Conquering the Gloomy Young Lady 1

Putting on the mask didn't change much. I still ran laps around the training grounds, shoveled down food like there was no tomorrow, and attended magic lessons. I couldn't go to the library myself, but I steadily filled in my knowledge gaps by reading books. All thanks to my new friend.

"Again? Why don't you just go to the library yourself?"

"The librarian sister's scary."

"...?"

The girl twitching her eyebrows was named Leverat. She was my personal book-lending shuttle. A bizarre combo of rabbit beastkin and mage, but since she went to the library every day, I asked her to grab books for me. She grumbled but always delivered.

'Friends really are the best.'

I didn't forget to train River in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my spare time, either.

"Nael! What's next?"

"You already moved all that stuff?"

"Yup!"

"Twelve laps around the training grounds then... no, make it twelve."

But wasn't this girl way too sturdy? Her health stat had to be at least 12 already.

'Am I raising a monster here?'

Like that, a few years passed, and just as the mask was starting to feel natural...

"Light's coming from Nael's hand!"

"You've reached 0th Tier now. Congratulations, Nael."

After endless reading and studying, I'd finally hit wisdom 10.

2.

The sun hung high over the orphanage training grounds.

"Nael! Brought you bread!"

I turned at River's cheerful shout, and there was the usual sight. Brown hair fluffed up with sunlight peeking through the strands. Floppy ears twitching up and down. River wagged her tail as she held out the bread—a very familiar item.

Back in the early game when high-end food was rare, I'd scarf down 30 of these at once to top off health. Now that I was an orphan, they were a rare treat I couldn't get enough of.

"Thanks. Here, take this."

What I gave her in exchange for the bread was a pebble.

The most common item in the world. I'd picked it carefully, and it was pretty shapely, but in the end, it was a zero-cost rock.

"Woooow!!"

But River's eyes sparkled like she'd found treasure, clutching the pebble tight before bolting off.

"Look, I got this from Nael!"

A miracle trade: rock for bread. Divine territory, really.

'This is what charm 20 is all about.'

I tore into the bread and headed toward the murder of crows gathered in the corner of the training grounds.

"Here."

Caw! They swarmed, pecking at the ground.

"Me too!"

I shoved River away as she latched on and made a finger gun, aiming at a crow that met my eye.

"Bang."

Caw? It stared at me like I was an idiot, not budging.

"Play dead."

Caw? The crow just clacked its beak.

"You wanna catch that one? I'll get it for you!"

River's eyes gleamed as she rolled up her sleeves. I quickly grabbed her shoulder.

"Weren't you gonna eat it? Then why spoil the bait?"

"Hold still. I'll show you something cool."

Of course I wasn't planning to eat it. Or watch a crow circus. I was trying to acquire the Taming skill. I'd hit the minimum requirement of wisdom 10, after all.

'Normally you'd type commands in brackets in the chat window.'

Turning a text game into reality threw off my instincts. I focused my mind on the crow and sent my intent like a signal.

'Close your eyes, open your beak, and flop over.'

Flap flap! The crow spread its wings and rolled onto its back.

"Whoa! That's amazing!"

Got it. No need for words, huh?

"Makes sense. Beasts don't understand speech anyway."

"W-Was that to me? I'll play dead...!"

"No! Get up!"

As I hauled River off her back, an idea hit me. Taming worked on beasts with mental commands.

'Beastkin are half-beast, so maybe...'

I slowly turned my head.

"...?"

River tilted her head, panting. Seeing her honest face dripping sweat, I couldn't go through with it.

'I'm the crazy one here.'

I lightly slapped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my own cheek. What I needed was a reliable comrade, not a mindless slave.

"Let's keep practicing."

"I wanna watch too!"

As I kept trying to bond with the crows, a shadow fell over River and me.

"The bad bunny's back...!"

River whispered in my ear. I looked up. Under the blinding sun, twitching rabbit ears came into view. Lowering my gaze, there was a red-haired rabbit beastkin hugging a book as big as herself.

"Ugh. Graduation's in three years. How long are you two gonna keep playing around?"

My book shuttle, Leverat, twitched her nose.

Graduation ceremony. In Dungeon & Fantasy—especially starting from an orphanage—this was an event you couldn't miss. Big-shot nobles from prestigious houses personally scouted talent here. Usually a few sturdy kids from the warrior class, top scorers from the mage class, and some cute ones got picked. Those selected joined a house, got training and support for a few years, and entered dungeons with solid skills. The rest? Straight to the dungeon meat grinder.

"Especially you, Nael. You got a 5 on the basic magic theory exam last time."

"That's average."

"You won't get into a good house like that!"

I didn't really care. Having a backer made the early game easier, sure.

'But that's about it.'

There were 72 houses in Dungeon & Fantasy, each with wildly different vibes. The odds of finding one that fit from an orphanage were slim.

'Back in the game, you could watch unlimited ads and reroll. Not here.'

I remembered skipping those 30-second unskippable ads twenty times to find a house for a strength-mage build. Anyway, other downsides: all dungeon loot went to the house, mandatory kids with a branch family member... Tons of houses had nightmare house rules. Picking wisely was a skill in itself.

'But how do I explain that?'

Thankfully, River jumped in.

"Hey!"

Her tail went rigid.

"Why do you keep yelling at Nael?!"

Leverat looked flustered for a second but pressed on.

"River, you think that's helping Nael? Sister Cecile told us to learn to do things ourselves. She can't help forever."

"I'll protect Nael forever though?"

"That doesn't even...!"

"Nael! Go on! I'll handle the bad bunny!"

Typical commotion. I slipped away between them with my remaining bread.

3. And three years later.

I could finally manage one lap around the training grounds, and I'd grasped the knack for 1st Tier. All the local crows followed me now, too. They only obeyed simple commands, but Taming Lv.1 should count. Today was graduation day.

I slowly scanned the packed training grounds. Emcee on stage, tons of houses represented, refreshments everywhere.

"They even set up a podium."

Pretty big for a rural orphanage. Probably because the imperial family was here.

'What could they want from a backwater like this...'

Rumors said someone from the knight class won a sword tournament. Fine by me—more houses to choose from.

'If only I spot a good fit...'

I started checking the house banners ringing the grounds.

"Let the graduation ceremony begin! First, our thanks to Lady Victoria for gracing us. Glory to the Empire!"

A graceful woman ascended the podium at the emcee's cue. She bowed perfectly, golden jewelry and radiant blonde hair screaming imperial blood. The rowdy crowd hushed instantly.

"Lilian. Be grateful for His Majesty's grace."

The top student from the front row stiffly walked out. Lilian, who'd run laps with River to the end. She stood out, sure, but an imperial scout?

"Congratulations!"

"You're our orphanage hero!"

Cheers like she'd topped the national exams in this village. Everyone beamed—except one.

'Why's that lady scowling?'

Lady Victoria looked displeased, but she vanished into her carriage, so I didn't dwell.

"The glorious sprouts of House Crosel..."

"Heir to Dantalion's will..."

More big names followed, but nothing caught my eye.

'Guess it's the dungeon after all.'

I sighed softly. River, who'd been watching me, spoke up.

"Nael, wanna play word chain?"

"After the ceremony."

"Tch."

Bored, she scratched the dirt with a stick. At least dungeons weren't a worry with River. Purely on physical stats, any house would want her. Yesterday, some house offered to take her—she quietly turned them down. Wanted to stick with me, she said.

"Good girl. You're the only one."

"Me? Why?"

I ruffled her back vigorously. She looked puzzled at first, then melted into it. Dog beastkin in the game followed you forever after a bit of affinity grinding. In reality, it was even cuter.

"Wh-What do I do...?"

Oh right, Leverat hadn't been picked either. I turned and saw her trembling.

"Why'd I fail so bad?"

"Last house now. No pick means dungeon!"

Already? I glanced back at the podium. A middle-aged man in a green cloak rustled forward, stroking his beard.

"Finally, those who'll be the blades of House Kimaris. Oliver, Sikor..."

Leverat shook like a leaf.

"No dungeon, don't wanna go...!"

"...Gaia. That's all."

Applause followed.

"Ah..."

No Leverat.

'She's in rough shape.'

Great test scores, already pushing 2nd Tier—why pass her over? Obvious: beastkin mage. Low wisdom, high strength beastkin traits made it a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hard sell.

'Poor girl.'

Lips bitten raw—not a great sight.

"Don't worry. You won't die in the dungeon."

I patted her shaking shoulder.

"D-Don't say what you can't back up."

"I'll back it up."

"Huh?"

Her eyes went wide at my sudden vow.

"I'll take responsibility."

River was a stellar frontliner. Leverat a solid mage.

'Three's plenty, of course...'

I looked up at the unchosen kids. All parched lips and anxiety.

'Lots of good talent left.'

That spiky-eared beastkin over there, the masked girl. Kids I'd eyed during orphanage life—decent stats.

"I'm not ready, and I don't have savings—"

"Dungeon's where you make money. Me, River, a few more. We'll form a party."

"And I'm still low-level. We should think this through more..."

Leverat mumbled, voice shrinking. I couldn't make out much.

'Such a scaredy-cat.'

Dungeon that terrifying? Well, getting passed over probably felt like a death sentence—enough to break anyone.

"Rest up."

Graduation was wrapping anyway.

"River. Hang with Leverat."

"Eh? She's no fun..."

I left the steaming Leverat and stood to recruit party members.

"We'll wrap up a bit early then. May our honored guests' time be well-spent to the last."

Oh, social hour too.

"Lady Miller?"

"My, Natasha dear."

With the imperial family, big houses galore. Perfect networking spot. The grounds buzzed as crowds formed—a ballroom on orphanage dirt.

I weaved through, approaching my targets.

"What a lovely dress."

"From the south. My husband's business is booming."

Sparkle sparkle. Useless lace and jewels dazzled past.

'Could snag one and no one'd notice.'

Resisting temptation, silence fell for a split second.

'What the—?'

All eyes turned one way. I followed.

The orphanage entrance. A latecomer.

"How tacky. What an outfit."

"Shameless lowborn house."

"Tardy too—reeks of no manners."

Overheard whispers as I passed. I clocked the source: tousled purple hair with pointed ears poking out. Black mask covering half her face. Skin pale to bluish, contrasting sunken red eyes. Her thrown-together clothes screamed free-spirited house...

'No way.'

Black horse on the carriage beyond confirmed it.

'Gamigin house!'

One of the few where I could leverage my charm stat. The continent's one and only necromancer house.

I adjusted my White Mask.