Chapter 110: I Have a Prior Engagement

Footsteps headed towards the dormitory.

Rohan sent a message to Shion and Clara, letting them know he was on his way.

He then opened the notification window he needed to check.

Should I postpone the third confidential video for a bit?

The notification about the Main Story seemingly malfunctioning bothered him, and he wasn’t in perfect condition either.

It would be troublesome if he collapsed again like before.

Besides Weakness Induction, my Unique Skill level went up too.

Hadn’t he only used Weakness Induction while half-asleep?

It was time to leisurely read the information he’d missed.

Transcendence is available, and the consumable types have increased. Conversation with animals? Does that mean I can communicate like Noa?

Seeing a bunch of interesting items, he was overcome with impulse.

The ample remaining points made the temptation even stronger.

Look at that hefty balance, even after purchasing the 20,000 Point level-up.

This was the splendor bestowed by the Point Pouch received from the achievement for defeating Omega.

No, wait. I need to buy a weapon or Transcendence first.

Rohan closed the Shop and opened his next Unique Skill.

The newly revealed Third Sword.

Rohan immediately understood what kind of swordsmanship Light Wing Awl was.

Thrusting type. Thrust with flames, utilizing a burst of elasticity from a relaxed state. Requires rotation using Mana and wrist strength, along with a strong core and flexibility.

He understood the posture and principles in theory only.

Without immense practice, he couldn’t use it in actual combat.

…Difficult.

Even if the movements were simple, the difficulty of Mana application had skyrocketed.

He couldn’t even imagine how difficult the next sword would be.

“Hmm.”

Still, the answer was obvious.

It never changed.

What can I do? I have to work hard.

Even though a difficult challenge was assigned, he was genuinely happy.

The realization that he was steadily getting stronger was motivation in itself.

Arriving at the dormitory late, he closed the door, and Shion and Clara, who had been holding their breath, greeted him.

“Oppa!”

“Rohan. You’ve worked hard.”

The warmth of someone waiting for him and welcoming him back felt really nice.

“Surprised I came back so quickly? Did you two get along well?”

“Yes! Did you see the messages Clara and I sent?”

“It’d probably be a lot to read through. We just sent them as they came to mind.”

Chatting and giggling, Rohan unpacked his belongings.

He hesitated about what to tell the girls first, and decided to clean himself up first.

“I’ll take a shower.”

“Ah, uh, okay…! I put the towels in their usual spot!”

“Thanks.”

As he gathered comfortable clothes to wash up, Shion silently approached and poked his shoulder.

“Rohan. Did you eat dinner?”

“Not yet, I’m hungry. Did you and Clara eat?”

“We haven’t either. We prepared dinner though. Let’s eat together after you shower.”

“Oh! I’ll be quick.”

An unexpected surprise gift.

Rohan, who was contemplating eating out, accelerated his actions.

“I should start learning how to cook now.”

“Absolutely not. Your cooking suits my taste better.”

“M-Me too…!”

Dinner was a meal prepared by the two of them.

It was admirable. The thoughtfulness and the fact that they made it themselves were touching.

Moreover, it was delicious, so he was already on his third serving of instant rice.

“Rohan. Mr. Yoho gave us the number of a real estate agent in Academy City.”

“Let’s go look at houses together. Since it involves a large sum of money, we can’t just blindly trust someone because of a referral.”

“Indeed, a valid point.”

“It would be good if Oppa is there…! The, the area would be convenient to get around…”

“We already agreed I’d go with you, didn’t we? We agreed to go shopping together too.”

As Rohan cleanly finished the last remaining rice and side dishes, Shion and Clara smiled at him.

“Oppa. Are you busy tomorrow? Do you have time…?”

“I’m going to the Academy, but I don’t have classes. I’ll probably just be talking about this and that. I don’t know when I’ll be finished, but I have no other plans besides the Academy.”

“Then let’s all go shopping tomorrow. If the timing works out, I’d like to see the house too.”

Rohan nodded without hesitation.

He was thinking about getting a Handgun anyway, and this was a good opportunity with two experts present.

Should I surprise them tomorrow by imbuing the bullets with Mana?

What kind of reaction would they show?

He’d be satisfied if they were just surprised.

“Is Shion sleeping over at Clara’s house tonight?”

“Yep!”

“That’s the plan.”

Rohan quickly got dressed.

“I’ll walk you there. Let’s go.”

“Oppa! I’ll just do the dishes and then go…!”

“It’s fine. I’ll do them, so let’s go. You can tell me why the exam ended early on the way.”

He thought about hiding what happened on the uninhabited island to avoid worrying them.

But since they had decided to work as a team, he couldn’t do that.

If I keep my mouth shut and hear about this incident from someone else… It would be truly awful.

Keeping such a big thing hidden would damage their trust.

Besides, the Reverse Praise Society was ultimately connected to Shion’s revenge.

This was also an opportunity to seamlessly share information and add other details.

“Since you treated me to dinner, I’ll buy you something to drink.”

“Rohan. May I borrow your clothes just for today?”

“M-me too, this….”

Shion had borrowed Rohan’s t-shirt and workout clothes.

Clara, as usual, was wearing one of Rohan’s outer garments over her flamboyant attire.

“No problem.”

Allowed by the girls, Rohan stepped out into the night streets.

It seemed like it would be quite a long story.

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A day without classes at Orion Academy.

Arriving in Class 1, Rohan sat next to Gilbert and recalled last night.

It was tough… but I climbed a big mountain.

Explaining the situation on the uninhabited island to Shion and Clara took nearly four hours.

He’d broken out in a cold sweat trying to calm the girls down, whose emotions were clearly displayed with every word he uttered.

Creaking──.

Dick Wikitree, appearing through the opening front door, trudged over and slumped into a seat in the back.

Rohan looked at him questioningly.

“You’re here. You ate, so why do you look so pale?”

“My stomach still hurts because of what Gilbert fed me…”

“Even blaming me is proof of your weakness! Can’t you see that this body is perfectly fine!”

Dick glanced at Gilbert’s face and sighed.

“…If we’re teamed up again for the exam, I’ll forfeit.”

“If we become a team again, I’ll have to knock you out first. I’ll fix that attitude of yours.”

Amidst their meaningless squabble.

Creaking!

Juyeon appeared, opening the door.

It was rare for Juyeon to visit the class outside of class time, so the cadets who were fooling around stopped and blinked.

“Hmm, it’s a bit early, but I’d like to start interviews with those who are available. The rest of you can relax.”

Juyeon’s gaze turned to Rohan.

Without a word, Rohan got up and followed Juyeon.

Thus, Rohan, volunteering to be first, was currently in an interview with Juyeon.

He disclosed as much information about Omega as possible.

“I see. So it appeared from the mouth of a worm that crawled out of the ground. It’s a bizarre method I’ve never heard of before.”

“Yes. And it also said it would send a sample to someone.”

“Hmm…”

With a serious face, Juyeon typed on the keyboard, entering the information.

“How is your physical condition?”

“I’m fine. I don’t feel any discomfort.”

“Still, you never know. Go to the infirmary and get checked again.”

“Understood.”

Juyeon lifted her mug and gulped down the black coffee.

Silently watching her profile, Rohan could see Juyeon’s fatigue.

Looking around, it was the same.

The Instructors seemed to have spent the night at the Academy, unable to go home.

They looked busy with calls coming from everywhere, and some Instructors were organizing piles of meeting minutes.

Instructor Carrot’s rabbit ears, drooping lower than usual, made her look unwell.

“Instructor.”

“Hmm?”

“Didn’t you go home yesterday?”

“That’s not something a cadet should be concerned about.”

Juyeon drew a smile and poked Rohan’s forehead with her finger.

“Next…”

Diligently answering Juyeon’s questions, Rohan thought of the Shop.

Even if I buy her a fatigue recovery Potion, she won’t accept a cadet’s gift.

He wasn’t reluctant to spend Points on his benefactor. Still, he knew Juyeon wouldn’t accept it.

That’s why he was disappointed.

“Rohan.”

“Yes.”

After finishing one question and answer, Juyeon used her Mana.

A sensation as if space had been isolated.

Sound didn’t spread but echoed within.

“You have a special Skill.”

“…”

Rohan closed his mouth tightly.

Seeing Rohan’s tense appearance, Juyeon laughed silently.

“You don’t have to be so stiff. I have no intention of digging into it. But as your Instructor, I have to tell you this.”

“I’m listening.”

“Be careful when using it. If it becomes publicly known, troublesome things might come after you.”

“…Yes!”

As Rohan showed his resolve, saying he’d keep it in mind, Juyeon, seemingly satisfied, withdrew her Mana.

“The interview is over. You can go back and send one cadet from Class 1 who’s available for an interview.”

“I understand the process.”

“You can go to the infirmary for a check-up or rest in the classroom. This Instructor recommends the former.”

“I’ll send someone and then definitely go to the infirmary.”

Rohan stood up, bowed, and left the faculty office.

“Is the interview over?”

“Huh?”

And the first thing he saw upon leaving was Ichinose.

Rohan quietly closed the door and faced the girl who was closing her eyes.

“Do you want to go in next? The Instructor told me to find the next cadet for the interview.”

“Okay. But I have something to tell Rohan before that. That’s why I was looking for you.”

“Me?”

Ichinose hugged her Sword and nodded slightly.

Lowering her head, she bit her lip and then spoke up courageously.

“…Rohan. How about the three of us have dinner together today?”

By three, she must mean including Noa.

It seemed to be a continuation of the conversation from yesterday.

He wondered where her confidence from then had gone, but it was a more than welcome suggestion for Rohan.

However,

Unfortunately…

“Sorry.”

Rohan already had plans with the girls in the Dormitory.

Next is Ichinose Yui.

Juyeon looked at the petite girl entering the faculty office and flipped through the documents.

“Have a seat.”

“Uh… yes…”

“Hmm?”

Where was her usual sharp demeanor?

She seemed listless, almost shocked, with her lips slightly parted.

Of course, Juyeon didn’t know the reason.