Surviving as the Academy’s Weakest NPC-Chapter 157 : Chapter 157

Chapter : 157
As expected of a party hosted by the Emperor. Its splendor was so magnificent that it couldn't be compared to the one hosted by Golden.
I sipped on non-alcoholic champagne prepared for the underage noble children and looked around the party hall.
Zephyros had headed to the Nevera Duchy Residence, and Lucian had been caught by the Emperor, so I was left to sip champagne all by my lonely self.
“Poor guy.”
At least Zephyros went of his own accord, but Lucian was caught by the imperial knights lying in wait in front of the Lisitoel Count Family's mansion and dragged off to the Imperial Palace.
What could he do when His Majesty the Emperor was waiting for him?
“Hmm.”
There were a few faces I'd seen a couple of times at the Academy.
Among them was Ignatz Schreiden. Oh! It had been a while, so I approached him gladly.
“Long time no see?”
“…Even if we made up, to be able to greet me so casually, you're amazing.”
Ignatz muttered, his face slightly pale.
“Well, what's wrong with that!”
If we fought and made up, that's all that matters!
“Besides, I have nothing to feel guilty about towards you!”
Wahaha! I deliberately laughed heartily and slapped Ignatz's shoulder repeatedly.
Ack! Ignatz clutched his shoulder and flinched.
“You've gotten a little stronger, haven't you?”
“Oh, you can tell?”
“You were so feeble before….”
“Is that why you shattered someone's shoulder?”
At the dagger I threw with a smile, Ignatz finally shut his mouth.
I snickered at the sight of him and looked around.
“I never thought I'd see you here.”
“…I just begged my father to barely be able to attend, that's all.”
Ignatz grumbled for a moment before sipping his champagne as if his throat was dry.
It seemed this place was very uncomfortable for him.
Well, since most of the kids his age here were attending the Academy, it was bound to be uncomfortable for Ignatz, who had been expelled.
“Why don't you try talking to your old classmates.”
“They cut off all contact with me the moment I was expelled.”
“What a bunch of disloyal bastards.”
“It was a relationship of mutual use from the start.“
Even though he said it himself, he must have felt a bit bitter; the sight of Ignatz continuously drinking champagne was pitiful.
To think there was another person here with a ruined reputation.
“If you're that awkward, since you're friends with me, why don't you become friends with Zephyros and Lucian too.”
Rather than being friends with me, becoming friends with those two would be much more helpful for him when he re-enrolls at the Academy.
After all, by the time he became a second-year, Lucian had already risen as the Empire's hero.
“You're not serious, are you?“
He looked at me with a strangely disgusted face, then seemed to realize I was serious. Ignatz was at a loss for words and dropped his head.
“I thought so at the Church too, but you really seem like a crazy bastard.”
“Zephi and Cian call me a crazy bastard all the time, too.”
“That Descendant of the Hero?”
“Not the Descendant of the Hero, Lucian. That guy's pretty good at getting digs in too.”
I was at the point of debating whether I should be happy that Lucian had become a person who knew how to subtly get digs in, or sad about the merciless verbal attacks.
Still, he was better than the guy in the original game who was just a frustrating sweet potato, so I was satisfied with the current him. Though I did feel a little sad.
“But this champagne is really good.”
“Of course it's top-class, since it's a party hosted by the Emperor himself.”
What a waste of money. This party was probably paid for with taxes.
Still, with the mindset that eating is winning, I was diligently picking up this and that to eat when a fanfare suddenly rang out.
The fanfare was so loud it was like a roar that could tear the world apart, and all eyes immediately turned to the entrance.
“The Hero of Light, returned after 1,000 years, Sir Lucian!!!!!“
A knight shouted in a booming voice.
The newspapers had already announced the appearance of the Hero of the Holy Sword, and those who attended Golden's party had already seen Lucian's face, but this was the first time the Imperial Family was officially introducing him as the Descendant of the Hero.
Lucian entered the party hall with a tense expression.
The skills of the Imperial Family were truly amazing.
I thought the skills of the maids sent for Golden's party were incredible, but looking at Lucian now, I'd believe it if someone told me he was a long-lost royal.
As soon as Lucian spotted me, he strode over.
“Wow, you're all scrubbed and shined.”
“Would you believe me if I said I was dragged away this morning and held captive until now?”
Lucian asked, his face a little pale.
“Compared to that, you….”
“I got ready too, you know.”
However, I could assert that it wasn't as much as Lucian.
“Where's Zephi?”
“Not yet. It seems he'll enter with the Duke of Nevera.”
“Right, that makes sense.”
“Uh… I'll be going now. It was an honor to meet you!”
Bowing his head deeply, Ignatz fled the scene.
He wasn't some villain running away with his tail between his legs. Did he really have to leave like that?
“Isn't that Ignatz Schreiden?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as he heard my answer, Lucian scrunched up his brow.
“Is there a problem?”
“It's Ignatz Schreiden. The one who went to the Church and gave testimony against you─”
“Ah.”
I guess I hadn't explained that we met separately back then and decided to be friends.
Ah, did I only tell Fel?
I guess Zephyros and Lucian only knew that Ignatz simply quit being a witness midway through.
Besides, they probably thought the reason wasn't because he made up with me, but because he bolted in the middle when things got disadvantageous.
“We decided to be friends.”
“What?!”
Lucian shouted loudly, a rare occurrence for him.
At his shout, the gazes that were already furtively glancing our way were now fixed on us.
“What does that mean?”
“I said we became friends.”
“What's so great about that bastard!”
Lucian glanced around before exclaiming in a whisper.
Did he even know how threatening he looked with his glaring eyes? I scratched my head and explained simply.
“Personal feelings aside, for Ignatz, helping the Pope and cornering me was probably necessary for his future.”
But, thanks to Lucian, that failed spectacularly. It was fortunate for me, but unfortunate for Ignatz.
“But in that moment, instead of resenting me, he apologized.”
“Huh?”
“Seeing him regret it, it wasn't easy to just keep hating him, so we decided to be friends.”
“Are you introducing yourself as a pushover?”
Just then, Zephyros, who must have entered at some point, approached us, equally dressed up.
“Who are you calling a pushover right now?”
His judgment must be completely off.
To dare mention the word 'pushover' to me with Lucian, the game company's official pushover, standing right in front of him.
“Well, shouldn't everyone get a second chance?”
“You don't give one to the bastard who shattered your shoulder, you pushover.”
Seriously, who did he keep calling a pushover?
“Is that why you entered alone.”
“What? My father left suddenly because he had business to attend to.”
“Oh, that sounds very ominous.”
Why would that man throw away an opportunity to torment Zephyros right beside him and leave?
Finding it suspicious, Zephyros also crossed his arms and scrunched up his face.
Thanks to that expression, which screamed 'I am displeased' even from about 10 meters away, people thankfully didn't approach us.
“Aren't you going to manage your public image?”
“I refuse, for now.”
After answering, Zephyros swept back his well-managed bangs.
In an instant, Zephyros's hair was disheveled, and for some reason, I could almost hear the screams of the people who had styled it.
No, I actually heard screams. Cheers of delight from the young noble ladies spying on him from afar.
“Your face is a crime.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I'm saying it's a face perfect for committing sins.”
Zephyros, who was muttering about what on earth I meant, instantly controlled his expression.
Was it because of that? The young ladies who were stealing glances at Zephyros and Lucian from afar slowly began to gather.
I'd better get out before I get caught up in that crowd.
“I have no intention of joining you guys.”
“What are you talking about, you're also excellent prey for the young ladies.”
“Haha, what a horrible thing to say.”
“Don't deny reality, sole heir of the Lisitoel Count Family.”
So I was also prey for those who I called hyenas and were written as noble ladies.
If they were searching for a marriage partner, my qualifications would be pretty good.
How terrifying, the noble society!
“Still, you guys are better than me.”
I subtly pulled myself back, and soon enough, Zephi and Lucian were once again surrounded by nobles.
Even the young ladies who had been acting demure seemed to sense something was amiss at the sight of others flocking to the two, and they joined in one by one as if they'd never been reserved, creating a scene five minutes from total chaos.
“Oh.”
Unlike Zephi, who was used to parties, Lucian tried his best to handle the young ladies, but he didn't look at ease.
Still, he seemed much better than he was at Golden's party.
It wasn't much, but I watched him with a pleased expression before sneaking off towards the desserts.
“You come to parties to eat.”
When would I ever get another chance to eat desserts made by the Emperor's pâtissier?
Opportunities like this were rare!
The moment I took a bite, luxurious chocolate danced in my mouth and apricot jam set off fireworks.
“This is insane.”
To be able to eat things like this to my heart's content for my entire life, I became just a little envious of the Emperor… then I decided against it.
Being the emperor of a world where a crisis of destruction could come at any moment—just imagining it was horrifying.
Since I had betrayed and run away from Cian and Zephi again today, I thought I should grab some dessert for them—but I felt someone's presence, seemingly hidden in secret.
To hide one's presence at a party hosted by the Emperor was blatant disrespect. What would they do if they were mistaken for an assassin?
Not even a member of the imperial family could do such a thing.
In that case, there was only one culprit.
I put down the plate I was using to pick up desserts and bowed my head in greeting.
“May the Empire's glory be eternal. I greet His Majesty, Emperor Leonald Lapileon.”
Ah, I guess eating in peace is out of the question.