Ch.146146. Practical Exam (3)

●

The scene from earlier kept replaying in my head.

‘…He said it’s been a while, that guy.’

I pondered the final words Sullivan had left me.

No, why would I ever have met that guy?

At least since I possessed this body, I’ve never even crossed paths with him, let alone become acquainted.

[Maybe you met him when you were younger?]

Suddenly, that question flew at me from inside the Soul Linker.

‘What?’

[Maybe you met him before and forgot?]

‘…That’s impossible.’

Sullivan is a core character in the main scenario. If I had encountered someone like him, how could I possibly not remember?

Especially if there was a reason for him to give me that look filled with ‘complicated emotions.’

“…”

Come to think of it, I’m getting annoyed.

‘Are you mocking me again, suggesting I’m the kind of trash who mistreats women and then forgets about them?’

[Do you have paranoia?]

‘…’

[Well, that was my intention though.]

This person, seriously.

“…”

But there is a possibility.

A possibility that I could have met him and not remembered.

Because there’s a ‘blank period.’

If my memory serves me correctly, I entered the Savior Rising world and became ‘Darwood Campbell’ when this boy was seven years old.

As for memories before that, well…

‘…Due to certain circumstances, my memories until age six are rather hazy.’

[Right. So during that time-]

‘But that’s almost impossible too.’

According to what my father said, my body was so incredibly weak that around that age, even he had almost given up on my survival.

Beyond simply being in poor health, I was practically a vegetative state with just a ‘body.’

Never opening my eyes, never speaking, just a piece of flesh barely clinging to life.

I heard that no matter what skilled physician they brought or what medicine they tried, the problem couldn’t be solved.

Miraculously, my body recovered when I was seven, allowing me to finally move around.

In such a state, there’s no way I could have met people or done anything.

[Your parents must have had a hard time, huh.]

‘My father certainly struggled a lot.’

[…Huh? What about your mother?]

‘…’

When I just sighed without answering, Calivan closed his mouth.

He seemed taken aback, but I didn’t want to talk about that either.

How should I put it?

That topic sends chills down my spine whenever it comes up.

Almost like a feeling of fear or dread.

[From the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like a death or something. What is it exactly?]

‘…It’s better for you not to know.’

Thinking that, I rubbed my temple.

“Darwood student-? What are you thinking about so deeply-?”

When Ophelia, who was overseeing the exam, said that, I snapped back to attention and looked at her.

“Are you alright-? Are you feeling unwell somewhere-?”

“…It’s nothing, Lady Ophelia.”

When I finally managed to answer in a steady voice, Lady Ophelia tilted her head and looked at me.

She must have been concerned because I kept getting lost in thought without responding while she was explaining the exam process.

“Please continue with your explanation.”

When I asked with a forced smile, Lady Ophelia tilted her head but continued her explanation.

“Just in case, I’ll explain again. Your role in the occupation battle will be on the defense team- Since you’re a second-year student, you’ll face first-year students with two teammates-“

Saying that, Lady Ophelia pointed to the hills behind the academy that would be used for the exam.

If the attacking side captures the flag planted at the top, they win; if the defending side protects it, they win.

‘…I have to win.’

Despite everything, if I lose in this exam, it will all be for nothing.

Setting aside the variable of the minister, the fundamental reason I’m going through all this trouble is to meet the Emperor.

Even just Chapter 4 related to Faynol has quite a few parts that involve that person.

“You’re free to choose whoever you want as your defense teammates-“

Saying that, Lady Ophelia looked back and forth between the application form I submitted and me.

“…Are you sure you want these two?”

Objectively speaking, it’s certainly an unusual selection.

Serath is merely a new transfer student, and though Faynol’s grades are exceptional, he’s still only a first-year.

Usually in these situations, the defense team would be composed of the three highest-performing students from the second year.

But in the current situation, this is definitely the most rational choice.

After all.

The issue here isn’t simply stopping students.

“…”

Thinking that, I look at the podium built near the hills.

Though it doesn’t look hastily constructed, it definitely gives off the impression of being prepared to welcome distinguished guests.

“…It’s fine, Lady Ophelia.”

Answering that way, I watch the golden-clad woman entering that area.

“With this combination, I believe we can demonstrate satisfactory skills.”

Looking directly at her, I continue.

“No matter what situation arises.”

I truly believe that.

If not.

Something truly terrible would happen.

●

I may have spoken confidently to Lady Ophelia, but honestly, I’m a bit anxious.

Both of them are carrying what could be described as ticking time bombs in terms of ‘potential for trouble.’

‘…First, this guy.’

Thinking that, I glance sideways at Serath.

The Violet Demon sleeping inside him seems fortunately quiet.

Considering that demon’s personality, I was worried it might break its promise and jump out of Serath to do something bizarre.

“…Serath?”

“What is it, mast-“

“…”

Was he about to call me master just now?

Serath, who was actually about to say such a thing, looks startled and covers his own mouth.

[…This kid doesn’t seem completely normal?]

“…”

I agree.

Why is he acting so nervous?

“What is it… Senior Darwood?”

“…Would you take charge of one of the entry paths?”

Saying that, I point to one of the paths laid out on the map.

There are two entry paths in total. Faynol will take one, Serath will take the other, and I’ll handle the final point where the flag is planted.

“…You’re assigning a Holy Department student to fight alone?”

Faynol tilted his head and said that.

It’s not even funny to assign such a task to a first-year Holy Department student who isn’t even in a direct combat track.

Normally in defense battles, the standard tactic is for all three to stick together and use teamwork to block the final point.

“Yes.”

In other words.

“Serath will be fine.”

I’m also showing him that I know he’s not an ordinary Holy Department freshman.

“…”

“…”

Serath looked at me with a strange expression.

Right.

Despite various events that happened before, from his perspective, he might reasonably wonder what basis I have for such confidence.

I open my mouth to offer the excuse I prepared-

< System Message >

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ activates! ]

[ Target ‘Serath’s’ affection increases! ]

[ A reward is available! ]

“…”

Why?

Why is it increasing?

I glanced at his expression, but nothing seemed to have changed. It’s the same expressionless face as usual.

“…Well, I’ll give it a try. Since we’ve come this far already.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Though I responded calmly to his compliant answer.

Why is he so submissive…?

Just to be sure, let me check.

[ Using ‘Insight Eye.’ ]

[ Loading target information. ]

[ A 24-hour cooldown applies for the same target. ]

[ Serath Evatrice ]

[ Trait: Vessel – Violet Demon ]

[ Status: …Could it be that he trusts me? Is he assigning me this task because he believes in me? Can I take this as some special sign? Wait, no, get a hold of yourself, Serath! It’s not even a confession, getting excited just because a man like this said something like that is too-]

“…”

I wondered what he was thinking behind that expressionless face.

No.

Aren’t you a bit too easy?

Even though the Violet Demon is supposedly the easiest of all demons for me to conquer, this is still too much.

This guy already has many concerning points.

For me, he’s practically a landmine.

< System Log >

[ You have successfully completed an emergency quest. ]

[ Target ‘Serath’s’ exclusive quest ‘Betrayal’ is now available! ]

< Quest Info >

[ Betrayal ] [ Character Quest ]

[ Raise the target’s affection to ‘Beloved’! ]

[ The target will betray their current master and pledge loyalty to you! ]

[ This will have an extremely significant impact on the progression of Chapter 5, ‘Paradise’! ]

[ Connected to the secondary quest, ‘Creating a Family’! ]

“…”

Betraying the Pope… that part sounds good.

But the secondary quest it connects to…

Looks rather ominous.

It gives off the impression that getting involved would guarantee a disastrous development.

To the point where it seems better to raise this guy’s affection as slowly as possible.

‘…Anyway.’

Sighing, I turn my head toward Faynol.

It was a gesture asking if he was okay with handling the other entry path alone.

“I have no problem with that.”

Nodding at his shrugging response, I agree.

Well, certainly.

Even setting aside the fact that he’s the vessel of the Red Demon, he’s one of the top genius ‘mage’ class characters you can meet in the game.

Blocking students should be a piece of cake for him.

-!

As we finish our discussion, a sharp whistle sound pierces the air nearby.

It’s the signal for the start of the exam.

“Good. To your positions.”

Saying that, I send each to their position.

And before I move to my own position.

I take one last glance at the distant podium.

Sullivan is there. He seems to be chatting with Headmaster Conrad nearby.

Unlike before, he doesn’t immediately react when I look at him from afar.

His demeanor is so natural that I almost wonder if what I saw earlier was an illusion.

“…”

Sighing, I get up as well.

I don’t know exactly who that guy is.

I don’t know what connection he has to me.

I don’t know what awaits in this exam.

But whatever happens, I just need to deal with it somehow.

Isn’t that what I’ve been doing countless times until now?

●

That was my thought five minutes ago.

The thought that I could handle whatever came my way.

“…Excuse me.”

I open my mouth in a voice of disbelief.

The fact that I have someone to address means that someone has reached the final checkpoint of the exam, the flag, in that short time.

“…What are you doing here?”

I don’t particularly feel like blaming Serath and Faynol.

Not when it’s this person.

“Ha! Nice to meet you, Darwood Campbell! The revenge of the Chester family finally-“

“No, you just shut up.”

I snap harshly at the guy who’s chattering away with a triumphant voice.

I don’t care who you are. At least not right now.

Because my headache was intensifying like crazy.

Clutching my temple, I groan again.

“…I asked what you’re doing here, Elnore. Why is the student council president on the attack team?”

“…I’m not Elnore.”

Elnore, with her hood pulled down deep, said that in a voice that was clearly trying to be disguised.

“…I am an unidentified freshman who enrolled in the Knight Department. Elnore? I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

“…”

“There is no, pro, problem, with my qualification to participate. Ahem.”

“…”

No.

Seriously.

What is this person doing here?

As I glare at Elnore thinking that, she cleared her throat repeatedly and opened her mouth.

She seems to be embarrassed by what she’s doing.

“I came for a fair duel with you.”

“…A duel?”

“Yes.”

“…”

My headache intensifies much more.

“The loser must grant one request from the winner.”

“…”

“My request is, well…”

Elnore, who said that, closed her mouth for a long time.

She seems to need tremendous courage to say what comes next.

Even I’m getting increasingly anxious watching her.

No.

What on earth is she trying to say-

“…Y-you will spend time with me.”

“…”

“From dusk till dawn. Just the two of us.”

“…”

Hey.

Seriously.

Please.

[…Her actions are cute though.]

Calivan snickered as he spoke.

[But what she’s asking for is a death wish?]

“…”

I couldn’t agree more.

●