Aberration

If I were to compare my combat style, it’s closer to a crossbow or a sniper rifle. Preparation is slow, but the power of a single shot is strong. It shows powerful strength in one-on-one situations, but it also shares the disadvantage of struggling when facing multiple opponents. The reason I’m suddenly bringing this up is… because I failed to break through the second trial again.

I was crushed to death by the monsters that swarmed in while I was retrieving my spear. Even pushing away the corpses and desperately using space magic to change positions and buy time… I couldn’t withstand the attacks of the monsters who were determined to knock me down, even at the cost of their own lives.

The room where the second trial unfolded was a bit wider than the one where I fought Rakunta, but unfortunately, the ceiling was low. If I jumped with all my might, my head would touch the ceiling. I carelessly grew the beanstalk without thinking, and the ceiling collapsed, further narrowing my range of activity, which led to me being trampled to death by the swarming monsters.

If there were no spatial restrictions, I could have grown the beanstalk and used space magic for one-sided sniping from a high position. I could have also used the beanstalk as a barricade to stop the monsters’ simple charges.

The spear, as a weapon, needed a certain distance to show its minimum power. But in the second trial, monsters swarmed endlessly, so the momentary pause to retrieve the spear became a vulnerability. It was extremely difficult to deal with the monsters approaching from all directions, exploiting that gap.

I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to think about a new combat method for dealing with multiple opponents, or to find a new seed to use in the second trial. As it is, I felt that no matter how many times I challenged it, nothing would change.

The triathlon is over, but I have a lot of work piled up. From Lilies’s work, helping Modist, studying Patulga’s grimoire, helping the members grow, making happy memories with Luna, and dating Navier once a month. On top of that, I had to check the variables that arose because Roel became a Transcendentalist faster than expected.

As I was thinking about whether there was a good way to break through the trial, I came out of the closet and saw the members gathered at the table. Judging from Aria’s appearance of quickly moving her hands to stuff snacks into her mouth, it seemed like a snack party was being held. Unlike Aria, who was gobbling them down, Luna, who was moving her hands gracefully, discovered me coming out of the closet and gave me a welcoming smile.

,Welcome, Aria bought a lot of snacks and we were sharing them. Ross, you eat too.”

At Luna’s words, Aria shifted her gaze to me and narrowed her eyes. Did she feel a sense of crisis at the increase in mouths to feed? Aria increased the speed at which she grabbed snacks. She even snatched a snack that Kane was about to eat.

,Hey! I was going to eat that!”

Kane protested with a wronged expression, holding out the small crumbs left in her hand, but Aria, with her cheeks full of snacks like a hamster, said spitefully.

,Eung~ It only counts if it’s in my mouth! If you want to take it, go ahead! Ah~~~!”

Kane recoiled and turned her head away at the sight of Aria opening her mouth to show the contents she was chewing.

…Yeah, eat a lot and grow up bright. With a small sigh at the sight of the two of them affectionately smearing snack crumbs on each other’s faces, I approached Luna’s side.

Seeing Luna smiling happily as she looked at Kane and Aria, I sat next to her and ate snacks. While doing so, I talked with Luna for a while. From what happened with Lacar today, to being stuck on the second trial.

Luna listened to my story while eating snacks, and when I said that I was stuck on the second trial and was worried about whether there was a good way to overcome it, she even worried with me. She actually gave me some very helpful advice.

,…Then, how about changing your weapon?”

Luna suggested in a cautious voice. It was an unexpected suggestion, so I scratched my head and asked.

,Weapon…?”

,Yeah. You said that the advantage of the current spear is that it’s good for fighting one person. So I thought it wouldn’t be bad to use a weapon that’s good for fighting multiple people… You used a pickaxe in the annihilation battle, right?”

At Luna’s words, I nodded and stroked my chin. It’s persuasive. But changing weapons is not an easy task. I, who have no talent, will have a big difference in proficiency.

Then, how about changing the type of spear? The Spear of Destruction doesn’t have a wide blade, so it’s specialized for stabbing. If I use a spear with a wide blade, it will be easier to deal with multiple opponents. As I was thinking about that, something flashed through my mind. I was thrilled at the thought that I had found the answer.

Because I prioritized the cult, which is a mid-to-late game boss, I had temporarily forgotten the enemy I had to face last. The setting is that there are more characters who use spears among the Demon King’s executives than in the cult. One of those executives will use the ‘Spear of Shadows’, which is sealed somewhere in the east of the continent where Luna’s family is located, in the Death Canyon. If I could get my hands on that, it would be a win-win situation, finding a solution to dealing with multiple opponents and lowering the Demon King’s forces at the same time.

In the joyful feeling of having my blocked chest cleared, I unknowingly kissed Luna on the cheek. Luna, who was caught in the act of picking up a snack, froze, and Kane and Aria, who had been fighting fiercely until just now, looked at me and Luna with proud and pleased gazes.

,Ross and Luna have grown up so much~ They should get married now!”

At Aria’s words, Kane made a sly expression and chimed in.

,As expected, you’re the man I recognize. You’re as hot as barbecue.”

,Eeng~? That’s a totally weird analogy. You should say he’s as sweet as chocolate!”

,Eung~? No, it’s not weird at all. Spicy barbecue suits him~”

,You idiot Kane! Ross is totally sweet chocolate!!!”

Fortunately, I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Kane and Aria returning to their own fight. Luna’s ears were bright red, and she was bowing her head deeply, as if she felt embarrassed because I kissed her in front of the members.

,Sorry, Luna. I was so happy that I didn’t realize…”

I apologized in a small voice, worried that it would attract Aria and Kane’s attention again. After maintaining silence for a while, Luna fidgeted with her fingers, then raised her head and looked at me, unable to cool down her flushed face.

,…It’s, it’s okay. We announced that we’re dating.”

After saying that, Luna moved her lips for a moment, then added in a small voice.

,B, but it’s a little embarrassing when other people are around…”

She definitely looked embarrassed. I nodded and secretly grabbed Luna’s hand under the table. Luna flinched slightly, then gently stroked my palm while cautiously watching Aria and Kane.

,I’ll ask for permission when other people are around from now on.”

At my words, Luna replied with a pretty smile.

,Eung…! Thank you for being considerate of what I said.”

No matter how I think about it, she’s so cute. From her reactions to her appearance. The way she talks is so pretty too. She’s the most lovable girl in the academy. That’s why I feel playful. I guess I’m just an immature male.

I put on a sly smile and brought my mouth close to Luna’s ear. Then, I asked in a smooth voice.

,Do I have to ask for permission even when we’re alone?”

Luna, flustered, shrugged her shoulders and looked at me. Seeing the smile on my face, Luna bit her lip slightly and made an angry expression, but because she was so cute, it just seemed like she was acting cute.

Luna pouted her lips slightly and said.

,Even if I tell you to ask for permission, you’re just going to do whatever you want anyway…”

Because of past incidents, I pretended not to hear and avoided her gaze. Luna, as if telling me not to avoid her gaze and to answer quickly, bit her lip tightly and stared at me, so I had no choice but to surrender.

,…Sorry.”

At my apology, Luna brought her mouth close to my ear, just like I had done.

,It’s okay… Actually, I wanted it too.”

Realizing that I had been outsmarted by Luna’s playful smile, I could only scratch my head with a dumbfounded expression. It’s not a bad feeling. Rather, I feel like I’ve fallen for her even more. I can even feel my heart pounding. It’s something that Luna wouldn’t normally say, so it felt even more attractive.

I sighed at the sight of Aria and Kane still fighting over barbecue and chocolate. If only they weren’t here… I unknowingly stuck out my tongue and licked my lips.

,Luna, maybe the rooftop or something… No, never mind.”

I swallowed the words that came out without my knowing. Fortunately, Luna didn’t understand what I was saying and just tilted her head cutely.

It’s all Roel’s fault for always talking about how good the academy rooftop is for couples. I don’t want to hear that there’s no younger brother as good as his older brother. Let’s be patient.

***

I ate dinner with the members at the cafeteria and went out. Today’s destination was Modist. I was planning to ask Estelle to search for the location of the Spear of Shadows.

Whether Ember was away, a person wearing an unfamiliar animal mask guided me to Estelle. When I entered the room, Estelle, wearing her usual black cat mask, was sitting at a desk full of documents and greeted me with her familiar grumbling.

,What, why are you here without an appointment?”

I replied smoothly.

,Is ‘because I missed you’ too obvious of a lie?”

I was wondering what was going on when I saw Estelle suddenly looking around, and then she picked up a dagger that was placed on top of the documents, so I hurriedly got to the point.

,I came because I have a favor to ask!”

Estelle put the dagger, which she had half drawn, back in with a 탁- sound and pointed to the chair in front of her with a nod.

I quickly sat down in the chair, and Estelle stared at me intently and asked.

,You’ve lied to me about something, haven’t you.”

I had told so many lies that I couldn’t answer rashly. I frowned slightly and said as if I was displeased.

,…Are you testing me?”`

,No, I’m saying that because the cave where you said you found Patulga’s grimoire doesn’t exist.”

,…?”

I didn’t understand Estelle’s words for a moment. After belatedly understanding her words, I massaged my forehead. Estelle had definitely said that she wanted to investigate the place where she found Patulga’s grimoire and asked me about various things. But she’s saying that the cave doesn’t exist…? Of course, it was almost at the level of a dugout, but it was definitely an existing space. And the Patulga’s grimoire that I obtained from there is proof.

,Estelle said that she wanted to investigate the place where she obtained Patulga’s grimoire, so why would I bother taking the risk and lying?”

,That’s right, that’s why I don’t understand. No matter how much I look, there’s not even a trace of it.”

,Isn’t it possible that the cave collapsed later because the supports disappeared when I took out the grimoire? Or maybe it was such a small dugout that you couldn’t find any traces of it.”

At my opinion, Estelle shook her finger as if she was dumbfounded.

,Of course I thought of that and investigated it. There are no collapsed caves or dugouts in the mountains around Destin Village. I’m sure of it. Because I formed a skilled investigation team in that direction.”

At Estelle’s confident voice, I scratched my head and stopped thinking. Even if Estelle’s words are true, I’m just saying what I remember. I do feel a sense of incongruity about the place where Patulga’s grimoire was located disappearing, but it’s not a problem that can be solved right now. In the end, all I can say is this.

I said in a brazen voice.

,I don’t know, just grant me my favor. It’s a good thing. It seems like you can just move that skilled investigation team as is…”

I trailed off at the ominous feeling I felt while speaking. The moment I made eye contact, goosebumps ran down my arms. I fell off the chair and dodged the dagger that Estelle swung.

,Just die!!!”

Is berserker a trend these days…? I feel like there are more people around me losing their minds.