To enroll in Valhalla Academy, a noble's recommendation is required. This means you cannot enroll unless you are a noble yourself or are sponsored by one. Perhaps because of this, the central hall was decorated not as a Semester Start Party, but as a banquet hall for nobles' social gatherings.
It's not like someone like me, who lived a normal modern life, would have ever attended a real nobles' banquet. But I've seen descriptions of pseudo-medieval noble banquets, commonly used as backgrounds in Korean fantasy novels, to the point of being sick of them.
First, a huge chandelier must always hang from the banquet hall ceiling. Gilded panels should adorn the pure white walls, creating a gorgeous yet neat impression. Luxurious golden candlesticks and fresh flower decorations are essential. An indoor orchestra playing soft background music is a given, and the center of the hall must remain empty for people to dance. Along the edges, long rectangular tables typically offer an endless supply of food. Depending on the occasion, tables with chairs are arranged for comfortable conversation.
'They've followed all these rules perfectly.'
The herald who would announce guests by shouting, "So-and-so from such-and-such family has entered!" was absent. This absence stems from the nominal school rule that within the Academy, social status cannot override being a 'student'.
'If they truly pursued an equal educational institution, they wouldn't require a noble's recommendation for admission. Last semester, Karvaldr would have been suspended instead of Reisir.'
Anyway, the interior was quite splendid. But this possessed body was the son of a family with status too high for me to just stand there and gawk at the surroundings. So, after a quick glance around the room, I fixed my gaze straight ahead and walked forward.
The goal was the 'tables with chairs that are sometimes arranged.' This way, it would look like I was simply looking around for a place to sit.
'There aren't many students who have arrived yet, so there are plenty of empty seats.'
Since the possessed body's lackeys came to find me, I ended up leaving the room earlier than planned. And since I didn't want to hear Tryggdrik chattering behind me, I quickened my pace and arrived a bit early. Thanks to that, I was able to choose any table I wanted. Should I call this a good thing?
I tried to think positively while sitting down at a table in the corner.
My back was straight, my torso leaned back slightly against the backrest, my legs crossed, and my hands clasped on my lap.
To look relaxed and arrogant.
I didn't know if my posture looked similar to the possessed body's usual posture, or if I was the only one who cared about such things. In any case, neither Tryggdrik nor Ríolíkin questioned my posture. That's good enough, I suppose.
"I'll get the drinks, you go over there and get something to eat."
Tryggdrik pointed to the food table far away and sent Ríolíkin, who was about to sit down, on an errand. Then he sat down and, with just a gesture, called over a waiter carrying a tray of whiskey glasses.
It didn't look like a fair division of labor by any means.
'To have ranks even within a group of bullies.'
Since Ríolíkin is also part of the perpetrator group, I don't particularly want to defend him, but Tryggdrik's actions are quite displeasing to witness. His intention to bully was so clear that it made me feel nauseous to simply ignore it and move on.
But I'm in no position to point out his rights and wrongs since I didn't lift a finger myself, so I pushed away the whiskey glass Tryggdrik had placed before me and spoke.
"Get rid of this and bring me some ice water."
Besides, I had no desire to touch alcohol with a body that wasn't even 18 years old. This is a crazy world where drinking is legal from age sixteen. But as a modern person, I knew very well how negatively underage drinking affects brain development.
"Pardon...?"
"You must have heard me clearly, so how should I take your act of pretending not to have heard?"
"I-I'm sorry! I'll be right back!"
Only after I scowled and showed my displeasure did Tryggdrik hastily get up from his seat. He acted flustered, but for a moment I clearly saw a flash of annoyance on his cunning face before it vanished.
I followed that cunning bastard with my eyes as he fumbled around looking for ice water, then immediately called a waiter and ordered a glass of water. I added that I would give him a tip if he returned before that guy.
'How can I trust and drink the water brought by someone like Tryggdrik?'
You're not supposed to judge people by focusing on just one aspect of them, but it's acceptable for characters. In my opinion, Tryggdrik was certain to spit in the water while bringing it. I absolutely didn't want to drink such dirty water.
Fortunately, the waiter I sent for water returned faster than Tryggdrik. This waiter even demonstrated his competence by bringing both a cup with ice and an empty cup, asking which one I preferred for the water.
So what Tryggdrik witnessed upon returning was the waiter placing a cup with ice in front of me and pouring water from a pitcher.
"You're too late. I couldn't wait and just asked a waiter."
Tryggdrik blinked, holding the cup of ice water, and only after hearing my words did he grasp the situation, his face flushing. It seemed he was angry, having realized I put him through dog training.
I ignored him and gave the promised tip to the waiter who had completed the water errand excellently.
The waiter then smiled brightly, while Tryggdrik failed to control his expression and scowled.
'There's a tipping culture here, so I brought some money just in case, and it's a good thing I did.'
If I continue acting like this, will that bastard Tryggdrik stop being Karvaldr's subordinate? I hope he does, I thought as I took a sip of water, and just as I was putting the glass down, Ríolíkin returned to the table.
He managed to carry four plates at once using both hands and his wider-than-average forearms.
'Was the cunning bastard ordering that big guy to get food not bullying, but a proper placement of manpower considering his talent?'
I was confused for a moment, but it seemed my initial thought that this was bullying was correct. This was clear from how Tryggdrik was taking out his anger on Ríolíkin, finding fault with him for being late.
'According to the directory of names, their families have similar power, so why is he just taking the harassment quietly?'
It's a sight that makes me think his brawny muscles and huge frame are being wasted. It looks like if Ríolíkin just glared and shouted, Tryggdrik would stumble and fall like the skinny twig he appears to be. Unless he's acting as an underling because Tryggdrik has something on him.
It would be ridiculous for me to step in if he's willingly taking it. But it got on my nerves to sit back and watch.
"What's with this food you brought? It's a talent, a real talent, to pick out the most unappetizing-looking things from among the good-quality ones! Is it because you're the kind of guy who just shoves anything into his mouth? How—"
"Tryggdrik, be quiet."
He's a truly unpleasant being. To the point that it makes me feel nauseous, even though I know he's just a character created by someone's settings. Therefore, even after I shut him up, my stomach didn't settle, so I drank some cold water.
'I thought it would be fine since no student would dare to bully Karvaldr, a son of a Ducal Family, but to think he's followed around by guys like this...'
It seems I really don't fit in with a place called school. If I could, I would quit this academy just like I quit high school.
But Hárðr, this body's father, will not allow it.
'And thinking about the future, I must keep attending the Academy.'
On the day of the graduation ceremony at the end of December, this Academy will be swallowed by a ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Demon Realm. This is an opportunity I cannot miss.
Because to awaken, you must be at that location the moment the Demon Realm is created.
Not everyone present will awaken. Only a select few are able, and the Karvaldr I possess belonged to that 'select few'.
Moreover, the Demon Realm that appeared at Valhalla Academy resulted in only one casualty. Other than that, it was cleared without significant damage, so it is not dangerous.
The boss mob that appeared was relatively weak, and this place is packed with faculty of outstanding ability. In fact, it was surprising there was even one casualty.
'In reality, it was merely a forced development to quickly eliminate a character the readers disliked.'
Since I have read the original, I know a few places where Demon Realms are scheduled to appear. But there is no reason for me to leave the safe Academy and seek out a dangerous place.
Furthermore, awakening brings several benefits, including an 'ability growth rate enhancement'. Even with the same amount of effort, an awakened person achieves greater efficiency than a non-awakened one, making early awakening advantageous.
The Demon Realm at Valhalla Academy is the second one to appear in this world.
'And is that all?'
As I described, Valhalla Academy has many professors with outstanding abilities, and since the Demon Realm causes minimal damage, the academy remains open. While the Original Protagonist leaves to investigate the Demon Realms, I can remain here to continue learning and improving my skills.
In terms of growth speed, it might not match the experience of real combat like Reisir's.
'But instead, a systematic education is guaranteed, and it's incomparably safer.'
Since I've possessed the body of 'Villain 1', unlike the Original Protagonist Reisir, there's no guarantee I would survive in a harsh environment. Although Reisir himself survived, his companions died one by one shortly after joining him.
Safe awakening and growth are the reasons I want to continue attending the Academy.
"Um... Lord Karvaldr? Did something bad happen during the vacation? You look very pale..."
My paleness is solely the result of a lack of sleep. However, Tryggdrik is also largely to blame. If he hadn't poked at my school-day trauma by bullying Ríolíkin, I would be in better condition now.
When Tryggdrik spoke as if he bore no responsibility, the words 'It's because you're so disgusting' swirled in my mouth.
If I were to spit out these words, I would have to explain the reason, and that's something 'Karvaldr' cannot do.
Of course, I could not say that I had stayed up for several nights cramming information into my head to perfectly act out 'Karvaldr'.
So I had no choice but to endure the nausea rising in my throat and lie.
"...It's just that I've developed insomnia lately, so don't mind it."
"Ah, that explains it! The dark circles under your eyes were because of insomnia, weren't they? Shall I gift you some tea that's good for sleep?"
"Didn't I just tell you not to mind it? Why do you keep pretending not to hear me today?"
"That... I'm sorry."
From the looks of it, Tryggdrik only restrains his behavior when I become more than a little annoyed or angry.
In short, he pushes the limits without crossing the line, constantly testing the waters to see what he can get away with.
Having figured this out, I could not help but ask Karvaldr the same question I had about Ríolíkin.
'Why on earth did the original owner of this body hang out with a guy like Tryggdrik?'
Although I couldn't get an answer from Karvaldr, the question was quickly resolved.
As the party's start time approached, the number of students entering increased, and many came to talk to the possessed body.
But I did not need to bother exchanging greetings with them or trying to recall the directory of names.
Because Tryggdrik stepped up and dealt with those students.
