Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Self-Introduction
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A few days later. At the convenience store.
Aila was slumped over.
"Uuu..."
Well, "slumped over" wasn't quite the right way to put it, but she had face-planted onto the table and was lost in thought.
Hmm. It wasn't often that she looked this troubled. She was usually such a bright girl.
Still, if she was wrestling with something this big, there had to be a good reason.
Ah, no way...
"Aila."
"Yeees..."
"Did monsters show up in the mines again? Or did something happen with the Trista family finances?"
"No... It's not something like that. We're actually making more money."
Oh. So that's not a big deal to her.
"Then what's the problem?"
"Uuu... How can I raise my magic power?"
Aha.
This was a more serious issue than I'd expected.
Even historical records made no mention of anyone ever increasing their magic power.
The common wisdom was that magic power was a matter of talent—a stat bestowed by the heavens, unchanged throughout one's life.
Even by my standards, having uncovered every hidden element, the only way to boost it came in the mid-game.
By conquering the trial left behind by the founding emperor and claiming its reward.
It was brutally tough—practically a death wish—but not entirely impossible.
How tough was it?
"You've got until next year, right?"
"True, but..."
Even I wouldn't want to tackle it this year.
Hmm. But it seemed like a pretty big deal to Aila.
"If it was just brutally hard, I could challenge it. But there's no history of it, no clues at all. That's what bothers me."
"Ah. So that's the issue."
No one had raised their magic power stat in the past three hundred years, and that uncertainty didn't sit well with Aila's nature.
"Isn't searching for clues like that basically treason?"
"...Isn't that an adventure?"
"...Are those different?"
"Of course they are. Treason is boldly defying a clear authority. It's not about chasing utter mysteries. If there was even a hint, it'd turn into treason somehow..."
I see. So they are different.
It's complicated.
"You're doing both adventures and treason, Wolfram, so no wonder you're confused. Can't be helped."
"There is a clue."
"R-Really?!"
Aila shot up from her seat with a thud, her eyes wide and sparkling as she stared at me.
"It's also true that no one's found it in the past three hundred years. Don't get your hopes up too much."
"C-Can you tell me what it is?"
"The progenitors of magic are dragons. No one but our great ancestor could rival them in magic."
"...Aren't dragons mythical creatures?"
"The imperial archives briefly describe the purpose and creation of Jefrin Academy. And within them are records handwritten by our great ancestor. That's how we learned about Patrascheu and the fairies' paradise."
"Ah. So maybe in there..."
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a lie.
In the original story, Eve discovered it and took a major step toward uncovering Jefrin's secrets.
"Hmm. It says there's a blue dragon at the heart of the desert region, guarding that land on orders from our great ancestor."
"Whoa... And?"
Aila's eyes sparkled like a child's listening to an adult's adventure tale.
In the main story, the text probably went something like this...
"'Cross the desert in pursuit of the dragon's legacy alongside a true heir. At the desert's end lies the blue dragon's lair. Seek her out and request her trial. Overcome it, and you shall claim what you desire.'"
"......Whoa! Treason!"
I had no idea where "treason" fit into what I'd just said, but Aila's eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. She clenched her fists under her chin, bobbing up and down with a beaming grin.
"Anyway, let's interpret what this tale means."
"There's a dragon in the desert, and as befits the founding emperor's design, you need imperial bloodline to go with it. Meet the dragon, request the trial, overcome it, and the dragon grants your wish. Right?"
"......Yeah."
She's smarter than I thought.
"So it's treason!"
Not as smart as all that.
"Can you explain?"
"The desert is super hot and grueling—hard to even cross. And you have to complete it too?"
"Right."
"But it says you need a true imperial bloodline for this adventure, right? From the story, you have to solve the trial with that bloodline."
"...Yeah. Correct."
"So the only one with that bloodline in this academy who I need to go with is—"
She had a point.
I'd hoped Eve and Aila would team up for it anyway.
"Right, Eve..."
"You, Wolfram!"
"......?"
How did you arrive at that conclusion?
What's the basis for that judgment?
"Wouldn't Eve have better odds?"
"I've never done treason by calculating odds!"
"......"
"Wolfram. I want to do it with you! The adventure, the treason! That's my conviction!"
"Ah, I see."
What a helpful conviction!
"The trial. We'll walk that brutal path together. Treason!"
With that, Aila hesitated for a moment before asking,
"...You'll come with me, right?"
"Hmm."
Considering the dragon's trial opened in the mid-fifth act story-wise, there was time.
"It won't be easy."
"Thank you, Wolfram!"
Before that, I needed to power up Aila Trista first.
I had no clue how Act 3 would unfold without the boss, but there were plenty of things to handle beforehand.
"First, we need to raise some stats."
"Your stats, Wolfram?"
"Yeah. I need to learn some extra skills. And low stats will always put you at a disadvantage eventually."
"True. Even our little peep overcame his stats with Half Berserk, right?"
"Yeah. So I should prepare to boost a few of mine soon."
"Stamina, obviously?"
No.
Something else.
Doubt it'll go up anyway.
At the same time, Milmyu von Sabre was taking her top student exam.
'The written part isn't as hard as I thought.'
Strictly speaking, it wasn't an exaggeration to say the top spot was already hers.
Eve von Loengrin had practically nominated her.
That's why the written exam wasn't too tough.
Of course, this was just the faculty's misconception—Eve didn't particularly care if she took first or not—but the misunderstandings and privileges piled up, making Milmyu's written test easier than expected.
'There must be a miracle in the pen Senpai gave me. Makes my brain smarter or something?'
Of course, Milmyu didn't know the truth either, so she fancifully imagined that the black ballpoint pen in her hand and the remaining 14 colors neatly in her case were blessed by Wolfram von Loengrin. No one was harmed by it, so it didn't matter.
"I've finished the written section."
"Yes. Good. Now for the practical. You know how it works?"
"Yes."
Milmyu knew this professor well.
'The one from my first spar with Kelters. He teaches basic defense.'
Back then, he'd heavily favored Kelters, but now he spoke to her politely.
The treatment had changed dramatically.
And Milmyu knew it wasn't because she was just that good.
No... putting aside how amazing she was, earning the moniker 【Iron Fist】, getting to take the year-top exam—it was all thanks to Senpai Wolfram.
So she let the dizzying privilege sink in for a moment, then ignored questioning its validity.
No matter how others treated her, what she had to do never changed.
Heading to the arena, Milmyu equipped her fists with the 'Cartridge-Style Peep Punch Mark 1 No. 2 Founder's Edition.'
It was lighter than before, auto-recharged up to three shots, and easier on the joints.
"So that's the artifact made by His Highness the Prince. Impressive."
"...Yes. I think so too. Hehe."
Ignoring the professor's attempt to butter her up by praising Wolfram, Milmyu answered honestly.
As she warmed up in the arena, a sudden question popped into her head.
"Professor. Who's my practical opponent?"
"The other student taking the top exam with you, Milmyu. Here she comes."
Following the professor's gesture, she saw a red-haired boy approaching.
How could she forget that face?
Defeating that boy was when her life started changing.
"Kelters."
"...Hey. Sabre."
His eyes were a bit duller than before. His voice low and subdued.
Milmyu's body twitched.
Her previous win had been pure luck.
She'd happened to learn how to beat a magic swordsman, and without Wolfram's precise guidance, she'd have lost.
"Looks like you're my opponent, Kelters."
"Yeah. This time... I won't lose."
His intensity made her shiver slightly.
But it didn't matter. She crunched down on the special snack hidden in her molars—Senpai's homemade treat.
"Mmm. The best flavor, as always. With Senpai's cooking, I can push through anything."
"What're you talking about?"
Milmyu shook her head at Kelters' confusion. Senpai's snacks always made sappy words spill out unbidden. Pure, probably. His fooded everyone.
"Ah. Sorry. Just muttering nonsense."
"Not nervous?"
"Nope."
"......Huh?"
"Why would I be?"
Milmyu stated it plainly, uncharacteristically firm.
But it was the truth.
Feeling her cartridges load, Half Berserk, minor agility boost, focus enhancement, and Heavy Strike buff humming through her, she pulled her fist back to her body and murmured low.
"Once you've surpassed someone, they're no longer an obstacle."
"What?"
"I've already beaten you once, Kelters. Tripping over you again... means I can't move forward."
"Right. Got it. I'll fight for real."
"Yes."
And so the duel for the first-year top spot began—with Milmyu's calm, unwavering words and her bold, unhesitating steps.
Ehehe! Aila skipped off, and I returned to jotting notes.
"Dragon's Trial."
Honestly, it's insanely tough. I even wrote "Start from Playthrough 2" in mynotes.
But the desert was far off, no need to go yet. Strictly speaking, I was beyond second playthrough level.
Gear setup, resistances and immunities tuned, some bomb items crafted, potions stocked hardcore... maybe half a year?
"Gotta master skills in the meantime."
It wasn't just the promise with Aila.
Honestly, Vitality 2 was way too low, and the rest were curse-level.
No matter how much I leaned on skills and imperial authority, low base stats meant danger anytime.
"Act 2 boss is coming soon. Tell it to handle itself, snag the reward."
The best way to gain extra skills or stats was, of course, monopolizing.
Not new map unlocks or skill item pulls, but clearing each act's boss fight.
"Doable."
Like getting the beginner set from Zolf last time. Devouring Act 2 boss items might spec me up fast.
"Act 2 boss is Interest Seed. Black Flag executive... Hmm. Too many variables."
Back then, the unavoidable conditions were 'year-top' Kelters, 'student council president' Eve, 'magic merchant' Regina, and 'Jewel Sword' Isolde.
Kelters as year center, Eve as imperial and president. Magic merchant and Jewel Sword as magic and knight division tops, student tournament Magic Craft and Martial God winners.
Basically, it was a 'high-society assassination' targeting celebs.
"But the year-top isn't Kelters now."
That's why I couldn't pin down the target.
If I knew that, I could handle it cleanly.
As I pondered the boss, the convenience store door creaked open.
It was already evening. Who...?
"Milmyu."
"Hello, Senpai."
"......"
I couldn't speak.
Battered gauntlets. Slightly frayed hair. Scratches everywhere.
The girl who'd mentioned her top exam today showing up like this... meant a fierce battle.
And.
"Here to return the gauntlets."
The radiant smile on her face showed she'd rin that fight.
So the words I needed weren't a question.
"Milmyu."
"Yes?"
"Well done."
"Yes, Senpai. I rin fair and square!"
"Good. Then shouldn't you reintroduce yourself?"
"Huh?"
"Besides 【Iron Fist】, you've got a new title now."
"...Ah, haha. Yes, Senpai."
Milmyu beamed brighter than ever.
"First-year General Division. 【Iron Fist】 Milmyu von Sabre. As of today, 【Year-Top Student】!"
Her clear, unclouded eyes fixed on me, as if she'd never let go.