The next day was not far away.
When Reno closed his eyes and completed his nightly round of focus theory, he had to wake up.
Reno felt more sluggish and tired than usual but continued his morning routine.
After getting dressed in the academy’s uniform, he picked up his sword from beside his bed where he always kept it.
Taking his sword out of its sheath, it was clear to Reno that he had to repair his sword’s blade before it broke.
It had cracks all around it and it seemed that after three or four more parries it might break.
Reno then sheathed his sword and walked into his dorm’s living room. He would check his combatant evaluation sheet and then leave like he had been doing before.
Different from how his mornings usually went though, Reno saw Cassia in the living room waiting.
Upon seeing Reno, Cassia smiled and walked over.
“Uhm, I heard about the situation yesterday, Reno…"
"Would it be alright if I followed you to your first class so that nothing bad happens?”
Reno smiled. “That’s fine by me, I’m feeling tired too.”
Reno then ruffled Cassia’s hair. “If they see a hulking mass of strength such as Cassia beside me then they will think twice about getting my bounty”
Cassia nodded. “I’m sure they will”
She then raised her arms and flexed her muscles to show that she was by no means a weak girl.
Seeing this, Reno laughed.
“Let’s go then”
Reno then did the usual security protocols and left the room with Cassia following right after him.
On their way to Reno’s swordplay class, nothing out of place seemed to happen.
Reno knew that it was most likely due to the events in the cafeteria that people were being reluctant.
Hearing some of the gossip on his way to his swordplay class also helped to confirm his suspicions.
“Isn’t that Reno who has a bounty on his head? He’s pretty bold to be strolling to class all normal-like, isn’t he afraid of those after his bounty”
“I know, right? The listing even says that he’s not above G rank."
"Isn’t he ashamed to be that weak as a second-year student, even the weakest one is F rank and above I hear."
"If enough of us first-years team up then we should be able to get his bounty”
“He could be G rank or even H rank, I advise you guys not to even attempt that bounty”
“Hah, are you getting cold feet for someone who isn’t even F rank, Aren’t you at rank F+, I’ve lost all respect for you haha”
“Alright, if you want to admire the infirmary ceiling that much then I won’t stop you."
"I was one of those who went to try getting his bounty last night but luckily escaped before I got caught up in a storm of monsters.”
“Storm of Monsters??” x 2 (A/N: This means that two of the gossipers said this at the same time)
“Yes! Not only was Buggi Farrel there with his overpowered servant waiting for people to come.
"I hear that Rosa Lina and her brother were also there escorting Reno”
“The minute I saw Buggi there, I ran for my life."
"My group stayed back calling me a coward but as they will be in the hospital for weeks. I can only thank my common sense for saving me”
After that, the two that were conspiring against Reno didn’t continue anymore.
Rosa Lina was considered by all to be the strongest 1st year member of the student council.
Her brother was right behind her as the 2nd strongest 1st year member.
As the new semester of the academy had just begun, most would say that this ranking came about too quickly.
Yet, The exam results were the best proof of their strength.
For Buggi and Marlene now, their infamy was all too well known.
Buggi was known as the school's resident battle junkie and Marlene was the one who followed him around, not much else was known about her apart from that.
If anything, Reno and Grania would be considered weird for not knowing them.
Cassia had just transferred in recently so it made sense that she didn’t know anything.
While listening to the gossip, before Reno knew it, he was already at his swordplay class.
He made sure to thank Cassia who went out of her way and then waved goodbye before entering.
Reno then walked to his seat where Grania had her entire breakfast sprawled over the table.
“Ooh, Wreno, Whuant Sum?”
She was eating eggs with waffles and some orange juice.
She seemed to have no regard for those below her as her food seemed to be falling everywhere.
Reno took up one of the paper towels that she had on the desk and wiped up all the food over her face.
Some had even gotten into her green hair somehow.
He then wiped up all the mess that was on the table that he had to also use and threw away the used paper towels into the classroom’s bin.
By the time he came back to his seat, Grania had finished her breakfast and finally seemed ready for class.
She put the paper dishes in a trash bag she had under her desk, belched, and then laid back in her seat.
“All ready for class now!”
Reno sighed. He then sat down in his seat. “I don’t know how your dream is to have a harem of hot guys if you can’t even eat neatly”
Grania shook her head. “This is what the guys want nowadays Reno! They want a lazy boorish girl who they can take care of. See how you took care of the mess. That means it’s working.”
Reno rolled his eyes at the delusion.
“I only did that because, first off you're my friend, and secondly, I use the same desk too. I don’t want crumbs going all over my space”
Grania smirked. “Sure… Sure…”
Reno was doing his best to resist his urges to knock some sense into this lady.
“Also… I heard about that bounty thing but seeing how you turned up to class in one piece, I’m guessing that it’s sorted out now?”
Reno shook his head. “Not really, I have some protection for now but who knows how long that will last”
Grania looked at Reno a bit worriedly. “Remember if you need some help, I’m one kneel and beg away.”
Reno laughed. “Don’t worry, the last person I'd need for help is some harem-obsessed psycho”
“Hey! This is slanderous!"
"Every guy and girl’s dream is to have a harem full of hot guys or girls waiting on them."
"You make it sound like I’m the weird one here!”
Reno inwardly rolled his eyes. ‘You are the weird one here.”
Some minutes later, class began.