I Became the Academy’s Munchkin Sniper

“Phew… This should be far enough.”

I climbed up a large tree in the forest and rested on a sturdy branch. 

As I deactivated ‘Concealment’, the color slowly returned to my body.

Watching my arms regain their natural peachy hue made me realize just how incredible the ‘Concealment’ trait was. Neither Ciel, the other students, nor even the magical beasts had sensed me.

Of course, I wasn’t sure if it would work against someone at the level of an Grand Mage or higher, but for now, it was more than sufficient.

“I can’t use this for too long, though.”

Activating it didn’t consume too much mana, but the longer it stayed active, the more the mana cost skyrocketed.

“I almost got into serious trouble back there.”

Another downside was that it still triggered the compass on the bracelet.

After I fired my sniper rifle, I quickly headed down the hill, worried that Ciel might resort to using high-tier magic. 

I hid in the bushes, using Concealment to monitor the situation. I celebrated when the demons were defeated before Ciel could cast her higher magic.

But then, out of nowhere, Ciel started walking toward me. It was terrifying. 

Running wasn’t an option since she would definitely catch up, so I decided to act.

I played the role of ‘Extra #2,’ who was trembling in fear and hiding after encountering the mid-level magical beasts. I even used Concealment to enhance the act.

In a way, I had turned the trait’s weakness into a strength.

“Ah! Well, I guess it’s all over now…”

I lay back, using my arms as a pillow. The sky, which was once filled with swirling red and black energy, had settled into a twilight haze.

It was that time of day when it was neither fully day nor fully night.

A gentle breeze rustled my silver hair, and the sound of chirping insects, combined with the wind, created a peaceful symphony around me.

As I closed my eyes, I began to mentally review everything I had gained.

[You have defeated the mid-level magical beast, Blade Wolf Pack!]

[2 Level Up!]

[You have points available for stat investment!]

[You have earned the title: Demon Slayer!]

[You have earned 3 Karma points for your good deeds!]

[Your comprehension of skills has increased overall!]

[Kyle]  

Lv: 10  

Species: Human  

Gender: Male  

Titles: The Most Notorious Scoundrel, Demon Slayer

Mana: 0/1000  

Karma: 10  

Unique Trait: Sniping Master  

Traits: Perfect Accuracy, Crisis Detection, Rapid Fire, Touch of Death, Iron Man, Indomitable Spirit  

[Stat Details]  

Invested Stats Points: 10  

Strength: 11  

Endurance: 1  

Stamina: 1  

Intelligence: 1  

Perception: 1  

Mana Perception: 1  

Spirit Perception: 1  

[Talent Details]  

Element: Multiple  

Class: Multiple  

Growth Efficiency: A+  

[Active Skills Details]  

Liberation 

[Passive Skills Details]  

Shooting Proficiency: D-  

Mana Efficiency: F  

Firepower: F  

Firepower Control: F  

“Not bad.”

The rewards I gained from progressing through this episode were substantial. My mana capacity increased, my shooting proficiency improved, and I received 10 stat points to invest.

Now, I just needed to decide where to allocate them.

“Hmm. Strength seems important, but…”

As I went through the episode for Act 1, Scene 1, which involved the entrance exam at the Magic Mountain, I started reconsidering my priorities. 

When I climbed up and down the mountain, it felt like it took too long due to my low stamina. If I had been just a little bit slower, I might have missed the right timing.

And since my home was located deep within the mountain, after I enrolled in Artena Academy, I would need to get used to the regular hikes between the academy and the mountain.

Even this morning, it had been exhausting.

It was a time when I truly realized the importance of stamina. 

However, I couldn’t overlook strength either since it significantly affected the recoil of my sniper rifle.

Both stats were important, and it felt like a waste to neglect either.

But there was always a good method for this kind of dilemma.

“Alright. Let’s split it evenly between strength and stamina.”

I distributed five points to each stat. Immediately, a sense of satisfaction and energy spread throughout my entire body.

“Now, onto the title.”

[Demon Slayer]  

[When facing demons, damage increases by 12.22%.]  

Next Condition: Defeat 50 more demons.  

“Nice!”

The Demon Slayer title was going to be a key asset in the early stages. Achieving this was a core part of the basic progression path.

Reaching the next stage would happen later in the game, but for now, this was more than enough. 

I’d encounter demons again as I progressed further.

“The real game begins now.”

I stretched my arms up toward the sky. 

In the original story, the player reached level 10 after completing Act 1, Scene 1—Artena Academy’s entrance exam—marking the end of the tutorial.  

From this point on, it’s the true starting line.

To signify that, a newly unlocked feature appeared.

[You have reached level 10!]

[The Secret Shop has been unlocked!]  

[Achievements have been unlocked!]  

The Secret Shop and Achievements. This was where karma became a currency.

The Secret Shop offered useful items to the player at discounted prices and also sold rare, special goods. 

The currency used in the shop was called points, a unique type of currency.

One couldn’t just earn points anywhere; they were awarded based on the difficulty and progress of achievements completed. Since I had just completed Act 1, Scene 1:

[Act 1, Scene 1, Artena Academy Entrance Exam]  

[Shop Points +10] [Completed]

“Collected.”

I claimed my reward. Since karma could also be used as currency, that brought my current shop points up to 20.

“But I can’t use it right now.”

Karma was for upgrading weapons, and I’d need 10 karma to evolve a weapon. If I remembered correctly, the requirements also included a low-tier mana stone and a significant amount of mana.

“Not something I can do right now.”

I’d exhausted all my mana fighting the magical beasts. The liberation of my trait from unique to legendary also consumed a lot of mana. 

I’d drained everything to ensure maximum power.

[Mana: 7/1000]

At least it was slowly refilling. 

But it was not urgent; I could take my time. 

After this episode wrapped up, it’d be at least a few weeks before the next trial begins. 

I was enjoying the peace.

Rustle.

Then, suddenly, a sharp noise jolted me alert. Someone was moving through the bushes. I immediately prepared to activate Concealment. 

With my mana almost gone, any fight now would lead to instant failure.

It was a dangerous moment.

“Kyle~?”

I exhaled in relief at the familiar voice.

“Lumina.”

Thank goodness it was her.

If it had been another student, they might’ve been out to eliminate me. By the later stages of the entrance exam, everyone was desperate to score points.

“What are you doing here?” 

“Hiding. What about you? What brings you here?”

I was genuinely curious.

This was the outer edge of the summit. A place only outliers like Exam Proctor Ivel or someone like Ciel, who was determined to track people down, would come. 

It was not a spot just anyone would visit.

Lumina had no real reason to come up here. Well, if it was purely by chance, I guess that couldn’t be helped.

“I was just walking, and suddenly, here I am! What a coincidence.”

But hearing that come from her made it hard to believe.

I joked with Lumina, “Right. We did say we’d form a team before the exam. Please don’t attack me, Lumina.”

“Hey, what do you take me for? I haven’t attacked anyone! It’s always the others trying to start a fight with me.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“Excuse me—” 

Lumina said as she began climbing the old tree.

Like a nimble squirrel, she quickly climbed up. Being from a noble family on the outskirts, she was quite familiar with nature. I reached out to help pull her up.

“Nice of you to join me. The view from here is pretty great.”

There were no obstructions, and one could clearly see the stars slowly peeking out. The colors of nature unfolded vividly before our eyes.

“Yeah. You’re right.”

Though, as stunning as the scenery was, Lumina’s presence made it shine even brighter.

The evening sky had darkened, with stars smudged across it like jewels. 

As we sat there, Lumina gazed at the view as if something had dawned on her and turned to look at me with a thoughtful expression…

“By the way, Kyle, are you…?”

— All students, please gather in the east!

At that moment, a loud voice echoed from below. Down the hill, the examiner, Ivel, was shouting loudly, signaling the end of the exam.

‘So, it’s over.’

Finally, I realized the long episode had come to an end.

Act 1, Scene 1 of the ‘Artena Academy Entrance Exam’ had wrapped up. 

From meeting my sister to Ciel battling the demons, things hadn’t gone as smoothly as I hoped. 

But, in the end, my identity remained hidden, and the demons were taken care of.

I turned back to Lumina.

“Are you talking about me? What about me?”

“Hehe. It’s nothing.”

Lumina covered her mouth and laughed before waving it off. She leaped down from the old tree and held out her hands.

“The exam’s over! We should get going. Need a hand?”

“I’ll pass.”

I declined her offer and quickly headed east.

As we walked, chatting casually, I couldn’t help but think about something important.

‘What should I eat for dinner?’

It was a crucial dilemma.

————

At 5:30 PM, the Artena Academy Entrance Exam  was interrupted due to the appearance of the mid-tier demons. 

The academy faculty was informed, and a security team was dispatched to investigate. They found remnants of dark magic and an altar on the mountain peak.

Naturally, chaos ensued. It was clear that someone had deliberately placed those things there.

Given the unprecedented situation, the academy held a committee meeting with professors and officials to debate whether the exam was too lax and if a re-exam should be conducted. 

However, Professor Mason pointed out that the demons had been destroyed by an unknown individual, and only Ciel Dunhart encountered them. Plus, the exam had always followed this process up until now.

In the end, it was decided there would be no re-exam. The scores would be tallied up to the point before the demon appeared, as it was determined that the demon intrusion didn’t significantly impact the exam itself. 

They also planned to strengthen security measures and investigate both the person who dealt with the demon and the criminal responsible for setting up the altar.

However, since Ciel had pointed to me as a witness from the scene…

“I’m so hungry…”

My contemplation over dinner had been delayed for several hours as I underwent an investigation. Finally, I had just returned home from the academy.

Since it was the middle of the night, the house was pitch dark. I tossed the firewood Lumina had lit into the campfire. I covered it with kindling and stoked the fire.

“Whew! I need to wash up.”

It had been a tough day, and the clothes I had dressed up in were a complete mess. 

My white shirt was caked in dirt, and my pants were so covered in hardened mud that cracks had formed. 

Everything, except for my underwear, needed a good wash. 

I took all my clothes to the creek and weighed them down with a large rock, then cleaned myself thoroughly.

While I was at it, I caught some more fish. Lately, I’d been eating only fish because I was too tired to do much else, but I planned to go hunting tomorrow. 

You need to have a balanced diet, after all.

“Maybe I should start gathering food every 2–3 days.”

I thought about catching the fish in advance, keeping them in freshwater, and wrapping the meat in leaves, then leaving it in a cool, well-ventilated spot. 

However, even this would only be a temporary solution—after about three days, most of it would go bad.

So, it was best to consume everything within three days. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks by trying to stretch that time. 

In this fantasy world, with no proper medicine, getting food poisoning would be a disaster.

“Ultimately, I’m aiming for smoking.”

My goal was to make smoked food that would last at least one or two weeks. For that, I’d need to build some sort of wooden structure like a drying rack. 

But for now, I didn’t have anything like an axe or shovel—basic tools needed for daily life. I’d have to apply for a student loan as soon as possible.

Which means I’d have to head to Artena Academy tomorrow.

The exam results would come out, and the registration process would be in full swing. As a student, I should be able to apply for a loan right away.

“Now, for the clothes.”

After washing myself, I pulled the rock off my clothes. The water had washed away a lot of the dirt, making them look somewhat cleaner. Still, it wasn’t as thorough as washing by hand.

Just as I was about to start scrubbing the clothes…

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

A yellow bird flew towards me. I focused my vision and recognized it as the same bird that had been traveling with me to Artena Academy.

“Wow! Long time no see! Glad you’re back!”

I hadn’t seen it since yesterday, and I had been worried. Guess I’d grown attached to it.

I waved my hand enthusiastically, happy to see it again.

But the bird briefly glanced at me and chirped weakly.

Chirp… Chirp…!

“Huh?”

The bird quickly flew back into the sky. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and rewinded a film in fast motion.

“Where are you going?!”

The bird disappeared, leaving me in a state of shock.

Weren’t we friends…?

I even shared my bread with you…

Is this how it ends?

“They always say not to get attached to wild animals…”

Feeling dejected, I took out my frustration on the laundry.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of me beating the clothes echoed through the forest.