I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Open Class (2)

“Haha~ There’s no need to worry about that!”

Bruce Lee confidently placed his hand on his waist as I voiced my concerns.

“The E3, or Isri, whom I personally created, is the result of decades of research and production. Naturally, she is equipped with systems to prevent any threats to humans. I, Dr. Bruce Lee, guarantee it! Unless she’s dealing with villains, Isri would never harm civilians!”

Cough.

Blood spurted from my mouth.

The injuries from Isri’s punch hadn’t fully healed yet.

“Of course, nothing in the world is absolute.”

Then don’t say such things.

“Still, at least within the academy, there’s no need to worry. Maris Academy is adjacent to Shells Town, where many heroes reside. There are numerous systems in place to handle any issues that might arise.”

Ah, right.

Indeed, Maris Academy, where the Boss is enrolled, is located in the quietest C District in Pangea.

Moreover, being adjacent to Shells Town, which is directly managed by the Hero Association, it benefits indirectly from their presence.

Whether for AI learning or social research, it might be the most suitable place in Pangea to send a child to school.

“Of course, it’s expensive, but that’s nothing to worry about either! All costs, including Isri’s production and maintenance, are covered by taxes. Woohohohot~!”

“James, can I kill this man?”

“I understand how you feel, but please hold back, Mr. Bread.”

As I felt a murderous intent towards the carefree old man, James grabbed my trembling fist with his quaking hand.

At that moment, even his smile had vanished.

Yes, even heroes are people who pay taxes.

***

Anyway, with that situation settled.

Despite the commotion, I finally arrived at Maris Academy with the Boss after meeting fellow parents on the way.

For me, there were only a few places where I’ve set foot.

After completing the admission process, I’d been busy with work, hospital visits, and looking after Kana.

“I felt this way last time too, but this place is quite large for a facility that teaches children.”

“Well, it’s a comprehensive school that shares facilities for elementary, middle, and high school students.”

A comprehensive school. It’s an educational facility designed to provide education from ages 7 to 18.

While it might lack external experiences, it allows students to become familiar with faces over time, reducing the chances of feeling estranged.

The shared facilities mean more attention is given to them, and the budget is lower compared to having three separate facilities. Thus, tuition fees are cheaper than other schools.

Moreover, being close to Shells Town means the security is fairly decent.

The downside is that being in District C means there are clear limitations on education and experiences.

However, from my perspective of valuing disguise and safety, it’s a good thing. This thought didn’t change even when we entered the auditorium guided by the staff.

“Welcome, everyone. I’m Faust Panzer, the teacher in charge of the 42nd class at Maris Academy.”

On the stage of the auditorium.

The man in glasses wearing a white coat addressed the parents, including me.

“Two months have passed since the current batch of students joined the academy. While it’s not a long time, for children who’ve only received familial protection, these two months must have been a new experience unlike any other.”

“Learning more while away from their families and meeting many people—these experiences will serve as a foundation for their future as adults. However, as parents, you must be anxious about how well this process is going.”

“At Maris Academy, we have prepared today’s event with such concerns in mind. We hope that today’s open class will help reassure you about entrusting your children to us…”

His articulate speech showed no signs of nervousness.

Even in front of parents, who hold the position of ‘clients’ by entrusting their children to the school.

In fact, some parents were even impressed by his speech.

“I heard Maris Academy doesn’t have class divisions. It seems competent to be in charge while also being the school nurse.”

“I should remember Faust Panzer.”

Indeed, a teacher in charge of over a hundred students requires trust.

I, too, felt reassured by such a teacher. He glanced behind the stage curtain and began reaching out.

“Before we start the open class… Let’s see the performances your children have prepared. Kids, come on out!”

With his call, children started emerging from behind the curtain in a line.

All of them were small, many still with the gait of early childhood.

As they came out in a line, the parents began murmuring to each other.

“What are they going to do?”

“Judging by their attire, it looks like a choir.”

“Ah, I know this. I graduated from here. First graders performing a song for parents is a school tradition.”

“Isn’t that something from over 20 years ago?”

“That’s the beauty of it. It shows consistency from then until now.”

Both newcomers and those familiar with the school had expectations on their faces.

Their children were at the center of the upcoming performance.

That in itself is something parents can look forward to.

“Semi! Daddy is watching, go for it!”

“Hey, quiet down. You’re drowning out the kids’ voices.”

Of course, some parents were a bit too enthusiastic, but well… since I’m also pretending to be a parent.

I could understand that, thinking as I glanced at James sitting next to me.

“It seems Nella is leading the choir.”

“Haha, I feel embarrassed.”

James scratched the back of his head as he watched Nella in the lead.

The smile on his face indicated how proud he was of his daughter.

On the other hand, the Boss was in the least noticeable position at the back…

No, that might be better.

The Boss has to act like a young girl. While the kids might not notice, it would be troublesome if she caught the eyes of adults.

“Alright, kids. Let’s do as we practiced.”

Following Nella’s lead, the students took their places.

As the teacher gave the signal, music began to flow from the PC, filling the auditorium.

A calm yet somber prelude.

As the music played for a while, Nella’s mouth began to open slowly.

“Na…”

That’s when the sound was heard.

-Whirr.

A faint vibration.

Noticing it, Nella closed her mouth and turned her gaze somewhere.

She stood up and looked at her father.

“…James?”

“Ah, sorry about that.”

James’s voice was stiff, despite his apology.

In his hand was a device I had seen at our first meeting.

It was used by the Association to send emergency alerts to heroes near an incident.

“Sorry, I have to…”

As a hero, it’s an alert he couldn’t ignore.

-Rattle.

And at that moment, James wasn’t the only one standing up.

One by one, parents started standing up.

Each of them held a device similar to James’s.

“Damn it, why now of all times!”

“Those damn villains…”

Over 80% of the audience, if not more, stood up.

It meant that most parents of the current batch were heroes or their associates.

But it’s no surprise.

I chose this academy because it was close to Shells Town.

Many heroes’ children enroll here, and in case of an emergency, the heroes would handle it, ensuring safety.

If I could conceal my identity, there would be no safer place.

“Teacher, there’s a bank robbery nearby, so I must leave.”

“It won’t take long. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“I’ll go just in case.”

“No, let’s all go and deal with it quickly.”

“Those damn villains. Do they even know what day it is today!!”

Parents began rushing to the auditorium exit.

Their backs looked reassuring, but I felt a bit sorry for the villains.

Judging by the conversations, a bank robbery occurred, but how dangerous could the robbers be, targeting a quiet place like District C?

Unlucky timing, causing an incident during what’s essentially a hero gathering. Their luck is really bad.

“…Hey, kids?”

But if we’re talking about being unlucky, perhaps it’s these kids.

As I silently offered my sympathy to fellow villains, I noticed the teacher’s troubled expression on stage.

His gaze was directed at the students who were about to sing.

“You promised.”

Yes, while the parents went off to thwart the villains, their children, coincidentally, didn’t share the same sense of duty.

After all, they had just started elementary school.

“You practiced so hard.”

“Mom, are you leaving again?”

“You said you’d stay all day…”

They were preparing for independence by attending school, but it was still just a preparatory stage.

Seven years old is too young to understand and endure their parents’ circumstances.

Especially after preparing for a long time for today, their disappointment would be indescribable.

“Dad…”

Even precocious Nella was no exception.

Even if she tried to understand, being betrayed in front of her eyes would leave a deep scar.

And panic spreads faster than any virus.

“Uh, kids? Your parents will be back soon, so calm down…”

The teacher, who had previously explained things calmly to the parents, now seemed at a loss.

Yes, soon this place would be filled with crying children.

With that in mind, I thought about plugging my ears for a moment.

-Clap.

The sound of a clap.

It echoed through the impending sobs, drawing everyone’s attention.

-Clap, clap, clap.

Two small hands clapping repeatedly belonged to a petite girl standing among the children.

Compared to the surrounding kids, her body wasn’t particularly large.

The only noticeable feature was her unusual red hair.

But that was only when the focus wasn’t on her.

“Everyone, could you please look here for a moment?”

At the sound of her soft voice, all eyes turned to her.

What they saw were the eyes of a young girl.

And within them, a quality of authority one wouldn’t expect from a child.

“…Moa, are you?”

Yes. It was what is commonly called charisma.

Something I had always admired when I was in the organization.

End of Chapter