Chapter 152

Peaceful days flow swiftly like water.

Especially if you live a busy life like mine, even more so.

Thus, the date had already reached the end of the second semester.

* * *

“H-Honor student?”

Liss Celtrine widened her eyes in surprise.

Her brother Max had sent her the final exam results through a servant.

Compared to the shock she felt when she heard about his midterm results, which ranked him 10th in the grade, this time was no less shocking.

It was hard to believe that there was still room for improvement from that score.

She knew well how difficult it was to rise even one rank at the top levels.

But not 7th, not 5th, but the second-highest?

The speed of improvement was insane.

“Huhu, I’m so proud of him. He’s truly remarkable, isn’t he, dear?”

Isabelle, the Countess of Celtrine, said to her husband with a face full of joy.

“Haha, of course. I’m extremely proud. I always knew he had potential, but seeing him bloom so splendidly makes me very pleased.”

The Count of Celtrine couldn’t help but smile.

Liss barely managed to hide her bewildered expression as she watched her parents.

…Anyone could see it was strange, but only the two of them didn’t know.

No, it doesn’t make sense for that ‘remarkable son’ to get such grades.

That son was originally terrible at studying.

Seeing the two of them talking as if he had always been extraordinary, she realized this was the perspective of parents.

‘Well, in the end, it turns out they were right.’

Liss had no choice but to admit it.

She thought her brother was an ugly duckling, but he turned out to be a swan.

‘No, the image of a swan is too…’

Liss shook her head.

Let’s just go with an owl.

It’s quite similar to an owl suddenly revealing its true nature and turning its head 180 degrees.

“Now, since today is a happy day, let’s have a small celebration. Butler, prepare it quickly.”

Count Celtrine said cheerfully.

Thus, a lively celebration was held at the Celtrine household for the first time in a while.

* * *

Sizzle.

The sound of meat cooking on the grill could be heard.

Of course, it was beef.

I’m a man who doesn’t spare money when it’s necessary.

“Come on, everyone, let’s raise a glass to celebrate our successful achievements.”

I, the honor student, raised a glass filled with sparkling wine.

“Cheers.”

Riviera, ranked 9th in the grade, raised her glass.

“Ahaha…It still feels like a dream, but I guess we have to celebrate, team leader.”

Allen, ranked 10th in the grade, also raised his glass.

And finally.

Elaine, the top student, awkwardly raised a glass of apple juice, looking like she didn’t understand why she was there.

“…Can I join in?”

“Why not? We’ll be in the same class next year.”

I chuckled and said.

As I said, we had all been confirmed to be promoted to the Royal class.

We had successfully achieved the promotion that everyone thought was crazy.

“We’ll be in the same class, but we’re rivals, so you are qualified.”

Riviera’s unexpected heavy blow.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

“Wh-Wh-What are you…?”

I coughed violently, and Elaine’s face instantly turned red.

What kind of crap is this, treating her like a rival?

“Sniffle, sniffle.”

“…Why are you suddenly crying?”

“My first love…”

“Cough, cough.”

Now Allen was freaking out.

If you got rejected at the ball, just forget about it!

The atmosphere instantly became chaotic.

But…

I found this atmosphere strangely familiar.

It’s normal for these guys to turn everything into a mess when they get together.

I felt a little sentimental.

At first, I didn’t have a single friend, but now I have three great(?) friends who I can even have dinner with.

It’s a funny combination, a named heroine, a named boss, and a growing extra, all mixed together.

I chuckled and spoke again.

“Hey, you guys, what are you doing? We were just getting into a good mood. Let’s toast, toast.”

“Cheers.”

Clink.

Riviera clinked her glass.

“I-I’ll do it too.”

Allen clinked his glass.

“…Ugh, I feel dizzy.”

Elaine, looking exhausted, clinked her glass last, shaking her head.

“We all worked hard. Let’s finish the rest of the second year strong.”

I smiled and drank my glass in one gulp.

* * *

“Hey, long time no see, Second seat.”

“Ugh! You’re the Second seat this time!”

Camian’s eyes were about to pop out.

It was worth being the Second seat just for this one line.

I let out a burst of laughter.

Camian’s face was red, as if his blood pressure was about to explode.

“C-Calm down, Camian!”

Annette jumped in to stop him.

She was the only reason he calmed down.

It took a while for him to calm down, as he was really pissed off.

“Hey, you jerk, can’t you even take a joke?”

I said cheekily.

“Ugh, you need to pick your jokes better.”

Camian frowned.

He still seemed pissed off.

I just smiled.

“It was all to motivate you. I’ve been constantly motivating you like that, that’s why your grades bounced back, isn’t it?”

Camian’s grades, which had been falling like a plummeting stock after his entrance, finally rebounded in the second semester final exams.

He got a score that was more than enough to stay in the Royal class.

The important thing wasn’t the score itself, but that he had finally managed to change the trend.

He showed everyone that he wasn’t stagnant, but that he could bounce back.

It goes without saying that I played a major role in that.

Where else in the world is there an angel-like senior who is a role model, teaches you methods, gives you experience, and motivates you?

He must know it too.

“…”

That’s why he kept his mouth shut, like he had eaten honey, even though he was unhappy.

“Yeah, Camian. Senior is just saying that because he cares about you, so don’t take it so personally.”

Kind Annette chimed in.

…Sorry, I was just trying to tease you.

“Ugh, well…I’ll believe you.”

Camian sighed, as if he had no choice.

“Speaking of which, is this another express delivery?”

Express delivery.

Camian called the regular supply of goods to the underground residents that way.

Only the three of us could go down there, so we were in charge of playing the role of delivery guys, so it wasn’t exactly wrong.

No, it was actually appropriate.

“That’s right, but it’s a little different today.”

I smiled meaningfully.

“Different how?”

Camian sat up straight.

Annette also looked at me with curious eyes.

They’re both tired of the express delivery, it seems.

They’re looking for something new.

I have to live up to their expectations.

“It seems like the time has come to reap the results of our thorough preparations.”

* * *

“You’re starting to get the hang of things, aren’t you?”

“Ahaha…Is that so?”

Annette laughed, a little embarrassed.

When she first started the express delivery, she was struggling.

But now, she could handle even heavier weights with some ease.

Her current expression said it all.

Her strength, stamina, and even her skill in using her body had naturally improved through repeated labor.

It’s amazing that I was able to use a precious healer for party training, I’m really something, aren’t I?

As we carried the heavy loads and chatted peacefully, we arrived at our destination.

“Oh, you’re a little faster this time, aren’t you?”

“You’re always on time, and now you’re saying it’s even faster delivery…? Your service is insane.”

“Are you really a student? I can feel the touch of a professional…”

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s give them a welcoming applause.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

Applause erupted.

It definitely had soul, but it felt like the kind of applause you’d get at a communist event.

That’s a talent too.

“Haha, welcome, welcome. I’m always relying on you guys.”

Gwen, the leader, greeted us with a hearty laugh.

“It’s fine. It’s mutualy beneficial, isn’t it?”

I answered, scanning the residents with my eyes.

“Everyone seems to be in top condition.”

“You saw it right. I guarantee it. Everyone here is in top condition.”

Gwen said confidently.

He wasn’t the type to make empty promises.

It meant he was completely sure.

“I see. I guess the training is almost over?”

“Training never ends. But if the standard is being able to fight as a unit in battle, then I can give you a positive answer.”

The residents had individual strength, but no organized strength.

It was unavoidable, given their dire situation.

But the situation had changed 180 degrees.

Because a country that could provide crazy supplies had joined in.

I had made my wishes clear to Gwen.

I wanted a powerful military force, armed like knights, with individual knights-level strength and overwhelming organizational power like elite soldiers.

And that desire of mine wasn’t very different from Gwen’s and the residents’ hopes.

They all agreed on the ultimate proposition: they had to become stronger somehow.

To survive in this hellish place.

“What about their individual strength?”

I asked.

“Knight level. Of course, I’m not talking about the knights in the center or in large territories.”

A cool assessment from Gwen, a former knight who had been quite good.

That was enough.

You had to be born with talent to become that kind of knight.

Actually, the residents here probably only had the talent of soldiers.

But this space of death forced them to break through the wall.

Because they couldn’t survive if they were weak.

“Very good, that’s enough.”

I nodded.

This was enough to make a move right away, as expected.

It was worth coming down early on a day with no classes.

One day.

I’m going to clean up an entire floor in just one day.

I was confident.

“Seeing you keep asking that question, I wonder…”

Gwen seemed to have caught on.

“That’s right. It’s time to go down. To the new floor of the underground.”

“Oh, is that so? Finally.”

Gwen’s eyes lit up with excitement.

They had finally found comfort, but he must have known.

That this was only temporary comfort, and that eventually, they would have to go down.

“Oh, are we finally going?”

“Heh, I’ve been itching to move. It’s good that were going. I’m not cut out for being a piglet, just lying around eating food that’s given to me.”

“Good. I’m sick of this damn underground space. Let’s keep going down, whether we live or die.”

“Haha, I don’t care what happens. But if you eat, you have to work. That’s what it means to be human.”

“ those bastards will definitely be on the lower levels too, right? They’re not in that same crappy condition as before, so let’s exterminate them all like cockroaches!”

The residents’ morale seemed higher than ever.

They’ve been eating well, so their bodies have improved, and their confidence has naturally increased.

“Alright, you guys! Get ready! Let’s go down there and wipe them out!”

Gwen chuckled and roared.

* * *

Thus, I went down to the 11th floor of the underground with the residents, who were fully prepared for the first time.

It was a place that would have been much harder to conquer than the 10th floor.

90% of the residents who went down with me would die, and I would have to start from the bottom again.

But…

I’m going to have a feast this time, aren’t I?

I couldn’t help but laugh.