Chapter 95

A letter in the mailbox.

I thought, “Why the fuss already? I haven’t even sent any information yet.” But it was from someone else.

The envelope read “Liss Celtrine.”

A letter from my younger sister.

I opened it right there.

-Don’t disappoint me. I’ll be watching.

It seemed my sister liked giving advice.

But I noticed that the tone of this advice was different from the one I received at the mansion after I first possessed this body.

Back then, it felt like she was just venting her disappointment. Now, it felt like she wanted to believe in me, even if just a little.

It seemed my efforts to soften my sister’s heart had paid off.

“That’s a good result.”

I chuckled to myself.

“I should reply so she doesn’t think I’m ignoring her.”

Leaving a message unread is the worst, whether in reality or in a game.

I sent a reply to my sister that same day.

-Thanks for the letter. I’ll live well, so you do the same.

* * *

Days passed busily.

Soon, I received a message from Carson, the shady merchant, saying that the items I had ordered were ready.

True to his resourcefulness, he had managed to secure the quantities quickly from various sources.

He emphasized his efforts in the letter, as if asking for recognition.

There was no need to emphasize it so much.

I planned to maintain a good trading relationship anyway.

“Well, it’s time to put someone to work again.”

What a great senior I am.

There are no other seniors who not only find jobs but also contact their juniors about them.

But the juniors’ faces didn’t look too happy.

“Ugh… Is it heavy?”

Annette, half in tears, seemed to recall the struggle of carrying heavy loads during our last trip to the underground.

“Hey, I told you. Even healers need to train.”

“Sigh, yes…”

Annette, being a good kid, accepted it without complaint.

She’s fine.

“Is there any compensation for the help?”

Camian, who looked annoyed at the sudden task, asked about the compensation.

Some might think it’s disappointing, but my expression brightened.

‘He’s grown.’

Taking care of what needs to be taken care of.

Good.

The protagonist should never be a pushover.

Having a clear mindset to get what you deserve is an important trait for growth.

It was worth raising him.

“Of course, I’ll compensate you appropriately.”

It’s good for me to compensate him now.

He wouldn’t take anything without a valid reason anyway.

“Good.”

With that, both of them were on board.

“Then let’s go.”

I smiled brightly.

* * *

The now-familiar underground visit.

Camian and Annette seemed more relaxed, as if they were going on an outdoor practice.

Of course, that would only last while we were on the safe 10th floor of the underground.

The moment we stepped onto the 11th floor, they would need to be on high alert again.

“Well, well, look who it is!”

Gwen, the leader of the humans, welcomed us with open arms.

In this forgotten and abandoned underground, we were practically their only visitors, so it was natural for him to be so pleased.

Moreover, we were their benefactors, so there was no need to say more.

“Thanks for coming, it must have been a journey.”

“No trouble at all. By the way, you seem to have gained some weight?”

“Haha, is that the first thing you say upon arriving? Thanks to you, we’re finally living like humans and gaining some weight.”

As Gwen laughed and replied, I could see that the residents, who had been emaciated, had indeed gained weight.

It was a natural phenomenon.

They had been surviving on the bare minimum of calories needed to sustain life, but now they were indulging in the high-calorie food I had provided, so it was no wonder they had gained weight.

‘That’s good.’

Forget about practical muscle, you can’t exert strength when you’re too thin.

What’s important is mass.

You need sufficient mass to exert proper strength.

I guarantee that with their current condition, they would be at least twice as strong.

Their original state had been that terrible.

“That’s great. I’ve brought plenty of food again this time, so feel free to bulk up.”

“Oh?”

“I knew we could count on you!”

“Savior, Max!”

“Shall we lick your toes?”

The residents went wild with cheers.

…This is how people get when they’re desperate for food.

“But that’s not the only reason we’re here today.”

“Oh, does that mean you’ve already prepared the items you mentioned last time?”

Gwen’s eyes widened as he listened to me.

“Of course.”

I gestured towards the subspace bag that I had brought with the help of my juniors.

“Haa…”

Annette was already sprawled out.

…Why are you making me feel guilty?

Meanwhile.

“Huff, huff.”

…Camian was lifting and lowering the subspace bag, showing off his weight training.

You’ve toughened up, kid.

Did I raise you too harshly…?

“Check it out.”

“Got it.”

Gwen ignored Camian’s weight training and approached Annette’s subspace bag.

“…You’ve worked hard.”

“My vision is blurring…”

“You can’t lose consciousness.”

“I just want to sleep…”

“No, stay awake!”

Flop.

As Gwen touched her, Annette rolled over and assumed a sleeping position like a ball.

“…”

“…”

What are these people doing?

Are they filming a sitcom?

I shook my head and intervened.

“Please, just check the items.”

“Ahem… Yes, let’s check.”

Gwen began to open the subspace bag.

“Just pour it out.”

“Got it.”

Gwen lifted the subspace bag and began to pour out its contents.

Various weapons and armor began to pour out.

Gwen’s eyes widened.

“Wow… This is amazing…”

“Armor, helmets, shields, spears, swords, bows… How much is all this worth?”

“And they’re all brand new?”

“You’re amazing, Max. Max is a god.”

Gwen and the residents stared in awe at the equipment I had brought.

I smiled as I watched them.

I had spent a lot of money, but this was a clear win-win deal.

The residents would have a better chance of survival, and I could use them as a powerful force.

Meanwhile, Gwen’s hands stopped moving.

“I can’t thank you enough. To bring us such high-quality equipment…”

“Haha, we humans need to help each other out.”

“No, there’s no one like you. You’re truly special.”

Gwen was practically showering me with praise.

From his perspective, I must seem like a savior.

“Enough of that. Once again, I ask you to thoroughly train them now that they have knight-level equipment.”

That’s why I rushed down here as soon as I got the equipment.

To ensure they could get proper training even one day sooner.

“Of course. I’ll do my best, so don’t worry.”

Gwen said with a confident face.

As a former knight with a responsible nature, he was someone I could trust.

The problem had always been a lack of funds, not the training supervisor.

‘This time, I’m genuinely hopeful.’

Normally, I’m not one to get my hopes up easily.

But this time was different.

I could clearly see how strong these people, who had amassed practical combat experience in a hellish environment, could become if they were well-fed and well-equipped.

I felt I could finally address the frustration of not being able to achieve this as the protagonist.

“Well, we’re busy, so we’ll be off. I’ll come back at an appropriate time.”

* * *

The Nameless Forest.

Camian, who was walking while supporting a tired Annette, suddenly spoke.

“I heard it’s coming up soon.”

“What is?”

“The Infinite Tower climb.”

“Oh, that. It’s not far off. But why do you ask?”

“I thought you might know a lot about it.”

Oh, right. This was Camian’s first time.

I had forgotten because my perspective had changed.

The Infinite Tower climb was a major event of the second semester.

All grades participated in it.

The score weight was significant.

Given Camian’s stress over grades, it was natural for him to be concerned.

And the fact that he brought it up to me meant he was starting to rely on me.

I chuckled.

“Well, I know enough. Curious?”

“I wouldn’t have brought it up if I wasn’t.”

“So prickly.”

“It’s my nature.”

“Not cute at all.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“…Don’t talk to your senior like that.”

Annette intervened, stopping our pointless banter.

“Well done, Annette. This guy never backs down.”

“No, but you also…”

“Enough, Camian.”

“…”

(TLN: hmmm )

Camian shut his mouth, unable to argue with his childhood friend.

“Alright, let’s stop the pointless chatter. Listen up, both of you.”

I changed the atmosphere.

It was a good opportunity to give Camian and Annette some tips about the Infinite Tower.

“Remember four things. First, a party can only have up to three members. Starting from four, there’s a severe point deduction. Second, don’t waste your stamina on the lower floors. Just defeating the boss clears the floor. Third, remember that this is a time attack. If you exceed 100 minutes, you’ll be forcibly ejected. So, be quick in your strategy, but don’t rush.”

My juniors listened intently, their faces serious.

I understood their psychology.

They were nervous and excited about their first Infinite Tower climb.

Everyone feels that way the first time.

My tips would surely help them.

“And lastly.”

I paused for emphasis.

“If it looks like you’re screwed, run immediately.”

* * *

“What do you think? Do you think we’ll have the first first-year student to clear the 100th floor this time?”

“Haha, isn’t that too much to expect? No matter how excellent the students are, they’re still first-years.”

“But what about Princess Oscar? Isn’t there a good chance with her?”

“Well, if it’s the princess, I can’t say it’s impossible…”

The professors were discussing the upcoming Infinite Tower climb.

Their focus was especially on the first-years.

Not only were the first-years exceptionally talented, earning the nickname “Golden Generation,” but the results of their first challenge were also unknown.

‘They sure have a lot of unnecessary interest.’

Professor Lapit, who was standing some distance away from the conversation, thought.

He wasn’t interested in the results but in the mystery of the Infinite Tower itself.

It was an enigma that had remained unsolved for a thousand years.

“Second-years don’t seem to get much attention, do they?”

Someone approached and spoke to Lapit.

His eyes showed a hint of surprise.

It was an unexpected person.

Professor Karen from the Magic Department.

A genius magician and a direct descendant of the Mayfield family, one of the top ten magicians, she was on the organization’s watch list.

“Ah, yes. That’s true. But I understand why.”

Lapit adjusted his glasses as he answered.

“Oh, you shouldn’t say that as the homeroom teacher for the second-years.”

“Even as the homeroom teacher, it’s a common class. Not to belittle them, but there’s a difference in skill.”

“Ah, I see.”

Professor Karen smiled mysteriously.

“I personally have two students in the second-year common class that I’m looking forward to.”

Huh?

Two students she’s looking forward to, and I don’t even know?

Lapit was curious.

“Who are they?”

“First, Riera.”

Riera… Oh, that alias.

Realizing this, Lapit couldn’t help but smirk.

He had cast a spell to make her less noticeable, but she had ended up standing out in Professor Karen’s class.

Even though she had managed to stay under the radar to some extent, Professor Karen seemed to have seen through it.

‘What a troublesome kid. I told her not to stand out.’

It seemed he needed to give her another warning.

“That smile is strange.”

Professor Karen asked with wide eyes.

Lapit quickly composed himself.

“Ah, that student has such a unique personality that it’s challenging to guide her. I couldn’t help it…”

It was true.

100% true.

Except for the part where he sugarcoated it as “unique.”

“Ah, she is quite an unusual student.”

Professor Karen seemed convinced.

“Ahem.”

Lapit cleared his throat and asked again.

“So, who is the second student?”

“Oh, that student? Max Celtrine.”

Professor Karen answered with a smile.

At that moment.

Lapit almost smirked again.

How did she manage to pick out only the most peculiar students?

“Ah, yes… That student also has a lot of potential…”

He struggled to give the obligatory polite response, but Professor Karen cut him off.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

She winked and walked away.

Lapit sighed quietly and thought to himself.

Please, stop drawing attention!