Chapter 92

<091. Self-Introduction>

A few days later. At the convenience store.

Aira was slumped over.

“Ugh...”

The concept of being slumped over was a bit strange, but she was leaning her face on the table, lost in thought.

Hmm. It’s not often that she gets so worried. She’s usually such a bright and cheerful person.

Anyway, if she’s having such a big worry, there must be a good reason.

Oh, could it be...

“Aira.”

“Y-yes...”

“Did monsters reappear in the mines? Or is there a problem with the Trystar family?”

“No... It’s not just a problem like that. We’re making more money than ever.”

Just a problem like that, huh.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Ugh... How can I increase my magic power?”

Ah.

It was a more serious issue than I thought.

Even in history books, there are no stories of anyone increasing their magic power.

It’s commonly known that magic power is a matter of talent, a status given by the heavens that remains unchanged.

Even by my standards, who know all the hidden aspects, the means to increase magic power only appear after the mid-game.

It comes from overcoming the trials arranged by the First Emperor and receiving the rewards.

Those trials are truly life-threatening, but they’re not entirely impossible.

How difficult are those trials?

“You have time until next year, don’t you?”

“That’s true...”

Even I wouldn’t want to challenge it this year.

Hmm. But it must be a serious matter for Aira.

“If it’s as difficult as dying, I can challenge it. But it’s troubling that there’s no history or clues at all.”

“Oh, that’s the issue.”

In the past three hundred years, no one has managed to increase their magic power, which doesn’t suit Aira’s nature.

“Isn’t finding such clues a rebellion?”

“...Isn’t that an adventure?”

“...Are they different?”

“They are. Rebellion is about clearly surpassing a high goal, not finding a complete unknown. If there’s even a hint, it can somehow be a rebellion...”

I see. They are different.

Complicated.

“Wolfram is doing both adventures and rebellions, so you must be confused. It’s understandable.”

“There are clues.”

“R-really?!”

Thud! Aira stood up from her seat. Her eyes widened and sparkled as she looked at me.

“It’s true that no one has found it in the past three hundred years. Don’t get your hopes up.”

“What kind of clue is it?”

“The ancestor of magic is a dragon. No one except the great ancestor can match a dragon in magic.”

“...Aren’t dragons mythical creatures?”

“The royal archives briefly mention how Jefrin was created and for what purpose. And inside, there are records written by the great ancestor’s own hand. That’s how we discovered the paradise of fairies and Patrash.”

“Oh. Then, could it be...”

Strictly speaking, it’s not a lie.

In the original story, Eve discovers this and gets closer to Jefrin’s secret.

“According to the records, there’s a Blue Dragon at the center of the desert, guarding the land by the great ancestor’s command.”

“Wow... So what?”

Aira’s eyes sparkled like a child listening to an adventure story from an adult.

In the main story, there was a line like this:

“Cross the desert with a legitimate descendant and pursue the dragon’s legacy. At the end of the desert, there’s a blue dragon’s lair. Seek the trial from her and overcome it. If you succeed, you will obtain what you desire.”

“...Wow! Rebellion!”

I don’t know where she got the idea of rebellion from what I just said, but her eyes shone brightly, and she clenched her fists under her chin, shaking them up and down with a smile.

“Anyway, let’s interpret this story.”

“There’s a dragon in the desert, and as the First Emperor intended, we need to go with someone of royal blood. If we meet the dragon and overcome the trial, the dragon will grant our wishes. Right?”

“...Right.”

She’s smarter than I thought.

“So it’s a rebellion!”

Her thinking isn’t as smart as that.

“Can you explain?”

“The desert is extremely hot and difficult to cross, right? And we have to complete it, don’t we?”

“Right.”

“But this adventure requires a legitimate royal descendant, right? From the story, we need to solve the trial with that descendant, don’t we?”

“...Hmm. Correct.”

“So the only royal descendant in this academy is...”

Her statement is correct.

I also hoped that Eve and Aira would form a party and go.

“Right, Eve...”

“Wolfram!”

“...?”

Why did you make that judgment?

What was the basis for your decision?

“Isn’t Eve more likely to succeed?”

“I’ve never done a rebellion based on the likelihood of success!”

“...”

“Wolfram. I want to go with Wolfram! For both the adventure and the rebellion! That’s my belief!”

“Ah, I see.”

What a helpful belief!

“The trial. We will walk this difficult path together. It’s a rebellion!”

After saying that, Aira hesitated for a moment and then asked:

“...Will you go with me?”

“Hmm.”

Considering that the dragon’s trial opens in the middle of Act 5 in the story, we have time.

“It’s not difficult.”

“Thank you, Wolfram!”

Before that, I need to strengthen Aira Trystar.

I have no idea how Act 3 will unfold without her being the boss, but there’s a lot to do before then.

“First, we need to increase your stats.”

“Wolfram’s stats?”

“Hmm. We need to learn additional skills. And if your stats are low, you’ll inevitably be at a disadvantage.”

“That’s true. Our Piyak even overcame his low stats with Half Berserk, right?”

“Hmm. So I need to prepare to increase a few of my stats.”

“Of course, it’s stamina, right?”

No.

Not that.

I doubt it will increase.

***

At the same time. Milteau von Sabre was taking the top student exam.

‘The written test isn’t as difficult as I thought.’

To be precise, this top student exam was almost a foregone conclusion.

Eve von Loen格林 almost designated her.

Therefore, the written test wasn’t that difficult.

Of course, this was just a misconception of the faculty. Eve von Loen格林 didn’t really care whether she was the top student or not... But due to various misunderstandings and special treatments, Milteau’s written test was easier than expected.

‘It must be the miracle of the pen given by senpai. It makes me smarter, right?’

Of course, Milteau didn’t know the truth. She just imagined that the black pen in her hand and the other 14 pens neatly placed in her pencil case were blessed by Wolfram von Loen格林, but since no one was harmed, it didn’t matter.

“I’ve finished the written test.”

“Yes, good. Now it’s the practical test. You know that, right?”

“Yes.”

This professor was well-known to Milteau.

‘The professor from my first sparring match with Kelters. He definitely taught the basic defense course.’

Back then, he clearly favored Kelters, but now he treats her with utmost respect.

The treatment has changed dramatically.

Milteau knows that this change isn’t solely due to her own abilities.

No. It’s all because of Senpai Wolfram.

So, after being momentarily surprised by the treatment, she stopped questioning its authenticity.

No matter how the treatment from others changes, her own mission remains unchanged.

Heading to the sparring arena, Milteau put on the ‘Cartridge Piyak Punch 2nd Pounders Edition’ on both fists.

It’s lighter than before, can automatically recharge up to three times, and puts less strain on the joints.

“That’s the weapon His Highness the Prince created. It’s truly an amazing item.”

“...Yes. I think so too. Hehe.”

Milteau answered honestly, ignoring the professor’s attempt to subtly praise Wolfram von Loen格林.

While warming up in the sparring arena, Milteau suddenly asked:

“Professor, who will be my opponent in the practical test?”

“It’s the friend who’s taking the top student exam with you. He’s coming over now.”

Following the professor’s finger, Milteau saw a red-haired boy approaching.

How could she forget that face?

By defeating that boy, her life began to change.

“Kelters.”

“...Hello, Miss Sabre.”

His eyes were slightly dull, and his voice was low.

Milteau’s body trembled slightly.

Back then, it was just a fluke.

She accidentally learned a way to defeat a swordmaster, and without Wolfram’s precise guidance, she probably would have lost.

“My opponent is Kelters, then.”

“Yes. This time... I won’t lose.”

Her body trembled slightly at his determination.

But it didn’t matter. She bit into the special snack hidden in her teeth.

“Yes. As expected, it’s the best taste. With Senpai’s cooking, I can muster the strength.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kelters was puzzled, and Milteau shook her head.

When she eats Senpai’s snacks, she can’t help but make comments like this. It’s probably pure admiration. Senpai’s cooking moves anyone.

“Oh, sorry. I was just talking nonsense for a moment.”

“You don’t seem nervous?”

“Yes.”

“...Huh?”

“There’s no reason to be nervous.”

Milteau stated it clearly and confidently.

But she was sincere.

Milteau loaded the cartridges, felt the buffs of Half Berserk, a small boost in agility, improved concentration, and a powerful attack, and quietly said as she pulled her fists back:

“Once you’ve overcome it, it’s no longer an obstacle.”

“What?”

“Kelters has been overcome once. If he stumbles again... he won’t be able to move forward.”

“Right. I see. Yes. I’ll fight with all my heart.”

“Yes.”

Thus, the sparring match for the top student position of the first year began with Milteau’s calm but certain words and her unhesitant steps.

***

With a “Hehe!” Aira left, and I started writing something in my notebook again.

“The dragon’s trial.”

To be honest, it’s incredibly tough. I even wrote in the guide that you should start from the second playthrough.

But the desert is far, and we don’t need to go immediately. Strictly speaking, I’m not at the second playthrough level yet.

If I set up my equipment, resistance, and immunity, and make some bomb-like items and brew some strong potions... it might take about half a year.

“During that time, I must definitely learn new skills.”

It’s not just about the promise with Aira.

Honestly, my Stamina 2 is too low, and the rest of my stats are almost a curse.

No matter how much I rely on skill power and the authority of the royal family, if my stats are low, I can be in danger at any time.

“The second act boss will appear soon. I’ll let them handle it and just get the reward.”

The best way to gain additional skills or stats is to monopolize them.

Not just opening new maps or getting items from skills, but clearing the boss battles of each act.

“I can do it.”

Just like how I defeated Zolf and obtained the beginner set, eating the item given by the second act boss might lead to a faster stat boost than expected.

“The second act boss is a person of interest. A black flag officer... Hmm. There are too many variables.”

The conditions that were set at the time were: Kelters, the top student of the year; Eve, the student council president; Regina, the magic merchant; and Isolde, the gem sword.

Kelters was the center of the year, Eve was a royal and the student council president. The magic merchant and gem sword were the top students of the magic and knight departments, and the winners of the student competition in Magic Craft and Martial Arts.

In other words, this is a ‘high-level assassination crime’ targeting celebrities at the time.

“But the top student isn’t Kelters now.”

Therefore, I can’t figure out who this crime will target.

If I knew that, I could handle it definitively.

While I was pondering the boss, the convenience store door creaked open.

It was already evening, so who...

“Milteau.”

“Hello, Senpai.”

“...”

I couldn’t continue speaking.

Her gauntlets were worn out, her hair slightly messy, and she had scratches all over her body.

The fact that the girl who had the top student exam today came back in this state... means she had a fierce battle.

And.

“I’ve come to return the gauntlets.”

The radiant smile on her face showed that she had won the battle.

So, the question I needed to ask wasn’t a question.

“Milteau.”

“Yes?”

“Good job.”

“Yes, Senpai. I returned confidently, having won!”

“Good. Then, don’t you need to do a self-introduction again?”

“Huh?”

“Besides the nickname ‘Iron Fist,’ you must have gained another title.”

“...Ah, ahaha. Yes, Senpai.”

Milteau smiled brightly.

“First-year, general department. ‘Iron Fist’ Milteau von Sabre. As of today, I am the ‘Top Student of the Year’!”

Her clear, innocent eyes looked at me, determined not to let this opportunity slip away.