Chapter 22

22. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (4)

"Huh?"

"Are you on my side? That's my question."

Luna's eyes were unusually serious.

She really meant that as her question.

"Hmm... Yes, I don't think I'll ever be your enemy..."

"Alright, then that's settled."

A small smile appeared at the corner of Luna's lips.

Really? Is that it? No further questioning?

What does this girl plan to do if I lied?

Unaware of my thoughts, Luna was busy staring at something absentmindedly.

Following her gaze, I saw many people.

Holding hands, playing together, laughing together.

'Friends.'

Admiration, and perhaps a bit of envy.

Those emotions were reflected in Luna's eyes.

Only then did I understand the intent behind Luna's question.

Maybe Luna was afraid of losing her only friend, me.

So afraid that she asked a question to distinguish friend from foe as her first question.

'Idiot... What would you do if I lied?'

Does she believe me just because I'm her friend?

This character's future is predictable.

She'll be abandoned, hurt, and eventually meet her end.

That's the cliché in this culture.

"..."

Luna was still looking at the people on the street.

I decided to give her a small gift.

"Luna-san."

"Why?"

"It's a gift."

I took out a balloon from my pocket, and it floated up into the sky.

I handed the string at the end of the balloon to Luna.

She carefully took it.

"Hmph! I'm not a kid. Who would like something like this?"

"Hehe, really?"

"But I won't throw it away. It's a gift!"

Muttering to herself, Luna continued to grumble.

She said this was something only kids played with.

But Luna didn't realize it.

That she was smiling.

A bright, innocent smile like a child's.

"Hey, hurry up! Let's eat and go back! I'll pay!"

Luna started running forward.

The sunset, tinged with orange and light yellow.

Right in the middle, Luna's balloon was hanging.

Luna was still smiling.

"Luna-san, you'll fall if you keep that up."

"I'm not a kid!"

I chuckled and followed behind her.

Ah, but earlier, she said...

She didn't have any money, right?

A chill ran through my chest.

That's how I ended up...

Losing 2 silver.

* * *

"Aah, that crazy parrot? If you're an academy student, you can't not know about it."

"Have you seen a demon? Here? Come on, are you crazy?"

I gave a slight smile and left. The conditions were met.

Characters who would have been NPCs in a game.

I conversed with them, gradually unlocking the conditions for the hidden piece.

"Did you know our academy was built on the spot where the holy sword was embedded?"

"Yeah, the holy sword that was stuck in the ground during the hero's battle with the archdemon. After the hero's death, it couldn't be pulled out no matter what, making it even more famous."

"But that holy sword disappeared without a trace 20 years ago. Who took it, and how?"

Even though the system notification didn't appear, I, a seasoned player, knew.

With this, all the conditions were met.

'The timing for the strategy is next weekend.'

Originally, I planned to wait for Luna's growth to increase the success rate of the strategy.

I had about 1-2 weeks to spare.

But the situation changed. I had to proceed as quickly as possible.

Because...

"Today, we will have a hand-to-hand combat session. Pair up."

It was Caron's class.

As someone who emphasized practical experience, he often had classes that required physical effort.

"Next, Zero and Alex. Come up."

"Good luck."

Alex bowed to me and took his stance.

I cursed inwardly.

Alex, who would become one of the 'Five Fingers' of the Anwood Academy in the future.

The 'protagonist' of this novel.

'...Status Window.'

Level: 12

Strength: 28

Agility: 17

Intelligence: 10

Health: 37

Mana: 13

Potential: 5

Skills: [Diligent S], [Sense of Justice A], [Charisma A], [Swordsmanship C]

Titles: Born Diligent

- Born diligent. Skill growth rate is always 3 times faster.

- Exceptionally strong sense of justice. +20% to all stats in battles against evil-aligned opponents.

Why is Alex the protagonist?

He values effort, has a strong sense of justice, is passionate, has a shining appearance, and an unyielding spirit.

He embodies the typical characteristics of a growth-type character in a coming-of-age manga.

But more importantly, Alex is the only character you can choose to play as in the first game.

'After playing as Alex, you can play as the main and supporting characters, and then custom play becomes possible.'

Perhaps because it's designed for beginners, the protagonist has strong buffs.

Additionally, he is one of the main members of the first party, along with Rodelin and Raymond.

Suddenly having to spar with such a character was naturally frustrating.

Not only did I not know how to fight hand-to-hand, but the stat difference could result in a broken bone.

"...Hehe, let's just say I lost."

"Huh? What?"

"I don't engage in meaningless fights."

I walked down the sparring area with a leisurely pace.

I dislike meaningless fights, but I dislike pain even more.

As soon as I declared my surrender, the area became noisy.

"Ah... I thought we'd finally see your skills..."

"Yeah. I get that you're hiding them, but this is too much."

"Of course, it's probably just a ploy to raise your value. Like not visiting Lord Terion..."

"Who knows? Maybe he got third place by luck."

Murmurs.

Chuckles.

Some even laughed openly.

Only a few knew that I placed third in the entrance exam.

"Quiet down."

Caron's low voice.

But it was heard clearly by everyone.

The atmosphere instantly became quiet.

"Zero, what did you just say?"

"...I said I don't engage in meaningless fights."

"Meaningless fight... It sounds quite ambiguous to me. It's not because you're weak... So, then."

Caron's eyes gleamed.

"Are you saying your opponent is too weak to be worth fighting?"

The sparring area fell silent.

Not even a sound of swallowing.

I just didn't want to get hurt, but this turned into such a serious situation.

Typical of the teacher I dislike the most.

"Then I'll give it meaning. Come up. I'll be your opponent."

Damn. It's impossible not to curse.

How did things get so twisted?

'Remain calm. They say you can survive even if a tiger bites you as long as you keep your wits about you.'

I slowly climbed up to the sparring area and faced Caron confidently.

But then I realized...

Caron isn't a tiger, he's a killing machine. Keeping my wits about me won't save me.

"Come at me, Zero. Fighting me shouldn't be meaningless, right?"

Caron's eyes glinted menacingly.

As a seasoned player, I have a hunch. I think I've found a hidden ending.

A hidden ending where I die at Caron's hands.

"How can he stand there so confidently?"

"Exactly. Just looking at him makes my legs shake."

If I could have trembled, I might have survived, but the [Mental Defense] skill prevented that.

A skill that doesn't work as I wish. It's driving me crazy.

And the [Mental Defense] skill is keeping me from losing my mind.

Just knock me out! How can I fight a killing machine with my bare hands!

But I have to do something.

So I chose...

"Hehe, I surrender."

"...Surrender?"

"Yes. It's the only way for me to survive."

I don't know how to fight, and I can't just stand there and die.

So surrendering was the only answer. Whether it will work or not, I don't know.

"Ha ha ha!!"

Caron burst into laughter.

The laughter was short-lived. He then spoke with a serious expression.

"Are you saying you don't want to fight unless it's real? You know you're being very arrogant, right?"

"Hehe, am I?"

"Absolutely. Zero, I'm giving you 3 penalty points."

3 points. That's quite severe.

I've noticed he's been unusually aggressive towards me.

Does he hate squinty eyes?

But the Caron I know doesn't care much about such things...

"Wait! That's unfair!"

Luna raised her hand and interjected.

Indeed, my... no, my friend.

Caron's gaze turned to her.

"Unfair? Why do you think so?"

"Well... A sparring session with the teacher isn't part of the lesson. Surrendering is also a valid choice!"

"Excellent. I'll give you 1 merit point."

"Eh...?"

Luna and the other students were stunned.

I was too. This Caron is unpredictable.

"Surrendering is actually a good choice. In real combat, it can be a very good choice. But!"

This isn't real combat, it's a lesson.

I disrupted the lesson for personal reasons and didn't fulfill my duties as a student.

"I also blocked your partner's potential for growth. If you were a skilled fighter, you should have helped. That's what friends do, right?"

Caron shouted.

Indeed, the reasons for my penalty points are justified.

"Theory is not more important than practice. But theory is as important as practice. Especially in an academy where you can seek knowledge."

Caron turned his gaze from Luna.

Then he glared at me.

He seems very annoyed... but it's probably just my imagination.

"Therefore, 1 point for disrupting the lesson, 1 point for not fulfilling your duties as a student, and 1 point for blocking your friend's potential. A total of 4 penalty points."

"Hehe, shouldn't it be 3 points? Why 4?"

"Oh, I added 1 point because I'm in a bad mood. Any complaints?"

"...No."

I have plenty of complaints, but there's nothing I can do.

It's better than dying.

"Zero, you're a lucky guy."

"Huh?"

"Next week's lesson happens to be the real combat you want."

Caron's mouth stretched from ear to ear.

Wow, I didn't know he could make such varied expressions. Amazing.

"If you can prove your skills in the real combat you love so much, I'll not only cancel the penalty points but also give you merit points. How about it? Sounds good, doesn't it?"

Wow.

I feel like I'm going to go crazy, Mr. Killing Machine!

"Today's lesson ends here. Dismissed!"

Caron disappeared like the wind.

He seemed to be wearing a satisfied smile.

'...I have a feeling I know what's coming.'

The students left the sparring area in groups.

Some thanked me.

Caron's lesson ended in just 20 minutes.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Hehe, Luna-san. It's best not to interfere next time."

"Huh? Why?"

"I can feel it."

There's something between that damn Caron and your family.

It's a very strong feeling.