1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

154. I Don’t Want to Go to Adel’s Funeral (3)

“Senior. Do we have to endure that too?”

At Hessel’s words, Kerdel glanced at the first-years.

Their eyes were fixed on him, as if waiting to see how he would respond.

A tide of anguish surged within him.

Should he maintain the stance of discipline he intended, or retreat and feel the sting of shame? It was not an easy decision to make.

‘If I retreat like this, I’ll only earn their scorn…’

Kendell steeled himself and gazed at Hessel.

Indeed, there was the matter of face to uphold; he could not simply bend to this.

Just as he was about to assert his conviction, Hessel approached, a displeased expression etched on his features.

“What’s that, huh!”

As the man’s face drew near, a sharp pain throbbed in Kendell’s side—the very spot where Hessel had struck him with his staff.

“What’s it going to be? Make up your mind quickly. Otherwise, how am I supposed to decide if I’ll shower later? Right? Or not?”

Discontent dripped from his voice.

Kendell recoiled in alarm.

Yet, to leave it like this would be far too humiliating.

He had to salvage at least a shred of dignity.

“Ahem, my mistake. To be put through this on such a momentous day, having just arrived. I admit my thinking was short-sighted. Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”

He tried to package it like a magnanimous gesture, but the whispers behind him gnawed at his nerves.

“Look at him, trying to act all important again.”

“Right? The moment he opens his mouth, the bravado just spills out.”

“…”

Feeling awkward, Kendell hastily made his exit.

Once out of sight, he couldn’t help but let a few tears slip.

How had it come to this?

To see his once-mighty reign atop Frost Heart reduced to such a pitiful end was utterly disheartening.

‘Is there truly no such thing as an eternal throne…?’

Wiping his tears, Kendell cast a resentful glance at Hessel, who was packing his belongings to leave. At the same time, his fingers trembled.

‘I may despise him, but there’s something far worse at hand.’

The greatest concern was that the man had moved here.

Kendell sensed a dark future looming ahead.

With the days of their encounters now increasing, could he possibly graduate unscathed with that devil around?

* * *

Today was consumed with examining the changed living environment.

To evaluate it first, it was luxurious beyond comparison to the Shulafe quarters.

The quality of the furnishings was beyond reproach, and a personal shower was standard, with bathrobes provided separately.

In the case of laundry and cleaning, the attendants managing the dormitory took care to do it well.

Another advantage was that there was no need to carry a rule mirror around, worrying about being devoured by strange phenomena, and the facilities were equipped for watching performances by the music and theater clubs.

And the best part, indeed, was that unlike the cramped rooms of Shulafe Hall, this place was quite spacious.

Yet, at this very moment, it felt like a drawback.

“So this is the Hursel room,” Limberton said with a sly grin.

Lying on the bed, I scanned the men huddled on the floor.

In my room, besides Limberton, there were Rix, Belman, Asley, and Riamon.

“How’s the atmosphere in Adel Hall?”

“The living conditions are quite good. The classes are probably better than those in Shulafe,” Belman replied to Rix’s question.

“Doesn’t that big frame make movement uncomfortable?”

“I’ve never thought so. I suppose that means it’s not uncomfortable.”

Riamon stared blankly at his bony forearm while Asley flexed his muscles.

They began to chatter away, completely disregarding the presence of the room’s owner.

Starting with questions about the overall atmosphere of Adel Hall and what made the classes different from those in Shulafe, the topics flowed into answers.

It was quite a useful Q&A session, and I didn’t want to interrupt.

But why had they taken over my room without permission? I had no memory of inviting them…

“Since the progress of the classes is ahead here, you’ll likely have to take supplementary lessons. There might be subjects you haven’t learned yet. You’ll need to put in some effort to catch up,” Belman said, his words sounding particularly bitter, prompting deep sighs from Asley and Limberton.

Rix, being quite sharp, didn’t seem overly burdened by this part.

Then the conversation shifted to points of caution.

“I’ve heard that Bürger Hall is average, and Shulafe Hall was rather free-spirited, right? So, it’s best to be careful. The dormitory rules in Adel Hall are quite strict.”

Adel Hall, being a place of some honor, had many rules to follow.

Curfew was strict, and there were penalties for actions that went against decorum, not to mention that privileges for facilities were held by the upperclassmen.

Belman diligently listed the things to be cautious about, emphasizing this one with a serious expression.

“By the way, there are many believers among the upperclassmen. Avoid making statements that might offend their sensibilities.”

It could be said that most second and third years had fallen under the sway of the student council.

While there were some who held pure faith, the majority benefited from various perks provided by the council.

Not only financial support but also, for those with low sociability, collective activities helped alleviate their loneliness.

“Should I believe in some religion too?”

At Limberton’s remark, Belman shook his head.

“I wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t know why, but just dipping my toes in feels like it would scramble my brain.”

Riamon opened his sullen eyes in agreement.

“There is a certain atmosphere to it.”

“Already, I’m filled with worry. The second-years were probably looking at the faculty the same way we do now last year. It means they’ll gradually be tainted over time.”

Indeed, Belman’s perspective was quite broad.

To be influenced over time.

If they weren’t the main characters, and the student council wasn’t the enemy, the current first-years would likely end up the same way.

“I think I’ve conveyed all the warnings. This time, I’ll ask a question. Do you know anything about the student left in the special dorm?”

Belman looked at me and asked.

“Are you talking about the last remaining boy…?”

The special dorm housed a total of five.

The Luon faction had four members, and now only one boy remained.

Questions about him had surfaced occasionally after the Luon subjugation, but they quickly faded away.

The reason was his faint presence.

“Yeah, I heard he doesn’t participate in classes much either. Apparently, no matter how harshly the professors punish him, it’s all in vain.”

Given the past of the special dorm students, they seemed to be quite concerned about that boy.

They must have felt the need to keep an eye on him.

Though I knew the boy’s identity, I decided to feign ignorance.

“Who knows? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Well, we in the citadel haven’t seen him either. If you guys in the Shulafe dorm know him, that would be even stranger.”

“Is there really anything to worry about at this point? We’ll run into him anyway when we become second-years.”

“Hmm, that’s true. I’ve heard that staying in the special dorm for a year releases you from it. It wouldn’t be too late to find out then.”

Belman easily agreed. Then he seemed to recall there was another student we needed to keep an eye on.

“Then, the most pressing concern is Dorothian.”

Belman looked at me and asked.

“Hershel, what should we be cautious about regarding Dorothian?”

I slowly blinked my eyes.

Caution points, huh…

“But what do you mean by a word of caution? Why ask me such a thing?”

“According to Rix, you are the only one who dares to speak to Dorothian.”

“······.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

It seemed they regarded me as some sort of beast tamer, while it was Dorothian who could reveal her true nature at any moment.

At least within the Frost Heart, she was not an ally; rather, she could easily become a potential villain, a disruptor of the scenario if things went awry.

I too found myself hoping she wouldn’t cause any trouble, keeping my distance and observing her carefully.

Yet, if I were to offer some words of reassurance, it would be this.

“It seems you all harbor some prejudice against Dorothian.”

Everyone did.

It was as if a fierce aura emanated from her, causing no one to approach.

The essence of that atmosphere was far less formidable than it appeared.

It was merely a mirage created by malicious rumors and the experiences of those who had encountered her directly.

Thus, I could speak with confidence.

“Why not muster a bit of courage and approach her? Who knows? You might forge a normal friendship and lead an unremarkable life.”

“Hursel, I heard from Rix. He said that when he tried what you suggested, he ended up hypnotized into being a frog for an hour.”

At Belman’s words, Rix seemed to recall a painful memory, letting out a deep sigh.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight.

It reminded me of the words I had previously used to tease him.

—Let’s be friends. You said you wanted to share meals and have light sparring sessions, enjoying that kind of academy life, right? It seems you’ve taken a liking to her. So, cast aside your prejudices and get closer to her. Then, we can laugh and play together joyfully.

Heh heh heh, you really believed that, didn’t you?

* * *

The smoke of the incense filled the room.

On the desk lay a single book.

The sun emblem engraved in the center of the black cover boasted a vivid crimson hue, almost melting the cover itself.

“It doesn’t seem like he wishes for an adversarial relationship with us.”

It was the voice of a man standing across the table.

The man seated at the head of the table looked up at him with a benevolent expression.

His eyes, with their striking slant, were memorable.

He was an officer of the student council, a candidate to be the next student council president.

The former student council president, Ders, tapped the Bible with his finger.

“Is that so?”

At this, the man offered a lifeless smile as he observed Ders.

“You need not worry. Just look at how he transferred the position of the First Seat to Kerdel without hesitation. If he were greedy for power, he would not have made such a decision.”

Ders nodded at the man’s words.

“That is true.”

Having taken on the role of student council president, he was well aware of Hessel’s movements.

‘He has many unexpected facets. When I heard he was challenging for the Tenth Seat, I thought he merely sought to usurp Kerdel’s position…’

At that time, it was only natural to weigh the benefits, and he had planned to abandon Kerdel.

In truth, there was no need for deliberation.

The moment a new power emerged that could not be swayed by authority, Kerdel’s value had diminished entirely.

No matter how much money was poured or how many schemes were devised, defeating such a fool seemed nearly impossible.

“While it’s good news that he is not hostile, I still find it regrettable. Establishing new connections didn’t seem like a bad idea.”

Yet, Hessel had no interest in the position.

The friction between him and the Tenth Seat arose from a simple dispute.

Ders wanted to press the situation in his own way, but there was a reason he could not.

The officer, sensing the oddity of this, asked with a voice full of questions.

“But why do you take an interest in him? Surely, the conclusion has already been reached internally that there is nothing to connect us.”

“That is true.”

“I do not understand why you still find him intriguing.”

At the officer’s question, Ders ran a hand through his hair.

“Actually, I received instructions from the Church Bureau.”

The moment the name of the Church Bureau was mentioned, the officer’s eyes widened in surprise.

“From the Church Bureau?”

Ders’s inner thoughts mirrored the officer’s reaction.

The Church Bureau was the core institution of the faith.

Even those talented enough to be sent to the academy were still mere acolytes.

It was not a position from which one could receive direct orders without an intermediary from such an institution.

“It is too early to be surprised. In fact, it is not just Hessel van Tenest; they also instructed me to keep an eye on the first-year knight, Leana Rel Derevian.”

“Leana, you say…? No, what on earth is the Church Bureau thinking?”

“Even I can hardly believe it. I don’t quite grasp the intent behind it all, but what can we do? If we must, we must.”

Ders sighed, glancing at the wall clock before rising from his seat.

“Oh dear, has the time slipped away so quickly? We should take our leave now.”

“Ah, yes.”

As the two men exited the student council room, the curtains fluttered.

Though the window was closed, the movement persisted.

At last, the curtains whooshed aside, revealing the figure of a man who had been hanging from the curtain rod.

It was Emeric.

“Hmm.”

Emeric carefully set his feet on the ground, watching the door through which Ders had just departed.

“I sought to unearth something that could be used against you, yet I’ve stumbled upon quite a significant affair.”