Reo listened to the lecture, his face calm but bored, as the professor droned on about the kingdom's founding. Her voice faded into the background, steady but unremarkable.
So this is what normal classes are like? he thought, leaning back slightly in his chair.
[You never attended normal classes back on Earth?]
A faint smirk tugged at Reo's lips. Memories of his high school days flickered back, rough and raw. Normal classes? he repeated inwardly.
Nope. Just beating people up. Again and again. That was my "education."
He'd been a teenage enforcer, spending his time collecting debts and making sure his gang stayed in control.
School?
That was just a tool—a place to intimidate and get things done. Sitting through an actual lesson had never been on the agenda.
[You have quite the backstory.]
Reo's gaze dropped to the textbook on his desk. The chapter was about the kingdom's early wars, written in a formal, flowery style. It should've been dense, but it wasn't. Thanks to Leonhardt's memories, the words clicked.
His predecessor hadn't been a genius, but he'd had decent learning skills—enough to follow the material. Reo flipped a page, reading without much effort. This isn't bad. I can work with this.
[So much for laying low.]
[Didn't take you long to pull a stunt. You're already attracting attention.]
Reo glanced around the classroom, his smirk growing slightly. A few students were sneaking glances, their whispers barely audible.
I didn't have a choice, Reo thought.
Reo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at the textbook. You told me I need to gain stats through experience, right? His smirk sharpened, his crimson eyes gleaming faintly.
Then let's fight. This academy is my playground now. I'm going to climb the ladder, and I'll enjoy every step.
[You're calling this a playground?]
"It's not a game," Reo replied, his voice steady. "It's a battlefield. And I've never lost on one." He flipped another page, though his thoughts were already calculating his next move. Mori was just the start.
"Leonhardt Caulem," the professor's sharp voice cut through his thoughts. She was staring at him now, her eyes narrowing. "Care to summarize the last point I made?"
The class turned to him, anticipation thick in the air, clearly thinking of a slip-up.
Reo didn't hesitate. He straightened, meeting the professor's gaze with calm confidence. "The kingdom's first war started as a border dispute with the neighboring empire," he said.
"The king at the time used it as a pretext to expand his lands, but it nearly cost him his throne."
The professor blinked, taken aback by his precise response. "That's… correct," she said, her tone softening. "Pay attention, though."
Reo nodded, though his mind had already moved on. Leonhardt's memories are useful after all.
[Impressive.]
Reo's smirk returned. I've always been a quick learner, he thought, his gaze shifting back to the textbook.
The mana bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students began gathering their things.
Reo stood, grabbing his book, he already planning the rest of his day.
As he walked through the hallways, he turned into a narrower corridor. Mori stood in the middle, blocking his path. His lackeys flanked him, their faces smug but their postures tense.
The hallway was deserted—no students, no witnesses. It was clear Mori had planned this.
"Well, well, Leonhardt," Mori drawled, cracking his knuckles. "Thought you could just walk away after that little stunt in class? It's not over yet."
Reo stopped a few feet away, his crimson eyes narrowing. Leonhardt's memories surfaced—Mori cornering him in this very hallway, the taunts, the shoves, the humiliation.
One memory stood out: Mori pinning Leonhardt against the wall, forcing him to beg while his lackeys laughed.
The memories stirred a cold anger in Reo, but his face remained calm, unreadable.
Mori stepped closer, his grin widening. "What's wrong? Scared already?" he taunted, his lackeys chuckling nervously behind him. "You might've caught me off guard in class, but this time, I'm ready. You're not walking away."
Reo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as if bored. "You really don't learn, do you?" he said, his voice low and cold. Mori's grin faltered for a moment.
"Big talk for someone about to get his ass handed to him," Mori sneered, stepping forward. "Let's see how tough you are now."
Reo didn't respond. Instead, he turned to one of Mori's lackeys and held out his book. "Hold this," he said flatly. The boy hesitated, his hands trembling, but he took the book.
Reo's attention shifted back to Mori, his crimson eyes locking onto him with the intensity of a predator. He took a slow, deliberate step forward. Mori's grin gone, his bravado crumbling under Reo's stare. He took half a step back, his instincts screaming at him to run, but his pride held him in place.
"What… what are you gonna do?" Mori stammered, his voice cracking as he raised his hand to slap Reo, desperate to regain control.
Reo's hand shot up, catching Mori's wrist mid-swing with a grip like steel. Mori's eyes widened as he tried to pull free, but Reo's hold was grim. Pain shot through Mori's arm, his knees buckling slightly as he realized he couldn't break free.
"You're too predictable," Reo said, his voice cold and playful, a chilling smile tugging at his lips. He twisted Mori's arm sharply, forcing it behind his back, then wrapped his own arm around Mori's neck in a mockery of Mori's earlier "friendly" gesture.
Mori struggled, his body tensing as he pushing against Reo's hold with all his strength. But the more he fought, the tighter Reo's grip became, pressing the Mori's neck with a force that could crack his spine. Mori's breath hitched, panic washing over him as the pressure increased.
Reo leaned in close, his voice soft and menacing. "Keep squirming, and I might just break something," he said, his tone playful but laced with warning. He tightened his grip further, making Mori wince as the pain intensified. "What's the rush, Mori? We're just getting started."
"P-please, stop!" Mori gasped, his voice trembling as he stopped struggling, his body going limp. "I'm sorry, okay? Just let go!"
Reo tilted his head, his smile widening, but his crimson eyes were devoid of warmth. "Sorry?" he repeated. "I don't think you mean that. Try again."
"I—I mean it!" Mori stammered, tears welling up in his eyes. "I won't do it again, I swear! Please, just stop!"
The lackeys stood frozen, their faces pale as they watched their leader crumble.
A sharp voice cut through the tension. "What's happening here?"
Reo turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes landing on the history professor. She stood at the far end of the hallway, her expression suspicious.
His smile shifted, becoming deceptively warm as he loosened his hold on Mori just enough to make the scene look less threatening. His arm still draped around Mori's shoulders, he said smoothly, "Nothing, Professor. Just a friendly conversation. Right, Mori?"
Mori, still trembling, swallowed hard. His eyes darted to the professor, then back to Reo. "Y-yeah," he stammered. "Friendly… conversation."
The professor's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press further. "Keep it civil," she said curtly before walking away, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
The moment she was out of sight, Reo's smile vanished. In one swift motion, he released Mori, shoving him to the side with enough force to send him stumbling into the wall. Mori slumped to the floor, clutching his neck, his breath ragged.
Reo turned to the lackey holding his book, his crimson eyes cold. "My book," he said, holding out his hand. The boy scrambled to hand it over, nearly dropping it in his haste.
Reo took the book, tucking it under his arm as he looked down at Mori, who was still on the floor, his lackeys too scared to help him up. "I did you a favor," Reo said, his voice low and dangerous. "I didn't humiliate you in front of everyone. So fuck off, and don't let me see your face again."
Mori's face was a mix of shame and terror as he stared up at Reo, unable to speak. Reo didn't spare them another glance. He turned and walked down the hallway.
The lackeys backed away, one of them muttering under his breath, "Garrick's gonna hear about this..." Reo didn't spare them another glance.
As he rounded the corner, Reo's thoughts turned inward. One pest down, he mused, his crimson eyes glinting with determination. But there are bigger threats in this academy. Time to pluck them.
[I must give you points for your badass moment.]
Reo smirked. You're welcome, Elynn.