Thank You
Thank You
I returned to the Dormitory at dawn after smashing the Evil God Worshippers branch.
And then proceeded to sleep straight through until the afternoon.
My whole body ached as if with muscle pain, but the fatigue that had built up in my eyelids seemed to have dissipated considerably.
"Ugh..."
Of course, that didn't mean the feeling of exhaustion was gone.
I slumped limply onto the bed.
I lazed about as if I had no intention of getting up whatsoever.
It was understandable, as this was a vacation finally granted after several days of being on the move.
Until now, I had been busy preparing this, solving that.
'No one can drag me out of this bed.'
I even hummed a tune, savoring the leisure.
A small, wriggling sensation came from my shirt pocket.
[Uuuuuum....]
It was Carmilla.
In the form of a silver bat, lying on my chest.
She seemed to find the sleeping spot quite to her liking, as she was sleeping soundly and comfortably.
I quietly looked down at the bat like that.
'It's strange.'
In her human form, she'd get embarrassed just holding hands, but in her bat form, she sprawls right out on my chest.
If you judge purely by the density of contact, isn't this situation way more embarrassing?
Or maybe volume is more important than density of contact.
As a small body warmth was transmitted,
I found myself having to seriously ponder.
'Or maybe it's selective embarrassment...'
Carmilla had quite fierce sleeping habits.
Even in deep sleep, she would wriggle around here and there.
But perhaps because fatigue had accumulated today, it was much less than usual.
'No sign of waking up.'
I briefly considered waking her, but the cute little snoring sounds made me leave her be.
When I gently stroked her with my fingertip, her response was utterly melting.
[Mmm... Nya... Viktor, how dare thee...]
Despite mumbling in her sleep like that, the Princess didn't seem to actually want to get off.
She rubbed her cheek against my chest and then covered the shirt pocket as if it were a blanket.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
'Who would know...'
That this small, insignificant little creature was actually the last princess of the Blandir Dynasty.
'Of course, that gap is what's cute about it.'
I lay down properly so the Princess could sleep comfortably.
Afterwards, I idly fiddled with the Status Window.
I rolled the blue UI around aimlessly out of boredom.
'Come to think of it...'
I had been quite distracted yesterday for various reasons.
To sort out the situation, I lightly opened my information window.
――――
[Status Window]
Name: Viktor
Title: Saint
Currently Equipped Items: Mask of the Evil God, Robe of the Evil God
Active Set Effect: The World ■■■ Sees.
.
.
[Saint]
-> Increases virtue points equivalent to the number of lives saved.
-> Virtue points can be used to enhance the user's Basic Stats.
(The special ability of this title takes precedence over other system restrictions.)
――――
The eventful night before.
Its traces remained intact as points.
Ding-!
[Basic Stats]
Stamina: E+
Strength: E
Agility: E
Mana Sensitivity: E
[Remaining Virtue Points: 620p]
The virtue accumulated at the Evil God Worshippers branch totaled 620 points.
Since 20 points were provided for each life saved, this was the reward for saving exactly thirty-one lives before returning.
"As expected... it's better to use them right away."
That's why I earned them, right?
To be honest, I was still a bit bewildered.
Who would have thought it was possible to break through the additional restrictions and raise stats?
Well, that's because in the original work, there was no function like modifying stats either.
'And there weren't any related bugs either.'
It was welcome news for me.
Raising stats meant I could utilize various bugs that much more.
There were countless bugs that could only be implemented if the body could keep up.
'Raising Basic Stats means my methods become that much more diverse.'
I invested the points without hesitation.
Since it's the first time, I distributed them evenly.
Ding-!
[Virtue points are being used.]
-Basic Stat 'Stamina' grade improves by +1.
-Basic Stat 'Strength' grade improves by +1.
-Basic Stat 'Agility' grade improves by +1.
-Basic Stat 'Mana Sensitivity' grade improves by +1.
[600 virtue points have been consumed.]
[Remaining Virtue Points: 20p]
100 points each to raise an E grade to E+.
300 points to raise E+ to D-.
The reward for saving thirty-one lives was consumed like that.
The number of points took a sizable chunk, and the stat window before my eyes changed overall.
[Basic Stats]
Stamina: D-
Strength: E+
Agility: E+
Mana Sensitivity: E+
"Ooh..."
Perhaps because I raised multiple stats at once.
The improvement in stats seemed much more tangible than before.
"I definitely feel lighter?"
To describe the feeling, it was like carrying a 40kg backpack all day and finally taking it off.
Even the previously sore muscles had settled down.
I tried propping up the desk beside the bed as a test.
Whoosh-.
"What the."
The desk leg lifted more easily than expected.
Of course, it wasn't to the point of spinning it around with my pinky finger, but it felt like the weight had been reduced by about 40% compared to what it should have been.
'The effect is this good...?'
Even though it only went from E grade to E+.
I couldn't help but let out a quiet exclamation.
To think everyone was doing this good thing except me...
Beyond the curse of fixed stats, a veritable new world was waiting.
"Oh, oho, ohoho, ohohoho."
I swung my arms playfully several times.
Of course, I stopped immediately when it seemed like the Princess might wake up.
"Hmm..."
I rolled my head.
'This time I raised stats evenly, but from now on, I should plan a bit and raise them.'
The required points would increase exponentially as the grade rises.
For wise point consumption, I needed to plan ahead.
The top priorities to raise are Stamina and Agility.
Strength and Mana Sensitivity are comparatively less important.
'I don't plan to learn magic or anything yet.'
Moreover, Strength was also less important compared to other stats.
Especially since all the weapons I use are light.
The Black Mist weighs about as much as a sheet of paper at best, and the Balloon Sword goes without saying.
'First, accumulate as many virtue points as possible.'
In other words, I must save as many people as possible.
It meant I had to continue walking the path of the Saint.
I closed the Status Window with satisfaction.
"Good, good..."
All the follow-up tasks were finished like this.
'I'm really not going to do anything.'
Now it was sleep time again.
The reward for running around tirelessly for several days was sweet.
With a broad smile, I wrapped myself up in the blanket again.
"Heheh."
I'm going to rest.
No one can stop me.
Fuck.
Turns out they can.
[Student Viktor.]
Sitting awkwardly in the E-class waiting area.
As my name was called, it summoned this poor lamb to the stage above.
[This student not only took first place in the recent practical evaluation but also provided decisive cooperation in apprehending the traitor within the academy.]
[Please do come up to the stage.]
[Students, please welcome him with enthusiastic applause.]
Clap clap clap clap clap-.
The sound of applause ringing from all around.
I rose from my seat and walked towards the stage.
The faculty and the Dean were waiting on the stage above.
"Phew..."
A position prepared by the academy to commend my achievements.
The eyes of the entire student body were focused.
'To praise me so loudly like this...'
No.
Hmm.
I don't know how to express this.
It's clearly good, but I'm not sure if it's the kind of good I should genuinely be happy about.
'A quiet school life is long gone.'
If my concept was being an insignificant, low-profile commoner, that ship had sailed long ago.
As is typical for other transmigrators, trying to live quietly just doesn't work out.
I realized, logically, that a quiet life is impossible.
Especially in a world with a harsh worldview like Nugme, all sorts of disasters that even the faculty can't stop come swarming in.
And the transmigrator who knows the future has to deal with them alone, which inevitably draws aggro.
'Whenever I saw those stories, I used to leave tons of sarcastic comments asking why they weren't sticking to their concept if they wanted to live quietly...'
I truly thought I could do it well if it were me.
Countless transmigrator seniors passed through my mind.
'Now I realize...'
In the end, transmigrators either become attention-seekers, or they take the route of the dropout who says they'll ignore everything happening and live alone, running away and becoming a recluse hermit until the world is destroyed.
Thus, I define it.
All transmigrators lead lives where they cannot be quiet, desperately deny reality, and believe they can enjoy a quiet life—they are nothing but mental patients.
A truly bleak reality.
Damn.
No, Nugme.
[Student Viktor broke through the practical with excellent skill......]
[Afterwards, together with the Chief Investigator, apprehended the traitor......]
On the stage, a faculty member was diligently listing my exploits.
Listening half-heartedly, I calmly climbed the short steps.
Then, I received the plaque handed over by the academy.
'Still, it's fortunate I was informed in advance that there was a ceremony.'
I only found out about this event early this morning.
I wanted to refuse, but I nodded, tearing away the annoyance.
It was more advantageous to maintain amicable relations with the faculty.
I also have a plan I'm currently working on, so I'm building favor so I can get help anytime.
'......Still, knocking on the Dormitory door at dawn is too much, isn't it?'
I made an effort to shake off such distracting thoughts.
I smiled brightly before the entire student body.
No... thinking about it, I realized I was wearing a mask, so facial management wasn't necessary.
So I just stood on the stage with a half-crying expression.
[Now, Student Viktor.]
[As the hero of the academy, please say a few words.]
The mic suddenly being passed over.
It was the class representative speech that exists at every ceremony.
Since I'm the protagonist today anyway, they probably just left it to me.
"Ah, ah... First, I'd like to express my gratitude to the faculty of Grandia Academy who prepared this occasion."
There was a script given to me in advance anyway.
I just had to read it line by line.
My voice touched the magic tool, and the amplified volume echoed through the auditorium.
"And also to Chief Investigator Javert-nim, who provided all-around support for this matter......"
The students' gazes that felt prickly.
Especially the looks from the top-ranked cadets were something else.
Endlessly displeased, they didn't hide their expressions of 'What the hell is that guy?'
Whether because they were still young or their egos were inflated, they were openly displaying their emotions.
-What is he? Top of the practical, and even caught a traitor...?
-Impossible. That's the top of E-class.
-No, the top of E-class got first in the practical?
-He's famous, you know. The one Shariel from C-class couldn't even touch...
-With that kind of skill, why is he in E-class? Isn't it just rumors being exaggerated?
Faint murmuring reached my ears.
Some were surprised, some jealous, some suspicious.
What's certain is that not many students were sincerely congratulating.
'That figures.'
Trash they considered lower class than themselves.
A guy from E-class of all people jumped out and performed unbelievable feats.
Frankly, it must be awkward.
-No... no matter what, E-class is still E-class.
-Didn't you see him at the freshman orientation test? He's different somehow?
-Different how? Just wearing a weird mask on his face...
-He seems to be overdoing it.
-No, more than anything, how did he really get first in the practical?
Especially since they were Grandia cadets with strong competitive spirits.
They were kids trapped in elite ideologies, disliking falling behind.
-Ah~ Fuck, I'm so pissed.
Among them, there was one.
One who spoke as if she wanted to be heard.
Sitting in the very front row, close to this podium too.
-That guy, he was in the same team as Lady Kihano-nim, right?
-Can't you tell just by looking? He just got lucky and rode some coattails.
-With that kind of subject, standing on the stage yapping away, he should do something about that ridiculous mask face.
Bright yellow hair, tanned brown skin.
A somewhat sloppy appearance for a noble lady.
How should I put it.
In the language of my past life, she gave off the vibe of a iljin girl.
The girl was sitting in the B-class waiting area with a delinquent posture.
-Fuck, an E-class guy acting all high and mighty my ass...
-Just got lucky and people are sucking up to him so much.
-One punch from a guy like that and he'd be crying and wailing with a bloody nose.
The iljin girl's identity was the B-class top student.
A skilled person belonging to the upper ranks within Grandia Academy.
'Endure it.'
I persistently recited the script.
But perhaps because the distance was close, faint whispers remained in my ears.
It was quite sneaky.
She was chattering at a volume that barely wouldn't reach the professors.
Seeing I didn't react, the girl sneered as if finding it even more laughable.
-Ha... can you see him trembling?
-He must be embarrassed too~ Getting praised for something he doesn't deserve.
I was familiar with humans like that.
Those who couldn't reach the very top ranks and guarded the borderline of the upper ranks.
But despite that, their inferiority complexes were overflowing, acting arrogant.
That's the characteristic of those bastards.
They can't stand it when someone they considered lower class than themselves performs well.
-Totally frozen, frozen.
-Should we pick a day later and teach him a lesson?
-Besides, he's a commoner, right? No need to worry about anyone.
The iljin girl seemed to want to say more.
Telling me not to act up, not to stand out.
'Endure it.'
I decided to ignore it.
To endure quietly.
A plush bed was waiting for me in the Dormitory.
To finish the ceremony without issue and return to my room.
'If I get swayed here, I become just like them.'
Thinking that, my mind and body seemed to stabilize.
I didn't necessarily have to fight with that one right now.
There would be opportunities anytime later.
It was better to let it pass smoothly today.
-Pfft... He really must be scared of the B-class top student.
-Hey hey, what's so special about him?
-Well, just because he beat the C-class top student, doesn't mean he can look down on the B-class top student.
-Besides, the B-class top student is a bit like that. Her personality is crazy too, so if you get on her bad side...
The cadets whispering among themselves, assimilated into that flow.
Especially the upper-class students laughed as if to say 'I knew it.'
I recited and recited the long script, and before I knew it, I was holding the last sentence.
-Boring bastard.
Thank you for listening to the long story.
Just spit out one more sentence and everything ends.
"Thank you for listening to the long sto..."
The arduous journey comes to an end.
Thinking that, I smiled.
-What's so good that his voice is so bright?
-See, I told you he's nothing.
The iljin girl, still busy putting me down.
Be that as it may.
"Than... th, th, th..."
A voice stuck in my throat, not coming out.
I took a deep breath and looked at the iljin girl.
"Tha, tha..."
Then, with an intentionally bright voice, I spat out the last sentence.
"Than... you, bitch. If you're jealous, wanna fight?"
Oops.
Couldn't hold back.