30 - Selena
Grinding proficiency in Reborn Hero wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs. Sure, there were players who maxed out every bit of proficiency in that range, learned all the skills, stocked up on gear and consumables before moving to the next stage—but I wasn't quite that hardcore. Still, I agreed on the proficiency grind. It cost nothing, and a bit of steady farming put you in optimal shape. Rushing ahead and hitting game over? That wasted way more time. So, putting real effort into proficiency work was one of my playstyle tenets.
And that conviction was starting to shift. Toward 'proficiency grinding is just bullshit.'
"Tilt your head back more."
"Chin up."
"Control your ring finger better."
At some point, the elf archer Selena had switched to casual speech and was barking orders at me. It suggested some internal rapport had built up... but damn, I was feeling just how convenient mashing keyboard keys in-game had been. My fingers were starting to throb, my arms losing all sensation like some balloon doll, and I finally hit my absolute limit.
"H-Here... that's it."
It came out like someone who'd dumped every stat point into Luck instead of Strength. I collapsed in place, quietly catching my breath, and Selena approached with a small sigh.
"No need to get discouraged. You've grown a little."
"Nah, it's not that... haa."
Not discouraged. Just exhausted as hell. And this was with a crossbow—no drawing the string, just holding position. I'd heard archers needed Strength too, but not this much... Yet Gailon Sharptee, that elf with no talent for close combat despite calling my form ungraceful, suddenly seemed like a total idiot.
Crossbow Proficiency (5)
Exp: 45/100
She was spot on—I'd grown. Filled it all the way to 45 proficiency. In Reborn Hero, you couldn't grind past level 5 with simple repetition. To block macros, from 5 onward, you needed real dungeons or specialized instructors.
Status Average: 2.4
Specialty: Bow Proficiency (7)
Unique Trait: Composure (Lv. 3) (Details unavailable)
In that context, Selena outclassed me on bows by a mile, more than qualified to teach. Even just scanning with my gamer's eye, she matched Gailon at proficiency 7. Wind Archery needed 6 to learn. Luck had pushed me this far extra; without it, I'd be shipping off to Hellweek. Meaning: suck her dry while she's here. Half today, half tomorrow? Two-day clear.
"Let's go again."
"...You'll burn out."
She looked surprised I'd push this hard.
* * *
"I'm dying..."
Pushed too far at the end. Selena knew my body better than I did. Should've quit when she said stop. Training ramped up to near-real combat now—sparring matches. Practice arrows were blunt and tip-less, with protective gear, so no major injury risk, but like getting soaked in drizzle, my whole body screamed in pain. If Aria hadn't swung by mid-session for heals, I'd have been pincushioned.
"Everything hurts..."
Finally, past midnight, heading back to the dorm. Since the overnight stay, I'd agreed to pigeon-post if I'd be late for personal reasons. This was less Yeriel's personal interest in me and more her dorm warden duties. Sure, I was third-rate, but still a Clarice cadet. Her dorm had only me anyway, but she was the supervisor. Public and private separate.
-Creak...
But there in the lobby was Yeriel Artina, whom I'd assumed asleep.
"You're back..."
She rose from the rocking chair with a tiny yawn. Unless a freshman was incoming at dawn, she'd waited for me.
"Lev, sit here a sec...?"
She gestured to the sofa opposite her spot. Duel rumors reached her? She handed me fragrant tea and asked carefully.
"I heard. Duel this weekend...?"
Spot on.
"Yeah."
"...Aren't you scared?"
Unexpected. Not why the duel or regrets—just scared?
"It's not a monster. No."
"I see. But he's upperclassman, archery club vice-captain... too dangerous."
Her worry was genuine. She seemed to vaguely know how Gailon fought. A second-year who'd skipped grades on skill, top student—easy to gauge.
"Won't end easy. Forfeit now..."
"Sorry, but I don't plan to lose."
"Eh...?"
I knew why she fretted. First, her kindness didn't discriminate. Second, my demerits: 49 points. In this meritocracy, duel responsibility fell solely on participants. Troubles got pinned as loser's demerits. Lose, and expulsion loomed. Her worry as warden—losing her first dorm student stung.
I raised my voice like a third-rate villain.
"Responsibility's on the individual. Academy duel oath, right?"
"..."
Cringy, but true.
"Focus on your duties over my mess, Yeriel."
"Eh...? Y-Yeah...?"
"Midterms soon."
"Right..."
"And per Clarice custom, you'll lead as Elder soon."
"Yeah."
She nodded, accepting. Reasons for boundaries: As a second-year, she'd meet Edwin as party Elder in the upcoming dungeon practice arc. Canon: Despite elemental sorceress status, she'd manifest and bond spirits. Chapter 2: Edwin awakens to elements, Yeriel regains confidence—growth cornerstone. Her harmony magic needed intense focus and time. Too many mana combos; wasting on me risked spirit bond failure. Plus, key to my Wind Archery unlock. For my sake, she must succeed.
I drove it home.
"You've got your plate full—no need for pity. Easier for me too."
"N-Not just pity...! Injury's risky. Just worried. Sorry if I offended..."
Angel? Scolds like a third-rate baddie, she apologizes.
"Sorry for meddling. Still, I think you'll win, Lev... So, can I cheer?"
"Do what you want. I'm beat."
"...!"
Third-Rate Push-Pull!
Side Character Points +10
I left her lost gaze and oblivious status window, heading upstairs. My heart wasn't light, but her focus belonged on Edwin. Unlike Aria and Selena growing with me, Yeriel—main heroine, wife position—powered up via Edwin interactions. Her Reborn Academy downfall from reduced screentime? Waffling between Kaeran and Edwin. Couldn't watch that again.
* * *
Next day, Clarice Academy archery training hall. Duel in twelve hours, I'd finally hit Crossbow Proficiency 6. Aria's periodic check-ins with fatigue heals turned me infinite engine; Luck cheated the grind.
Never again. Hell no.
My master, Selena, flawless as her skin and hair. Cool verdict:
"Passable now."
"...!"
I cheered inwardly. My target: bolts clustered dead-center. She'd hammered me mercilessly. Minimum to satisfy: proficiency 6. 5 to 6 to 7—looks like one step, but oceans of time and sweat condensed.
"Rest up. Rest is training too."
"Planning to."
We'd warmed up. Or I felt so. No chit-chat—just shoot, correct, repeat. But comradeship? Master-disciple bond?
-......
Awkward silence again. Time to pack. Training over.
Then:
"...Tomorrow."
Her two words packed volumes. Good work getting here. You gave it all, grew more than expected. But you won't beat Gailon. Regretful about that. Roughly.
She foresaw bad outcome, trailed off.
I grinned openly, tossing a joke:
"Never learned Wind Archery after all."
She smiled—just a flicker, silent.
"Truth is, I never learned it either."
"Gotcha."
Knew it, but played cool. Not learning Wind Archery was her semester-one secret. Her opening up. Surprised by my nonchalance, her face turned enigmatic.
"Still."
"...?"
Natural timing—I extended my hand.
"Thanks. Good work."
Surface: handshake.
Lv. EX (Active) (Ultimate Skill)
Expend all mana to dispel curses up to 8th grade. (1 use)
Exp: 0/0
Acquisition Difficulty: Hard
Inside: Curse removal via... body contact. Knew the method, but it took time and materials. Gamer skill? Handshake sufficed. Interaction skills needed mutual consent—no one-way—so handshake it was.
-......
Heart pounding, I calmed, awaiting her move.