I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

55

To survive means to be strong.

A saying from a famous village on Earth.

I couldn’t help but nod completely to this village saying.

Of course, if you’re weak, you die. Only the strong survive. Isn’t that right? Newbies die, veterans live. Rot and decay if you’re weak.

One question arose here.

Then, during my ‘veteran’ days.

During that time when I went through numerous boss battles and never died even once, how strong was I really?

Predicting the boss’s attacks with half-closed eyes, countering with just a single dagger, effortlessly defeating the boss in the past.

I feel fear at that strength of mine, which I cannot gauge.

Anyway.

Tips from such a veteran.

When the Heroine-specific side quest period begins, it’s best to focus on ‘friends who are not in the party or those who are difficult to build rapport with.’

Good examples are Daisy von Schröder and Relvrian, who have completed side quests so far.

They are not like Raina and Kalen, who easily build rapport with me and frequently act together.

As I mentioned before, the theme and motto of the Salenium Saga is ‘A shining academy and a youth’s RPG.’ Managing only the main party’s rapport is not very helpful in the long run.

So, during the ‘side quest’ period, focus on the heroines you don’t usually encounter and build your reputation within the academy. That’s my main strategy.

And most importantly, right now, the only way to increase Adrian’s academy reputation is through side quests.

Because! I have to become a successor! I must do my best to recruit numerous talents from the academy and build my own faction and influence.

I also need to consistently upgrade my specs.

“Clearing the side quest about three times is just right.”

After completing about three side quests for rapport and rewards, I plan to move on to the remaining two lower-level magic farming.

I hope this translation meets your expectations.

And until the final exam period, I plan to raise the level of my low-level magic to 3.

That way, I should be able to handle my share in the final exam.

“The final exam for the first semester······.”

The scale is quite significant.

Unlike the midterms that end with written exams or sparring, the final exam evaluates everything learned during the semester.

“There’s a lot to do.”

The final exam, just a month away, along with spec upgrades and side quests.

It’s not a time to stay idle.

“Well then······. Who should I choose for the last remaining side quest?”

Lizelirias? Milige? No, would Milige even have a side quest?

Lost in thought, Cha walked through the central district.

Eventually.

A ‘group’ passed by my side.

“······Ohoho, why is Repelheight so popular? The versatile Repelheight is the light of our Knight Department.”

“Sir Repelheight, would you like to try these cookies I baked?”

“We are all captivated by Sir Repelheight’s outstanding swordsmanship.”

“······Ah, thank you…….”

As they passed each other.

Among the crowded crowd, a guy who seemed lost caught my eye.

Well.

He’ll figure it out on his own.

I blinked lightly and turned away.

“Adrian! Adrian! I won’t forgive you today!”

Shouting like that, the guy who ran towards me grabbed my wrist tightly and then ran off.

“What’s going on now……”

“W-what, c-come on, j-just hang out with me a little, please······!”

Is that so.

“Let go.”

“N-no, you’ll run away if I let go!”

“I’m not running away. It’s just that my arm might come off.”

This is serious!

Every time he ran, ‘Divine Strength’ grabbed my wrist and swung it wildly, as if my shoulder would dislocate.

“Oops. I see.”

He said that and let go of my arm.

What’s with the ‘Oops, I see.’ This guy.

* * *

The monster with Strength of Hell 20, who had come up from hell, led me into a secluded alley.

“So, what’s the problem that made you think of joining hands with the enemy?”

As he asked, stroking the remaining red mark on my wrist, he looked at my wrist for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

“It’s really embarrassing, frustrating, and annoying to say this to you, but I’ve come to face a problem that I simply can’t overcome with my own strength.”

“······.”

“Speaking like that, it might not be appropriate for someone in the position of a junior aristocrat······. It’s really hard to cater to their preferences.”

Ahahahaha.

I see.

How long has she been groaning alone, starting to talk to herself like a motor running by itself?

“No, does it make sense? Constantly boasting about one’s lineage, shuddering with a voice so unnerving, ‘Oh, Junior Aristocrat.’ It’s really unbearable.”

“I see.”

“Yes, it is. And the discrimination is severe. People of lower ranks can’t even smile properly. If they try to speak, they get the hint. And no one······ genuinely laughs. They just cover their mouths with their hands and give a fake smile, ‘hehehe.'”

“Even Reyna, the noble lady, laughs like that?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Reyna······. No, Wolfgang, the nobleman, doesn’t hide his emotions. He genuinely laughs. It’s just a place full of pretense.”

In other words,

Evegnis, with her honest nature and lack of pretense, couldn’t adapt to the salons of those noble youths.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“If someone speaks, at least listen!”

“Sorry, but I don’t have a hobby of listening to the enemy’s words.”

“Sigh, I know. The matter is that. A social gathering is scheduled for this afternoon, and you should come with me.”

What?

Where are we going?

I opened my eyes wide.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“I’m just an outcast from my family, no different from a commoner. What story is it to take me along?”

“Um, well······. Um······.”

After pondering for a moment with her hand on her forehead, Evegnis said, “It’s there. You have no family as a commoner, so you only owe it to yourself, and as a subject who fell as a commoner, you have more dignity than nobility. Ah! Don’t ask questions, just come with me. It’s okay to just sit there.”

“I’ll say it again······.”

“Agh! I get it! Reward! I’ll give you a reward. You said you learned a basic magic last time, right? You were lucky to get one. I don’t have a use for magic.”

In that moment,

Something came to mind.

[Side Quest ‘Social Gathering Participation’ has been activated!]

[Participate in the social gathering with ‘Evegnis Rothschild De Repelheit’ and gracefully endure all the aggressive remarks directed at you.]

[Reward: Acquisition of the spellbook for the basic magic ‘Sermon Lightning’ x1]

The Heroine Side Quest: Evegnis’s ‘Social Gathering Participation’ Part.

In the original game, Elan would participate in this social gathering······.

But it’s for me now.

Why?

Evegnis is no longer the heroine.

Considering the absence of the ‘Affection Level’ in the ordinary side quest reward, it can be understood that this character wasn’t treated as a heroine by the system from the beginning.

However, the reason for the side quest appearing is unknown······.

Well, if the reward is the spellbook for ‘Sermon Lightning,’ I can’t just sit still and watch.

There.

It’s the salon of the nobles.

It might not be a bad idea to go and make a name for myself.

If done well, I could quickly raise my reputation.

Everything is an investment for my future.

“······What.”

As I hesitated, he kicked the ground with his shoes and bowed his head.

“If you don’t want to agree, you can refuse······.”

“Tsk, foolish boy. Just guide the way.”

* * *

The building in the central district. ‘Hwawon’.

From the glass-decorated ceiling to the artificial garden.

In this splendid and luxurious space, where the ceilings are adorned with glass and artificial gardens, noble youths of high status are sharing their own stories.

At the heart of these stories was undoubtedly the first-year Knight Department student and the new successor of the Repelheight family, Evnis Rothschild de Repelheight.

After the dishonorable previous successor was driven out of the family, she followed as the next successor.

Modest, just, kind to all, and excelling in the mid-term tournament. Although she was defeated by one hundred teams in the sports competition, she set the highest record in the Selenium history of the bread-eating contest.

A talent like no other.

Of course, there is praise pouring from many, but there are also those who do not.

Just as there is light, there is darkness, and just as there is sun, there are shadows. If there are those who praise Evnis, there are bound to be those who envy and malign her.

Swiftly rising to a high position, Evnis, invited to various noble gatherings, had to endure severe fatigue and mental stress due to lectures, personal training, and numerous other schedules.

Amidst this, an incident occurred.

A small mistake during the gathering.

─Ahem······.

─Oh my, Lady Evnis, are you tired?

And that was the beginning of it.

To her, the gathering turned into a sinister social lynching where those who envied her gathered to scratch at her.

Evnis was aware of it, but since it wasn’t openly stated and just a subtle scratching, there was nothing she could do.

Especially today’s gathering, led by a noble youth who was at the forefront of scratching Evnis, was organized by that very youth to expose her.

Knowing it was a mean hobby, but finding joy in it, what can one do.

“Well, thank you all for gathering today. One person is a bit late, so let’s wait a bit for everyone.”

With a smile, as she looked towards the door, someone entered the gathering with light steps.

“Oh, you’re late?”

“Yes, I had some work to do.”

Firm words.

Confident attitude and knightly expression.

Not liking that, a nameless youth seized the lateness as an opportunity to scratch at her.

“Nice to meet you.”

“······?”

Somewhere, a low-pitched voice was heard.

As the ‘man’ appeared behind her, standing arrogantly with his arms crossed, everyone fell silent.

“No need to be so surprised.”

Dignified demeanor.

Even though he may have lost his noble status, that dignity had not died.

“There’s no need to stare. I’m just here to have a conversation.”

A former expelled noble.

An ignoble aristocrat.

A western vagabond.

With his unexpected appearance, the entire social circle froze.