—Wait, have I ended up criticizing the very institutions of this school, and the magic policies of the country?
Since only the best students were accepted into this school, everyone there surely understood what Akuto had said. It seemed that some of them had studied the past Demon King, and they began whispering to each other that what Akuto was saying sounded exactly like the Demon King’s proclamation of war from one hundred years ago.
—What have I done?!
While relying on his momentum to keep his speech going, he’d said too much and expressed his true feelings. He had no idea things could go so wrong. To make things worse, the way he had given the improvised speech with such smooth confidence had made them think even worse of him.
“He’s way too eloquent, speaking like this without a script.”
“I was taken in at first, and I started to feel like I agreed with him... But then he started questioning the system. That line of thinking is dangerous.”
“It’s the Demon King’s ability...”
“The second coming of the Demon King...”
Akuto could clearly hear the buzzing murmurs.
—This is bad. I’ve gotten myself into an extremely dangerous situation. Why does this always happen to me? I’m just trying to do what I think is right. Why did it turn out this way?
Though Akuto stewed with regret, he didn’t realize that this persuasive ability came naturally to him, with his look as a shrewd and handsome boy as well as his logical personality and baseless self-confidence. More so, his secret desire to impress his new classmates meant that even though he had gone too far already, he didn’t even consider ending his speech there.
“It is true that I criticized our established way of life. But that does not mean I intend to destroy it! I came to this academy to change the system from within. I will prove that I won’t become the Demon King. So I am seeking your support! Even if we don’t agree with each other, I will not oppose you, because I believe that we can resolve our differences through open communication and tolerance!”
Somewhere along the way, his polite way of speaking had disappeared completely and he had started to speak like a dictator or a tyrant. Akuto was waving his hands around emphatically, and his hair had become disheveled as he gave his impassioned speech. Among the listening students, it seemed that some had been entranced by what he was saying. But the moment there was a break in Akuto’s words, they would shake their heads and slap their cheeks in a panic, trying return to their senses.
However, Akuto’s speech left a strong impact on the students’ minds. They interpreted his words to mean that, though they were unsure whether or not he would become the Demon King, he would certainly propagate his way of thinking by focusing on challenging the discipline and order of the Academy. Of course, Akuto himself realized that this was exactly what he’d ended up saying.
—Will I be able to get through school like this...? Well, if I let this shake me up, things will just get even worse.
“That is all that I have to say. Please forgive me for causing such a disturbance. Let’s enjoy our meal,” Akuto said, trying his best to sound as subdued as possible. But his attempt only made him give off the image of an evil, wealthy aristocrat.
“I can’t believe a transfer student would speak like that, let alone a first-year...”
“So he’s not just a normal guy after all...”
“What are we going to do? It looks like he is going to divide the school and fight over it...”
“There can’t actually be anyone who would side with him, right? No way...”
“You never know, if he does have a talent for magic, maybe...”
The commotion in the cafeteria showed no sign of quieting down. As the center of attention, all Akuto could do was anxiously try to focus on sitting upright and eating his food properly. Indeed, by the end of the ordeal, he had no memories of what he had eaten or even what it had tasted like.
○
The next morning.
Akuto couldn’t sleep for almost the entire night. Breakfast was strangely quiet, which put him on edge. He finished the awkward meal and then made his way towards his homeroom class before the opening ceremony. Akuto arrived at the classroom five minutes early, but as he opened the door and went inside, he was met with the inquisitive gazes of the female students.
—That’s right, the girls...
Naturally, the rumors had spread to the female students. It was possible that Akuto’s broadcast had been audible in the girls’ dorm as well. In fact that must have been the case, as the girls seemed to immediately recognize Akuto’s face.
—I have to calmly smile back at them...
“Good morning,” Akuto said.
There was a brief uproar of responses, some voices sounding flirtatious and some disgusted. It seemed that there was an even split of girls who were impressed by him and girls who hated him.
But Akuto’s eyes were glued to a single female student in the classroom. A conspicuously beautiful young girl with glossy hair and almond-shaped eyes — it was Junko. At this point, Akuto remembered which class he had been assigned to.
—This is Class A... I forgot about my promise to get in touch with her yesterday...
Junko seemed to be intentionally trying to avoid meeting Akuto’s gaze. Since none of the other students were asking Junko about him, it would appear that she had kept her bond with Akuto a secret.
—I’m screwed...
In order not to cause any trouble for Junko, all Akuto could do was pretend he didn’t know her. Without meeting anyone’s gaze, Akuto sat down at the desk that had been set aside for him, the one in the very back of the classroom. Then the door at the front of the classroom opened and Miss Mitsuko walked inside.