"Everyone, listen up!!!!"
His voice boomed, almost as if he were trying to shake our eardrums.
It was Aron, the bulky homeroom professor of Class Liel.
He clapped his magic-infused hands together, drawing the attention of the students.
-Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
"Silence!"
I frowned at the deafening sound that rang in my ears.
Wait, did he just clap his hands? Why did it sound like a cannon had gone off?
"Attention, everyone! After a long journey, we have finally arrived at Calderan Island, the destination of our school trip."
""Wooohoooo!!!""
"As you all know, this school trip will be conducted based on the groups that were formed earlier. Please get along with your group members for the next three days!"
""Yes, sir!!!""
"This school trip will be in the form of camping. Enjoy nature to your heart's content, and set up your tents for camping in the evening. You've all been briefed on this beforehand, so I trust you're all aware of it?"
""Yes, sir!!!""
"Are there any students here who would like to say, 'I am a high-ranking noble, so I cannot possibly participate in something as barbaric as camping'?"
""No, sir!!!""
"A true noble should be able to maintain their dignity even in the rawness of nature. Do you understand?"
""Yes, sir!!!""
"Then, make sure to gather back here before dinner time, without exception."
""Yes, sir!!!""
The students responded enthusiastically to every word that came out of Aaron's mouth.
It was like witnessing a cult gathering, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh of mixed emotions.
Making these pampered noble brats go camping...
Wasn't he afraid of backlash from the students?
Well... who would dare to challenge Korn, a woman who could take on an entire marquis' family single-handedly?
'Still, isn't camping a bit too much...'
I grumbled internally, tears welling up in my eyes.
As if suffering from insomnia wasn't bad enough, now I had to endure camping on top of it?
I thought school trips meant staying at luxurious hotels on the island. Guess I was wrong.
This place was a remote island, to begin with. There wasn't a single house in sight, let alone a hotel.
'I want to run away already.'
I was already missing the comfort of my dorm room with Rachel and Ariel.
As I was wallowing in my silent complaints, Aron clapped his hands again and shouted.
-Boom! Boom!!
"Now, gather with your assigned groups! Once everyone is assembled, we'll begin our activities!"
-Thump! Thump! Thump!
The students scrambled around at Aron's words.
I shook my head at the chaotic scene.
"I can't understand why they're so excited."
Golden Boy, who was standing next to me, glanced at the commotion and muttered,
"You poor soul... You don't know the beauty of a school trip..."
"I know the beauty of a good spar. You want to experience it firsthand?"
"Actually, you don't look that pitiful."
"Too late."
"Damn it."
As Golden Boy pleaded for his life, having been sentenced to another round of sparring, two students approached us.
One was Margaret, the girl with dazzling silver hair and alluring crimson eyes.
"...Greetings, Lady Phyler."
Her sudden appearance startled me, and I greeted her with a stiff bow.
The incident at the carriage stop a few days ago flashed through my mind.
"Yes. It's nice to see you again, Young Master Lishite."
I highly doubted she meant it.
Margaret gave me a curt reply and turned her attention to Golden Boy.
"Is your name... Golden... Boy?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Margaret Phyler of the Phyler family."
Her voice was friendly and polite, a stark contrast to her previous tone.
Her completely different attitude towards him made me let out an awkward cough.
Well... I couldn't really blame her, considering my past actions.
"Haha! Just call me Boy!"
"Yes. Pleased to meet you, Boy."
The two of them continued their conversation amicably.
I let out a sigh and shifted my gaze.
That's when my eyes met with those of a girl who was standing awkwardly a few steps away from Margaret.
"Ah..."
The sight of her made my breath hitch in my throat.
She had shoulder-length purple hair and violet eyes that seemed to tremble slightly.
Her posture was timid, and her frame seemed delicate.
And...
A bandage covered the entire right side of her face.
"......"
"......"
I stared at her, completely mesmerized.
The girl I had only seen in the illustrations of the original novel was standing right before my eyes.
"......"
"...Ah, uh..."
As if feeling self-conscious under my intense gaze, Violet raised her hand to cover her bandaged face.
I snapped out of my daze and looked away.
'…Right, Violet hated showing her face to others.'
I pushed down the bitter smile that threatened to surface and approached her.
Then, I greeted her casually.
"I don't think we've met. I'm Raiden Lishite."
"Eek! Hicc, hiccup..."
Violet flinched at my outstretched hand and started hiccuping.
She fidgeted nervously, like a frightened puppy, unsure of what to do.
'Even her personality is exactly like in the original...'
Timid, easily frightened, and quiet.
In other words, the typical pushover.
Violet trembled for a moment before finally taking my hand and bowing deeply.
"V-Violet... It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace... Hiccup."
Her voice was barely a whisper, and her words were laced with nervousness.
Even as we shook hands, her eyes darted around, avoiding mine at all costs.
Sensing the warmth of her hand, which felt like it could crumble at any moment, a wave of sympathy washed over me.
To think that this fragile girl would become a villain in a year's time.
I bit my lip, trying to suppress the complicated emotions that surged within me.
As a heavy silence fell between us, Golden Boy suddenly wedged himself between Violet and me.
"Yo~! Nice to meet you, I'm Golden Boy! We're both commoners, so you can drop the formalities."
"Hiccup... O-okay..."
His overly friendly greeting made my skin crawl, and I couldn't help but smack him on the back of his head.
-Whack!
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"What do you mean 'we're both commoners'? I'm a noble, you idiot. Why would I want her to drop the formalities?"
Golden Boy winced, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well... you're not really acting like a noble..."
"Oh really? Go on, finish that sentence."
"Y-you're just... too dignified!"
As I rolled up my sleeves threateningly, Golden Boy quickly backpedaled.
He forced a laugh and changed the subject.
"Haha... By the way, isn't it interesting?"
"Hmm?"
"Our group has all three members of the academy's official outcast trio."
Violet flinched at Golden Boy's words, her body trembling slightly.
Why would he say something like that? What an idiot.
I glared at Golden Boy, who was shouting "Woohoo wwww!" and smacked him on the back of his head again.
-Whack!
"Ouch! Why'd you hit me again?!"
"Show some sensitivity, you moron."
"I'm part of the outcast trio too, you know?"
"Just shut up."
Golden Boy looked at me with a confused expression, clearly not understanding what he had done wrong.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in exasperation.
Well… as you might have guessed by now…
The final member of the academy's official outcast trio, alongside Golden Boy and me, was…
The girl with purple hair standing next to us.
The Purple Monster, Violet.
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