I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

‘Erich is the protagonist. The protagonist of a work who overcomes any adversity without frustrating developments. He’s not a child I need to care for, and even less someone I need to score points with.’

Kiina, who had learned about the initiation culture through other students after having forgotten about it, didn’t move.

Because even without her, Erich was there. Moreover, unlike a typical harem heroine, she had absolutely no feelings for the protagonist.

“Is everyone gathering now?”

And meanwhile, people started to gather at the open space near the second-year dormitory, which the second-year students had begun to control.

They were the early graduates among the freshmen, including Erich and Lunara who had arrived in the late afternoon. Even those who were bewildered at first now began to grasp the atmosphere.

Among them, some who had heard about the initiation culture were already showing resolute expressions, as if they had anticipated this.

‘No way, I thought everyone who enrolled here was all refined nobles. Such vulgar acts that only uneducated street rats and low-ranking soldiers would do… Why? How come?’

But Erich, who had no idea about this, was greatly surprised.

He never thought that even in the 1st Academy, which gathered carefully raised children of noble families, there would be a culture similar to the frontline units where he had served.

“First, my name is Eric, the student guidance squad leader, but you all already know that, right? Because this is something all seniors, including us, have experienced.”

When all the freshmen on the list stood in order before him, the second-year student who stepped forward as the representative opened his mouth with a smile. Naturally, that smile didn’t dissolve the icy atmosphere but rather made it freeze even more solidly.

“Before we begin, who arrived last? We all had to wait because of you.”

Eric, still smiling, walked slowly in front of them.

At the same time, those who heard his words thought the inevitable had come and squeezed their eyes shut, while Erich glared at Eric’s back as he passed by, biting his lip.

“It, it was me.”

“A female student? Then I can’t do it.”

The one who answered with a trembling voice was a female student standing at the far right.

Upon her words—she was wearing a cape characteristic of the magic department—Eric nodded and called forward a second-year female student who was standing behind him.

“Lie down.”

And the single phrase uttered by that second-year female student was all it took. If the sound of hearts dropping could be heard, such a sound would have come from the chests of all the freshmen present.

“Boys, don’t stand behind her. Her skirt will fly up.”

The second-year female student who stood behind the magic department student, who was trembling as she placed her hands on the ground and lay down, held what appeared to be a solid wooden club.

Everyone knew what would happen next, but no one dared to speak.

“Don’t feel wronged. You were called here because you’re differentiated from others in the first place, right? Just think about the good things you’ll receive later.”

Eric’s words, too, merely echoed in the void. In the midst of this process, the second-year female student soon raised the club.

“Brother, but that girl isn’t here?”

“What?”

And someone among the students who were watching this scene with great interest whispered to the person next to them.

“Kiina Er von Adenberg, she’s not here. She’s also an early graduate.”

“That can’t be right? We brought everyone on the list. What’s going on?”

The person who mentioned Kiina was a first-year student from the spear arts department, Luke Serte. The one surprised by his brother’s words was a second-year student and Luke Serte’s older brother, Luterus Serte.

Luterus scratched his head in confusion. It didn’t make sense that Kiina was missing from the list when all early graduates were supposed to be targets.

“There must be some kind of mistake. We should bring her.”

Luke urged his brother. The reason Luke had specifically accompanied his brother here in the first place was to witness Kiina’s humiliating scene, which he now couldn’t help but miss.

“Is that so? Then I should go get her. She should be in the dormitory anyway.”

Luterus, unaware that those above him had deliberately omitted Kiina, nodded without much thought at his brother’s urging.

So he set off alone to fetch Kiina.

‘Arrogant girl, let’s see if you can talk back to the seniors like that.’

Luke, having sent his brother off, smirked and continued to watch the initiation ceremony.

It was also at that moment that the powerfully swung club was brought down toward the trembling buttocks.

“Let’s just stop this.”

Additionally, it was also at that moment that someone burst in and grabbed the club.

Luke looked at him with surprised eyes. In fact, Luke wasn’t the only one whose eyes widened in surprise. Everyone present was stunned into silence at Erich’s impulsive action.

“You, you, what are you, crazy?”

“I know that the initiation ceremony is a tradition. But it’s not a duty written in the regulations, is it? I understand why you do it, but there are also sufficient reasons not to do it.”

Erich, after snatching the club from the hands of the stunned second-year female student, smiled bitterly.

‘A crazy guy. That’s right.’

Even he didn’t know exactly why he had stepped forward. Although he was a unique reincarnator in this world, he didn’t particularly have a personality that sought attention.

‘These kids with the wet ink still on their heads, just learning all the bad things.’

However, one thing was certain: he had no intention of conforming too excessively to his surroundings.

Live without regrets, having tried everything—that was the motto of his second life, with a more inflated ego than anyone else present here.

Being pushed around by those who hadn’t accumulated even half of the experience he had built up was definitely something he would regret.

“This is a bad practice that only harms combat readiness. Do you know how many people in the frontline units take their own lives even now?”

After pulling up the magic department student who was lying face down on the ground, he smiled bitterly at Eric, who was speechless at this unimaginable event.

“This bastard dares to… Hey!”

Unfortunately, Erich’s sensible words didn’t resonate with Eric and the others. At Eric’s cry, the second-year students nearby approached.

The ominous atmosphere suggested they were ready to collectively rush at Erich and beat him.

“Well, fights between students go to the disciplinary committee. No matter what backing you have, this is a bit…”

“You sure talk a lot with that open mouth.”

“That’s not it—if you want to fight, let’s do it without risk. Let’s duel formally.”

Eric smirked, misunderstanding that Erich had become intimidated and hesitant. But at the words that followed, he was stunned.

“…I’ve read all the regulations too. Let’s settle this clearly now. About whether the initiation ceremony should continue to exist or not.”

Let’s fight legally. Because I’m not confident I’ll lose to you.

At these words, from which such confidence was clearly felt, the second-year students’ bodies hesitated.

“Don’t do something stupid. You’re the only one who wants to fight. You’re not a hero. You’re just causing trouble for the students here. Your actions will bring disadvantages to your peers.”

“That might be true.”

The female student who had lost her club spoke coldly with furrowed brows. Hearing those words, Erich looked at his peers with a weak smile.

Who would want to join in this crazy act? Everyone was at a loss, only gauging the situation between the seniors and their peer.

“But that only applies if I lose. If necessary, I’ll do it alone.”

“What…?”

However, Erich wouldn’t have stepped forward in the first place if it was something he couldn’t handle.

Even if he had to fight alone, he came forward because he was confident he could sweep away these novices by himself.

“I, I’ll do it too.”

And as a result, he wasn’t alone. Lunara, who had been hesitating, put on a resolute expression and joined Erich.

“They’re insane, doubly insane.”

Eric shook his head looking at Erich and Lunara.

However, what no one present knew was that this was destiny. The predetermined flow. With still not many variables, the flow simply continued as it was.

If no more variables appeared, Erich would win the duel as he calculated and become the center of the main flow.

“Can’t you just trust us? We can do well without this kind of initiation.”

“Shut up! This is tradition. A tradition that everyone partakes in, regardless of status, affiliation, or background. Who are you to dare ignore it?”

“Then please follow my proposal. Until then, I refuse any student-to-student punishment that violates regulations.”

“This guy really…”

Erich sighed and firmly stated his intention while being wary of his surroundings. Pressured by his spirit, Eric couldn’t easily accept Erich’s proposal and was in conflict.

If things flowed this way, it would exceed his authority. The thought of acting on his own and then being reprimanded by seniors made cold sweat run down Eric’s back.

“That would be interesting.”

But even the current Erich couldn’t handle this variable, which occurred at that moment. Everyone’s shocked eyes turned in that direction. Someone who had approached quietly and been watching the scene had interjected.

‘That person… could it be… the 3rd Prince Raines!’

Erich’s eyes widened. It was definitely a face he knew.