Now, his answer definitely caused everyone to second-guess whether Max was truly a trash-tier talent. Perhaps it was simply a fabricated rumor meant to spread false information, allowing the Grand Duke to root out any betrayal from other Dukes or wealthy families attempting to overthrow him under the pretext of lacking a promising heir.
Max snickered inwardly upon seeing the shock of his classmates. Even the divine beauty, Isabelle, was left shocked. In the past, she would naturally reveal an expression of disgust whenever she caught him staring at her. She believed that a mediocre guy desiring her simply contradicted the accepted norm that one must possess sufficient qualifications to desire someone.
Since Max possessed no talent, she usually held a very poor impression of him. However, upon seeing Max explain the teacher's question correctly, a slight shift in emotion surfaced on her face.
"Now, concentrate on the class and do not daydream," Teacher Morrison stated as he continued the lesson.
The class went on for a while, explaining the different types of Dungeon Cores, Dungeon Monsters, and Dungeon Terrains. During this time, Teacher Morrison explained everything there was to know about Dungeons.
Naturally, Max had already read about these details a week prior. In two days, they would embark on their first Dungeon Expedition. Even though the Dungeon they would enter was merely E-rank, where only Slimes existed, a person entering the Dungeon still needed to possess a certain degree of knowledge to survive.
Finally, the class concluded with a few instructions.
"This will be your last theoretical class. For the next two days, you will spend your time on the training grounds," Teacher Morrison announced. "Remember, there will be a ranking once the expedition ends. Your rank will determine your position within your Faction for the first year."
Saying so, Teacher Morrison exited the classroom. However, Max could have sworn that the teacher shot a cross look in his direction.
Ignoring the teacher's look, Max stood up, as it was already time for lunch.
While walking toward the Canteen, his mind wandered to the upcoming Dungeon Expedition and the ranking system. If he wanted to initiate his grand plan of ruling the western region of the kingdom as the Grand Duke, he needed to secure a high rank. Naturally, the Dungeon Expedition rankings would definitively involve killing monsters and obtaining Monster Cores.
With his talent and skills, he would definitely excel in an E-rank Dungeon. However, that did not mean he could easily secure a high rank. After all, his fellow classmates were all highly talented individuals who had joined this academy based purely on merit. Even if he managed to excel, they would undoubtedly perform three times better in an E-rank Dungeon.
'This is going to be a problem,' Max muttered as he stepped into the Canteen.
The Canteen was separated into three distinct sections, with each section designated for a specific year. Max made his way to the first-year section and picked up a fixed meal.
Even though Max came from a Grand Duke's family, where high-quality food was never scarce, the academy's food was completely equal to what he was accustomed to eating. It consisted of prime cut meats, alongside vegetables and spices harvested directly from Dungeons.
The capital's number one academy definitely did not hold its title in name only.
Max sat down at his regular spot, which was located close to the wall where no one usually walked. He chewed his food while pondering how to establish a status as a genius in order to achieve his grand plan of inheriting the title without suffering any political bombardments.
One thing was absolutely certain: he had to achieve a high rank for his name to spread. Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult for him in the future. Thus, he had to establish that status right here within the academy.
'What should I do?' Max pondered inwardly.
While he was staring blankly into space, he suddenly noticed a blur of movement right in front of him.
Startled by this sudden occurrence, he snapped out of his daze and looked toward the figure. Immediately, his food lodged in his throat, and he broke into a violent coughing fit.
Cough!
Cough!
He urgently grabbed a cup of water and chugged it down. Before he could even recover from the sudden shock, a tear rolled down his cheek as his eyes turned completely red.
Stolen story; please report.
He quickly wiped his face as the violent coughing slowly began to die down. Once he had fully recovered from the ordeal, he glanced around to see if any of his fellow students were watching this embarrassing and awkward situation he had found himself in.
To his disappointment, everyone's eyes were firmly focused on him. Naturally, this occurrence dragged his reputation a step lower, a reputation he had worked so hard to earn.
However, half of the stares were directed at him for a completely different reason.
While he had been going through hell, the very person who was the cause of that hell was currently sitting right in front of him.
It was Isabelle Flanagan.
'Why the hell is she sitting at my table?' Max put away his kerchief as he shot a quick glance at her.
She merely stared back at him with a face devoid of anything. There were no emotions such as anger, surprise, or amusement; it was simply completely blank.
"Hello, I apologize for that. I ate a little too fast, and the food got stuck in my throat," Max offered a wary smile toward her.
He paused for a moment to let her speak, but no words came.
Thus, he simply continued eating his food, though he would occasionally sweep his gaze toward the others.
A few people were still staring at him. These were mostly boys who vied for Isabelle. After all, who would not dream of becoming the boyfriend of, or marrying, such a beautiful lady?
As a result, Max did not harbor any enmity toward those boys.
He continued to eat without uttering a single word, even though a lot of thoughts raced through his mind.
What was the purpose behind this girl coming over and sitting at his table? Was she impressed by his earlier answer in class? Or did she perhaps harbor feelings for him, just as he did for her? Or was she trying to con him to obtain his Grand Duke title by giving him false hopes of love?
A ton of obscure ideas ran through his mind.
However, the simple truth was that all the tables were currently full. Thus, she had simply sat at his table.
Even though all the tables were occupied by people, there were still plenty of available seats elsewhere; yet, she had specifically chosen to sit at his table.
Thinking up to this point, his mind directly drifted back into his daydream.
He imagined how he would be lying on a luxurious, plush bed, with her lying right beside him, staring into his eyes.
Thump!
Thump!
Suddenly, his heart began to beat violently just from thinking about his daydream.
What kind of situation was he currently in?
'God damn it.'
He was hoping to achieve grand things in his life, yet his mind immediately drifted toward lust. If he maintained this kind of thinking, he would eventually end up doing some low-level business once cunning people overthrew him for the Grand Duke title.
Max shook his head as he finally finished his food.
Since Teacher Morrison had announced that the theoretical classes were already completed, the afternoon classes would naturally be practical ones.
Thinking that he might have to return to the dormitory to change into his battle attire and pick up his weapon, Max stood up from the table to leave.
While he was about to pick up his plate, he suddenly heard a voice, or rather, a melody.
That was exactly how the voice sounded to his ears.
Tilting his head down, Max's eyes locked onto Isabelle's gaze.
"You know, it is common courtesy for people to stay until others finish their food."
That was what he heard.
Naturally, as a noble and the only son of a Grand Duke, he knew this rule well. He had been strictly taught such etiquette by his mother and grandmother.
Max's pretentious status as a genius was beginning to crumble at every turn. As a gentleman, he should have stayed seated without needing a lady to ask him, especially a divine lady at that.
Not knowing how to react, Max simply offered an awkward smile as he set down his empty plate and sat back down on his chair.
'Should I make small talk?'
A thought surfaced in his mind, but he quickly restrained himself. After all, according to noble manners, one should not speak at the dining table unless it was an urgent matter.
Meanwhile, Isabelle ate her food slowly and gently, as if she were thoroughly enjoying her meal.
Max's eyes simply could not remain in one place; he continuously shot quick glances at her.
Even though he had seen her from an even closer distance when they crossed paths in the past, that had only been for a brief second. Now, he could look at her from this close distance for a long period of time.
Max's heart thumped wildly, exactly like an alchemy engine.
Isabelle Flanagan was truly a young lady who could be called a divine beauty.
Her silky black hair flowed all the way down her back. Her face resembled a marble sculpture. Nestled beneath softly arched, dark brows that provided a stark contrast to her fair, porcelain skin, her large, round eyes possessed the electric clarity of deep glacial ice.
Further down her straight, refined nose bridge and the youthful curve of her lips sat a long, slender neck, broad shoulders, and an ample bosom.
Max halted his gaze, gulping hard upon sensing a physical change within his own body.
Quickly darting his eyes away, he simply waited for Isabelle to finish her lunch.
She ate delicately, exactly as befitted a divine beauty. Max was in no hurry; he could easily sit there for hours just by occasionally glancing at her face.
However, while these thoughts ran through his mind, a harsh reality suddenly struck him: he was merely a mediocre talent.
How could his mind possibly entertain the thought of sitting there just to stare at a girl?
With this kind of mindset, he was bound to fail in life. Max immediately began to reprimand himself for his weak mind again.
Yet, whenever his gaze landed on her, his heart would beat wildly, just like a galloping horse.
'Sigh. I must grow out of this kind of weakness; otherwise, I am bound to fail.'
After a short while, she finally finished her meal, placed down her utensils, and shot a look toward Max.
"Let us go, then," Max stated.
He stood up and walked away toward the wash area, not waiting for her to walk alongside him.
Within his heart, a certain determination had firmly taken root, pushing him to focus entirely on his own path and plans.