The World's Strongest and Most Evil Noble Strives Humbly and Diligently ~ Using Knowledge of the Original Story and Unique Magic to Avoid a Destruction End ~ - Chapter 13: Redrick Magic Academy

Chapter 13: Redrick Magic Academy

On the morning of February 15, 1015 of the Holy Calendar.

Three years passed, and I turned 15.

No, I ended up turning 15.

Soon, the “Main Route” will start moving.

The scenario for the protagonist, by the protagonist, and about the protagonist will begin.

“Phew…”

In the luxurious bathroom of the Heisenberg mansion, I washed my face, slapped my cheeks with both hands, and psyched myself up.

Six years had passed since I reincarnated into Ronzorkia’s world.

I overcame the harsh “Hollow Route” and carefully prepared to reach a happy survival End.

I cast aside my innate laziness and arrogance, and humbly and steadily worked hard.

“So, it’s fine, it’ll definitely be fine…”

I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath to calm my excited feelings.

(But… it’s really identical. No, it’s identical because it’s actually me.)

Reflected in the bathroom mirror in front of me was a well-grown Hollow von Heisenberg.

Medium-length dark crimson hair, with only the back grown long and lightly tied with a hair tie.

A cold look that looks down on others, ruby-like red eyes, a perfectly straight nose, and a face so handsome it’s almost annoying.

By the way, my height reached the 170 mark. My eye level got much higher too.

As I stared closely at myself, Hollow, in the mirror, the wall clock chimed loudly.

“Oh, it’s already that time?”

I quickly returned to my room and hurriedly packed my things.

“Exam ticket, check. Writing tools, check. Sword, check—yep, perfect.”

Today, the entrance exam for Redrick Magic Academy takes place.

In the Klein Kingdom, there are three royal schools.

Redrick Magic Academy, Bruflyn Swordsmanship School, and Greesia Magic Sword School.

The original protagonist attends Redrick Magic Academy.

The original Hollow also attends Redrick Magic Academy.

Following this, I applied for Redrick.

(Well, honestly, I thought about it. A route where I go to a different school from the protagonist.)

The natural enemy of a villainous noble is the protagonist, so if I know that, there’s no need to purposely get close to “him.”

(But if I take actions too far from the main route, I don’t know what kind of crazy twists might happen…)

If that happens, my “overwhelming advantage,” my “knowledge of Ronzorkia’s original story,” becomes useless.

Hollow von Heisenberg is a being that the world gives the middle finger to.

Even without doing anything, just walking down the street, all sorts of deaths come at me.

(Unknown death flags are way harder to deal with than known death flags.)

So, I made a tough decision.

To follow the original story and attend the same school as the protagonist.

Of course, I’m not unprepared.

I naturally have a “perfect protagonist countermeasure” in mind.

“—Orvin, I’m heading out.”

“Please take care.”

I boarded the luxurious Heisenberg family carriage.

By the way, my father and mother couldn’t see me off because they’re not even at the mansion.

They’re away for about a week handling official duties in the capital.

As I settled into the carriage’s passenger compartment and signaled through the partition window, the coachman slowly started the horses.

On the way to Redrick Magic Academy, I looked out the window and thought about my future plans.

(For now, today should be fine. In this entrance exam, I won’t run into the protagonist.)

What I need to focus on now is carefully following the main route.

(In the original story, Hollow was the first since the school’s founding to score perfectly and pass as the top student.)

So, I need to score perfectly and pass as the top student in this test.

That said, it’s not that hard.

After all, I know the contents of this year’s exam.

First, the written exam.

With my original story knowledge and having read through the books in the Forbidden Archives, it was way too easy.

(This is good, a perfect score for sure.)

Next, the practical exam.

It involves breaking through a forest filled with magical beasts.

Using <Void Transfer> to connect the forest’s entrance and exit would clear it instantly, but… of course, I won’t do something so flashy.

Having studied the original story, I naturally know.

The “safe route” where no magical beasts appear.

Relying on vague memories, I followed the route and reached the destination faster than anyone, unscathed.

In both the written and practical exams, I was the top examinee.

Achieving a perfect score and top ranking, my goal this time, is practically guaranteed.

A week later, in the early morning.

As I ate breakfast in my room, the maid Sistie came in.

“Master Hollow, a sealed letter arrived from Redrick Magic Academy.”

“Hm…”

I melted the sealing wax with magic and took out the documents inside.

Hollow von Heisenberg

The above individual is granted admission to Redrick Magic Academy.

Furthermore, you achieved a perfect score, the first since the school’s founding.

Your martial and intellectual prowess is worthy of representing the new students, and we request you to give a speech at the upcoming entrance ceremony. Details will be sent later.

It was an acceptance certificate.

Well, it’s the expected result.

With my original story knowledge, failing would be harder.

“Uh, um… how did it go?”

Sistie asked nervously.

“Of course, I passed.”

I flicked the certificate with my finger, and it fluttered through the air, landing neatly in her hands.

“Amazing…! To pass the prestigious Redrick Magic Academy as the top student… as expected of Master Hollow!”

“You’re exaggerating. This isn’t a big deal.”

“Not exaggerating at all! This is incredibly amazing! Master Hollow should be prouder of his abilities!”

“Hah, thanks.”

“No, I’m just stating the honest truth.”

After six years of struggle, even a maid doesn’t get surprised when I thank her.

(It was long, it was really long to get here…)

A storm of emotion and fulfillment raged in my chest.

If the loyalty of my subordinates falls below a certain level, it leads to the “Rebellion and Betrayal End.”

So, I paid careful attention not to seem out of place, softening my attitude little by little every day.

As a result, my reputation among subordinates skyrocketed.

While breaking one death flag, I also solidified my position as the next head of the family.

It was pretty tough, but the rewards were big, so overall, it’s a huge plus.

“Now, I’ll go report to Father and Mother.”

“Yes! I’m sure both will be delighted!”

I left my room and headed to Father’s study.

Inside were Father Dafnes and Mother Layla.

“Father, Mother, I passed Redrick Magic Academy.”

I said, presenting the acceptance certificate.

“Good.”

Father didn’t look up, just continued his paperwork silently.

Seeing this, Mother let out a big sigh.

“Hey, dear, Hollow passed the entrance exam! And look, he’s the top student. Shouldn’t you say something more?”

“This much is expected of the firstborn of the Heisenberg family. No need to report it.”

“You’re actually happy but saying that… I saw it, you know? You secretly bought a good-luck charm for his exam in the capital.”

“What!? N-no, don’t say foolish things! That was, uh… a health charm! It was for your health!”

Father stood up quickly, his face red, denying it.

But it was obvious to everyone he was covering it up.

He sat back down messily, clearing his throat loudly on purpose.

“Hollow, you passed Redrick, but that’s merely standing at the starting line. What matters is what you achieve there. Strive not to tarnish the proud Heisenberg name.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And… well, um… congratulations on passing.”

“Yes, thank you.”

That night, a grand celebration party for my passing was held at the Heisenberg mansion.

■

April 8, 1015 of the Holy Calendar.

Today is Redrick Magic Academy’s entrance ceremony, followed smoothly by the first classes.

As the top passer, I was supposed to give a speech representing the new students…

Hollow von Heisenberg is a lazy, arrogant, villainous noble.

Giving a speech at the entrance ceremony is far too troublesome.

Right after receiving the acceptance certificate, I sent a letter to the head of Redrick, politely declining.

At eight in the morning, I arrived at Redrick Magic Academy and quickly started moving.

One hour until the entrance ceremony begins.

Before that—more precisely, before the protagonist arrives at school—I need to stop “a certain event.”

(The event happens around eight. The protagonist arrives at school around eight-twenty. I have about twenty minutes… I need to hurry.)

Gracefully but quickly, I headed toward the gymnasium and spotted a group of students ahead.

Two students in black uniforms and five in white uniforms were arguing heatedly.

(Good, I made it. No, perfect timing!)

I let out a relieved breath and walked calmly and slowly.

As I got closer, I could hear the argument.

“Hey, you’re just lowly ‘white uniforms,’ aren’t you?”

“It’s only natural to step aside for us ‘black uniforms’!”

The boys in black uniforms boasted arrogantly.

“Don’t mess around! How great do you think you are?”

“Y-yeah! You’re just born with unique magic!”

The students in white uniforms fought back desperately.

(Heh, exactly the same lines as in the original story.)

I experienced this many times, but moments like this, reliving the original story, are always great.

It really makes me feel I’m living in Ronzorkia’s world.

Now, Redrick Magic Academy is an extreme “class-based society.”

Students here are divided into “Main Course” and “Preparatory Course” based on whether they have unique magic.

Those blessed with unique magic wear black uniforms as Main Course students.

Those without unique magic wear white uniforms as Preparatory Course students.

Since they’re clearly distinguished by appearance, a clear hierarchy forms between them.

As a result, conflicts between white and black uniforms happen every year.

(I think this fight starts with the black-uniformed Main Course students picking a fight maliciously, and the white-uniformed Preparatory Course students take the bait…)

Their conflict escalates into a brawl, and then the protagonist, with his “super trouble-magnet nature,” appears.

Before he knows it, he’s drawn into the center of the chaos, defeats the two Main Course students with his overwhelming strength, earns the respect and trust of the Preparatory Course students, and catches the eye of a watching teacher.

In other words, this is a typical “protagonist-boosting event” at the story’s start.

(Sorry, but I won’t let that happen!)

I’ll stop this silly conflict before the protagonist arrives.

That way, his reputation won’t rise.

To mediate the fight, I headed toward the center of the issue.

“Listen up! I’m Franz, the third son of the Thomas Earl family, which produced many great holy knights! An earl, you hear, an earl! Plus, I have an Elite Class unique magic! Got it? You white-uniform gravel scum are different from me in every way from birth!”

As Franz boasted,

“O-oi, look…!”

“The lazy, arrogant, villainous noble…!”

“This year’s top student, ‘Rank One’…!?”

The Preparatory Course students who noticed me stepped back nervously.

Perhaps mistaking their retreat—and their fear of me—for fear of himself, Franz smirked smugly.

“Hah, that’s right! Don’t ever defy me again, you foolish peasants!”

His right hand, swung forcefully, hit my chest with a thud.

“Huh!? What’s that, you…!?”

“Seems like you’re having fun. Mind if I join, Lord Franz?”

“H-H-H… Hollow von Heisenberg!?”

Franz foamed at the mouth, stepping back one, two, three steps in a pathetic manner.

He was terribly flustered, but… well, it’s understandable.

Our Heisenberg family is at the top of the five noble ranks, a “duke.”

Franz’s Thomas family is in the middle, an “earl.”

There’s a gap between our families higher than the sky and deeper than the sea.

“Tch-tch-tch… In this school, rank doesn’t matter! Here, you and I are both just first-year Redrick students! Don’t act all high and mighty, you villainous noble brat!”

Maybe to cover his earlier pathetic display or because his petty pride was stung… I’m not sure why, but Franz was quite aggressive.

Technically, he’s right. “At Redrick, nobles and commoners are treated equally, regardless of status”—it’s a written rule.

But didn’t you just flaunt your noble title earlier?

Besides, outside the school, the constraints of noble society still apply.

For the third son of an earl family to challenge the next head of one of the four great noble families isn’t exactly wise…

As I thought about this,

“Hollow von Heisenberg!”

Franz suddenly shouted, throwing his white glove to the ground.

That’s… the thing holy knights do to challenge someone to a duel, right?

No way, he wouldn’t do something that stupid—

“A duel! I challenge you to a one-on-one duel!”

Oh, he’s an idiot.