Episode 127. Liliana

Fwoosh-

An elf screamed as they fell from the World Tree, which blazed like a campfire.

‘Huh….’

Whether it was fortunate or not, the elf fell but didn’t seem to sustain any major injuries.

This makes bringing Alice and Lucy worthwhile.

“Go. Alice, Lucy, Lumi!”

“…?”

Alice and Lucy stared at me as if asking what the hell I was talking about.

“Sorry. I don’t have any mana, so I can’t fight.”

“What do you mean now?! You idiot!”

“It’s okay. I know you guys can do it.”

–Kiyayayack-!

The High Elf, who had fallen beneath the tree, picked up their bow and charged to defend the blazing World Tree.

Given their race, elves cherish the World Tree as much as their own lives.

Using this trait, I need to destroy the World Tree before capturing the elf.

Then, I can obtain the Elf’s Essence.

Of course, if you ask why there’s an elf and a World Tree in the survival test area… I don’t know either. It was like that in the original work, so that’s why. What do I know?

Chachachach-

As Lumi’s shield blocked the arrows and Lucy fired suppression magic, Alice charged towards the elf.

“I’m going in, so cover me.”

Alice asked Lucy and Lumi for cover as she darted through the arrows.

The High Elf shot arrows in all directions with a cold gaze. The arrows bent in impossible arcs, targeting me, who was burning the World Tree.

They were more concerned about me than Alice, who was targeting them.

Thump-thump.

I squeezed out the last dregs of mana from my depleted reserves and used ‘Clairvoyance’ to dodge the arrows.

Maintaining the fire burning the World Tree consumed an enormous amount of mana, leaving me insufficient mana even to cast Cotton Guard.

–Keeeeeuh-!

Fortunately, no more arrows were shot at me. Alice had closed in on the elf and was swinging her sword. Lucy and Lumi were supporting Alice with magic from behind.

Kwaduduk!

“Watch out! Roots are coming up from the ground!”

Thump- Thump- Thump-

The World Tree’s roots, propelled by the High Elf’s magic, slammed down towards Alice. Thankfully, Alice, reacting to my shout, quickly jumped aside and dodged the roots.

“Aah! Why are there so many!”

Lucy and Lumi were no exception.

An overwhelming number of roots attacked us, but this was nothing more than a final burst of energy before death.

I had almost completely burned down the World Tree.

–Kiyayayayack!

The elf realized this and screamed, but it was already too late. Thanks to concentrating firepower on the World Tree from the start of the fight, its massive body had already burned to the point it could barely stand.

Alice, noticing the elf’s weakened state, continued her assault to buy time.

Her swordsmanship, slicing through the rising roots while pressuring the elf, was impressive even to me.

Time was on our side. The elf, flustered, tried to aim arrows at me, but Alice wouldn’t give them an opening.

Finally, after several tens of minutes, the World Tree completely burned down.

Kuuung-!

With a loud crash, the World Tree fell sideways, losing its power.

The roots that had been attacking us disappeared, and the elf stood there, dumbfounded, holding their bow and staring at the World Tree.

If I wait about 10 seconds in this state, the elf will let out a scream and awaken.

And if I capture the awakened elf, I can obtain the Elf’s Essence… but is there really a need to wait?

I approached the elf, who was staring at the World Tree with their mouth agape, and plunged Spiral into their stomach.

–Huk… Huk… Kuah…!

Kwajijik!

The elf, who was about to let out the cry of awakening while sobbing, was torn apart by my Spiral.

“Ugh… Grotesque.”

Tearing apart a humanoid monster was a truly unpleasant experience.

After casually pocketing the shimmering orb near the elf’s heart, I turned around.

“Hey guys~ I took care of it.”

I announced my victory with a cheerful expression, but the kids’ faces weren’t exactly thrilled.

“It just died suddenly after you burned the tree…? Is that an elf trait?”

“Something feels off….”

“You did well. Hoyeon-ssi…!”

It seemed Alice and Lucy, who had fought the elf directly, felt a bit awkward about the elf’s behavior.

Still, I was glad Lumi took my side.

“Thanks…. Ugh”

My head throbbed, and my vision spun. I felt so dizzy.

I had almost no mana left. I was on the verge of mana exhaustion.

Checking the point rankings, I was relieved to see fewer than 10 students remained.

“That… you guys handle it.”

I pointed at the elf with my finger.

Reading the elf’s code grants a significant 350 points. Since there weren’t many students left anyway… I couldn’t just throw away the points.

The students visible on the minimap were all far away, so there shouldn’t be any danger now.

“Hey guys… I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

I took out a tent from my pocket dimension, went inside, and closed my eyes.

“Hey… are you okay?”

“We’ll stand guard.”

“….”

“Yeah… please do.”

I slowly drifted off to sleep, hearing Lucy and Lumi’s worried voices.

*

“Wake up.”

Thump. Thump.

Someone was hitting my body.

“Mmm….”

As I groggily opened my eyes, Alice was looking down at me from above.

“You’re the last one. On watch duty.”

“Ah….”

There wasn’t any danger anyway… but it’s better to be sure.

I shook off my drowsiness and sat up. Lucy and Lumi were curled up asleep on either side of me. After watching Lucy and Lumi sleep and tidying my clothes, I left the tent.

Outside, it was broad daylight.

“Go inside and rest. Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

Alice, unable to hide her fatigue, yawned and went into the tent.

It was already past noon. It seemed the three of them had taken turns standing watch for a long time to allow me to sleep.

“Very good. I’ve raised my heroines well.”

Hmm. Satisfying.

I took out the Elf’s Essence from my pocket.

────[ Elf’s Essence ]────

▶ Grade: High

▶ Essence of mana gathered by a High Elf to protect the World Tree.

▶ Upon absorption, Charm increases, making the user more handsome.

────────────

The effect of the Elf’s Essence is an increase in Charm.

Charm is a stat that doesn’t even appear on the status screen.

And while ‘becoming more handsome’ might sound useless at first glance, it changes drastically if you have the protagonist’s buff.

Basically, Charm refers to facial handsomeness. The higher it gets, the more handsome your face becomes.

But what if you were already at the peak of handsomeness before your Charm increased?

Not just moderately handsome, but someone whose face would shatter if you touched it.

Like… me.

When such a handsome person increases their Charm, other things become handsome.

First, the body. The physical form becomes beautiful and ideal.

Second, the internal body.

Blood vessels, mana circuits, organs, etc., become more efficient.

‘Wait a minute… if Alice eats this, her mana disorder might be cured?’

In the original work, she consumed it immediately, so I never thought of this development.

Of course, even if it can cure her, I’m the one who will eat it. Alice will have to be cured later.

“I’ll eat it after we get out.”

This isn’t a game; I can’t just consume a potent elixir during an exam. I put the Elf’s Essence back into my pocket dimension to absorb it slowly at home after the test.

*

[Special Exam End. You will be teleported back to the Academy shortly.]

Sunday, 10 PM. The fucking special exam finally concluded.

Although the Elf’s Essence was my goal, it was a decent outcome since my relationship with Alice also progressed beyond just obtaining the essence.

The results haven’t been announced yet. But with such an overwhelming point difference, I’m sure I’ll be first.

Alice also doesn’t seem too concerned about the grades anymore. She seems more focused on finding a way to fix her mana disorder.

“Yes. Sebastian. I need to find a mana masseuse….”

As soon as the exam ended, Alice was diligently making a call in the corner of the lecture hall.

The other students were all slumped over their desks.

Students who were eliminated earlier were apparently confined to academy-provided accommodations until the exam ended.

“Ughhh… It’s over. I’m never leaving my dorm bed again….”

“You’re not going out during the festival? Lucy?”

Lucy was also slumped over, looking exhausted.

“Aah… I want to have fun during the festival. Lee Hoyeon, what about you?”

“Me? Hmm.”

Honestly, I have no plans for the festival.

I’m also tired and want to rest in my dorm… but there are quite a few people I need to meet.

Come to think of it, I have to spar with the Vice President during the festival. I completely forgot about it while worrying about survival. It was supposed to happen at the start of the festival… when exactly was it?

I need to see Liliana soon too. I hope she’s been eating properly.

Rattle-

Just then, our homeroom teacher, Kim Jin-hyuk, opened the door and entered the lecture hall.

The sound of his sturdy shoes made the slumped students slowly sit up.

“You all look quite refreshed. The exam is over. It’s late, so those living in the dorms should head back quickly. Starting tomorrow is the festival, so enjoy yourselves. That’s all.”

‘What a sloppy way to handle things.’

Of course, the medical checks were all completed, so there shouldn’t be any problems… but it feels unsettling.

The other students, seemingly too exhausted to complain, shuffled out of the lecture hall like zombies.

“I’m going back to rest too… See you later. Let’s go, Lumi.”

“Yes. See you at the festival, Hoyeon-ssi.”

“Alright. I’ll contact you.”

Lumi dragged the listless Lucy out of the lecture hall.

I also slipped out of the lecture hall and approached Alice, who was still on the phone.

“Yes. Please take good care of her. Sebastian.”

It seemed she had just finished her call.

“Alice. You worked hard.”

“You too. Thanks for your help this time.”

“Make sure you find a good mana masseuse… and if you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime.”

“Okay.”

After saying goodbye to Alice and subtly letting her know she could ask me anything anytime, I headed towards the dorms.

‘I wonder when I’ll get a call.’

It probably won’t be right away. She’ll likely try out several masseuses at least.

It was past 10 PM, so the path to the dorms was dark.

Walking on a road lit by streetlights, rather than a forest, felt strange after so long.

“Wow… I have so many messages.”

My smartwatch had a mountain of unread messages. I’ll have to check them later when I have some free time.

I sent Liliana a message saying I was on my way.

‘She probably did well on her broadcast… and ate properly on her own, right?’

Ting-

The dorm, which I hadn’t seen in a week, was just as I remembered it.

But it was strangely quiet…

“Haa…! Haa….”

Splash- splash-

The sound of splashing water and low moans echoed from the room.

“….”

I slowly approached the room and opened the door.

“Haaak… Gk…!”

The room was a complete mess.

Instant food packages lay scattered, torn open only at the entrance.

A flat cola, left open who knows when.

The bed was soaked like a sponge drenched in water.

And… a perverted succubus, wriggling her body with her tail inserted into her wet crotch.

“Liliana…?”

What on earth is this state?

Her eyes were unfocused, and I couldn’t tell if she was even conscious.

“Master….”

“Liliana!”

Her voice was hoarse as she struggled to speak. I rushed over and hugged her.

So the problem wasn’t whether she ate properly, but that she was in heat.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this… Liliana?”

Hoo. Hoo.

A small chuckle came from within my embrace.

Sensing something was wrong, I gently pushed Liliana away and checked her condition.

“Master… it’s all your fault….”

Liliana, who had been trembling, suddenly looked up at me with a wide grin.

Kwaduduk!

The moment I sensed the fear rising from my body, something struck my head forcefully, and my consciousness faded into darkness.