When I returned to the academy, it was evening.
After parting ways with Aisha, I didn't eat and headed straight for the dormitory.
I was hungry.
But I hadn't bathed in over a day and was grimy.
Naturally, my traits wouldn't allow me to eat in the cafeteria in this state.
I headed straight for my room on the 20th floor.
"Welcome back, young master. Did everything go well while you were away?"
Amy, who was standing in the hallway, greeted me with an ambiguous expression.
She looked at me expectantly, as if wanting me to tell her what happened.
"Yeah. Let's talk about it tomorrow morning."
There was no need to explain.
It was a vague story, after all.
I only said that much to Amy and returned to my room.
"Phew."
Taking a deep breath, I took in the sight of the room.
Perhaps it was because I had slept in a damp forest until yesterday.
It had only been a week, but this room already felt like my own.
I put down my bag in the corner and immediately washed up.
After washing up, I didn't go to bed right away. Instead, I dried my hair and applied lotion and other cosmetics.
I wanted to lie down in bed right away, but if I did, I'd suffer from a tingling pain.
'Twisted Noble's Dignity'
In just a week, this trait had trained me like Pavlov's dog.
But having a habit of grooming was more of a gain than a loss, so I didn't feel the need to resist.
"Let's open it now."
I took out a glass bottle wrapped in a towel from the academy uniform I had removed and unwrapped the towel.
The glass bottle contained a brown liquid called 'Natural Power.'
Drinking it would force me to sleep for 12 hours.
It was 7 PM now.
I would wake up at 7 AM.
I had to drink it now to match my waking time tomorrow.
I quickly opened the bottle cap.
I drank all of the brown liquid in one breath.
After that, I don't remember anything.
I fell asleep immediately.
[Hidden quest cleared. You have received 3 gold coins as a reward.]
: Obtain a hidden piece (repeatable)
[You have obtained a hidden piece for the first time. You have received 5 gold coins as a reward.]
[Total reward: 8 gold coins]
The next day, the third-period lecture ended.
Now, there was a one-hour lunch break.
"Theo, let's go get something to eat."
Noctar, who had been sitting next to me, spoke as he stretched his neck and arms.
"Sure."
"You seem more dignified today. Did something happen over the weekend?"
"I went on a long walk."
Noctar tilted his head.
"Really? You know, we orcs are sensitive to that kind of energy. It's the same energy I felt from my father. Anyway, let's hurry up; I'm hungry."
I headed to the cafeteria with Noctar.
I seemed full of energy.
Perhaps it was the effect of his Natural Power.
Natural Power not only increased stats, but also had various minor effects. In the original game, it was described as helping with negotiations, giving off an intimidating aura, and exuding a significant presence.
And since it was an orc saying this, it must be true. Just as elves could sense mana better than other races, orcs were sensitive to the aura that humans exuded.
It stayed true to the setting that it increased one's inherent power.
We walked for about five minutes and arrived at the school cafeteria.
"Uh, we were just returning to the academy when suddenly, that senior grabbed my shoulder out of nowhere..."
"Seriously, the line was so long. Even if it's a limited edition with the author's handwritten note, isn't that too much? I went there as soon as I woke up in the morning, and only managed to buy it after lunch."
"Ah, didn't they say they'll let us know who our practical test opponents are before the end of today? I hope I get paired with someone weak..."
The cafeteria was bustling.
Students were chatting nonstop about what had happened over the weekend.
Youth, indeed.
With that thought, I ordered the same menu as Noctar.
"One Orc Set Meal. Serve the standard portion."
The cafeteria worker gave me a puzzled look, but soon handed over the food.
"Oh? What's the occasion, Theo? You never ate this even when I urged you to."
"I'm starving."
"Good, good. A true warrior must eat a lot; it's a virtue to always be hungry. The food here is quite tasty and nutritious."
Most orcs were big eaters.
A small meal by orc standards was overeating for humans.
As the name suggests, the Orc Set Meal had a large portion.
It was about three times the amount I usually ate.
However, since I hadn't eaten anything since last night, I was famished... It was worth trying now.
As I took my food and started heading to a seat,
"I'll have an Orc Set Meal too. Standard portion, please."
A girl ordered the same menu as me.
I glanced over at her.
"Oh, fancy seeing you here. What a coincidence, Theo."
The girl, far from resembling an orc, was Aisha.
An awkward smile hung below Aisha's lips.
...Had she ever eaten in the student cafeteria?
I'd never seen her here, even though the cafeteria was spacious.
"Enjoy your meal."
I exchanged brief greetings and sat down with Noctar in an empty seat. Noctar chuckled as he looked at the food.
"Let's eat! Here's to my friend, Theo, walking the path of a true warrior!"
"Right... Let's enjoy this."
As I watched Noctar grab the large piece of meat with his bare hands and tear into it heartily, I picked up my fork and knife.
-Gulp, gulp.
-Chew, chew, slurp.
About 20 minutes later, we finished our meal.
Noctar had cleaned his plate, but I left a quarter of it.
The portion was just too much.
It didn't suit my taste buds, with its strong gamey smell.
I couldn't eat anymore.
"It's okay, Theo! For a human to eat this much on their first try is impressive. Now, let's go get some of our tribe's traditional elixir for dessert!"
"Alright..."
I calmed my churning stomach and got up from my seat.
As I was leaving the student cafeteria, I saw Aisha.
She was looking down at her mostly uneaten food, making a sad face.
***
4:20 PM.
In 10 minutes, all of today's lectures would be over.
Standing at the podium, the bald professor with sharp features, Rok, adjusted his glasses and said,
"Today, we will finish early."
─Wow~!
Cheers erupted from the students.
"Quiet."
Rok raised his hand in a dignified manner.
His charisma silenced the classroom instantly.
Rok continued speaking.
"Before ending the lecture, I will announce the practical evaluation."
Clap, clap.
Rok clapped his hands.
A petite assistant entered the classroom, carrying a large scroll.
"Uh, Professor, should I attach it here?"
Rok nodded slightly, and the assistant pasted the scroll on the wall beside the blackboard.
[3rd Week Practical Evaluation Notice]
Evaluation Start Time: Friday of the 3rd week, 9:30 AM
All eyes in the classroom were on the scroll.
"I will explain the key points. First, the evaluation will start on Friday at 9:30 AM, as written. You will all gather here, in this classroom, and move together."
Rok's voice was still sharp, but it wasn't registering well with the students.
All the students were looking for their opponents on the list.
"Top academy healers will be on standby, so show off your skills without any burdens. That's all."
With that said, Rok left the classroom.
The assistant followed him like a puppy.
Afterwards, the classroom buzzed with students' conversations.
"Damn, this is a scam! How am I supposed to beat an orc..."
"At least you're not up against Aisha... There's really no hope for me."
"Please take care of me, Piel. I hope we have a good match."
"···I will definitely win this time."
Hmmm.
Who am I up against?
[39th Match: Ralph Viole, Theo Lyn Waldeurk]
Ah, it's him.
Ralph Viole.
He's a named character who mainly uses a large two-handed club as his primary weapon.
He becomes corrupt and turns into a villain in most routes of the original game due to his feelings of inferiority, envy, and jealousy.
Of course, he also becomes a villain in the Spearman route.
His current ranking is 37th.
He's a student with excellent close combat abilities and a threatening self-enhancement buff.
"It won't be an easy opponent. Thanks to his impressive muscles, I remember him well. Do your best, Theo."
Noctar patted my shoulder with his massive hand.
"Well, thank you. By the way, Noctar, your opponent is a mage. Are you confident?"
"Hehe, it's a great opportunity to test what I've learned. I've been studying hard, especially on the understanding of magical battles. Let's head to the training ground. You're not planning on resting today, right, Theo?"
"Of course not. Let's get going."
Though my chances of winning against Ralph are slim, I'll do my best.
Ralph is not among the top contenders like Neike, Piel, or Aisha, but he's a strong fighter within the top 20%.
The most urgent task at hand is to test my Natural Power.
Hidden abilities do not appear on the status window.
That's why my strength and stamina displayed on the status window remain the same as before, at 7.
In the original game, Neike gained roughly 3 stat points. I wonder how much I've gained?
"Alright, let's give it a try!"
Along with Noctar, I headed towards the training grounds.
***
After Theo left the classroom, Ralph stared at the spot where he had been, his face fierce.
'Serves him right, the unlucky parasite.'
Theo Lyn Waldeurk. Apart from his family, there was nothing worth mentioning about the incompetent guy who had been increasingly annoying lately.
And today, for some reason, Theo's noticeable presence grated on Ralph's nerves.
"Ah, you're going up against him?"
Ralph felt that Piel, who had approached him, had recently taken an interest in that guy.
Ralph sneered as he spoke.
"Yeah, I'll step on him nice and slow."
Ralph was in love with Piel.
But it was an unrequited love. Piel had never initiated a conversation with Ralph before.
The fact that Piel had started talking to him for the first time filled him with both joy and anger.
'What's so special about that parasite...'
To Ralph, Piel represented the ideal he had yearned for since childhood.
The young lady of the prestigious Chalon family, ranking 2nd among the academy's top fighters with skills that did justice to her name.
Her small, delicate-looking body was well-toned; her short, red hair seemed to represent her strong exterior and tender interior; her soft-looking beige skin; and her light emerald-colored eyes.
Ralph loved everything about Piel.
"···I'd appreciate it if you could watch my match against Theo, Piel."
"Sure, I'll watch. Do your best."
With those words, Piel vanished in an instant.
***
Woah another one just like that! Thanks, transhumanist Sykes for sponsoring this chappy!
Enjoy the chappy!
