Schooling in another world... This sucks. Though it's bearable because Sophie is here to keep me entertained.

The Swordsman classes in the morning were difficult for her. She dropped out after running for a few minutes, struggled in sword swinging and completely collapsed after physical training. She gained 2 Strength, Vitality and Dexterity for her efforts though. If she didn't, she might not have been able to keep up with tomorrow's class.

As for me, I thought the evening Priest classes would never end. I almost fell asleep mid sermon. Goddess this, God that, light this, light that, my ears hurt. Close your eyes and feel nonsense! I couldn't understand how to use the Divine Protection spell because all their mumbo jumbo didn't have any concrete explanations to it.

Sophie gained a whopping 6 Intelligence, although the extra 12 stats didn't seem to help my understanding at all. Maybe she has a better noggin than I thought... It's still early in her growth, can we transition her to a mage build?

After class ended, we went on another exploration, looking at all the available courses.

"Look, Claud! I never thought there would be so many subjects you could learn here besides combat classes! Foreign Etiquette, History, Geography, Dance, Arts, Language studies, Social Studies, Engineering, Architecture, Fashion! Perhaps we can take some of these for our afternoon classes?"

No thank you... Boring and a waste of time. We spent our entire lunch and afternoon period in the library. The library actually had some interesting books. I managed to glean a lot about this country we're in.

I get a sense that these optional subjects are actually meant to teach something else.

These subjects seem innocuous on their own but when put together... it's clear what they intend to do.

When that instructor kept mentioning the word elite, I felt it was a bit odd. They're training spies. Why else would there be a required Body Language and Social Studies class if you took any of the optional classes. They want to train our social awareness for subterfuge.

"Claud, Claud! Aren't you excited?!"

Not really. I wouldn't be surprised if these subjects had subtle propaganda in its messaging to brainwash you, my naïve friend. But do not fear, I will protect you from these negative aspects of life. The only bad influence you need is me.

"Hohoho, I am glad to see a student so excited in pursuing knowledge. Most students in the academy only seek power. What are your names?"

What the..? He snuck up without me noticing, even though I had an eye out the whole time... This old man's giving me the creeps.

"Hello instructor..."

Sophie's speech trailed off... Did she notice it too? Sophie gazing at the ground, tells me she's aware of this guy's disposition.

Trash. Garbage people trying to make use of children are present even in this world. Trying to recruit malleable youth but you can't hide your own nature from even the naïve Sophie?

Calm down. I can't appear hostile, lets be amicable and respectful like an ordinary student.

Optional dialogue is not an option here at all.

-Willpower: 8/12-

I stepped slightly towards the instructor as if I don't have my guard up but I also partially obscured Sophie behind me. I have to draw his focus on me.

"Greetings, Instructor. My name is Claud Branford. I have glanced at the optional subjects but none have piqued my interest yet, for I don't know enough about them. May I know which subjects you teach and what your name is?"

Perfect. I got my tone down. I conveyed my disinterest of the subjects themselves without being disrespectful to the personnel teaching them and I even added a subtle hint that I may be interested if he informed me which class he taught. It had the right amount of respect without licking his boots, plus the slight waver of a new student.

"Well, Branford. This old instructor's name is Maximus. You may call me Max if you wish, I teach Global History, Geography, Body Language and Foreign Etiquette."

Ugh... get your grubby hands off me, you fossil.

He must be one of the more dangerous instructors. Teaching Global History to warp our perceptions of the world and Foreign Etiquette to blend into foreign surroundings with the historical and geographical knowledge to back it up. His intent is very clear. You can't teach these subjects without knowing what their actual purpose is.

Why is Sophie turning so pale? Did she notice something?

"Apologies Sir Maximus but it would be disrespectful if we students called you by a nickname."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Can he quit rubbing my shoulder already... This old man's too touchy feely.

"Hohoho, that is alright, lad. What about the lass? Would you like to take any of my classes perhaps?"

Damn it. This old long-winded coot, just leave already. Why did you have to take notice of her?

"Please excuse her discourtesy, instructor. My friend is very shy with strangers."

I casually tug on Sophie's hand to make her glance up at me.

She could barely lift her head, one hand was tightly gripping her skirt and her other hand was crushing mine. She was most definitely afraid of this man. Is it the Hero's instinct or something like that? She only faced my direction the entirety of this conversation.

Her body language is completely off, subconsciously she's curling up trying to make herself look smaller.

"Thank you for taking notice of us, Sir Maximus. We have an appointment to attend to, please pardon our sudden departure."

"Not to worry, youngsters. You may go."

You may go. He's giving us permission to leave. Those words left a sinister taste in my mouth. He's saying he had the authority to keep us there, if he wanted.

"We are departing, instructor. Farewell."

"I hope to see you both again soon."

I casually walk away smiling with Sophie as if I didn't notice the undertone of what he had just said.

-Willpower: 4/12-

Damn, that used up so much of my Willpower.

"C-Claud. We can't..."

-Willpower: 3/12-

"Shh. Wait till we're back in the barracks."

As if fleeing to safety, we hide inside my room.

"Claud... w-why did you talk to him? Y-you can't join that man's class! He's b-bad. Bad. A bad person!"

-Willpower: 2/12-

"Calm down. I was just putting up an act so that we could leave."

I was being honest. I don't intend on taking any of those extra subjects. Just the combat classes are enough. I can learn troublesome but helpful things on my own free time without an instructor looming over.

Exhausted by the decrease in Willpower... I slammed myself into the mattress.

"Claud, no you don't understand... He's bad... He's very bad!"

What is she getting at? Options dialogue, expand. Help my brain process.

-Option 1: Are you an idiot? Explain yourself properly-

-Option 2: There's no reason to be afraid of an old codger-

-Option 3: Ignore her-

-Option 4: Sarcastic response-

She's so worked up, even if I asked her to explain properly, she probably couldn't.

"There's no reason to be afraid of an old codger. He's already on his last leg of life."

"Listen, Claud! W-we have to be together at all times! He'll hurt you!"

Sophie~ you're making me freak out here. I mean he is someone who wants to induct children into their espionage program, but I don't think he'll attack us... or maybe he would.

Fine, damn it. I'll sit up and take this seriously.

-Willpower: 1/12-

"He's probably killed people before but we're just students, why would he target us? Let's think rationally, alright?"

I pinch her face for good measure, she needs a distraction.

-4/50 Bad deeds completed. Anger successful. Embarrass successful. Hurt successful-

Ah it's been a while since I've seen that. Hasn't the bar been set higher for me a bit recently? As her friend, I can't just lambast her with random angry outbursts. That would be unnatural.

"S-stop! Y-you l-listen to m-me! You're my friend so you must listen to me! Otherwise... I won't be your friend anymore!"

Oh... seeing her get mad looks kind of funny. Her blatant disrespect is like a little cousin who is unaware that they're overstepping their boundaries. On the inside, I overlooked her disrespect but outwardly I must show disapproval.

"I don't answer to you. Right now, you're crossing the line, Sophie."

Thanks dialogue options! That was a great line. I disregarded her feelings so she must be immensely hurt.

-8/50 Bad deeds completed. Anger successful. Embarrass successful. Scold successful-

Finally, this is what the system's dialogue should be used for. Daily normal conversations are too difficult with it but when arguing, it's totally fine.

This is the typical build up to the best friends fighting but making up later scenario. Their bonds will have been strengthened because they could argue and hear the other side out.

"Uuuu... I'm sorry... I just don't want you to get hurt..."

Wait you're not supposed to apologize that quickly, you pushover. Why do you have a surprisingly high amount of emotional awareness?

Yell at me, storm outside, sulk for a while. After some time passes, realize that you can't bear to be apart from your best friend, then after facing a struggle together, collide in an emotional reunion at the climax of the arc. That's how all the movies go.

"Do you realize what you did wrong? You tried to impose your will on me by using our friendship as collateral."

-11/50 Bad deeds completed. Embarrass successful. Scold successful-

I tried to push her a bit harder.

"Uuuu... I know.. Hic.. I-I'm s-sorry..."

Fight back against me, damn it. Your kindness is killing my plans to complete bad deeds. Though maybe I should have expected this.

She has been abandoned before so she absolutely would not want to risk losing her only friend. It probably took a lot of courage to use our friendship in an ultimatum, that's how much she doesn't want me to get hurt.

It almost makes me feel bad for bullying her.

Almost.

It's entertaining mostly.

Hmm... to comfort her I need to use up my Willpower. That's fine, I guess. I wanted to experiment with restoring Willpower anyways. I'll sleep immediately after.

-Willpower: 0/12-

"I promise to be as careful as possible, alright? You promise to be careful too, Sophie."

"Nngh, okay.. we have to go everywhere together. We can't get separated."

No. Please separate. I want my personal space. But I can't say that, I'm out of Willpower.

Okay, I should sleep before going crazy. I lied down on my bed to rest.

"Are you out of Willpower, Claud?"

I nod.

Okay. No seriously. How does she know I ran out of Willpower? Is it a skill? She did notice something about Maximus that I didn't. Maybe it's a Hero sense kind of thing? She doesn't seem to be able to see my class... She's bad at hiding her expression when she knows something.

Instructor Maximus... I should be wary of him.

"C-Claud can I sleep here too?"

I nod automatically again without actually processing what she said.

Sleep here. I'll take the bed, of course. The floor is yours...

Wait, don't I have to let the golden goose sleep on the bed? What if she wakes up tired and it affects her stat gains tomorrow?

Do I have to sleep on the floor? I don't want to share the bed either. Ugh I hate people in my personal space. The orphanage always had too many people crowded into one bed.

She climbed onto the bed and doused the lantern fire.

"Good night, Claud."

I grunted in response.

How is she so comfortable sleeping in the same bed? She's a noble, isn't she? She's lacking in manners.

Good night, golden goose. Please don't kick me in your sleep.

And don't take my blanket either.