03. Is Bari a Great Mage?
03. Is Bari a Great Mage?
<Production>
Compressed Material 570L/t
Meta-atom 30L/t
Nanomaterials 0L/t
<Stockpile>
Compressed Material 265L
Meta-atom 62L
Nanomaterials 1L
[Facilities]
Control Center: 1
Collector: 2 (+1)
Nuclear Fission Device: 1 (+1)
[Units]
Construction Robot: 1
===
Added one <Collector> and one <Nuclear Fission Device> each through construction.
Since Nanomaterials are needed for instant construction, this is regular construction using Meta-atoms.
The construction time required for this is 1 turn (one day) for the Collector, and a whopping 5 turns (5 days) for the Nuclear Fission Device.
According to Bari, we can enter mass production of Nanomaterials within a week... really...?
"Let's produce more Construction Robots too."
Yeah.
That's the answer.
Since we don't have much resources left anyway, melting them down for ores isn't a bad idea. If we can't spend gold, we might as well melt the resources!
<Production of 5 Construction Robots has begun.>
<250L of Compressed Material has been consumed.>
<2.5L of Meta-atom has been consumed.>
Five flex...
Of course, <Construction Robot>s also consume turns. But since it only takes 1 turn, that's a relief.
"But y'know."
"Yes."
"It's fine now since we still have space, but... eventually this cave will fill up too, right?"
"Of course."
"Then we'll have to expand it again. And that'll require Nanomaterials too."
"You don't necessarily have to use Nanomaterials. But it will definitely require resources."
"Either way, we need to stockpile a ton of resources."
Once I faced the situation head-on, I realized it was far from leisurely.
We need to gather resources, strengthen myself.
And keep increasing Bari's size too.
Man, the to-do list is a mountain.
I came here to enjoy myself, but instead of fun, it feels like I'm gonna be rolling in the dirt non-stop.
"No good. I need some peace of mind. Bari, come here."
"Yes?"
I led Bari to the bed and sat down.
"Taking me to bed at this hour. Sihwan-nim, don't tell me,"
"No, you idiot."
What do you take me for.
I just want some peace.
Bari's an incredible one, so her stats must be incomparable to mine, right? Seeing this should definitely reassure me.
<Status Window of Bari>
Rank: ???? +Hero
Classification: Humanoid ?????
Gender: ?Female
Level: ??? +300
Disposition: Martial +Arrogant
[Strength: ???? +300]
[Agility: ???? +300]
[Mana: ???? +300]
[Vitality: ???? +300]
[Endurance: ???? +300]
*Since accurate assessment is impossible, temporary additional stats are granted based on the level of the owner 'Ryu Si-hwan'.
==
"..."
Holy shit.
It's a stat window that makes my chest swell with grandeur. In various senses...
First off, that feast of question marks. What the hell is it? Unmeasurable?
And the additional stats tacked on at the end... all uniformly +300.
The explanation below says that since accurate judgment is impossible, they 'temporarily' added extra stats—what does that even mean.
After thinking for a bit, I reached a rough conclusion.
Those question marks mean unknown, i.e., null value. And null values can't be calculated. In programming, trying to compute with null throws an error.
Because,
Can you represent Null + 1 as 1?
No.
No matter if you add 1, multiply by 100, multiply by 1000 and divide by 100, Null stays Null.
Just like adding 1 to infinity still gives infinity.
In other words, it's a value that can't be used in operations.
So in Bari's case, her strength stat is null+300, which should ultimately be null? Unusable number?
You might think that, but here we need to look closely at the asterisk explanation.
'Since judgment is impossible,' 'temporarily' 'additional stats'
Those keywords are there.
And in reality, Bari's strength is still overwhelmingly superior to mine.
Putting it all together, Bari's [Stat: ???? +300] can probably be interpreted like this.
[Stat: ???? (What the fuck is this thing, can't even calculate it?) + (But it seems like an insanely awesome one, so I'll slap on some extra stats for now and calculate with that.) 300 (But if I give too much, it breaks balance, so I'm adjusting it appropriately based on the owner's, Ryu Si-hwan's, level.)]
Something like that?
It's like those 'newbie growth weapons' you often see in online games.
Her rank is also ???? +Hero, so that changes too, it seems.
"Still, seeing you reassures me a bit."
Anyway, each stat is at least 300, right.
I don't know what the max is, but at least she won't get crushed.
Plus, as my level goes up, her stats will rise too.
For reference, level is the average of stats, and mine is 16.8. Total noob.
"Oh my, were you feeling anxious? No need for that. Just don't pull aggro."
"Urgh..."
That's hard for me.
From the start! I never tried to pull aggro!!
It just happened naturally!
"Then how about approaching it from the angle of increasing our allies?"
"Allies?"
"Yeah. Even if aggro gets pulled, we can manage if there's a tank."
That's...
Are you a genius?
"Then let's try recruiting Yuina first? She seems easy."
She has the vast pride of a 『Noblesse』, but basically she's a klutz and straightforward. Plus, we have a connection through Luna? And we'll keep getting 1-on-1 lessons from her...
"Hmm."
"What."
"Can Sihwan-nim really do it? With Yuina-ssi..."
"...What? You don't trust your owner?"
Look at this cheeky AI.
"But Sihwan-nim... you're basically solo since birth, and trying to win over a woman way above your station... hmm..."
Hey.
"Solo since birth, my ass. Like I said before, I've conquered tons of women."
"You did. In games. Ones I customized for you, Sihwan-nim."
"This place has a game-like system too."
"..."
Bari looked at me with cold, dead eyes.
"What's with that face."
"Games really are a disease..."
"What's that outta nowhere."
"Then, Sihwan-nim."
Bari smirked slightly and tugged the lapel of her suit jacket to the side.
"Wanna touch my chest?"
"What? Ch-chest outta nowhere, what the hell!"
"See? Classic solo since birth reaction."
"...You little shit."
Daring to tease your owner!
"At this rate, forget Yuina-ssi, I doubt you could even lay a hand on Luna-ssi."
"Hey... it's not that bad."
Fine, concede a million times, Yuina aside.
But Luna's different!
If I buy her, she's completely mine, right??
And you're saying I couldn't touch her? How much do you underestimate me, you blind bitch.
"When dealing with women, composure is key. Ah, of course Sihwan-nim is pulling tons of aggro, but that's 'cause your personality is arrogant. What is it... composure about sex? Solo since births don't have thaaat—"
Smack!
I groped it.
Bari's chest.
"Oh my."
"There, happy?"
"...Just groping and saying 'happy?'... Sigh. That's a deduction too."
"Wh-what do you want me to do!"
Bari let out a sigh.
She's extra cheeky today.
"Let's drop Yuina-ssi. For now... how about Tweed?"
"Tweeeed? You want me to buddy up with that horned guy?? No way in hell."
That guy's a scrub who got wrecked by Rihana and finished off by Sasha.
"But with Sihwan-nim as you are now, women are totally outta reach."
"Fine. Wanna fight?"
"I'd win, Sihwan-nim."
"..."
Kuhuk...!
What the hell do I do with this one?
+++
"There are no male characters in my dictionary."
"..."
Gotta go for the girls after all.
Games where you conquer dudes should all crash and burn.
"H-hey, Instructor. Have a good day."
"?"
Entered the classroom normally, greeted the homeroom teacher.
Flashed a fresh smile, so she probably—,
"What're you staring at? Go sit down."
"...If there's coming, there should be going, right?"
"What? Wanna get double beat today?"
"..."
Looks like she's still pissed from yesterday.
"Human scum."
Sat back at my seat, and an unpleasant gaze hit from over there.
Obviously from Tweed, the star.
He's all fine, so their medical tech here's pretty good.
"Someday for sure..."
"Your ass...!"
Huh, what. Did Tweed multiply into three?
Two more unpleasant gazes.
"What're you glaring at? First human you've seen? It's been three days, remember already."
"...Sihwan-nim."
"Oh shit. No aggro, right."
Habit, slipped out...
"Kuuk...! A mere human acting so cocky!"
Luckily, no one else stepped up.
Just some elves grinding their teeth?
Probably thanks to showing off Bari's power yesterday.
Those guys bitching over sparring matches? What a joke.
"Looks like everyone's here."
Yuina, leaning against the blackboard, leaned over the podium.
"The rankings from yesterday are as you see."
Now I notice something written on the blackboard.
Ryu Si-hwan
Rihana
Sasha
Pantre
Ah.
Is that why no one jumped me?
Realizing I'm #1 now?
Heh. Makes sense.
"Originally we were gonna set below 4th too, but the losers' injuries were too severe to proceed. Doesn't matter. The lower ranks' order isn't that important anyway."
Squeeze.
A sound like someone clenching their fist hard at Yuina's harsh words.
Must suck. Hearing that.
For reference, the rest below those 4 are Gundogan, Louis, Eleonore, Tweed.
Flash!
"Instructor!!!!"
Tweed raised his hand.
"What now."
"I absolutely cannot accept this!!!!"
"Too bad."
"How can a human!! A mere human!!! "
"Shut up. Same shit again. I already told you, right?"
"But!"
"Told you to shut up?"
"Kuh...!"
Tweed finally lowered his hand under Yuina's high-pressure attitude.
That guy's got zero growth. Definitely not you.
"Keep barking like idiots and I'll kick you out of the Academy."
"Th-that...!"
"No need for retards who can't grasp reality."
Ooh. Queen of harsh words, Yuina!
Saying exactly what I wanted.
"This ranking was set by you lot through direct spars. Got complaints? Blame your weak asses."
Yuina said that and wrote the remaining 4 names on the blackboard too.
Without touching it, of course.
"Now that rankings are set, time to use 'em. As I said yesterday, rankings in the Tower are crucial. Think of it as practice."
For what?
Not making class rep or some shit, right? Hate that crap. Gotta expand the base too.
"First, #1 Ryu Si-hwan is A-Class class rep, and also 827th Trainee Batch representative."
"Ah, fuck."
Class rep not enough, now trainee rep?
Should've just lost to Rihana.
"#2 Rihana is A-Class vice rep, and 827th Trainee Batch vice rep."
"Eh... annoying."
Vice rep too?
Sasha dropped out, so beating Eleonore locked in #2...
Ha.
Why are all horned ones so useless.
"Seems like a lot of complaints, but it'll be annoying short-term, way more benefits long-term. Normally it's by vote... but since rankings are set, let's go by rank."
"Hmph. Who'd believe that. Just dumping annoying shit on us."
Yuina glared at me slightly.
"...Sihwan-nim."
"Oh shit."
This damn mouth.
"...Really don't like you, human."
Yuina gritted her teeth and pulled something out.
Four small boxes.
"Take 'em."
She tossed 2 to me, 2 to Rihana.
"Uwak!"
Don't they usually say come get it???
"Eat 'em."
"...What's this."
Opened it, some Red Ginseng Candy inside.
About the size of a thumb joint?
"Hate Red Ginseng Candy."
"What? Nonsense. It's a title from the Academy."
Title?
Looks like candy.
Let's eat.
[Acquired title, 'A-Class Class Rep.']
[Acquired title, 'Academy 827th Trainee Batch Representative.']
Oh.
Feels legit.
[Info]
Name: Ryu Si-hwan
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 23 (Adult)
Level: 46(.8)
Disposition: Free-Arrogant
[Strength: 41]
[Agility: 38]
[Mana: 31]
[Vitality: 57]
[Endurance: 67]
[Nano-robot.lv12] [Hormone Regulation.lv5] [Mechanization.lv2]
[A-Class Class Rep] [Academy 827th Trainee Batch Representative]
.
.
[A-Class Class Rep]
You are the A-Class class rep at the Academy. Charisma envelops your whole body.
All stats +10
[Academy 827th Trainee Batch Representative]
You are none other than the Academy 827th Trainee Batch representative!
All stats +20
Holy shit, huge boost... feels totally different...
Added stats higher than my base ones, for real.
A-Class class rep gives +10 to all, Academy rep +20. What a jackpot.
"Not a bad reward, right. And,"
More?
"From now on, the lower 4 serve the upper 4."
Huh?
"Wh-what??!"
"Nothing complicated. Just obey till graduation. Super simple. Do as told, easy peasy?"
"What the hell!! Obey?!?!"
"No way!!"
Huge backlash from the 4, but Yuina crushed it nonchalantly.
"Pissed? Go die outside. Can't handle this much and wanna be Tower Warriors? Passing dogs would laugh."
Whoa... savage talk.
At this point, straight-up tyrant.
"Why... why do we need... this?"
Eleonore's question.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"To engrave the simple truth into clueless bitches like you: weak get beat, losers roll on the floor. Think A-Rank is hot shit?"
"..."
Eleonore paled and lowered her hand.
"Well, not total hell. Other ranks' trainees basically follow you guys."
Survival of the Fittest itself.
The Academy wasn't just an education spot.
A semi-hell compressing and force-feeding Tower reality.
"Huff... huff... Eleonore-ssi..."
"...!!"
4 Pantre's emitting dangerous vibes.
Eleonore freaks, knocks over her chair, lower-rank elf Louis grinds his teeth.
No way, is Pantre gonna force himself on Eleonore?
Can't let that slide.
"Since she caught my eye, Eleonore's mine."
"Solo since birth got greedy too."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Hmph. Hilarious. Nothing's set yet, what're you doing?"
Yuina sneered at hyped-up Pantre.
"Y-yes?"
"Ryu Si-hwan, come up and pick one."
"Eh."
"Perfect, upper 4 vs lower 4, 1-on-1. Exclusive servant."
Oh.
"N-no way!!!"
Pantre shot up from his seat.
He's hyped, if I pick Eleonore, total bust for him.
Not bust, he'd think she's dirtied.
He's #4 anyway. Even without me, Rihana or Sasha picks her, bust.
Of course,
I'll pick her.