Chapter 6: Academy Heroine’s Right Diagonal Back Seat

After lunch, a few more boring theory classes followed.

In other words, it was time to appreciate Sylvia's beautiful face.

The four hours of this heartwarming time passed quickly, and it was finally time for the end-of-day announcements.

"Everyone, you did well today! Many of you must have been surprised to be attacked by a monster this morning, so go home and rest well. From tomorrow, be even more vigilant! You never know when or where your teacher might spring a surprise test like today."

Eve's announcement caused a buzz among the students.

After all, even though it was an illusion, it wasn't easy to accept that monsters could appear anytime, anywhere, especially for those experiencing it for the first time.

But that's Aegis Academy's educational policy.

Training students to maintain their composure in any situation from the very beginning.

Even though they are students, they are also heroes who must step into battlefields where lives are at stake.

"Oh, one more thing. We need someone to temporarily act as the class president. Anyone interested?"

This was a no-brainer; the class president had already been decided.

Only one person was dutiful and dedicated enough to take on the bothersome role of temporary class president.

Soon, I'd see the class rep standing up and volunteering, "I'll do it."

But the classroom, which had been buzzing just moments before, fell eerily silent.

...What? Did something break?

I glanced at the class rep to see her sitting quietly with her head down.

Did she just look at me for a second, or was that my imagination?

With no one stepping forward, Eve looked troubled.

"If no one volunteers, I'll have to appoint someone. Is that okay?"

Despite her words, the classroom remained silent.

She tapped her fingers on the desk before finally pointing to someone.

"Then Mei will be the class president."

Whether it was the world's coercion at work or just coincidence, Eve pointed to the class rep.

"Wha?! But I..."

Flustered, the class rep looked around, seeking help.

Everyone seemed to silently agree that anyone but themselves would do, all gazing at her.

It seemed like she looked at me a bit longer, but it was probably just my imagination.

Seeing no way out, she closed her eyes briefly before accepting her fate.

"...Alright. It doesn't seem like there's anyone else, so I'll do it."

Thank goodness. For a moment, it seemed like we wouldn't have a class president.

Anyway, it was time to head home since classes were over.

"Evande, I need to talk to you. Come to the staff room."

Just as I got up, Eve stopped me.

Following her quietly out of the classroom, I felt the curious gazes of the other students wondering why I was being called to the staff room on the first day.

I was curious too!

But it turned out to be nothing serious.

"It's about your uniform. Since the one you had burned, you need to buy a new one. Uniforms are expensive, so I'm giving you the one you're wearing now at a discount. Okay, Evande, just pay 200,000 Gold. I'll cover the rest!"

It was about buying a new uniform.

200,000 Gold... In the real world, uniforms were quite expensive.

Some could cost as much as 400,000 Won, so Eve must be covering half the cost.

Since it was a favor to me, I thanked Eve and paid the 200,000 Gold before heading home.

At home, I looked up the uniform prices and realized they were even more expensive than I had thought.

I had no idea the price could go beyond six figures...

So how much did Eve cover?

I should thank her again tomorrow.

But does this mean Aegis Academy is a school for the rich?

I checked my account, thinking maybe I was rich too, but I had only 100,000 Gold.

I wasn't rich; I was poor.

I briefly feared I'd become homeless at the academy, but thankfully, I received a monthly allowance.

After rent, I'd have about 300,000 Gold left each month.

Normally, that would be fine, but with the uniform cost, I'd have to live on about 3,000 Gold a day for the next month.

Wait, 3,000 Gold?

That amount made me realize I had forgotten to account for something.

I needed 3,000 Gold daily for the "friendship fee" to Sylvia.

Which left me with just 10,000 Gold for the month.

That meant I could spend roughly 300 Gold a day.

I couldn't even afford instant noodles.

At that moment, my mind began a balancing game.

Skipping breakfast and dinner to be friends with a pretty girl VS having three meals a day as a loner

...Is there even a need to think about it? The choice is clear!

A person can survive for three weeks without food, but I couldn't survive three weeks without being friends with Sylvia!

Besides, as a girl now, maybe one meal a day would be fine for me.

Even though I didn't have any weight to lose, I'd think of it as dieting.

For now, managing my abilities was more important than the money issue.

I figured out how to use flames that could actually burn something, but I still needed to learn how to control where they ignited.

How could I set fire to specific targets?

I couldn't selectively get angry at specific parts of my body.

Unfortunately, the only body part I could get angry at was now gone because I was a girl.

I tried getting angry and lighting my body on fire, then focused the strength in my arm, but the flames didn't budge.

...I was exhausted.

I needed to find solutions for both money and abilities.

Hopefully, something would work out.

Thinking that, I buried my face in the pillow.

*

[The world was so cruel.]

*

[Ding ding ding~ Good mor-]

I reached out and turned off the alarm.

Having skipped dinner and now breakfast, it was a new day.

I should feel weak from not eating, but oddly, I felt lighter than usual.

Is this the effect of intermittent fasting?

Although mine wasn't intermittent but just plain fasting.

Anyway, to avoid being late again, I decided to go to school early.

Arriving 30 minutes before the morning assembly, I saw someone had beaten me there.

The class rep was naturally cleaning the classroom early in the morning as if it was her duty.

Such a diligent person...

Moved by the sight, I was caught off guard when she noticed me watching and quickly lowered her head.

Ah, maybe she's the type who feels embarrassed if caught doing good deeds?

To respect her privacy, I quietly left and headed to the staff room.

There, I found Eve humming to herself while leaning back in her chair.

"Teacher."

"Huh? Oh, Evande, what brings you here so early?"

Eve peeked over her chair, then straightened up when she saw me.

"I checked the uniform price at home, and it seemed like I was asking too much of you..."

"Is that what's bothering you? Hehe, Evande, you're such a good girl. Don't worry about the cost. I'm incredibly wealthy. I would have bought the uniform for you, but I wanted you to feel the responsibility, so I made you pay."

"Regardless, thank you."

"Sure, sure. Evande, you're cuter than I thought."

Avoiding Eve's teasing smile, I quickly fled back to the classroom.

By the way, how rich is Eve?

Well, being the world's greatest illusionist, she'd be in demand in many places.

With her abilities, it must be easy to make money.

If I had illusion magic instead of fire, I wouldn't be struggling with money.

I just hope there won't be any lessons involving abilities today...