NOVEL NEXT Ch. 22
Chapter 22 - The Start of the Semester
For the past week, the training with Yuna has been quite successful. Yuna on her part, and I on my part, have gained quite a lot.
The training I did in the morning during the 200 regressions lacked continuity, and the time itself was also tight, so there was a feeling of being a bit slow, but…… this time I was able to fully concentrate on training, so the quality was different.
First, in Yuna’s case, what I felt while sparring with her was that her level has already risen to the middle tier of the academy.
It’s just that she lacks experience; in terms of simple stats, she has already far surpassed me. Whether it’s strength, stamina, or agility.
She will probably be a great help in today’s Monster Hunting test. In my case, my skills are excellent but I lack destructive power, and Yuna will probably be able to fill that gap.
Also, there was the intention to awaken Yuna’s special ability, ‘Wings’.
On the other hand, the fact that she doesn’t properly feel her own abilities is a drawback.
Well, in the original
As for her studies…… honestly, she wasn’t stupid, but it was obvious that she had no experience studying until now. It was as if she didn’t have the habit of studying at all.
Still, I’ve made her into a somewhat functional person. With this much, she won’t get any deductions in her grades.
And in my case…….
《 Stats 》
[ Strength : D- ]
[ Agility : C+ ]
[ Stamina : D- ]
[ Intelligence : B ]
[ Mana : F+ ]
[ Dexterity : B+ ]
It was a tough training, but since it was only a week, there was no change in my stats.
Honestly, I was expecting some growth in strength and stamina. Because stats rise faster at lower levels. But there was no such thing.
I’ve mentioned it before, but except for agility, the growth rate was truly disastrous. At this point, I’m starting to wonder if something happened to the original Rain Enlight. Well, I couldn’t find out right away.
Anyway, if I just let it go…… the preparation for the school subjects was going smoothly.
Honestly, the contents were far from the subjects I had learned in reality, so I was worried a lot, but it felt like it was sticking to my head better than I thought.
That would be partly due to my experience as a student who had broken through the hell of the Korean entrance exams, and also thanks to having a high initial value of B in intelligence.
But. If I had to pick the one thing that helped the most, it was definitely ‘this’.
『Pleta’s Secret Notes』
Category : Book Item
Grade : A
Effect : Learning efficiency of all school subjects increases by 20%.
A note with the name of the knight, ‘Pleta Templeton’, who graduated at the top of her class from Archenia Academy 5 years ago. It contains a detailed record of key study methods for various subjects. On the page right after the cover, there is a message that reads, ‘I hope this will be a small help to you who are working hard in a place unseen.’
The item I picked up when I went to the underground stacks with Yuna last time, 『Pleta’s Secret Notes』.
This item was obtainable from a hidden place in the underground stacks of the Archenia Central Library when playing as a character other than Pleta, and could be found with a low probability by going to a specific place and taking a search action.
Now that it’s reality, I just went to that place and rummaged through the pile of books and it came out…… I still remember how much time this took. I was covered in dust…….
But, this item was a must-have for character growth, enough to be worth the trouble. It was a cheat item that amplified the learning efficiency of all school subjects by a whopping 20%.
The numbers might not give you a good feel, but with this item, you could significantly reduce the proportion of studying in the characters’ free time, and you could spend that remaining time on character growth.
Anyway, besides this outstanding performance, there was another reason why I liked this item.
The flavor text written in the item description, I liked the content a little.
‘I hope this will be a small help to you who are working hard in a place unseen.’
There are almost no ordinary students who frequent the underground stacks where donated books are kept. Since most of them are from well-off families, they would buy new books, why would they bother coming to such a shabby place?
Therefore, the only people who frequented the underground stacks were those in such a poor environment that even the cost of books was a burden, or those with a very high passion for learning.
Pleta is said to have hidden this note in the underground stacks to be of some help to such people. This was the content that came out when you encountered Pleta while possessing 『Pleta’s Secret Notes』.
You who are working hard in a place unseen. I really liked those words.
Chirp, chirp.
Before I knew it, the dawn had passed, and the morning was approaching. As if to announce it, the birds were chirping. It was the sound that announced the morning of the start of the semester.
In a place unseen by the other students, Yuna and I had worked hard for a week. It was a short time, but I can confidently say that not a single moment was wasted.
And, it was now time for those unseen efforts to bear fruit, however small.
***
What I felt while moving to the classroom was that my condition today was definitely at its best. Yesterday, I had kept the training intensity moderate in preparation for the start of the semester, and it seems that worked well.
Creak-.
When I opened the door of the classroom, the scene of the spacious classroom came into view. And, at the same time, all eyes were focused on me.
‘Of course.’
After the entrance examination, the types of gazes directed at me were broadly divided into two. One was filled with doubt, and the other…… was filled with negativity.
In the case of doubt, it was the side that was puzzled by my sudden increase in skill. It seemed they were also surprised by my recent association with Serene or Regina.
This side was better. I didn’t like the eyes that looked at me like a monkey in a zoo, but they weren’t immediately badmouthing me.
And…… in the case of negativity.
-The half-breed has arrived.
-Actually, Lord Milo had basically won last time.
-Getting all high and mighty after winning by a fluke.
……It was as you hear. Even after I won so overwhelmingly, there were still guys who denied reality like that. What you see is what you get, I guess.
I let out a small sigh and entered the classroom.
And what came into my view was…….
“Oh my.”
A girl with long white hair, sitting in the front seat, waving her hand with a sly smile.
The princess, Regina Eliade Abellon.
“……”
Monster Hunting C was a class that was not organized with other playable characters, but was organized with Regina. I knew that.
Nod.
I met her burning purple eyes and bowed my head slightly in greeting. I was about to sit in a corner seat, but Regina seemed to notice my intention and kept beckoning me with her hand.
-He really seems to know the princess. They’re greeting each other.
-It seems like she’s telling him to sit next to her.
-But isn’t the House of Enlight part of the prince’s faction?
Thanks to that, more attention was drawn to me, but…… who cares. I thought it might be better to prove our relationship, so I quietly went and sat next to Regina.
The noble daughters of the academy, especially the female students, usually wear various luxurious accessories as befitting the daughters of noble families.
Among them, the quality of such accessories would be an essential element in expressing their own dignity.
However, Regina Eliade Abellon did not adorn her body with any accessories. She only wore her uniform neatly.
That might have been because she knew that the innate dignity she possessed was the best accessory. Looking at her up close, I could see that she had a grace that made me think those words were not an exaggeration.
“It’s been a while, young lord.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I saw you at the entrance examination. Wow- when you knocked down your opponent, the dazed expressions on people’s faces were truly a sight to behold.”
With those words, a somewhat twisted smile appeared on Regina’s face. Yes, there it is.
That sadistic smile.
It was just like the description in the game. She really looks like she has a bad personality…….
“……I merely did as I said I would.”
But I couldn’t point that out.
“I’m serious. You shattered them more perfectly than I had imagined. It’s rewarding to have picked you out in advance, shall we say?”
“It’s an honor.”
I replied with a stoic expression. As if she found my expression, which was not at all honored, amusing, Regina swallowed a laugh and spoke.
“Recently…… it seems you’ve made a new friend? You’re practically stuck together.”
“We became a Pair. We’ve been training a little together.”
“Hng, is she worth it? I looked her up, and she doesn’t have a particularly extraordinary reputation.”
At those words, I briefly glanced around. I didn’t care since I knew her true nature, but if someone else heard, it would be a bit of a turn-off…….
“They can’t hear you, don’t worry-.”
Well, she would be an expert at this kind of thing…….
“In any case, her potential is certain.”
“Don’t you give me advice like, how can you make friends based on their value?”
Regina asked with a sly tone. In fact, since all my social activities so far had been for a purpose, I didn’t have much to say.
“I don’t particularly think it’s a wrong idea.”
“……Fufu, a person of such worth that you’d stick to them. I’d love to be introduced.”
“We’re in the same class, so I’ll do that in a bit.”
Regina, who was nodding with a satisfied expression, changed the subject a little later and spoke to me again.
“The content of today’s class. Do you know about it?”
“You mean the level test.”
“Hng, you don’t have any connections, but you’re well-informed, aren’t you?”
At those words, I shrugged. It was true, but what could I say?
“Are you confident?”
Looking at Regina who asked that, I briefly thought about how to answer.
And, after a short time had passed since I met Regina’s eyes…….
“About that matter.”
I began.
“I need a place that can process a magic stone into a magic engineering item, could you arrange that for me.”
That was the answer. Meaning, I would take 2nd place in today’s test and take the B-grade magic stone. Regina would understand at once.
Before long, Regina’s eyes narrowed upon hearing those words.
“Are you aiming for 2nd place?”
“I will be 2nd place.”
Regina looked at me with her narrowed eyes and continued to ask.
“Hng…… to say you’ll be exactly 2nd place. Do you have a plan?”
I shrugged.
“I have a small plan. I don’t know if you’ll be satisfied, though.”
“I hope you don’t disappoint me.”
Creak-.
The classroom door opened, and a familiar-looking girl walked into the classroom.
It was Yuna, the girl with the now-familiar short black hair.
I glanced back and forth between the just-entered Yuna and Regina. Yes, it was a good opportunity. As I said before, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to introduce them now. I waved my hand lightly to the just-entered Yuna and said.
“Over here.”
And as I waved my hand, Yuna approached me with a sluggish gait, yawning.
“Haaam…… good morning. Oh, who’s this next to you?”
“Ah, this is……”
I looked towards Regina and prepared for the introduction. And at that moment.
“Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Regina Eliade Abellon. Let’s get along in the future, shall we?”
Instead of being introduced through me, Regina had delivered the message directly. The sadistic smile from before was nowhere to be seen, replaced by the kindest and most benevolent smile in the world.
And, Yuna…….
“……Ah, Abel…… Abellon…… you say?”
“Yes~.”
“Th-that, by any chance…… are you the Princess…… Your Highness……?”
“That’s right~.”
A cheerful confirmation. Yuna was already caught in Regina’s pace and was in the midst of a full-blown panic. Although it didn’t show on her face, Regina was probably enjoying her reaction inwardly. A fearsome girl…….
“Hic.”
Yuna was so surprised that she couldn’t even speak. She just hiccuped once.
……Stay strong. Yuna.