain the excitement I had been suppressing.

"HELL YEAH!! I CAN FINALLY GO HOME!!"

It was my loudest shout in all my time at the academy.

"Eh…?"

Even Freesia, who was usually the one catching me off guard, was now staring at me in stunned disbelief.

But I didn’t care. Even if my character broke, even if the king himself were standing here, I would still celebrate.

Because finally, the time had come—I was going home.