Ch.1818. Class

I feel like I’m going to die.

Not in a figurative sense, but literally.

“-therefore, the sword can be considered the most basic weapon in all situations. As a suitable armament for dealing with all situations-“

I let the professor’s words go in one ear and out the other as cold sweat trickles down my face.

It’s basic content anyway. No need to concentrate on listening.

“Professor. I have a question.”

And that also translates to why on earth this person is sitting through such a pointless class.

Elnore, who was sitting to my left, expressionlessly raised her hand, causing the blood to drain from the professor’s face.

“Please speak, Lady Tristan.”

“Don’t you think the theory is too long-winded? All this knowledge hardly matters in actual combat.”

“I apologize. I’ll correct it.”

The professor responded with a stiff smile.

It was a peculiar scene where a student casually critiqued the class and the professor agreed, but no one objected to it.

She’s Lady Tristan after all. No one would even think of criticizing her attitude.

Except for one person.

“Um, I was actually enjoying the lecture?”

Elia, who was sitting to my right, retorted with a smirk.

She didn’t seem intimidated at all despite receiving Elnore’s cold gaze.

“…Surely you don’t think this armchair theory actually helps in real combat.”

“The class is at the professor’s discretion. If you’re here ‘forcibly,’ maybe you should just stay quiet?”

Elnore closed her mouth with a displeased expression.

Unlike Elia, who like me is a freshman, she seems aware that she’s being quite unreasonable by being here.

According to what I later heard from Atalante, she had insisted on it herself. Saying she “really wanted to be with me.”

“But even for a basic class, something more practical would be-“

“That kind of thinking is too biased toward one perspective-“

The verbal battle intensifies.

The professor, who should be conducting the class, is too intimidated by the “future Hero candidate” and “Lady Tristan” titles to say anything.

“Then what are your thoughts?”

“Yes, what do you think, teacher?”

And this is precisely why I feel like I’m dying.

After going at each other like that, they always end up passing the bomb to me.

“…I think it would be better to continue with the class for now.”

I say this because the professor trembling and turning blue before my eyes looks so pitiful.

At my words, Elnore’s brow slightly furrows, while Elia’s face breaks into a bright smile. The professor likewise smiles with relief.

“Yes! One more win.”

“…I lost this time.”

I rub my forehead at the muttering from both sides.

These two have been like this throughout all our classes so far.

They debate content between themselves, then finally ask for my opinion, keeping score based on whose side I take.

Each time, the winner is delighted to death while the loser is genuinely upset, which is ridiculous.

What’s the big deal about what I say…?

Why are you two like this with me…?

“…”

Because of this, other students are increasingly giving me strange looks.

As if wondering, “Who is this guy to receive such treatment while stuck between the Hero candidate and the Lady?”

‘I don’t know either.’

Really, I don’t know.

This could be seen as evidence that the academy is successfully suppressing awareness about me. Some people seem to have no idea who I am.

That also means Elphante itself is extremely vigilant about my every move.

‘…Well, they’ll handle any incidents that occur.’

So to divert my consciousness, I should focus on what I need to do.

I turn my attention to the window that has appeared before me, ignoring the professor who has resumed his stuttering lecture.

< Gift-Related Person Alert >

♥ Elnore Erinarise la Tristan

[Trust Level 5] >>> [Affection Level 1]

[Rewards available!]

▼ Elia Krisanax

[Curiosity Level 5] >>> [Interest Level 1]

[Rewards available!]

I tap on it again.

[Receiving gift reward from ‘Elnore’.]

[You have acquired ‘Trait: Breathing Technique – Bucho’!]

< Mastery Info >

[Trait: Tristan-style Swordsmanship] [Grade: Basic]

[Current Proficiency: 58%]

[This is the sword technique of the prestigious Tristan Dukedom.]

[■ You can exert a consistent level of power regardless of weapon.]

[Trait: Breathing Technique – Bucho] [Grade: Basic]

[■ With prolonged training, this breathing method dramatically increases physical durability and stamina. It works especially well with Tristan-style swordsmanship.]

‘…This is good?’

Bucho and Tristan-style swordsmanship are techniques that work almost as a set.

The person who uses this combination well is sitting to my left—Lady Tristan.

There are many reasons why Elnore reigned as a final boss, but a significant part of her monstrous close combat ability comes from the combination of these two skills.

Despite having monstrous attack power, her physical durability is as tenacious as a weed, so no matter how much you hit her, she won’t fall.

It could be considered one of the most efficient combinations in terms of physical combat traits.

And next:

[Receiving gift reward from ‘Elia’.]

[You have acquired 2,000pt!]

[Current points: 2,000pt]

She just gives points instead of something special. Still, like a true protagonist, she gives a generous amount at once.

It’s a bit disappointing though. I wish there was something more…

< System Message >

[It has been confirmed that you have exerted significant influence on a person with a good nature!]

[The second gift is now available!]

[You have acquired ‘Skill: Domination of Evil’!]

“…”

It really appeared.

<Special Gift>

Gift #1- Fateful Attraction

[As the affection of individuals with evil nature increases, you acquire various rewards.]

Gift #2- Proximity to Ink Stains Black

[As the affection of individuals with good nature increases, you acquire various rewards.]

[However, these are given at a much more modest level compared to those with evil nature.]

[Instead, you receive great rewards for corrupting individuals with good nature to a certain extent!]

< Skill Info >

[Skill: Domination of Evil] [Grade: E]

[Exert influence on individuals with good nature who have been sufficiently affected by you.]

[Individuals under Domination of Evil must grant one request from you.]

[Currently applied to: None]

I read through the text before me.

‘…Hmm.’

I read through it again.

No, I don’t quite understand.

In short.

If I corrupt someone good, I get rewards in return?

That’s…

“…”

Is that right?

●

Time flows quickly, and we finally reach “Introduction to Survival Studies,” the last class of the day.

The class location is the “Fairy Forest.” It’s a beautiful forest that appears after walking quite far beyond the school building.

Though it looks like an ordinary forest on the surface, it’s said to share its history with the thousand-year-old immortal Atalante, so it can’t be completely normal.

Inside are all kinds of magical beasts, magical plants, and rare minerals.

Some are even dangerous enough to threaten one’s life.

By the time we reach here, both Elnore and Elia have quieted down.

It’s partly because they’re tired from constantly fighting until now, but mainly because the person in charge of this class is someone they can’t criticize.

“Welcome, chicks.”

Conrad Baltador, the dean of the Knight Department, spoke in a nonchalant tone, but the nearby freshmen were visibly tense.

Anyone with even a little knowledge about Elphante would know how infamous this class is.

“Survival studies is the collection of practical skills gathered by those who are still out there digging in dungeons and ruins. It won’t hurt to learn if you don’t want to die.”

The explanation continued in a remarkably indifferent manner for something being taught directly by the dean.

The atmosphere clearly conveyed that while he found it deadly boring, tradition dictated that the dean teach the first class.

Well, it is an important subject. The Imperial Family gives extra points for employment to those who excel in it, so some students’ eyes are practically sparkling.

“What you need to do is simple.”

And then came the class content that would kill all that enthusiasm.

“From now on, go into this forest and bring back something that will impress me. You have 10 minutes.”

“…”

“Oh, if you think you’re going to die, scream loudly. I’ll save you. But be prepared for the lowest score.”

“…”

In the silence that followed, one student cautiously raised their hand.

“What is it?”

“…Um, are there any grading criteria?”

“I just told you. My judgment.”

“…”

“Life is practical, little chicks. You have 5 minutes to prepare.”

Oh, and student council president, come here. You’ll grade with me.

After saying that, Conrad vanished, leaving the students pale with fear. Meanwhile, I was detached from the atmosphere, staring at my status window.

Gift #2- Proximity to Ink Stains Black

[As the affection of individuals with good nature increases, you acquire various rewards.]

[However, these are given at a much more modest level compared to those with evil nature.]

[Instead, you receive great rewards for corrupting individuals with good nature to a certain extent!]

I still don’t understand what this means.

“Corrupting individuals with good nature” is too abstract.

‘…Well, it’s clear I shouldn’t stay on good terms.’

Given that the gift is named “Proximity to Ink Stains Black,” it seems like I need to do something bad?

“Teacher. Shall we go together?”

While I was staring at the window and organizing my thoughts, Elia approached with a smile and made that suggestion.

Well, I’m not interested.

“You go with your friends.”

I point to the “protagonist party” gathering nearby.

The warrior Luca, the mage Falco, the healer Trisha, and the archer Grid.

They must have become friends after the previous assassination attempt, as they’re now waiting for Elia from a distance.

“…Hmm, but you’re my friend too, teacher. Let’s do this together?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Really, I mean it.

Although we’ve somehow become entangled, Elia needs to become friends with the protagonist party right now.

After all, they’re the only ones who can grow enough to save the world.

Me joining them would just be an impurity.

“We’re not that close anyway, right?”

“…”

At my words, she pouted with displeasure.

“…That’s hurtful, really. Fine, I don’t care!”

She stormed off angrily, moving away from me.

She seems a bit upset.

“Hey.”

As I was mulling over that thought, I heard someone calling me from the side.

When I turned my head, a handsome blonde man with blue eyes was looking at me. He had an air of refinement about him.

‘Ah, I remember this character too.’

Seeing the spear protruding from his back, I immediately recall who he is.

Talion Armand.

The eldest son of the respectable Armand viscounty. He’s undoubtedly one of the standout talents among this year’s freshmen.

I remember him as a flawless character.

Integrity. Humility. Composure. Proper conduct.

And above all, skills that nearly match Elia’s.

Thanks to that, he already has a fan club despite being a freshman.

But more importantly.

‘…Wasn’t he the mid-boss of Chapter 1?’

This guy is going to fall from grace due to some incident and become a boss.

I didn’t expect to encounter him like this.

‘But what business does he have with me?’

As I tilted my head wondering about this, Talion spoke again.

“Hey, what’s your relationship with the Hero candidate?”

“…Huh?”

His question caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but make a dumb sound.

I really couldn’t guess his intention.

Though I had been with her all day today.

“What do you mean by that? What relationship?”

“For what reason are you approaching… excuse me, how did you become friends with her?”

Though his tone was polite, his eyes were sharp.

As if he wanted to scrutinize everything about me.

‘…Ah, I get it now.’

If I recall the setting, to this guy, Elia is “someone he respects.” A goal he wants to reach and match someday.

“She just wanted to be friends with me?”

When I told the truth, the corner of his eye twitched.

“…With someone who’s repeatedly called a fraud?”

His tone became somewhat aggressive.

My eyes widened a bit in response, not because of his change in demeanor, but because of what appeared before me:

< System Message >

[A person with good nature has become angry due to your influence!]

[Gift condition partially fulfilled!]

‘So this is it?’

It seems that the more I actively make this guy angry, the higher my chances of receiving a reward.

“Negative tendencies” apparently includes anger.

“…”

I accelerate my thoughts a bit.

If I activate the gift on this guy and implant the “Domination of Evil” skill, he’ll have to grant one of my requests later.

Plus I get additional rewards.

‘That’s good, isn’t it?’

And he’s not just anyone—he’s the mid-boss of Chapter 1. There are countless ways to utilize such a function.

‘There will be opportunities related to his corruption too.’

If things go according to my plan, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

So what I need to do here is simple.

I need to provoke this guy until the gift condition is fulfilled.

“There’s no evidence it was fraud, is there?”

“The circumstances make it clear. There’s also no evidence that your duel with the Hero candidate wasn’t fraud, right?”

Elphante is doing a good job, it seems.

Despite how few times I’ve been noticed since then, they’ve successfully maintained this perception among the students.

“You know.”

I smiled bitterly inside, but right now I should be grateful for such a perception.

“I don’t know why you’re acting like this, but I just became friends with her because she asked.”

“…I don’t believe you.”

“Why?”

Now I can really provoke him.

“Is it because you felt a wall when you saw your target get taken down in one hit? Is that why you want to believe the duel was rigged?”

His eyebrow twitched.

To be honest, this hit the mark.

He might be trying hard to deny it, but there’s no other reason for him to pick a fight with me.

“And.”

I add with a smirk.

“Even if I were that kind of person, what could you do about it?”

“…What?”

“I’m saying that even if I were a real fraud, I’d still fight better than you.”

His expression contorted with anger.

“…Then, let’s make a bet.”

He replied with flashing eyes.

“On who gets the better grade in there. How about it?”

[Gift prerequisite condition completed!]

[The target is extremely angry!]

[Rewards will be available if you inflict a humiliating defeat on the target in this state!]

That’s right.

Got him.

●

“…Hey, Student Council President.”

Conrad ran his hand through his hair with an incredulous expression.

Elnore’s face remained completely unchanged as she heard his words.

“Yes. What is it?”

“I asked you to help with grading, but I didn’t tell you to do it carelessly.”

“I haven’t been careless.”

“…”

He silently looked at the paper Elnore had given him.

This is what she did as soon as he gave her the documents and writing tools for grading.

“Then explain. Why does this Darwood Campbell have a perfect score when class hasn’t even started?”

“Because it’s perfect.”

“…”

“That man deserves a perfect score.”

What are you talking about?

Conrad narrowed his eyes and glared at her, but Elnore continued expressionlessly.

“You don’t seem satisfied.”

“Would you be?”

“Then I’ll go observe him more closely to write in more detail about why he deserves a perfect score. I’ll go into the forest.”

“…You’ve been scheming from the beginning because you want to be with him, haven’t you?”

“No.”

Elnore replied calmly.

“I just don’t want to leave him alone with that freshman Elia.”

“…”

“I have a feeling something will happen between them in there. Please let me in.”

“Thanks for being honest.”

And he really meant it.

Conrad grinned.

“Stay here if you don’t want to die. Before I kick you out for disrupting class.”

“…”

But honesty doesn’t mean everything gets approved.

●