Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Midterm Exam
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Exam day.
"...So."
Eliya stared back and forth between me and Yuria with utter disbelief in her eyes.
"I have a ton of questions."
"Ask later."
"..."
She narrowed her eyes and clamped her mouth shut.
Yeah, I get why the vibe feels off. There are plenty of reasons for that.
Just yesterday, the person who'd been walking around fine was now wearing a mask.
The companion I'd brought along wasn't saying a word, just floating text in the air to communicate, and I'd strictly warned her not to come within three steps of me.
And the worst part of it all.
"Into that kind of thing, huh?"
"No."
"..."
"I'm not."
Eliya eyed the 'leash' in my hand, giving me a look that screamed, "Then what's this?"
The leash was still attached to Yuria's neck, so I could see why she was staring at me with half-contempt.
"...There's a reason."
"What's the reason for putting a leash on a grown woman and dragging her around? I'm dying to know."
"..."
No, there really is a reason.
This wasn't even my idea to begin with.
[Th-this was my idea... I suggested we do it this way...]
Eliya's bewilderment deepened at the holy power text Yuria projected.
But this was unavoidable.
'If we don't do it like this, she keeps having these fits...'
I'd managed to calm her down when the devil's fragment had her eyes glazed over, mindlessly trying to approach, but afterward, she developed this near-pathological fear of being even a little away from me.
It got so bad she even suggested the leash herself, just so I wouldn't leave her behind.
"..."
Ugh. I'm scared too.
Walking around like this feels like it strips away any human dignity.
But just looking at the condition for awakening the Gray Devil inside Elnor makes it clear: manifesting the fragment inside the vessel is deeply tied to the person's mental state.
And right now, Yuria's mind is pushed to the brink. If I slip up even a little here, the devil's fragment could manifest fully.
With Fatal Charm, she won't harm me, but considering the White Devil's 'authority,' even one manifestation could derail the entire Chapter 2 catastrophically.
And if Main Quest Chapter 2 fails, that's game over. Death sentence.
"..."
Which means I have to stomach this gut-wrenching embarrassment and keep it up for a while.
'...At least until we meet the Saintess.'
Once I get the Saintess in this exam hall to make contact somehow, her symptoms should ease up.
Considering Yuria and Lucien's 'connection,' it has to happen.
Breaking the curse of severance within five days starts there.
"...Why on earth did you ask him to do this?"
While I was lost in thought, Eliya tossed the question at Yuria.
Hey, I've got an excuse prepped for this.
Skip how the curse of severance hit her 'by accident,' just explain the effect briefly: step within three feet, and she dies.
This leash is calibrated exactly to that distance. Sell it as a way to control it, and we're good.
[...Well.]
Yuria, face flushed beet red as she fiddled with the leash for ages, finally projected some hesitant text.
[It feels so much safer like this, so we agreed to go around this way.]
"..."
[Definitely. It makes me feel way more at ease and secure...]
Cold sweat poured down my back as Eliya shot me a horrified look.
Don't phrase it like that...!
"...That's not what I meant. C-can I explain?"
"..."
Eliya clamped her mouth shut again, staring back and forth between me and Yuria for a long stretch.
It was the most terrifying moment of my life.
"Won't the Tristan Duchess throw a fit if she sees this?"
"...She won't."
She's probably waiting at the 'sanctuary'—the endpoint of this exam—on my request.
Safe to say we won't cross paths until this event wraps.
"...Really?"
Eliya crossed her arms, then eyed us both thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.
"...You won't get seen, right."
She pondered a bit more.
Pondering while showing all these weird tells. Fidgeting her legs alone. Face flushing and paling.
Muttering weird stuff to herself. "Even so, that's too much..." or "Gotta do something to get her attention on me..."
"...Busy?"
"Give me five minutes. Need to think."
"..."
Right.
Then I'll just keep watch for five minutes.
[Gift Related Character Alert]
♥ Elnor Erinarije la Tristan
[ Affection Stage 1 ] >>> [ Affection Stage 2 ]
[ Rewards available! ]
▼ Yuria Grayhauncher
[ Interest Stage 1 ] >>> [ Interest Stage 4 ]
[ Rewards available! ]
Tab to claim rewards.
[ Claiming 'Elnor' gift reward. ]
[ Acquired 'Trait: Gale Wind'. ]
[Mastery Info]
[ Trait: Gale Wind ] [ Grade: Basic ]
[ Current Proficiency: 0% ]
[ Block an opponent's attack at the precise timing to return some damage. ]
[ !Info! ]
[ Confirmed possession of 'Trait: Returning Tide' and 'Trait: Gale Wind'. ]
[ Confirmed 'Trait: Tristan-style Swordsmanship' proficiency at Versatile or higher. ]
[ Raising 'Trait: Returning Tide' and 'Trait: Gale Wind' to Versatile will combine into 'Trait: Inside Gale Wind '. ]
↓↓↓↓
[ Trait: Inside Gale Wind ] [ Grade: Basic ]
[ Unacquired Trait ]
[ 'Parry' an opponent's attack at the precise timing to return a significant portion of damage to them. ]
'...This again.'
Another juicy one.
No wonder veteran players say you grab Tristan-style Swordsmanship if you can—it's packed with gems like this.
Parry at the exact moment, zero damage to me, and bounce some back. Can't go wrong.
Pair it with 'Swordsman's Focus' from Yuria, and nailing the timing gets way easier.
And the other one...
[ Claiming 'Yuria' gift reward. ]
[ Acquired 1 'Skill Copy Ticket'. ]
...This thing.
Got the same reward last time I spiked Elnor's affection quick. Probably the same here.
'Stash this one too.'
Like before, holding it boosts value way more than using now.
'...Don't wanna pull the same stunt as with Elnor.'
Elnor worked for Gray Devil skills, but no need for that with White Devil.
She's just, uh.
A hassle the second she manifests.
Not for nothing she's called the 'Devil of Obsession.'
"...Alright. I've decided."
Snapping out of it, Eliya—thoughts apparently sorted—slapped her cheeks and approached me.
Then.
"Yep."
She grabbed my hand with both of hers.
"...This is my limit. Compromise at this. We go like this till exam's over."
"..."
She said it while clinging to my hand.
Her ears were red too.
"...Teacher, say something."
No.
What the hell am I supposed to say?
"...G-glaring like that won't make me wear the leash?!"
And before I can answer.
What the fuck do you even take me for...?
"...Do what you want."
Too annoying to reply, so I ignore her and pull out the map.
'Target is...'
Sanctuary first. Saintess is likely there. Get Yuria inside safely, and the 'mandatory event' triggers.
And second.
"..."
I smirk at the status window.
The new trait—and its evolved form—shone brightly.
'Eat this up.'
Normally, trait work takes time and grind.
But like rushing proficiency with Yuria before, shortcuts exist.
And one prime example? This 'midterm' period.
"..."
Considering my 'current situation.'
Opportunity to exploit it is guaranteed.
Taking first place, sure.
Veterans never skip burning events like this.
"Oh, prep for that, though."
I tell Eliya.
"Huh? Prep what?"
What else.
"Everyone but us dies."
"..."
●
If asked what kind of guy Dawood Campbell is, Talion would always say 'a scary one.'
From their few run-ins, no better word fit.
Combat power to one-shot a hero candidate, meticulous planning. Hard to believe he's a freshman too.
But apparently not everyone shared that view.
'Scary' checked out, but they were way off category.
"Oh, Dawood Campbell? That super dangerous human trash? They say steer clear?"
"..."
Talion paused polishing his spear and eyed his friend.
"...What's that out of nowhere?"
"Nah, come on. Bet most think the same."
A male student scratched his head and continued.
"Student Council President and hero candidate both hang with him, right?"
"...Yeah?"
"But why would those two? No reason, right?"
"..."
Talion agreed.
On surface, those two would never mix with him. Ever.
Anyone knowing his true worth wouldn't blink if he drew them in.
Unlike Talion, who'd seen it firsthand, regular students—info controlled—could think that way.
'Academy's suppressing it, feels like.'
That's how it seemed to him.
Otherwise, no way a guy like that takes this heat.
Pondering that, the other guy picked up.
"So, rumor is he's got dirt on them?"
"...Dirt?"
"Yeah. Hero candidate, Tristan Duchess—dragged around unwilling? Makes no sense otherwise. And dude's got no friends, always buzzing around deans, headmaster. Suspicious as hell, no?"
The guy spilled it out.
Talion could only bitter-smile.
"...Those two get blackmailed easy? Too forced."
"That's why he's dangerous! Doesn't add up otherwise!"
Talion sighed, brushing his forehead, as the guy ranted on.
"And above all, Professor Griever Lanpelt? Snapped at him mid-class, poof—gone. Asked holy faculty kids, no one knows squat?"
Talion's hand twitched.
Plausible.
Riverback Marquis example: merciless to 'enemies.' High chance he wrecked him.
"Probably had a reason."
Still.
Not the type to do it without cause.
"What, defending him? You could get wrecked too. Everyone's gearing up for it."
"...Gearing up?"
"You know midterm rules?"
Of course he did.
Two days to reach sanctuary in central plains first: top points.
Path lined with illusions, monsters—navigate smart, arrive.
Issue.
"...You saying 'ambush' him?"
Midway, fight other students, steal standard-issue 'necklaces' for bonus.
Brutal format, unchanged since founding under 'law of the jungle.'
Leads to targeted 'ganks' sometimes.
"Mostly Student Council Pres fans, hero candidate stans. Plenty hated him clinging."
"..."
He'd been one.
Talion bitter-smiled, grabbing his spear.
"...Know when or where they strike?"
"Huh? Why? Joining?"
And as someone who'd been through it.
"Nah. Steer clear, guaranteed."
Talion smirked.
'Good luck, poor bastards.'
Can't even guess how bad they'll get crushed.
He quietly prayed for the 'ambush squad.'
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