Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter: 52

“Young Lady. You need to do it more slowly and gently.”

‘I’m doing it like that.’

“Sloppy Maid. You’re doing it like that right now.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s like this.”

‘I don’t know.’

“Can you only explain it like a fool? Try to do it properly.”

“Wait a minute. Umm. So…”

The dedicated Maid was trying to teach me how to tidy my hair while looking in the mirror, but my hands were still clumsy.

It was no small hardship for me to do something I usually left to the Maid all by myself.

Why on earth is it that everyone must be equal regardless of rank within the Academy, so one can’t have attendants? Is there really a rule like that?

Even if I think about it a little, isn’t it clear that it can’t be upheld?

Since I have to go back under the system of social class after graduating from the Academy anyway, who in their right mind would advocate for equality!?

If that rule didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have to brush my own hair.

Damn it.

Although I complained in my mind, nothing changed in reality.

Grumbling as I moved my hands according to the Maid’s instructions, I finally succeeded in creating a somewhat decent hairstyle.

I thought this was good enough, but it seemed different in the eyes of a professional, as the Maid’s expression wasn’t great.

Isn’t there something more to do? Isn’t this basically the same as my usual look?

As I waited for the Maid to say something, she slowly nodded her head.

“I think this is sufficient.”

‘Right?’

“How about it? Way better than what the Sloppy Maid did, right?”

“Of course, Young Lady.”

The Maid had changed a lot over the past few months.

When we first met, she trembled even when I just moved my hands, but now she didn’t even flinch at commonplace things.

What on earth did Lucy do to turn her into such a broken person?

“Are you done, Young Lady?”

After finishing my grooming, when I came out of the lodging, Karl was waiting for us at the entrance.

Since it was creepy to stand guard in front of the door, I told him to stop, but here he was, guarding the entrance.

Does this guy think an ideal knight is someone who stalks their master?

I realized that whatever I said would just get brushed off, so I sighed out my irritation.

“Let’s go. Everyone is moving.”

‘Yes, that’s right.’

“I know. Sloppy Knight. Don’t rush me.”

As Karl and I moved, the Maid stood still in her place.

Wondering what she was doing, I turned my head and saw the Maid bending down, holding onto the ends of her skirt.

“Have a good trip, Lady Lucy. I will wait for your return at the Mansion.”

Is she saying goodbye here?

Since we’re bound to see each other again in a few months, why the fuss?

I turned completely to stand in front of the Maid.

‘I’ll be back, Erin.’

“Be right back, Sloppy Erin. Wait for me.”

“…Yes, Young Lady.”

*

The entrance of the Academy was bustling with people.

Last time, it was just students and attendants, so it was somewhat manageable, but now with the parents there too, I wondered if I could even make it through the crowd.

However, this worry was unnecessary.

As I walked toward the entrance of the Academy, people moved aside on their own.

Seeing people parting like they were avoiding a giant cockroach, I couldn’t help but let out a heh-heh.

Right. After spending a few months holed up in the Mansion, I had forgotten that this was how I was treated in the first place.

Under the mixed gazes of fear and discomfort, a sigh escaped my lips.

No matter how I thought about it, Lucy had caused so much trouble over such a broad range.

If Lucy had only been a nuisance in the Mansion, it wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

Is it possible to turn this reputation around?

At this point, it seems easier to just accept it.

[Think positively. You’ve been able to enter comfortably, haven’t you?]
‘If Grandpa was here, would he really be positive in this situation?’
[Better than people gathering, right? Do you have any idea how horrific it is if people start gathering just because of me?]
With those words, the Grandpa began telling stories from when he used to be a hero.

When he and his comrades moved together, they couldn’t move for all the people who had gathered to watch them.

Since that accident caused by the crowd, he had tried to hide his identity as much as possible.

It turns out having a good reputation comes with its own troubles.

As expected, anything is best in moderation.

Thinking that, I walked down the center of the open path.

Yeah. Better than getting crushed by people.

As I tried to enter the Academy with Karl, the gatekeeper blocked us.

“I’m sorry, but Lady Allen, you cannot bring your attendant inside.”

‘Karl…’

“This Sloppy one isn’t my attendant.”

“Excuse me? Then…”

‘I’m going for work at the Academy.’
“You can only go for work from here. Is this sloppy gatekeeper that clueless about this?”

Though nominally,

As a knight of the Allen family, he had a significant influence on getting a job at the Soul Academy due to the last incident.

When the accident happened during the Academy’s entrance exam, Benedict sent a serious complaint to the Academy.

The Academy offered an apology and promised to make some form of compensation, but Benedict rejected all their offers.

And then he stated.

“No need for such compensation, just allow one of our knights to enter the Academy.”

It was a blatant distrust, as in “I don’t trust you, so I will send a knight to protect my daughter.”

With that, the Academy didn’t have any response.

The incident at the entrance exam was entirely their fault, and considering Benedict’s status, they were getting off easy.

However, the Academy’s rule of not allowing attendants was a rule, so they couldn’t just force Karl in.

So the solution proposed by the Academy was employment.

It was the maximum concession they could show, and Benedict accepted the proposal without further ado.

That’s how Karl parachuted into the Academy as a professor.

From my perspective, this was a welcomed situation.

It meant there was now someone absolutely on my side within the Academy.

I was a bit worried that he might be guarding the door of the lodging too… but surely he wouldn’t do that, right?

As Karl pulled out a letter from his pocket to show the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper was surprised and saluted Karl.

“I see, you’ve come as a professor! Please enter!”

That’s how I entered the Soul Academy, parting ways with Karl and heading towards the place where the entrance ceremony would be held.

As the professor, Karl had a lot more responsibilities than I did as a student.

The path leading to the ceremony site was incredibly pleasant.

Even when surrounded by parents, the way opened before me, so what would it be like when it was just students?

“Lady Allen.”

At this rate, making friends was a lost cause!

I was sure I would be living a solitary life at the Academy, when someone called my name.

‘Joy.’

“Foolish Young Lady. It’s been a while.”

It was Joy.

Wearing the Soul Academy uniform, she looked less intimidating than when she wore her usual black dress.

Of course, that was just compared to before; she still looked like a villainess.

Hearing “Foolish Young Lady” made her furrow her brows, and it was quite the sight.

I felt like I might just die from her glare.

“Can’t you just call me by my name instead of that ‘Foolish Young Lady’?”

Although Joy asked this because she was tired of the title, it was impossible.

I was already calling her by her name in my head.

Unless Mesugaki Skill allowed me, I couldn’t just call her by her name.

‘Sorry.’

“Why should I do that? Foolish Young Lady?”

“…Ha. Do as you please. Anyway, the day when I can do something like that isn’t too far off.”

Joy might not know that I almost became the representative of the new students?

I wonder what kind of expression she would have when my name is on the top of that list.

I had seen her fluster when she acted foolish in the game, so would I get to see that expression in real life?!

I’m kinda looking forward to it.

“By the way, Lady Allen.”

‘Yes?’

“What’s up?”

“Thank you for last time. Thanks to you, I preserved my life. I will surely repay this debt someday.”

Joy said this and, bowing her head, turned back towards her group.

Whoa! I didn’t expect to get another thank you in a public place.

[It seems the hard work paid off.]
‘True that.’
Even though I just cleaned up my own mess, receiving thanks felt a bit odd.

It was just a maybe but…

Seeing how grateful she was, would it be possible for me to become friends with Lucy if I behave well in the future?

Perhaps my life at the Academy wouldn’t be entirely gray after all!

With those thoughts, I headed towards the entrance ceremony location and was once again reminded of reality…

As soon as people assigned to sit around me saw my face, they looked like they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

You wouldn’t even be that scared if you saw a three-eyed monster!

Seeing the students utterly terrified and glancing at me filled me with guilt.

My apologies, unfortunate souls.

Contrary to your worries, I’m an incredibly harmless person, so nothing you’re worried about will happen.

Just think that every worldly incident exists and endure a bit.

After all, as long as I keep my mouth shut, I’m just an adorably cute Young Lady, right? Enjoy the view!

As time elapsed, more people began to gather at the venue for the entrance ceremony.

Among them, many familiar characters were present.

The next-generation Sword Saint, Frey Kent.

Toby, who entered the Academy solely based on his talent as a commoner.

Phoebe, who was said to have the highest talent among all saintesses in history.

When she met my gaze from afar, she bowed her head in greeting.

Truly a Saintess! Even after being called Sloppy, she still greets me first!

If it weren’t for that Sloppy God incident last time messing with my head, I could have had more conversations with her.

What a shame.

And the Third Prince Arthur Soladin, commonly referred to as the ‘Unlucky Prince’ by the users…

Huh? Why is he here?

Shouldn’t he be the representative since I declined the position?

“From now on, we will begin the Academy entrance ceremony. Students please…”

While I was contemplating these thoughts, the Vice-Principal Molly ascended the podium, and the entrance ceremony for the Academy began.

The new student representative was the Inferior Confucian, Jack Burrows.

I wonder if he was happy to become the representative?

He read his prepared speech with a triumphant expression.

Overall, while he had exceptional talent, he was inferior in terms of mind compared to the Unlucky Prince and still lagged behind Frey or Toby in terms of talent, making it impossible for him to be the best.

Why is that guy, destined to never get first place, standing there?

That’s strange. There’s no way he can beat the Unlucky Prince!

In the game, he was always getting beaten and humiliated—what a pattern!

No wonder his nickname was Inferior Confucian!

I really don’t get the reason.

What’s happening in the Soul Academy in this world?

Watching him with a happy expression after shouting he would definitely win next time while tearing up made my feelings quite mixed.

Yeah. You also deserve to be happy just once.

After his speech, Judy Albert stepped up to the podium.

The fact that she is here means it’s time.

I tightly gripped the mace I had been keeping small in my hand.

[Why are you suddenly wielding a weapon?]
‘It’s almost time for it to come.’
[What’s coming?]
“Ahhh!”
As Grandpa asked the question, a scream echoed from behind.

The ground shook.

As I turned my gaze that way, monsters made their appearance, breaking through the ground.

Here it comes. The Academy’s cliché of the water!

It’s only fitting for the Academy entrance ceremony not to end quietly.

As I pushed past the commotion, I enlarged the size of the mace and created a shield with Divine Magic.

Alright, let’s go!

It’s time to improve my reputation with some tanking actions!

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