Around the middle of spring.
Currently, it’s the third semester of my first year.
At thirteen years old, I was still riding high as ever.
“Gyyaaaa!!!”
“You weakling, don’t go rebelling against me!”
The duel system.
Honestly, it’s ridiculously stupid and problematic.
Despite being a civilized society, they still retain these barbaric customs, which is how they end up being exploited.
Sure, in a world like this, where there’s danger from monsters, banning individuals from having weapons would be foolish. But at least they could create a law banning violence within the towns and academies.
So, I go around crushing people who badmouth me, challenge me, or just get on my nerves, using overwhelming force.
It seems that refusing a duel is unacceptable for nobles since it’s a matter of pride.
Fran-chan begs me, crying, “Please, don’t kill them!” So I show some mercy and settle for just burning their faces or paralyzing them.
As I continued doing that, I ended up being treated like the “one whose name must not be spoken” at the academy.
In reality, I do have subordinates who are controlled through fear, as well as fanatical followers, so it’s pretty accurate.
However, the one from the story was only ruling through fear, which made their regime weak.
I’m different. I make sure to share the profits with all my stakeholders, expanding the network of my secret society and training the personnel.
It’s true that I’m strong enough to take down the legendary headmistress, who’s apparently called a living legend, without much effort. But I don’t think organizational strength and manpower are unnecessary.
I go through the trouble of training people, distributing profits, raising orphans, and instilling loyalty to the organization. It’s a hassle, but I do it diligently.
I mean, from an engineer’s perspective, it’s only natural to go through the trouble of automating things. Once something is automated, that system will last for a long time.
Anyway, to sum it up, I’m currently working diligently on the tasks necessary for running my organization.
Now then, it’s morning.
Last night, a noble magician I had paralyzed hired some assassin-like people to come after me, so I was busy doing things like turning them into grotesque, torturous bodies that looked like the end of the world. For example, skinning them alive, suspending them with regeneration magic, or disassembling them and boxing up only the vital organs and head before placing them on the road.
As usual, I take a shower and make breakfast.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Exus.”
“Good morning, Lord Exus.”
“Good morning, Exus-sama.”
Ada, along with Francis, Yuki, and Grace, who ended up staying at the mansion one way or another, woke up, and we ate together.
I just use items made through creation magic and cook them using automatic cooking magic. No hassle.
The menu isn’t anything special.
Just boiled sausages with herbs, lettuce salad, fried eggs, stewed beans in tomato sauce… basically baked beans.
I also serve toasted bread with butter and some sliced fruits on the side.
I arrange everything on a single plate, and the girls are delighted, calling it “beautiful,” “cute,” and “elegant.” Well, I get it; the food in this world isn’t that great.
During the meal, we talk about our plans for the day and other updates, almost like a family.
“The security system was triggered last night, was everything alright?”
“Oh, Fran-chan, worried about me, huh? You really love me, don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah, I love you. So, was everything okay?”
“Let’s just say that the intruder ended up in a state that would ruin your appetite if I described it over a meal.”
“Wow… you did it again, didn’t you…”
“More importantly, you all finished your assignments, right?”
“Of course! I’ve already finished up to the basic course and am working on the fundamentals of creation magic!”
“Ah, I’m studying the basics of enhancement magic and mechanics.”
“I’m currently tackling the basics of anatomy and advanced medical magic.”
“Good!”
“Exus-sama, I’ve started managing the system with the slave children! Is that alright?”
“Not bad, we’ll talk a bit more about it later.”
“Yes, of course!”
Honestly, it feels like a conversation with family.
In this life, I don’t have any family, so it makes me happy.
Huh? My father? I forgot about him in an instant. Since I forgot, it’s basically like I have no parents. Good, right?
Anyway, after that family-like conversation, the day begins.
First, I put on a suit and head to the academy, as usual.
Before that, I talk to the beastman duo of Alan and Betty, who are the leaders of the former slum kids.
Right next to the mansion I built in the former slums, there’s a dormitory for the kids.
Since they’re important future labor, I make sure they lack nothing in terms of food, clothing, and shelter.
The slum kids, lined up in front of the dormitory before I even arrive, bow their heads all at once when I show up.
Hmm, feels like an evil organization.
Gathering parentless kids, brainwashing them, and turning them into soldiers for a secret society.
But it’s effective, so what can you do?
Especially in this world, where the level of civilization is only equivalent to the early to mid-Middle Ages. There’s no internet, TV, or even newspapers.
With no outside information coming in, it’s easy to brainwash them by controlling what they know.
But honestly, slum kids in this world would either turn into thieves or prostitutes if I didn’t step in. By saving them, I’m doing a good deed. From the outside, it’s practically a display of great mercy.
In fact, even Grace, who used to be called a saint or something, was deeply moved when I mentioned that I’m gathering orphans and educating them.
I also told her that I’m educating them to become valuable members of my organization, and her response was, “What’s wrong with that?”
Even the church runs orphanages, where they thoroughly instill the teachings of God from childhood. It’s the same thing.
After giving some encouragement and hearing their reports, I give today’s instructions and head to the academy.
At the academy, I’ve already earned all the credits I need for graduation, so now I just need to take the exams and participate in the practical exercises.
Speaking of practical exercises, we had a monster-killing exercise in the academy grounds during the first semester and a camping exercise in the forest during the second semester.
In the third semester, there’s a final test that involves a labyrinth… in other words, a dungeon.
…Which means, I don’t actually need to show up every day.
In the first place, I only enrolled in the academy for the prestige and recognition. It’s not like I expected to learn anything.
Of course, using my position as a student to ask the academy’s scholars about things outside my field of expertise is wonderful. I’ve been asking about what interests me and taking notes for my own research.
But other than that, there’s no need for me to attend.
So why did I come today?
“Good day, Exus-sama. Are you in good spirits?”
“H-hello, Exus-sama!”
“Exus-sama! Good day!”
The purpose is to train the sympathizers I’ve gathered within the academy.
Well, there are all sorts of people.
There are those who recognized my business acumen and followed me.
There are those who approach me, hoping to get closer to the second prince, who is supposedly my friend.
And there are those foolish kids who simply admire my strength.
Various students bow their heads to me.
But still, it’s only about thirty people.
Most of the students watch from a distance, as if they’re afraid of touching something dangerous, or blatantly avoid eye contact.
“How’s your studies going?”
“”Yes!”” (in unison)
After checking in on my sympathizers…
I head back to the mansion in the evening and do some paperwork for the secret society, along with some maintenance on the magical systems we use.
Then I take care of the women…
Hmm…
Am I acting like some young officer planning a coup?
Oh well, anyway, that’s how I spend my days.
