Waking up the next morning, I finally decided to check my smartwatch messages for the first time in a week.
[Unread: 99+]
[Jin: 99+ unread]
[Han: 30 unread]
[Raven: 7 unread]
[Ruby: 4 unread]
Putting on the academy blazer, I put down my smartwatch without checking any of the messages and headed off to class.
With most students starting tryouts for the festival team tomorrow, schoolwork should be minimal, so I didn't even bother doing the homework assigned.
With my ability to manifest corrupted daggers at any time now, I didn't bother bringing my daggers everywhere, so I didn't have to worry about wearing heavy clothing like a sweatshirt to hide them.
Just in time for summer!
Looking at the sun, which was shining especially bright today, I decided to put aside all my problematic and conflicting thoughts for now.
Sooner or later, I'd have to make a decision, but procrastinating was my specialty!
Heading inside the building of my classes, I put inside my earbuds, which I had been using more and more recently, before heading up the stairs.
Looking downwards at the reflection of the shiny metal stairs, I saw a figure right in front of me, so stepping to the right, I continued ascending the stairs.
However, the figure blocking me also stepped to the right.
Finally, looking upwards, I saw Astrid standing in front of me with a disgruntled expression and a clipboard in her hand.
Not bothering to take out my wired earbuds, I irritatedly asked.
"What?"
"...have you thought about my offer to join the student council?"
"My answer stays the same."
"That's fine, but I just wanted to let you know that I have another candidate who's interested in joining. If you don't accept, I'll be forced to allow them in."
Letting out another sigh, I recalled that Lily would be trying to prevent Irene's transformation into a villain, and the first step to do that was to get Irene on the student council.
Honestly, why did Irene have to be a villain?
I justified my attempts to continue to make her a villain by assuming that if she didn't become a villain, a more powerful existence would replace her and make my life harder, but did I even know that would happen?
...well I'm too far in to give up now, aren't I? Sometimes, you just have to go with gut instinct, even if it's based on pure speculation.
Anyway, it wasn't like this was my final choice; I could leave the council at any time and get Irene on it.
"Alright, I'll join, but don't expect anything."
Anyway, wouldn't the student council be worse off if they had me? I mean, when found schools out the one AND ONLY Ren is on the student council, countless rumors like bribery and harassment will rise.
I mean, it wasn't like I was going to contribute to the student council or anything, either. Like, even Astrid should know that there was no way in hell I was doing any paperwork for the council.
To be honest, I was just going to be a council member in the name. There was no way you'd catch me showing up to meetings or wasting my time doing work for this shitty school that somehow has djinn attacks every month.
Well, I guess this is Astrid's way of giving back to me because I saved her life. Surprisingly, this relationship was not formed on the logic of the book or the previous Ren.
Walking past Astrid, who was writing something down on her clipboard, I entered our nearly empty classroom as class started in over 20 minutes.
Grabbing a starburst that I had taken from the gift basket, I savored the sweet taste of it before pulling out my smartwatch and scrolling.
Before the training camp, I had been basically forced by Han and Jin to install the popular social media app, "Nexu."
[Zach / Followers: 1045 / Following: 102]
"Just got back from training camp! :)" [Attachment]
Suppressing the urge to comment something on Zach's post, I moved to Irene's profile.
[Irene / Followers: 50932 / Following: 23]
"A lot has happened..." [Attachment]
For Irene, the attachment was a picture of the half-broken-down cruise ship taken from the port, but seriously, did she have to make her post so edgy?
All of the comments were something like, "OMG, what happened?" and "Are you okay?" and "Call me now." and "This is your father, please ca-"
Putting down my smartwatch and taking out my earbuds, I realized that the classroom was already almost full. Jin and Han were the only ones who were not here yet.
Seeing them walk into the room as the bell rang, I didn't feel anxious or awkward about having to talk to them despite having ghosted them for a week; I just felt normal.
After Han and Jin, the teacher walked in and stood at the podium before writing "Exchange Students" on the blackboard.
"From today until the end of the festival, exchange students from the other best academies in the human realm will be taking classes with you. As you guys are Celestial Academy students, I don't think I need to remind you, but just in case, Do not be disrespectful or rude towards our visitors. Treat them as if they are normal students at Celestial Academy just me and you."
"Is that understood?"
Nodding at Professor Zia's words, I saw Han and Jin sitting beside me, staring at the blackboard in confusion.
After passing midterms, those two had partied and celebrated all week, so they probably had no idea about the upcoming Celestial Academy Festival.
Opening the sliding door, 6 students, two from each academy, entered our class and stood next to the professor.
"You all can get to know them at a later time. The class will begin now."
Nodding at the professor's words, the two students from Eldertide Academy, the second-ranked academy, confidently walked towards the seats with smug expressions before sitting in the row in front of the main cast.
Those 2 would be the main culprits of the disputes between schools.
The other four students from the third and fourth-ranked academies, Mystic Vale Institute and Drake Haven Academy, sat in the first row, right in front of the students from Eldertide, with expressions varying from concerned to happy.
Recently, Professor Zia had given more and more detentions to Jin and Han for talking in class, so the two stayed silent while occasionally glancing at me.
Hiding the wire of my earbud under my blazer, I put in one earbud and zoned out while staring out the window, where the cherry blossom trees were now light green.
Unlike Earth, there were no climate change or environmental issues, so nature was beautiful almost everywhere, and the colors of everything were so vibrant.
Feeling a tap on my shoulders, I saw almost the entire class, alongside Professor Zia, staring at me.
I just had to be called on right now, didn't I?
Well, I guess it is a third-rate villain's job to appear as stupid and shameless to everyone.
Turning down the volume of my earbuds, I immediately heard Professor Zia speak.
"Ren, once again, answer the question on the board. Or were you not paying attention to my lesson?"
Scanning the whiteboard and reading the question, I was surprised to see that I had actually read a similar question and answer in my mind.
But, alas, I had to stay true to my role. Well, at this point, it wasn't "had," but I honestly preferred staying true to being a third-rate villain, as it more suited my personality than anything else.
Shrugging my shoulders, I responded.
"I don't know."
Of course, most of the class burst into laughter at my answer, but they were all book characters... weren't they?
... ah, weren't they actual people like me, too?
Well, no matter the case, I ignored it and looked on as Professor Zia sighed before calling on another student.
Zoning out until the bell rang, I was the first to get up and leave the classroom, as I had no intention of dealing with the dispute that would take place with the new exchange students.
However, one of the exchange students from Eldertide Academy was blocking my exit to the classroom as they glanced at me.
"And where are you going?"
"To get lunch? Is there a problem?"
"hah, no, I'm just surprised that this school is considered #1 when people like you can attend."
...Isn't this a battle between third-rate villains? Both of us were created simply so that the protagonist would be more powerful or have a greater reputation.
But, then, is there a hierarchy among third-rate villains, or why is he so damn annoying? We're of the same kind, aren't we?
"So... can you move?"
"And why should I listen to you."
"You're blocking the door; what the hell are you talking about? Are you brain dead?"
"Seriously, you calling m-"
Realizing that he had no intention of moving, I secretly conjured a pitch-black cover around my hand before grabbing his shirt and throwing him out of the way with the extra strength provided by my corruption.
*BANG*
Was this a rash action simply because I was more annoyed than usual today? Yes, but it was friendly fire since we were both third-rates, so it didn't count!
Watching him fly like an arrow and land on a couple of empty desks with his back downwards, causing the chairs to topple down, I exited the classroom without waiting for anyone's reaction.
However, right outside the classroom doors was Astrid, waiting with her clipboard in her hand. Seeing my exit, she immediately gestured at me with her hand, so I reluctantly followed.
A third-rate villain like me couldn't hope to take on a main cast member like Astrid.
Trailing slightly behind her, I once again asked in an annoyed tone.
"Is there something you need?"
"?? I have to show you the student council room, give you your badge for the upcoming festival, and explain your duties."
...? Does she seriously believe that I'll work?
After thinking about it for a moment, I realized that the student council badge would actually be nice for the event as I would get access to all the VIP areas, so I continued to follow her.
When I entered the empty student council room, I first noticed that it was as big as my classroom despite being for a maximum of 10 students.
Handing me a lanyard with my face and "student council member" on it, Astrid started explaining how to sign various documents and which teachers to talk to, but I just zoned out once again.
"Are you listening?"
"What do you think?"
"You're not."
Realizing conversation with me was futile, she handed me a guidebook before heading to her desk in the center of the room, where the teacher's podium normally sat.
Putting the guidebook in my backpack, I considered reading it as it would only take me an hour with my eyes before Astrid spoke once again.
"Alright, well, that's it. Welcome to the student council."
"Can I leave now, then?"
"You know most people would be jumping up and down after being personally invited to the student council."
"That's nice; thank you for sharing."
Sighing, most likely contemplating her decision to invite me, Astrid got up from her desk and gestured for me to follow her once again.
"One more thing."