Chapter 24
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Promotional Activities (2)
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After the entrance ceremony, the newly enrolled students were all guided to a classroom.
It was a classroom with tiered seating, a common sight in academy novels.
It was just on a slightly larger scale.
"Pamela, let's sit here."
"Y-yes!"
As Pamela and I sat in the front row, I checked the reward in my inventory while waiting for the other students to take their seats.
A Rare Item Box.
[Rare Item Box: You can randomly obtain one of a selection of rare items.]
'Gacha again?'
For some reason, it felt like there were more gacha elements in this world than in the Lu-Fan game.
'Lu-Fan didn't even have random box gacha!'
No, there was the so-called "accessory synthesis," where you would grind an accessory of the same type to get a new one if you didn't like its sub-options.
But there was no gacha with such a vague description as this.
I couldn't open it here, so I decided to open it when I was alone....
'I can finally get Severing Spear.'
I had obtained 1 point from defeating the bandit captain Rubid, 2 points from defeating the Red Half-Moon Bear, and 2 points from clearing the quest that I considered the main quest.
In total, I had obtained 5 points and could now get Severing Spear.
Since I had Penetration, I could deal with any mediocre skills by using Spearmanship Mastery.
'But an area-of-effect skill is different.'
Spearmanship Mastery could only attack enemies that were close.
If I was attacked from a distance or surrounded and swarmed, it would be difficult to deal with them.
That's when an area-of-effect skill like Severing Spear was needed.
Looking at the magic Pamela used, it seemed possible to reduce the power by adjusting the amount of magic power, and unlike the game, it could also be used consecutively.
If I was lucky, even the skills that existed in Lu-Fan could be applied in various ways in this world.
The fact that Nail of Shattering was helpful in skinning was one piece of evidence.
'Severing Spear is a giant spear falling from the sky....'
I might be able to make the attack reach a distant enemy by dropping it from the sky or by adjusting the angle of its fall.
In any case, to test such things, I first had to obtain it, so I immediately opened the skill window and learned Severing Spear.
And then.
[Severing Spear (絶槍) (F): A giant spear filled with power falls from the sky, blowing away surrounding enemies. Points required to level up: 5]
'Are you serious?'
My head throbbed at the sentence that was added the moment I learned the skill.
I had expected it.
Penetration also had an (EX) mark, and Mastery had its own unique (MAX) mark.
But I had thought that was because they were the so-called "special perk" skills I had chosen from the game.
I never thought that a rank mark and the required skill level-up points would appear as soon as I learned it.
And to top it off, it was points.
In the game, you could level up with the materials that dropped from defeating monsters or field bosses.
But not here.
To raise a skill level by one, you needed the same number of points as when you first learned it.
It would have been nice if it had only taken 1 point, at least for leveling up.
Reality was not so kind.
Other than this main quest that was given right away, the points I got were probably from defeating captain-level monsters and accumulating achievements.
If I could get points every time I defeated the same type of captain monster, the difficulty of learning would be greatly reduced, but.
'It would be a headache if it was only given the first time you defeated it....'
Lu-Fan had many types of monsters, but it was uncertain if that would be enough to get the stats and skills needed to defeat the Demon King of Chaos.
"M-Mr. Shih-han?"
Pamela called out to me as I was deep in thought.
"What is it?"
"Um... y-you don't look well. Is something wrong?"
Oops.
It seemed the trouble I had faced after getting the Severing Spear skill had shown on my face.
"No. This is... a mix of anticipation and worry."
"A-anticipation and worry?"
"Anticipation for what the classes at the renowned academy will be like, and worry about whether I can keep up."
"Ah, I-I see. But... I-I never thought you'd have such worries, Mr. Shih-han."
"This is a first for me too. So I naturally became worried. Was it the same for you, Pamela?"
"Y-yes! Hehe, other than medicinal herbs, insects, and the magic I learned from my master, I-I don't know anything. I-I'm nervous and trembling even now, wondering if I can keep up with the high-level classes that the nobles also attend."
"I see."
For the record, it was true that I was worried about the classes.
In the game, the protagonist's class scenes were just briefly shown with the white text "[Attended Class.]" on a black background, and then you would immediately take on a quest or hunt monsters.
I didn't even know what classes he took.
According to the lore, as long as you could prove your growth, there were no separate exams for each class you took, but.
'I'm anxious about whether this game setting for the user's convenience has been applied to this world as it is.'
If the common class I had to take was history.
And if I had to take pop quizzes or regular exams, it would be a huge pain.
First of all, there was no point in worrying about it now when I didn't know anything about the a situation.
"Pamela, let's do our best together."
"Y-yes!"
First, let's just listen to what kind of classes there are and focus on gathering group members.
Just then, all the students had taken their seats, and a teacher entered the classroom.
A man in a well-tailored suit with an eyepatch over one eye.
It was Roderick, one of the gacha characters.
"Good day to you, gentlemen. I am Roderick, a teacher at this Lucadia Academy."
"Roderick?"
"That Roderick, the one called Roderick of the Evil Eye?"
"The Roderick who defeated a griffin by himself?"
Clap, clap!
"Quiet!"
After silencing the students' murmurs with two claps, Roderick continued.
"In this class, we will learn about the simple history of the academy, the mindset of an academy student, and the basic knowledge that an academy student should know. I hope that everyone here, even though you all have different main fields, will not forget that you are a student of this Lucadia Academy."
After emphasizing a sense of belonging, Roderick showed a gentlemanly smile and said.
"First, before we begin the class. Let's start with a basic self-introduction. Let's have each of you... yes. Starting from the left of the front row, introduce your name and what you want to do after entering the Lucadia Academy."
I never thought there would be a self-introduction time.
However.
'This is actually a good thing for me.'
To gather group members, I first needed recognition.
This was a golden opportunity to make a proper impression on the new students about who I was.
The students introduced themselves one by one.
"My name is Majima. At the academy, I..."
Some were commoners who stated their names and a simple reason for wanting to improve themselves at the academy.
"I am Roin di Einzark! As the eldest son of the Einzark family, it is only natural that I attend the academy to devote myself to the country! The world...!"
Some were nobles who were full of themselves and spoke a little over-the-top.
"P-P-Pamela! Uh, uhh... I-I'll do my best! I-I'll do my best so that someone like me doesn't cause any trouble for the academy!"
And some were very nervous, like Pamela.
And it was my turn, next to Pamela.
"My name is Ishihan. I... want to create a group at the academy. A kind of study group that seeks strength."
"A study group that seeks strength?"
"What is he talking about?"
"They say a lot of weirdos come to the academy, and it's true...."
The students, who hadn't said much even during the other introductions, started murmuring at my words.
I could feel the gazes of many students on me.
I had successfully drawn their attention.
Besides.
"Would you care to elaborate?"
Roderick, who had been silent and just nodding his head, also asked me.
"I seek more strength. And to become stronger, I need a lot of experience. This academy has many talented individuals. Of course, in this classroom as well."
After a moment of silence, I continued.
"I want to gather those among them who wish to become stronger and improve our skills. We will discuss, spar, confirm and hone each other's skills, and sometimes prove our strength through adventure."
"How will you prove your strength through adventure?"
"Of course, we will prove it by defeating monsters. We will improve our skills, hunt the powerful monsters that are currently causing a stir in the world, prove our strength, and seize wealth and fame. And at the end of it."
I clenched my fist to leave a strong impression and said my closing words.
"I will obtain the strength to defeat the Demon King of Chaos from the legends."
A brief silence.
And after that.
"Puahahahaha! The Demon King of Chaos, he says!"
"That's a big ambition!"
"I'll cheer for you! Just cheering~."
"Hmph, a commoner who doesn't know his place has a really big goal."
The classroom was filled with laughter, and ridicule towards me was rampant.
"Uh, uhh, uhhh...!?"
Pamela, who was sitting next to me, was flustered and looked at me with a worried expression.
Clap, clap!
"Quiet! Student Ishihan's goal is admirable! It's not something to be laughed at!"
Objectively speaking, since I was becoming stronger to defeat the monsters that threatened the world, which was what the academy wanted, Roderick defended me.
However.
'This situation is perfect.'
I was waiting for this kind of situation.
"It's alright, Professor Roderick. I don't care what others say or laugh at. I have confidence in myself. Confidence that I can reach my desired goal more than any other student in this classroom. Because I am the most talented individual in here."
I continued, with a slight sneer.
Let my heart be conveyed to everyone.
Let everyone's attention be on me.
"That much is obvious when you compare me to those who couldn't even take down a simple summoned golem."
I activated the penetrating mouth-jutsu towards everyone else except for Pamela and Roderick who had defended me.
[You have pierced through taunt resistance.]
[You have pierced through disregard.]
"What did you say?"
"A commoner, of all people...!"
"Ha, that's a funny thing to say."
"How dare he say such an insolent thing!"
To gather group members, I first had to get to know the potential members.
I could try that as much as I wanted using the penetrating mouth-jutsu.
But to do that, the other person first had to be interested in me.
Even if it was ill will or hostility.
Are you mad?
Do you want to teach me a lesson?
Are you annoyed?
Then come to me.
"That is all."
I'll welcome you.
[Achievement: You have acquired the title Wide-Area Taunter.]
[Achievement Reward: 3 Points. 4 Fame.]