Interlude - Rone's Gift Strengthening

Tension etched across Rone's face at my words. Her lips pressed tightly together in a rigid expression, her footsteps irregular as she tapped the floor hesitantly with her toes. Her interlaced hands fidgeted anxiously, and her eyes darted side to side, unable to focus. The usual lively, playful demeanor was gone, replaced by the frozen stiffness of a rookie stepping onto the stage for the first time. In the heavy silence of the club room, where even her breathing seemed cautious, her nervousness stood out all the more sharply.

I gazed at her with gentle eyes, as if to soothe her, and immediately activated my second Advice. Perhaps because it had already triggered once before, it activated swiftly this time without delay. Soon, several message windows burst forth from her body like steam.

As the message windows emanating from Rone's body floated before our eyes, she widened her eyes in wonder, unable to close her gaping mouth. Though she'd been shrinking back in tension at first, her curiosity eventually won out—the hesitation vanished in an instant, replaced by sparkling eyes.

"This is the status window that only you can see, Teacher! It's so amazing…."

Rone marveled as she examined the windows from every angle. But since they hovered centered on her, they moved with her body, keeping the same fixed perspective no matter how she shifted.

Watching her fascination, I promptly shared the options displayed in the messages with the other students. This being the second time using Advice, things progressed quickly. And the students, now accustomed to my ability, eagerly chimed in with their opinions.

"Hmm…. For starters, Super Hero seems perfect for Rone."

Rozalia spoke first, her eyes already gleaming as if envisioning Rone's superhuman feats.

"Rone loves being the center of attention, and she joined the Paranormal Investigation Club because she wants to be special, right? A power that transcends human limits! Just how incredible is it!?"

The first option on the chopping block was Super Hero—the classic type that maximized the original Gift's potential, as always in these strengthenings.

Rone puffed up proudly at Rozalia's words. "Right? I don't know exactly what Super Hero entails, but… it has to be insanely powerful!"

But Aurora swiftly pointed out the flaws with cool precision. "It does suit Rone perfectly, but the drawbacks are clear. Needing 'even more attention' means greater exposure to ghost stories. We're already careful to resolve them discreetly, out of sight. Requiring massive crowds to max it out is way too risky."

"Ah…. Yeah, that's a problem…."

Regret flickered across Rone's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠face.

"What about the second option, Self-Esteem Explosion?" Elaine asked calmly. "Unlike Super Hero, it keeps the peak the same but raises the floor dramatically. Going full power without needing others' attention is a huge plus. It's perfect for stealth ops or emergencies—and our Paranormal Investigation Club ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deals with those constantly."

Aurora countered coolly once more. "But the backlash of deactivation for a set time is dangerous. You might need it most right then."

"Exactly! You'd be totally defenseless!" Rozalia agreed, her face worried.

Rone crossed her arms, lost in thought. "Hmm…. No audience needed is great, but collapsing after? Duration and downtime matter a lot."

"The third is Actor." Aurora continued. "Corrections beyond physical strength, to acting, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠judgment, and more…. I find this the most intriguing. Designating a 'stage' and 'performing' fitting skills means flexible adaptation to surprises. Covering intellect or technique is a big win."

"Oh, so I could become an amazing architect or singer!?" Rone's eyes sparkled again.

"W-Well, I'm not sure it goes that far…." Aurora averted her gaze, burdened by Rone's enthusiasm.

"Adding skills beyond raw strength—and choosing them yourself—is a massive advantage, but…. The 'stage' designation is vague. How broad is it? Unintended limits, unknown duration…."

Elaine added her thoughts. Having seen her own strengthening once before, the students were exchanging sharp analyses without my input.

"Hmm, the last one's Scene Stealer…. What do you think?" Rone offered her own take. "My Gift fails without attention, right? This forces it onto me! And not just humans—ghost stories feel charisma too. In fights, I draw eyes, protect civilians, reduce ghost story buffs. Sounds good!"

The students debated the four paths, weighing pros and cons, while Rone listened intently, pondering seriously.

She took a deep breath, then met my eyes squarely. Her earnest gaze caught me off guard.

"I'll… go with your choice, Teacher."

"That's unexpected…. Weren't you just buzzing about which to pick? You sure about leaving it to me? Elaine did, but you don't have to…."

I'd figured Rone for Super Hero. But she shook her head firmly.

"It's not copying Elaine." Her expression serious, she continued. "You promised to make me special, right?"

"…I did."

"So you should choose. I've learned from the club: how you use the power matters more than the power itself. And you wield my abilities better than I do. So please—use them for me."

"…Saying it like that just piles on the pressure."

I gave a wry smile and made my recommendation. "I suggest Self-Esteem Explosion."

Super Hero spiked the ceiling but ballooned risks—the restrictive type I'd gained Advice to avoid narrowing strategies. If she'd leaned that way, I'd have talked her out of it. Elaine's wise pick let her pose dramatically; Rone or Rozalia were iffier for blind trust.

Scene Stealer was useful, but drawing eyes? I could bluff or intimidate that now.

My real finalists: Self-Esteem Explosion and Actor. The former raised the floor dramatically, per Elaine; the latter added versatility without risks. Both tempting, but….

Actor's description was too vague—stage scope? Performance range? Maybe my understanding of Rone wasn't deep enough. No room for gambles, so Self-Esteem Explosion it was.

Rone selected it without hesitation, and a blinding flash erupted in the club room once more. This time, everyone but one was prepared, hands over eyes….

"Kyaaaaah!!! My eyes!!! My beautiful eyes!!!!!"

…Except Rozalia.

Soon the piercing light faded, restoring the room's cozy calm—save Rozalia's agonized screams lingering like an echo. She rubbed her eyes, whining, but could open them now.

At the flash's epicenter, Rone quietly opened her eyes. A strange vitality lit her face.

"It's… done?" she asked, clearing her throat.

"Pfft. Who're you asking?" I chuckled, then questioned her. "How's it feel?"

Rone stretched her arms, grinning slyly. "Hmm…. Not sure. But I feel kinda cooler?"

Her playful quip drew my laugh and a headshake. "Doubt it changed that much."

I smiled in satisfaction. And so, that day, two students' Gift strengthenings concluded.

….

The next day, the Everlight Academy bulletin board featured a detailed report from the Paranormal Investigation Club on resolving Glair's three letters. No massive uproar, but a few students showed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mild interest in the brief post.

Soon after, the newspaper club ran a special feature on the Paranormal Investigation Club and Allen Jest. No huge splash, but the club's name began circulating among students.