Chapter 85: The Taste of a Photo

That one thing everyone but him possessed.

The one thing he couldn’t even figure out how to get because there was no place to put in cash or special currency.

…Exclusive Weapon!

The long-awaited item has finally appeared.

It even feels like the Shop Skill is gleaming.

This update is really generous, huh? Not just one, but two!

The Exclusive Weapon alone was enough to make his eyes spin, but a Unique Skill Level Up as well?

While the price was excessively inflated compared to the first level up, it was more than he expected.

“What are you spacing out for? Class is about to start.”

Noa poked Rohan’s arm with her tail as she passed by him.

Snapping back to reality, Rohan scrambled back to the classroom and sat down, carefully continuing his thoughts.

Points…

Thanks to the rewards received from clearing the quests related to Shion, his remaining points were quite substantial. Just a little more to go.

He was debating whether to buy the Exclusive Weapon or the Skill Level Up first, but whatever he chose, there were advantages, and the goal of purchasing both wasn’t that far off.

There would be more opportunities to acquire Points, the shop currency, in the future.

The upcoming Practical Exam was scheduled to take place on an uninhabited island where monsters bred and formed an ecosystem. For Rohan, who could convert monsters into Points, it was nothing short of a festival.

If it’s like before, quests will show up in the Practical Exam as well.

The Written Exam was a good opportunity to revitalize his dried-up image.

The Practical Exam was an opportunity to earn both points and a good score.

As he was seriously listing out the schedule and making plans within reasonable limits…

“Young man… Do you have worries? Agonize more. Deep contemplation is the excellence of mankind.”

“Ugh, this crazy bastard.”

Gilbert’s shadowed face shattered his concentration.

Seeing Rohan lean his upper body away in discomfort, Gilbert freely expressed his inner thoughts.

“Rohan. What do you think about the change in the Practical Exam?”

“I don’t have any particular thoughts.”

“Is this a bold attitude of accepting fate if it is destiny? A truly magnificent answer.”

“This bastard is at it again…”

Whether Rohan expressed his annoyance or not, Gilbert crossed his arms with a solemn face.

His Academy Uniform ─creaked! groaning and screaming. The pressure from his massive body made it seem like the clothes would burst at any moment, but the fact that it could withstand such expansion was a testament to the sturdiness of the Academy Uniform.

“It’s a change due to an unfortunate disaster, but we first-year cadets, who can prepare for this in advance, are blessed in a way.”

“I know. Don’t eat anything weird when you’re stranded on an uninhabited island.”

Because of Gilbert’s colorful history of eating bizarre things, that was the first thing that came to mind.

Dick Wikitree, who was sitting down and summarizing the main points, naturally joined the conversation.

“Even if the Instructor saves you from the monsters, it’ll be hard for him to save you from voluntarily eating something weird.”

“Still, the Academy won’t let a cadet wander around alone, right? They always emphasize cooperation in class, and for management purposes, it’s easier to form teams of at least two people.”

When Rohan spoke with subtle conviction, Gilbert glared at Dick.

“You breathing glasses stand. If you end up on my team, I’ll train your weak stomach with three meals a day of rock stew and mud cookies.”

“I’d rather go alone than end up on a team with a caveman.”

Dick pushed up his glasses with his middle finger, proudly displaying it to Gilbert.

Tired of their bickering, Rohan prayed that these two would be grouped together.

Whoever I’m with, I hope it’s someone normal.

In Abyss City, you could choose from the characters you had and play together, but right now, it was completely unpredictable and entirely dependent on luck.

Therefore, Rohan briefly became an believer and prayed to the heavens.

“…”

Sitting in the sky train seat, Shion hugged her bag as it rattled along.

Everyone passing through the train car glanced at her, but she didn’t mind. It was okay.

She was happy to have a seat to herself.

It would be nice if I could sit alone on the way back too.

Thinking so, she looked out the window. Lower than the clouds, but quite far from land.

She could see the ocean and occasionally some unidentified structures or buildings.

There were many new and fascinating things that Shion saw for the first time, but with no companion to talk to about them, she just stared blankly.

An 11-hour flight like this, huh?

It certainly wouldn’t be easy to just sit still and wait.

Shion turned on her Smartphone to double-check Tigrova’s geography and solidify her etiquette.

While carefully reading through the information…

She received a group message from Clara.

“Heh…”

Shion smiled at Clara’s message.

How did she manage to combine emoticons in that way?

After fiddling with the keyboard for a bit, Shion gave up and decided to just take a picture of the scenery outside the window and send it to her.

Click!

After awkwardly sending the picture, Clara’s affectionate response followed.

Shion was wholeheartedly thinking the same thing.

While they were conversing, Rohan couldn’t participate because he was in class.

Had one class ended?

Rohan sent a photo where his face was barely visible, as if to show where he was.

Naturally, the background was an Academy classroom.

His face isn’t showing properly…

As Shion was ruminating on the fact that it would have been nice if his face had been more visible than the background,

Bzzt! Bzzt!

Her Smartphone started ringing.

“!”

Startled, Shion looked around meaninglessly to see if anyone had noticed.

She moved to the middle aisle to answer the call.

“Ahem!”

After clearing her throat with water and finishing her preparations, the girl finally answered the phone.

It wasn’t her first time talking to Rohan on the phone, but strangely, her heart was pounding.

“…I’m answering.”

─ Were you asleep? I didn’t wake you up, did I?

“It’s nothing like that. It just took some time to leave the cabin.”

─ Ah, that must be bothersome. I should’ve just sent a message.

“It’s fine. I’m still more comfortable with calls than messages.”

The reason Rohan called wasn’t anything significant.

It was simply a brief check-in call to see if she was getting there safely, if there were any problems, and so on.

─ If you get hungry on the way, make sure to eat properly. Don’t try to save money by looking for cheap food.

“….”

Her actions and inner thoughts were completely read. Yet, instead of feeling creeped out, she felt good.

It emphasized the fact that Rohan understood her.

─ And remember to stick to the main roads as much as possible. Don’t travel late at night trying to get there quickly. If the sun sets, find lodging and go to bed early.

“You’re treating me like a little child.”

Shion chuckled and focused on Rohan’s voice.

The treatment was amusing, but she felt quite pleased.

─ Ah, the Instructor is coming. Anyway, call me if there’s any problem. And even if there’s no problem, keep in touch.

“Yes… I understand.”

After the call ended, she looked at the screen.

Thanks to the settings Rohan and Clara had configured, the call was automatically recorded.

It was a feature she really liked.

If I listen to it 10 times, that’s an hour. If I listen to it repeatedly for about 100 times starting now, I should arrive by then.

It seemed like the journey to Tigrova wouldn’t be boring.

Similarly, another girl was riding in a vehicle.

Clara, who was returning by bus, was startled after seeing the message.

O-O-Oppa’s photo…?!

She had always wanted one, what a sudden gift.

Although Rohan didn’t intend for himself to be the subject, Clara liked the photo simply because he was in it.

First, she saved it to her gallery. Moved it to a hidden folder.

Just in case, she even sets a password.

“….”

Now that the procedures were complete, it was time for a leisurely appreciation session.

Leaning her head against the window, the girl quietly gazed at Rohan’s photo.

And then she recalled.

What Shion had done at the Dormitory and on the bus.

…I’m envious.

Her track record was impressive in such a short time. Even if she was unaware, the transparent and bold expression of her desires was truly enviable.

How nice would it be if she could do the same?

S-Should I try it too…?

She had always hesitated, but seeing Shion doing it so readily in front of her,

The girl’s reason began to waver against her instincts. It felt like a loss not to try.

Of course, she didn’t have Rohan’s clothes like Shion.

She simply pondered while looking at the photo Rohan sent.

“….”

Clara double-checked the quiet bus with scattered empty seats.

She bent down in her seat, out of sight from the driver’s seat.

Then, she stuck out her tongue like a cat.

Clara lightly licked the screen where Rohan’s photo was displayed.

“Haa…”

Naturally, there was no taste, but…

The feeling that she had done something tremendous was definite.