Two days after the intense class placement exam, the final rankings were officially released, and the classes were assigned based on the results.

I was placed in Class A.

Only the top 20 students out of a thousand could enter this elite class. Since I had beaten the princess, hailed as the continent’s greatest genius, to take the top spot, it was no surprise that I ended up in this position.

If I had been placed in a different class, that would have been the real surprise.

"Um, L-Lord Snaikers..."

"Hmm? What's the matter, Miss Regia?"

"Do you think... I really deserve to be in a place like this?"

"Oh dear."

I chuckled softly.

Next to me, a pink-haired girl was trembling with nerves, her body visibly tensing up as if she couldn’t relax. It was none other than Regia, who had been assigned to the same class as me.

‘Well, it's understandable.’

After all, she had completely botched the class placement exam. She probably thought she'd end up in a lower-ranked class or, worst of all, even be expelled.

"Don’t worry. Everything’s fine."

"But still..."

Regia bit her lip, clearly uneasy about the unexpected outcome. Perhaps she was feeling overwhelmed by the pressure.

"There are so many more talented people... I'm not sure if someone like me belongs here."

"Is that so?"

"Yes?"

"There aren't many students who are more talented than you, Miss Regia."

It wasn’t just flattery. She was, after all, the protagonist of this world.

As time passed, she would experience rapid growth, eventually surpassing even Charlotte and becoming one of the strongest characters. Her potential was unparalleled.

"Miss Regia, you are more than qualified."

"...Really?"

"Of course. Do you think they’d place you in this class without reason? Like I said before, someone recognized your potential."

That someone was Gaston Gallimar, the headmaster of the academy. To be honest, he hadn’t just "recognized" her potential; he had known about it from the start. Being experienced, he handled it smoothly.

"You can have more confidence in yourself."

"T-Thank you..."

"No need to thank me."

As we exchanged a few light words, the classroom gradually began to fill with students. It was, after all, Class A, the center of the game, so it was no surprise to see familiar faces.

Charlotte stared blankly out the window. Emilia sat at the back, chatting with her followers. And in the corner, a blue-haired boy quietly fiddled with his sword.

These were all characters from the original story.

‘So, the key characters are all here as expected.’

I mentally sorted through the students around me. As I did, Regia murmured a question beside me.

"I wonder what kind of person the homeroom professor will be..."

"Curious?"

"Y-Yes... I just, I find older professors a bit, um, intimidating..."

"Well, is there anyone Miss Regia doesn’t find intimidating?"

"Please don’t tease me... That’s not fair..."

Regia pouted, clearly feeling a little self-conscious. Though I was tempted to tease her more, I decided to stop before she actually started crying.

Instead, I gave her the answer she wanted.

"Don’t worry. A young professor is supposed to be coming."

Not only young—he was supposed to be a handsome male professor, too.

He would be an important ally for the main characters over the next three years. A bit rude, but a good person overall. If I remembered correctly, his name was Kadel.

*Screech!*

Just as I was recalling information from the original story, the classroom door swung open with a loud noise.

All twenty students had already arrived, so it was clear that the homeroom professor had entered. The students' gazes turned forward in unison, mine included.

*Click, click*—the sharp sound of heels echoed through the room.

Following that sound appeared a woman with long, flowing purple hair...

"...Wait, what?"

And faintly bloodshot eyes.

Holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand.

Her voluptuous figure stood at the front of the classroom. A big question mark popped up in my mind.

Was I seeing things wrong?

While I stood there, dumbfounded, the woman at the front of the room spoke in a monotone.

"Nice to meet you all. I’m Selena Drunkard, the head professor who will be your homeroom teacher for the top class this year."

What the hell.

Why are you here?

Two days ago, after the class placement exam, Yuda and Charlotte had finished their rounds when the headmaster had said the following to Selena.

"As I expected... Is there anything you would like?"

"Something I’d like?"

"If it’s within my power, I’ll grant it."

"Hmm."

Selena had taken a moment to think.

She wasn’t one to be particularly greedy, but she also wasn’t the type to waste an opportunity like this. As the scent of alcohol wafted through her nose, she reflected on her options.

‘Well... there’s really no need to think about it.’

She had already made up her mind. If, by some small chance, the boy managed to beat the princess, she had decided what she would ask for in return.

With a faint smile, Selena finally spoke.

"In that case, I’d like to request to be the homeroom professor for Yuda Snaikers."

"Hmm?"

The headmaster’s face twisted with surprise.

Clearly, this wasn’t the request he had expected.

"You wish to be the homeroom professor for this year’s top student... Are you asking to take charge of the top class?"

"That’s correct."

"Huh."

Selena had never shown much interest in students.

Ever since her beloved younger sister had passed away from an incurable disease, her daily life had been consumed by alcohol. She would often opt out of teaching any class at all, or simply take whatever class was left over after everyone else had chosen.

But now...

"How surprising."

"Is it?"

"It’s been a long time since you’ve shown interest in anything."

"It’s just a whim."

"I see."

The headmaster smiled knowingly.

He flipped through the papers in front of him, crossing out a section before turning back to Selena.

"I’ll grant your request."

The old man glanced around the room.

He was silently asking if any of the other professors objected. Of course, no one was brave enough to oppose one of the strongest humans alive. Everyone avoided eye contact.

Except for one person.

"Headmaster, what are you saying?!"

The one to step forward was a young man with black hair.

He had been slated to be the homeroom professor for the top class this year.

"Professor Kadel."

"You can’t just change the homeroom professor! This is completely unfair!"

"Unfair, you say."

Kadel Evans.

He had been one of Selena’s most vocal critics over the past few days.

He had repeatedly brought up the issue of the so-called 'bubble top student,' trying to undermine her position as the head professor. The headmaster silenced his protests calmly.

"I will not be accepting objections."

"But—!"

"And if you want to talk about what’s unfair, shouldn’t you be held accountable for your own actions?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were the first to challenge Selena’s decisions. Because of that, she almost lost her position as the head professor. How do you plan to take responsibility for that?"

"......"

"If you don’t have an answer, it’s best to keep quiet."

The headmaster’s voice was soft but carried a sharp undertone.

Kadel, sensing the pressure, began to sweat.

In the end, he had no choice but to back down, his protests silenced. Though the atmosphere in the waiting room remained tense, Selena was lost in thought, seemingly unaffected by the tension around her.

‘Yuda Snaikers...’

She silently mouthed the name to herself.

Golden hair, narrow eyes, and skills that had surpassed even the princess. He was a mysterious boy.

What had started as mere curiosity had now turned into genuine interest.

When she saw him display his power during the class placement exam, Selena had sensed a certain "potential" in him.

‘If I’m right... I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine.’

Perhaps this was the meeting she had been waiting for all along.

Her heart pounded as she raised the bottle to her lips.

Selena Drunkard.

She was quite a significant character in the original story.

With her drunken demeanor, decadent charm, and seductive body, she had become quite popular as the 'onee-san' figure in the fandom.

In the game, no matter which route you took, she didn’t appear until at least six months into the story.

After 1,943 playthroughs, it had always been that way, so I had expected nothing different this time.

But now—

"Nice to meet you all."

"I’m Selena Drunkard, your homeroom professor for the top class this year."

Not only had she appeared in front of the main characters earlier than expected, but she had also been assigned as our homeroom professor.

How could I not be surprised?

The homeroom professor was supposed to be a handsome young man.

‘The flow of the original story has been disrupted.’

But that wasn’t what had shocked me.

I had caused so much chaos that I’d already anticipated some sort of backlash. I knew there would be consequences.

What truly caught me off guard was—

‘...She’s not someone who would take on this kind of role.’

The Selena I remembered was indifferent.

If she took on no class at all, that would have made sense. But for

 her to willingly take charge of the most demanding class in the academy? Something must have driven her to do it.

‘There are a few possibilities... but I can’t be sure.’

I mulled over the situation.

As I walked in silence, Regia cautiously spoke up beside me.

"L-Lord Snaikers?"

"Yes?"

"I-I couldn’t help but notice... you’ve been lost in thought for a while now. A-Are you alright?"

"Ah."

She must have been worried.

Had I been too quiet?

Seeing the concerned look on her face, I couldn’t help but smile. Reaching out, I gently patted her head.

"I’m fine. I just had a lot to think about."

"U-Uh..."

"Still, I appreciate having a friend who cares about me."

"A f-friend... H-Hehe..."

It seemed she liked the word *friend*.

With just one simple word, our protagonist had completely let down her guard. I had no idea how she planned to make more friends like this.

"Miss Regia, are you interested in fox beast-kin?"

"Fox beast-kin...? Oh, do you mean that fierce-looking girl with red hair we met before...?"

"Yes, that’s Irene."

"I’m interested!"

"Haha... I’ll help you become friends with her."

As we chatted, we made our way toward the carriage stop.

We were heading back to our respective dorms. Since it was still early, there were plenty of students waiting around, making the area quite lively.

We stood there waiting for the carriage.

Then—

"What a lovely pair you two make."

A voice called out from somewhere.

The chilling sound of it sent a shiver down my spine. Regia stiffened instantly.

Turning around, I saw a girl with blue, bun-styled hair standing behind us.

"One is the 'bubble top student'... and the other is an out-of-place commoner."

"Lady Beniti."

Emilia Beniti.

It was none other than the villainess who had cornered our protagonist just a few days ago.

With a mocking smile, she approached.

"I didn’t expect you to still be shamelessly lingering around the academy."

Her eyes were filled with naked hostility.

Recalling what had happened during the class placement test, Regia’s body began to tremble slightly.

The villainess bullying the protagonist.

It seemed this part of the story was proceeding as expected.

But that didn’t mean I planned to stand by and let it happen. After all, our protagonist had a reliable (sort of) ally now.

I stepped forward, shielding Regia behind me.

"L-Lord Snaikers...?"

"Shh."

It’s okay.

This time, I’ll protect you.

With a sly grin on my face, I stood tall in front of Emilia.

"Good day, Lady Beniti."

I couldn’t help but feel giddy at the thought of putting this arrogant duchess in her place.

 

 

______________________

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!

If you want to buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/santos_28