Ch.22. Encounter (2)

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The accident was quickly resolved.

Train damage due to falling rocks in the mountain range was apparently quite common, so various safety measures were well in place.

The fact that there were no fatalities or even serious injuries in a major accident where the entire train was wrecked and overturned proved this point.

Though I nearly died after being directly hit by a rock.

The students were promptly transferred to another mode of transportation and sent directly to the academy, where they received top-level medical support in case of any abnormalities.

And when you receive such a full-body check, you inevitably end up with some free time.

Enough time for me to examine my current situation in detail.

<Special Gift>

Gift #1- Fateful Attraction

[As your favorability with individuals of evil alignment increases, you will acquire various rewards.]

I look at the text below the window with disbelief.

With conditions like these, it’s no wonder I couldn’t find anything no matter what I did since my possession.

The Campbell Barony is such a fluffy neighborhood that it’s hard to find anyone with even a neutral alignment, let alone an evil one. It’s only natural that the gift hasn’t activated when I can’t even meet the basic conditions.

Sighing, I switch the window to the skills section. I should at least see what I’ve gotten.

< Skill Info >

[Skill: Desperate Situation] [Rank: ???]

[Stat enhancement is applied in moments of crisis. The effect strengthens as survival probability decreases.]

[Skill: Fatal Charm] [Rank: ???]

[It becomes easier to gain favor from individuals with evil alignment. The effect strengthens with more extreme alignments.]

[Desperate Situation] seems to be an ability that directly helps with survival and combat. Although the activation condition of “moments of crisis” is somewhat ambiguous, any skill with stat enhancement effects will definitely be of great help.

In contrast, [Fatal Charm] is…

“…”

Am I really supposed to accept this?

I’m not sure exactly how much easier it becomes to gain favor, but in this game, people with evil alignment are all dangerous individuals.

A boxer who goes berserk at the thought of a fight.

A sword-obsessed psychopath who slices first and asks questions later if anyone gets within three steps.

A brutal assassin who kills anyone as long as conditions are met.

A genius magician who seems numb to everything.

My temples throb as the profiles of these troublesome individuals flash through my mind one after another.

Ah, I don’t know.

‘…For now, isn’t it better to just accept it?’

I close the window with a wry smile.

Just getting a skill that directly helps with survival is already a significant achievement.

After all, since my possession, all my actions have been revolving around “my own survival.”

Even trying to fulfill my role as an extra stems from that principle.

In that sense, there’s no reason to refuse something that helps me survive in a world where hellish scenarios await.

‘The strange thing is…’

The skill rank is displayed as ???, which is an unusual phenomenon.

Normally, it should show at least one rank from the lowest F to the highest EX.

This is something even I, considered a veteran of Sera, have never seen before.

“What have you been staring at in empty space? Should we redo your mental examination?”

“No. I’m really fine.”

When I answered the medical staff member in front of me, the man who was recording my condition on a chart looked at me suspiciously.

“All your readings are definitely normal, but…”

“Then please let me go now. It was an accident where no one was even injured, so why all this fuss…”

“That’s true. Officially. This will probably be processed as an accident.”

The medical staff member replied with a sigh.

“But whether this was really an accident is something to think about.”

“Excuse me?”

“You were riding with the Tristan Duchess, right?”

“…So what?”

“And you’re from a baronial family without any proper backing, aren’t you?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m giving you sincere advice. I’m also an Elphante Academy graduate, and I was from an obscure provincial noble family like you.”

The medical staff member continued with a bitter smile.

“Do you think it was a coincidence that out of all those compartments, yours was the one directly hit?”

“…”

“The Tristan Dukedom has many enemies. You may have met her unavoidably this time, but it’s better to avoid her as much as possible in the future. Mingling with high nobles will only get you hurt.”

I already know that, sir.

There’s a reason she carries the title of final boss candidate in an academy filled with all sorts of conspiracies and malicious slander. Just being near her means facing life-threatening crises as regularly as breathing.

The problem is…

< Gift-Related Character Alert >

▼ Elnore

[Trust Level 1]

[D-2 until related event occurs]

…I’m already entangled with this person whether I like it or not.

Fuck.

●

The entrance ceremony ended in a flash.

Something about the boundless glory of the Imperial Academy Elphante. Something about how this year’s freshmen are truly exceptional.

A genius from this region. Royalty from that region. A barbarian warrior from beyond the mountains. A notorious thief from the back alley. Et cetera.

Academy Elphante accepts any kind of person as long as they have talent. Of course, being an imperial institution, they only admit students who are nobles or have noble recommendations.

But with so many different types of people gathering in one place, this damn academy is also a place that never has a peaceful day throughout the year.

For example, the “practical evaluation” that takes place right after the entrance ceremony gives off that kind of vibe.

“Now that the entrance ceremony is over, we will proceed with the level assessment-“

“The assessment method will include various types of practical tests, including one-on-one duels-“

Right. It would be strange if an educational institution didn’t sort students into classes.

I stare blankly at the teaching assistants who are busy controlling the lined-up students, letting my thoughts drift.

The event is proceeding as expected, but an even greater gloom was consuming me.

“…”

Let’s be honest.

I’m already done with living as an extra.

I certainly dreamed of that possibility until I first came here, but everything changed when I met the student council president in the same compartment.

More precisely, the problem arose when I unexpectedly unlocked a gift and suddenly got tied to a related event.

That person, given her position, plays a significant role in all the main events in Sera. The moment I got entangled with her, my original plan was as good as finished.

Farewell, peaceful life as a voluntary loner.

Welcome, game scenario full of all kinds of dangerous incidents.

And facing that scenario is Darwood Campbell with his brilliant all-stat F.

How could I not be depressed?

“First, we’ll divide students into groups for 1:1 duels-“

I listen to the teaching assistant’s words with one ear while concentrating on my thoughts again.

So, does that mean I’m giving up?

No. That’s not it either.

Even if there’s no answer, it’s important to try everything I can. My life is at stake.

‘The immediate goal is…’

First, I need to deal with this.

< Gift-Related Character Alert >

▼ Elnore

[Trust Level 1]

[D-2 until related event occurs]

I don’t know what “related event” means, but considering this person’s background, it’s definitely not going to be just sharing tea and snacks before parting ways.

Someone’s blood will definitely be spilled.

So, the immediate goal is to raise my specs as much as possible within two days.

“…”

Am I really going crazy?

In other possession stories, they usually give you some waiting time before incidents occur. Why do I have to do a life-or-death growth time attack within 48 hours?

‘…No choice.’

I continue my thoughts while mentally reciting thirty characters of patience. I don’t even have time to be angry.

Now, let’s think.

“Student. Hey.”

Of course, as a veteran user of Sera, I can see through the methods to power myself up within this academy even with my eyes closed.

But all of them are blocked by the barrier of time—two days.

The only way to grow myself satisfactorily within that time is this:

<Special Gift>

Gift #1- Fateful Attraction

[As your favorability with individuals of evil alignment increases, you will acquire various rewards.]

I don’t know what will come, but just gaining a slight favor from Elnore already gave me two skills. There’s no doubt about its efficiency.

In other words, I need to somehow gain “villain’s favor” right now.

As quickly as possible.

“Darwood Campbell!”

A thunderous shout erupts right in front of me, bringing my consciousness back to reality.

What I see is a teaching assistant with a deeply furrowed brow.

“Where is your mind wandering! I’ve called you several times!”

Judging by the voice that resonates in all directions, he must be really angry.

Thanks to that, the entire world I can perceive is now looking at me.

“Everyone except you has already formed duel pairs. Therefore, your opponent has been automatically decided, so be aware.”

With those words, I become more aware of the situation.

Most of the gazes directed at me are either pity or mockery.

Duel pairs are usually formed by students of similar levels who pair up tactfully, but those like me who space out and miss that opportunity end up experiencing hell.

Naturally, only “opponents no one wants to duel with” remain.

‘Ah.’

I inwardly sigh as I examine “my opponent.”

A girl with orange hair mixed with red. Shabby but well-worn activewear. An unremarkable longsword at her waist.

But even with this modest appearance, there’s a bizarrely strong “presence” that can’t be hidden.

A charisma so overwhelming that just facing her feels intimidating.

I turn my gaze to read the name [Elia Krisanax] engraved on her nameplate.

I know this person.

No, she’s someone impossible not to know. Almost as much as Elnore.

“Um, hello?”

The world’s greatest genius.

The protagonist of the “Savior Rising” world who will grow to become the savior, smiled awkwardly at me and greeted me.

“…”

Isn’t this completely screwed?

Although the protagonist’s stats at the starting point aren’t that high, this person will later become someone who can destroy mountain ranges with a single blow, whether with a sword or magic. Even at the current point before growth, her talent is genuine.

She probably has settings like participating in regular knight missions or monster subjugations before enrollment, or conquering an entire dungeon alone. Achievements that are hard to believe for a student.

The fact that she’s uniquely avoided among the talented freshmen of Elphante says it all. She was probably the most famous among all the new students.

The combat power gap between us right now is absolutely devastating. I could really die…

“…?”

Wait a minute.

I delve deeper into the sentence that just occurred to me.

I recall my “abilities,” the “information” about my opponent, and my immediate “goal” in sequence.

And then I draw a conclusion.

“…Hello.”

As I shake the hand she shyly extended, I think to myself.

This.

Perhaps it’s not a crisis but an opportunity.

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