At noon, the dazzling sun hung high in the clear blue sky, pouring its burning, generous heat and light without reserve over the expansive campus of Glory Cael Magic Academy.
The stone-paved paths reflected a glaring white light, and the neatly trimmed bushes and flowerbeds lining the roads brimmed with life under the sunlight, while even the air seemed to shimmer with tiny particles of golden dust.
Students who had finished their morning classes streamed out of the academic buildings in small groups, relaxed smiles gracing most of their faces as they headed for the cafeteria, the library, or cozy spots under the shade of trees on the lawn to enjoy their precious midday break.
Laughter and youthful energy intertwined, forming a vibrant picture of campus life at noon.
However, as the saying goes, human joys and sorrows are rarely shared.
Amidst this flowing current of universal cheer, one figure appeared completely out of place, like a stubborn chunk of ice refusing to melt under the sun.
His steps were stiff, his spine straight to the point of tension. His amber eyes scanned his surroundings with sharp vigilance, and the slightest rustle could trigger him into a state of combat-ready alert.
His face, undeniably handsome even through his guard, lacked any of the relaxed ease around him, wearing instead a look of mild irritation mixed with intense paranoia that everyone was out to get him.
That person was none other than Greg Sass.
Since his strain was mostly mental and his physical injuries were merely superficial, Greg hadn't woken Silvia and had gone straight to process his discharge.
He had intended to leave this cold surface world immediately and return to the dungeon, a place as warm and comforting to him as home.
However, just as the constant law of his -10 Luck stat dictated: if anything could go wrong, it inevitably would.
Just as he stood at the nurse's station, enduring his distaste for the smell of disinfectant while preparing to sign his discharge papers, the rather alluring Head Nurse suddenly passed along a message:
"Student Greg Sass, the Headmistress requests that you report to her office immediately once you wake up. She is waiting for you there."
The Headmistress?
Greg's pen paused over the discharge papers.
The appearance of this name came completely out of left field.
Because as far as he recalled, the Headmistress shouldn't return to the academy until Act Two officially began.
Besides, instead of staying in her office watching films, why was she calling him over?
Could it be to ask about the incident from the day before yesterday?
But couldn't she just question Silvia, who was directly involved? Was it really necessary to wait specifically for him to wake up?
With virtually no hesitation, alarm bells blared inside Greg's head.
Based on his past experiences, this was almost certainly not an invitation to a friendly tea party.
"Pass."
As the villainous character whom everyone in the academy detested, Greg naturally refused the request without hesitation. Flipping a middle finger, he said:
"Tell that damn cowgirl that even if Yours Truly Greg was kicked out of his family, he isn't some pushover you can boss around. If she wants to see me, she can come down to the dungeon herself!"
He tried to use this rude, unruly attitude to scare her off, ideally making her think contacting him was more trouble than it was worth so she would drop the idea entirely.
However, the Head Nurse's expression remained calm, as if she had anticipated his reaction all along, and added:
"The Headmistress also said that if you refuse to go, she will exercise her authority as Headmistress to officially expel you from Glory Cael Magic Academy."
"Hehehe."
Greg sneered, his face full of indifference.
"Expel me? I don't even go to class anymore. You think I care about my status as a student? As long as I can stay in the dungeon, I'm free, and I'm happy! Expel me? Go ahead!"
He would like nothing more than to dump this troublesome student status so he could focus on lying low and grinding in the dungeon.
Head Nurse: "Additionally, I should remind you that the Academy Dungeon is a key asset of the academy. Its entrance is guarded by a special restriction, open only to currently enrolled students and authorized personnel. Once you lose your status as a student, you will automatically lose permission to enter the dungeon."
The sneer on Greg's face instantly froze, his pupils contracting slightly.
He lurched forward, propping both hands on the front desk, his voice unintentionally rising:
"Are... are you people seriously planning to use a tactic like this to strip away my last shred of happiness and sanctuary?! You guys are ridiculously despicable right now?!"
The Head Nurse paid no mind to his outburst, acting as if she were simply carrying out a routine notification process. In the same flat tone, she dropped the final bombshell:
"Oh, right, one more thing. Given that during your hospital stay, you utilized student medical coverage, if you are expelled and lose your student status, all expenses incurred from this treatment will have to be covered out of your own pocket. According to preliminary calculations, including Advanced Healing Potions, Mana Recovery Potions, ward fees, specialist consultation fees... the total comes to roughly—"
Greg: "Say no more! The esteemed Headmistress possesses unmatched foresight and deeply cares for her students! She is a paragon and exemplar for us all to emulate for a lifetime! To be personally summoned by the Headmistress and receive her guidance is truly the greatest luck and supreme honor of my, Greg Sass's, three lives! I shall go right away! Immediately! Posthaste!"
The quickness of his 180 and the absolute thoroughness of his attitude shift caused even the experienced Head Nurse's eye to twitch almost imperceptibly.
And so, it led to this awkward and agonizing scene.
Along the tree-lined path leading to the Central Main Tower, Greg moved as if walking on red-hot iron, every single step oozing reluctance and intense alertness.
Passing students of both genders, upon recognizing him, cast complex glances in his direction, accompanied by hushed whispers.
"Look, it's Greg Sass! He's actually still alive!"
"Does that mean yesterday's news was all true?"
"No way! Could he really defeat an officer of the Demon King Cult? That's a real demon, you know!"
"Well, he does look pretty handsome... but didn't rumors say he was..."
"Shh, quiet! He's looking over!"
Listening to their gossip, dark lines ran down Greg's forehead.
He had intended to act discreetly this time to minimize the fallout, but he hadn't expected to be directly exposed by the news, making it public knowledge across the entire academy.
Even though many people still doubted the authenticity of the report, it had drawn far too much attention to him.
For someone who only wanted to lower his profile and stay alive, this was by no means a good thing.
"Is there really no concept of copyright or privacy infringement in this world?!"
Greg suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for his original world. After all, back there, even if someone was exposed for cheating on their spouse, they could still win a lawsuit on the grounds of privacy infringement.
Rate on N.U.
