Surviving Means You're Strong

A famous saying from some backwater village on Earth: "Surviving means you're strong."

I couldn't help but nod in complete agreement with that village proverb. After all, if you're weak, you die. Only the strong survive. Isn't that the truth?

Noobs die, veterans live. If you're going to pick, go for rotten and stinky.

That brought one question to mind. So, what about me during my veteran days? How ridiculously strong must I have been to slice through all those boss fights without dying a single time?

Half-closing my eyes to predict the boss's attacks, countering in place with just a single dagger, effortlessly carving it up—that past version of me. Even I can't gauge just how strong that was. It sends shivers down my spine.

Anyway. A golden tip from this veteran: When the heroine side quest periods kick off, focus on the friends who aren't in your party or hard to build affinity with regularly.

Daisy von Shukros and Relbrian, whom I've cleared side quests for already, are perfect examples. They're not like Reina or Kalen, whom I see and interact with often to rack up affinity easily.

As I mentioned before, the motto of the Salenium saga—the theme and slogan—is "The Shining Academy and the RPG of Youth." Managing only the main party's affinity isn't much ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠help in the long run.

So during "side quest" periods, go all-in on heroines you rarely encounter, and work on your academy reputation. That's my main strategy.

And right now, for Adrian, boosting academy reputation is the one surefire way to extend my lifeline.

Why? Because I need to become a marquis!

I have to scout talent throughout the academy, build my own faction and forces beyond just my party. Spec-ups are non-negotiable too.

"Clear about 3 side quests."

After running three quests for affinity and rewards, I'll shift to farming two low-tier magics. Then, by finals period, level those low-tier magics to 3.

That way, I can at least pull my weight in finals.

"The first semester finals..."

They're on a massive scale. Unlike midterms that end with written exams or spars, finals evaluate everything learned over the semester.

"So much to do."

Finals a month away, spec-ups, side quests. No time to slack.

"Now... who for the last side quest?"

Lijelilias? Millije? Wait, does Millije even have a side quest?

I was lost in thought, walking through the central district, when a group brushed past me.

"...Ohoho, how elegant Lady Repelheit is. As both scholar and warrior, you're the light of our knight department."

"Sub-marquess Repelheit, I baked these cookies—would you try one?"

"We're all captivated by your exquisite swordsmanship, sub-marquess."

"...Ah, thank you..."

As we passed each other. Amid the crowd, my eyes met those of a floundering girl.

Whatever. She'll manage.

I gave a casual blink and turned away.

"Adrian! Adrian! Today, I won't forgive you!"

Screaming that, she charged up, grabbed my wrist tight, and bolted forward.

"What the—"

"I, uh, just... hang out with me a bit, please... for real!"

Fine.

"Let go."

"N-no, you'll run!"

"I'm not running. But my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠arm's about to pop off."

This isn't a joke! Every stride, that Strength 20 monster yanks my wrist like a ragdoll—my shoulder's gonna dislocate.

"Ah. Right."

She let go, saying that.

What do you mean 'ah, right'? You almost killed me, idiot.

That Strength 20 monster from hell dragged me into a deserted alley.

"So, what problem made you think of teaming up with the enemy?"

Rubbing my wrist, now red with handprints, I asked. She glanced at it, then spoke lowly.

"It's mortifying, infuriating, and I hate having to say this to you, but... I'm stuck on something I can't handle alone."

"..."

"I know it might not fit a sub-marquess's position... but kissing up to those people is really hard."

Ahaha. I see.

She'd been suffering solo—who knew how long—now spilling it all like a motor in her mouth.

"Does that even make sense? Endless bragging about their earl this, viscount that, and that creepy, goosebump-inducing 'Oh, sub-marquess~' voice—it's killing me."

"I see."

"Yeah! And the discrimination's brutal. Low-rank folks can't even speak. They get eyed if they try. And no one... smiles for real. Just fake 'ufufu' behind hands."

"Reina von Wolfgang smiles like that too, no?"

"That's not the point! Lady Wolfgang... doesn't hide her feelings. She smiles genuinely. That place is all pretense."

In short: Honest, straightforward Ebnis couldn't adapt to the noble ladies' salon.

"So, what's the point?"

"Listen when someone's talking!"

"Sorry, but I don't make a habit of heeding enemies."

"Ugh, I know. The point is: There's a tea party this afternoon. You have to come with me."

What? Where to?

I widened my eyes.

"Have you lost your mind?"

"I'm fine?"

"I'm disowned—no different from a commoner. Why drag me along?"

"Uh, well... um..."

Ebnis pressed her forehead, pondering, then said:

"R-right. You're a commoner with no house, so I can just owe you. And despite falling to commoner, you've more dignity than nobles... Ah! Just come without questions. Sitting quietly's enough."

"As I keep saying..."

"Aargh! Fine! Reward! I'll give a reward. You said you were learning low-tier magic, right? Got one luckily. Don't need it myself."

That instant, something popped up before my eyes.

Ebnis Heroine Side Quest: "Tea Party Participation" chapter. In the original game, Erhan goes to this tea party...

But it popped for me. Why?

Ebnis isn't a heroine anymore. No "Affinity Level" in the normal side quest rewards confirms the system doesn't treat her as one.

Why ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the quest then? No idea... but if the reward's Summon Lightning spellbook, I can't ignore it.

Plus, a noble salon. Dropping my name there isn't bad. Could skyrocket my rep if played right.

It's all investment in my future.

"...What."

As I hesitated, she scuffed her shoe and bowed her head.

"If you really don't want to, refuse... it's fine."

"Tch, idiot. Lead the way."

Central district building: Flower Garden.

Glass-domed ceiling, artificial gardens. In this flashy, luxurious space, highborn noble ladies chatted.

At ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the center: Knight department first-year and new Repelheit sub-marquess, Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit.

After the dishonorable prior sub-marquess's expulsion, she took the role. Unpretentious, righteous, kind to all, midterms duel victor. Lost in sports fest as white team, but set Salenium's eating contest record.

A once-in-a-lifetime talent. Praised by many, but not all.

Where there's light, there's shadow; sun, shade. Admirers breed enviers and detractors.

Her sudden rise led to invites to many teas. Lectures, training, endless schedules brought exhaustion and stress.

Then, the incident.

A small slip at a tea party.

—Yawn...

—Oh my, Sub-marquess Ebnis, tired?

They seized it.

Tea parties became dark social lynchings by her enviers.

Ebnis knew, but it was veiled scratches, not overt—she couldn't counter.

Today's host: The noble lady leading the digs. Fully prepped to rake the naive Ebnis.

Scratch superiors, expose gaffes. Twisted hobby, but fun's fun.

"Thank you all for coming. One's a bit late, but let's wait."

Smiling at the door, in walked one with light steps.

"Oh my, late?"

"Yes, had some business."

Stiff tone. Proud bearing, knightly face.

Irked, the nameless lady moved to nitpick the tardiness.

"Pleased to meet you."

"...?"

A baritone voice from somewhere.

Behind the arms-crossed, haughty her stood a man. All fell silent.

"No need to gawk."

Refined poise. Lost noble rank, but not dignity.

"No need to stare. I'm just here to chat too."

Disowned ex-sub-marquess. Dishonorable noble. Western wastrel.

His unannounced arrival froze the tea party.