Mistaken for a Masked Munchkin

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The exam came to an end with a powerful shock.

Viktor had delivered an unprecedented performance.

The boy who had only been the top student of Class E at enrollment had overwhelmingly placed first in his year in both the midterms and finals.

"That's insane... He completely crushed the faculty?"

"Why is someone like that the top student of Class E?"

"I heard he personally refused promotion to a higher class?"

Naturally, it became a hot topic.

Every student had something to say about the exam.

"Has anything like this ever happened in the academy's history? A kid who enrolled as the top student of Class E beat the faculty in just half a year?"

"Fuck, even a novel would get torn apart for being this ridiculous. Isn't that almost on the level of the record the current commander of the Imperial Knight Order set as a child?"

"I heard the Imperial Knight Order is already eyeing him. They're apparently trying to recruit that Viktor guy."

"I'm fucking jealous. Just joining them gets you treated like half a noble."

It was an achievement considered impossible throughout the academy's long history.

He hadn't won by a narrow margin, either. It had been a complete rout.

On top of that, he had practically toyed with them.

"All sorts of organizations are in an uproar right now. Not just the Imperial Court, but the Mage Tower, knight orders, and noble families too. I heard letters are pouring into the academy because they all want to secure him first."

"It won't be easy, even if they want to. Isn't he dating Chief Investigator Javert? I don't think they can just take him away."

"How many lovers does he even have? Lady Kihano, Lady Lettus, that commoner from Class E, the chief investigator, and Lady Glacia..."

"Lady Glacia? Since when was she added to the list?"

"Who knows. I heard she clung to him and asked him to pet her the other day."

"Fuck, life is so unfair."

"Seriously. I should've been born a pretty girl too. Then I could've found some way to cling to the top student of Class E."

"?"

"If I could turn into a girl even now... No, even if I stay a guy, I should try clinging to him!"

"...You fucking queer, get out. You're expelled from being my roommate as of today."

His status had risen even higher.

Naturally, that much attention followed.

"He's seriously a once-in-a-generation talent. Though his personality also seems once in a generation, in a different way."

"I heard you're completely fucked if he takes a dislike to you. I can't believe he toyed with Professor Valteric while he was unconscious..."

"That's why you don't mess with crazy bastards. And if that crazy bastard is competent too... I don't even want to imagine it."

"Caitlin, right? The top student of Class B is still treated like his pet dog."

"I heard she actually enjoys that."

Great talent was bound to inspire admiration.

The students' reactions were a mixture of envy, shock, fear, and more.

Rumors surged and rolled like waves.

"Still, I heard he really takes care of his people."

"Right. I heard the Class E students' grades jumped this time because their top student led them all along..."

"I heard that class practically treats him like their father. Apparently, some student even got on their knees and begged to be added to his family register."

"Ah, I want to be one of his people too! I should've fucked up my entrance exam and joined Class E."

"Honestly, with both the top student and runner-up of the year in Class E, shouldn't Class E be treated like Class A by now?"

Public opinion tumbled along in every direction.

As for the person at the center of it all, he just hummed to himself.

"Exams are over! I'm going to roll around in bed for a while!"

And so Viktor became one with his bed.

* * *

A week passed after the noisy event ended.

I spent my days at ease.

My hectic schedule, including the practical exam, was over, so I had some free time until vacation began.

The academy's attention was still on me because of the match, but aside from that minor detail, the next few days were rather peaceful.

I spent time with the people around me.

"Viktor! C-congratulations on coming first in the finals!"

"Miss Alice."

Alice was as happy as a child.

I gently stroked her head.

"Mm! Sir Viktor! You worked very hard! I knew you'd come first from the beginning, of course!"

"Ha ha, you worked hard too, Miss Ranne. You maintained third place in the year again."

"Unfortunately, I did. The top two spots are truly solid."

"Third place alone is already impressive."

"Ahem! Hearing you say that gives me strength! I'll continue striving so I can always be of help to you, Sir Viktor!"

Ranne said something admirable.

I bumped fists with our spirited protagonist.

[Well done.]

"Your Highness."

[Still, try to refrain from bullying the weak from now on.]

"Um... Wouldn't Professor Valteric count as someone strong? By the Empire's standards, he's among the upper ranks."

[Is he not weak compared to you, Viktor?]

"I'm not quite that strong... Ahem, but if Your Highness says so, I'll be more careful from now on."

The princess gave me a stern warning.

I explained that she saw me as far too powerful, but she didn't seem inclined to believe me.

"Student Viktor. You worked hard."

"Hehe, thank you, Investigator."

Then came Javert's simple congratulations.

As always, she was expressionless, but I could sense her happiness beneath it.

"Hey, did you hear? Someone among the third-years bet on you at long odds and made three hundred times their money."

"Ah, Miss Caitlin. Of course I heard. I heard that person was the only one who bet on me?"

"That person's just crazy. Apparently, they put in every last bit of their living expenses for half a year."

"Come to think of it, didn't you place a bet, Miss Caitlin? You said you knew I'd win."

"What? Why would I do that? And the others could've known the result too, so why are you singling me out?"

"I don't know, you just seem like the type who would..."

"Want to die?"

"Still, it's unexpected. I thought you'd bet without hesitation."

"If I bet because I knew you'd win, it'd mean I was using you to make money. I'd be relying on you. I'd rather die than do that. Never. I'd sooner throw the money into a trash can."

"Is that so?"

I couldn't tell whether I should call that honest or say she was even more twisted than I'd imagined.

Even though she knew the result of the match, she didn't bet because she didn't want to rely on me?

It was the mindset of a misanthrope I could never understand.

Still, in another way, that stubbornness felt very Caitlin-like.

"Hehe."

Feeling proud for no reason, I stroked her head.

"What? Why again?"

"I just think you've done well."

"Don't pet me. Take your hand off."

"Miss Caitlin is surprisingly diligent, you know."

"I said don't pet me."

"You're meticulous too, and you're always so strict... When you get married someday, your future husband will be able to leave all the financial management to you without a worry."

"Cough! Hack, what? M-m-m-marriage...? A-a-are you, hic, out of your mind?!"

"Oh, a record-breaking stutter."

"Why the fuck would I marry you?!"

"No, not me. I meant your future husband would be able to do that."

"..."

"No one said you should marry me."

"..."

"Oh, your face turned red."

"Die!"

Thwack-!

Caitlin ended up landing several dazzling punches on me.

'Teasing her really is a delight.'

For the record, Professor Valteric's right cheek was badly swollen.

It looked so funny that I had to hold back my laughter whenever I passed him in the hallway.

A nasty smile slipped onto my face.

"Pfft."

"...I don't understand."

Rin looked at me as if I were strange.

Her blue eyes were dead and devoid of emotion.

Her sleepy eyes blinked.

The girl seemed lost in thought before asking a few questions.

"Hey. Why did you do that?"

"Hm?"

"You defied my brother. In the lecture hall last time, and in the final exam too. I don't think you needed to do that. It puts you at a disadvantage. You'll make enemies of the faculty."

"Did I overstep my bounds?"

"...No. It's your business. I won't interfere. I was just curious."

"It was nothing more than that for me too. There were many things I disliked about him."

"Please don't hate my brother too much. It's because of me that he acts that way..."

"I'll try. Though I find it hard to agree that everything is my lady's fault."

"..."

Rin didn't answer.

She only changed the subject as if avoiding it.

"...I was surprised. I didn't think you'd beat my brother."

"I promised you, didn't I? That I wouldn't lose."

"Still. I didn't think you'd really do it..."

"It seems you lacked faith in me. I'm a little hurt."

"...Sorry."

"It's all right."

I gently stroked her blue hair.

For a long time, Rin only accepted my touch in silence.

Her expression didn't waver.

Yet her slender fingers unconsciously clutched the hem of my clothes.

"...You know."

"Go ahead."

"Top student of Class E. Why are you nice to me?"

"What do you mean by nice?"

"...Don't you find me... annoying?"

"Why would you think I found you annoying?"

"Just because. That's what everyone in my family always said... They said it would've been better if someone like me had never been born, that I shouldn't hold them back or be a nuisance... So I thought you might feel the same way."

"My lady."

Tap.

I carefully placed my palm against her cheek.

Why did her expressionless face look like a crying one to me?

Her blue eyes looked up at me.

I spoke softly.

"I never think of you as defective, my lady. I don't think you're a nuisance, nor do I find you annoying."

"...Really?"

"Of course."

"...Why?"

"I've told you many times already. You're an amazing person, someone worthy of respect."

They were words I'd whispered whenever I stroked her head.

Rin's eyes seemed to grow hazy for a moment.

She was briefly lost in thought, then white breath rose from between her lips.

"...I see."

"That's right."

"I didn't know. That you meant all of it sincerely."

"I don't say things I don't mean."

"..."

The girl fell silent.

I continued to stroke Rin's head for a long while.

'I shouldn't rush this.'

A door to her heart that seemed ready to open, yet not quite.

Instead of knocking or pulling its handle, I chose to stand quietly before it.

The more I tried to force my way closer, the more the girl in that dark room would hide deep inside the closet.

So I stood still and waited for her to open the door.

"Don't worry. I don't know what your family thinks, but the lady I know is not defective in the least."

"..."

An uncertain silence followed.

Rin only nodded quietly.

* * *

That day, filled with ordinary moments, came to an end.

As usual, I sat on the edge of my bed.

"All right."

A status window appeared before me.

Beyond the blue screen was a particularly brilliant line of text.

Ding-!

[Main Quest]

-Title: Endless Proof

-Details: Place first in your year in the final practical exam. Defeat your assigned opponent by an overwhelming margin.

[You have completed the task through your astounding performance!]

-A special reward will be given. Please check your inventory.

The hidden quest shone brightly.

I tapped the screen a couple of times.

If it was a special reward, was it what I thought it was?

"Let's open it up."

With that mutter, I pressed the claim button.

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