Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 155: Mundane Magic, Old-Fashioned Bullies

Having read many fantasy novels after Seraph, I notice a pattern in them. Most of the novels include an underdog protagonist who struggles to reach the top to achieve his goals, and some include nobles and rivals who often look down at the said characters. It kinda annoys me a bit since it reminds me a lot of my bullying days before middle school. But I can't help but cheer for the underdogs and celebrate once they manage to achieve it. And when the bad guys and rivals do everything to put him down, I feel the same sadness the protagonist has endured. Unfortunately for me and Yur1, it seems like we're facing the same dilemma with some arrogant players and NPCs coming at us despite our attempts to do the opposite. I try to ignore them, but seeing Yur1 marching towards them meant it would render moot.

"And who the heck are you, guys? This is your first time in the academy," Yur1 points out. "I doubt you guys have any knowledge about this place before the announcement."

[Oh, please. That's because you lived outside of <Lucidus> and thus, you have no access to any magic schools, so there's no way you could've known about <Crystal Academy>, unless it was from a third party.] the noble answers with his snobby tone. [Plus, I heard some of you were adventurers. I doubt you could ever have heard all about it with you mindlessly hunting monsters like those brainless brutes and scavengers who can't use a bow properly.]

"Brainless"?! "Scavengers"? How dare they talk about my brother and our friends like that? Well, I can't say much about Arthur, and I feel like he's talking about the adventurers more broadly. But it's still enough to get on my nerves!

"Hah! You speak like the adventurers have no place in this kingdom. But last time I checked, it's those very same 'brutes and scavengers' who stopped a bank robbery a few days ago, right? Besides, if we'ren't there to stop it, what would happen to your parents' hard-earned money and crystals?"

The noble flinches at Yur1's words. Wow, unlike me, he has his way with words against the bullies. Not only that, he's not even bothered by the jerk's evil smirk. I guess he also has experience dealing with people like the noble. Too bad it was short-lived, as a player in a disco ball robe stepped forward and frowned at us.

"Don't get agitated over this...peasant."

Huh? First, "brainless" and now it's "peasant"?! I have a feeling this guy might be a tough nut to crack compared to the NPCs who insulted us.

"And who the heck are you? Judging by your attire, it looks like you're more ready to go to a party than take the exam."

I quietly laugh at Yur1's nice comeback. But for some reason, all the guy does is briefly flinch before recovering from it in a matter of seconds.

"That's because you're looking at one of the proud members of the [Viper Fangs], a guild that is recognized as one of the first Dungeon-diving guilds in <Initio>!"

One of his yes-men quickly approached us and whispers, "AKA during launch."

Okay? I guess he whispered that clarification because we're talking alongside his NPC friend.

"Honestly, why in the world are you two nobodies here taking the entrance exam with not a single achievement in your belt? It's honestly a shame you have the guts to show your faces here."

Everyone, including the nobles, laughs at us after saying that. While it's a bit lame for them to say it like that after repeating the word "honestly" two times, it kinda hurts me a bit. But that doesn't mean I don't have to let them win all the time. I have to make a comeback, and I know what to say next.

"That depends. Who are the [Viper Fangs] again?"

Everyone stopped laughing as soon as I said it. Did...that do it?