Chapter 3: Meeting (2)

༺ Meeting (2) ༻ The accident was quickly resolved. It turned out that damage due to falling rocks happened quite often because of the mountainous terrain, so there were safety measures already prepared. The fact that there were no deaths or even serious injuries in such a major accident proved that fact. I mean, the train literally rolled! As for me, I was in a position to be hit directly by a rock, so I really almost died. The students quickly transferred to another mode of transport and went straight to the Academy, where they received the highest level of medical care in case something was wrong. Getting such full body checks naturally leaves one with some time to spare. Because of that, I could finally examine my situation. <Special Gift> Gift #1- Fated Love [ Obtain rewards as you gain favorability of characters with an evil alignment. ] I looked at the description written at the bottom of the window screen in disbelief. No wonder I couldn’t find anything no matter what I did because of those conditions. Baron Campbell’s territory was so remote that it was hard to find anyone with a neutral alignment, let alone an evil one. Naturally, I couldn’t awaken my special gift since the basic conditions weren’t met. Sighing, I turned my attention towards the skills section. < Skill Info > [ Skill: Desperation ] [ Class: ??? ] [ Gain stat enhancement at the moment of danger. The lower the chance of survival, the stronger the effect. ] [ Skill: Fatal Charm ] [ Class: ??? ] [ People with evil alignment are more likely to get attracted to you. The more extreme the alignment, the stronger the effect. ] [Desperation] was probably an ability that helps in survival and combat. Although the activation condition of moment of danger was a little ambiguous, a skill with a stat-enhancing effect would definitely be great. On the other hand, [Fatal Charm]… “…” Can I really accept this? I don’t know how this attraction thing would work, but this game was riddled with dangerous villains. A lunatic boxer who was manic about fighting. A crazed swordsman who unconditionally cuts anyone who comes within three steps of them. A cold-blooded assassin who will kill anyone for money. An arrogant genius mage who sees everyone as mongrels beneath themselves. My temples throbbed as the images of troublesome people flashed in my mind one after another. Ah, I don’t know. ‘…Isn’t it good to now have at least something?’ I sighed and closed the status window. Acquiring a skill that directly helps with survival is a huge achievement in itself. In the first place, my course of action revolved around my own survival after arriving here. Trying to be faithful to my duties as an extra was exactly that. So, there was no reason to refuse something like this to survive in a world where hell awaited me. ‘However, this is weird…’ The skill grade is marked with ???. What is this? Normally, it would at least mark it between the lowest Grade F to the highest EX. This is my first time seeing this. “Why are you blankly staring in the air? Would you like me to do another psych exam?” “No. I’m fine.” The medical officer recording my condition on the chart looked at me suspiciously. “The numbers are all normal, but…” “Then that’s it. In the first place, no one was hurt in the accident, so why the fuss?” “Nominally, it is. Perhaps this whole thing will be just an accident as well.” The medical officer replied with a sigh. “But we’ll have to think about whether it really is an accident.” “Sorry?” “I heard you were riding with Lady Tristan?” “…What about it?” “And you’re from a baron family without a decent background, right?” “What are you trying to say?” “I am giving you serious advice. I am also a graduate of Elfante Academy, and like you, I came from a nameless noble family.” The medical officer continued with a bitter smile. “Do you think it’s a coincidence that your cabin was the one that got hit among so many others?” “…” “The Tristan Dukedom has many enemies. While it was unavoidable this time, it would be best to avoid them from now on. Associating with high-ranking nobles will only bring you trouble, right?” You don’t have to tell me, man. In an Academy where all sorts of evil lurked, would that person really have the title of final boss candidate for nothing? It’s fated that you are in danger of dying just by being next to them. The problem was… < Gift-related Character Notification > ▼ Eleanor [ Trust Level 1 ] [ D-2 until related events occur ] …I’m already involved with this person whether I like it or not. Fuck. ● The entrance ceremony ended in the blink of an eye. Naturally, it was about the endless glory of the Imperial Academy to Elfante, that this year’s freshmen were really of historical significance, yada yada. Genius from this town, royalty from that. A barbarian from far beyond the mountains. There was even something about a thief who made a name for themselves in their hometown, etc. Elfante Imperial Academy accepts all kinds of people as long as they have the talent. Of course, since they carry the name Imperial, only those who were nobles or had a recommendation from a noble would be accepted as a student. Of course, as it was a congregation of different types of people, this damned Academy had no peaceful moments all year round. For example, the practical evaluation that took place right after the entrance ceremony. “Now that the entrance ceremony is over, we’ll proceed with the evaluation—” “The evaluation method proceeds with different types of practical exercises including one-on-one sparring—” Yes. It was an educational institution, but there still needed to be different classes. As I looked at the assistants who were lining up the students and managing them diligently, my mind wandered absentmindedly. The event was happening, but the melancholy that went beyond that was eating away at me. “…” I’ll be honest. I’m already screwed as an extra. I obviously thought of such a possibility when coming here, but it all went downhill as soon as I met the Student Council President in the same cabin. No, it was precisely a problem caused by the fact that I suddenly got a related event after the gift opening, which I didn’t even think of. As someone who took a big part in all the main events that existed in Sera, that person spells trouble wherever they are. My original plans were pretty much ruined the moment I got entangled with her. Farewell to an extra’s peaceful life. Welcome, dreadful in-game scenarios. And facing that scenario was Dowd Campbell with the brilliant all-stat F. How can I not be depressed? “Alright, students, divide yourselves into groups and conduct 1:1 sparring—” The assistant’s words only entered one of my ears and exited through the other, still absorbed in my thoughts. So, am I just going to give up on that? No, that’s not it. Even if there is no answer, shouldn’t I try everything I can? It’s my life that’s at stake here. ‘My immediate goal is…’ Let’s get this over with first. < Gift-related Character Notification > ▼ Eleanor [ Trust Level 1 ] [ D-2 until related events occur ] I don’t know what a related event is, but considering this person’s background, it definitely won’t be something like a simple chat over tea. Blood will be spilled. So, my immediate goal would be to raise my stats as much as possible within two days. “…” Am I just unlucky? Those fantasy MCs get a certain amount of time until the event happens. Why do I have to risk my life and find a way to level up within 48 hours? ‘…Alas, there’s nothing I could do.’ I engraved inner peace into my heart. It’s a waste of time to be angry. I continued my thoughts. “Hey you, student.” As a veteran in the game, I knew how to power myself up inside this Academy even with my eyes closed. However, these two days of time were really limiting. Right now, this was the only way to achieve enough growth. <Special Gift> Gift #1- Fated Love [ Obtain rewards as you gain favorability of characters with an evil alignment. ] I don’t know what I would get, but I got two skills just by gaining a slight favor from Eleanor. There’s no doubt about the special gift’s effectiveness. In other words, I have to somehow get the villain’s favor now. Even if it’s a minute or just a second faster. “Dowd Campbell!” A thunderclap-like sound exploded right in front of my nose, bringing my consciousness back into reality. It was the assistant with a frown on their face. “Where is your mind wandering off to? I’ve already called you more than once!” Judging by the roaring voice echoing in all directions, it seemed like they were genuinely furious. Thanks to this, I felt like the entire world was now looking at me. “For your information, your partner has been automatically picked since everyone has already chosen a sparring partner except for you.” With those words, the situation became clearer. Most of the eyes looking at me were either filled with pity or ridicule. Sparring partners were usually formed among students of similar levels who could reasonably face each other. But people like me who spaced out and missed the opportunity would experience hell. Naturally, only the person no one wants to fight remained. ‘Ah.’ I sighed inwardly as I looked at my opponent. It was a girl with orange hair mixed with some red. She was wearing shabby, worn-out sportswear and had a plain longsword on her waist. However, there was this bizarre presence that couldn’t be hidden even with this plain impression. She exuded ungodly amounts of charisma that it felt like I’d get overwhelmed just by facing her. I turned my gaze and looked at her name tag which said, [Iliya Krisanax]. I knew her. No, it was impossible to not know someone who was on par with Eleanor. “Um, hello?” The greatest genius in this world. The main character of the world of Savior Rising, who would later grow into the Hero, greeted me with an awkward smile. “…” Wait… I’m fucked, yeah? Although the main character’s stats at the start weren’t very high, this same person would later destroy a mountain range with a single strike, whether it’s with a sword or magic. Even now, she was a real budding talent. She had joined monster subjugations only allowed for knights, even before entering the Academy. She had also conquered dungeons by herself. She had accomplished numerous feats that were unbelievable for a student. Looking at how she was avoided like the plague among the incoming Elfante students, you could tell. Of all the new students, she was probably the most famous. It was no exaggeration to say that the current gap in combat power between me and her is catastrophic. I could really die… “…?” Wait a minute. I dug a little deeper into my thoughts. I recalled the abilities I have, the information about the other person, and my immediate goal. Finally, I came to a conclusion. “…Hello.” I shook the shy girl’s hand and thought to myself. This. Maybe this isn’t a crisis, but an opportunity.