39 - Check
Leaving Diena's office, I'm heading to the Evolution Chamber to scout Trial 2. No matter how the bet with her turns out, it's a win for me. If I lose, I just become her disciple and grow stronger. If I win, I snag the Gray Ash Scattershot—a hidden piece that's only available in the mid-to-late game.
Crossbows are a niche weapon, so legendary-grade gear is scarce and a pain to farm. Getting a shot at it like this? Unexpected honey.
And then there's the item I got from foiling those nagas' plan last time:
[Rarity: S]
The tendon said to have been possessed by Posedaros when it took physical form. It's slippery like water, impossible to grasp firmly, yet unbreakable.
[Combination Item]
Crossbows need sturdy strings by design, so finding a bow body that can handle this one won't be easy. In other words, nothing short of Gray Ash Scattershot, which drops from a Great Demon, will do for the combo.
Of course, a fusion of two hidden pieces like this will have insane equip requirements, but that's what my Gamer trait is for.
Soon, I arrive at the Evolution Chamber lounge and spot a familiar face. The tragic protagonist of Reincarnated Academia: Edwin, completely wiped out and catching his breath.
Clang!
[Edwin Gwynz]
▶[Status Average]: 1.9
▶[Specialties] Sword Mastery (4), Holy (2)
▶[Unique Traits] Tenacity (Lv.3) (Details unavailable)
Executioner (Lv.1) (Details unavailable)
"Tch."
Even lower than mine. I awakened his Executioner trait and everything, but his average is still in the 1s? At this rate, when's he gonna seduce Lilith or take down a Great Demon...
!!
He spots me and glances over.
"Lev... Denek? You here for the trials too?"
The guy still can't remember my name properly. How little does he care? Kinda hurts.
Anyway, looks like he's tackling Trial 1. Feeling exasperated, I throw him a line.
"You gotta try harder, man."
"...Huh?"
"No time for breaks. Go re-challenge it now."
"......"
The guy's got the Tenacity passive. When it triggers, he gets bonus hidden EXP as a sub-passive. Resting now would slow his growth—he needs to keep pushing. What a frustrating dude.
To my half-assed encouragement, he chuckles.
"Sorry, but for underachievers like us, even Trial 1's no joke. You'll probably wipe a few times too."
Acting like my senior all of a sudden, he lays it on cool.
"I hit a wall too. But I won't give up. I've steeled my resolve... I'll clear it by the end of the week, no doubt. That's my promise to Melissa..."
I half-listen while recalling the novel. Yeah, he clears it around now. Right when Edwin's about to quit in frustration at the Evolution Chamber, top student Melissa provokes him—"You think anything worthwhile comes easy? Don't disappoint me"—and he toughens up.
Edwin's currently C-rank, so clearing would make him the first C-rank to do it. Big deal at Clarice Academy—that's when he starts catching the main characters' eyes.
Edwin tells me calmly,
"So you too—don't give up."
"Yeah, good luck."
"No need for that look. I'll clear it before you...!"
"Sure, sure. Hope you do."
I pat the shoulder of this poster boy for shonen manga and head to the Trial 2 entrance.
"W-Wait... Lev Denek? That's only for Trial 1 clearers...?"
"I know."
Leaving mumbling Edwin behind.
* * *
......
Sinatis's gaze lands on the ash-gray haired, black-eyed boy entering. Lev Denek. He's here.
The subject who'd stumped her before, but whom Spirit King Eriel had personally ordered her to monitor.
Just moments ago, she'd gotten word from Professor Diena.
-Honorary Professor Sinatis, cadet Lev Denek will challenge Trial 2 shortly.
-By the way, how'd that cadet clear Trial 1?
Sinatis had struggled to dodge Diena's probing.
-Not, easy, peasy.
But Trial 2's different from 1. This one's about surviving the time limit—no exploits allowed; they've blocked those ahead of time.
A strong heart will sustain you!
Suddenly, Crune Darunhill's iconic line #324 flashes in her mind. Her tiny fist clenches. This time, I won't lose! Sinatis steels herself.
Lev stands before her.
-Come, in.
Sinatis hides her thoughts, speaking calmly.
"Long time no see."
-Yeah.
Was she always like this? Or has the curse lifted, as Eriel said? Not as unlikable as expected. Just a sharp-featured young man.
But Sinatis finds him difficult. Normal freshmen freak out upon learning she's a monster, but he won't.
"I'll enter Trial 2."
No hesitation in his voice. No one's from this intake challenged Trial 2 yet—what's he thinking?
-Doesn't, matter. Focus.
Sinatis shakes off distractions, replying blankly.
-Room, 2-A, open. Go, ahead.
For now, he's an archery hopeful. So A-room for stamina and agility makes sense.
"Got it."
Lev strides straight into the chamber without pause.
-No, hesitation?
His seamless actions unsettle Sinatis. Can't predict his clear method. But the trial's setup is solid. 20 minutes in that room—not easy.
And seconds later...
-Professor.
-!!
His voice echoes inside her.
And then...
-I forfeit.
-Huh...?
Not even 10—no, 5 seconds in. Forfeits lock you out of the same trial for a week, cleared or not. Lev had set his bet with Diena till before the dungeon practicum.
Meaning... it's over. I... won?
Sinatis blanks out in sudden victory.
***
Trial 2 differs from Trial 1's raw strength/magic peak check. It tests four stats, splitting into two rooms. First: stamina and agility. Second: mana and mental fortitude.
Physical types hit 2-A; magic types, 2-B.
Entering 2-A as Sinatis directed, nothing's changed from the novel. Walls riddled with evenly spaced holes... Trial 2 tests focus and endurance. In the vast 2-A chamber, dodge endless arrow barrages from those holes. Similarly, 2-B sprays magic mist—endure with mental fortitude to clear.
▶Strength: 2.6
Stamina: 2.9
Agility: 2.2 (2.86)
Magic Power: 1.45 (1.59)
Mana: 1.7
Mental Fortitude: 1.9
Sensitivity: 1.45
Luck: 3.0
Specialties Circle Magic (1), Crossbow Mastery (6)
But with my agility and stamina? Straight impossible. Need at least 4s to have a shot. And no way to hit that in a week of training.
Guess that's the play.
I knew I couldn't clear, coming in. No status prompt on setup change means it's viable. So I forfeit cleanly.
"I forfeit."
***
"Mana Sensitivity Basics is the process of probing an object's mana in six stages."
Aria Bluebell sits in Professor Harfan's Mana Sensitivity Fundamentals lecture.
"First, clear your surroundings and calm your mind. Then select the area where your mana will interface."
Tough class—mostly A and S-grades sign up.
"Inject mana to explore the object's info, re-scanning the formula. The caster uncovers new data in this process..."
Aria's thorough with prep and review, so no sweat. But her mind wanders.
This dungeon survey practicum...
She has to team with Lev Denek. She's sure. From Selafi Black Dorm head Yeriel—the elder would invite Lev to party, given their ties. So if she asks, she can join too.
'Monsters are different...'
Word from the duel: he was fast but low damage—just enough to stun briefly. But against the rag-wrapped thing? Crossbow hit like a truck, visibly. And post-Ebenbach, slaying some demon with no battle traces.
Meaning one-shot again.
Lev Denek's strong. Maybe stronger than she thinks. But hiding it at the academy. Why? Demon ties?
This time, I'll see clearly...
How much power he's hiding—and if black mana shows when he unleashes.
"Class dismissed. Mana sensitivity demands focus—meditate daily."
As Aria moves for next class, platinum-haired elf Selena appears.
"Aria Bluebell. A word."
...
-Quick potion, one!
At the alchemy stall selling drinks for mana-deficient cadets, the two face off in the break room.
Two beauties rumored at Clarice. Difference? Selena's a head taller.
-......
Same A-grade, but only link is Lev Denek. Post-Gailon duel, Aria healed Lev and Selena then dipped. Selena just taught him archery. They barely nod.
Selena speaks first.
"You close with Lev Denek?"
Tough question for Aria. But binary? No.
"Hard to call it close."
Selena nods, cuts to chase.
"Good. Straight talk: stay away from Lev Denek."
"...May I ask why?"
"He's dangerous."
"Agreed."
"......"
Aria's instant agreement throws Selena. But she presses on.
"One request."
"Go ahead."
"For the dungeon practicum, I'm teaming with Lev Denek. So..."
"Selena, sorry, but me too."
Selena sighs at Aria's firmness.
"Aria Bluebell, I have something critical to confirm..."
"Same here. Apologies."
"......"
Somehow, a subtle standoff—no input from the subject.
-Hey! Bought potion...
-Ah, sorry...
A male cadet backs out, closing the door.
Selena laughs wryly at the absurdity.
"No way... you don't have feelings for Lev Denek, do you?"
"...?"