This Novel is not my Novel

It had been a few days since Tryggdrik staged the kidnapping, and less than a week remained until the midterm exams began. Therefore, it was not an appropriate time for a new incident to occur.

And yet...

'Why is the successor to the former head of the Assassination Guild glaring at me like she wants to kill me?'

Skati no longer kills people.

That was why the Imperial Family, despite having a brilliant assassin in their hands, assigned her to work at the academy instead of using her to eliminate their political enemies.

Because she had sworn that she would never kill anyone with her own hands again, nor would she raise another assassin.

Because she said she would rather die.

So she was sent here to at least teach self-defense at an educational institution in the light.

'So Skati isn't actually glaring at me with killing intent, but...'

I think being scared is an unavoidable instinct.

Even more so because I couldn't figure out the reason for her behavior.

This was unlike what she had said during the first lecture, "I have no intention of teaching diligently."

Up until now, Skati had treated the students with considerable passion.

For her to be unable to focus on the lecture and instead glare at me with a gaze full of hostility, how could I possibly remain indifferent?

Moreover, because of Skati's gaze, Yor had also become sensitive, so my nerves were doubly frayed.

"Um... Professor? The lecture time is over."

"O-oh...? Ah! So sorry~! I didn't check the time~! You all worked hard today, so hurry up and go rest~."

The class ended about five minutes later than scheduled.

Only after a student raised their hand and spoke up did Skati check the clock and hastily end the lecture.

This was also unlike her usual self, who would declare the end of class the moment it struck exactly 5 o'clock.

Would it be better to ask for the reason? Or would it be better to avoid her gaze and quietly slip out of the lecture room?

I hesitated, pondering my options, but I never had a choice in the first place.

Because Skati had called my name.

"Karvaldr, stay behind for a moment."

She didn't draw out the end of her words, and a chill dripped from her voice.

As if sensing the unusual tension in Skati's tone, the students leaving the lecture room quickened their pace.

And so, without giving me any time to prepare, a one-on-one meeting with Skati began.

"...Have I done something wrong?"

I had just been thinking about asking what was going on, but without realizing it, the word "wrong" came out of my mouth.

It was because Skati's expression as she looked at me was so cold.

Still, I didn't doubt for a second that she would naturally deny my words.

The only thing I've done recently is help Reisir rescue Helga. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Isn't that clearly a good deed rather than wrongdoing?

But Skati's reaction was unexpected.

"What wrong... have you done...?"

Her cynical murmur sounded as though she were asking, 'You don't even know what you did wrong, let alone repent for it?'

Skati definitely found me despicable.

That inexplicable hostility was extremely bewildering. I even felt wronged, not knowing why I was the target of such an expression.

"I'm sorry, but I can't understand your reaction at all right now, Professor. So if there is a reason, I would appreciate it if you told me."

It would have been strange if I didn't feel at least some resistance.

Still, I didn't want to provoke her, so I requested an explanation as cautiously and formally as possible.

Yet what I received in return was anger.

"You bullied your classmate for the entire last semester, and you're telling me you have no idea why I'm angry?!"

I did get an answer, but instead of resolving the question, it only became more twisted and tangled.

More than the emotion contained in her words, I couldn't understand the content.

'She's bringing that up now? I just shared a table with Reisir this morning and at lunch??'

For a former assassin, Skati was incredibly uninformed.

Even when she was active as an assassin, she received information about her targets from the guild, since that was enough to carry out an assassination.

Her character setting in 《NaSE》 was that she had never gathered information on her own.

But even Skati wouldn't walk around with her ears plugged.

'She probably found out about this body's past actions because of the kidnapping incident Tryggdrik caused.'

A student of the academy kidnapped another student.

Moreover, in the process, the culprit tried to tarnish the honor of one of the Four Great Ducal Families.

And because of that, he wasn't merely expelled, but was also stripped of his noble status and demoted to a commoner.

Even with the midterm exams right around the corner, it was a major incident bound to become the talk of the academy.

Even those who didn't know about Karvaldr's infamy would have become interested in the incident.

They would have been curious how Tryggdrik could have planned such a bold act of framing the child of a Ducal Family, and would have gone around asking questions here and there.

'As a result, if the fact that Karvaldr bullied Reisir last semester came back into the spotlight...'

No matter how uninterested Skati was in rumors, as long as she wasn't walking around with her ears plugged, she would naturally have found out.

So it wasn't strange at all that Skati learned about this body's past evil deeds.

But this is where the real question begins.

'If she heard that rumor, she must also know that I was a great help in resolving the incident and that Reisir and I now eat together. The conflict between the parties involved has already been resolved, so why is a third party who only belatedly learned about a past incident interfering?'

If Skati were Reisir's guardian, I could understand it and let it go.

No, wait. Would I really just let it go?

Even though it wasn't my deed, I'm willing to apologize and bow my head.

But aren't Skati and Reisir complete strangers right now?

So she wouldn't be sympathizing with Reisir's pain and getting angry on his behalf.

And you also couldn't say Skati was doing this as a professor disciplining a student who had done wrong. The timing was far too late.

What could possibly be gained by scolding a student who had already repented?

It would only provoke the rebellious spirit of a student who had finally gotten their act together and become counterproductive.

And above all—

If the purpose were simply discipline, the hostility I felt from Skati's gaze couldn't be explained.

She might feel disappointed, but being this angry was an excessive reaction.

'What reason could there be for someone who has never even met the victim to genuinely rage at the perpetrator and feel hostility toward them?'

Only after redefining the problem did I see the answer.

In the first place, why was it that I couldn't understand his atrocities even though I knew all of Karvaldr's circumstances?

Because I, like Reisir, have been bullied before.

Even though Reisir forgave Karvaldr, instead of feeling relieved, didn't I feel uneasy and uncomfortable?

'If Skati had a similar experience, then even if she has no relation to the parties involved, she might still fully empathize with the victim's situation and become angry at the perpetrator.'

If that was truly the case, then a new question arose.

When, where, and how did the successor to the former head of the Assassination Guild experience something like that?

Is my guess correct?

If so, who was the person who insulted your character, trampled on you, and bullied you?

At the very least, was it something that happened in the past, or is it still ongoing?

I wanted to ask, but I didn't have the courage.

Because it was such a sensitive issue.

I couldn't recklessly charge in without any plan for how to steer the conversation.

For that reason, I deliberately kept my mouth shut.

Skati simply stared at me silently, as if telling me to make an excuse.

"......"

"......"

Though our reasons were different, we both remained silent for a long time.

The one who finally broke the silence was Skati.

"I thought it was admirable that you maintained your dignity despite having such a conspicuous weakness, but to think that attitude came not from high self-esteem, but from a sense of superiority..."

It seemed she had concluded that I was able to maintain a confident attitude because I could crush anyone I disliked whenever I wanted.

I was born into a powerful family and drew all sorts of attention, yet I possessed a clear weakness and was subtly looked down upon, which was why I had transmigrated into this body.

The amount of anxiety I endured just to avoid being looked down on by others.

A wave of sorrow washed over me for a moment.

Still, I could not let it show.

If I were to tell Karvaldr's story, there was a possibility Skati might change her mind, but I didn't particularly want to do that.

Because I didn't want to defend Karvaldr's evil deeds and beg for understanding.

"That's why I told you in the first lecture. I am not nice at all."

"......It seems there's no need to talk further. You may leave now."

I gave a slight bow to Skati, who had coldly ordered me to leave, then walked out of the lecture room.

I headed toward the personal training ground.

My mood right now was anything but calm, but that didn't mean I could neglect my training.

'Besides, the midterm exams are next week, aren't they?'

Since I only had one theory subject, I didn't need to spend as much time studying as the others, but I still had to prepare for the tests.

Because I also had to prepare for the practical exams.

'Surely Skati won't deliberately lower my test score, right? That can't happen...'

Given Karvaldr's basic setting, I had to maintain top-tier grades in the theory subject.

On the other hand, it was fine if my scores in the combat-related practicals were a bit low.

Still, if I received a D in three or more subjects, I would have to take remedial classes during vacation, so I couldn't let my guard down.

I heard it was difficult to get a high score in the basic physical training course, but as long as my attitude in class was good, I could at least secure a C.

So the only problematic subjects were introductory swordsmanship and martial arts.

Now I also had to worry about dagger techniques.

What's fortunate is that the practical exams are conducted in front of everyone.

If I clearly achieved the required performance in a way anyone could recognize, then no matter how much a professor disliked a student, it would be impossible for them to arbitrarily assign a D.

I guess training is the best I can do in this situation.

Having reached that conclusion, I quickened my pace toward the personal training ground, where Yor, as if waiting for me, took out a whiteboard from the Yeouiju and wrote on it.

「 Unfair 」

"Thank you, Yor. You're the only one who truly understands my situation and feelings."

I didn't hide my bitter expression.

In response, Yor started meowing and acting cute.

She must be well aware that she is currently the only healing content in my life.

'Five minutes should be okay, right...?'

When I'm in a bad mood, my ability to perform movements drops.

I decided to play with Yor for just five minutes before starting my training.