spread discord

Upon seeing Laurence leave the classroom, I sighed quietly, feeling an immense tension, as if I were a student about to see his results.

Finally, the moment had arrived for me to execute my plan.

With my procrastinating nature, I would have preferred to delay the matter for a few more days. I even had a logical excuse—to explore the world further and ensure that nothing had changed from the content of the novel I had written before taking any action.

However, I was fully aware that I needed to change. I could no longer remain the same lazy procrastinator. This was no longer my world but a ruthless one that showed no mercy.

And if there was anyone who truly understood the brutality of this world, it was me. I knew that change was no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity. Either I adapted, or I perished.

Yet, I still hesitated. My plan would cause a massive shift in the course of events, potentially rendering my knowledge useless.

But what use was knowledge if its only path led to destruction?

"Sigh"

"I'm truly in an unenviable position."

I couldn't help but scoff lightly as I exited the classroom, heading toward a group of nobles consisting of three students.

Upon noticing my approach, William smirked mockingly and spoke in an exaggerated, sarcastic tone.

"Who would have imagined that His Royal Highness, Prince Edward Lightstar, would deign to associate with a bunch of commoners like us?"

Hearing William's words, dripping with disdain toward me, I couldn't help but chuckle slightly.

His personality hadn't changed from what I had written—he still harbored a deep resentment toward the ruling families. But I couldn't allow him to mock me so easily.

"Oh, it's a pleasure that our little joke managed to amuse His Highness," he continued.

"Your pathetic jokes couldn't amuse anyone, William. I simply remembered something funny."

At this, William asked, still wearing that same sarcastic smirk,

"Oh really? Then would His Royal Highness care to enlighten this lowly commoner on what was so amusing?"

"Oh, certainly. I just recalled how some of the so-called 'great nobles' were outperformed by a group of commoners."

The foolish grin on William's face disappeared upon hearing my sarcastic remark, replaced by a cold expression filled with contempt.

"Oh? But I heard that those commoners even surpassed our 'great' princes."

"You're right. But let me ask you all this—what do you think of the ranking system established by the academy?"

William looked as if he wanted to continue his mockery, but someone else interrupted him.

"It's fair."

Turning toward the one who answered, I found a handsome young man with blond hair and emerald-green eyes.

Hearing his response only strengthened my confidence in my plan. I began to walk slowly, as I disliked speaking while standing in place like a statue.

"I didn't ask whether the ranking system was fair. Everyone knows the academy's rankings are just. I asked for your opinion."

As I started moving, Nick, the blond-haired boy, and even the annoyed William followed, all responding with the same answer.

"It's frustrating."

Hearing this, I smiled to myself in triumph.

"Oh? And why is it frustrating?"

The blond-haired boy answered seriously—he didn't seem like the type to joke around.

"Even if the system is fair, the idea that a group of commoners, who received no proper training, never learned any mana arts, and might even be bastards, could stand equal to us is simply unacceptable."

After hearing his response, I pointed toward Nick and asked him the same question.

"And what about you, Nick? Why do you find the ranking frustrating?"

Nick looked embarrassed, stammering.

"Th-this…"

However, seeing the expectant look on my face, he seemed to gather his courage and spoke in a low, hesitant voice.

"It's because it's fair. How can we, the descendants of heroes who protected humanity and led it to an era of prosperity, be treated the same as those commoners?"

"While our ancestors sacrificed their lives, fighting against those monsters, their ancestors cowered in their safe cities."

"The very cities that our families shed their blood to build and protect."

As he spoke, Nick grew more passionate, his initial shyness fading. He pointed toward the castle walls, his voice trembling with fervor.

"Even this castle was secured for humanity thanks to the nobles!"

"Could the academy have been founded within these great walls if Duke Lightstar and Kador Darkstar hadn't risked their lives to fight the Duke of Tainted Blood?"

"In order to expand humanity's territory, Kador Darkstar—my great ancestor—gave his life in that battle."

"So how can we, the children of heroes, be treated as equals to those commoners?"

After finishing his impassioned speech, Nick reverted to his shy demeanor, his cheeks flushing red as he shrank in embarrassment.

But I was pleased. Things were going even more smoothly than expected. Now, I only had to convince one more person.

"And what about you, William?"

William's irritated expression had long vanished, replaced by a cold, serious demeanor. He seemed to have an idea of where this conversation was headed.

"It's simply because the system is unfair."

Hearing William's blunt response, Nick and the blond-haired boy looked surprised.

"What do you mean? Doesn't the system accurately measure our strength and rank us accordingly?"

"And its data can't be incorrect, as it comes directly from the TU database."

Seeing their confusion, William smirked coldly and continued.

"Yes, the ranking system is fair—but only for the commoners, as it doesn't account for our greatest advantage as nobles."

"You mean the secret mana arts?"

William nodded and continued.

"Exactly. Now tell me, Ivar, do you think Alexander could survive against the Lightstar family's secret art?"

Hearing this, Ivar frowned, unsure of how to answer. He had never witnessed the secret arts of a ruling family before—after all, they were closely guarded secrets.

But Nick had no such hesitation. The Darkstar family was the closest ally of the Lightstars, and in a way, they were essentially the same family, just different branches.

Thus, he answered with confidence.

"That's impossible. No matter how strong Alexander is, without a mana art of equal caliber, he wouldn't be able to withstand the Lightstar secret technique."

At this, William smirked mockingly.

"Yes. The academy's system may seem fair on the surface, but in reality, it strips us of all our advantages as nobles. We are forbidden from using our families' secret arts or high-level mana weapons."

"Or do you honestly believe that Alexander could defeat our pampered prince in a life-or-death battle?"

Hearing this, I replied in a calm voice, as everything was progressing even better than I had expected.

"As you said, a life-or-death battle. But we are here to train, not to kill each other."

William smirked.

"So, are you willing to let a commoner surpass you?"

"Of course not."

Saying this, I smiled confidently and declared,

"But I have a plan—one that does not violate the academy's rules yet allows us to secure positions worthy of us as nobles."

Hearing this, William asked curiously,

"And what is your plan?"