Ch.205205 – People Who Fear Tomorrow

# 205 – People Who Fear Tomorrow

Before Oknodie’s finish line switching trick unfolded, the freshmen who had successfully crossed the finish line figured out the situation by eavesdropping on the seniors’ commentary during Professor Jeneger’s Tactics lecture.

“Oknodie. She’s truly frightening.”

“I know. Who would have thought she’d switch the finish line? We almost came in last.”

The time difference between their record and Skola’s was only about 10 minutes.

In that 10-minute gap, the finish line had vanished with a poof to Oknodie’s side.

She had even made a contract beforehand.

That she wouldn’t challenge the riding section until 100 students had passed through.

In exchange, the Hero should proceed to cross the finish line and not return to cause trouble.

Other students could approach Oknodie.

But these two couldn’t.

They were bound by the contract.

If they violated the rules, according to the contract sworn by the <Beheading Golgotha>, they would receive 10 times the <Severance> damage that Oknodie would suffer.

Receiving such a penalty from a frightening child who concealed talent and skill rivaling a Hero would undoubtedly lead to major regrets, whether in the near future or distant future.

“Did she target us from the beginning?”

“If she had switched it right from the start, we would have been completely helpless, but the fact that she waited suggests it was meant as a warning.”

“What kind of warning?”

“Not to mess with her. That whenever she wants, she has a way to single out anyone she dislikes in the exam and make them come in last.”

“…You’re right. She’s truly terrifying.”

The two were thoroughly intimidated as they watched the transmission crystal.

For a Hero, reputation and face are most important.

No one would easily join a Hero’s party with rock-bottom reputation and face.

Ex-convicts.

Former criminals.

Non-mainstream school graduates.

The pool of potential party members becomes severely limited.

Not to mention the various problems they would face rubbing shoulders with such people in the same party.

“…Let’s stop openly antagonizing Oknodie.”

“You want to dance to that child’s tune?”

“If we can’t finish it in one go, the collateral damage is too severe.”

Physically, they could kill Oknodie if they acted when professors weren’t watching, but even under professor supervision, Oknodie could socially destroy them.

[Hero’s party comes in last in midterm exam. Names listed side by side at the bottom ranks.]

[Worst humiliation in history. Hero Ishtar, does she have what it takes to be a Hero?]

Just imagining these headlines in the Imperial Daily makes their heads throb.

Above all, the opponent is an 11-year-old child standing at 133cm.

If they can’t finish it quickly, it would just be bullying, and an unsightly scene for others to witness.

“Eventually, Oknodie will have to leave the Academy. That will be our opportunity.”

“I hope so. I’m starting to worry about how strong that child will become at this Academy. And how many dangerous people will gather around her.”

Sing, who beats up passing students to make them find his mount, and Zhang, who returns blood-stained name tags with gratitude that inspires fear.

Behind them, Oknodie sits on a golem’s shoulder, swinging her feet back and forth, humming and smiling contentedly as it stomps along.

Such scenes must not continue.

Determination and resolve hardened in the hearts of the Hero and Saint.

“Huh…?”

But isn’t this dangerous?

The Saint’s expression gradually hardened.

“What’s wrong? Got a leg cramp?”

“Wait. We… might have made a mistake.”

“We’ve made plenty of mistakes. Attacking too rashly…”

“That’s not the issue. Only the two of us came in first and second.”

“So?”

“Oknodie could have easily taken first place, but she’s controlling the group’s ranking and helping other students cross the finish line.”

“…We’ve been had.”

Regret washed over Ishtar’s face.

“The Hero’s party is a cold and selfish entity that only cares about themselves. What’s the difference between the Foundation’s child and the Hero? If anything, the Hero is worse than the Foundation.”

“That’s definitely the reputation we’ll get. How many schemes does she devise with a single action? That child’s devilish wisdom… we can’t match it with just the two of us.”

They needed a Sage.

A Sage who could stand against Oknodie’s devilish wisdom.

The limitation of a Hero’s party that insisted on strength characters only.

Hero Ishtar’s predetermined limitation came too quickly.

Once they became aware, they could feel the gazes around them.

The gazes of Group C students and seniors.

-As expected, the Hero is impressive.

-Truly impressive. Only looking out for themselves.

-I was supporting the Hero over Oknodie because she’s called the Dark Princess, but next time I’ll do the opposite.

-The kid is cute too, eating candy, and the golem making squeaky sounds whenever she taps her heels—it’s fun to cheer for her.

-Even if they both take care of their own people, the Dark Princess seems to have higher popularity?

-The difference between power and charm. This generation’s Hero will have a hard time surpassing the Dark Princess.

The whispers and pointing fingers directed at them.

Unable to bear the shame and humiliation, the two finally stopped watching and fled from the criticism.

* *

With all the victory conditions in my hands, there was no way I would struggle in the rest of the exam.

The result was a complete victory.

I moved the finish line wherever I wanted, gathered people, lined them up, and they passed in order.

“Geez, Ddi. If you were going to do that, you could have at least given me a hint. Do you know how much trouble I went through looking for the finish line?”

“Hehehe. I’m sorry, unni. You’re not mad, are you?”

“Not mad, just a little annoyed?”

While being subjected to five minutes of cheek-squishing punishment like rice cakes in my unni’s arms, I checked the rewards that popped up after the triathlon ended.

[You have flaunted your power, authority, and terrifying nature to your heart’s content in the midterm exam.]

[You have completed the Triathlon event.]

[You acquire 1000 points as a completion reward.]

[Switch Experience +20]

[Action Prediction Experience +20]

[Strategy Planning Experience +20]

[Intimidation Experience +10]

[Scaring Experience +10]

[Charisma Experience +10]

[Fear Inducement Experience +10]

[Gathering Experience +5]

[Bad Kid Experience +5]

I feel like I’ve accumulated an enormous amount of skill experience.

It’s about time I opened my status window once.

But do I really need to spend my own money to open it?

‘If I wear the Aptitude Assessment Hat, couldn’t it open the status window for me?’

The Aptitude Assessment Hat with <Talent Identification>, <Aptitude Evaluation>, and <Status Window Viewing> functions!

Before, I didn’t request to view it during class because I didn’t want to reveal my status in front of everyone, but if I’m alone with the hat, I can certainly request to view it.

The hat Professor Bronze took from the Foundation doesn’t require separate usage permission like the Academy’s hat.

I’m a Foundation person to begin with anyway.

It’s not strange for a scholarship student to temporarily keep a Foundation item before returning it, right?

So I can call it my hat?

Then I can ask the professor for my hat, can’t I?

The miracle logic is complete.

I’m so smart!

“Hey, Oknodie. Want to grab a meal together? As thanks for today…”

“Ah, that’s unfair. I wanted to eat with you first!”

“The Order received a good mace with excellent grip. I’ll specially allow you to hold it, Oknodie.”

After the exam, the number of people talking to me increased significantly.

“Sorry everyone. I have something to do, so I’ll go ahead!”

“Ah…”

Arcadia withdrew her hand that was reaching out to me as I scurried away from her arms.

Seeing her disappointed expression makes me feel a bit sorry.

I should consider allowing her to touch my cheeks at the next tea party.

* *

Professor Bronze gave permission much more coolly than I expected.

“Go ahead. I was keeping it because I was too lazy to return it, planning to give it back during the break, so this works out.”

Professor Bronze turned off a rattling machine in the corner of the research lab and pulled out the Aptitude Assessment Hat from inside the device, looking horribly mangled after being chewed up by gears.

“Aaaah! Mr. Hat is all tattered!”

“P-please… kill me…”

“What did you do to Mr. Hat?!”

When I threw an accusatory glance, the professor didn’t show any sign of embarrassment or awkwardness, just stared back at me and said:

“That thing kept provoking me by calling me an old maid.”

“Ah. Then it deserved to be chewed up.”

“I don’t know who made it, but it’s quite a nasty hat. Why on earth does it have a virginity detection function?”

The Foundation’s dark Aptitude Assessment Hat.

As expected of a hat used in the underworld, it had terrifying functions.

“…Wait. Oknodie. Want to try wearing that hat?”

“Kekeke. After torturing me like that, you still acknowledge the usefulness of this function, vigilante?”

Gasp. Is the professor curious about my virginity right now?

“This is sexual harassment!”

“I apologize.”

“But I’ll allow it since it’s you, Professor…”

Me, weak to pretty women.

So pathetic.

“Yah!”

As I pulled the hat down firmly, a tingling sensation tickled my head.

It feels like a magic scanner sweeping through my brain!

A strange wave traveled from the back of my neck down my spine, then my lower abdomen vibrated with a small “kyung” sound.

Mr. Hat spoke:

“She’s a virgin. She’s only 11 years old. An obvious result.”

The professor seemed somewhat relieved.

“So even the Foundation doesn’t cross certain lines.”

“Huh?”

“You may go now. Don’t forget the Eye for Art exam tomorrow.”

…Oh no. I was so focused on the triathlon that I completely forgot about this exam.

And at night…

‘Professor Sadaco’s exam overlaps too!?’

I’m scared.

Thursday, I’m terrified of facing tomorrow!