Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Don't Act Like It's Your Power
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"...Why?"
The same question had swirled around in my head the entire way back.
Behind me, the protagonist dragged her feet heavily. No matter how generously I tried to interpret her expression, it was in no state to inspire positive thoughts.
The plan had gone off without a hitch. I'd shared a delicious meal with the protagonist. I'd even shown consideration by cutting her food for her midway through. And above all, I'd capped it off by coolly covering the bill myself.
I'd thought it would be a pleasant time for sure. So why was she wearing that face? Did the food not suit her taste? Or did I slip up somehow without realizing?
No, deep down, I already had a pretty good guess.
My gaze naturally shifted to Camilla. She still hadn't dropped her icy stare.
If there was one thing in this situation that could have soured the protagonist's mood, it had to be—no, definitely was—something Camilla had done.
Tsk.
At this rate, I wouldn't even be able to give her the gift I'd prepared.
Tucked neatly into an inner pocket against my chest was a small gift box. Inside it lay a special stroke of fortune to aid the protagonist's swift growth.
I'd originally planned to hand it over casually after the meal. But the current atmosphere made that impossible. Still, we made it back to the academy with plenty of time before lunch ended.
"The food was great today. I wanted to treat you, but... oh well."
Her listless voice only made me more uneasy.
"See you in class later."
She trudged away. Once the protagonist's back had receded a fair distance, I turned to Camilla and scowled.
"What did you do?"
"...Huh?"
Camilla tilted her head. She genuinely looked puzzled.
She had no idea she'd upset someone without even realizing it. Or that doing so without awareness made it even worse.
Some people's natures really don't change easily.
※
The academy hid countless opportunities for fortune. Some even led to items usable right up to the game's final act.
Considering the academy was just Act 1, that was an incredible boon. The gift I'd prepared for the protagonist was exactly that kind of item.
They called it the Bracelet of the Ancient Spirit.
Behind a dusty storage shelf in the corner of the academy library lay a tiny space no one would notice.
It was one of the fortunes left behind by the academy's founding ancestors. Clues to finding it were scattered throughout the academy.
The ancestors probably hoped students would savor the romance of piecing them together one by one.
Unfortunately for them, I was the exception. No need to follow hints—I could just go straight there and pluck it out.
"No matter how I look at it, it just seems like a plain bracelet."
A thin, unadorned black band without a hint of color. Small enough that it looked like nothing more than a modest accessory.
But sealed within this bracelet was a spirit that had lived for centuries. It lacked great combat prowess but possessed vast knowledge accumulated over ages.
In the game, it served as a helpful advisor offering various tips and aid. In short, its effect was simple.
15% bonus experience gain.
In an RPG where character growth decided everything, that was an effect you couldn't ignore. Getting such an option early on was practically a cheat.
That's why every guide route advised heading to the library first thing upon enrollment to secure this bracelet.
"I need the protagonist to have this..."
The stronger the protagonist grew, the safer this world became from its threats. This bracelet, at least, had to reach her as soon as possible.
...Hold on.
Did I have to give it to her myself?
For some reason, it felt like I hadn't left a great impression on the protagonist today. But there were plenty of others she already liked, even without me.
The saintess from another class, for one. Or the ever-present art club girl who always hovered near the protagonist.
There was still quite a bit of time before the next class.
The thought solidified in my mind, and I stood up immediately. I set off to find the art club girl.
"What?"
She was lounging on the grass in the academy garden, basking in the sunlight. Exactly like her in-game hobby.
"I don't have anything to say to you."
She frowned up at me. Her expression was downright venomous. Clearly, she wasn't fond of me at all.
"I have a favor to ask."
The art club girl let out a disbelieving scoff.
"Since when do we ask favors of each other?"
"You like Arlensia, right?"
Her face flushed crimson in an instant. The reaction was so transparent it left me momentarily speechless.
"W-what's that out of nowhere?!"
"I'm here to help you."
I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling silence. Her eyes still brimmed with unresolved questions.
I didn't like beating around the bush, so I cut straight to it. I approached her and placed a neatly wrapped box containing the bracelet into her hand.
"...What's this?"
"Found it by chance in the library."
"And?"
Her eyes said, So what do you expect me to do about it?
"There's a spirit inside."
"What?!"
"The spirit said to take it to the Hero."
She looked genuinely shocked. Considering how rare spirits were, it wasn't an overreaction.
"It'll definitely be a big help to Arlensia. I want you to give it to her as a gift."
"What are you even... saying right now?"
"Do that, and you might win some favor from Arlensia."
"...Ha?"
I'd tried to phrase it as gently as possible, but confusion and distrust still filled her eyes.
"You expect me to believe you and hand this to Arlensia? You're not trying to pull some cheap trick again, are you?"
"Cheap trick?"
"Don't play dumb. During that duel with Arlensia last time, you slapped a scroll on before it even started, didn't you?"
So that's what she meant.
It might've seemed cowardly in a normal spar. But that class was the exception.
"Forgot the subject name? Practical Combat."
"What about it?"
"You gonna complain it was 'cowardly' if you die in real combat?"
The instructor had definitely smiled at me then. That look said my actions fit the class's true purpose.
"Real combat isn't like our spars. Win by any means, survive—that's the point of this class."
"What do you know? You're just a freshman like the rest of us this year."
"...Just deliver the gift properly."
No point dragging this out, so I drew a firm line. But my attitude seemed to prick her pride instead.
"You treat scrolls like they're your own power, don't you?"
"...What?"
"Scrolls are something anyone can buy with enough money. Don't act like they're your strength."
"..."
Come to think of it, the art club girl was a mage too. Not on Camilla's level, but quite talented.
Over the years I'd spent immersed in scrolls, I'd realized one thing. Orthodox mages had a particular disdain for them.
Some of the more conservative ones even despised them outright.
"What's wrong with scrolls?"
"What would you do without them? Just a normal human who can't do anything."
Absurd. Assuming a scenario without scrolls nearby was a flawed premise to begin with.
"Scrolls have clear limits. They're just a crutch for the powerless. Nothing more, nothing less."
Pretty bold words. It had been ages since anyone dared hurl such overt insults at me since becoming a Rahel Tani.
Maybe this was the one place in the empire where status meant nothing.
Plus, she was nobility herself, if memory served—a count's daughter, like a Rahel Tani.
"So don't look down on others so arrogantly from on high."
When had I ever acted arrogant? Seemed like misunderstandings had piled up from all sides.
Even so, her words cut too sharply to just let slide.
"We'll see."
My curt reply lifted one of her eyebrows.
"Think not? If Arlensia had held a real weapon instead of a wooden sword, she'd have sliced your paper scraps in one swing."
The art club girl wasn't a bad person at heart, just rough around the edges.
"And if I'd had a proper staff, those scrolls would've been nothing."
Her tone was razor-sharp, devoid of any playfulness. Even as a future Hero Party member, it grated hearing her belittle the scrolls I'd poured years into mastering.
The child I used to be just took it. Powerless, unable to even handle a contract alone.
But now was different. What I'd built, I wanted to defend myself.
I smiled.
Not my usual smile. The kind Roselia would have worn.
"You're the one acting like magic trumps scrolls."
How could I make this hothead rethink scrolls? How could I ensure she never dismissed me so casually again?
What would Roselia do?
She was the most perfect, kind adult I knew. Well, the only adult I really knew, but still.
Roselia would...
Mom would definitely...
"You know what? If we met as enemies in real combat..."
I took a step closer to the art club girl. With a thin smile devoid of warmth, I leaned in and whispered low into her ear.
"You'd die."