Chapter 104
Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Summer Vacation (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'Something feels off.'
Maybe because I saw Kerr's past form earlier.
I couldn't help but be a little conscious of it.
After all, in a way, she and I were embracing each other all day long...
'Sigh, what am I thinking.'
I shook my head.
Even so, the fact that Kerr was currently a cloak wouldn't change.
Unless she somehow gained a real physical body.
I stopped my stray thoughts and summarized the results of using the weapon enhancement ticket.
First, Kerr could now materialize.
And she could use magic.
Right now, she could only use one spell called [Shadow Flame], and its power was still weak.
So this enhancement wasn't immediately a huge help to me.
But my mood wasn't bad.
I figured that if I could strengthen Kerr again later through some method, I might increase the spell's power or add more varieties.
Anyway.
There was one important thing left.
"Oh, right. Kerr. You absolutely cannot show that form from earlier to anyone else."
She said she wasn't a demon, but I initially thought she was, so others might think the same.
Demons were enemies of the Empire and humanity.
If seen, it could lead to dangerous misunderstandings.
It was best not to show it at all, and if unavoidable, at least hide the horns.
I briefly explained it to Kerr, and she seemed convinced, answering obediently.
"Good, thanks."
"Sure, that's fine anytime."
But she seemed a bit hesitant, then cautiously spoke up.
"Huh?"
"Uh... no, not that."
Her voice sounded a bit subdued.
She was bothered by how I had stared at her earlier before looking away.
Well, others might react that way.
But I wasn't originally from this world, so I had no such prejudices.
It was true I hadn't known where to look earlier.
But that wasn't because she looked like a demon.
It was a slightly embarrassing reason to admit, but better than letting Kerr misunderstand and shrink away, so I decided to tell the truth.
I cleared my throat and said honestly.
"It was because your form was too stimulating. That outfit was a bit..."
"So I didn't know where to look and averted my eyes. Not because I disliked it."
Kerr was silent for a moment.
Silence flowed.
Then she muttered one line and cut the mental link.
I was unjustly labeled like that, but...
Clearing the misunderstanding must have worked, because Kerr often took her human form now.
She had gone so long without using magic, so she was probably just excited to do so again.
Lately, she even switched to it when not casting spells.
"Thanks, Kerr."
The good thing about her human form was that she could handle chores like cooking.
Despite her somewhat decadent appearance, she was surprisingly skilled at housework, like having a personal maid.
I even tried asking her to feed me to gain some sloth points, but it failed.
I begged her despite the scolding, but alas, since Kerr was my possession, it didn't count as being fed by someone else, so no extra sloth points.
Thus, peaceful days continued.
Before long, the trees on the academy grounds were lush with vibrant green.
It was summer.
"......"
I rested my chin on my hand, blankly staring at the blue sky outside the window.
"Jeron?"
Yuria from the seat next to me spoke up.
"Jeron must be thrilled. Vacation's almost here."
She was right.
The first-year first-semester summer vacation was just around the corner.
Practical combat, comprehensive evaluations, class assessments—all done, final semester grades out.
My overall rank: 37th.
Solid top tier.
Practical combat: S-Rank 10th.
Comprehensive evaluation: 10th.
Docked points from class participation pulled me down, but still pretty good.
Of course, Artel and Yuria ranked 5th and 40th respectively—far better than in the original.
Not only that, my specs had upgraded more than expected this semester.
I gained much and spurred my comrades' growth.
Yet I wasn't in a great mood.
To be precise, up to now was fine, but what came next bothered me.
Because during vacation, I couldn't steadily farm sloth points.
Sloth only counted when shirking obligations...
Vacation was meant for rest, so resting wasn't slothful.
Like how lounging in bed on holidays gave no extra sloth, vacation worked the same.
So I felt a bit regretful.
"But Jeron doesn't look that happy...? I thought you'd be over the moon."
Yuria must have noticed.
I replied in a glum voice.
"Sleeping is... tastier when you do it during class."
"......"
Yuria looked at me in shock.
And there was another reason for my regret.
A system window that appeared as summer vacation neared.
This pointless restriction.
In Stella Academia, summer vacation triggered events where certain cadets invited the protagonist based on semester actions and affinity.
Accepting took you to their territory for big rewards and story, but now I could pick only one.
And I'd already decided which invitation to accept.
In fact, I'd received and accepted it a few days ago.
So regrettably, I had to decline the others.
Saintess Justina.
Declining her invitation to the Holy Kingdom stung a bit.
The Holy Kingdom quests had great rewards.
And I felt really sorry declining senior Lily's invite.
But no choice.
Right before the closing ceremony, during lunch, several came at once.
First were Karen and Ciel.
"Jeron! Got plans for vacation?!"
Karen shoved a parchment in my face.
"I'm planning summer training! Join me?"
A densely packed schedule.
"Rise at 5 AM" jumped out first.
"Thanks, but no."
"Eh?! Why?!"
"......I don't plan to wake at 5 AM during vacation."
"Then for Jeron, specially, 6 AM!"
"Still too early."
I had zero intention of going even without restrictions.
Why blow all my hard-earned sloth?
"Jeron, Jeron—."
As Karen tried more, Ciel tugged my sleeve.
"Come to the Magic Tower—. Lots of fun stuff—."
Her usual laid-back tone.
"I'll show you the forbidden magic library too—."
"......Is that allowed?"
"Dunno—? I sneaked in often, so probably fine—."
No.
Probably not fine.
As I gave Ciel a cold look, Artel arrived, seeing her close.
She naturally positioned between us and said,
"Jeron. Come to my territory too. Nothing... special, but."
Artel paused, then added,
"Still, there's an ice festival worth seeing. If you want, let's watch together."
Ah, the Rosendal ice festival...
That was pretty cool.
"And after, that, slacking or... cats... stuff like that too...."
"Huh?"
"N-no, nothing."
Then Yuria hesitantly spoke last.
"Jeron, if it's not a burden, you could rest at my territory."
She twisted her fingers, continuing carefully.
"My home's quiet and peaceful, perfect for relaxing. Not forcing, but if you want somewhere comfy..."
Yuria earnestly continued.
"A-and our garden's pretty. There's a hammock... You can just lie there reading or napping. I'll take care of everything. Tea, snacks..."
"......"
Different from the original?
Felt tailored to my tastes.
Definitely the most my style.
Getting invites from this lineup at once.
Insane even for the game, impossible in reality, but...
I shook my head.
"Sorry. Thanks all, but I have a prior commitment this vacation."
"Eh? Prior commitment?"
Karen sounded disappointed.
"Huh—? With who—?"
Ciel tilted her head.
"...A girl?"
Artel's face suddenly chilled as she asked.
I answered briefly.
"Going to the imperial palace."
Everyone's eyes filled with confusion.
"......Imperial palace?"
"Imperial palace... means you got an invite from His Highness Leonhardt?"
"Yeah."
"Wh... why there?"
They all looked baffled.
Makes sense—the palace emphasized etiquette and formality.
Hard to grasp why hassle-averse me would choose that discomfort.
"Jeron. You're not being blackmailed, right?"
Artel asked seriously.
"No. Just visiting."
"But the palace doesn't suit your personality."
Yuria said worriedly.
True.
So I gave my prepared excuse.
A random loading screen lore bit.
"Heard the imperial beds are top-tier."
"Beds...?"
"Can't miss experiencing that."
I nodded solemnly.
"I'll definitely get life's best sleep there."
"......"
The four looked dumbfounded, speechless at my nonsense.
"For a bed—? Really—?"
Ciel tilted her head.
"A-are they... that good...?"
Yuria asked innocently.
"Maybe Jeron's strength secret is rest."
Karen pondered, hand on chin.
"Well, your choice."
Artel quietly watched me, then spoke.
She seemed a bit relieved, somehow.
But truthfully.
Beds weren't my interest.
Mythic quest's third objective.
[3. Make contact with the 'Hero's Sword']
That was the reason.
The first Hero's Sword was in the palace.
'Mythic skill, gotta get it, right?'
This summer vacation. My goal was...
To obtain a mythic skill.