Chapter 58

<057. You should focus on your own work>

In the real world, during the time of Lee Youngjin.

That is, the story of when I was learning computers at the orphanage.

As I mentioned before, the computers were old and mostly ran classic games.

Because of that, when I was living in a dorm, the first thing I did was to upgrade my computer and pour my life into D/Z SAGA.

Anyway.

Among the games I could play, there was one featuring a blue hedgehog.

This classic masterpiece, known as Sonic 3, had a red-headed mole-like character called Knuckles.

Knuckles, who later becomes a companion, appears as an annoying villain in Sonic 3.

He steals seven gems that are like ultimate moves, interferes with everything, and throws the protagonist Sonic to the ground, causing chaos. Then he holds his belly and laughs while running away. I can't tell you how much I wanted to beat him up when I was young.

So, whenever I see this mischievous, cunning boss who always runs away, I get the urge to beat him up. He's really annoying.

So.

I did beat him up. There wasn't much of a reason.

Just out of curiosity.

It turned out to be a bit awkward. Please understand.

“Grrrrr!”

“Kyaahhhhh?!”

Anyway, at my command, Patraushu ran to bite the guy.

A bird-like scream rang out, and the guy took two steps back. A loud *bang* of defensive magic hit Patraushu, and with a *crack*, Patraushu was thrown out.

“Normally, he wouldn't be thrown out like that... It must be due to my lack of magic power.”

But this is enough.

Patraushu has done his job.

In this moment of opportunity,

the most talented, calm, and heaven-sent genius here recognized the situation, adjusted the course, re-strategized, and finished preparing to hit the guy.

I clearly told Eve to “hit him with the biggest spell in one shot.”

And Eve faithfully followed my instructions.

*Whiiiiing*. *Whiiiiing*.

Magic power is converted into light. All the will around is humbled by the holy magic power.

Magic power is abundant in the air, but only a user with strong magic power and high willpower can handle it.

So, how strong is Eve now?

In the back of the truck, I held the popcorn I had hidden and watched the blow.

Magic power.

18 is beyond human,

19 is a heaven-sent genius,

20 is a monster,

21 is a grand wizard recorded in history.

Eve von Loewengrim.

A wizard with 22 magic power, the most talented since the first emperor.

With his right hand, he lightly condensed magic power, converted it into light, and transformed it into a spear, ready to fire.

【Holy Light Spear:Single Shot:Max Power:Sure Hit:Stun】

The Holy Light Spear, imbued with sanctity.

A single shot that focuses magic power, maximized, and hits cleanly, with a stun effect.

“Die!”

Oh, that's a cool line.

Immediately after, Eve's Holy Light Spear flew towards “that guy” and hit him accurately.

“Kyaahhhhh?!”

He somehow blocked it with a defensive spell.

What was his magic power level? Anyway, it must be lower than Eve's. Even though the robe itself is a 6-tier magic tool, it couldn't fully block Eve's full power.

“Hmm. It didn't penetrate or hit a vital point.”

If Ayla were here, she would have no problem adding a penetration effect and shooting someone.

The Holy Light Spear didn't pierce the guy but instead hit him hard. *Bang*! His body flew, pierced through the cabin, and was thrown back, *Kwaahhh*! landing on the mountain behind.

*Crack*. A few trees collapsed, and sap and dust rose from the broken giants.

The sound that followed was like a broken music box, repeatedly hitting my ears.

Something was slammed into a tree, then hit again and flew. The ensemble of the cannon variation played again, hitting, collapsing, and slamming, piercing through and collapsing again.

After the loud performance using people and the audience as percussion instruments, the Holy Light Spear fell silent.

How many trees were broken like that? Now, his screams couldn't be heard.

“...Phew. Hurry up and regain your senses! We need to chase after him quickly!”

“Yes, yes!”

At Eve's command, the other student council members quickly followed, and Eve, breathing heavily, looked at me.

“I told you to hit him with your full power in one shot, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you see? This is the full power I can muster within the casting time I can manage now.”

The casting time is 8 seconds with 5 verses.

“I see.”

I nodded, and Eve, placing his hands on his hips, snorted and smiled confidently. It's not bad. A bit slower than Ayla, but definitely more powerful.

But I have a question.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Holy Light Spear. Single Shot. Max Power. Sure Hit. You had a firm intention up to that point. It was the best combo to subdue him in one hit. But...”

“...But?”

“Why didn't you add a vital point penetration? Was a stun necessary?”

“Are you a demon? If I added that, I would have pierced him and killed him!”

“Would he really die?”

“...He probably wouldn't. I made sure he wouldn't die. Probably...”

Saying that, Eve looked at me, turning pale.

Indeed.

His growth isn't bad, but he's so kind that he lacks the killer instinct.

I wonder if he can overcome that hellish Act 5 like this.

In the original, he was supposed to break the zombie's skull with a Holy Light Spear.

“I see. I understand. But... no. Let's see the situation of the culprit first.”

“Can't we go slowly? You used too much magic...”

“Hmm. If the student council members alone can't handle it or if he ran away, you need to join quickly.”

“Run away? After taking that hit? No way. I even added a stun!”

“...I doubt it.”

I don't think he would be caught so easily.

***

After that, everyone worked together to run towards the end of the debris.

As we approached the end where the Holy Light Spear had struck, clearing away the broken trees, the student council members who had arrived first were searching the area.

“...How did it go?”

When Eve approached Siphia and asked, she knelt on one knee and bowed her head apologetically.

“I'm sorry... He escaped.”

“...What? R, really?”

“He disappeared without a trace. It seems he used a spatial transfer spell.”

“...What if he was shattered by Eve's attack?”

“What are you talking about... No. Hmm. I see.”

Siphia, who had reflexively flared up at my question, thought again, and Eve looked at me, turning pale.

After a short thought, Siphia shook her head and stated her reasoning.

“No, that wouldn't happen. If he was shattered, he would have *bang*! while flying.”

“Hic.”

Eve let out a slightly startled gasp, and Siphia bowed her head apologetically.

“I'm sorry, Eve. Anyway, during the shattering, something inside his body should have been expelled. However, there wasn't a single trace of blood.”

“That's a reasonable deduction. So he escaped?”

At least 70% of his 45kg body weight is water, and most of that water is blood. Normally, at least 30kg of blood should have flown out.

It's scary. I'm glad I didn't see it.

“Maybe he had a complete defense artifact. Or perhaps he had multiple defensive spells like immunity to status effects, shock absorption, and spatial transfer.”

At Siphia's words, I nodded.

Indeed, not adding the penetration effect led to this result.

In a game, penetration or ignoring defense would be the best, but since this is reality and it involves children, there seems to be a limit on enhancement spells.

Siphia's reasoning was also logical.

He may be a bit dim, but he's good at deduction. His stubborn personality is a slight problem, but he might be okay as Eve's knight.

“...We missed him.”

Eve bowed his head deeply.

Eve was the most shocked in this situation.

He must have thought his one hit didn't work.

“...If you had added vital point penetration instead of a stun, he wouldn't have escaped, right? You made everyone run in vain because of your complacency.”

“Eve.”

Eve gave a bitter laugh, and I mocked him.

“You might really kill someone if you do that. Are you a demon?”

“You pointed it out! You said to add penetration!”

“You did, but your words were so funny.”

“What's so funny? I'm being serious.”

Then it wouldn't be funny, would it?

“Sorry, but I should have aimed to kill. Is that your way? Are you prepared to kill someone?”

“...Ugh.”

Phew. Eve sighed.

After a moment of contemplation, he opened his eyes steadily.

They were good, steady eyes.

“You're right. I'm not prepared to kill anyone. I just said it out of regret.”

“Straightforward admission.”

“Yes. I made a mistake. Honestly, I don't want to kill anyone. I don't want to get my hands dirty. I like Jefrin. I don't want anyone to die during my term. That's why I aimed to subdue him, and ultimately, my ability was lacking, leading to failure. ...It's fine, right?”

“Yeah, that's fine.”

“I'll create a subduing-only Holy Light Spear for the next time.”

For the first time in a long while, I could smile happily at this guy during this expedition.

Yeah, this is Eve von Loewengrim.

Frequent mistakes, nervous, weak mental fortitude, can't resist sweets, stubborn and doesn't change his preconceptions.

But he's a guy who, when he realizes he's made a mistake, immediately reflects on it and comes up with a solution on the spot.

That's why he's the main heroine of this game, and even though he wasn't the top in the popularity vote, his status was high, and the guys called “Ib-tan” always claimed to be his loyal followers.

Kelters, by pointing out Eve's mistakes, growing together, and supporting her in the race for the throne, becomes a great Light Warrior.

In this episode, Eve, thanks to Kelters, regains her composure and receives an invitation to the student council.

Yeah, this expedition, 2-1, was probably the turning point.

“Wolfram... Wolfram von Loewengrim.”

“What is it?”

“To be honest, you're incredibly unlucky, annoying, and it's frustrating to see your name right above mine in the family tree.”

“Are you picking a fight?”

“Just hear me out. But, the vision you showed during this expedition was the most calm, cold, and accurate of anyone here.”

“So?”

“I'll be straightforward. Do you have any interest in joining the student council this year?”

“Eve?”

“It's my proposal. I'll be your shield. If you think I'm wrong, point it out.”

“...”

Siphia was silent, and everyone around us had wide eyes.

But there was no strong opposition.

“Hmm. With the current Wolfram...”

“I have a lot of doubts.”

“Can we trust him?”

“...This expedition succeeded thanks to Wolfram. Even if he's not trustworthy, we can't deny that.”

“...Hmm.”

Everyone here doesn't show strong opposition to Wolfram von Loewengrim joining the student council.

It's not because Eve suggested it. I've encouraged, led, and supported them, earning the right to be here.

Living under Eve von Loewengrim in the student council would be quite enjoyable.

There's Siphia, who's easy to tease, and it would be fulfilling to watch Eve grow.

I might have to give up the convenience store, but I can enter mainstream society.

Hmm. Student council.

Is there really a need to think about it for long?

Eve smiled and waited for my answer, and I smiled back at him and replied.

“Haha. Your big talk is impressive, little brother. Why should I join under you?”

“...I knew it.”

We smiled and raised our middle fingers at each other.

Ahem.

But that's not all.

Good advice to give to a younger brother... something brotherly.

Hmm.

“A. And one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“If you walk the wrong path, coming here to pick a fight is the heart of a bloodline mate above you. Even if you walk the wrong path later, I'll find you.”

“...Wolfram.”

I placed my hand on Eve's shoulder and smiled.

“In other words, I'll be sucking honey at the convenience store, and you'll lead the 100,000 Jefrin. Why should I join the student council now? Am I crazy?”

“...You'll really be audited at the convenience store later. If you siphon off even 1 rin, I'll have you expelled!”

Oh my.

To threaten me like that after I gave such good advice?