I heard him calling out to a kid, but honestly, poor kid had to deal with a guy like that.
"Hey, kid," the man threw a glass at my head—it shattered on impact. Everyone watching flinched and looked away.
"Did you not hear what I said?" he shouted, standing up and walking towards me.
He started to regret it, but too late. He punched me in the face, sending me flying—tables, chairs, and stuff went crashing as I hit them hard from where I was sitting.
I got back up, leapt forward, and punched him in the stomach, making him fall. Then I kept hitting his face until it was all bruised.
Still not satisfied, I grabbed a chair beside me and smashed it on the back of his neck. Not enough—I pulled his hair, slapped both his cheeks hard, and ruined the face God had gifted him with.
And finally, I threw him out—literally—sending him crashing far away from this place.
Well, that's what I imagined I did at that time.
Instead, he said, "That's what you get for not listening to my orders," while grabbing my collar and lifting me off the ground, our faces close.
"What the—" he didn't get to finish, because a punch came flying into his right cheek, launching him away. I fell to the ground as his grip loosened.
"Don't overdo it, Hugo Montague," said a woman who had punched him.
"Are you okay?" she asked me.
I looked up to see who had saved me—or rather, who had just saved that guy from me.
A woman with red hair and red eyes stood there, arms crossed, looking straight at me.
"I... I think I need to go to the infirmary... ouch," I said, faking a pained tone while holding my face.
"Someone help take this guy to the infirmary!" she shouted in the chaos of the restaurant.
A guy came over and helped me out. "You're lucky. That woman's a first-year genius. So you don't need to worry anymore," he explained.
Genius? So she's someone amazing like Theo.
"Can... I... know... that woman's... name...?" I asked, still pretending to be in extreme pain.
"She's Lila Takahashi. One of the five first-year geniuses. People call her 'The Helping Heart' because she's always helping others—and also because of her red hair," he said.
I smiled. I thanked him, and figured I probably wouldn't have to go to school tomorrow, hehehe.
===
The next day, in a room filled with fresh air and the relaxing smell of medicine, I woke up feeling great. This was paradise—the place I had always dreamed of.
A perfect morning without having to wake up early and go to school... I could just go back to sleep here. Lying there with a satisfied smile, I was so happy to be on break until tomorrow.
Honestly, if that red-haired girl hadn't punched that guy, I might've ended up getting famous for beating someone half to death.
Hahaha... Oh, world, thank you for giving me this break. I know that guy was probably sent just for boring ol' me.
BAM!!
The door flew open, and I jumped. A woman with gray hair and blue eyes walked in. Elysia.
I quickly shut my eyes. She's dangerous—she can literally tell what I'm thinking right now.
"Nao?" she called out. But she didn't come closer. Instead, she looked confused and suspicious.
'Nao's scent is here... but it's like he's not really present,' Elysia thought to herself.
She quietly shut the door and left. I let out a sigh of relief. She was gone.
I grinned. That insane plan of mine really worked out well. It seems like the world is really letting me regenerate in peace, hehe.
BAM!!
Another slam on the door. I flinched again. A guy with curly brown hair and big glasses came in. Tetsu?
I shut my eyes again. He's even more dangerous. If he finds out I'm here, I won't get a moment of peace—like a calm breeze hiding a brewing storm.
'Wait, this isn't the right room?' Tetsu mumbled and left, closing the door.
Thank goodness. I sighed in relief again. I owe a lot to that crazy plan of mine.
I really hoped no one else would come.
BAM!!
Damn it, who now?! I should've just locked the door! Is it so hard to have some peace!?
A red-haired, red-eyed girl walked in and came straight to my bed. She looked at me lying down and stared at my face. I stared back.
Lila Takahashi.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
She stared sharply at me. "I'm sorry about yesterday. And please forgive Hugo Montague."
I just glanced at her. "Fine. I forgive him," I said, turning to face the other way.
"Are you on sick leave tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yeah."
Thud! I heard the sound of someone bowing deeply. I turned to look—Lila Takahashi was bowing down in front of me.
"Please help me tomorrow," she said, voice full of sincerity.
I was stunned. "Help with what?"
"Please go in my place as a member of the Takahashi family."
I was shocked. "Why the hell should I get involved in your family business?"
"It's just... if I don't show up, I'll get criticized and scolded by the other families. But if you go instead, everything will go smoothly."
"Plus, you just have to show up, eat, and drink. That's it. And I heard you've gone with Elysia to her family's event before. Don't worry, my family's nothing like that. Just enjoy it. Please."
So she's using the fact that I've got experience and that I owe her a favor to convince me to help her.
Every human word hides more than it reveals. What she's saying probably has more layers to it.
Whenever you hear something that sounds good... remember, there's probably something shady hiding behind it.
But honestly, I've been stuck in this academy for too long. I wanted to go out anyway. So I guess I'll just accept.
"Alright."
She smiled wide. "Thank you!" Lila Takahashi bowed repeatedly, which made me think she's a little too dramatic.
"So here's the deal. First, my family's from the east. I'll hire a carriage to take you to my hometown. And you need to give this letter to them," she handed me a sealed envelope with her family crest on it.
"Give it to a man named Soraoni Takahashi."
I nodded to show I understood. Then she pulled out a small pouch—and I knew what it was the moment I saw the shimmer.
"This is your payment," she said, handing it to me.