Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm
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Five days had passed since training began.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ A genius poised to astonish the world is teaching you with utmost sincerity. 『Martial Artist』 level has risen! 『Lv.0』 → 『Lv.1』 Two days ago, a status window had popped up announcing that my Martial Artist level had risen.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Endless training has caused your physical potential to break through its limits. 『Potential』 has risen one stage! 『Average』 → 『Awakened』 And just this morning, right after finishing my training session, another status window appeared announcing that my potential had reached the Awakened stage.
But honestly, it didn't stir much emotion in me. The status window was little more than a notification telling me what I'd accomplished.
Back when I first regressed, I was obsessed with every number and letter on it.
No matter how much it felt like I was dying, seeing a message that I'd grown stronger gave me the drive to writhe in joy and push through the pain.
But now? Even when a notification pops up saying I've gotten stronger, it barely registers.
At best, maybe the growth in my physical potential beyond its limits brought a flicker of joy. But Awakened? That's not enough to make a real difference yet.
"The status window doesn't tell you everything."
For example, my Mage level is still 1 right now. That means I'm at the point where I can barely fire off a Magic Missile and put up a shield that shatters after blocking a few arrows.
But in reality, no one in this world could confidently call me a level 1 Mage.
Even though my Mage traits and titles are gone, the research notes from my 3rd regression and the fragments of knowledge from my contracts are still slumbering in my mind. And that's just a fraction of my experience.
Stuff like that doesn't show up on the status window. Even if I suddenly had a wuxia-style enlightenment and mastered Blood Demon Fist in one go, my Martial Artist level would still just be 1.
"It's useless except for figuring out the system..."
The biggest reason was the slump I hit during my 2nd regression. I knew growth slowed as I got stronger back then too, but when the level-ups stopped showing up right in front of my eyes, training started feeling tediously boring after just a few months.
"A few words on the status window don't define me. I have to gain something from the process myself."
Take right now. Pushing my body to the absolute limit with hellish hard training, then recovering with potions—it demands excruciating pain and mental fortitude.
The result? The Arthin who couldn't even do 10 push-ups is gone.
If I went back to the real world, I could probably pass special forces selection.
"Still not enough, though. This is a world overflowing with people who can shatter rocks barehanded."
Sion could probably dodge or slice bullets just by watching them, right? I haven't tested it, but based on the average Imperial Knight I'd seen before, it's plausible.
"What I have over her is real combat experience. To maximize that, I should mix sparring into my routine starting today alongside basic training."
Lin Shaomei should be done with classes soon, so after dinner, I'll ask her for a spar.
...Hm?
I sense someone creeping up behind me stealthily.
'Those footsteps... and that level of presence concealment. Has to be Lin Shaomei.'
Guess she can't help being from a martial folk; the moment I think of her, here she comes.
Should I use the fact that I noticed her early to scare her good?
Nah, if I stay still, she'll probably go for her usual skinship.
"Big Brother! Have you been training well?"
True to form, not disappointing my expectations, Lin Shaomei hugged me from behind with a sudden lunge, startling me.
Honestly, I wasn't startled, but that soft, squishy sensation against my back deserved a reaction, so I jumped in surprise anyway.
"Gah! You scared me! When did you get here?"
Satisfied with my response, Lin Shaomei let go and flashed a mischievous grin.
"I actually just arrived! But looking at your sweat and muscles, I can tell you've been working hard while I was gone~?"
Her slender fingers poked my arm, and my overworked body protested with a twitch in my biceps.
"I'm dying here. Get dinner ready while I wash up."
"Hehe, today's packed full of pressed meat for training, just like always. Eating is part of training, so brace yourself, Big Brother!"
Ever since training started, Lin Shaomei has been packing my lunches.
I'd originally planned to order multiple meat sets from the dorm cafeteria and force them down, but when she heard, she insisted on handling meals herself. Ever since day one, she's been bringing bentos daily.
Preparing portions for five grown men every day, with attention to taste—it's no small feat, but watching her thump her chest and volunteer made it hard to refuse.
'I need to take really good care of Lin Shaomei this regression. Maybe invite her to the Republic Federation for vacation over summer break?'
Every regression, she'd beg to go on vacation to the Republic Federation, but with survival and clearing as priorities, I'd always used summer intensives as an excuse to say no. This time, though, enjoying things moderately is the goal.
Honestly, I want to see her in a swimsuit too. Isn't an academy pool vacation basically canon?
"I'll head to the dorm for the bento while you wash up! Wait for me! Don't follow anyone who offers candy!"
"You think I'm a kid? Hurry back."
While Lin Shaomei waved and headed off, I slipped into the shower attached to the private training room and cooled my steaming-hot body with cold water.
Calling it "attached" is underselling it—it's several times bigger than the Bronze dorm showers, with top-notch facilities. A twinge of envy creeps in.
"Maybe aim for Gold promotion this semester?"
Private training rooms are just one of the tiny perks Gold dorm students enjoy. Is it like the gap between a boarding house and a five-star hotel?
"I've never even seen a motel, let alone a hotel."
Anyway, I was clean in under five minutes.
Post-training combat showers are canon for a reason.
"Fifteen minutes left... maybe catch a quick nap."
Gulping down potions instead of banana milk, I figured I'd spread a blanket on the training room floor.
Sleeping on the floor might get me a lap pillow from Lin Shaomei...
Creeeak.
I'd lain down and closed my eyes when I heard the door open.
'Lin Shaomei back already? Or did I doze off without noticing?'
Yawning and rubbing my sleepy eyes, I sat up and saw who had entered the arena.
But it was someone completely unexpected.
'Why the hell are you here?'
Her silver hair was softly braided on both sides, accented by a decorative blue ribbon that highlighted its beauty. Her slender figure was wrapped impeccably in her cadet uniform.
A golden pendant marking her as the Imperial Princess hung from her graceful neckline. And the absence of lingering regret in those ruby-red eyes—the last time I'd seen them shining like that—reminded me once more that this was a new regression.
"Agnes Ermengarde..."
Another heroine of this novel alongside Violet: the Empire's Second Imperial Princess and the academy's Vice President.
And beyond all those titles, the one descriptor that made my heart ache: my ex-lover from the previous regression, whom I'd parted with.
"You're Arthin Ludwig, right?"
And she was letting me know this was our first meeting.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Seeing Arthin Ludwig's face stiffen, Agnes Ermengarde was certain she hadn't mistaken him for someone else.
He'd just mentioned her name, after all, so this freshman boy clearly knew who she was.
According to the files reviewed by the Student Council, Arthin Ludwig hailed from a minor baronial family even in his own kingdom—a dime-a-dozen noble who wasn't even the heir and would struggle to meet his own royals face-to-face.
Meeting the Empire's imperial family, guardians of the continent? That would be an honor beyond measure. So Agnes decided to overlook his rudeness in staring straight at her eyes without proper etiquette.
"I'll ask again. You're Arthin Ludwig, correct?"
"...Ah, yes. That's me, Imperial Princess Agnes."
Snapping out of it at her repeated question, Arthin straightened his clothes and stood. Only then did Agnes give a small, satisfied nod.
"Since you know who I am, I'll dispense with the formal ceremonies and flowery language."
"I am deeply honored."
Was he nodding stiffly from nerves? He still wouldn't meet her gaze.
Even so, Agnes wasn't offended. Compared to the men who usually leered at her, projecting their inner greed and lust, this boy was properly facing her eyes despite it being their first encounter.
"I've come to you as the academy's Vice President to convey the Student Council's will."
Arthin felt a dizziness different from what he'd sensed with Violet in her refined, gentle tone.
Just like Violet had never antagonized him in past regressions, this was the first time Agnes had sought him out first. Usually, he only met her either because the protagonist dragged him into it or because he went looking for her.
"The Student Council's will...? What is it?"
Let alone something that would involve him with the Student Council...
There was. Arthin suddenly recalled that the Student Council had mediated the violence with Rexton.
"That look tells me you've guessed why I'm here."
"..."
"I won't speak ill of you. Arthin Ludwig, the Student Council hopes you'll cancel this formal duel."
It was a natural progression, really. Scandals on the first day of school weren't ideal for the council or the academy. They'd barely smoothed it over with Jorba as mutual fault thanks to the kingdom's princess and prince on the council.
And since Arthin had rejected the council's settlement and challenged Rexton to a fight, their intervention was as inevitable as an apple falling.
"Why come to me? Why not go straight to Rexton or Sion Idris?"
But he couldn't help feeling annoyed. From his perspective, they were targeting him because he was small-time and easy to handle. He kept his tone civil only because she was Agnes.
"Don't misunderstand, Arthin Ludwig. We're extending you a helping hand."
"A helping hand?"
Agnes nodded with firm conviction. She truly believed this proposal was win-win for him.
"I've heard you've... been training diligently. However, your opponent is a knight from a renowned Imperial family."
"..."
"We don't know the full grudge between you two. But if this goes ahead, you'll be humiliated in front of the entire academy—and you might get seriously hurt."
Agnes's confidence came from her guard knight, who remembered Sion's affairs and had briefed her on Sion's character and swordsmanship.
Sion Idris was a skilled knight, but her fatal flaw was her personality—cruel and sadistic. Given that, she wouldn't just subdue Arthin, who had sullied her master's honor; she'd want to savor it.
"The Student Council is making this proposal out of concern for you. We're giving you a dignified way to refuse this mismatched duel while preserving some honor."
Of course, she didn't mention Teacher Helik's heavy influence in the council's decision. Agnes respected him as her mentor, having grown immensely under his guidance in her first year.
Coming here personally as the council's representative was an extension of that respect.
"No paperwork needed. Just say yes here."
Agnes assumed the freshman would accept. She'd head back, enjoy tea time, and tie up this minor nuisance.
"No."
"Yes, then we'll—...?"
She missed his response for a moment.
It had to be agreement; hearing rejection must've been her mistake—a grave rudeness to him.
"I must have misheard. Could you repeat that, Arthin Ludwig?"
"I said no. Imperial Princess Agnes."
How strange. This bold freshman was rejecting an offer he shouldn't—and had no reason to—refuse.
Thus, despite every reason to be displeased, a small smile unwittingly crept onto Agnes's lips.