Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 327: Penalty Time (1)

The morning after the hellish barrage of praise, I lay buried under my blanket, even as the morning sun rose.

On any other day, I’d be at the training grounds by now, working out like I did every day since entering the Academy. But today? Today was different. I hadn’t even bothered to get ready, much less step outside.

Why? I didn’t really have a reason. I just felt like being lazy today, so I decided to go with it. I’ve been running nonstop since setting foot in this world, right? Surely a day of doing nothing is justified.

Honestly, there’s no immediate need to struggle either. Nacrad, the villain of the second semester’s main story, is currently locked in the depths of the Art Church, being interrogated. Why should I push myself?

Back when I met that perverted Apostle to get that trinket, I’d asked about Nacrad’s condition. I’d left him in a miserable, laughable state, but I hadn’t finished him off. Naturally, I was curious about what he’d been up to in the Art Church’s dungeon.

The Apostle had anticipated my question and, without hesitation, shared the situation.

First, Nacrad had been thoroughly neutralized to prevent any tricks. Then, they’d been extracting various bits of information from him.

“Nothing has been cross-verified yet, so it’s hard to say much. But when everything’s done, I’ll relay it through Lady Karia.”

The Apostle’s explanation was full of gaps even I could pick up on, but I didn’t pry. Or rather, I didn’t have the chance to.

The moment I was about to respond, the Lovesick Fox burst in, demanding to know where her picture of me was. Clutching a framed bunny-girl portrait of mine, she looked so overwhelmed she couldn’t even decide what to do with herself. Just seeing her made my eyes fill with disgust.

When she fainted upon seeing me wearing the trinket on my head, I even wished she’d die on the spot. And I still feel the same way now. If only she’d died back then, she wouldn’t be clutching my towel and drooling in her sleep.

...Thank goodness the Lovesick Fox wasn’t around during that compliment storm yesterday. Who knows what kind of nonsense she would’ve spouted.

Ugh, just thinking about it makes my face hot. I had no idea I was so immune to compliments.

I know full well that nobody was genuinely impressed; they were just looking for approval from those around me. I’m aware that none of them meant it sincerely. Still, hearing it from all sides muddled my thoughts so much I couldn’t think straight.

If Karl hadn’t come by midway, pretending he had some excuse about the Combat Studies exam to drag me out, I would’ve made a mad dash out the window.

In the end, Karl acted as a proper bodyguard for once, pulling me out of that hellish scene. I thought I’d show him some appreciation, but...

“You really do have an innocent side, my lady. The Lord will be thrilled to hear about this.”

That one line from Karl wiped out all my gratitude.

Karl believed every last word of Arthur and his friends’ misunderstanding.

I mean, come on! Do I really look like someone who would act that way?! My image is as far from considerate as it gets! I’m the girl who calls people trash, idiots, fools, and worse—where in that image would anyone see me as someone kind-hearted?

Remembering the compliments and getting flustered, I tried my best to explain the misunderstanding, but Karl, the obnoxious mutt, simply brushed off my words.

“Yes, yes, I get it... Haha, sure, my lady... ugh!”

I punched Karl’s stomach in genuine self-defense. It was impertinent for a guard dog to mock his master, after all. I didn’t even hit him that hard, but he groaned and exaggerated his pain.

Leaving Karl behind, I headed to the Dungeon Studies professor to hear the follow-up she’d promised after my demonstration. While walking leisurely down the hallway, waiting for the professor to return after things had calmed down, I happened to overhear something.

It wasn’t the usual irritating talk about me.

Normally, the chatter around me is all “annoying,” “unpleasant,” or “I can’t stand her,” and that hasn’t changed; the Academy is still full of people who dislike me. They keep quiet because of my connections, but plenty of harsh words go around behind my back.

But this time, the conversations were something I’d never imagined.

“Has she really changed?”

“Yes! The lady is a good person... Oh! Sorry for raising my voice!”

“She seems to care about those around her?”

“The Saintess wouldn’t say that for nothing. She must’ve been redeemed with the blessings of the Main God.”

“See, I’ve been saying all along she’s a good person! She risked her life to save someone like me—how could a bad person do that?”

“Were we mistaken all this time?”

Some people had actually begun to believe what Arthur and his friends said about me. There weren’t many of them, but the fact that there were any at all was a shock.

Because I’m Lucy!

Think about all the past chaos Lucy has caused! Does it make any sense to believe that crazy woman has changed?

Most of these voices were from commoners or low-ranking nobles—people who had no idea who the old Lucy really was. If they’d seen what she’d done, they wouldn’t be saying such things.

“Those people are way too nice to her.”

“She’s probably just calling us weaklings to mock us.”

“As if Lucy Allen would ever have that kind of consideration.”

“No way that crazy wench has changed.”

In reality, the majority of people at the Academy, especially those familiar with Lucy’s past reputation, didn’t give Arthur’s words much thought. They’d accurately seen through his misunderstanding, recognizing it for what it was.

To be honest, this is how it should be.

If anyone who’d witnessed Lucy’s past misdeeds were to see me now, they’d naturally assume Lucy Allen couldn’t possibly be capable of empathy.

So, the Academy’s general opinion hasn’t really changed. But hearing just a few people speak positively of me... was surprisingly nice.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

Nice enough that I almost felt grateful to those three who’d embarrassed me.

Why only almost, you ask?

Because not long afterward, I realized something important.

The shift in opinion came mostly from people who didn’t know me well—those unfamiliar with the old Lucy or those unaware of both past and present.

But what about those closest to me now?

“The lady’s intentions with the unorthodox method are understood, but no favoritism can be granted. We must maintain fairness.”

Karl wasn’t exaggerating. Anyone who knew me well enough to see I’d mellowed actually believed Arthur and the others’ misunderstanding was the truth!

While basking in the Dungeon Studies professor’s pleased gaze, I desperately insisted it was all a misunderstanding, but she wouldn’t believe a word. She just assumed I was embarrassed.

Watching her smile, I gave up and dropped the subject. No matter what I said, she wasn’t going to listen.

Whatever she thought of my reaction, she finally got to the main point.

Nothing too grand—she intended to keep the final dungeon open until the holidays and publish the dungeon I created in an academic journal. I accepted her offer with a bit of pride, hoping more people would appreciate the brilliance of my work.

After that, nothing much happened. I skipped my usual evening training and retreated to the dorm.

Knock, knock.

At the sound of knocking, I froze.

“Lady Allen? Are you in?”

“Lucy Allen, answer if you’re there.”

Damn it!

I locked myself in here precisely to avoid them, and they came looking for me!

Biting my lip, I tried to mimic Karia’s technique for concealing her presence.

They can’t find out I’m here, or they’ll drag me out for punishment!

“It’s odd; I’m certain she didn’t leave.”

“Indeed. Where could she have gone?”

Yes! That’s it! Think I’m not here and go search somewhere else! Quickly!

“No, everyone. The lady is definitely inside.”

Hearing Faivy’s voice, I shivered and hugged myself.

“I can feel her warm divine energy in here. There’s no mistaking the lady’s presence.”

Of course, if I can sense Faivy’s divine energy, then she can sense mine too!

Ugh! How did I overlook something so basic? Stupid, stupid me!

“Hurry and come out, Lucy Allen. If you keep this up, we’ll have to change our request. For instance... make you wear a maid outfit all day...”

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

“Pfft, hahaha! Wow, Prince Pitiful, you’re not even trying to hide your perversion anymore?! Disgusting!”

“Who are you calling a perv... Ahem! Anyway, come out already! You’ve been found!”

Urgh! I slipped up in shock at a thought only that Lovesick Fox would come up with!

Furious, I bit my lip, but there was nothing I could do. Due to the penalty, I was at their mercy.

Forcing my feet to the door, I took a deep breath and opened it.

“Oh my, did we wake you?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this disheveled, my lady.”

And there they were, Joy and Faivy, looking at me with satisfied smiles.

Wait, no. Why is Arthur staring off into the distance?

I’d thought he’d say something, but as I was watching him curiously, Frey blocked my view.

“Lucy, Lucy.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Lucy, are you actually... shy?”

For a moment, I was speechless at her innocent question.

Her head tilted with genuine curiosity, Frey looked truly oblivious. It was infuriating.

To make it worse, Joy and Faivy were openly chuckling, their expressions saying, “She’s just a bashful little girl who got caught being considerate.”

Ugh! I knew it!

This is exactly why I didn’t want to face them!

Stop it!

Don’t look at me like that!

Stop looking at me with those eyes!