43 - Dungeon Survey Practice: Kaeran His

Kaeran His.

Toughness reduces critical hit damage taken and boosts accuracy. Intimidation deals bonus damage to the weak. Massacre stacks combo buffs and stat gains on kills. Immunity resists all status ailments. Combat Recovery steadily restores health in battle. Serendipity uncovers unintended benefits wherever he goes. And growth accelerates all of it. Finally, the power creep culprit itself—the ultimate cheat skill, Copy...

They go on about his dynamic vision and whatever, but it's all author self-insert favoritism. A ridiculous ability that lets him copy and use any skill from an opponent mid-battle. Can't see the fine details on the rest, but that's the gist.

Kaeran couldn't seem to believe I'd cleared the chamber. His usual trademark ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smirk was nowhere to be seen.

A moment later, he sidled up to me with a scoff, like it was all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a joke.

"Hold it, both of you. Enough."

As expected, Melissa stepped in.

"Lev Denek! It's been what, days since your last duel? You know duels come with a two-week ban."

"Aw, too bad."

I feigned disappointment, and Kaeran's face twisted—what kind of asshole is this guy?

I knew, of course. Duel him now, and I'd lose. Badly.

Still, I'd pushed because:

—Chamber, fights, no-go.

First: Sinatis. Call out Kaeran's monster attitude toward the professor, earn her minimum favor.

"Knew it."

Kaeran smirked like he'd expected as much, leaning in casually.

"Grade B, Lev Denek, right?"

"And?"

"Rank matches. I'm nominating you. Don't run when the time comes."

"Suit yourself."

Second: This. Canon has him facing Edwin first in ranks. But with his current stats, Edwin loses for sure. And it's not just the loss—Kaeran Copies Edwin's protagonist-exclusive [Executioner's Sword]. From there, the growth gap explodes, turning Edwin into Kaeran's sidekick till the end.

Kaeran then picks off heroines one by one, plants harem flags, and solos the story.

Can't let that happen.

Better I end it here than let Edwin lose his cheat skill and force a Kaeran ending.

After accepting Kaeran's duel challenge, I dragged my weary body back to Selafi Black Dorm.

Opening the door:

"...?"

Black hair, black robe, primped and proper—a woman. Lilith was there. Yeriel stood behind her, tense.

"Junior!"

She scampered over, then hesitated like a puppy greeting its owner. More like a dog-cat hybrid.

I asked in a cold tone.

"Why're you here?"

"W-Well... because of you, Junior..."

"Sigh."

—Swoosh.

"!"

I casually brushed Lilith's hair behind her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ear, whispering just for her.

"You failed."

"No! I can do better. One more chance..."

"I don't need people who don't listen."

"S-Sorry, Junior! I'll listen...!"

"I told you not to come unless called."

"Sorry, I'm sorry..."

Maybe holding off the curse of agony with sheer willpower broke her. She'd fallen in a whole new way.

"Don't come till I call."

"Y-Yes..."

"..."

For a second, I swear I saw hearts in her eyes.

"I'll wait... Junior..."

Must be my imagination.

—Clunk.

Lilith left the dorm. Better than her canon rampage wrecking the academy and dooming everyone. For her, this is a happy end.

And...

"...Dinner's not cold yet, right?"

Yeriel forced a smile to lighten the awkward air.

—Clink.

Only the sound of cutlery between me and Yeriel.

Since the duel, things had cooled between us. I'd told her not to pay me attention till she succeeded with spirit communion.

Couldn't force affection on her either. Realizing her feelings triggers her Taicheonsa Transformation curse—black wings, dark powers.

A third-rate like me? Slim chance she'd fall for that. Still, better safe. Plus, she and Edwin need to pair up canon-style to grow. No room for a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠side character like me.

Yeriel spoke first.

"Lev...! Congrats on the duel win."

"Thanks."

"Glad you're not hurt."

"Yeah."

Dry responses from me. Even now, reaching out first? She's too damn kind. Always think it.

"You know that first-year Edwin?"

"Yeah."

Know him well. I'm the one who bullied him.

"He shows up at the training hall every day without fail... Isn't that amazing?"

"Sure is."

Good—first meeting with Edwin went canon. She takes a shine to his diligence and invites him to her party for this dungeon survey.

"And me—I did it. Communion with an upper spirit. Success?"

Already? Early, but...

Wanted to congratulate her sincerely, but kept my tone flat.

"...Nice."

"Yeah!"

Silence again.

Yeriel set down her utensils, called my name softly.

"...Lev."

"...?"

"You said I could come once I succeeded with spirit communion?"

Oh right, that promise was still on? Like this?

—Swoosh.

She held out a single sheet.

"Will you... join? So you can watch from the side...?"

After the chamber incident and Yeriel's party invite, days passed quietly.

Those eyes—like she might cry any second.

No reason to refuse her stubborn plea.

Dungeon survey practice is a main event—raid boss shows up. Nail it, and we score big.

Prepping: Training hall non-stop outside classes.

Edwin did this daily, huh.

Rewards came quick from the grind.

Momentum built—the crossbow felt like an extension of my body.

—Twang!

'Finally...'

Level 7 achieved. Gamer trait gave crossbow bonuses—impossible climb for a trickier bow.

Perfect timing too—Diena said today for Scatter Shot.

—Whispers.

Suddenly, female cadets behind my target, gossiping.

Change from before: A few now glance at my training.

They scatter quick when they hear "That's Lev Denek?"

Adapting to this world? Meh, no big deal.

Selena shows in the range sometimes, watches like day one, but ghosts without a word.

Wind Archery, probably.

Confusing for her—her own style, and questioning its "color" per Diena.

No need to explain now. Actions over words. Events ahead to clear misunderstandings, if I keep this distance.

"Training, I see."

Familiar voice. Aria. Neatly pinned hair, priestess robes—major class today.

"Thanks."

Lately, she visits mid-session, infuses holy power for fatigue recovery. Healer's oath, like Doctors Without Borders?

"Coming a lot lately."

"Repayment..."

"Huh?"

"The chocolates you gifted. Repayment."

"Oh, those."

Post-Gailon duel, we'd eaten out off-campus. Gave her two boxes of Rudis chocolate—she loves it.

No deep meaning. Curious from settings, couldn't hog 'em.

Her holy care outweighs two boxes, though? Odd, but recovery done—I gripped the crossbow again.

"Glad you liked 'em."

"Yes, delicious..."

"?"

"...They were delicious."

Her usual curt tone, but averting eyes, hesitating—sincere.

Pitiful sight; I muttered unwittingly.

"Yeah. Too harsh on a chocolate lover like you."

"...Pardon?"

"Ah."

Slipped out. Orphaned young, raised in nobility—bad chocolate memories for her.

Switched gears fast.

"N-No, forget it. Here for the usual, right?"

"...What?"

"Gonna say you're watching me. Join my party."

"......"

Just a guess, but she didn't deny.

"Here."

Handed her Yeriel's party form.

"...This."

Main event riskier than rags. Might as well stack protagonists, support Edwin.

Aria essential for that.

"Sign."

"......"

She took the pen, stared forever.

Hates it? Added:

"Not forcing you."

"Mr. Lev."

"?"

Aria looked up, those azure eyes locking mine. Whispered softly.

"Are you... a good person?"