Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: How to Grow Lazily
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‘…No way, you’re giving me this?’
Stunned by the new skill I’d just acquired, I made up an excuse to Yuria about needing to use the bathroom and slipped outside.
Then I checked my skill window.
[Skills]
[Aura Emanation (Legendary)]
A skill that lets you show off your charisma.
Description: (Active) Emits a powerful aura. (Cooldown: 3 minutes)
‘…Holy shit, this is what I get?’
[Aura Emanation].
This was the number one legendary skill in [Stella Academia]...
...of course, number one from the bottom.
In truth, it was the skill with the worst reputation.
Why, you ask?
Simple.
The character’s eyes flash brightly for a moment.
Super badass.
...And that’s it.
Oh, there was one more effect.
Using this skill in front of other characters would trigger special reactions from them, like them jumping in surprise or looking amazed.
In short, a one-trick coolness skill.
‘It was total meme material.’
It was one of the skills [Stella Academia] players avoided most.
If you pulled this skill randomly and posted a screenshot to the community, it’d get pinned as a popular post and become a laughingstock.
‘…That is, until its real use was discovered.’
─Guys, what’s this? I got Aura Emanation and this other skill together, and they combined into this.
└What the hell? That’s insane ㄷㄷ
└Whoa, that’s broken as fuck?
Then one day, a player uncovered the hidden value of [Aura Emanation].
It turned out this skill only unleashed its true power when combined with a specific other skill—a hardcore conditional skill.
‘After that, its reputation changed a bit.’
But that didn’t mean [Aura Emanation] suddenly got good reviews.
─Seems like there’s a time limit on this ㅇㅇ. Tested it out—have to acquire both within 30 minutes.
└Ah, that’s why it didn’t work for me fml;;
└Two legendary skills in 30 minutes? That’s insanely hard?
└You’d need insane luck. Feels more like an Easter egg.
The passive skill needed for the combo was, of all things, also legendary.
Acquiring two specific legendary skills within a short 30-minute window wasn’t easy by any means.
But the real reason I was shocked was something else.
I could actually meet that condition!
‘Damn, this is what a Mythic trait is all about.’
The Sloth Shop.
Lo and behold, the exact skill needed for the combo was right there on sale.
[Imperial Dignity (Legendary)]
A true emperor never wavers, no matter the situation.
Description: (Passive) Grants immunity to certain mental manipulation skills.
Price: 1500 Sloth
‘It’s pricey, but totally worth it.’
Mental manipulation skills were among the trickiest abilities in [Stella Academia].
Plus, they were seriously annoying.
Get hit by one, and you’d be a puppet dancing in the enemy’s hands.
I hadn’t run into any enemies using them yet, but thinking ahead, this was a must-have skill.
And above all, considering the synergy with [Aura Emanation], there was no reason to hesitate.
I had 2805 Sloth points anyway, plenty to spare.
[Use 1500 Sloth to purchase the skill ‘Imperial Dignity’?]
I nodded without hesitation.
‘Buy.’
[Sloth -1500!]
[Skill purchased.]
Being a passive skill, there wasn’t any noticeable change in my body.
But.
[Hidden condition met.]
[Skills fused, creating a new skill!]
A massive change appeared in my status window before my eyes.
[Skills]
[Imperial Aura (Legendary)]
Kneel. This is the difference in our levels.
Description: (Active) Emits a powerful aura to suppress lower-class enemies. (Cooldown: 3 minutes)
(Passive) Grants immunity to all mental manipulation skills.
I grinned in satisfaction at the updated skill description.
‘Now that’s a legendary skill.’
Imperial Aura.
Its performance was incredible.
It could instantly knock out low-level enemies in an area-of-effect stun.
Protected against all mental attacks.
...And your eyes emitted cool light too. (Important)
Another cheat skill had fallen into my hands.
***
After acquiring [Imperial Aura], I headed back to the classroom.
The first thing I did was praise Yuria.
“Congrats, Yuria. B-Rank 7th place—great result.”
In the game, Yuria was the type who performed even better with praise, so you had to pet her steadily.
“Hehe, thanks, Jeron! Congrats to you too on A-Rank 5th!”
Yuria beamed as she replied.
Then she looked me straight in the eye and added,
“I’m still way behind you, Jeron… but I’ll keep working hard. Until the day I can stand by your side.”
“I’ll cheer you on.”
I smiled softly in response.
‘This’ll be fun.’
Growth-type genius Yuria. I was already looking forward to her progress.
Her growth spurt even felt faster than in the original story, though I wasn’t sure why.
If I helped her out properly later, she’d grow even quicker.
Of course, I’d do it lazily.
“…….”
Then, as I finished my thoughts and glanced to the side, I saw Artel fidgeting awkwardly.
She couldn’t bring herself to approach me directly and just hovered there hesitantly.
It was obvious she wanted something from me.
“Congrats on making A-Rank top tier too, Artel. You worked hard.”
I immediately praised her as well.
“Suits the greatest ice mage in Faculty of Magic history. Proud to call you my friend?”
I threw in a bit of exaggeration on purpose.
I expected her to freak out and recoil in horror.
“…Hehe, thanks.”
But Artel’s reaction was something I never saw coming.
Instead of panicking, she gave a faint smile.
Complete with slightly flushed ear tips.
Two rare reactions at once.
‘Huh?’
I could only stare at her blankly for a moment.
“…Jeron, you helped a ton. Looking forward to more.”
Artel murmured softly. Then, embarrassed, she turned her head away.
‘…What was that?’
It felt like I’d been enchanted or something.
***
That day, after classes ended, I went with Ciel to a café inside the academy.
“Wooow—.”
Ciel held forks in both hands, gazing at a massive honey bread the size of her head with the world’s happiest expression.
It had extra whipped cream added twice, piled up like a tower.
That’s when I got to the point with her.
“Ciel, about what I mentioned last time. The dark magic—I’ll help you.”
“R-Really—?!”
Her eyes snapped away from the honey bread, sparkling as they turned to me.
“Yeah. Like this.”
I explained the same method I’d told Lily.
“Hmm—? Passing notes—?”
I’d worried she might hate the idea and want me to teach her directly beside her, but surprisingly, Ciel was on board.
“Sounds good—! Feels like we’re secret friends, all thrilling—.”
...Her sensibilities were one of a kind, as always.
“Then, as promised, I’ll grant one of your wishes too—! Anything you want—!”
Ciel patted her chest confidently.
“Can I cash in that wish later?”
But that’s what I asked.
Nothing came to mind right now, and more importantly, it was a wish token from Ciel Ifrit herself.
A precious card like this needed to be saved for a crucial moment.
Like insurance.
“Sure thing—!”
Ciel agreed readily.
“Here’s today’s note, then.”
I pulled out the note with Day 1’s lesson content and handed it to her.
“Thanks, Jeron—.”
“Read it slowly back at the dorms, and if you have questions, write them on a note and give it to me. I’ll bring the answers next time.”
“Got it!”
Teacher by proxy, student by proxy.
My utterly slothful proxy tutoring had begun.
And.
Ding!
[Proxy Tutoring!]
[A slothful act!]
[Sloth +40!]
‘That’s the stuff.’
Following napping in class, I’d secured another reliable Sloth farm.
The next day.
“Jeron! This is so fun—! I finished it all, but now I have more questions—tell me about this too—!”
“J-Jeron junior… Y-You finished this already…? Even these deep application questions…!?”
I could tell right away my plan was a smashing success.