บท 30: First Class

'Ria Soleras?'

The stoic Joker class stared with wide eyes as the ice beauty of the Joker kingdom, Ria Soleras, ran towards Regulus with her arms spread wide.

Even the red-haired alcoholic in the corner was awoken from her drunken state as she sobered up from the shock she was experiencing.

The Joker class, where the strongest members were low and mid 'Ace' rank, welcomed a late 'Ace' rank genius.

Despite the shock of the others, the most bewildered one was Regulus himself.

'Reggie? Why is she acting like this?'

Seeing the girl running towards him, Regulus moved to dodge her tackle. However, predicting the move, Ria adjusted herself, landing on Regulus.

'Did she just use foresight to hug me?'

He could hardly believe that the princess of the Joker Kingdom had utilised a unique card ability just to hug him.

---

Yesterday evening, after the third test

Having been defeated by Regulus Cosmos in her final duel, Ria found herself teleported to a field surrounded by others who had failed the examination.

Yet, amongst the crowd of people shedding tears at their failure and those who felt they had been cheated, the one who felt the worst was Ria.

'It was there. Just one step away.'

She had seen the light at the end of the tunnel, an opportunity to escape from the miserable life she was trapped in, yet as if stamping out her hope that light was stolen.

Clenching her hardened hands, a tapestry of the hard work the isolated Princess had dedicated to escape, Ria held back her tears.

No matter how hard she tried, Ria could not bring herself to hate Regulus for the past events. Both were striving for the same goal, and no Cosmos would hold a grudge after defeat.

Above her head, the sun slowly dropped below the horizon as Ria stood rooted to the ground.

'Do I have to go back to the palace? Can they find me if I disappear?'

Whilst Ria was having thoughts of escaping, the ground behind her shook, causing her to spin around in surprise.

Standing behind her was the Headmaster of Karta Academy and a 'Queen' rank powerhouse, Erwin Croft. In contrast to his lofty position, the Headmaster had his head slightly bowed as he spoke.

"Ria Soleras, my Karta Academy has wronged you, and for that, I apologise."

Seeing such a titan bowing before her, the gears in Ria's head began spinning as she attempted to figure out what was going on.

'Eh? Why is he doing this? Did I do something wrong?'

Whilst Ria's thoughts were running wild, Headmaster Croft straightened himself once more.

"The teacher in charge of your final examination, Saul Felt, took it upon himself to alter the brackets of his own will."

Ria's eyes widened in shock, shortly followed by anger surging through her body at the life she had lost due to manipulation. While Ria was beginning to hope the decision would be reversed, Croft's words extinguished that hope.

"Whilst appropriate action will be taken against Mr Felt, I don't have the authority to overturn your failure by myself."

Watching the girl crumble before him, Erwin Croft's stone mask cracked to the point where he gave her a glimmer of hope.

"There is just one circumstance where it's possible."

---

'That must be the reason for all this.'

Still attempting to remove Ria, who was clinging to him like a Koala, Regulus recalled his encounter with the headmaster and the question he had asked him.

'So that's what it was all about. Still, there is no denying this princess deserves a place here.'

The previous night, Regulus had been asked by Croft whether he would accept Ria into Karta Academy despite besting her in the final examination. Despite being slightly puzzled as to why he was being asked such a thing, Regulus answered honestly.

His answer, which had endorsed Ria's potential, had quite obviously been the trigger which led him to such an absurd situation. The door could be heard swinging open once more, yet the Joker class paid little attention, still unable to cast off the shock they were feeling.

Standing frozen in the doorframe was an ordinary fox girl whom Regulus had previously encountered at his and Azrael's shared accommodation. Amy, who had previously been hyping herself up for her first class at Karta Academy, could see her plan had immediately been derailed.

'Why is no one looking at me? Is that the Princess?'

Amy had expected the attention to be on her, allowing her to transition into the first lesson of her career smoothly. Yet she was being treated like a fly hovering over dung, with Ria drawing all attention.

"Class, I am your general studies teacher, Amy; I look forward to teaching you."

Clearing her throat, she had finally wrenched the focus away from Ria as the odd bunch of students in the Joker class realised their first teacher had arrived.

Pouting slightly and leaving a still-bewildered Regulus in his chair, Ria moved to a seat on one side of Regulus. Sandwiched between a bipolar princess and an angel with anxiety, Regulus could only sigh.

'It would seem I act as a magnet to weirdos. Still, I'm glad I recognise the teacher.'

Analysing the fox kin teacher who was currently attempting to put on a confident façade and make herself look bigger despite her aura of inexperience, Regulus couldn't help but think.

'Peak Jack' level? He is certainly a genius, but not the type of monster you would expect as a Karta Academy teacher.'

As the most outstanding academy in Immisso, the threshold to become a teacher was typically 'Prince' rank, even for more straightforward subjects such as general studies. The presence of Amy, a mere 'Jack' rank once more, showed the calibre of the Joker class.

Gathering herself once more as she recalled the script she had prepared, Amy's ruby lips parted once more as she began lecturing the class.

"This cycle, the 'Joker' class has two designated teachers, your class head and magic teacher who isn't currently present and me, your general studies teacher."

'Only two teachers? One of whom is absent?'

Faced with this harsh reality, Regulus could almost hear the other classes furthering the gap between them as they learned essentials such as beast taming and blacksmithing from a myriad of teachers.

'I'd be better off learning about card energy from the other students at this rate.'

Convinced he was trapped in a class that saw minimal opportunity for growth, Regulus was considering simply gathering astral energy, yet the eyes of Ria drilling into him kept him trapped in that drab room.

"With that, let's begin our first class together."

With these words, the humble first lesson began for a class that of oddities that would go on to shake the foundations of Immisso.

(My procrastination has ruined me; as compensation, every 20 power stones will be a bonus chapter for 5 chapters. I think I can handle that.