Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Achieving A-Rank
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We leisurely returned to the academy.
A stage where vibrant youths breathed and lived.
Students dueling here and there...
“...”
Ugh, it's suffocating...
It wasn't this bad, was it?
The very air was different.
It felt like I'd been dragged into the military.
Well, considering it was more like a military academy, that wasn't entirely wrong.
The pleasant trip was but a midsummer night's dream.
Now it was time to face reality. Step by step, according to the plan...
“Jace Crodain.”
“---??”
A man in a black suit suddenly approached.
He handed me some documents and then disappeared.
I was momentarily filled with a sense of awkwardness.
When will they ever change their shtick?
I knew they supported the students in various ways, but their methods were a bit much!
Anyway.
The contents of the documents were good news.
[A-Rank Assessment. Current Ranking: 99th]
A double-digit ranking, not a triple-digit one.
I thought it would be a close call, but I was already A-Rank.
*Ah, just hurry up and get back to where you belong.*
*We just can't stand watching a former Hero candidate bully the B-Ranks.*
Something like that?
Either way, from my perspective, I was just grateful.
The rest of the information wasn't very important.
I could look over this quarter's schedule and the current A-Rank standings later.
[Sub Quest Complete]
[Ranking: Achieved A-Rank]
[Reward: +300,000 Achievement Points]
With this, I had gathered almost 800,000 points.
With a little more effort, I would be able to acquire Jace's exclusive skill.
“Wow! Jace did it!”
“I knew it would turn out this way. Congratulations.”
“You'll be S-Rank in no time, right? I'll be waiting.”
The girls each rejoiced in their own way.
They were as happy as if it were their own accomplishment.
Well, I guess I was finally at the starting line.
I should start seriously climbing the ranks now.
* * *
We soon went our separate ways.
Ceria headed straight for the Student Council, and Esterize went to the faculty office to submit a report.
“Mmm, wake me up in the evening...”
Aruru, as always, curled up and fell into a nap.
She had enjoyed the walk... no, the trip to her heart's content, so I wouldn't have to worry for a while.
Now then, shall I get started?
I'll make a grand showing in the A-Rank promotion matches.
Even with my current skills, I could aim for the middle ranks.
[Sub Quest]
[Promotion Matches: Maintain a Winning Streak]
[Reward: Winning Streak x 10,000 Achievement Points]
I'd need a 20-win streak to get 200,000 points...
It was a bit tough, but not impossible.
The short-term goal was to collect 1 million points.
Once I learned the exclusive skill, reaching the top ranks would be more than possible. By then...
“I'm disappointed in you.”
“---??”
“I heard you've been leisurely enjoying a trip since the tournament. How pathetic.”
“...”
I would gain the strength to shut that boar's mouth.
Largo, one of the strongest in the A-Rank's top tier, glared fiercely at me.
*How can you be so relaxed at your level?*
He seemed to be scolding me with that kind of attitude.
A nuisance was a nuisance, but dealing with him was awkward since I had received his help in many ways.
I hate meddlers!
I wanted to avoid him even more because of his muscular build.
Until now, I would have just prayed for him to disappear quickly...
But I was not weak anymore.
I was strong enough to defend myself even if Largo attacked me recklessly.
“My patience has its limits.”
“What?”
“It seems you still look down on me.”
“---!!”
Let's unleash this body's dignity to its fullest.
Even a boar-like guy like him flinched.
I decided to act tough.
I'd be sure to lose if we fought right now, but that wasn't going to happen.
I would accept Largo's challenge when 'Contempt for the Weak' activated.
“I'll be frank. Someone like you isn't even on my radar. That's the reality.”
“...”
His breathing grew heavier.
He unconsciously clenched his fists.
This level of provocation should be fine.
He just looked brutish; he was surprisingly the type to stick to principles.
“You're too impatient. We'll face each other when the time comes.”
“Th-that's...”
“Everything is going smoothly. You can't be dissatisfied with the speed at which I'm regaining my strength, can you?”
“...”
It had only been three months since my dantian was fixed.
I had proudly become an A-Rank, even if I was at the bottom of it.
One could only be astonished, not the other way around.
“I will fulfill my promise before the year is out.”
Got it now? No more unnecessary meddling!
As I drove the point home, Largo's face lit up.
He entered a state of uncontrollable excitement.
“Yes, I've been waiting for that confidence!”
“...”
“The way you looked down on me back then... It's like you've already returned to being a Hero candidate. Hahaha!”
This was working?
I couldn't believe it, but he actually liked being looked down on.
He was acting as if my arrogance was only natural.
In his mind, there must have been the Jace who stood at the pinnacle.
“I admit my rashness. Looking at you now, you seem even stronger than when you left for your trip... Did you perhaps have a real battle?”
“Well, I killed a tiresome number of drakes.”
“A-Rank monsters? Indeed...”
He nodded as if he understood.
Seeing how satisfied he looked, it seemed he would be quiet for a while.
“I must train harder as well.”
“---??”
“I will begin closed-door training immediately. To defeat you, I'll need at least that much. See you later, then.”
Ah, I poked the wrong bear.
This is why hot-blooded types are so troublesome!
It was like pouring oil on a roaring fire.
Some A-Ranks had the potential to become S-Ranks.
Ceria and Largo, main character-level supporting roles, were prime examples.
What if that boar suddenly awakened?
I could already picture a very troublesome future.
“...”
In truth, it didn't really matter.
If I had to categorize him, he was an ally.
It would be better for him to get even a little stronger if we were to face the Demon King's Army.
I could just make good use of him then.
The prerequisite was that I must become the Hero.
If Jace's dignity was combined with the Hero's authority...
Controlling thousands, even tens of thousands, wouldn't be difficult.
Later on, I would show Largo the difference in our levels and graduate from A-Rank at the same time.
Just as I made that resolution.
A female student approached, glaring daggers at me.
“You! Why do you keep breaking your promise? Do you have any idea how long I've waited?”
The elf girl burst out in anger.
It was my fault for forgetting after saying I'd teach her Spirit Swordsmanship.
“My apologies.”
“I don't need an apology that's just words!”
What should I do?
It was obvious she wasn't going to let this go easily.
When I looked at her with eyes that asked what she wanted, she poured out her words as if she'd been waiting.
“You went on a trip, didn't you? With several people?”
“And?”
“I'm curious about your intentions for leaving me out!”
“---??”
Elvish truly was difficult.
Anyone watching would think we were close.
She herself realized this a moment later and started to stammer.
“N-no, it's not that I particularly wanted to hang out with you, but... as a courtesy, you should have invited... Anyway, that's it!”
I just don't get it!
She made a face that said she was dying of disappointment.
I thought I could understand her feelings a little.
The Hero candidates each had their own little problems.
And because they saw each other as rivals, they could never really get close.
Only Jace was normal.
Jace was also the only one who treated everyone in a friendly manner.
In other words, it wasn't strange for certain expectations to arise.
“I'll consider you next time.”
“Really?”
“...”
“Alright. I'll be generous and let it slide this time.”
At that single sentence, she beamed with a radiant smile.
She might seem silly, but she was still an elf, and her appearance was quite beautiful.
Sorry, but there won't be a next time!
I'm going to be incredibly busy from now on.
Well, whatever about that...
In the end, Ilensia was lonely.
She was a bit like Aruru.
A situation where there were none of her own kind around.
When she tried to get close to humans, the unique elven aura ruined everything.
Who could handle that haughtiness?
Instead of friends, she had made a bunch of subordinates.
There were about thirty male students who blindly worshipped her.
That must have been fun in its own way.
But now, she seemed to have grown tired of it and wanted a friend on equal footing.
Maybe it was about time for me to step in?
Unlike before, I had some leeway now.
It might be a bit of a hassle, but she was a Hero candidate, so I needed to look after her.
I would raise her affection level while I was at it.
There was no harm in acquiring the elf girl's trait, after all.
“I'll come find you tomorrow morning.”
“So straightforward. I like it very much.”
Was it because she had achieved her goal?
She hummed a tune and obediently withdrew.
I gazed blankly at Ilensia's retreating back.
Her affection level was only 60.
It wasn't a low number, but it was still a long way from 80.
Hmm, should I be more proactive?
Maybe I should pull out the strategy guide in my head and speed things up...
“Let's talk for a moment.”
“...”
This time, it was Chloe.
*Had a good time without me, did you?*
I could clearly feel her glaring at me with that kind of attitude.
You too?
You're sulking because I didn't take you?
Still, she didn't just confront me head-on like someone else.
“Something unusual happened while you were away.”
“Unusual?”
“Yes. First, it seems Cedric and Gale had a fight due to a difference of opinion.”
“Hmm...”
So the guys who disliked me had a falling out.
It wasn't hard to guess the reason. One of them must have had a change of heart.
*Huh? Is this right?*
*We should probably stop now.*
A sense of crisis like that must have emerged.
My terrifying growth speed, reaching A-Rank in a single quarter.
My influence, being on friendly terms with several Hero candidates despite being weakened.
They must have been wary of such things, but I was already prepared to soar.
From a common-sense perspective.
The conclusion was that messing with me carelessly would only result in a loss.
Gale, being a mage, must have made a rational judgment.
His pride wouldn't let him apologize, but it seemed he wouldn't bother me anymore.
“Gale must have been the first to back off.”
“That's what I think, too.”
Chloe suddenly smiled.
As if she liked my calm demeanor instead of being flustered.
I ignored her reaction and asked about Cedric's recent activities.
“That's a bit strange. He still seems to be targeting you, but there haven't been any notable movements. It's like he's plotting something big...”
I could ignore him now.
Cedric had his limits on his own.
Of course, you never knew.
A cornered villain was bound to cause a major incident.
He was someone who felt inferior to Jace, so I needed to be careful.
“To be honest, I'm incredibly anxious.”
“Why?”
“Cedric has a vicious streak. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.”
She added that he was the type to ruin even his own family.
He really was the kind of guy who would do that, so I nodded.
“I wouldn't care if he ruined himself, but he's sure to harm those around him too.”
Perhaps because she had suffered at Cedric's hands.
She showed a resolute attitude without any hesitation.
In a way, her situation was quite pitiful.
I couldn't accept her feelings for me, but as she was an ally, I would comfort her a little.
“You can rest easy. If any problems arise... I will defend and protect you.”
“---!!”
Her surprise was brief.
She gazed at me fondly, like a girl in love.
No, wait a minute...
Isn't that switch in attitude too fast?
At this rate, I'd be scared to say anything.
I didn't panic like I used to.
Having gained a minimum level of strength, I was somewhat at ease.
*If I can't have you, I'll destroy you!*
Even if she came at me like that now, I could handle it.
As if she had no such thoughts yet, she gave me a bewitching eye-smile.
“Say it one more time.”
“...I will protect you.”
“Ah, that has such a nice ring to it.”
“...”
Did she get even easier?
Maybe she was the type who was weak to lip service?
I wasn't sure, but she seemed more or less satisfied.
“Some of the information needs more investigation, so I'll tell you later. For now... you should deal with the matter at hand. There are quite a lot of A-Rank students targeting you...”
“Don't tell me, again?”
“Yes. They probably think this is their only chance to fight you. Well, see you later.”
After Chloe left.
Not even five minutes later, five or six A-Rank students were lined up in front of me.
“Jace Crodain. I challenge you to a promotion match.”
“...”
There was no way out, not that I intended to escape in the first place.
I had just gone from B-Rank to A-Rank; I was still a point-vending machine.
Well, these guys were at least decent.
They decided the order beforehand and were waiting. How considerate.
Still, I should check.
I let out this body's dignity and asked.
“Why did you single me out? Do you calculate you have a chance of winning?”
“No, I just want to learn from you. This is the only chance we'll get to face a former Hero candidate.”
Unwavering eyes.
He didn't fear defeat in the slightest.
His attitude was that he wanted to gain experience without obsessing over points.
Indeed, things were certainly different starting from A-Rank.
The B-Ranks had avoided me, so it seemed I wouldn't have to waste time like back then.
“A fine mindset. Then I shall gladly face you.”
Contempt for the Weak: On.
I easily scored three consecutive wins right then and there.
“To think he'd get so strong already...”
“And it looks like he was holding back, too.”
“Hmm, he'll be a Hero candidate again soon.”
*If it's Jace, it's not strange at all.*
Everyone seemed to be acknowledging it with that sort of feeling.
That's why it was so easy!
They just nodded along with whatever I did.
Like this, daily life at the academy was pretty decent too.