NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38
<38 - I Can't Choose This>
A nickname has been created.
“Di. Come here and try some cookies.”
“They’re so good!”
Arcadia.
The princess of the Kingdom of Florence invites me to snack time daily, giving me a nickname as if she really likes me.
The finesse in acquiring high-class treats during the brief moments with my guarantor shows the poise of an heir from a powerful family.
“Why do you call me ‘Di’?”
Honestly, it feels a bit off.
It sounds like a D-grade, which is a bit annoying.
With the academy structure closer to college than high school, it’s hard not to be concerned.
“Since such a cute child has an orc in her name, I feel sad that people might not recognize Oknodie’s cuteness.”
“Ah-ha.”
“Do you dislike being called Di?”
How can I say I dislike it when I see her face, dripping with disappointment?
Ha, she’s so cute it’s killing me.
“I-I don’t dislike it.”
“Di~! How can you look so cute when you’re shy?”
I can’t keep my cool with the sweet scent of her skin and her warm hugs, rubbing her cheeks against mine like she’s handling a doll.
“Oh my. It’s hot. Stop hugging me.”
“Gasp! Di is rejecting me…”
She pretends to be heartbroken, sobbing, but it’s all an act.
She’s stealing glances my way, waiting for me to panic, expecting a reaction from me.
If she hopes for that, it’s only natural to give in.
“Are you crying, sister? You’re not, right?”
“Di rejected my hand, and now my heart feels too sad… Sob.”
Isabel glared at her from behind, giving her a look of disbelief.
As expected from an adventurer, Isabel sees right through my trickery.
“Miss Arcadia. Oknodie is sneaking away cookies.”
“Ah! Don’t say that!”
Just like a squirrel, I stuffed my cheeks full of food, and her fan slapped my hand.
“Ouch!”
“Oknodie. You shouldn’t stuff your cheeks with food to the point of making it look embarrassing at the tea table.”
While it’s great to enjoy rare treats, Arcadia sister is strict when it comes to etiquette.
Having a chaotic mix of the latest trends from all directions stems from a desire to seek recognition from others.
Arcadia cares about manners, so she doesn’t get looked down upon by nobles from other lands.
‘Is hugging the tea table opponent and rubbing cheeks allowed in noble etiquette?’
Probably not.
But since opportunities like this might not come again, I should let it slide.
The week-long waiting time before the entrance ceremony.
As a result of my efforts in socializing during lunchtime at the tea table, I exchanged marks on my hand for cookbook collections and fullness.
[Cookbook collected recipe [Eustachio’s Sugar Craft - Rose].]
━━━
30 types of dessert collection – Acquired function [Sweet Fluid].
Recipe [Eustachio’s Sugar Craft – Rose] collected – Contract success rate with spirits increased by 10%.
━━━
[Your understanding of the character [Arcadia] has increased.]
━━━
Understanding of Arcadia
Lack of Foundation Fashion (Understanding 10) – Wouldn’t adding good things to good things make it even better?
Love for Children (Understanding 20) – She loves only cute children to death.
Inferiority Complex (Understanding 30) – The princess of the Kingdom of Florence, which lacks its own culture, is strict about manners as she tries to hide even the smallest flaws.
━━━
[The favorability of the character [Arcadia] has exceeded 20.]
[You already enjoy the 1st privilege [Arcadia’s Tea Party].]
[The speed of Arcadia’s favorability increase rises.]
[The understanding of the character [Arcadia] has exceeded 25.]
[You acquire the connection function [Sympathy - Arcadia].]
[You become sensitive to Arcadia’s emotional changes.]
Behold the power of socializing.
I wasn’t just vainly coddling to save face as a veteran player!
As I had a cup of tea and digested my snacks, Isabel started the conversation.
“Miss Arcadia. Thank you for looking after Oknodie, but it would be great if you could pay more attention to Seoguyeon’s activities.”
“Ah, the B group central nobles, right?”
“With the central nobles moving into the B group dormitory, conflicts between groups are starting to rise.”
During the one-week preparatory period before the entrance ceremony.
Conflicts between the A group border students and the B group imperial students began to surface at facilities like the new student dormitory, cafeteria, training ground, garden, and external walkways.
This is a precursor to the large-scale events that typically start at this time in the original game.
‘The empire has many high-tier talents.’
But there are also a lot of people with terrible attitudes.
Overall, the borders lag behind in tiers.
Among the most noted combat power, the Northern Grand Duchess Irene is ranked 1 tier (11th to 15th), while Sing from the Eastern Empire is 1.5 tier (16th to 20th).
Most top tier (1st to 5th) or 0.5 tier (6th to 10th) characters are concentrated in the B group empire.
In this game, where popularity generally correlates with performance, the popularity ranking cannot be ignored.
‘When conflicts arise, 9 times out of 10, the empire crushes the borders. Until an incident occurs.’
The problem lies in the fact that this incident leads the chapter boss [Hestia] into disgrace.
If Hestia gets caught up in the incident, the empire will run rampant, but if left alone, it triggers the dangerous cue that accelerates the timing for Hestia to transform into a chapter boss.
“Indeed, discussions are ongoing at Seoguyeon. Our upper-class new students are suggesting that we confront the empire head-on.”
“The meeting didn’t go well, did it?”
“The empire people have powerful weapons that we lack.”
They’re not weaponized in the conventional sense.
Any weapon with excessive lethality doesn’t even come with a [Permit].
However, the type of weapon they possess, devoid of blades, intimidates the border folk.
“Mana Refinement Technique and Mana Flow Technique.”
Mana Refinement Technique trains mana physically.
Mana Flow Technique trains mana mentally.
With the power of these two sacked higher functions, imperial nobles wield quality mana, playing the role of early-game bullies.
It’s incredibly difficult for border recruits to hold their ground in that competition.
Most end up dropping out midway.
‘For now, they’re just feeling each other out, not clearly aware of each other’s true strengths.’
As I picked up a hidden stat stone from the guard post near the dormitory, worrying about whether Arcadia was doing well, I noticed a crowd of students gathered in front of the cafeteria.
A foreboding feeling arose from the shouting I could hear from afar, and lo and behold, something had happened.
“If you’ve finished exercising, you should change back into your school uniform. Isn’t it a problem trying to use the communal facility in such a vulgar attire that exposes your bare skin?”
“Don’t be harsh! We asked the instructors and found out that wearing a school uniform is recommended but not mandatory. And apologize. We’re not vulgar.”
“Apologize? If wearing a tank top that shows your shoulders or dolphin shorts that expose your thighs isn’t vulgar, then what is vulgar?”
An argument broke out between the A group newcomers, who wanted to use the cafeteria in lightweight clothing after exercising, and the B group newcomers, who found it distasteful!
[Group Conflict (1) Event]
The carefree A group versus the strict B group.
Witnessing their verbal spat stemming from the differences in values between the two groups, this scenario is an opportunity.
Support the border friends to strengthen bonds, or support the imperial nobles to gain favor.
Raise your hand for the faction you wish to befriend!
If you raise your hand for A group, it’s the border side students.
If you raise your hand for B group, it’s the imperial side students.
Favorability with characters from different factions will fluctuate.
Given that a single decision can affect the favorability of hundreds or thousands of people, special attention must be paid to group events.
…Yet usually, people side with B group.
‘The imperial students’ tiers are higher anyway.’
According to the popularity poll, where performance and popularity are directly correlated, 96% support the B group empire.
If 100 people play the game, 96 will back the empire.
Even I, during my male character days, wasn’t different.
Tiers aside, the difference in fetishes played a role.
– I’m not defending the empire. I’m advocating for pantyhose.
– Dolphin shorts OUT! Pantyhose ON!
– We, the players of the imperial faction, actively support the wearing of pantyhose by female students.
While the border’s culture, unreserved of skin exposure, saw only 4% in support for girls wearing tank tops, sleeveless blouses, dolphin shorts, or hot pants, 96% backed the imperial female students wearing school uniforms or full-body tights.
Honestly, even I agree that 96% deserved to win this.
When it comes to the aesthetics of covering up, the former easily wins.
When capabilities fall short, covering up becomes even more critical.
In comparison to the empire side, which beats performance, popularity, and waifu-bait entirely, the pathetic dolphin shorts faction is weak and flimsy, just a handful of crumbs that would scatter at the slightest breeze.
Most players regarded the border faction as mere DLC content, supported by repeat players who had done everything in the empire and just wanted to enjoy the content.
And I’m a veteran.
In fact, I’ve already enjoyed all the border content.
‘Undoubtedly, the female student outfit should be pantyhose!’
At that moment, one of the bickering girls shouted at me, knowing the greatness of hidden aesthetics.
“Oknodie! Help us!”
“Ah.”
The A group girls in dolphin shorts yelled.
Among them was Isabel, who had just come out after exercising.
‘Ahh! Why must I face such a great trial!’
Dolphin shorts + chef vs. pantyhose.
I encountered my greatest life trial.