Virginity Detection Item
Virginity Detection Item
[Numbers] was Fanta X Aca's item ranking system.
Beyond the ordinary classification—Normal, Advanced, Rare, Legendary—these were unique, high-value items assigned their own designations.
Like how a nation might label its most precious treasures as "National Treasure No. 12," these were individually numbered items of exceptional worth.
'Numbers in the 100s... not bad at all.'
Around that range, item value tended to climb exponentially.
That was exactly why Ian couldn't help but smile at the princess's proposal.
'The original reward was maybe a handful of gold coins and a craftsman-made item at best.'
Compared to the baseline reward for Chapter 2's main scenario, this was a massive upgrade.
"Well? What do you think of my offer?"
The princess extended her hand, and Ian took it with satisfaction.
"I accept."
"The more I see of you, the more peculiar you seem."
"In what regard?"
"Sometimes you act utterly detached—indifferent, as if nothing concerns you. Other times, you're brimming with confidence and drive."
"I see."
"Yes. You move as though you've already figured out exactly what matters to you and what doesn't. As if you can see right through everything."
Ian felt a twinge of guilt.
'Have I been too efficient about this?'
Using his knowledge of the scenario, he'd focused on what was necessary and boldly ignored the rest.
Asteria must have picked up on those sharp shifts in his attitude.
"A man who shows no interest in my body—frankly, that's the only explanation that makes sense. Fufu."
She stepped back as if to pass it off as a joke, but she surely knew she was merely emphasizing that she was no ordinary woman.
A subtle, eye-crinkling smile crossed her lips.
When Asteria wore her ditzy mask, her laughter came off as oddly innocent yet coquettish. Now, her smile was sharp and dignified—even if, beneath it, there was cynicism and self-deprecation.
"I hardly know what to do with such praise."
"Even from you, Ian—I won't tolerate mockery."
"My apologies."
Grinning, Asteria quirked her lips as though it had all been a jest, then crossed her legs and asked more seriously:
"I don't mean to underestimate you, but you do fully understand the purpose of the commission I've given you, yes?"
"Gather evidence to prove the head of House Pierce is a member of the Blood Rock Sect. That is the task, is it not?"
"Do you know what sort of man the head of House Pierce is?"
"Richard von Pierce. Grand Duke of the North."
"Hoooh—"
The exclamation didn't come from the princess.
Asteria and Ian turned their heads.
Karen was staring at Ian with a thoroughly dumbfounded expression.
She dipped her head.
"Apologies. I was simply taken aback that someone could speak the Grand Duke's name so casually."
"It's fine. I was rather surprised myself."
Grand Duke Richard Pierce.
Who in the world didn't tremble at that colossal name?
The princess, still visibly taken aback herself, turned toward Karen and spoke.
"Ian, as you know, I won't be able to accompany you. In my place, she will join your journey."
"I'd like to issue the orders."
"Do as you see fit."
Karen flinched at the princess's immediate answer.
"Your Highness!"
"Karen, I'm not dismissing you. I know your family's prestige and your accomplishments better than most. But just this once, will you trust my judgment?"
A spark of tension.
Karen redirected her glare at Ian instead of the princess.
Ian merely shrugged.
Letting out a small sigh, Karen bowed her head toward the princess.
"...Yes. Of course."
"Good. Hmm. Speaking of which, Ian—do you intend to bring your cat as well? You two seemed to work well together."
Team composition, then.
Ian mulled it over briefly.
Danya would certainly be an asset.
"Yes."
"I don't think that's a bad choice either. But House Pierce is based in the north. You'll want a team member with a fire attribute, I suspect."
The north was covered in frozen tundra. Many in House Pierce specialized in frost-element abilities.
Flame-element specialists were the most effective counter to frost. More importantly, when facing unexpected calamities in such an environment, having fire could make an enormous difference.
No matter the party composition, common doctrine dictated bringing at least one flame user when heading to the continent's northern reaches.
"If you don't know anyone suitable, I was going to suggest hiring someone."
"No. I have someone in mind."
As it happened, Ian knew a flame user.
'And tackling the main scenario without any of the heroines feels a bit off.'
Though there was still one unresolved issue between him and that particular woman.
A probability of 0.001% was fundamentally different from 0%.
'I'll need to verify it properly.'
He had no intention of taking on needless risk.
As Ian reached his conclusion, the princess emerged wearing an outer coat and dark sunglasses that obscured her face.
"I'll handle the miscellaneous preparations, so you focus on assembling your team and your plan. Oh, and—"
Asteria's hair transformed into pure white in an instant.
"Remember—this is what I look like in disguise."
Watching this, Karen let out a small, resigned sigh.
"I fail to comprehend what you see in this man to trust him so completely."
"Who do I think he is? Hmm."
Spinning around, the princess lowered her sunglasses toward Ian.
"Who else? The imperial advisor to the future empress—me."
A wink.
Asteria flashed one eye shut.
To Ian, the gesture felt just a little too heavy.
◆
The next day.
"Please be careful."
Ian visited Sylvia's office to pick up the item he'd asked her to procure.
Buried under a mountain of paperwork, Sylvia had beamed the moment she spotted him—then abruptly turned away with a sharp "Ahem!" to compose herself before speaking.
"Huh? Careful of what?"
"The princess. The Third Princess—Asteria."
Rising from her chair, she walked over with crisp, clicking steps and raised a forefinger.
"After the disciplinary hearing, I had a conversation with her. She's definitely not ordinary. That whole promiscuous act she puts on seems fake. She's no fool, so don't let yourself be seduced."
"Ah... right."
Had his response come off a little lukewarm?
Sylvia instantly deflated.
"You already knew, of course. At this rate, my debt..."
Realizing his mistake, Ian hastily waved his hands.
"No, really. Thanks to you, I'm on sharper alert. I appreciate it."
"I don't need cheap consolation!"
Hmph! She turned up her nose, but her expression softened almost immediately.
Pouting slightly, she went on.
"It's a shame. If I had the opportunity, I'd have liked to go to the frozen tundra with you."
Sylvia glanced at the stacks of documents in front of her with wistful eyes.
Now that Ian looked, the volume was alarming.
Most students had departed for the St. Gregory rest period.
Yet the paperwork kept piling up... The reason was obvious.
"The Raymond Trading Company is making moves?"
"Yes. Emilia's underlings, in particular, have been disturbingly active."
Sylvia's brow furrowed slightly.
It wasn't just irritation at that fox-like Emilia. She also had the nagging feeling there was something else she needed to tell Ian, but it wouldn't surface.
"Oh. Right."
"?"
"There are rumors going around about the saintess candidate, Aria. They say she's in terrible shape."
"How bad are we talking?"
"Utterly intoxicated, stumbling about. Or, well..."
"...?"
"People are saying she seems to be on drugs. It's not just idle gossip—the intel came from a fairly credible source."
Aria, not in her right mind.
Ian sank into thought for a moment.
Aria Lumines Bell.
Even under normal circumstances, her mental state was far from stable.
And now, on top of that, there were suspicions that her holy artifact had been used to forge the will...
In Pongpongi's [Strategy Guide], the section on Aria had been unusually long—mostly devoted to methods for managing her mental state.
'I suppose that makes sense.'
Knowing the history between Pongpongi and Aria, Ian gave a quiet nod to himself.
"Can you keep a close eye on those two for me?"
"Of course. I was already watching them carefully anyway."
"Thanks."
"This much is nothing. Oh, and—"
Sylvia pulled a small box from her drawer.
She held it out confidently at first, then fumbled her words slightly.
"Th-this is the, ahem... the Unicorn's Cord you asked for. I've no idea why you'd need something like this, but it performs as advertised."
"Oh. Thanks."
Ian examined the item.
It was a wide cord, thick enough to loop around a stout pole.
[ Unicorn's Cord ]
The item existed in the game's lore to begin with, so he had no reason to doubt its function.
"Um... excuse me."
Sylvia's earlobes reddened as she fidgeted.
"Yes?"
"The size... no, I mean. Who—who are you going to use it on?"
"Hmm."
Ian hesitated.
Should he actually tell her?
"No, never mind! It's private. I shouldn't have asked. But Ian—"
"?"
"If you're unsure whether someone is a virgin or not, she probably isn't."
Sylvia delivered another of her piercingly insightful one-liners.
Ian nodded.
"You're probably right. Thanks, Sylvia."
"Of course! Ahem!"
Though why Sylvia looked so triumphant and self-assured was something Ian didn't quite grasp.
◇
After leaving the Laurent Trading Company, Ian boarded a tram heading for the academy's north gate.
With most students away, the tram was nearly empty.
He settled into a seat and pulled out his Kirtos terminal.
Departure was tomorrow. No time to waste.
[ Ian ] Rina, got a moment?
Under normal circumstances, Rina would have gone home to look after her siblings. But with her scholarship cut, she couldn't afford the portal tolls that were one of the scholarship perks.
'She'll still be in Lichten.'
True to her social-butterfly nature, she was probably off somewhere hanging out with friends.
But—
[ Rina ] Yes!
...Had she been staring at her Kirtos this whole time?
The reply arrived almost impossibly fast.
[ Ian ] Meet me at this café in an hour.
[ Rina ] Okay! I'll head over now!
The place he'd picked was a café with private rooms.
Ian fiddled with the Unicorn's Cord in his hands.
'A quick check shouldn't be too much trouble, right?'
Concerning the task ahead, Ian had settled on a conclusion that was, admittedly, a little too simple and convenient.