Chapter 36 : Chapter 36

Chapter 36

That evening, after classes ended, in the first-year student lounge.

Alexein’s group, as usual, occupied the central sofa.

They passed the time gossiping about the day’s events.

“Extra points? It’s just three points. Hardly enough to sway exam results.”

“Yeah. And making us dig into some stuffy concept like the essence of mana enhancement for the first assignment? For a young professor, he’s so inflexible.”

“Exactly. And what’s with randomly giving out Emporium vouchers as rewards? Who here even needs those?”

As Alexein sneered, Jeremy and Derrick chimed in.

But when Derrick casually mentioned the vouchers, Alexein’s expression noticeably hardened.

‘Of all people, the two most irritating ones got both extra points and the professor’s special reward… Infuriating.’

To Alexein, Marcel and Joy were thorns in his side.

Yet they kept drawing attention with excellent grades or assignment performances.

This made him feel diminished, as someone implicitly at odds with them.

After a moment of irritation, Alexein spoke in a mocking tone.

“Honestly, isn’t it weird? Those Emporium vouchers are worthless to most of us.”

“True.”

“So, doesn’t that mean the vouchers are just for coddling the commoners? They’re the only ones who can’t afford the Emporium.”

“…”

Alexein’s biting words made his group exchange glances.

Even upper-class heirs weren’t immune to material desires, and the vouchers were appealing.

But the group’s opinion soon aligned with Alexein.

In their circle, the leader’s opinion trumped the majority.

“…Yeah, now that you mention it, it’s odd.”

“You’re right, Alexein.”

“That professor’s favoring the commoners.”

Alexein smirked deeply, watching them nod.

Then—

Tap, tap, tap—

Multiple footsteps approached the lounge.

Along with them came cheerful, untainted voices.

“Seriously, that’s awesome, Joy.”

“Now you can buy the best wand at the Emporium…!”

“Once you get it, you have to let me see it, okay?”

It was, of course, the commoner students.

They were discussing the same topic Alexein had just mentioned.

All eyes turned toward the lounge entrance.

“When are you going to use the voucher… Uh…”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the commoners fell silent.

Dozens of sharp gazes met them as they entered.

Unsure of the chilly vibe, they hesitated at the entrance.

But Joy, after gauging the mood, stepped forward confidently—though Eddie would’ve sighed at her attitude.

As she moved, the ten commoners followed, crossing the lounge.

And, predictably—

“Looks like they’re having a blast among themselves.”

A blatant taunt rang out.

Tap, tap… Tap…

Joy’s steps slowed briefly.

She tried to ignore it and keep moving.

But the next words stopped her.

“Must be tough without a professor backing you up. Some people get pampered by their kind, even furnishing their lives.”

“Pfft. Furnishing their lives.”

“Shh, they’ll hear.”

Alexein’s louder voice and his group’s mocking laughter filled the lounge.

Joy, her expression hardening, turned around.

“Joy…! What are you doing…!”

Step, step.

She strode straight to Alexein’s sofa.

A tense silence followed.

Alexein broke it first.

“What, got something to say?”

“…”

“We’re not exactly on the same level to be having a conversation…”

“Seems like you’re really jealous of that voucher. Why not just admit it?”

“…What?”

“‘Can you help me with the next assignment so I can win a prize too?’”

“…What did you say?”

Alexein’s voice lost its amusement.

He hadn’t expected a taunt to be met with one.

His expression turned as fierce as his tone.

But Joy pressed on, undeterred.

“All this baseless mocking… It sounds like you’re just envious of my voucher.”

“…Hah, that’s ridiculous.”

Alexein let out a hollow laugh, standing slowly and glaring at her.

“You think that scrap of paper means anything to me?”

“…”

“The only ones who need it are you and your friends, lugging around trash wands.”

His venomous words stabbed at the commoners from multiple angles.

A brief silence fell between them.

Then—

Pfft—

With a soft chuckle, Joy smiled faintly.

“You’re right. Doing the assignment with a trash wand wasn’t easy. If I had your fancy, high-end wand, I could’ve done even better. I’m jealous.”

Joy’s pointed words struck Alexein hard.

The lounge’s atmosphere froze, and his face reddened, veins bulging.

As Joy said, Alexein owned a top-tier wand from a renowned workshop.

Yet, not knowing the assignment’s answer, he hadn’t used it.

“…”

Humiliation and rage made his lips tremble.

He clamped his mouth shut to hide it.

Joy’s red eyes looked at him with near-pity.

But a cheerful voice cut through the tense moment.

“Excuse me, I’d like to pass.”

All eyes turned to the voice.

There stood Eddie, fresh from dinner, alone.

Step, step, step.

He crossed the lounge’s crowded center with ease.

More boldly than Joy, he passed between her and Alexein, his expression calm.

Alexein let out a baffled laugh.

“…Hah.”

Joy’s gaze followed Eddie as he passed.

She sensed something deep in his eyes.

‘What’s that…? It’s like he’s pitying me…’

Pity seemed the closest emotion.

But she couldn’t fathom why Eddie would pity her when she’d just bested Alexein, deepening her confusion.

‘What is he…?’

Meanwhile, Eddie ascended the stairs to the dorm.

His presence disrupted the confrontation’s tension.

To avoid further embarrassment, Alexein moved first.

“…”

Before leaving, he glared at Joy and the other commoners, then exited with his group.

***

Eddie sighed softly as he climbed the stairs.

“Neither of them has learned a thing.”

His reproach targeted both Alexein and Joy.

Both drew attention by forming large groups.

But their differences were stark.

One was a group of the weak; the other, the strong.

‘It might look like the commoners are holding their own against the elites. Joy even seemed to outwit Alexein a few times…’

The commoners were likely feeling hopeful.

If things continued, they might graduate alongside the nobles, united.

But that was a grave miscalculation.

“…”

Eddie paused, recalling his own academy days.

Before the Kirhausen Family became nobility.

Six years of enduring trials as a minor noble among elite heirs.

Like Joy, he’d been a leader among commoners early on.

He’d confronted the discrimination and contempt head-on.

‘But I soon realized that wasn’t the answer. My friends paid a heavy price for my ignorance.’

He looked down briefly.

“Phew…”

Taking a deep breath, he resumed climbing, shaking off his thoughts.

‘Even after my advice, she’s still like this… She’ll have to learn the hard way.’

With that, Eddie quickened his pace to his room.

Opening the door, he saw—

“…”

Marcel, still lost in thought, in the same position as when Eddie left for dinner.

***

Marcel glanced at Eddie as he entered.

“…”

Their eyes met briefly, but no conversation followed.

Since Marcel’s order to “spend your time as you see fit” during Fred’s assignment, they rarely spoke unless Marcel initiated.

But today was different.

Marcel’s eyes were ready to demand answers.

Eddie broke the ice.

“Are you sure you don’t want dinner, young master? Should I ask the dining hall for something light?”

“No, that’s fine. More importantly…”

Rejecting the courtesy, Marcel cut to the chase.

“Why didn’t you do the assignment properly?”

“Pardon?”

“You knew the assignment’s answer. Even why it was the answer. So why wasn’t your name among the top performers?”

“…”

Eddie looked at Marcel, who’d spoken rapidly, then gave a prepared response.

“Because… I’m your aide, and I shouldn’t outshine you in any situation.”

“…!”

Marcel’s eyes widened at the reply.

Eddie, observing his reaction, thought to himself.

‘Some words are so obvious they carry more weight.’

That was exactly the case now.

An aide must never surpass their master—a painfully obvious reason for this situation.

But its obviousness crushed Marcel’s pride.

Realizing his trembling eyes, Marcel looked away.

Unable to hide his surging emotions, he bit his inner lip.

He muttered softly, “…So, you deliberately botched the assignment for my sake?”

“Yes… but it wasn’t with any other intent. I just…”

“Right. You were just following the family’s orders. To serve me as my father commanded.”

“…”

“My family… is your shield, not mine.”

Clenching his fists, Marcel spoke his last sentence.

He glanced at the Emporium voucher on his desk and said, “Take that voucher.”

“…”

“It’s meaningless to me.”

With that, Marcel left the room.

Eddie silently watched him go.

“…”

It wasn’t just about bruising his pride.

Though not phrased as a question, it was a challenge to Marcel as a mage.

“Phew…”

Sighing softly, Eddie sat on his bed.

When he’d realized the family he thought was his shield was a ceiling blocking his sky.

“What choice will you make?”

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