The Defeated Heroine I Married Cannot Forget The Protagonist

༺ 𓆩 Chapter 11 𓆪 ༻ 

「Translator — Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Was this really supposed to be a freshman welcome ceremony?

Just when I thought the atmosphere might turn funeral-like after Elfin got scolded by Professor Cheren,

"Two of them sleeping from the first class, these rotten brats."

…Yeah. It had definitely gotten worse.

His mouth seemingly never running dry, he'd been repeating the same thing for twenty minutes.

"Miracle generation? More like Useless generation."

At least all the scorn was directed solely at me.

Which was exactly what I wanted.

Why?

Because I needed to preserve Elfin de Hertha’s reputation.

She wasn’t just some student — she was a genius mage, the strongest first-year, and the person carrying the highest expectations of anyone here.

In the previous timeline, Muse Fairfield, Sia Stella, and Shirai had all been in Class A.

Back then, the students’ attention had been more evenly distributed.

But now that all three of them had been reassigned to different classes?

All the pressure had landed squarely on Elfin’s shoulders.

And I wasn’t about to let that weight crush her.

Cheren wasn’t wrong to scold her, but letting hundreds of students see the top student cowering under his words?

Letting them watch as she got chewed out for sleeping — front row, first day?

It’d only make things worse.

The first-years, who should be sticking together, would end up resenting her instead.

So if someone had to take the heat?

Might as well be me.

Better a meat shield than a sacrificial lamb.

"........!"

If Sia's eyes were emerald, Elfin's were olivine. More yellowish-green than pure green, and always carrying a frightened look.

'Why is she staring?'

The moment our eyes met, she turned away with lightning-quick reflexes. Anyone watching would think I had stared first.

Elfin de Hertha.

Despite her name suggesting someone rude who would overwhelm others with sheer presence, she was closer to prey than predator. She struggled even to make eye contact with others, and visibly panicked when faced with male students.

In simple terms, she was just a socially awkward introvert.

She had left the banquet hall right after the entrance ceremony because she disliked crowded places.

To some, it might seem like I was making a big deal out of nothing.

But this — this was exactly why I went out of my way for Elfin.

"You there, who was snoring away from the first class."

Professor Cheren pointed at me with his gruff voice.

Was he planning to humiliate me in front of everyone?

“You zoning out on me now?”

"I'm sorry."

“Hah. Didn’t even try to deny it. I like that.”

Professor Cheren wiggled his index finger.

'He wants me to come down suddenly?'

When a professor says jump, you ask how high. Professor Cheren never smiled when angry. Seeing his sly grin now, he must be planning something strange.

Even with my attention-seeking act, it would be difficult to resist going down there.

"Not coming down? You want to have a go with me?"

This was unfair.

I would have gone down, but Shirai wouldn't let go of my hand, making it impossible to leave my seat.

"I'll buy you ice cream later."

Only after whispering this in Shirai's ear could I finally escape her persistent grip.

Thud—

The students' gazes remained sharp and cold; it felt like being trapped in a prison of thorns.

Choices always came with consequences.

And right now, I was reaping what I’d sown.

Every step I took, I could feel the weight of those hundreds of eyes following me.

"Young man."

I finally managed to reach Professor Cheren.

His tall stature and broad shoulders; the sophisticated hairstyle unbefitting a middle-aged man.

A red shirt that perfectly matched his sturdy frame, topped with a beige button vest. A black overcoat with fur trim and a straight scarf decorated with an anaconda pattern.

The pressure felt entirely different up close.

“Turn around.”

I hesitated, unsure of his intent.

Before I could react, his iron grip clamped down on my shoulder.

When I stood frozen in confusion, Professor Cheren grabbed my shoulder with his strong grip and—

Whip—!

In a single, fluid motion, he spun me around 180 degrees.

Then he whispered in a voice only I could hear.

“This is what it means to bear responsibility.”

Cheren Dragunov.

Take away his physique, and he was just another nagging old man.

But—

“Look at them.”

His voice was calm, almost thoughtful.

“All those eyes, glaring at you.

Doesn’t it scare you?”

He had known from the start.

Known exactly why I had drawn attention to myself.

And this — this was his lesson.

Forcing me to face all of them.

"Did I look like a fool who couldn't see through you?"

"........."

“The world doesn’t move at your convenience, kid.”

Under the scrutiny of countless student gazes.

I found myself nodding involuntarily at the sincere teaching from Professor Cheren, my elder.

Indeed, life rarely goes as planned.

Which was how I ended up in this mess in the first place.

"Do you understand why I spent twenty minutes nagging away? Hm?"

“…Was it to piss everyone off just so I could enjoy this lovely view?”

“Exactly. If I hadn’t made a scene, they wouldn’t be hating you this much right now.”

There’s a difference between fear that’s scattered and fear that’s focused.

Back when I was sitting, my line of sight had been limited. The weight of their stares hadn’t felt that suffocating.

But now?

Now that the entire room was in full view, and all of those eyes were locked onto me—

Yeah.

It was impossible not to feel the pressure.

In short, everything had gone exactly the way this old snake had planned.

He wanted to drill a lesson into me — the cost of responsibility is greater than you can imagine.

So he had talked my ears off for twenty minutes.

Made sure every single student saw this as the class that got ruined by one idiot.

And in doing so, he’d manipulated their perception — all without them realizing it.

— Where did this snake-like fellow slither in from?

That's what Princess Niphia had said.

Though the real snake wasn't me but this cunning old man.

"Isn't this sacrifice for a lesson too harsh?"

"You're the one who messed with me first. How much of a fool did you take me for, making those vulgar snoring sounds?"

I knew it.

This happened because I started it.

Snoring during sacred class time and even having the audacity to say "Ah, slept well."

Anyone would be justified in cursing me.

But what could I do?

One person's fate – no, the fate of everyone here, including the Swordsmanship Department students. Countless lives hung in the balance.

I knew it sounded like something straight out of a criminal’s excuse book, but—

I genuinely didn’t have a choice.

Still.

Professor Cheren’s way of teaching?

It was twisted.

"You must be pleased, making a student into an outcast."

"Who told you to intervene? While an adult was speaking, no less."

He finally removed his hand from my shoulder and tilted his head to the right.

To the front right corner from my perspective.

Where Elfin de Hertha sat.

"Do you like her?"

Here we go.

"But how unfortunate for you. After covering for her even at the cost of this humiliation, she won't even look at you?"

She kept her head down, hiding both hands under her blanket.

I could see them.

Her delicate hands trembling under the blanket. Her two olive-green eyes, hidden behind disheveled hair, must have been trembling just as much.

How timid was Elfin, you ask?

According to the developer's comments, she once had to give a presentation in middle school, and it took her a full hour just to read through the script.

She could barely make eye contact with people, let alone stand in front of them. Expecting anything else from her would’ve been ridiculous.

"I didn't do it expecting anything. And I don't like her either."

“Hah. Sounds like a damn lie. If it’s true, though, you’re one hell of a romantic.”

I just said I don’t.

Clearly, he had no intention of listening.

"I'll return to my seat."

"Hold on, wouldn't it be disappointing to leave like this?"

"............?"

"I'll give you a chance to make up for it."

Professor Cheren took a deep breath.

His lungs visibly expanded to their full capacity.

And then, as if engaging in mortal combat with Count Asura,

“HEY! YOU BASTARDS! WE GOT BREAKING NEWS!”

He bellowed, causing the hostile students to tilt their heads in curiosity.

"If this fellow can beat me in a duel, I'll give him free time during my lectures for the next four days."

Cheren Dragunov.

A powerful figure acknowledged by Headmaster Celes.

As he extended his left arm to deploy a barrier, the lecture hall was instantly enveloped in cyan energy. Until Professor Cheren released the barrier, everything that happened here would be restored upon its release.

Everything except for changes to the human body.

In other words—

Any injuries sustained would remain, even after the duel was over.

“The test begins.”

𓆩♱𓆪

First-year Magic Department Class-C lecture hall.

Every student in the room had their eyes locked on the podium.

An unexpected duel between Professor Cheren Dragunov and a single male student.

"How boring."

A blade of ice streaked through the air, bearing the name of a sword once wielded by King Arthur himself.

Excalibur.

The frosty blade struck down toward a sharp-featured, blond-haired young man.

“For all that talk, you’re pathetic.”

"........."

It was a one-sided display bordering on assault.

The male student's body was already covered in marks…

Not a drop of blood had been spilled — Professor Cheren’s precise control of his strength saw to that.

But his hair was a mess.

His uniform was tattered in places.

At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed on the spot.

Professor Cheren had handicapped himself by using only two ice swords. Yet the male student couldn't even attempt an attack, barely managing to dodge the flying blades.

Up until a moment ago, the students had been glaring at the blond-haired boy, their eyes filled with hostility.

But now?

Now, for just this moment, they silently rooted for him.

Because if he won—

They’d all get four whole days of free periods.

Not that he had any chance of winning.

"Ugh...!"

"Making such a fuss over a mere scratch."

Bang—! Crash—!

The impact sounds of ice swords striking the floor and—

"*Yawn.*"

Professor Cheren's bored yawning occupied the lecture hall.

The male student was doing well enough dodging Professor Cheren's attacks; the biggest problem was his inability to counter after dodging.

When he would dodge one sword and try to approach, like now, the remaining sword circling Professor Cheren would block his advance.

However, this was the Magic Department lecture hall in the Aether Hall.

Anyone qualified to enter Lumeris Academy should be capable of using fairly decent magic. Yet the students didn't find it strange at all that the male student wasn't using magic.

Cheren's barrier was interfering with the flow of mana within their bodies. Most students had probably already noticed.

While not completely preventing mana use, students with below-standard basic mana levels found their mana flow completely sealed, unable to use even basic magic.

Of course, the standard here was "Lumeris Academy student."

"This is my orientation style, little one."

Aware of this, Professor Cheren had only used two Excaliburs while making the outrageous offer of four days of free time.

He never intended to lose in the first place.

Finally cornered by the ice swords, the male student swallowed hard, cold sweat running down his face at the sight before him.

"Don't worry too much—you'll wake up in the infirmary."

Just as Professor Cheren's gesture sent both ice swords flying toward the male student—

Three arrows traced an arc through the air as they flew in.

Whoosh—!!

In an instant, they collided with Cheren’s ice swords, melting them down into liquid.

And then—

A small figure, clad in a hooded robe, began descending the stairs.

Her presence — sharp, lethal.

Her killing intent palpable.

"You're crossing the line."

END of CHAPTER

☩

If you liked the novel, do not forget to rate and review the novel on ⟿ NOVELUPDATES.