Chapter 1: The Mysterious Transfer Student
The number three holds a special meaning for humans—though whether I could still consider myself human was another matter.
Trinities, three-legged crows, third chances, three-person rumors, and the three sacred treasures…
Even beyond humanity, there’s something about the number three.
It takes three sticks to make something stable, three lines to form a polygon. I don’t know if that holds in this world, but on Earth, the third planet from the Sun was named Earth.
Why am I rambling about this? Because, including the teacher in front of me, three teachers in a row had blatantly ignored me.
First-period history teacher, second-period liberal arts teacher, third-period math teacher.
Back in my past life, one of my few points of pride was being a model student who always followed instructions, and yet here I was, being dismissed outright by the very people I was supposed to impress.
…Looks like I’ve been completely marked by this academy from day one. Not that transfer students are a common occurrence in a prestigious academy for nobles.
Maybe there was one in the original story? I only read up to chapter 20 before I rage-quit over a particular plot point and got pulled into this mess. With nearly 400 chapters left, it’s possible some mysterious transfer student could’ve shown up later.
You know, the kind that’s a suspiciously calm, slit-eyed, perpetually smiling girl who screams danger the moment you see her.
Maybe I’m projecting—those are the only types of characters I seem to notice.
Still, there had been some chatter in the classroom before I arrived.
But since my introduction, the silence had been deafening.
Occasionally, small groups would leave the classroom, presumably to talk behind my back.
Whenever I made eye contact with one of them, they’d flinch and look away.
Great. I could already imagine their whispered insults. Maybe it’s not so bad—just me and the protagonist sitting here without a clique.
I felt a brief sense of kinship with him… until I remembered he’s a fraud.
The story’s tags proudly proclaimed harem and featured explicit chapters. He’s a fake introvert—an extrovert in disguise.
The thought only made me more depressed. The lessons weren’t helping, either.
The liberal arts teacher droned on about gods and divine grace, which grated on my nerves.
They don’t even know what a real god is and yet keep praising divine mercy. Annoying.
Math was slightly better, though I already knew everything being taught.
Back in high school, I scoffed, “When will I ever use these formulas?” Who knew the answer was in a place like this?
I wouldn’t say I was using the knowledge here, though. I just solved the problems on the board by myself to pass the time. Not that I’d volunteer answers—getting called out for “showing off” would crush me.
It was a desperate attempt to make the math period end faster. After this, it’d be lunch, followed by gym for the rest of the day.
While I wrestled with my boredom, I noticed the odd stares coming from my right.
Ignoring them, I thought about the academy’s structure: first-years followed a fixed curriculum, while second-years chose subjects suited to their aptitudes.
I knew what I excelled at, but I wasn’t sure this academy offered anything similar.
Well, I’d figure it out when the time came. For now… this was mind-numbingly dull.
The silence was oppressive, with everyone only speaking when absolutely necessary. It was as if they’d all conspired to make my ostracism as thorough as possible.
I sighed. Maybe I should’ve stayed on the Eastern Continent. At least I wouldn’t be treated so coldly there. Was this punishment for insisting on attending the protagonist’s academy?
…At least the food would be good. The chapters I’d read never described meals in detail, but it’s a noble academy—it had to be decent.
Surely, they wouldn’t kick me out just because I’m beastfolk.
—
Was I sent here because of some political power struggle? Unlikely. I’m the only child of the Emperor of the Baek Empire—born late in his life and cherished beyond measure. He wouldn’t exile me.
Was it for education? Doubtful. No matter how prestigious Amaurus Academy might be, the Empire could hire private tutors to offer a better education at home.
So why? I couldn’t fathom it. The girl sitting next to me hadn’t moved or spoken all morning, exuding nothing but an aura of displeasure.
Originally, the heroine sitting diagonally to my right—Exipri—would’ve initiated a conversation by now. Instead, she was visibly unnerved by Hoyeon’s oppressive presence. If Exipri, with her maxed-out charm and sociability stats, was this cowed, how could the others stand a chance?
Hoyeon’s first impression was clear: Don’t mess with me. Her every sigh and glare screamed as much. Honestly, I was terrified to even say a word to her.
—
As the bell rang to signal the end of class, Hoyeon left the room in long strides, her distaste for the classroom almost palpable. The moment she was gone, the students began chattering about her.
Some expressed frustration or disbelief, but most were speculating. How did a beastfolk even get into this academy? Can nobles transfer here? What’s her imperial lineage like?
She seemed to attract the wrong kind of attention. With her background, though, she could probably punch every student here and only get a day’s suspension.
—
Just as I was brooding, a sweet voice broke my thoughts.
“Hi there~”
Ah, I’d almost forgotten. Exipri was speaking to me now. Hearing her voice in person was oddly moving—it felt different from just imagining it.
“Hello, Lady Exipri.”
“Oh! You know me?”
“Well, with a face as adorable as yours, how could I not?”
No exaggeration. She’d maxed out charm and charisma at the expense of every other stat. Her combat, intelligence, and stamina were so laughably low it was a miracle she’d made it to the academy.
She blushed, clearly delighted by my flattery. This pure-hearted innocence had earned her the nickname “puppy of the social circle” among the nobility.
“Hehe, thank you for the compliment!”
“Was there something you needed?”
“Oh, right!”
Her intelligence stat really was abysmal, as proudly noted in her official profile.
“I got put in a different class from my friends… Could you walk me to their room?”
“Of course.”
—
As we walked, she suddenly asked, “By the way, isn’t Baek Hoyeon scary?”
Scary? Absolutely. Hoyeon radiated a dangerous aura and was connected to the second arc’s villain faction. Still, if there was even the slightest chance of befriending her, it might change the tragic events of the second arc.
“She is, but don’t you think it’s important to get along?”
We reached Exipri’s friends—a group of noble girls. The leader, Camilla, brightened at the sight of Exipri but immediately glared at me.
“And who might you be?” she asked icily.
Camilla, another heroine. Great.