Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Bear Rank School Life
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"Aba, let's go eat.
I'm hungry."
"Yeah, sure!"
"See you later, Oppa!"
Since we're at the same school, we'll run into each other again anyway.
"Dekal."
Just as I was about to leave, Diana called out to me belatedly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm in the same class too. See you in class tomorrow."
"Got it."
It's something I always think, but...
A shy girl is a sight to behold.
As long as she's "pretty," that is.
Diana, who rarely opened up about her feelings so honestly, was pretty lovable.
After parting ways with the girls, Aba and I headed to the cafeteria.
For lunch, we paid 3pt for a basic meal to fill our stomachs.
No matter what we ordered, it wouldn't measure up to Elrin's cooking, so we'd just end up disappointed anyway.
We could've gone straight back to the shell castle, but eating with a close friend wasn't half bad.
"That emergency mission was impressive in so many ways. My heart was pounding when we entered the hideout. I still can't forget it."
"I felt the blood drain from my face."
"The culprit was someone chasing after you because she likes you, right? Being popular can be a real hassle. Having your life targeted like that...
I wouldn't have been able to sleep."
"That night scared me too. Wondering where she might pop out from."
But now, I don't think I'd be surprised even if we crossed paths again.
Convincing Seoyeon is an important issue too.
Our connection from the modern world feels special.
Plus, she's pretty cute...
"Aba."
It was then.
A stocky guy with short-cropped hair approached and called out to Aba.
Aba practically jumped out of his chair in surprise.
"Hyung."
Hyung? Aba's older brother would be...
The eldest son of the Lown family, "Badek Lown"... something like that.
I barely managed to recall it.
"I heard about it. You completed an emergency mission?"
Badek ignored me completely, even though I was eating with him, and kept talking one-sidedly.
"Y-Yeah."
Aba set down his utensils and fidgeted awkwardly.
"A real man handles his own business.
Don't go chasing after women's skirts.
I heard the Vanguard lady joined the mission too. You must've led her well, right?"
"I'm not sure. Diana was way more impressive than me. Saying I led her feels off..."
"Look me in the eye and say that properly. When are you going to man up?"
"..."
Aba shrank back and couldn't say a word.
I slammed the table loudly to draw attention.
"Hey.
Can't you see we're eating?"
What the hell is this at the dinner table?
"Who are you?"
"Dekal. Former adventurer."
No point in hiding my background—he'd just mock it anyway—so I stated it plainly.
Badek stared at me straight, then snorted.
"Aba. Choose your friends wisely.
Guys like this—pretty face, empty noise—aren't any help.
We had plenty like him on the front lines. Crying about monsters after a few days and wanting to go home."
"Dekal's not like that."
How can brothers have such different personalities?
Every word dripped with condescension, pissing me off.
"Former adventurer, I said. Didn't you hear?
You deaf or something? Don't interrupt our meal. Scram."
"You know who I am—Badek Lown—when you say that?"
"Badek, Madec, whatever. I wasn't planning to butt into family matters, but can't you two talk after we eat?
You realize you're ruining my appetite, right?"
"Heh heh heh."
Badek let out an unpleasant chuckle.
"Funny.
Dekal. I'll remember that name."
Ugh, I don't want to be remembered, but no way I'll forget him either.
Wish I could hypnotize myself to forget at times like this.
In the end, after Badek left, we ate a bit more and called it quits.
"Sorry, Dekal."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Hyung's in a bad mood because of me probably. He always thought emergency missions were cowardly shortcuts."
"Cowardly shortcuts?"
"A system that gives ladders to the unqualified... something that should be scrapped..."
What a joke.
Not my business how that guy thinks, but if he annoys me again, I'll make sure he can't push back.
Rare for me to hypnotize a guy, but I had a strong feeling it'd happen.
Just from a few words, I could tell he had massive pride in his frontline soldier days.
Older than the cadets here, with achievements under his belt, so he subtly—or openly—looked down on us.
"Honestly, doesn't it piss you off when he acts like that?"
"W-What? I don't think—"
"What's wrong with brothers?
Don't you want to give him a taste of his own medicine?"
"......!!"
Aba's eyes went wide in shock as he frantically shook his head.
Like he'd never even imagined it.
He even glanced around nervously, as if afraid someone might overhear. Guess his brother had a lot of sway at home.
If this pure, kind side is what his brother calls "not a man"...
In my book, mouthing off to a jerk brother is the first step to manhood.
"If he spouts more crap, just deck him.
Once you do it, it's not so bad next time."
"I might get kicked out..."
"If you're right, that won't happen. You've got things you're better at than him."
"Like what? He's way stronger than me."
"Forgot what Diana said?
Have some confidence. There are plenty of ways to earn respect beyond strength."
"..."
Aba mulled over my words deeply.
"Got it, Dekal. I'll think about it."
Guess that's enough meddling.
Aba should get what I mean.
No need to hypnotize Badek and teach him a lesson yet.
Besides, I avoid that kind of use as much as possible.
My ideal hypnosis is for stuff that turns me on, after all.
Thus began my new school life as a Bear Rank.
But what changes, really?
After sleeping in the dorm for the first time in ages and waking up, a new directive appeared on the soul panel behind my bed.
It was a long message, but summing up the key parts:
Unlike Rabbit or Wolf Ranks, Bears don't have a fixed curriculum.
Or rather, autonomy increases.
No more deductions or points from class attendance.
Bears move to the "main building," use facilities as needed, attend classes if wanted,
and raise scores through periodic teacher evaluations.
So, Rabbit and Wolf Ranks cull the weak,
and from Bear Rank, they stay in Melbrit's main building.
That's where Bear Rank+ female cadets gather.
Meaning, I'd finally cross paths with all the female cadets I couldn't meet before.
Thanks to the emergency mission, I reached the goal easily.
Time to rapidly increase my number of girls.
Shall we?
I left my room and entered Melbrit's main building.
First floor of the main building. Mostly Bear Rank+ cadets milling about.
Those entering now were the chosen ones by Melbrit's selection system.
Male and female cadets alike wore confident expressions.
I strode through the center when I spotted a familiar statue and looked up.
"..."
About 13 meters tall?
A beautiful woman's statue. As I stared blankly, a tickling scent brushed my nose.
"That statue.
It's said to be a carving of the goddess of light, Ilesia."
I turned my head and nearly had a heart attack.
There she was, right in front of me.
The woman who'd watched me from under the tree that day. Student council president Shia.
"I like this statue too."
"..."
Overwhelmed by Shia's beauty, I couldn't utter a word.
When she approached without warning, surprise stole my voice.
Shia was that stunning. Her soft green eyes evoked a holy aura, paralyzing me upon eye contact.
Hypnosis...
I need to hypnotize her.
As I tried to move my right hand,
Shia gently placed her hand on my wrist, softly blocking me.
Without even glancing at my hand, she looked straight at me.
"Do you know?
That the goddess watches over everything."
"..."
Did she... just block me?
Did she notice my intent?
"Who are you?"
"Shia, student council president of Melbrit.
And you're Dekal, right?"
"..."
I nodded.
"If you have something to say to me, meet me at the library at midnight.
But come prepared."
"Prepared...?"
"Don't come without a plan."
"..."
A plan? What...?
Shia left behind those cryptic words and departed.
The soft warmth lingering on my wrist spread to my heart, stinging sharply.
This woman definitely has something special.
Is she the goddess of light, Ilesia?
00:00, library.
No clue what she meant by "plan."
Just confusion.
A humiliating sense of being entranced lingered over me.
The urge to see her writhing beneath me, moaning, swelled explosively.
"..."
00:00, library.
I'll go today.
"Why are you just standing there? Scary face and all."
Someone spoke to me.
A face like Diana's. But from the blazer coat with hands in pockets and that poking laugh, I knew right away.
Tilia Vanguard. Diana's older sister.
"Did our student council president say something to you?"
"She asked me out."
"Ha, joke. Not even a date—she never approaches anyone first."
"Then why'd you approach me?"
"First time in the main building? Wait, you did the emergency mission, so second? Third?"
"Count it as first."
Tilia approached with an oddly friendly smile.
"I'll show you around.
How to use the main building. Train with me today—combat training."
"Combat training..."
She seemed eager for a duel already.
Not many carry weapons due to Melbrit's rules, but Tilia's longsword stood out.
Scared she'll charge and slash me any second.
"Not doing anything yet. No worries. Tormenting a clueless newbie isn't fun."
What, raise me up just to eat me later?
Seems she plans to train me properly.
"Want a guide? Huh?"
I'd forgotten they were sisters for a sec.
Tilia's playful smile echoed Diana's cuteness, startling me a bit.
She acted rough like a guy, but it made me imagine Diana grown up like this.
"Sure. Thanks."
Fate is fate.
Finally meeting Tilia now that I'm Bear Rank—waste not to enjoy it.
"Bear Rank and up don't need to obsess over classes.
Facilities open till midnight, so use 'em freely."
"Nice."
Freedom.
Just escaping point pressure felt great.
"You can get demoted if you flunk evaluations, though."
...Right after relaxing, bam.
"Not exam season now, so take it easy.
To the dojo. My usual spot."
I followed Tilia.
Up to the second floor, peeking into rooms.
Each had different setups, clearly.
Tilia stopped at a corridor corner.
I stopped too.
"Sis!"
"Diana."
"Where are you going? Ah..."
Diana spotted me and blinked in flustered surprise.
"Training with Dekal. Guiding the clueless newbie."
"...I see."
Diana wore a rare gloomy expression.
"Do your best, Diana."
"Yeah."
We passed Diana.
Glancing back out of worry, she was looking at me too.
Our eyes met, and she hurried off flustered.
...What was that?
If she wanted to join, she could've.
"Other dojos exist, but this one's quietest."
"Not scouting a spot to kill me in secret, right?"
"Ahaha!"
Tilia burst out laughing at my joke, slapping my back.
"What're you saying!
No grudges anymore? Just unfinished business to settle."
So she wants payback via duel.
I arrived at the facility Tilia called the dojo.
Opening the door, a shoe rack.
"Take off your shoes."
"..."
Actual dojo.
No clutter to hinder movement.
One wall full of mirrors for form-checking. Walls lined with practice weapons. Some cadets swung solo or sparred with partners.
Spacious too.
Could dance randomly here and no one'd care.
"Dekal. Use any weapons?"
"Nah, not really."
"Then..."
Tilia grabbed a wooden practice sword from the wall and tossed it to me.
Caught it reflexively, but clueless what to do.
Fight with this?
"I'm a mage.
Don't need this stuff."
"Mages benefit even more from training, no?"
Fair point.
I'm no good at close combat.
I've overpowered with physical stats a few times, but if Seoyeon closes in, I'd be defenseless.
Unless someone's guarding me.
Well, if ranking 5th offers to toughen me up, why not trust her once?
"Got the itch now, huh.
Hard mode? Or gentle?"
...
Fresh hearing that from a girl.
"Go hard."
A man's got pride.
"Urk!?"
Five seconds later, I was airborne.
Didn't even know what hit me—spun once and face-planted.
"Guh!"
Embarrassment beat the pain.
Distant trainees glanced over, making it worse.
As I got up, Tilia was giggling.
This girl...