Chapter 9: Crazed Swordsman (1)

“This is a mess, a mess.” Beatrix groaned with her head buried on the desk. It was an understandable reaction given the mountains of paperwork everywhere. The Headmistress of Elfante Academy was outraged by the bloodshed inside the Academy, not to mention it was during an official event. So much so that there was an official letter ordering to find the ringleader in just less than a day after the incident. The problem was that if one were to look at the route and time the assassins infiltrated, it was clear that there was an insider helping them. This fact was probably a big part of why the Headmistress was so angry. Beatrix slightly lifted her head, then said with narrowed eyes. “Still, all of you who were present will receive commendations for subduing that many armed personnel without a single casualty.” “I see.” Beatrix’s expression became slightly distorted upon hearing the soulless reply. “…The problem is that guy, Dowd Campbell. He’s missing from the list of people to receive a commendation. I don’t know why and there’s no reason for him to be excluded. It’s almost as if they’re deliberately trying to keep him out of the limelight.” “I see.” “The student supervisors is definitely scheminig. It seems like they’re preparing something big with that guy as the center.” “I see.” “I’mma hit you if you answer like that one more time.” “I see.” Eleanor, who was blankly staring at the ceiling as she sat, casually caught the ink bottle flying towards her. Seeing her do that without even turning her head displayed that her reputation wasn’t for show. However, that didn’t make Beatrix any less angry. “What’s wrong with you?” “What do you mean?” “You’ve been like that the whole day. Where is your mind wandering off to?” “…” “People coming after you is nothing new, but this time feels a little different. I don’t know who it is, but seeing how they openly committed two assassination attempts in a short period of time shows that they’re very determined.” “I guess so.” “That’s not something to brush off, stupid. Do you think that just because they failed this time, they’ll give up? They’re bound to try something again.” Eleanor, who was looking at Beatrix, turned her gaze back to the ceiling. Beatrix could only let out a heated sigh. “…I don’t know. I don’t understand what’s going on, but I won’t help if you don’t tell me.” “Beatrix.” “What?” “I think I care about someone.” It was commendable that Beatrix hadn’t toppled over her desk. Anyone who knew what kind of person Eleanor was would have probably reacted the same way. “…What?” “I said I think I care about someone.” Had she heard it wrong? No, Beatrix didn’t think so. “What do you mean?” “…” There was no answer, but it somehow felt like Eleanor stared at the ceiling more intensely, as if she was hiding her shame. Seeing that the tips of Eleanor’s ears were slightly red, Beatrix almost felt cosmic fear. This woman was acting like an adolescent girl? Whose stone face didn’t change while slicing through people? “…Who is it?” “Didn’t you just talk about him?” She was so embarrassed that she couldn’t even say it directly and had to do it in a roundabout way. “Dowd Campbell?” “…” “No, wait a minute.” Feeling an explosive headache, Beatrix grabbed her head and sank back onto the desk. Come to think of it, ever since his duel with the Hero Candidate, Eleanor’s attitude had changed slightly whenever it came to that topic. Wasn’t her attitude indicative of that? Yep. It had to be that. “You like him?” “…I haven’t said that yet.” Oh my. “Yet?” “…” Eleanor firmly shut her mouth. The tips of her ears got a bit redder. At that sight, Beatrix’s mouth blankly opened again, feeling her headache getting worse. “You know how big of a storm this will bring, don’t you?” Lady Tristan was in a position where her every single move was used as a story. That was probably because the prestige of the Tristan Family was so much greater than that of Eleanor as an individual. Regardless, when such a person was in a relationship, it would likely be consumed with gossip. Of course, there was no particular problem with gossip. However, there was one person who would not be pleased with it. “If Duke Tristan finds out—” However, Beatrix was forced to shut her mouth. Just bringing up that topic seemed to lower the temperature in the entire room by several degrees. “…Yes, that old man would be displeased.” Eleanor replied in a frosty voice. This wasn’t the attitude you’d expect from a daughter to her father, but Beatrix didn’t put too much thought into it. After all, he didn’t even contact his daughter after two assassination attempts. One didn’t even have to ask to know what the relationship between the two was like. So, she decided to change topics. “This situation is kind of… weird. How did he seduce you—?” “I didn’t get seduced.” Beatrix laughed at the sight of a disgruntled Eleanor twirling the ends of her hair. It was probably like that since she wouldn’t care about what others had to say. “Anyway, if he had been kind to you in any way, you’re usually the first to question why.” The environment molds a person. Sadly, Lady Tristan was in an environment where it was a must to assume that there was some intention behind everything rather than trusting people’s pure kindness. But now, strangely enough, this woman was trusting this man. As if something had compelled her into it. “It seems so.” Considering her usual tendency, it was unprecedented for someone to approach and impact her that quickly and greatly. Eleanor should’ve been aware of this, too. “Then why don’t we test it out?” “Test it? Like what?” “I’m just saying that we should try to observe him up close.” “…What are you talking about?” Seeing Eleanor smile instead of answering gave Beatrix goosebumps. She felt a sense of foreboding. When this woman had this look, things wouldn’t remain quiet. “Hey, what are you talking about?” “Let’s go get something to eat. It’s about time.” “Don’t change the subject—!” ● I glared at the letter in my hand. It bore the seal of the Elfante Student Supervisor Team, so it should be genuine. Its mana imprint was difficult to forge. The problem was the content of the letter. [ Student Dowd Campbell’s class is not yet available for viewing. ] [ The Student Supervisor Team is working on a project to produce the best results. ] [ You can expect good news. ] No. I don’t want to expect anything. Can’t you just put me in a suitable class and leave me alone? I had no idea what kind of grand project they’re working on. ‘In the first place…’ What bothered me more than anything was that the Academy had sent me a personal letter. Although an accident happened in the middle of it, the situation was settled smoothly. According to the rules, I should have retook the class placement test. In fact, the main character’s party, including Iliya, took the test after the accident and was assigned to a special class. Why can’t I have that streamlined process? Why was I the only odd one out? “…I don’t know.” I muttered as I kept the letter away. There was no point in focusing on things without an answer. Instead of that, this… < System Message> [ Confirmed completion of class assignment after admission. ] [ The first main quest has been completed. ] [ Updating additional information! ] The first main quest I received was ‘Complete the Class Assignment after Admission’. Since the system gave a prompt, the requirements have been met. But this was a problem. [ Main Quest ] [ Successfully solve the incident that will happen at the freshmen’s welcome party! ] [ D-3 ] [ Reward: Exclusive Equipment Material ] The freshmen welcome party was an event marking the beginning of Sera’s path divergence. To be precise, it was about choosing which character path the main character would take. Their would-be job was determined by what they would take an interest in. Ranged marksman, melee warrior, support priest or wide-area mage… you could think of it as choosing a primary build among the various job classes. Maybe giving me materials for Exclusive Equipment was a part of that. Exclusive Equipment was equipment that could be developed by specializing in a field. Once fostered to completion, its power would be overwhelming. Though it could only perform simple functions in the beginning. In other words, if I decide on my primary job class like the main character, I would be given specialized growth equipment. Having that taken care of was a good thing. “…” But it was also dangerous. My mouth goes dry just from thinking about it. Because, most importantly, it’s linked with this. < Gift-related Character Notification > ▼ Eleanor [ Trust Level 2 ] >>> [ Trust Level 5 ] [ Favorability has increased significantly in a short period of time! ] [ Special Rewards Available! ] [ Close to favorability status change! ] [ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ] [ D-3 until related events occur. ] ▼ Iliya [ Curiosity Level 5 ] [ Rewards Currently Unavailable! ] [ Close to favorability status change! ] [ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ] [ D-3 until related events occur. ] I see. Main character and final boss-related events would happen at the same time, overlapping with the starting point of the main quest. This meant only one thing. ‘A big wave is coming…!’ Weren’t there professional assassins, including Hasmed, just from Eleanor’s first event? If these two are involved at the same time, the intensity would naturally follow. Fortunately, unlike the first time, I have about three days of grace period instead of two. “…” No, actually, I don’t think that’s a relief at all. Two or three days were the same. It was difficult either way. Isn’t it like getting gaslighted when the starting point is this tough? ‘I have no choice but to do what it demands me to do.’ I sighed, scratching my head. What could I do? It’s not like I had a choice. It was said that even a ghost who died with a full stomach looks more attractive, so let’s eat all the rewards I could get first. Of course, starting with Eleanor’s. [ Received Gift Reward from Eleanor. ] [ Received 1x Skill Copy Ticket. ] [ You can copy 1 of the target’s skills! ] “…” What the fuck is this? Skill Copy??? ‘…This is crazy! Are they for real?’ This didn’t need an explanation. No way, I can just copy the final boss’ skill? ‘But now’s not the best time…’ It would be a loss if I used it right now. Like the main character, Iliya, Eleanor would also grow into her final boss form. Of course, she was at the top of the Academy’s food chain, but there was no reason to waste this now when I could get hella good skills in the future. “…” But then, that meant that I would have to prepare for the event in three days without this. Luckily, I knew a place where I could get items that would help me survive. “Huu…” I breathed out a long exhalation and gazed at my destination in front of me. It was an old warehouse within a long walking distance outside the academy building. However, for a rundown place, it was exuding extreme irony as it had no reason to be plastered with all kinds of defensive magic, including perception-damping spells. It was called the supply room among the faculty. Though, for Sera veterans, it was familiarly known as Item Farm. It was generally used to store educational materials and equipment. However Elfante’s history was deep, and it contained mountains of unique relics. Among them were things that only players who have played the game knew the value of. There was only one thing I was aiming for. Divine’s Ultima. It was an early survival item that brought the strongest impact in Sera if properly used. It was originally an item that belonged to the Chapter 2 boss, Yuria Greyhounder. She was nicknamed as the Crazed Swordsman, a crazy bitch who sliced up anyone who came within a certain distance. “…” In reality, I thought that it might be a bit risky to snatch an item from such an important person in advance. However, I had no choice if I wanted to prepare for the event in three days. None of the shit in this world is my fault, but why am I the one struggling? In any case, Yuria was incredibly strong, hence why she’s a chapter boss. It shouldn’t be too much trouble. “Alright, then.” Let’s farm some items then head back. Nothing would go wrong, right? ● Five minutes later. I was cursing myself for making such a statement. I looked at the black-haired girl who was silently swaying in front of me. Tears were welling up in her eyes. A petite body that barely reached my neck and an appearance that resembled a cat. Overall, her appearance didn’t deviate much from that of a child. I would even call her cute if it wasn’t for the fact that she was pointing a sword at my neck. [Can you please stay still?] Those words floated in the air. This woman didn’t speak with her voice; she expressed herself this way. And by saying that, you mean… “…So it’s easier to slice?” [Yes.] You crazy bitch. This was none other than Yuria Greyhounder, the Chapter 2 Boss. And my life was being threatened by that person right now. “…” Why can’t things just go smoothly for once?