Shifting Gazes - 2
I'd unexpectedly acquired a demon sword, but there was no reason to use it. Why wield a blade that drained my mental strength when I had a gun? Better to hand it over to the Association and snag some elixir rewards instead.
"What do you plan to do with that?"
"Turn it over to the Association."
"I see. Do that, then."
I handed the demon sword to Yang Jun. He took it casually, but paused on his way out.
"Oh, and you'll all be getting extra rewards."
"Huh? For real? Awesome~!"
Yoo Choa beamed brightly, while Cheon Suho tried to play it cool, but his trembling fist gave away his excitement.
"Just us?"
"Among the cadets who stayed behind, those who successfully repelled the villains. You'll get something better since you took down the Sword Demon, but the others who held out will get rewards too. Everyone who stayed gets something, at least."
This was the score needed for the first true ending route: earning the Association's recognition. You got points for surviving villains within the time limit, but taking them down early netted top marks. Fortunately, we'd repelled the Sword Demon, so we should score maximum points.
"Got it. So what's the reward?"
"Easier entry into the Association after graduation... and probably some Association gear?"
"Whoa... they give us equipment issued to official heroes?"
"You did well."
Even the thumb ring I had was Association hero gear.
"It's to show the world that freshmen held off villains and boost morale. Plus, it'll raise evaluations of you all."
"Nice."
Yang Jun smirked and left. The moment he was gone, Yoo Choa bounced around in excitement, but Cheon Suho stayed composed.
"This might put a target on our backs with the villains."
"Pfft, come on. Heroes get marked by villains all the time anyway, right?"
As far as I knew, even some S- and A-rank heroes had bounties on their heads.
"Hmm, fair point. Guess it's fine to celebrate, then?"
"Yeah. Let's just enjoy it."
We returned to the Academy the next morning. Ours was a one-day mission, but some kids had drawn three- or four-day ones, so classes were on break for now. With time to kill, what to do...?
Training, obviously. I grabbed my bow and headed to the training grounds.
Fighting the Sword Demon had driven it home: my attack power was pathetically low—too embarrassing to even mention. Sure, I aimed to be a buffer, so raw damage wasn't essential, but that didn't mean I could slack off entirely.
And besides.
Mental Strength +0.01
Dexterity +0.01
The harder the training, the more my mental strength rose. Front-loading it early made things easier later. Plus, watching stats tick up was satisfying.
"Isn't that Kim Yohan?"
"His form's always on point..."
"Looks like the bow's starting to suit him..."
As always, plenty of side chatter. Listening to the whispers while training probably helped my mental strength too. So I kept my ears open and fired away...
"Not bad for a healer with such low heal output."
"Weak or not, his determination's impressive. And whether it's luck or skill, he pulled through this time..."
Huh? The tone was different. Not outright dismissal or contempt—instead, a hint of positivity.
"Still a low-heal healer, though."
"But not giving up? Kinda admirable."
What was this? I glanced over; our eyes met, and the chatter died fast.
"Yohan!"
I nearly jumped. A strong voice from the training ground entrance. Elizabeth. She hadn't been back yesterday—was she just returning?
"I heard! You fought the Sword Demon?! Are you hurt?!"
Hurt? Yeah, but seeing the worry etched on her face made admitting it feel wrong.
"Pfft, I'm a healer. What's a little injury when I can heal it?"
"With that heal...? Thank goodness. I was shocked hearing about the incident at your mission site..."
"Whoa, even getting worried over by Lady Elizabeth. What an honor. How'd you do?"
"Splendidly, of course! But what happened?"
"Nothing much. Villain showed up, we fought, repelled 'em. That's the story."
"I see... Well done!"
She patted my back a few times in praise, then scanned the area. Lots of eyes on us.
"The gazes toward you seem much friendlier now."
Elizabeth: top of the year, great family, great personality, pretty face. Me: kicked from student council, orphan, decent personality. Together, we drew jealousy and hostility. But now? It felt dialed back.
"Eh, whatever."
"Indeed. No matter."
I wasn't the type to care about stares anyway.
"You came straight here? Rest after all that."
"Ohohoho! No need! 'Twas nothing!"
"Impressive."
Top of the class for a reason. Cheon Suho, the runner-up, was crashed out all day from exhaustion.
"And you? Not tired?"
"Me? Backline buffer. No sweat."
"Oh? So today?"
"Eh, nothing much."
Yoo Choa and Cheon Suho did the real fighting. Perks of being a buffer.
"Splendid!! Then, could you spare some time this afternoon?"
"Oh crap!"
No way—training?! Taylor family training?! She'd sprung the trap. I trusted her!
"We'll train together this afternoon, then have that dinner we discussed!"
"That? Oh, right."
Just casual talk, but she was dead serious. Her sparkling eyes and unwavering cheer made refusing tough.
"Sure. Why not."
"Ohohot! Meet at the training grounds after lunch!"
She left as confidently as she'd arrived, grinning ear to ear.
Dinner, huh... Since she was treating, cadet cafeteria full course should be fine, right?
I finished archery training and joined Elizabeth for hers. My limbs shook, body ached all over. I'd thought my strength and stamina had improved, but she squeezed me to my limits. Terrifying. The Taylor family.
"All cleaned up?!"
"Yeah. Cadet cafeteria? Full course okay, right?"
"Pardon?"
Uh, too much? Single items, then...
"Wait—no! We're not going to the cafeteria?!"
Where, then? I stared; she smiled prettily.
"Hehe! Follow me!"
Trailing her led outside the Academy, to a waiting black luxury sedan.
"Out?"
"Naturally!! As the Taylor family's eldest and a noble, apologies must be proper!"
How proper are we talking?
"In you go!"
The door opened automatically; I slid into the plush interior. Elizabeth hopped in beside me and nodded as if it were routine.
"Drive on."
"Yes, miss."
She really did seem like high society. A middle-aged driver with a dignified air started the engine. Elizabeth gazed out the window, smiling softly.
"First time sitting alone in a car like this!!"
"Really?"
Made sense. Her crowd was all peers; why ride in someone else's car?
"Solitude has its charms, but this isn't bad either!"
She was thrilled, reaching forward with a grin.
"Ever tried these? Hehe, Mom snuck them to me after tough training when I was little!"
Caramels—not fancy, the kind even orphanage kids like me could afford weekly. Square, tangy-sweet peach flavor.
"Snuck from Mom?"
"Yes. Hehehe..."
Fiddling with one, she smiled and placed it on my hand.
"You worked hard—here!"
"Honor."
"Oh, come on! Try it!"
She watched eagerly, tail-wagging energy. I unwrapped and popped it in.
Mmm... tangy-sweet peach flooding my mouth. Been ages; hit the spot.
"Good, right? Good?"
"Yeah."
"Hehehe. Eating these brings back memories. With Mom..."
"You admire her a lot?"
"Yes! She's my idol!"
We munched caramels as she gushed: how amazing, noble, ideal her mom was. Great to have such a role model—it fueled growth.
"Ah, we're here!"
The car stopped. Outside...
"...Here?"
Obviously upscale restaurant. Flustered, I followed her laughing exit.
"Hurry! I reserved!"
"Uh, okay."
Places like this intimidated commoners like me. Never been, even in my past life.
Stunned, I trailed her.
"Welcome."
Suited manager? He led us to a window table overlooking the cityscape. Prime spot—must've been tough to book.
"What'll it be?"
"...No clue."
Black ink on white paper. Words, but gibberish.
"Hehe, I'll order!"
Confident as ever. Appetizer bread and sparkling drinks arrived. She sipped, then fixed me with a somber gaze.
"I'm truly sorry about before."
Let it go? Nah, it'd fall flat.
"Pfft, between us? Water under the bridge."
"Ah..."
Her eyes widened; silence fell. Then, a radiant smile.