Ch.7373. Intersection

“Hey, Trisha.”

“What.”

“…Can you stop scolding me now?”

Elia asked with a tearful expression.

Her hands were trembling as she held them up in the air as punishment.

This happened right after returning to the dormitory room and reporting the “progress” of her vacation to her friend who was glaring at her.

“No, it was the perfect opportunity. You should have at least gotten a promise for a one-on-one date somewhere!”

“B-but, he also said he’d come visit the Kendrid border territory next vacation…”

“I didn’t have Count Kendrid summoned just for empty promises like that! There’s nothing in there about him wanting to spend time with you!”

“…”

Scary.

Even though they’re the same age, when Trisha gives advice about romantic pursuits, she mostly exudes a tiger-like aura.

“…Put your hands down and sit here.”

Trisha sighed and patted the spot next to her on the bed.

At least she wasn’t going to just keep scolding. The dark energy that had filled her chest before sending Elia off seemed to have significantly diminished now.

“Can you tell me exactly what happened there?”

“…Hmm.”

Elia massaged her arms and carefully recalled her memories.

-Leave Elia entirely to me. I promise you won’t regret it.

That’s the first memory that comes to mind.

“…It’s not certain, but I did hear that he considers me… very important.”

“…”

Seeing Elia’s face soften into a silly grin as she said this, Trisha’s eyes sharpened again.

To be this wishy-washy after hearing such an ambiguous statement—this was a severe case indeed.

Seeing this reaction, Elia hastily added:

“J-just listen! It’s true! Even if it’s ambiguous, it definitely wasn’t a bad thing to say!”

After saying that, Elia explained everything that happened during the vacation to Trisha in detail.

Of course, she left out the problematic parts like how they turned a viscount territory and a count territory upside down, or how they fought with the Grand Duke of Tristan who was possessed by some unidentified entity.

“…”

However, after hearing the entire journey, Trisha held her head in disbelief.

‘…He’s completely a player, isn’t he?’

Honestly, she had sent Elia with the Tristan princess partly to get a clear understanding of that man’s attitude.

At the very least, if she confirmed he had absolutely no interest in Elia, she could tell her friend to snap out of it.

But.

The situation had become even more ambiguous. Elia’s condition had worsened, and there didn’t seem to be any deterioration in the relationship with the Tristan princess either.

It was impossible to guess how he managed to handle things in a way that made this possible.

‘How can both a hero candidate and a princess be simultaneously infatuated with the same person…’

She rubbed her forehead and groaned as a headache came on.

If things continued like this, the outcome was obvious. She could already envision Elia’s mood swinging between heaven and hell daily, depending on Darwood’s reactions.

‘But leaving things alone doesn’t look promising either…’

To be honest, Elia had almost nothing that could give her an “advantage” over the Tristan princess.

While Elia was by no means someone to be looked down upon anywhere, the Tristan princess’s specs were simply too transcendent in every aspect.

Then the only point that might work in their favor was…

Offense. Total offense.

Appeal, appeal, and more aggressive appeal!

“Elia. Listen to me carefully.”

So she poured out a lengthy speech with that intent, but…

“H-how could I say something like that…”

“Wouldn’t the teacher find it burdensome? If someone like me were to be so forward…”

It’s hopeless.

Watching Elia hesitate and mumble, already intimidated by the mere thought of having to say such things, made her blood boil.

Someone who never panics even in life-or-death situations—why can’t she say these simple words!

You’ll be crying your eyes out later if you can’t do this!

‘…I have no choice.’

Then the most urgent priority is to increase the time Elia spends with this Darwood person.

Several upcoming academy schedules flashed through her mind.

Among them, something that would definitely involve Darwood…

“Elia. I’m going to give you two homework assignments.”

“…Homework?”

“Yes. One needs to be done today, and the other within a week.”

“But even the professors don’t usually give me homework, so what—”

Trisha glared at her.

“Just do it.”

“…”

Her attitude was so firm that there was no room for compromise.

●

Let’s talk a bit about the Tribal Union.

One of the three nations that extend their influence across the entire continent. A place that operates through the alliance of the Great Chieftain and the tribal chiefs under him.

As the name suggests, it most closely matches the image of what one would typically think of as “barbarian warriors.”

‘…The problem is that only the image is like that.’

They just maintain that appearance because it’s their tradition.

The Tribal Union is actually the most “technologically advanced” place in the Sera world. Things that would be considered science fiction in the Empire or the Holy Empire are commonplace there.

While not quite at the level of the Demonic Spire, which is the source of all technology, the Tribal Union is also one of the culprits that occasionally makes the Sera world showcase technology far beyond medieval fantasy.

Overall, if you consider individual combat power alone, the warriors of the Tribal Union are the strongest. Their training standards are not inferior to other countries, and above all, their equipment technology is on a completely different level.

The fatal flaw is that their “numbers” are terribly lacking compared to the Empire or the Holy Empire.

‘It’s all about balancing.’

The balancing between nations established by Sera’s developers was done by giving each nation its strengths and weaknesses.

Just comparing the main forces of each nation—”knights,” “warriors,” and “battle priests”—reveals their characteristics.

Knights are all-rounders with above-average strength in all aspects and the largest numbers, but nothing particularly outstanding.

Warriors are elite few with the highest overall combat power but fewer in number.

Battle priests are the weakest in terms of raw power but compensate with various special abilities.

The story changes when it comes to top-tier fighters, but that’s the general trend when comparing average capabilities.

‘Anyway.’

Following this trend, the Tribal Union places extremely high value on the strength of individual warriors. With fewer numbers, they believe each must be elite.

In other words, they have a strong contempt for the weak.

While it’s inevitable that those with insufficient abilities are disrespected, this tendency is particularly severe there. The weak are treated as barely human.

If I don’t want to be disrespected when I go there, I need to have at least a minimum level of strength even without using절체절명.

That’s why I’m going through this torture right now.

“Huff… Puhuff…”

“…”

Hearing my rough breathing that sounded like I was vomiting something, Talion, who was acting as my running mate, looked at me with a bewildered expression.

He clearly hadn’t expected someone to be this wrecked after just 10 minutes of running.

“Sir, are you alright? Should we take a break?”

“P-please.”

I collapse onto the ground.

Every muscle in my body is screaming. It’s a bit pathetic to be in this state after just this much running, but I can’t help it.

< Status Info >

“Darwood Campbell”

[Normal]

Strength: F (3% until rank up)

Agility: F (3% until rank up)

Endurance: F

Luck: F

Authority: D

[Abilities]

Magic Power: E (Boosted by ‘Soul Linker’ effect)

Law Power: F

Divine Power: E

< Misc. >

[Current number of alchemy applications on body: 1]

[Stage 1 mutation in progress due to influence of ‘Seal of Tacheon’: 1%]

While some stats have escaped from F compared to before, the overall stats still remain at a disastrous level.

No wonder I’m on the verge of fainting even with this level of exercise.

But what choice do I have? I have to do this to raise my stats.

Even setting aside the goal of not being disrespected there, considering the progression of Chapter 3, developing my “physical ability” stats is not an option but a necessity for me who has been somewhat slacking off.

There will be a lot of physical activity involved.

‘This is killing me…’

I cover my eyes with my hand and sigh as my vision spins.

This is why I’ve been putting off stat training even though I knew I needed to do it.

Unlike other growth methods where I can find “workarounds” through various tricks, stats can only be raised through the character’s repetitive labor.

In other words, there’s a limit to compensating through other methods. Since it’s like basic physical fitness, no matter what you do, if your stats are low, you won’t be efficient.

Even the절체절명 skill that boosts stats to an absurd level works by squaring the base value, which makes it all the more important.

‘At least I have this.’

With that thought, I look down at the necklace I’m wearing.

[Lion’s Necklace] [Accessory]

[Grade: Rare]

[This necklace is awarded to promising warriors in the Tribal Union. When worn, it increases bodily vitality. It also improves the efficiency of physical training through exercise.]

I received this from Hatan of the Tribal Union when I dueled in front of the Pope.

Though its grade is low, it’s one of the few pieces of equipment in the entire game that “helps with stat increase.” It’s incredibly valuable.

It’s also somewhat relevant to the story.

-…

As I was thinking about this, light emanated from the Lion’s Necklace and enveloped my body.

Then some liquid was sprayed onto my cramped muscles and swollen joints.

The pain from those areas subsided.

“…”

It automatically detects when I’m resting during exercise, scans my body, and then heals it.

So that’s what it means by improved efficiency of physical training. Even upon review, the level of technology is absurdly impressive.

“Is that an item from the Tribal Union? It’s truly amazing.”

Talion smiled and said after seeing this.

“They really do have all sorts of incredible things there.”

“First time seeing it?”

“I’ve only heard about them. I’ve always wanted to see them for myself.”

Talion smiled and continued.

“So I need to put in more effort for the exam this weekend. There are so many things I want to see with my own eyes there.”

“Hmm?”

“Originally, the exchange student application was only available from the second year, but this time they’re allowing freshmen too. I don’t know what prompted this change.”

“…”

I can’t help but smile wryly.

The exchange student program between academies in the Golden Triangle is, despite its name, more of a “competition” where pride is at stake.

They select only the best of the best to prove that our academy’s students are far superior to those of other academies.

The absurd idea of holding a major exam at the academy just to select exchange students is part of this trend.

“I’ve heard that being selected as an exchange student greatly helps with future career paths. For the sake of the Armand Viscounty, I have every reason to pass.”

“…Right. Good luck.”

I give Talion a bitter smile as he speaks enthusiastically.

That’s all I can say.

Because…

‘You’re already accepted.’

I couldn’t bring myself to tell this to someone burning with such pure passion.

After all, I was the one who requested the principal to allow freshmen to take the exam in the first place. It seems the promise to help in any way possible wasn’t just empty words.

As a result, some people will “definitely” be accepted as exchange students.

Those who are essential for the progression of Chapter 3.

‘The problem is…’

Among those who need to be taken, there’s likely one person who will absolutely refuse even if accepted.

< Gift-Related Person Alert >

▼ Riru Garda

[Curiosity Level 1]

[The skill ‘Fatal Charm’ has been conditionally implanted!]

[The next time the skill is activated, it will have double the effect!]

[D-5 until related event occurs]

Riru Garda is someone who has to do something very important in Chapter 3.

Although she has an evil alignment, she’s not the villain of the scenario. Rather, she’s the “most crucial person” for clearing Chapter 3.

‘…Though using her is a bit of a headache.’

Whether Chapter 3 is cleared or not depends largely on “reforming” this person’s negative aspects.

Unlike Elnore and Yuria who seem unfairly labeled with evil alignments, this person has several characteristics that anyone would agree justify such an alignment.

Like her enjoyment of beating people up, her extremely violent nature, her insane obsession with combat, her complete disregard for the weak…

“Hmm?”

As I was pondering this, someone was sprinting towards us from a distance.

Even though it’s just dawn with dew beginning to form, the person is completely drenched in sweat, clearly having been running around here for quite some time.

Flowing purple hair, a body with toned muscles without an ounce of fat, and scars covering it.

It’s someone I know.

I wipe my sweat and look at Riru Garda.

She doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“…”

Her gaze briefly rests on me.

We’re not complete strangers; we’ve met once before in an observation class.

She might have been about to greet me or something.

But her eyes immediately fix on the necklace I’m wearing. Her eyes widen slightly.

Her brow furrows a bit. Her lips move as if she wants to say something.

“…”

But after hesitating, looking back and forth between my face and the necklace,

She deliberately turns her gaze away and passes by me and Talion.

It was as if she was trying to convince herself that it had nothing to do with her.

“…”

I smile bitterly as I watch Riru move away at an incredible speed.

Considering her personality, it wouldn’t have been strange if she had picked a fight with me.

She’s the type of person who charges in without thinking if she thinks she’ll have an interesting fight, and considering our previous meeting, I would fit that criteria quite well.

But.

Riru Garda is the daughter of the Great Chieftain, and is currently studying as a student at the Empire’s academy.

This peculiar sentence suggests that the relationship between Riru and the Tribal Union is extremely complicated.

From her perspective, she runs away from anything that reminds her of her homeland.

“…It seems better not to get involved with her.”

Talion said in a serious voice.

“She has a reputation throughout the department as a mad dog. I heard she’s broken school rules more than ten times already. All assault cases, apparently.”

“Really?”

“Yes. There are only rumors about where she’s from that she can cause so much trouble without being expelled.”

After grumbling like that, Talion gave a bitter smile.

“But… I consider myself quite diligent. Yet I can’t compare to her.”

He continued in a dejected voice.

“She must be some kind of training maniac. I’m the earliest riser among my classmates for training, but I’ve never seen that woman do anything but run and exercise all day. I can’t even guess what time she started today.”

“She’s always like that.”

“…Pardon?”

Though it doesn’t show, Riru Garda works harder than anyone else in the world.

“She’s not as bad a person as she appears.”

That’s one of her “good points” hidden beneath her violent personality.

She has quite a few good points if you look deeper.

▼ Riru Garda

[Curiosity Level 1]

[The skill ‘Fatal Charm’ has been conditionally implanted!]

[The next time the skill is activated, it will have double the effect!]

[D-5 until related event occurs]

If my thinking is correct,

Her good side will be fully revealed during the “related event” that coincides exactly with this exchange student selection exam.

As I was pondering this while looking at the system window,

Talion stroked his chin and said:

“Did you know, sir.”

“Hmm?”

“You also have quite a few bizarre rumors about you within the department.”

“…What kind of rumors?”

“That you’re a terrible scoundrel who simultaneously strings along multiple women that normal people would find unapproachable.”

“…”

“Not just Elia and the student council president, but during the midterm exams, you tamed and leashed a ghost-like woman who cuts anything that approaches her, and even the Saint has been frequently spotted with you…”

“…”

“Are you looking for new prey this time too?”

Shut up.

Please shut up.