The Birth of the Sacrificial Leader

As soon as the professor finished speaking, the students scrambled from their seats to gather with their groups. Not knowing who was in Group 3, I took my cues from the room and headed toward a spot where five people had already congregated.

The atmosphere in Group 3 was ice-cold. It was only natural, considering they’d just been saddled with a massive live bomb like me. Still, now that I was in, I had to give it my all. This year, I was determined not to cause any trouble; my goal was a solid A-grade through sheer hard work.

It was at that moment of resolve that one group member raised a hand.

“Let’s start with introductions.”

One by one, the members stood up and began introducing themselves. As I listened, I realized one crucial fact: I had assumed the cold atmosphere was because of me, but in reality, the students were so busy walking on eggshells around one particular student that they didn’t give a damn about me.

“Um, Your Highness, it’s your turn now.”

Your Highness? My eyes went wide. At those words, a boy sitting at the head of the table stood up. My jaw dropped the moment I saw him. He spoke in a dry, indifferent tone, as if the students staring nervously at him didn’t even exist.

“…Zeno Moderato.”

Moderato. That was the surname used by the Imperial family of the Karue Empire in the North. After the “Rian Beatdown Incident,” I had become a forced outsider; even if I wanted to know about other students, I had no way of finding out. I never imagined that lack of information would come back to bite me this hard.

I remembered from history class: the Imperial family of Karue was said to be as cold and terrifying as wolves. What if I get on his bad side? While I was trembling with anxiety, the other students tried their best to sound friendly.

“Um, well… would Your Highness like to be the Group Leader?”

“Yes, indeed. We think Your Highness would be the most wise and capable leader among us.”

Ah, certainly—if Zeno were the leader, no one would dare try to free-ride. A terrifying leader is much better than an incompetent one. Just as I was nodding in agreement…

“Don’t call me that. I’d prefer if you spoke comfortably.”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t that title forbidden within the Academy?”

“Ah, yes. Then, Zeno High—I mean, then, Zeno, would you like to be the Leader?”

Zeno replied instantly.

“I’d rather not.”

With that answer, I had a gut feeling: this group project was also doomed.

As I mentioned before, the Leader of a group project is usually the person with the highest status or the most influence. They know the others will listen to them. There’s no reason to refuse since it’s basically free extra credit. But what happens if that person refuses, or if the group is made up only of people of similar status? Then, the most “easy-to-push-around” person automatically gets stuck with the job.

If a high-ranking person takes the lead, people accept it. But if a low-ranking person takes charge, a catastrophe occurs. From outside the group, people whisper, “Who does he think he is, acting up when people higher than him are staying quiet?” And inside the group, even if you assign roles, the only response you get is, “Who are you to give me orders?”

In short, a low-ranking person being the Leader means they’ll end up doing the entire project alone. And everyone here knew that.

Every member except Zeno immediately lowered their heads and shut their mouths. If you make eye contact or open your mouth now, it’s over. Please, just don’t let it be me, I prayed.

“Um…”

Finally, one member spoke up.

“There’s no use sitting here like this forever. Should we just draw straws?”

Drawing straws? I didn’t care what method we used, as long as it wasn’t me. Just as I was about to nod in agreement, another student spoke.

“No, is there really a need for that?”

“Huh?”

“I think Student Cecil would be the best fit for Leader among us.”

What, you little—?! I almost cursed out loud in the middle of class. I stared at the student blankly. He looked back with an expression that asked what my problem was.

“You’re so good at group projects that you managed to get a B even after punching a teammate in freshman year.”

Surely you won’t hit a teammate again this year, his eyes said quite clearly. I was frustrated, but I couldn’t argue. If I hit a teammate again this year, even the few students who still shared announcements with me would flee.

And decisively, the professor was watching me overtly with his arms crossed. There was no one in this situation who could say no. I forced the corners of my mouth up and answered.

“…Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Then our group has decided on Cecil Allegro!”

The students cheered with excessively bright smiles.

“Applause, everyone!”

Applause and cheers showered over me. In all the world, there could be no applause or cheers more infuriating than these. I was struggling to maintain my facial expression when…

“What’s so funny?”

Zeno blurted out. The students silenced instantly.

“Ah, sor—sorry, Your High—no, Zeno.”

“We were just so happy that a Leader was chosen…”

Zeno rested his chin on his hand and stared at the members without a word. The students lowered their heads again and kept their mouths shut tight. Meanwhile, I took the group list the professor had provided and wrote “Leader” in red ink next to my name.

When class ended and I submitted the list, the professor spoke in an alarmingly gentle tone.

“Student Cecil Allegro? Follow me for a moment.”

In that single moment, ten thousand thoughts flashed through my head. What? Why is he telling me to follow him? I didn’t know the exact reason, but one thing was certain: there was no way the professor was calling me for something good. And that prediction hit the mark perfectly.

“I found it strange that Student Cecil was taking such a passive stance toward the group project. So, I asked other students what kind of student you are.”

I stared at the professor blankly. He clutched his textbook to his chest and examined my expression.

“You aren’t offended, are you? It’s only natural for a professor to want to know about his students.”

I shook my head quickly.

“Of course not. I’m not offended at all.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“But from what I’ve heard, you caused quite a bit of trouble in your freshman year?”

The professor patted my shoulder.

“I hope that through my class, you’ll learn to have a heart that understands and considers others.”

“…Yes.”

“I believe you can grow into a proper adult, Cecil. Now, you may go.”

I gave a forced smile, bowed to the professor, and immediately ran to the dormitory. After locking my door tight, I ran around like a madman, screaming at the top of my lungs. It was only possible because the dormitory walls were enchanted with soundproofing magic.

A few hours later, Ronia, having finished her private research, clicked her tongue and handed me a potion.

“You really have no luck. What kind of sin did you commit in your past life?”

My throat was completely gone from all the screaming, so I spoke with great effort.

“I didn’t commit any sins in my past life.”

“How would you know? Who knows? Maybe you sold out your country in your past life.”

Of course I know, I’m a reincarnator. I was about to say I really didn’t, but then I hesitated. Is being stupid a sin? If so, I was a death-row inmate in my past life. I was so stupid I don’t even know exactly how I died.

I gulped down the potion. My throat felt cool immediately. As expected, Ronia’s potions were effective.

“Ronia, you’re the best.”

“I’m only ‘the best’ at times like this.”

“No, no. How much do I owe you?”

I immediately pulled out my wallet.

“Forget it.”

“At least let me pay for the ingredients.”

As I insisted on paying, Ronia looked at me with disgust.

“I said forget it. If you feel bad, just buy me dinner later.”

“I’ll buy it for you tonight.”

“You really hate being in debt.”

Ronia sat in a chair. “How are your group members?”

“I think they hate me.”

“What about that high-ranking guy, Zeno?”

“He probably hates me too. There are rumors, after all.”

“True. If you only listen to the rumors, that Rian guy is a poor soul with many circumstances, and you’re just a villain.”

“…But what can I do? I just have to endure it.”

“You, endure? Stop talking nonsense, you Crazy Maltese.”

“I really can’t mess up this group project. Just watch—next year, I’m definitely going to earn the nickname ‘Saintly Maltese’.”

“I don’t know what a ‘Saint’ is, but holding it in too much isn’t good for your mental health.”

“Then what am I supposed to do? You just said it yourself.” I said weakly, lying flat on the bed. “If you only hear the rumors, I’m the only bad guy.”

“…”

“I didn’t know bad rumors would interfere with school life this much.”

I limply reached out and hugged Ronia with both arms.

“Ronia, thank you so much for being friends with someone like me.”

“Stop that. It doesn’t suit me.”

“Seriously, if it weren’t for you and Michael, I would have dropped out a long time ago.”

“…”

Ronia stared at me in silence. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Cecil, can I come in?”

It was Michael. Ronia gestured toward the door.

“Hey, your ‘hubby’ is here. What are you doing? Hurry up and run out to greet him.”

“…I want to, but I have no strength. Ronia, can you open the door?”

Ronia clicked her tongue and opened the door. Michael, whose hair was still damp, walked into the room with a puppy-like smile.

“Did you wait long? Sorry, I had practical training today, so I had to shower. Let’s go get dinner.”

“He says he has no energy. I think you’ll have to wait a bit.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“He got stuck as the Group Leader.”

“Again…?!”

Michael rushed to the bedside and knelt down.

“Oh no… is your face going to get all thin and haggard like last time?”

“I think so. I’ve already lost my appetite.”

“Cheer up, Cecil. It’s not much, but I brought you a gift.”

“…A gift?”

Michael pulled his arm from behind his back. A brilliant yellow bouquet of flowers was thrust before me.

“I saw these flowers in full bloom near the training grounds. They looked like you, so I picked them.”