It's finally happened, my stamina has increased.
All the hard work, especially recently, has paid off.
And today's spoils aren't over.
I acquired 8 gold coins from the shop and the artifact [Magic Cartridge].
It's a record-breaking payday.
If every day was like today, maybe I could match the likes of Neike and Piel before graduation.
"But that's never going to happen."
To be honest, days like this wouldn't come even once a month.
The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
It's a painful truth I've come to realize, both in the modern world and this realm.
I quickly suppressed my joy and organized what I need to do.
First and foremost, I will save the gold coins from the shop.
I won't spend them.
My main goal is to acquire expert-level traits.
The price of expert-level traits in the shop is 20 gold coins.
Even though I got eight gold coins today, it still doesn't reach 20.
Besides, I've been consistently ranking among the top in practical evaluations.
There's no need to rush.
Unless I'm cornered, spending on lower-level traits is a bad idea.
Next, I need to figure out how to make the most of the artifact, [Magic Cartridge].
[Magic Cartridge] is an artifact that enables me to use magic up to the 3rd circle without consuming mana or casting spells.
It allows someone like me, who lacks mana, to utilize magic.
But right now, it's empty.
Because no magic has been stored inside.
I need to find someone capable of storing the magic I want.
I want debuff magic.
There are many resilient creatures like orcs, lizardmen, and beastmen who can withstand 3rd or 4th circle offensive magic.
But with debuff magic, even if it's just 3rd or 4th circle, it can be very effective when used right.
I also plan to keep the fact that I have [Magic Cartridge] a secret.
So it's difficult to ask Andrew.
Even if I have something on Andrew, he'd also know my weaknesses if he knew the magic I was planning to get.
'Seria is definitely the best choice.'
Seria.
She ranks first in the Magic Department, an 8th circle mage, and is the daughter of the Black Tower Master.
A named character who politely turns down many male students with a smile.
Of course, I know what Seria's likes.
Maybe she could be a good ally after Jang Woohee.
Lastly, I need to check on 'Turning White'.
'Hmm.'
It's too soon to tell Rok everything I know about 'Turning White'.
He seems to like me, but I need to be sure I can trust him.
'How should I approach this...'
I'm trying to come up with a method that inflicts maximum damage with minimal losses.
But my brain is tired, I can't come up with a good strategy.
I stood up and paced around the room.
Then, I noticed the Spirit Repellent I had left on the shelf.
'Ah, right. I should use this in advance.'
It's not that I don't like Siena.
But I don't want her following me around all the time.
So, while I was spraying the Spirit Repellent,
Knock, knock, knock...
Someone knocked on the door.
'It must be Amy.'
She mentioned earlier that she would bring food that helps with stamina recovery.
Yes, I should eat first, then get back to thinking.
"Come in."
─Understood, young master.
Amy entered my room with food.
Out of habit, I glanced at Amy's status.
There was no difference from usual─
[Name: Amy Watson]
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Race: Human
Affiliation: Waldeurk House / Equilibrium
Strength: 7
Stamina: 7
There was a clue that might solve my problem.
[Affiliation: Waldeurk House / Equilibrium]
Yes, right here.
The organization that provided the 'Spirit Repellent' in my hand.
A group that, for unknown reasons, assigned Amy to me, Theo.
A mysterious organization that even wages wars against countries.
Yes, that's Equilibrium.
If I play this right, I might be able to fix things without a hitch.
Huhu.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Amy looked surprised, and her cheeks went a little red.
"Excuse me, young master. Is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that...?"
The next day, Tuesday.
All the lectures had ended.
It was time to go catch the boss hiding in the northern forest.
Of course, it wasn't the actual boss of 'Turning White'.
It was the leader of those who'd snuck into the academy.
The real boss of 'Turning White' was a beast that even the top-ranked active hero team couldn't handle.
Naturally, it was more evil and powerful than Francis, who held a low-ranking position.
But unlike before, when we went to arrest Francis, I had to act with more secrecy.
I needed to avoid attracting attention as much as possible.
If people found out I was leading the operation, 'Turning White' would immediately suspect me.
I didn't want to become their target.
I quickly packed my stuff and just as I was about to leave the classroom...
"Theo, can you teach me swordsmanship again today? After our practice yesterday, I tried practicing on my own in my room... but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, hehe."
Suddenly, Aisha approached me, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
"No, I'm going to take a break from training today because I'm tired. Practice on your own."
"...Why? Yesterday, you trained even after the evaluation and the club meeting... Is it possible..."
"...What?"
"That you don't you want to teach me? We're not strangers, I'm a member of the Waldeurk family."
Aisha pouted.
"No, it's not that. I'm just a little mentally drained."
I lied nonchalantly.
Well, it's not entirely untrue either.
Those 'Turning White' troublemakers would be a headache in the future.
They needed to be dealt with immediately.
"Is... is there something bothering you?"
Aisha looked at me with concern.
...Of course, I have problems.
Every day is a struggle.
Sigh.
"Yes."
"I'm good at listening if you want to talk... Maybe I could even help."
"No, it's something a hero has to overcome on his own."
"I see. It's something I can't really help with..."
Aisha hung her head.
Now she's making me out to be the bad guy.
If Aisha behaves this way, let alone others, it's going to be a nuisance.
As the academy's idol, she has too many eyes on her.
I can't afford any negative gossip.
"No, Aisha, you're a great talent. You are helpful in many ways."
"...Really?"
"I didn't explain myself well. What I meant was, I can handle it right now on my own. I'll ask for your help next time when I need it."
In fact, I'll soon need Aisha's help.
"Really?"
"Yes, tomorrow I'll assess your swordsmanship. You're very talented, so don't get discouraged if it's not going well now. Just keep pushing yourself."
With Aisha's 'Weapon Master' trait, if she doesn't give up and keeps trying, she'll reach a high level.
After saying that, I left the classroom.
Rather than getting in the carriage to the northern forest, I went straight to Jang Woohee's room.
This was part of the plan I thought up.
Secrecy was crucial in this mission.
That's why I chose only a few exceptional members.
Theo—myself—, Jang Woohee, Noctar, Siena, and Amy.
A team of five.
I excluded the orc companions.
While they'd definitely keep a secret if I asked them to, the risk of being found out is something else.
There's a good chance they might inadvertently give something away.
That's why Noctar and Siena took the carriage as soon as the lecture was over, and Jang Woohee and I plan to take the next one.
"The carriage will be here soon. Are you ready?"
"Yeah. I've packed everything."
Jang Woohee showed me her bag.
Inside the bag, a smoothly curved dagger caught my eye.
'...She's even bringing that along.'
Before becoming a third-year student, you're prohibited from bringing artifacts and items from outside into the academy.
If you're caught, the punishment is severe.
Indeed, choosing Jang Woohee as a partner was the right decision.
"Let's go, then."
And so, Jang Woohee and I boarded the carriage bound for the northern forest.
Upon arriving, we got off and walked for approximately 10 minutes toward the northern forest.
"Hey, Theo. That's the friend who's skilled with a dagger."
"Theo, you! How could you bring such an unpleasant person after doing such a thing!"
"...You've arrived, young master."
Noctar, Siena, and Amy greeted us from afar.
***
Finally Seria makes an appearance! Though it's going to be a little longer still...
Anyways, website update! You won't notice much but it was a big one. It sets up a new thing I'm adding where we post the first few chaps of a novel and see if we like it. Like trialing a novel.
It's hard to know if it's a good one until a few chaps in.
1/5 Enjoy the chappy!
Coming soon!
