If you were to ask a common student currently enrolled at Soul Academy who they respect the most within the academy, the typical answer would be one of two names.
One of them would be Faybi, the saintess of the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Despite her humble origins, she was chosen by the divine and became the saintess of the Church. For commoners, she represented a symbol of hope.
Even with a status that even kings could not treat lightly, she always maintained her humility.
Her overwhelming abilities fitting for the title of saintess.
Her striking beauty that catches the eye from afar.
There were many reasons why she was loved by so many, but the usual reason commoners adored Faybi was because of her nobility.
In the current continent, the status of commoners isn’t very high.
Most believe that they are bound to serve the nobles from the moment they are born.
Although a few talented individuals have risen to fame as symbols of success, those cases are merely exceptions.
Most commoners ponder not how to live happily, but rather how to survive.
Faybi was a savior for such unfortunate souls.
From the moment she became a saintess, she roamed places where death lurked.
To those suffering from famine and hunger.
To those bleeding in the throes of war.
To those born in back alleys, living as they please, destined to vanish one day.
To those struck by disaster, unable to even bury their dead.
Commoners do not know well what the past saintess was like.
However, they understand what the current saintess represents.
To them, Faybi is a symbol of hope, a proof that a god exists in this world.
Among the commoners who have witnessed her, some even equate her to a god. One can understand the impact she has.
So, who is Professor Luca, who is competing with such a figure as Faybi?
Despite growing up as an unfortunate child in an orphanage, he started from the bottom and earned his admission to Soul Academy through recognition of his talent and skill.
After graduating from the academy, he contributed to various fields, bolstering the belief that, despite the skill gap among common graduates, there are no incompetents.
He succeeded in becoming a professor at Soul Academy at the youngest age, producing numerous talented individuals.
He is a person of integrity who does not discriminate against people based on rank, evaluating solely their abilities.
Among those attending the academy, there are hardly any who speak ill of Professor Luca.
Especially among common students. For those burdened with insecurities about their status, Luca represents both an object of envy and aspiration.
While those seeking hope look to Faybi, those with ambitions look to Professor Luca.
Faybi loves everyone equally and doesn’t go beyond that, but Professor Luca is different. If he cherishes someone, he willingly shows favoritism and guides his students toward success.
For the talented ones. Those waiting to be sculpted from stone, who could make their names known across the continent if they blossom.
Professor Luca extends a hand to them, crafting them into jewels that shine in the world.
I don’t know the exact methods, but it’s clear that those jewels wield influence all over the continent.
Thus, those who have entered the academy hope that Professor Luca will extend his hand to them, to perfect their own jewel.
On the day the second semester began, the excitement for Professor Luca’s visit to the classroom caused many to have reddened eyes.
They wondered who would receive the grace of Professor Luca and become a shining jewel. They hoped it might be themselves.
However, countless people watching Professor Luca’s movements did not receive the answer they anticipated.
His footsteps stopped in front of a girl who rested her chin on her hand, seemingly indifferent.
“Lady Alrn. May I have a word with you?”
In a way, this was a predictable outcome.
If you were to ask who among this year’s new students exhibited the most radiant talent, everyone would certainly answer with one name.
Lucy Alrn.
The girl once referred to as the disgrace of the Alrn family.
But now she was a monster proving that there is no failure in the blood of the Alrn family.
Since enrolling in the academy, Lucy Alrn has continued to write her own heroic tale, transforming from a villain hated by everyone into a divine being noted by the entire kingdom in just half a year.
The talent she possessed. The light. It created the value of Lucy Alrn as a person.
Luca, who loves those with talent beyond measure, wouldn’t overlook a concentrated talent like Lucy Alrn.
For those who were betting on who would catch Professor Luca’s attention, this was so obvious that it would make them want to die from boredom.
The noble students sighed in resignation, but the common students felt differently.
It was jealousy.
Unlike themselves, who would vanish after missing a single opportunity, the nobles could grasp one among many opportunities.
Jealousy toward the nobles, who could effortlessly seize one opportunity after another.
Jealousy toward a talent shining so brilliantly that it couldn’t be denied.
And above all, jealousy toward the one monopolizing the attention of the two figures they admired, Faybi and Luca.
At the academy, most commoners maintain close relationships with each other. They must to survive against the nobles.
In the broad commoner community formed across grades, the topic recently discussed with the most fervor was none other than the saintess.
Lately, it seems the saintess has been favoring Lucy Alrn too much, doesn’t it?
The ripple effect caused by someone’s remark was certainly not trivial.
The commoners at the academy understood.
Even the noble and virtuous saintess is still a human being.
Therefore, it is incredibly cruel to force her to love everyone equally.
If they truly cared for Faybi, they would wish for her to find happiness no matter what choice she makes.
However, knowing this with the head and feeling it with the heart are two entirely different things.
The saintess reprimanded those who spoke ill of Lucy Alrn.
That could happen.
The saintess dined with Lucy Alrn.
That could happen.
They trained together.
That could happen.
They went out to play on the street.
That could happen.
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They explored dungeons together.
That could happen.
And of course, they enjoyed festivals together, and in front of several influential figures present at that party, she defended Lucy Alrn.
That could happen.
She declared her a friend.
That.
That is Lucy Alrn.
She is clearly someone the saintess holds dear.
She is a being that can only appear contemptible in the eyes of commoners.
With such a person receiving Luca's attention, how could people’s expressions remain pleasant?
“Why should I listen to a minor professor like you? No way!”
Her response to Luca’s proposal was also quite a sight.
A minor professor? To belittle someone who might offer an opportunity of a lifetime as just a minor?! Refusing such a proposal!
“Lady, would you reconsider? It’s an important matter.”
The sharp glares of commoners each had a name.
They were filled with jealousy, hatred, hostility, and resentment.
They were filled with outrage at why someone who had everything since birth was taking even their small possessions.
[The grace of the master is like the heavens.]
[Clear all trials given by the young professor Luca from the academy!]
[Reward: ???]
[If failed: GAME OVER]
Incompetent god! You bastard!
Just because I grumbled a bit a moment ago, you’re immediately retaliating?!
Is this right?!
Did I do something wrong to you?! No! I only mocked you because you deserved it!
If you had raised my reputation in a good way, I wouldn’t have said anything!
The more I think about it, the more unfair it seems.
Why do I have to endure whatever strange things you do to me while being punished for complaining to you?
Is it because you’re a god?
Is it because you’re an absolute being compared to humans, throwing your weight around?!
Just wait. One day, you will regret making me your disciple and messing with me.
“Lady Alrn?”
As I chewed on my lips, Luca’s voice snapped me back to reality.
“Have you no intention of changing your mind?”
Luca, you don’t understand. Until just a moment ago, I was the one in power, but now I’m in a position where I must obey. No matter what trial you impose, I have no choice but to follow.
It goes without saying, but I won’t let you know.
If this lunatic learns of this, I can’t even guess what he might make me do.
What if? What if this world’s Luca is a perverted pedophile like the incompetent god, and he imposes a trial to make me wear a maid outfit and serve him?
It would be something like “Even while cursing, the mesugaki maid does everything! So good!”
I know. I’m aware that I’m talking nonsense right now.
But if I don’t at least think of such absurdities, it’s too much to bear!
‘Alright. Professor Luca.’
“You’re clinging to a little girl, huh? I thought you were a minor, but you’re a pedo professor? Your goal is sexual harassment? Eek~ You’re a pervert~”
“...That’s not it at all, Lady Alrn. I am.”
Seeing the cold sweat dripping from Luca’s face, which always maintained a calm expression, made me chuckle.
This is why I engage in mesugaki antics...
No, calm down.
Even if my mind is a bit off, I must not get lost in it.
This is all a plot from the incompetent god! Am I going to do what he wants?!
No way!
‘Just kidding. I’ll follow you.’
“I know. I was just teasing you, but seeing you flustered is amusing. Is this what it means to be an adult? Pathetic. Well, fine. Since the pedo professor is this persistent, I’ll follow along.”
“Lady, I am not a pedo professor; I am Luca.”
I know. I get it, but I can’t call you that. If you want, you can get rid of your mesugaki skill.
Sigh. Let’s think positively.
Right now, Luca sees my talent highly. It’s clear he’s clinging to me to keep me close.
So, if things go well, I might be able to guide the trials he gives me in a direction I desire. A direction that will aid my growth.
In games, I had to pray for good quests, but this is reality, isn’t it?
I’m going to get stronger. I will become a powerful being that makes the incompetent god tremble and the petty dark god lose his mind.
And I’ll confront the incompetent god in the divine realm, looking him in the face.
It’s easy to imagine what the face of a guy who does all sorts of perverted acts looks like, right?
While facing that disgusting and revolting face, I’ll deal a blow to him. I’ll watch that disgusting and revolting face turn red.
I will, without fail!