The Genius and Calamity of the Villainous Noble: A Brilliant Prodigy Unaware of Their Reincarnation as the Game's Antagonist Defies the Scenario and Dominates with Talent and Hard Work - Chapter 2.16

My Disguise

Using every skill at my disposal—wigs, colored contacts, makeup techniques, voice modulation, changes in presence, and subtle shifts in mannerisms—there are very few people who can see through my disguise.

“Well, my classroom is different since I’m a first-year, so I’ll be going this way.”

“Alright… Make sure you actually pay attention in class, okay?”

“Of course. I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Then, good luck with your first lesson!”

“Mm. See you later.”

Having arrived at the academy with Maria, I parted ways with her since we were in different classes and headed toward the first-year classrooms.

This year, the number of first-year students was larger than usual, totaling 406.

Each classroom could accommodate a maximum of 30 students, with 14 classes formed, each containing 29 students.

While the academy didn’t assign fixed classrooms, students had to attend a designated homeroom (HR) session in the morning and at the end of the day, which meant they could choose where to spend their lessons but had to return for HR.

Incidentally, the lower the classroom number, the more influential the students inside tended to be.

“Hmm hmm hmm~”

Arriving on the floor where the first-year classrooms were located, I walked past Classroom 1 without a second glance, ignored Classroom 2 as well, and continued on until I reached the highest-numbered classroom—Class 14.

“…Figures, I got here too early.”

Inside the empty classroom, there was only one girl.

It was clear that we had left Maria’s house far too early.

“Good morning.”

I greeted the lone girl in the classroom.

“Hyaaah?! Ah… G-Good morning!”

She responded with an exaggerated startle before bowing deeply.

“We’re classmates, so you don’t have to be so formal.”

“N-No… I’m just a commoner.”

“So am I, in a way, so don’t worry about it.”

Technically, I was the head of a ducal household in this country. But the moment I stepped into another nation, I wouldn’t hold a noble title there.

In other words, I was a commoner! Which meant I was no different from her!

I would accept no arguments on this matter.

“Oh, I see! So you’re a commoner too! Nice to meet you!”

The moment she realized I wasn’t nobility, her demeanor softened.

…I wondered what her reaction would be if she found out I was actually the Duke.

That thought piqued my curiosity, but I decided to hold back for now.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you. My name is Alto. What’s yours?”

I introduced myself with a fake name as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

There was no law against using an alias, after all.

“My name is Susia. I’d be happy if we could get along.”

“Of course… This academy is filled with influential people, so it’s easy to feel out of place.”

“That’s true… Let’s do our best together!”

“Yeah.”

Even as I felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving Susia, I smiled and nodded at her words.