Achievements Unlocked

Eh? What's this about achievements all of a sudden? This is a system I never saw in the game system. Is it basically like the ending collection turned into a bad ending collection...? That makes sense since it says it'll record one every time I block a bad ending.

When I checked the achievement window, there it was, recorded as if I'd just blocked that bad ending that started with the line "Can't do anything alone."

But... it says all stats +5, and I don't even have stats, you bastard...? If you're gonna do this, just give me money instead...!

Seeing the words "primary bank" in a fantasy status window explanation is surprisingly novel. Anyway, 100,000 silver for the first activation. The currency units here are divided into silver and gold. Silver is exactly like the won from my previous life in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Korea—1 silver is 1 won, 100 silver is 100 won, and so on. So, the money I just got from the system is equivalent to 100,000 won.

Gold is a bit different in scale; 1 gold replaces a whopping 10 million silver—it's one of those massive coins. The gold unit was probably created for nobles and imperial family, since they earn insane amounts of money, and the coins were getting too big, leading to a currency reform. But it's literally gold. Real gold coins made of actual gold have a value exceeding 10 million silver.

Because of that, people who have gold tend to carry cash around rather than deposit it in banks. If you deposit it, it's just treated as equivalent to 10 million silver normally, but if you carry it as cash and need to sell it, people line up to buy the gold coins at a premium including the gold value itself. In such situations, banks accept deposits but often try to give withdrawals in silver instead of gold coins.

"What are you thinking so deeply about, Theo?"

Iris, who was sitting next to me, turned to look at my somewhat serious expression with a worried face.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just worrying about my parents or something like that. I should be helping with work, but here I am out here."

In truth, both of them are incredibly strong and healthier than me—they're pro farmers who are better at farm work. No need to worry. Plus, Der Viscounty is still in the peak snow season, so aside from the greenhouse, it's hard to grow anything, and my parents aren't pushing too hard, taking it easy. So, nothing to worry about right now.

"Ah... I can see that. You said you've always helped your parents with their work, right, Theo?"

"Hm, no. I only just got my act together recently. Before that, I was the notorious delinquent of the village."

This is about the real Theo, not me. At least after I possessed him, I haven't done anything deserving of being called a delinquent. I've been working hard! Heck, I even earned the title 'Agriculture? Piece of Cake'! And I changed from "Useless Son" to "Proud Son." Heh, I've definitely lived well. Me, myself.

"Hehe, everyone has a rebellious phase in their youth, it seems."

"Did you have one too, Iris?"

"Yes, I was like that when I was little. I think I was even more immature when Mother was still alive."

Having someone you can lean on... that definitely lets people act a bit more age-appropriately.

"But after Mother passed... well, I didn't have anywhere to anchor my heart. But now it's fine. I've found a place to put it."

I hope to god that's Estelle. Iris has a bad relationship with the Emperor, and Estelle has a bad relationship with the Holy Emperor. They're perfect to get close to each other! Secret talks, sharing their situations, starting with sympathy that turns into realizing it's love all along—that ending! Too beautiful! Heh~ Don't worry, I'll clear all the bad ending routes and make it happen.

Then I can go back to the territory, help my parents leisurely. Or, with Iris or Estelle's help, get a good ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠job, make bank, and let my parents retire. Sounds nice.

The entrance ceremony began.

"We will now commence the Ermunt Academy entrance ceremony. However, before we start, we have special guests who have graced us with their presence today."

Murmurs rippled through the auditorium at the mention of special guests.

"His Majesty the Emperor of the Ermunt Empire and His Holiness the Pope of the Holy Empire are here to bless you all. Please deeply engrave this honorable occasion in your hearts."

The faculty member leading the ceremony bowed deeply to the Ermunt Emperor and the Pope before stepping down from the podium. The Ermunt Emperor spoke first with a smile.

"Hoho, seeing the young people who will lead the Ermunt Empire and Holy Empire in the future like this makes me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠feel great. As you all know, starting today, our Ermunt Empire and the Holy Empire have signed a peace treaty and promised to live as allies. The crown princess and saintess entering this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time are proof of that."

He said a lot, but it boiled down to enrolling the crown princess and saintess, and allowing exchange students between the Holy Empire's academy students and Ermunt's. That was the gist.

Since the Emperor had covered most of it, the Pope kept it short.

"I pray that God's blessings be upon your paths."

He simply bestowed a light holy blessing, and the students, feeling their fatigued bodies lighten, started murmuring noisily again.

"Now, now, quiet. Quiet."

After the Emperor and Pope stepped down, the rest of the ceremony proceeded quickly—nothing special, really. There was a brief explanation of academy life ahead, but rules and regulations were sent via smartphone to check before tomorrow's classes rather than explained.

"Now, we will announce the top students."

The top spot usually represented the academy's exams, so commoners weren't selected. It was almost always nobles or imperial family. Naturally, everyone expected it to be Iris or Estelle.

"The top students are Her Highness Iris and Saintess Estelle, who have achieved joint first place!"

And sure enough, their names were called, shattering no expectations. But joint top was a bit unusual.

Normally, the academy would split the top spot to have just one, but with the peace treaty motto this time, and both being high-status, they couldn't call them back to compete. So, joint top it was.

"Wow, congrats, Iris. I'd congratulate Estelle too, but she's too far away."

"Hehe, this much is easy. But I didn't expect that girl to be top too."

"Don't fight up there—give a good representative speech."

"Yes, Theo. Don't worry."

Theo could only chuckle dryly at Iris, who flashed a chilling smile and told him not to worry.

"Please come up to the podium for the top students' representative speech."

At the call to ascend, Iris and Estelle rose and walked out, and the buzzing hall instantly focused on them, falling silent.

Everyone's drooling. Well, they are pretty. Seeing two stunningly lovely women, rare anywhere, move gracefully together felt like watching paintings come to life.

"Hello, I'm the top representative, Iris Lua Sa Ermunt."

"Hello, I'm the joint top representative, Estelle Ingrid."

Their voices were as clear as jade beads rolling on a tray, leaving some students enraptured.

The speech ended briefly, and after receiving their certificates, the two descended.

"Phew, I hope they don't seat us like this for something so petty next time, Iris."

"If I can, I'll use it anytime."

"Abuse of power."

While others admired the two women's beauty, they were busy bickering.

"Thank you both for the wonderful representative speeches. Normally, that would conclude things, but we have something special prepared this time."

One of the faculty returning to the podium mentioned something special.

Special? What's that? In all the times Theo played the game, there were no special awards at the entrance ceremony outside the protagonists.

...Shit, did something go wrong? Naturally, Theo grew tense.