Chapter 103

Extra Chapter 103

Midterm exam day.

The faces of the Common students were dark.

Of course, we were the exception.

Riviera yawned peacefully.

Allen’s eyes burned with determination.

It seemed they had prepared diligently over the past three weeks through mutual tutoring.

With expressions like that, there was nothing to worry about.

As for me, well, naturally.

Dong-dong!

The bell rang.

Right on time, Professor Lapit entered.

“Everyone, put your bags in front.”

And so, the midterms began.

* * *

When exams end, the school always has a festive atmosphere.

Saint Lepheria Academy was no different.

For at least a week, there would be no major events at the academy.

The schedule was designed to give students physical and mental rest after the stress of exam preparation.

“Everyone did well, right?”

“Yes, Leader!”

“No problem.”

Allen’s answer was unusually spirited.

Riviera’s expression was the same as always.

At this point, there was no need to check answers or anything.

It’s not like checking would change the grades.

“Good. Normally, we’d have a celebration, but I’m busy, so we’ll skip it. Instead…”

I pulled something from my pocket and tossed it to Allen and Riviera.

It was chocolate.

This level of thoughtfulness is basic for a leader.

“What’s this…?”

Allen’s eyes widened.

“Oh?”

Riviera immediately unwrapped and ate the chocolate as if it were a rare treat.

“Tasty.”

She gave a thumbs-up.

Of course, it was high-quality chocolate.

“Don’t be suspicious, just eat it. Do you think I’d give you something bad?”

“No, that’s not it at all…”

“Alright, eat that and relax. You all did well. I’m busy, so I’ll go first.”

This should be enough for my hardworking team members.

If I weren’t so busy, I’d have bought them a drink, but that’ll have to wait for next time.

I left to meet the next person.

* * *

Hmm, this one’s expression is ambiguous.

Feeling a bit anxious, I opened my mouth.

“Camian Croycher.”

“…Why are you suddenly using my full name?”

Camian looked at me incredulously.

“How are your grades?”

“Grades aren’t out yet…”

“But you checked your answers against the key, right?”

“…Even so, why should I tell you my grades?”

Camian protested.

Logically, he’s right under normal circumstances.

But our relationship isn’t normal, is it?

“Ha, after all the support I’ve given you, you repay me like this?”

I clicked my tongue.

“Support?”

Camian squinted as if he didn’t understand.

Is this guy starting to resemble me in shamelessness?

I’m raising a tiger cub here.

“I saved your life from a dungeon, shared the loot and artifacts from the dungeon to help you quit your tough part-time job, carried you out of a dangerous underground space, guided you when you were lost on the path to becoming stronger, bought you meals twice, and even paid you for your work… Oh, maybe not that last one. Anyway, isn’t that more than enough?”

I fired off my words like a machine gun.

“Ugh.”

Even Camian couldn’t deny these facts and was left speechless.

Yeah, a protagonist should at least have that much conscience.

Please don’t fall into darkness.

If you do, it’s straight to a bad ending.

“Yes, Senior, you’re right.”

His childhood friend Annette also agreed, and Camian finally gave in.

“…I admit it.”

His voice trembled.

True to his protagonist nature, his pride was intact.

But he would realize sooner or later.

There are times to be proud and times not to be.

He’s still too young to know that.

“Hmph, you don’t know it yet, but having someone who genuinely cares about you is something to be grateful for.”

I said with a meaningful smile.

“…”

Camian looked at me silently.

I continued.

“For instance, Annette.”

“S-Senior…”

Annette blushed in embarrassment.

Why so shy?

You should be grateful for this level of assistance.

That clueless guy has the potential to be popular, so he could end up with another girl anytime.

“And me.”

“…”

An awkward silence ensued.

Camian shook his head and asked.

“…Are you serious?”

“I’m serious.”

“Why me?”

He must have felt it too.

There was no other senior at the academy who cared as much as I did.

But he couldn’t just accept it positively.

It must have been burdensome and worrisome.

I understand.

But human relationships strengthen through such processes.

“I hold you in high regard. More than you think. That’s why I invested in you.”

Tick.

I flicked a gold coin with my finger and caught it again.

I’ve always wanted to do that performance.

“Investment?”

“Don’t think of it as just money. Understand it as me wanting to nurture you properly.”

If the notorious Max Celtrine had said this, it would have been dismissed as nonsense.

But Camian and Annette know.

Regardless of public opinion, they know who I really am.

That’s why they took my words seriously.

“I don’t get it. What do you plan to do with me? Make me work under you?”

I immediately denied Camian’s question.

“No. I want just one thing. For you to be on my side.”

“On your side…?”

Camian seemed bewildered.

He hadn’t expected that.

“Yes, that’s all.”

“But… what are you planning to do…?”

Camian bit his lip.

He’s fundamentally righteous.

That’s why he chose to re-enter the dangerous underground space for the sake of others.

If I did something clearly evil, he would readily cut ties with me.

“That’s for you to decide.”

“…”

“But let me say one thing. No matter what stance you take, I’ll always be on your side.”

Of course.

You and I are practically one.

If you fail, I’m done too.

But Camian, not knowing this, seemed to take it differently.

“Ugh…”

Camian groaned with wavering eyes.

Someone who would unconditionally be on his side.

Aside from his family and Annette, he had never experienced that.

If it were a joke, he could brush it off lightly, but it wasn’t, so it was understandable that he felt troubled.

“It’s embarrassing, so let’s stop here.”

I lightened the mood.

“Enough. Just tell me your exam scores, man.”

* * *

In the end, I got Camian’s grades.

They were just enough to meet the Royal cut-off.

It seems that stabilizing his living environment by getting rid of his part-time job was effective.

If not for that, he might have fallen to the Noble class by the second semester of his first year.

‘Was I too busy focusing on my own growth?’

I reflected on the past.

Prioritizing my own development, given my initial state, was unavoidable.

Still, I had looked after him quite a bit.

Especially in terms of practical experience.

‘Well, even if his written scores are a bit lacking, his practical skills should make up for it…’

Camian’s practical experience was outstanding.

Far beyond what most first-year students could even dream of.

That would make the difference.

Of course, he wouldn’t stand a chance against monsters like Princess Oscar or Leon Benesse.

(TLN: from now on its Oscar peresia and not Oskar Fereshia basically the kings family name is changing to peresia)

“Um… Senior?”

Annette’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I straightened up and looked at Camian.

“Hmm, you did well enough. Not bad.”

“…”

“But doing well enough isn’t enough. You need to work harder to reclaim your original position.”

“My original position…”

“Second place.”

Camian gave a bitter smile, as if to say, “This senior doesn’t know anything.”

But.

‘No one knows better than me, buddy.’

Camian and Annette were part of the first-year class.

The so-called golden generation.

Their potential, if graded, would mostly be A’s, with even a few S’s—a ridiculously talented generation.

In such a year, Camian, who at best had B-grade potential, securing second place at entrance was nothing short of a miracle.

It was only possible because he was exceptionally precocious and his potential bloomed early.

That early bloom allowed him to thrive in the first semester of the first year, but he hit his limit before the semester even ended.

While his peers grew rapidly day by day, his growth was minuscule.

It’s no wonder the game refers to the second semester of the first year as the real start of the hardship.

Without my help, Camian would have plummeted into the abyss.

Despite knowing all this, I set a high goal for him for a reason.

“Always set high goals. That way, even if you only reach half, you’ll still be ahead.”

“…You have a point.”

Camian agreed.

As a protagonist, he had the capacity to accept what he deemed right.

“And that’s not all. I said I hold you in high regard, didn’t I?”

“That’s an overestimation I can’t live up to. If you saw my peers, you’d change your mind.”

“I know, I’ve seen them. Princess Oscar, Leon Benesse. They are true geniuses.”

“And yet…?”

Camian squinted, not understanding.

“You have something special that they don’t. Though you may not realize it.”

“What is it?”

“You’re the protagonist.”

“What…?”

Camian looked at me in disbelief.

He tilted his head and asked again, as if to confirm.

“What did you just say…?”

“You’re the protagonist.”

“…”

Camian’s face was a picture of bewilderment, as if he couldn’t believe the nonsense I was spouting.

He was too dumbfounded to speak.

Despite expecting this reaction, I said it for a reason.

Camian and I are in different grades, so I can’t always be there to guide him.

There will be many times when I can’t be there.

“Remember this: the world revolves around you. Be meticulous and cautious in every choice. Don’t overlook even the smallest detail. Any of it could determine your future.”

“Huh…”

What is he talking about?

That was the look on his face.

But it didn’t matter.

Understanding these words perfectly was impossible anyway.

Unless you’ve lived through life twice.

What mattered was that he heard it from me.

Once he heard it, he would be conscious of it somehow.

It’s such a peculiar and memorable statement.

“Whether you laugh it off or remember it is up to you. But I’ve said what I needed to.”

“Sigh, seriously…”

Camian shook his head.

A normal reaction.

I chuckled.

“Well, I’ll be off then. Busy schedule.”

With that, I said what I needed to and left.

* * *

“What was that all about?”

Camian squinted and muttered to himself.

His mind was a mess.

Everything he said today, from beginning to end, bothered him.

He couldn’t tell what was sincere and what wasn’t.

“Hmm…”

Annette also had a thoughtful look.

Then she spoke.

“I think it was a metaphor…”

“A metaphor?”

“Yes. We’re all the protagonists of our own lives, right?”

“Well… yes.”

“So I think he was advising you to give your best at every moment. Isn’t that what it means?”

Annette’s words made sense.

Hearing her, I could finally understand the intent behind those strange words.

Don’t take even a second lightly; give your best.

“Yes, that seems right.”

Camian’s expression relaxed.

Annette smiled.

“Haha, but anyway, Camian.”

“Yes?”

“He’s a good senior.”

“…”

Camian hesitated, unable to readily agree.

It was an instinctive rejection from their polar opposite personalities.

“Don’t you think so?”

“…Yeah.”

But in the end, he had to agree.

Not only had he saved his life, but he had also been a positive influence.

“Such connections should always be cherished.”

If Max had heard this, he would have applauded, saying it hit the essence of the game.

Skills and relationships.

That was the essence of this game.

“…Yes.”

Camian nodded, deep in thought.