Chapter 70: A New Wave (6)
In truth, it wasn’t that protests were outright banned at the Academy, nor was it something particularly rare.
This was none other than the will of Sage Arpentia, the first Headmaster and founder, as well as the Great Emperor.
The Great Emperor and Sage Arpentia, in a way, had traits of extreme idealists.
But that didn’t mean they were foolish people who couldn’t see reality at all.
Same nation, same race, same class…
Even if you gathered similar people together in such a manner, each one would accumulate dissatisfaction, which would eventually erupt.
So then, what if people from different nations, different races, and different classes were gathered all in one place?
Knowing this fact all too well, Arpentia had prepared several measures to vent their grievances, resolve conflicts, and properly demand improvements to their treatment.
One of those was none other than the liberalization of students’ protests and assemblies.
Of course, this was limited strictly to within the Academy, with violence of any kind absolutely forbidden, and interference in state affairs strictly prohibited. With such restrictions, it couldn’t be called complete freedom….
Even so, it was still undeniably a groundbreaking decision.
After all, protests and assemblies could, with just a small slip, spiral into a fire too great to control.
Yet it was said that up until now, there had never been even a single incident of ‘crossing the line’.
The reason was simple.
‘Because in truth, it’s practically a staged performance.’
The students of the Academy enjoyed the rights given to them appropriately, yet never crossed a certain line….
In other words, they stayed faithful to the performance. And thanks to that, once a quarter or so, it wasn’t hard to come across such a scene.
“It doesn’t seem all that surprising to you.”
“Huh? Ah, that’s because I’ve heard about it a few times from my brother before.”
Allen, who had briefly stared at the protest in surprise, asked, and I, realizing belatedly, answered with composure.
“My brother said that at least once every quarter, you’d see one. And he also told me there’s no need to take it too seriously.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. He said it’s like an irregular event of sorts. More importantly, since it allows students to directly raise the inconveniences and injustices they feel so they can be corrected, he actually saw it as a good thing.”
Swallowing my last words, I looked over the faces of the protesting students.
The emblems pinned on their collars gleamed, openly declaring them to be from the Dots dormitory.
“As expected, it’s the Dots.”
“Is there some problem with that?”
“No, not really a problem… but I heard the Dots dormitory holds protests and assemblies the most.”
“Ah…”
At my explanation, even Allen held back his words and nodded as if he understood.
Crowns, Hilts, Wands, Crooks, and lastly, Dots.
In principle, the five dormitories were supposed to be assigned without discrimination, based on each dorm’s traits, but nobody really believed that.
In truth, it was an open secret that Dots suffered the most discrimination and contempt among them.
The royals and high nobles went to Crowns.
The soldiers and knights to Hilts.
The mages and scholars to Wands.
The clerics to Crooks.
And the students who didn’t belong to any of the four were placed in Dots.
Though called the dormitory of possibility and potential, in the eyes of the world, Dots was ‘the place where ordinary, untalented, and unremarkable nobodies go.’
And the students of Dots themselves knew this fact better than anyone.
Perhaps that was why.
They frequently expressed inferiority complexes and grievances against other dorms.
And truthfully, compared to the other dormitories, Dots had fewer specialized classes, and in many ways, suffered from subtle, hidden discrimination. So it wasn’t an entirely baseless victim mentality.
‘If anything, the fact that their own dorm is half-jokingly, half-seriously called the trash can says it all….’
But I knew.
That they were by no means a group deserving of ridicule and scorn.
That they truly possessed countless possibilities, talents, and potential.
And above all, that in the Great War a few years from now, nearly half of the many heroes who would rise would come from none other than Dots.
‘Now that I look closely, I even see a few familiar faces.’
A man who would one day be revealed as Princess Velita’s confidant.
The successor to the Pioneer King.
And lastly, even Gardener Anisida.
The first one aside, the latter two would one day be recognized as heroes on par with the Seven Heroes themselves.
I knew that those two in particular had once been members of the Dots student council, so I had thought I would see their faces eventually….
But I never imagined it would be like this.
‘Though honestly, just from appearances, I can’t tell at all…?’
The successor to the Pioneer King, nervously repeating what others said a beat too late.
Anisida, practically hiding in the corner, his face clearly showing how bothersome he found it all.
No matter how I looked, rather than seeming extraordinary, they looked just like the most ordinary students you’d find anywhere.
“Let’s not interfere and just go around.”
“Yes, that would be best.”
Allen and I avoided the protesters and headed toward the cafeteria.
We had to take a slightly longer route than usual, but I didn’t have the thick skin to cut straight through them.
“Um, Lian.”
As we walked leisurely, since there was no rush, Allen quietly opened his mouth.
“Would it be alright if I asked you something?”
“One question? That won’t be enough. Two or three, anything’s fine. Ask as much as you like.”
“Haha….”
Allen let out a small laugh.
It wasn’t funny at all—it was the laugh of someone wound up with tension.
“Have you decided which elective classes you’ll take?”
“I’ve more or less decided.”
The elective classes I originally planned to take were four.
Professor Deiare’s Weapon Arts.
Professor Windy May’s Practical Magic.
Sister Roberta’s Advanced Divine Power course.
And lastly, Professor Shagas’s Ancient History class.
Each had a clear purpose—whether it was to strengthen the abilities I felt lacking, seek guidance and connections, or investigate the Brands.
‘But….’
With Professor Windy May, I had already achieved my purpose by unintentionally becoming her direct disciple.
On top of that, for things like learning about dragons or the White Flame, I had suitable people like Iros and Yuran to ask for advice, making it even less necessary.
With Professor Shagas, I had thought I might at least gain some clues regarding the Brands.
But after meeting Talia Poas in the Room of Memories, there was no longer any need to choose that class.
In the end, by process of elimination, what remained were Professor Deiare’s and Sister Roberta’s classes.
I had also decided to take a class with Cecilia, but that was practically just a Liberal Arts Course, hardly a burden.
After all, it only met once or twice a week.
Of course, since I had separately arranged to receive instruction from Professor Windy May, in practice I only needed to focus on three.
‘Good.’
In the spare time, I could study the Ancient Garusol Language as Yuran recommended, or use it to cover weak areas. That would be more than enough to keep my plans on track.
“What about you, Allen?”
“…I’ve more or less decided as well.”
He answered in a voice even quieter than usual.
At that point, I sensed something was up, so I subtly slowed my steps toward the cafeteria.
“Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“……”
Allen stayed silent for a while.
Instead of answering, he glanced around.
Only when he confirmed no one else was nearby did he carefully speak.
“This may sound like a strange question, but….”
“It’s fine, go ahead. You’re not the type to say pointless things.”
“Well…”
Ahem.
He gave a small cough.
“…Could you tell if there’s some strange aura around me? Or if I might be possessed by something like a ghost?”
“What?”
It was completely unexpected, yet not something I could brush aside.
And above all, the person saying it was none other than Allen.
When I asked again, Allen flinched and waved his hand.
“Ah, no, sorry. Please forget it, Lian. I’ve just been sleeping poorly lately….”
“Can I ask why you would bring up a question like that?”
I asked him in a serious voice, without a hint of jest.
Allen silently met my eyes, then finally lowered his head with a weary nod.
“…Sometimes, I have dreams.”
“Dreams?”
“Yes, dreams. Very vivid dreams. Like….”
Allen paused, lips moving as though chewing on his words.
He looked like he didn’t know how to explain, fumbling for the right way to phrase it.
Perhaps because of that, his expression tightened.
Seeing this, I tapped his shoulder lightly, as if to reassure him.
“Slowly. There’s no need to rush.”
“…Yes.”
“Looks like it’ll be a long story. Should we talk after we get to the cafeteria? This doesn’t seem like a good place for it.”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
Just then, as we were about to hurry back toward the cafeteria—
“And… I’m sorry, Lian.”
Out of nowhere, Allen apologized to me.
“The truth is, I lied earlier.”
“You lied?”
“Yes.”
He slowly nodded.
“When I said I had already chosen my electives—that was a lie.”
After taking a deep breath, he confessed like it was a penance.
“In fact… I’ve been thinking it might be better to quit the Academy altogether around now.”
Once again, something wholly unexpected—and far too serious to dismiss lightly.