The Inauspicious Route to my Happy Ending

Adrien woke up early the next morning. He was still sore from the beating his body had taken just over two weeks ago, but it was healing nicely. All the internal injuries he had suffered from had been healed thanks to the potion his mother had given, a potion that Adrien had later found out cost over four thousand Shekel. That was more than a one-way ticket for the Warp Portal! He had dreamed of getting a hold of another potion to heal the scars on his back but had decided against it after finding out the price.

He made his way downstairs for an early morning walk. His goal was to build himself up until he could run, but right at that moment, running was too much on his body.

I may have jogged in my past life to help keep the weight off, but in this life, I need it to build up the obvious lack of muscle. This body is just way too weak. But that's what happens when one suffers from periodic physical abuse.

After walking around the pond once, Adrien made his way back up to his room where he quickly showered and changed into the outfit he had prepared for the day. Once he was ready, he grabbed his satchel and placed the items that he would need for the day in it, including his sketchbook in case he got bored. Once he double-checked everything, he set off.

The pathways were filled with students leisurely walking to class. He had left early enough to make it before the last-minute student rush. The morning air was crisp but with the promise of a warmer afternoon. The walk to the main educational building where most of the rudimentary classes were held was peaceful and he was easily able to find his classroom thanks to the wandering he had done the day before.

He entered the room and slid into the second row right by the window. He really hoped that there wasn't an assigned seating arrangement. He placed his satchel down on the ground and grabbed an ink pen, a notebook, and the book required for this class.

The first class of the day is math. Well, it was actually math and chemistry combined, or at least, that was his understanding based on the material covered in the textbook. He was looking forward to this class since he had excelled in these subjects in his previous world, as surprising as that sounded.

The rest of the class soon filed in. Adrien was surprised at the number of good-looking students. This kind of ratio was unusual to him.

One of the last students to arrive was Lady Aefre Ceciles. Her angelic looks gathered a lot of attention as everyone turned to look at her.

The few boys, far more than what Adrien had been expecting, stared at her with a mixture of longing and obsession. But then, Adrien realized that this class wasn't just required among those in the Art Department.

"May I sit here, if it is alright with you?" Lady Aefre asked rather politely, which was surprising since she held a higher position than him. She had her gloved hand open with the palm facing up and the fingers facing toward the empty seat beside him.

"Sure," Adrien agreed easily. He turned back to face the front of the room, hoping that the envious stares glaring holes into his back would disappear.

Dr. Lee waltzed in with a black leather satchel on her shoulder and a stack of papers tucked in one arm. Adrien had found out yesterday as he was scouring through textbooks that Dr. Lee had made her name known as a mathematician, a chemist, and a physicist. He honestly had no idea why someone so renowned and knowledgeable would choose to be a professor. . although, in hindsight, it did make sense since a lot of scientists and doctors were professors in his previous world.

"Good day, class." Dr. Lee walked up to the last row of bleacher seats. She counted the papers in her hands and passed out the corresponding amount to the students in that row, slowly making her way down. "I have handed out an assessment quiz that will test you on your mathematical knowledge to help me gain a better understanding of where everyone is. After you finish that, please bring it up to my desk then take one for the chemistry portion of this class. Once you are done with both quizzes, you may leave for the day. I will grade your papers tonight so that I may have a proper lecture planned out for our following class."

Dr. Lee's class was only scheduled for twice a week. It was a mandatory class that the students from both the Art Department and Physical Department were required to take.

"You may begin the assessment."

Adrien flipped over the paper and read over the questions. His eyes widened, and his mouth parted open. Were these really questions to be asked at this level? They're. . .easy.

He took his ink pen and placed the tip on the paper. His hand flew as the equations scribbled themselves onto the blank spaces provided.

Five minutes later, Adrien handed his paper over to Dr. Lee and grabbed the next one.

Dr. Lee's eyebrows narrowed. "I hope you didn't give up this early on."

"Of course not," Adrien replied with a smile, feeling confident with his answer sheet. He made his way to his seat and sat down to take the chemistry quiz. This one was a little more difficult but not by much.

"You said we were allowed to leave once we were done?" Adrien asked as he handed in the chemistry assessment quiz.

Dr. Lee gave a curt nod of her head. "You may leave. I'll let you know how you fared by the next lesson."

Score! I have almost an hour of free time until my next lesson!

Adrien left the room, heading to the Academy's library. He wanted to check on his chemistry answers since he wasn't one hundred percent sure about them.

He found the book he was looking for. Taking it back to one of the tables available on the first floor of the library, he sat down and skimmed through it, looking up all the answers.

Whew, it looks like I got them all right. Though there was one I could have answered a little better.

Once he was satisfied, Adrien got up and placed the book back on the shelf. He then went looking for one that might help him prepare for his next lesson, which was economics.

He found the shelf he was looking for. As he scanned the books, he realized that the books he needed were located higher up. Standing up on his toes, he stretched his fingers out, trying to reach the book he wanted.

A long arm that looked muscular, even with it being fully clothed, reached out above him. "Is this the one you want?" A familiar voice asked, sending shivers down Adrien's spine.

It's the guy from the bookstore!

Adrien nodded his head to answer the guy's question, forgetting that he probably wasn't in the best of position to be seen. "Ye-yeah."

Long, thick fingers wrapped around the spine of the book, swiftly pulling it down from the top shelf. "Understanding Economics?" The guy read the title out loud. "Mr. James' class?"

"Yes."

The guy, who was standing close to Adrien, basically caging him in between his chest and the bookcase, handed him the book. The guy then reached up one more time and grabbed a green-colored book. "I suggest reading this one if you haven't taken the assessment yet."

Adrien took the book from him. "Thank you."

A deep voice rumbled from behind him as the guy laughed. He then took a step back, releasing Adrien from his confinement. "Try that again, but to my face this time."