Seven years have passed since I was reincarnated into the world of Ronzolkia. Let me take a moment to tally up the results so far. I've mastered the sword under Olvin-san's guidance, earning the Swordsmanship Master skill. I hired Fiona-san as my tutor and received a proper education in the magical arts. With my Innate Magic <Void>¹ and my healing spells, I've built a flawless defensive foundation. I defeated Entia, broke the curse on my mother, Leila, and secured access to the Forbidden Library.
Even the development of Void Town is progressing - slowly, yes, but steadily. I've successfully derailed the power-up events meant for the protagonist, Allen, and I've put the heroine, Nia, in her place. Even the organization I unexpectedly founded, "Utsuro," seems to be growing all on its own.
(Heh... things are going so smoothly it's almost terrifying. You could practically call this an ideal run.)
But that's usually how it goes. That's exactly when some outrageous "irregular" occurs.
On a perfectly clear day, I was sitting through a tedious lecture in the Special Advanced Class when -
"HRAAAAAAAAGH!"
"TAKE THIS!"
The booming, gruff shouts of men drifted in from outside the window.
(Ugh, here we go again...)
Looking out, a Rank Battle² was in full swing right in the middle of the schoolyard. It's been like this every day lately. The two-week period starting from the entrance ceremony is the school's designated "Rank Battle Encouragement Period."
During this time, the standard rules for Rank Battles are suspended. Restrictions - like not being able to challenge someone more than five ranks away, or the mandatory ten-day truce after a fight - are temporarily lifted. The school's message is clear: if you have an objection to your rank, prove your worth through strength.
Incidentally, the thirty-one students in the Special Advanced Class are fairly indifferent to all this. As far as I know, there hasn't been a single Rank Battle between classmates. It's not that everyone is satisfied with their rank - this place is crawling with people smoldering with resentment - but for now, they're all just "reading the room."
Most students in the Special Advanced Class are the children of prominent nobles. For someone in that position, losing a Rank Battle means losing more than just a number. If you suffer an embarrassing defeat - like that moron Franz did - it drags your family's prestigious name through the mud. Consequently, they don't move carelessly. They gather intel on the opponent's Innate Magic, their fighting style, and their weaknesses, only stepping into the ring when they're fully prepared. For those reasons, the Special Advanced Class has remained relatively peaceful.
(At this rate, if there is a move, it won't be until the very end of the period.)
I was staring blankly at the fight in the yard when the clock tower bell began to toll.
"--Alright, that's all for today. It's the lunch break you've all been waiting for," said Fiona.
Fiona closed her textbook with a snap, gathered her things, and left the classroom. Immediately, the tension in the room evaporated.
"Ugh, Fiona-san's lectures are on such a high level...!"
"Man, she really is gorgeous. I wonder if she's got a boyfriend?"
"Did you hear? Apparently Fiona-san used to work for the Ministry of Magic!"
"I heard that too. And she's got Legend-class Innate Magic, right?"
"She's got that 'total professional' vibe. She's so cool!"
Fiona's popularity among the students was incredibly high, regardless of gender.
(Well... I guess some things are better left unknown.)
I cracked my neck and stood up, intending to head to the first-floor shop, when -
"--Hollow-kun, do you have a moment?"
Allen Fortis, the protagonist himself, stood in my way. His expression was uncharacteristically grim, a fierce determination burning deep in his eyes.
"...What is it?" I asked.
I had a tremendously bad feeling. My throat went dry, my palms felt clammy, and my heart rate began to climb. In that moment, a single second felt like it was being stretched into eternity.
"--Hollow von Heisenberg, I challenge you to a Rank Battle," Allen declared.
(...Huh...?)
The world seemed to stop, and my mind went blank.
(What did I do? Did I do something wrong?)
Just when I thought I was in the clear, a massive death flag dropped right in front of me. I couldn't even process my own thoughts, but this was undeniably reality.
(No, no, no... give me a break, Master Allen... Why the hell are you so fired up today?)
I wanted nothing more than to just turn around and go home, but as the "Vile Aristocrat" Hollow von Heisenberg, I couldn't afford to be so pathetic.
"...Hah?"
I widened my eyes as far as they would go and let a surge of sinister mana bleed out. This was the absolute limit of my intimidation tactics - the magical equivalent of a red panda standing on its hind legs and trying to look scary. Please, I'm begging you, just back down... As I offered up that silent prayer, the rest of the class rushed in to stop him.
"H-Hey, Allen, stop it!"
"You idiot! He'll slaughter you!"
"You're at the bottom of the Special Advanced Class - Rank 31! There's no way you can beat Rank 1!"
Yes! Good job, everyone! Tell him! Tell him more! I cheered them on desperately in my head. But the stubborn protagonist just shook his head.
"I need to know," said Allen. "I want to see the gap between the bottom of the class and the top."
Well, I don't want to know. I don't want to see the "hopeless disparity" between a villainous noble and the world's favorite son. Knowing that is only going to make me depressed. However... as the future head of House Heisenberg and the top-ranked student at Redrick Academy, I couldn't back down. And honestly, you aren't really allowed to refuse a formal challenge anyway.
Reluctantly - with a heavy heart and a soul-crushing sense of regret - I accepted Allen's challenge.
The venue was the underground training hall, the same place I'd used for my spar with Nia. Because this was a "formal" Rank Battle, the Special Advanced Class students had swarmed the area to watch.
"I missed the fight with Nia-san, so I'm finally gonna see what Rank 1 can actually do!"
"They say the Vile Aristocrat is just letting his natural talent rot... let's see if the rumors are true."
"Hollow-kun's Innate Magic is the Legend-class <Refraction>³. People say it's not practical for combat because it requires such insane control. I'm curious to see how he uses it."
I hate to disappoint the crowd, but I have no intention of showing my hand here.
(The Allen from the original Ronzolkia is a combat genius. He adapts to every attack and absorbs it as experience.)
If I use a flashy variety of magic to crush him now, Allen will just soak up a mountain of experience and level up instantly. This Rank Battle would turn into a "Protagonist Growth Event."
(That's the definition of counter-productive. If I win the battle but lose the war, what's the point?)
I have two victory conditions for this fight:
1. Don't feed the protagonist any experience.
2. Maintain my dignity as a Vile Aristocrat.
I have to win while juggling both.
(Talk about playing without my Rook and Bishop...)
While I was mulling it over, the teacher acting as the referee cleared their throat.
"Both fighters, ready? Then - BEGIN!"
And so, the Rank Battle between the Villainous Noble and the Protagonist began.
Summary:
Hollow reflects on seven years of successful survival and growth, feeling confident in his 'ideal run' through the game world. This peace is shattered when the protagonist, Allen Fortis, unexpectedly challenges him to a formal Rank Battle during the school's encouragement period. Despite his reluctance, Hollow is forced to accept the challenge to maintain his social standing while secretly plotting to win without giving Allen any 'experience points' for growth.
Trivia:
- The 'Rank Battle Encouragement Period' suspension of rules highlights the school's Darwinian philosophy of proving strength over administrative rank.
- Hollow's organization 'Utsuro' (The Void) growing on its own suggests it will become a significant wild card in future political arcs.
- Allen's uncharacteristic grimness suggests he may have perceived Hollow's 'villainous' aura or felt the social pressure of being Rank 31.
- The comparison of Allen to a 'combat genius' who adapts to attacks sets up the strategic limitation Hollow must face: winning without revealing his true versatility
Character Insight:
Allen shifts from a passive background figure to a direct antagonist/challenger, signaling the end of Hollow's peaceful preparation phase. Hollow's dynamic with his classmates reveals a mix of fear and expectation, as they ironically defend the 'Vile Aristocrat' against Allen to prevent what they perceive as a suicide mission.
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The Rank Battle system and the hierarchy of the 'Special Advanced Class' provide a structured way for social mobility within the Academy. Fiona's background in the 'Ministry of Magic' and her 'Legend-class' status imply that the Academy's faculty are elite retired officials, raising the stakes of the educational setting.
TL Notes:
The use of 'red panda' (lesser panda) as an intimidation metaphor is a common internet-era trope in Japan, emphasizing the gap between Hollow's internal helplessness and his external scary appearance.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Void: Hollow's unique magic that likely relates to non-existence or conceptual erasure.
2 ↩ Rank Battle: A formal school duel system used to determine student hierarchy.
3 ↩ Refraction: A legend-class magic involving the bending of light or mana, often dismissed for its high difficulty curve.
Notes:
• Entia - Roi, the Witch of Intellectual Greed and Guardian of the Forbidden Library, appears 20‑year‑old, 165 cm tall, with pastel‑pink hair, pink bangs, porcelain skin and six obsidian wings. She bears the Innate Magic , is immortal yet bound to a 'Book of the Spirit', and watches over the library’s secrets.
• Fiona - An 18‑year‑old Arbiter of the Ministry of Magic, 160 cm, slender, black‑ponytail, mauve eyes, snow‑white skin, wearing a white jacket, black shirt and miniskirt. She is a classmate and mental‑link partner of Hollow, respecting him while speaking casually; former private tutor and now teacher at Redrick Academy, ex‑Ministry member, legend‑class mage. Loyal to Hollow’s family, owes him 60 million Gordo and obeys his whims.
• Leila - Hollow’s mother, the late Mistress of Heisenberg, wears a silvered cloak, sharp eyes and a scarred visage. Once the Sword Saint and the family’s Sun—a top super‑genius swordswoman now bedridden by the Sky‑Eater curse—she is wife of Duke Daphnes. Observant and playful, she teases him about his hidden soft spot for Hollow.
• Olvin - Tall and composed, with a refined gravelly voice, he serves as Hallow’s swordsmanship instructor and loyal knight of the Heisenberg family, reporting on territorial security while showing deep respect for Hallow’s status. As a servant at the Heisenberg estate, he escorts Hollow to his exam.
• Allen - Fifteen‑year‑old protagonist of Ronzolkia, now a preparatory student in the Special Advanced Class under Hollow’s watch. Snow‑white medium hair, sky‑blue eyes, androgynous gentle smile, wears a white track uniform and a ‘White‑Vest’ denoting his underdog status. Rank 31, last place, yet wields Hero’s and Demon King’s factors, high‑agility dagger style, and is genuinely kind.
• Nia - Rank‑4 Special Advanced Class student, heir of the Ainsworth house. Fifteen, long golden hair, amber eyes, twin‑tails, black blazer, white shirt, slit mini‑skirt. Holds Origin‑Class ‘Primordial Flame’ magic that grows soft breasts. Grudges Hollow from an eight‑year‑old tournament; he humbled her. Original heroine.
• Franz - Third son of the Count Thomas family. A first-year student at Ledrick Magic Academy. Arrogant and impulsive, he possesses elite-class Innate Magic and wears the black uniform of the Main Course. A student from the Thomas family. Hot-headed and seeks to elevate his family standing by defeating Hollow. Wears a black regular student uniform.
• Hollow - 15‑year‑old heir of the Heisenberg ducal house, 170 cm tall, dark crimson medium‑length hair in a ribbon‑ponytail, crimson eyes, lean aristocratic build; wears a black school uniform with a navy jacket. Top‑ranked freshman at Redrick Academy, known as the Vile Aristocrat and founder of the organization ‘Void’ under the alias Void. He wields Origin‑Class innate magic ‘Void’ and Refraction, hides intense training behind a slothful façade, sits by the window, and plots ruthlessly as a transmigrated noble.
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.