Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Finding a Master
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Rafne in a rage was terrifying.
Of course, she wasn't angry at me, but the way she grilled Mary and Emily with those frightening eyes made her look every bit the carnivore.
"…Trying to steal Ken away. …Trying to steal Ken away. …Trying to steal Ken away."
Even after her Rage trait faded, Rafne muttering to herself while gnawing on her nails was downright scary.
If that anger had been directed at me...
A chill ran down my spine.
This situation can't go on.
I'd even faced a life-threatening vibe from Rafne like that.
Having been tormented by Emily recently as well, I'd learned a harsh lesson down to my bones.
I needed to get stronger, and fast.
If I head there now, she'll probably still be around, right?
Right now, I was too weak.
I could pull off bursts of strength with skill and trait hacks, but the risks were huge.
After using Calorie Burn, I had to eat within the time limit.
At this level, I couldn't even protect myself in a pinch.
So, weight loss it was, then.
...Rafne's cooking is just too damn good.
And the portions are massive.
If I tried leaving food on my plate to cut back...
'K-Ken. Why'd you leave it? Wasn't it good? Don't you want to eat it anymore? No, no! Without food, you'll leave me, right? I'm sorry, I'll make it again right now! J-Just give me one more chance...!'
I pictured Rafne trembling in fear.
No choice but to gradually convince her to reduce the portions over time.
That left two options.
Increase my exercise.
And master some techniques.
Repetitive training should unlock skills for sure.
One thing I'd learned from Emily's bullying lately.
Skills that were originally item-based or from skill trees in the game could be acquired here through repeated stimulation.
So, honing swordsmanship would grant a sword skill.
Studying magic would unlock magic skills.
The one person I could definitely train under right now.
That's who I'd come to see today.
"...Pardon the intrusion."
Creeeak.
The rusty hinges groaned as the door swung open.
Beyond it, fresh air and the sweet scent of flowers wafted out.
The place I'd come to was the rooftop of the main academy building.
A sky garden overflowing with blooms.
And there, a black-haired man was watering the flowers.
"...Who're you?"
Found him.
It was one of the main capture targets from the game Academy of Epiris.
Siegfried Gardner.
"You want me to teach you swordsmanship?"
Siegfried Gardner.
A third-year at Dredis Academy, one year ahead of us second-years.
A frontline character with the unique trait Unyielding Will, and as his name suggested, he specialized in the sword.
And just like the devs had named him Siegfried.
He was the man who later earned the title of the Ninth Sword Saint of the Lillias Kingdom, slaying a dragon and gaining the moniker Dragon Slayer.
But the real marvel is his ridiculously stupid unique skill.
He was strong.
Strong enough even now to hold his own against Rafne to some degree.
But in this world where unique skills dictated strength hierarchies.
His skill was a bit... special.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 👤 Name: Siegfried Gardner ⭐ Unique Skill: Watering Flowers 🔸 Unique Trait: Unyielding Will 📝 Description: Possesses a resilient will and strong resistance to mental attacks. His summarized status floated before my eyes.
Were any of the skill designers out to get him or what?
A character blatantly built around the single concept of 'hard work' by the devs.
That was Siegfried.
As if to emphasize he had no raw talent, even his crucial unique skill was the utterly mundane life skill: Watering Flowers.
Thanks to it, the flowers he tended were all vibrant and blooming beautifully.
Of course, it was useless in combat.
Yet he rose to Sword Saint solely through effort.
That unbreakable will and mental fortitude.
The perfect mentor to guide me, push me not to quit.
A diet trainer, if you will.
"Sorry, but I'll pass."
"...Pardon?"
I got shot down clean.
"W-Was it too sudden? I'm sorry. But could you at least tell me why?"
I hadn't expected an outright refusal without hesitation.
Knowing the reason meant I could address it.
And his answer was straightforward.
"I'm not the type to teach anyone. Find someone better."
Yeah, figures. Someone without talent like him couldn't teach.
"What do you mean? I can't think of anyone but Senior Siegfried!"
Plan B: Rafne-style clinging.
No grabbing pant legs, but I'd realized lately.
With Mary, with Rafne.
Persistent begging wears anyone down.
"You know me?"
"Of course! You swing your sword every single day on this rooftop without fail, reaching that level of strength without even a decent skill!"
And people are weak to those who recognize and acknowledge them.
So, sprinkle in some flattery as spice.
"I respect you! I want to get strong through effort like you, Senior!"
"...Hmm."
A desire to grow stronger.
Appealing to that would hit Siegfried's soft spot.
Proof: his once-firm expression softened into hesitation.
But only briefly.
"Sorry. But I don't have what it takes to teach."
Rejected again.
Persistent pleading isn't enough, huh.
I'd hoped he'd accept without other leverage.
Since Siegfried was a main capture target in Academy of Epiris.
I worried meddling might derail the story.
But worst case, go Adrian route.
Yeah. Even if Siegfried and Emily don't build enough affinity.
Emily can pair with Adrian.
The story wouldn't veer too far off.
So.
"What if I help you win first place in this tournament?"
"……."
His blank face shifted.
"...You know quite a bit about me, don't you."
Caution crept in.
Ugh, too direct?
If he refused the request, offer terms he couldn't ignore.
That's why I dangled something tempting.
The mini-event starting in a week.
A small swordsmanship tournament in the city.
"Fine. Let's hear it."
He set down the watering can and led me to a table in the rooftop corner.
"What kind of tea do you like?"
"Oh, anything's fine."
He's got this oddly domestic vibe.
Figured, being a capture target in an otome game.
A simple, aloof guy in an apron? Girls eat that up.
And it worked—Siegfried vied for top character popularity with Adrian.
He soon left to prepare guest tea.
Good, he bit the bait quick.
My offer.
Help him claim first place in the tournament next week.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Mm."
Siegfried returned with tea and snacks, setting a cup before me.
A pleasant aroma tickled my nose.
"So, what exactly are you offering to help with?"
He sat and cut straight to it.
He's desperate, huh.
Siegfried's tournament event was a mini-arc for Emily to build early affinity with him.
A staple for his route since it boosted favor from the start.
Success was simple.
"I'll make you a weapon."
"……."
Provide good gear.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Siegfried's sword tournament event.
It was his first proof of growth toward the dream he'd promised his childhood friend, Elis Grandbel.
"I'll definitely get stronger. And I'll protect you."
"...Yeah."
Having lost family to demon attacks, they leaned on each other.
Elis barely endured days haunted by grief and fear of demons.
For her, Siegfried made that vow.
Together, they toiled into the academy.
But once enrolled, Siegfried realized.
...I have no talent.
He sweated more than anyone, skipped sleep everyone else needed.
Yet he despaired against the academy's natural prodigies.
He couldn't keep his promise to his precious friend.
As he nearly broke.
"I'll help you."
The hand from a familiar second-year underclassman became his salvation.
That hand belonged to protagonist Emily Epiris.
With her aid, Siegfried took first in the tournament and grew fond of her.
Afterward, on Emily's Siegfried route, Elis Grandbel emerged as the main antagonist.
That was the mini-event in a nutshell.
Not that the 'help' was much—just handing over decent gear from inventory.
In game lore, Siegfried couldn't win first without Emily's aid.
Effort-built physical prowess couldn't bridge the skill gap.
Gear filled that void.
And as a bonus, I can level up Item Creation proficiency.
Even if he doesn't teach me, providing a weapon nets a profit.
Now, the question: what weapon to make.
Magic enchantment would be ideal...
Another fact from making Mary's raincoat.
Item Creation proficiency aside, with the right idea, I could craft anything.
So, couldn't I enchant with proper knowledge?
Answer: challenge accepted.
"That's why I'm going to start making all sorts of items from now on!"
"...Ooooh!"
Rafne clapped in excitement at my declaration.
But there's a problem.
"...The issue is, I'm short on key materials."
"Ooooh...."
Basic stuff I could buy at market. My house seemed loaded anyway.
But some materials weren't easy to find.
Like the spirit stone for the raincoat.
Main ingredient for magic items—mages snapped them up on sight.
Fastest way: hunt monsters.
But I was still too fragile.
Farming items via hunting was premature.
The biggest roadblock to my crafting grind...
"Um, Ken... If you need something, want me to get it?"
"Huh? You can do that?"
"Yeah, the family supplies most things. Just ask the familiars—they'll fetch it quick."
"Whoa, thanks, Rafne!"
I grabbed and shook her hand in gratitude.
"Heh, hehehe."
Rafne blushed and giggled shyly.
Come to think of it, the Martinez family was a big name in Lillias Kingdom.
Her being stuck in this tower meant material support was plentiful.
"Then this, this, and oh—this one's a must."
"Caw."
I listed materials for Rafne, who passed them to her raven familiar.
True to a prestigious house like Martinez.
The stuff arrived at the tower in under a day.
Even daily groceries came this way. No wonder everything tasted so great.
Thanks to Rafne, materials were stocked.
"Alright! Rafne, can you help a bit?"
"Yeah! Just say what you need!"
Now, let production begin.