26: Chapter 26: The 10% Discount

[Profession Rank Up:]

Swordsman (Rank: Intermediate)

(500 Proficiency needed for next Rank Up)

Skills:

Blade Affinity (Exceptional skill with bladed weapons)

Sword Soldier (Basic): (New! +100% Combat Ability when wielding a bladed weapon - Upgradable)

Available Skill Points: 1

[Current Profession Skill Points can be converted to Universal Skill Points. Cost: 300,000 Yen]

"So, Sword Soldier is basically a combat power boost?"

Fujino studied the new skill description.

"This skill came at the perfect time."

If he understood correctly, Sword Soldier was a passive skill that automatically increased his combat effectiveness whenever he used a sword. This was exactly what he needed.

His base physical ability was roughly D-rank. Using Detective Enhancement plus a Strength Boost Card pushed him slightly above D+.

Now, with Sword Soldier automatically activating whenever he drew his sword, his theoretical combat power should easily reach C-rank. And that was just raw power.

Factoring in his enhanced perception from the glasses and boost cards, Fujino figured he could probably hold his own against a C+ fighter like Sato Miwako.

Satisfied, Fujino shifted his attention to the newly acquired Swordsman skill point.

"A point that can upgrade any profession skill?"

He reread the note about converting excess points.

If a class leveled up but had no available skills to upgrade (or he chose not to), he could spend 300,000 yen to convert that class-specific point into a Universal Skill Point.

Universal Point... means it can upgrade any skill.

Fujino eyed the hefty 300,000 yen cost, hesitated for only a moment, then confirmed the conversion.

[300,000 Yen deducted.]

[Universal Skill Point Acquired: 1]

[Current Balance: 1,552,000 Yen...]

Hearing the confirmation, Fujino immediately allocated the precious Universal Point to his Student Discount skill.

[Student Discount (Advanced): Enjoy a 10% discount in the system AND in reality!]

"Ten percent?!"

Fujino gasped, staring ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the upgraded skill description. A 10% discount on everything?

That was insane! It was like a permanent store-wide sale... applicable both in the system and the real world.

He had to test this immediately. Fujino headed straight for the nearest convenience store.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The cashier scanned his items – a basket full of daily necessities. The total flashed on the register: 5,200 Yen.

The cashier glanced at the total, did a quick double-take, confirmed it, then looked back at Fujino.

"That will be 4,700 Yen, sir."

Fujino kept his expression neutral, handing over a 5,000 yen bill.

"Your change is 300 yen."

"Keep the change, just give me some gum."

"Okay."

Fujino walked out, stashed the bag of groceries in the back seat of his Taurus, popped a piece of gum in his mouth, and started the car.

"5,200 yen worth of stuff... only cost 4,700 yen thanks to the Student Discount?"

He chewed thoughtfully.

"This skill... it's absolutely terrifyingly good."

The next day, Teitan High, Class 2-B.

"My injuries?"

Fujino looked up, confused, at Ran and Sonoko standing beside his desk.

When did I get injured? And even if he had, how would they know?

"Fujino-senpai, you weren't injured?"

Ran asked, looking skeptical.

Is Senpai just hiding it so we don't worry...?

"Then why does the newspaper say you were bravely wounded while taking down the drug ring on Moonlight Island?"

Ran held out a newspaper for Fujino to see.

"The newspaper... said what?"

Fujino took the paper, his eyes scanning the article.

The front page was dominated by the story, filled with dense text.

His photo was prominently displayed under a large headline.

Several different news outlets had their own sensational takes:

[High School Detective Solves 12-Year-Old Mystery! Killer Revealed...]

[Teen Detective Fujino Douji Single-Handedly Destroys Drug Ring, Bravely Wounded in Action!]

[Fujino Douji's Moonlight Island Trip: The Untold Secrets with the Island Doctor?]

Fujino stared, speechless.

Seriously? These reporters are completely nuts!

'Single-handedly destroyed a drug ring'? 'Untold secrets with the island doctor'? What the hell?! Since when did I have a secret affair with Asai Seiji?!

These shameless journalists! Utterly unscrupulous!

"Fujino-senpai, did you really take down the drug ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ring all by yourself?"

Sonoko's excited voice broke through his disbelief.

He looked up to see her gazing at him with pure, unadulterated curiosity.

"Ahem!"

Fujino cleared his throat.

"Single-handedly destroying a drug ring... Sonoko, you really overestimate me."

"So, it's all fake?"

"Then why does the report say you did?"

"Maybe because I subdued two of the dealers...?"

"Oh, you only subdued two dealers..."

Sonoko's disappointment lasted only a second before realization hit.

"Wait! You took down two drug dealers?! By yourself?! Senpai, that's amazing!"

Sonoko stared at Fujino's face, her eyes practically sparkling, her 'lovestruck' expression barely contained.

Okay, maybe not quite as epic as the newspaper made it sound, but still... taking down drug dealers alone... He's like a real-life Prince Charming!

"It was nothing, really..."

Fujino mumbled modestly, shifting uncomfortably under Sonoko's adoring gaze.

He could feel imaginary hearts popping around her head.

Okay, now I kinda get why Shinichi wanted to be a famous detective.

Being worshipped by cute girls wasn't so bad.

Suddenly, another part of the newspaper caught his eye. He pointed to a smaller article.

"Hey, speaking of weird stories... what's this about a haunting at the Medieval Museum?"