Ch.1414. Beast Commotion

The Berkeley Hall, where the freshman welcome ceremony is taking place, is one of the largest and most complex buildings in Elphante Academy, noticeable even by the standards of the entire campus.

I suppose they need a building of this size to accommodate and control the flood of new students pouring in from all over the continent at once.

In other words, despite its friendly name of “freshman welcome ceremony,” the actual event atmosphere is more chaotic than a bustling marketplace.

Seeing the staff members shouting from all directions, desperately trying to control the students, I can’t help but feel sorry for them.

Fortunately, in this chaos, no one has the luxury to pay attention to others, which significantly reduces the chance of being “discovered” during the event.

Now it’s time for this to make its appearance.

◎ Clone Walker

[Item: Special]

[Price: 1,000pt]

[Creates a clone that mimics the original’s personality and behavior. Can interact with other buffs!]

[Remaining Points: 1,000pt]

A clone that’s almost indistinguishable from my original body, worth the expensive points. It even has the function to learn my usual behavior and conversation patterns to move autonomously.

Of course, it’s not perfect, but there’s one more thing I can add to it.

◎ Buff: Charisma Enhancement

[Item: Special]

[Add some personality! Various attributes will be added to the target object. Currently 2 types available!]

Option: Cold Gentleman

[You have no way with words and your actions are clumsy! How about disguising that as coolness?]

[Price: 500pt]

Option: Pheromone

[Become a playboy! All your actions will have a bonus that makes the opposite sex more likely to feel attracted to you!]

[Price: 500pt]

[Remaining Points: 1,000pt]

I should apply the Cold Gentleman option to the clone.

With this, even if I control the clone a bit loosely, people will just assume, “Oh, this person is naturally cool and blunt!”

As for the Pheromone…

“…”

Not buying it.

Absolutely not buying it.

With Elia and especially Elnore, their favorability is rising at an alarming rate.

Despite having a fatal charm skill, it feels like it’s increasing unnaturally fast.

It makes me wonder if this person was originally someone who falls for others easily.

‘I’ll have to settle this someday.’

I smile bitterly at that thought.

I know that running away won’t solve anything.

After all, she’s a crucial character in the scenario involving the Grey Demon. There are numerous issues that must be resolved to reach the ending.

And with my gift, it’s clear that I’ll inevitably be involved.

‘…Still though.’

There should be some limits.

I haven’t even attended a single class at the academy yet. Isn’t getting more involved too soon?

‘First things first.’

I sigh inwardly and pull another window into view.

【Event: Double Date】

-Amazing! You’ve decided to juggle two important characters at once!

-Don’t get caught until the event ends!

-Failure will result in penalties for scenario progression!

[Time Remaining: 20 minutes]

“…”

I’m not sure what “juggling” means here.

The plan itself is a mess from the start. If anyone just mentions seeing me in two different places simultaneously, I’ll be caught immediately.

But I think I can somehow manage to hold out until the limited time ends.

For now, I’ll just focus on avoiding the penalty, and if I get caught afterward, I’ll deal with it then…!

“Ah, you! Over here!”

I see Elnore waving at me from a distance after spotting me.

Uncharacteristically, she’s waving her hand high above her head.

Given how chaotic everything is, she probably needs to do that to be seen.

Good. If I meet with Elnore while applying the option to the clone…

-!

-!!!

Just as I was about to tap each screen, a sudden shriek from nearby startles me so much that I jump.

I was so startled that I accidentally swiped across the shop window in front of me.

“Move aside! Move!”

“Students, step back! It’s dangerous!”

Looking toward the corridor outside the hall, I see a massive bear-like monster being escorted by several knights, confined in an iron cage.

Occasionally, creatures captured from the outskirts are transported into the academy like this. They’re important as experimental subjects or research materials.

Though it’s dangerous, some professors strongly argue that there’s no better research subject than a living magical beast.

“…”

But because of that, an accident will occur at this freshman welcome ceremony.

There’s a reason why I prioritized bringing Ultima among all the available items.

‘But well…’

With the protagonist and final boss in the same place, suppressing the situation shouldn’t be too difficult.

I just need to bring those two to the right place at the right time.

I should just focus on that. Thinking this, I turn my attention back to the window.

[Option: Charisma purchase completed!]

[Option: Pheromone purchase completed!]

[Option assignment completed.]

[Original – Option: Pheromone applied!]

[Clone – Option: Charisma applied!]

“…”

What the hell.

Why was Pheromone purchased, and worse, why is it applied to me?

Was it even possible to apply it to the original body instead of the clone?

‘…Come to think of it.’

I did accidentally swipe across the shop window earlier when I was startled.

But still, how did I manage to swipe it in such an artistic way that it ended up like this?

“You’ve been staring blankly for a while…”

Elnore, who had approached me, stopped mid-sentence the moment our eyes met.

[Pheromone effect applied to target ‘Elnore’!]

No. Please don’t.

Please.

Elnore’s eyes widen. Her breath catches.

An alarm goes off in my head.

This pattern has happened before…!

[Skill: Fatal Charm activating…]

[…not activated!]

[The other person is trying hard to suppress their attraction to you!]

“…”

Yes, it was a pattern I’d seen before.

But the content is a bit strange.

I’m not sure why she’s suppressing it, but I guess it’s fortunate?

While pondering this, Elnore quickly regained her expressionless face and muttered while pressing down on her chest.

“Calm down. You’re being noisy.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Then who were you talking to?

“To my heart.”

“…”

“It was being loud.”

Looking at Elnore, who added that without changing her expression, I don’t know how to respond.

This person, as in the original work, is sometimes seriously four-dimensional.

“…Let’s go then.”

I say that and start moving.

By now, the clone should have made contact with Elia. To avoid running into them, we need to move as well.

I’m a bit worried about the Pheromone effect, but…

It should be fine, right?

●

To be honest, it was a series of crises.

“Oh, there’s a snack stand over there. Shall we get something to eat?”

[Skill: Fatal Charm activating…]

[…not activated!]

“…How did you know I like that… No, it must be a coincidence.”

Yes, it really is a coincidence.

I don’t even know your food preferences that well.

“This button looks nice. Should I give it to you as a gift?”

[Skill: Fatal Charm activating…]

[…not activated!]

“I was just thinking I needed to replace a button that fell off my uniform. You must have been watching me all along… No, that’s impossible. Hmm.”

“…”

Please don’t read so much into me offering you something as strange as a button as a gift.

Seeing her interpret every little action on her own and experiencing emotional ups and downs is driving me crazy too.

‘This is giving me a headache…’

Still, it’s fortunate that I’m managing to escort this person without any major issues. The clone seems to be getting along fine with Elia as well.

At this rate, if we just continue like this, there shouldn’t be any big problems.

With a bit more leeway, I take a look around the welcome ceremony.

The overall scene shows students who have chosen their majors gathering in small groups, being guided by seniors and building friendships.

I haven’t been officially assigned to any class yet, so I can’t receive such guidance.

“By the way, have you decided on your major?”

“Ah, yes, I have.”

This is actually something I’ve thought about quite a bit.

In the world of Sera, choosing a “major” is essentially deciding on your main build.

“I’m planning to join the Theology Department.”

Elnore’s expression immediately soured.

“…Wasting talent like yours by not entering the Knight Department is a waste of potential. Perhaps you should reconsider?”

Well, certainly, following her suggestion wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I’ve already experienced the overwhelming power of Tristan-style swordsmanship in life-or-death situations.

But I have my reasons for choosing this path.

“There’s something I want to learn in the Theology Department.”

“Something you want to learn?”

“I’ve always had something I wanted to protect.”

Yeah.

Mainly my life.

Holy-related skills are the most specialized in “survival” among all builds in Sera. Just looking at the blessings I’ve stored in Ultima shows that they’re specialized in that direction.

Especially if I unlock high-level skills like “Miracle” later, I can do everything on my own.

Anyway, this build definitely aligns with my goal of surviving straight through to the ending.

‘And…’

Right after this freshman welcome ceremony comes Chapter 1, the “Secret Society Uprising” incident.

If I take classes majoring in holy studies, I’m likely to gain significant advantages there. The chapter boss is particularly vulnerable to holy power.

I can organically utilize my one-time wish with Percy, items from the arcane storage, and the Ultima I’ve obtained in advance.

[Skill: Fatal Charm activating…]

[…not activated!]

“…”

Why are you triggering here too?

As I look at her in confusion, Elnore quietly mutters beside me.

“…So, please stop doing that.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s difficult to judge whether you’re sincere or not… Perhaps it’s just your nature.”

After saying that, Elnore brushed back her hair and quietly spoke.

The atmosphere is heavy.

“Do you know about the curse that haunts the Tristan Dukedom?”

A serious topic suddenly drops. A bit taken aback, I look at her as Elnore continues in a calm voice.

“A madness that causes everyone in the family to die prematurely, not even living half their given life. The only way to control it is to suppress it through mental discipline. Do you know what has been proposed as the only solution to this terrible curse?”

I do know.

The blessing of an angel.

Not the modest ones I’ve received in Ultima, but a miracle-level blessing bestowed simultaneously by several archangel guardians.

It’s essentially a story from creation myths. Realistically impossible.

“Yes, it’s that difficult. That’s why the Tristan Dukedom, despite its achievements and prestige, is never an object of respect. They’re only objects of fear, capable of stabbing someone at any moment if they go mad.”

“…”

“So who are you to approach me so easily? What exactly is your intention?”

Her voice carries a slight chill. It’s contrary to how she shows much more diverse emotions than usual when she sees me.

So that’s why she’s been suppressing her feelings despite constantly feeling attracted.

She can’t understand what my intentions are in approaching her this way.

“I can’t understand your intentions, yet I’m unnaturally conscious of you. Just now, when you said you had ‘something you wanted to protect’ by entering the Theology Department, I unconsciously wondered if it was for me. Who exactly are you? What are your intentions and what do you want from me-“

Watching Elnore mutter like this sends a chill down my spine.

With Fatal Charm and Pheromone affecting her, her intentions keep getting pulled in different directions against her will, which seems to be frustrating her.

“…”

This looks a bit dangerous, doesn’t it?

If I leave her like this, I feel like we’ll soon see signs of mental fracturing, a precursor to corruption.

My existence is clearly having a greater impact on this person than I expected.

“My intention is obvious.”

“…”

My sentence cut through Elnore’s stream of words. Even I thought it was an impressive interruption.

“…Obvious?”

“It’s correct that I’m trying to protect you, so there’s no need to overthink it.”

For now, it seems better to reveal my intentions, even if just a little.

My means of survival is ultimately directly linked to ensuring this person’s mental state doesn’t break.

Fundamentally, it’s not a wrong statement.

“…So what is the reason for-“

“If I don’t protect you, I’ll die.”

“What?”

“Really. If I don’t protect you, I’ll die. There’s no other reason.”

“…”

It’s pure, unadulterated fact without any exaggeration.

For now, this much of an answer should suffice.

Elnore blinked with a dumbfounded expression after hearing my words.

“…I’ve felt it since we first met, but you really are a strange person.”

“I told you I hear that often, didn’t I?”

I answer and get up from my seat.

Well, fortunately, now that I’ve added some explanation, she doesn’t seem to be on the verge of mental fracturing like before. I’m satisfied with that-

[Skill: Fatal Charm conditionally activated!]

[Excellent timing! You’ve planted foreshadowing that will explosively increase favorability in the future!]

[The next successful skill activation will have triple the effect!]

[The possibility of unlocking a second gift has increased!]

“…”

-or I could have been.

What foreshadowing did I plant?

Why do these unsettling things keep popping up?

Not long ago, there was that “skill great success” thing, and now it’s inserting something strange again.

As I’m inwardly sighing at this thought.

-!

-!!

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly, a massive explosion occurred.

“…?”

No, it really is sudden.

What is this?

Chaos unfolds in an instant. The explosion from underground causes the floor to collapse entirely, and a huge hole penetrates through Berkeley Hall.

“From underground…!”

“What on earth is happening?!”

Screams and shouts come from all directions.

Somehow, it’s a familiar scene. A chill runs down my spine.

‘This…!’

The rampage of magical beasts being bred in the basement of Berkeley Hall. This explosion is sabotage intended for that.

The magical beast demonstration incident. It’s definitely the “main quest” that happens at the freshman welcome ceremony, but it’s much larger and more terrible than I remember.

Originally, it wasn’t supposed to be such a massive explosion, but just a few magical beasts breaking free from their restraints and causing trouble!

I quickly check the clone’s position. The route I had planned was definitely…

[Clone Location: Currently Basement Level 1]

[Status: Severely Injured]

[Companion: Elia Krisanax]

“…”

Yeah, fuck.

I thought things were going too smoothly.