After changing his booze-reeked clothes into the standard Academy uniform, a tailored dark blazer and trousers plus fancy shoes, Eric and Jeremy headed to the classroom.
Zeris Academy is enormous and has earned the reputation as the most prestigious institution in the empire. The two of them are in the First Year building complex, where first-year students receive their lessons. Like its name, each complex houses various buildings and facilities to support the learning of students, including those in their second year and beyond.
"What's the first lesson today, Jeremy?"
"It's History class with Professor Anthony..."
"Hmm...History."
Jeremy looked at Eric, following behind him. He was puzzled because today Eric is not lashing out or barking orders at him like the usual. Instead there's this calm and composed air emanating from Eric. As for Eric, he was too occupied with his thoughts about the sudden knowledge of the guy named Kageyama Shigeo.
He knew the guy, back when he was pointlessly spending his last days as an elderly man. He remembered the words of someone he used to love, telling him to try watching anime. And that's what he did. It would be a lie to say anime isn't entertaining. He had watched many titles and series, most of which were memorable enough for him.
Kageyama Shigeo is the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100 series, though he never saw or read the manga, he's pretty sure that's the one who is mentioned in that strange translucent text. After he received those pain, somehow he could feel the power inside him boiling, ready to be unleashed. He is aware enough that he holds the power of that boy, even though he has not yet fully tested that ability.
"It's some kind of cheat or something like that, right? Some shit that given to the isekai protagonist?"
He was brought out of his thoughts after hearing whispers from other students passing by.
"Hey, hey! Look at him!"
"Huh? You're right!"
"He truly has no shame, doesn't he?"
"Ssshh! Be quiet, or he will throw a tantrum!"
Numerous mocking and insults flew in his direction.
It was not without reason that the students behaved that way, because Eric Ostheno was indeed a scumbag. Thanks to meeting Jeremy earlier, the current Eric can recount major memories and events experienced by the previous Eric.
"He's so fucked up..." he sighed annoyingly.
Before they knew it, Eric and Jeremy had arrived at their destination. As soon as Eric entered the classroom, the atmosphere, which had been bustling with students chatting, suddenly fell silent.
As the two of them were about to choose seats, Jeremy was suddenly pulled aside by some students. Those students glared at Eric, while some of them whispered something to Jeremy. The wimpy boy gave Eric a hopeless stare, but Eric paid no attention and kept walking, searching for an empty seat.
He found the seat he was looking for, in the top corner. After he sat down, he scanned the whole class with his eyes. The class was modeled exactly like stairs and tiers, the same style or model used back on Earth. A wide blackboard was displayed at the front with the teacher's desk on the left.
Jeremy mingles himself with a bunch of students, occasionally glancing at him. Eric looked at them and somehow thought that he wanted to join and befriend them. He widened his eyes for think like that. "Wait, since when I goddamn care about making friends?"
The more he thinks about it, the more unsettling it is. He was way past thinking about making friends and silly stuff like that at his age.
"Is it because of this young body? Ugh, seriously...?"
He propped his chin, and closed his eyes. Time passed and the lesson was about to begin.
"Good morning, everyone. I see all of you looked fresh today." greeted Professor Anthony brightly, eyeing his students. "I hope everyone here pays attention this time," his gaze lingering on Eric's eyes. "Because our subject right now will appear on the Final Year Exam. Now-"
"Excuse me, nyaa!"
The classroom door burst open. A beautiful short haired young woman with cat ears and tail entered the class, wheezing profusely. The woman wiped sweats from her forehead, her uniform was almost unable to contain her prominent chest, she then smiled cheerfully. The whole room erupted in small giggles, even the professor smiled curtly.
"Miss Chelsey, you're lucky to not miss our lesson in the beginning."
"Ehehe, sorry Professor Anthony, I woke up late!" replied the young woman named Chelsey as she bowed her head in apology.
"It's okay. Now take your seat. The empty seat...ah, next to Eric..."
The professor's smile faded, replaced by an awkward expression. All of the students look at Eric's seat, and true enough there is an empty spot beside him. Some people began whispering, ready to sacrifice themselves to sit beside Eric, but Chelsey readily claimed the spot.
"I-I see nyaa! Tha-that seat, h-huh! I unders-stand, Professor! Ny-nya…" she walked stiffly toward the empty seat. Upon sitting, she straightens her back, her tail sways so rigid.
Seeing that all his students were present, the glasses-wearing professor began the lesson with a cough. "Ahem, let's begin our lesson, shall we?"
For the whole lesson, Eric actually pays attention to the class. Aside from the lesson, he was also aware why the young beastkin was so nervous beside him. Because according to Eric Ostheno's memories, he is a huge racist bastard to the bone, claiming that humans should be the only race who rule the world, in short, a human supremacist.
Once again, he glanced at the beastkin. Instead of feeling repulsive, he was actually fascinated with the twitching ear, swaying tail and the way she ended her words with 'nyaa'. This young beastkin will be a perfect friend for that person.
He shakes his head, trying to move on. He kept silent through the class, trying not to make the situation more awkward. After some time, Professor Anthony concluded his lesson.
"Remember today's lesson, everyone. Dismissed."
Chelsey immediately bolted from her seat toward the class door, without looking back. Some students were puzzled but gave a sympathetic look on the young beastkin. Eric also stood up and exited the class, his casual stride makes some people wary and confused. He won't bother entertaining them, he instead walks to a particular secluded spot...to test his new power.
When he was about to reach the backyard of a storage facility, he sensed someone following him. He sighed, genuinely annoyed for the first time.
"You'd better be out now. What do you guys want?"
One by one his stalkers came out, and surprisingly all of them were boys. "Wait, wait. Eric's fanboy club isn't open yet, you know?" He confronted them while crossing his arms.
One of the boys furiously yelled at him, "Eric! You useless asshole! Which part of you said boastingly will win against that guy!?"
"Fuck you, Eric! You made me lose so much money! How do I tell my family about this!?" Another boy accused him with a red face. One by one, all of them expressed their disappointment to him.
Eric calmly tapped his foot, trying to remember about the stuff. He then snapped his finger, finally remembered the major event that led to this. "Aha, about that duel. It's the truth that I'm lost, I won't deny it. Besides, I never told you guys to bet on my victory, right? Added to that, I never said anything about guaranteed winning."
"Screw that! Either you give our money back or you'll suffer the consequences!" all of them growled at him. He tried to convince them peacefully, but it seems the outcome tells a different story.
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He cracked his fist, "Young brat these days never listen to their elder, huh?" his cold tone pierced through the silent place.
"Fine. I'll beat some sense into that dumb skull of yours!"