At high noon, the dazzling sun hung high in the azure sky, unreservedly pouring its scorching and generous light and heat upon the vast campus of Glory Cael Magic Academy.
The stone paths reflected the brilliant white light, while the neatly trimmed shrubs and flower beds along the roads looked vibrant under the sun. Even the air seemed to dance with dust particles that shimmered like gold powder.
Students who had finished their morning classes poured out of the teaching buildings in small groups, most with relaxed smiles on their faces. They headed for the cafeteria, the library, or looked for cozy corners under the shade of trees on the lawn to enjoy this rare midday leisure.
Laughter and youthful energy combined to form a vibrant picture of campus life at noon.
However, as the saying goes, human joys and sorrows are not shared.
In this torrent of pervasive joy, one figure seemed utterly out of place, like a small, stubborn piece of ice that refused to melt under the sun.
His footsteps were instinctively stiff, his back held straight and even a bit tense. His amber eyes scanned the surroundings alertly, as if any slight rustle could instantly put him into a state of ready-to-act vigilance.
On that face, whose handsomeness was hard to hide even under such wariness, there wasn't a trace of the relaxation and pleasure seen in those around him. Instead, there was only a mixture of annoyance and a high degree of alertness, as if he suspected everyone was out to get him.
This person was none other than Greg Sass.
Since his fatigue was primarily mental and his physical injuries were only superficial, Greg hadn't woken Silvia. He had gone straight to handle the discharge procedures himself.
He had wanted to leave this cold surface world immediately and return to the home-like warmth of the dungeon.
However, just as the law established by his constant -10 Luck stat dictated: if nothing unexpected was supposed to happen, something unexpected certainly would.
While he was at the nurse's station, enduring the discomfort caused by the smell of disinfectant and preparing to sign his discharge papers, the rather sexy Head Nurse suddenly relayed a message to him.
"Student Greg Sass, the Headmistress requires you to visit her office immediately after you wake up. She is waiting for you there."
The Headmistress?
The tip of Greg's pen froze on the discharge papers.
The appearance of this name was completely beyond his expectations.
As he recalled, the Headmistress wasn't supposed to officially return to the academy until after Chapter Two began.
And why is she calling for me instead of staying in her office watching whatever she watches?
Could it be to ask about the incident from the day before yesterday?
But shouldn't it be enough to just ask Silvia, since she was the one directly involved? Is it really necessary to wait specifically for me to wake up?
Almost without hesitation, alarm bells rang in Greg's mind.
Combining this with his past experiences, this was likely not some friendly invitation for a tea party.
"I'm not going."
As a villainous character despised by everyone in the academy, Greg naturally refused the request without hesitation. He even raised a middle finger and said:
"Tell that damn cowgirl that even if Greg Sass has been kicked out of his family, he isn't someone she can just push around. If she wants to see me, tell her to come to the dungeon herself!"
He tried to use this rude and disrespectful attitude to scare her off. Ideally, he wanted her to think that dealing with him was too much of a hassle, causing her to drop the idea.
However, the Head Nurse's face remained calm, as if she had long expected his reaction. She added:
"The Headmistress also said that if you refuse to go, she will exercise her authority to officially expel you from Glory Cael Magic Academy."
"Hahaha."
Greg sneered, his face full of indifference.
"Expel me? I don't even go to classes anymore. Do you think I care about being a student? As long as I can stay in the dungeon, I'm free and happy! Expulsion? Go ahead!"
He was more than happy to get rid of this troublesome student status so he could focus more on staying low and developing in the dungeon.
The Head Nurse continued, "Additionally, I should remind you that the Academy Dungeon is considered a major asset of the academy. Its entrance is equipped with a special restriction that is only open to registered students and authorized personnel. Once you lose your student status, you will automatically lose the right to enter the dungeon."
The mockery on Greg's face instantly froze, and his pupils contracted slightly.
He suddenly leaned forward, bracing both hands on the nurse's counter, his voice rising unconsciously.
"Do you... do you all really intend to use such means to take away my last bit of happiness and my sanctuary?! You people are being truly despicable right now!"
The Head Nurse ignored his intense reaction, as if merely completing a set notification procedure. She continued in that flat tone, dropping the final bombshell.
"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Given that your current hospitalization utilized the student medical coverage, if you are expelled and lose your student status, you will be required to personally bear the full cost of this treatment. According to preliminary calculations, including Advanced Healing Potions, Mana Recovery Potions, room fees, specialist consultation fees... the total comes to approximately..."
"Say no more!" Greg interrupted. "The Headmistress is a visionary who cares deeply for her students. She is a paragon and a role model for all of us to learn from for the rest of our lives! To be personally summoned by the Headmistress and listen to her teachings is the greatest honor of my life, a truly glorious occasion! I'll go! Right now! Immediately!"
The speed of his change in face and the completeness of his shift in attitude made even the experienced Head Nurse's eye twitch almost imperceptibly.
And so, this awkward and agonizing scene unfolded.
On the tree-lined path leading to the academy's Central Main Tower, Greg walked as if he were stepping on red-hot iron, every step showing his reluctance and high alert.
The students passing by, regardless of gender, all cast various complex looks at him once they recognized him, accompanied by whispered discussions.
"Look, it's Greg Sass! He's actually still alive!"
"Does that mean everything in the news yesterday was true?"
"No way, could he really defeat a Demon King Cult executive? Those are real Demons!"
"He does look pretty handsome, though... but didn't they used to say he was..."
"Shh, keep it down, he's looking this way!"
Hearing these people's discussions, Greg felt a headache coming on.
This time, he had wanted to act in secret and keep the impact of the incident to a minimum. He hadn't expected to be exposed directly by the news, making it common knowledge throughout the academy.
Although many people still doubted the authenticity of the event, it had still drawn too much attention to him.
For someone like him who only wanted to lower his presence and survive, this was definitely not a good thing.
"Does this world have no concept of privacy infringement?!"
Greg suddenly felt a bit nostalgic for his original world. After all, even if someone was exposed for cheating there, they could still win a lawsuit because it constituted an infringement of rights.
Rate on N.U.
