episode_0055

The sudden kiss from Cineria made nearby male students protest and ignore the noisy situation outside, heading straight to my room.

Anyway, even if I show a flustered expression or bring up additional words related to that situation, it will surely be misunderstood as a futile excuse.

‘Why did she do that to me.’

There were many students watching, and since leaving the dessert cafe, Iris seemed to have been monitoring me, but… I don’t understand the significance.

From her position where she shouldn’t recklessly reveal herself in the empire, causing trouble at the Ardente Academy where public attention is focused seems difficult.

Even upon careful consideration, Cineria’s final actions were far beyond my predictions.

Leaving behind unanswered questions, I threw myself onto the bed due to mental fatigue, burying my face in the pillow, when a familiar notification sound rang out after a long time.

-Ding!

Hastily getting up, it was clear that this main scenario had been cleared this time.

‘In this case, did they judge it as a clear completion of the contract conditions rather than just repelling with external help?’

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a delayed clear notification.

【Main Scenario #1-1 Cleared!】

【Reward settlement in progress…】

【Difficulty ‘Hard’ or higher… Threat elimination ‘S+’ rank… Survival ‘S+’ rank… Growth ‘S-‘ rank… Reputation ‘A+’ rank…】

【Reward: Trait ‘Magic Resistance’ granted.】

【Possessing trait ‘Flame Resistance’…】

【Flame resistance integrated into Magic Resistance.】

【Additional resistance to fire magic occurs.】

‘The reward isn’t bad.’

There will be plenty of occasions to face enemies who use magic in the future.

It was always a reliable trait to have.

Upon opening the status window after a long time, I noticed significant changes.

[Yukal – Lv.24]

Strength: 33(+33) Agility: 33(+33)

Health: 33(+33) Mana: 33(+33)

Traits: Adaptability, Hyper-sensitivity, Magic Resistance

Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.17, Aura Lv.14, Meditation Lv.9

Body Enhancement Lv.9, Aura Blade Lv.3

Aura Armor Lv.2, Pyrokinesis Lv.1

Items: Stat Crystal (Bound, partially applied)

Unique Abilities: Equilibrium, Sword Mastery

The Magic Resistance trait rewarded for clearing this main scenario was expected, and the levels of swordsmanship and aura-related skills had significantly increased.

Considering that I could only handle one intermediate demon before, perhaps using Aura, which was not present in the game before, along with manifesting Body Enhancement simultaneously, had an impact.

‘Claire’s enchantment on the sword must have played a role too.’

This level of growth falls into a quite satisfying category.

To grow like this, honestly, it would usually take until at least the second year, but I’ve already grown this much.

The problem is feeling uneasy despite rapidly becoming stronger.

Facing adversaries like Cineria and Iris, who are beyond the standard, is premature, even if I think I’ve left it aside; the external interference is the issue.

Up to now, I have noticed someone’s intervention about four times.

The first being simply clicking on an email, which marked the beginning of my possession in this world.

Additionally, becoming Yukal, whose unique abilities completely changed.

Next was the fact that the difficulty was adjusted for Main Scenario #0-1.

Thirdly, blocking any loopholes to release the penalty of the unique ability ‘Equilibrium’ by leaving residual points.

Finally, with the start of this main scenario #1, the difficulty judgment has been newly introduced simultaneously, and it has been forcibly changed to #1-1 a total of 4 times.

Main scenario interference only occurred twice at 0 and 1, so only rough estimates are possible, but it is highly likely that there are at least two entities giving me scenarios or managing them.

Considering the contents written in the scenario, towards those who are friendly to me and those who are not.

And by judging the difficulty of the main scenario, the content can be altered, and at present, it has only been confirmed in two cases: when the main scenario is given and when it starts.

Additionally, it seems possible to arbitrarily change unique abilities or judge related constraints.

“Is this about all I can confirm properly right now?”

Still, if samples continue to be provided, I will be able to determine how far they can intervene and whether I can utilize them.

That’s how important the next main scenario will become.

I will roughly sift through many hypotheses for a few experiments I will conduct in the future.

“Well, that worked out nicely. After all, as someone who has fallen into this world, I cannot face the boss of main scenario #2.”

Being subjected to unilateral changes without even knowing English anymore is unacceptable.

I will definitely uncover the reasons why I ended up in this world and their purposes while saving everyone.

With renewed determination in my heart, I quickly succumbed to mental fatigue and fell asleep.

—

-Thud!

“Hmm… I don’t recall waking up suddenly in the middle of the night after becoming Yukal.”

Checking the clock, it was still too early at 2 a.m. for me to get up.

It was strange, but I closed my eyes to try to go back to sleep when I heard a sound of something hitting again.

-Thud!

Eventually, feeling slightly annoyed at being awakened from sleep, I activated my heightened senses and soon understood what was happening.

Rachel was crumpling something like paper beyond the dormitory wall and throwing it at my window.

Given Rachel’s personality, she wouldn’t do such a thing without a good reason, so she must have called me over here at this late hour for a purpose.

Putting on a light coat, I quietly jumped out the window and headed towards where Rachel was.

“I’ve been wandering around recently telling stories here and there, so I’m tired. I’m really sorry, but can we talk later, Lady Rachel?”

Having been tormented by Cineria and pondering until late hours, I was mentally exhausted and just wanted to rest from my perspective.

“I apologize for calling you at this late hour abruptly. However, if we don’t confirm it right away, I think I won’t be able to bear my own pathetic self. Can you spare a little time?”

If Rachel was speaking like this, it must be an important matter.

With a small sigh, I spoke first to make it easier for Rachel to talk.

“After the attack, I haven’t seen you at the academy. Have you been outside? It’s strange because the person who used to come out to the training ground every day is missing.”

“My father was worried about my safety after the recent attack, so he sent me away temporarily under guard.”

Slightly hesitating, she looked at me and continued to speak.

“While moving with the students, we encountered intermediate demons, and due to my wrong judgment, I almost lost my life and the students who relied on me right there.”

“If Laika had been a little later, it would have been a big problem.”

After completing all the processing, I was relieved to have done it perfectly, but I never expected there would be such a behind-the-scenes story.

“The strange priest who used knuckles and wore black could save his life by dealing with enemies, and in order not to forget the favor, he asked for a name, but that man mentioned Yu-Kal’s name and left immediately.”

Rachel couldn’t know that the person who spoke those lines was listening.

“It was announced as the secret security of the Ardente Academy, but the uncertainty of their identity has already been confirmed within the family.”

“This is dangerous. If it continues like this, there will definitely be more questions.”

As promised during negotiations with Cineria, I cannot provide Rachel with answers about Black Moon and Cineria, and if she becomes suspicious later, it will put me in a difficult position from the standpoint of my need for Rachel.

Contrary to my thoughts, Rachel, who had been silently watching this side, slightly nodded her head towards me.

“You must have at least one reason you can’t tell me. I don’t want to ask as if interrogating about it. Once it’s confirmed to be true, that should be enough. Since you owe your life to Yu-Kal, if there’s anything I can help with, feel free to ask.”

Perhaps it was me who didn’t trust her.

While Rachel’s way of thinking may be naive, it doesn’t mean she lacks intelligence, so I thought I wouldn’t speak rashly about related matters and likely just confirmed reactions.

“I appreciate your consideration. I can’t talk about this, but if it’s about other matters or training, feel free to ask without hesitation.”

I felt the cold touch of armor when I reassured her that she didn’t need to approach cautiously and bow her head.

It was very Rachel-like to come out in black armor even in this situation.

“It’s already late, and it’s cold. It would be best for you to return to the dormitory quickly. If someone sees us together, Lady Rachel, you will be in quite a predicament.”

Rachel expressed gratitude to me once again and could sense her quick movement back to the dormitory through intuition.

Then, looking at where Laika was, she slowly opened her mouth as if speaking to herself.

“This content should be reported to someone, right?”

The trickle of sweat running down Laika’s back was no mistake on my part.

With your information, investigations regarding the Astrea Marquis are sure to come, so brace yourself, you little rascal.