Chapter 82

82. Changing Daily Life (11)

"It's an artifact that can be used to interfere with the opponent by sending out mana. Use it wisely."

Silver Flash.

This is one of the memorized artifacts that exist in the game.

It has low attack power but is a powerful artifact when facing a mage.

The range is also quite generous, about 8 squares.

'The attack power is 1... practically nonexistent.'

I wasn't disappointed. This artifact is used to disrupt the flow rather than to kill the opponent.

More importantly, the phrase about reduced mana consumption and short casting time.

' Reduced mana consumption is understandable... but the short casting time is the key. Could it be that it doesn't consume a turn?'

Usually, a memorized artifact requires 1 turn to cast.

Once the target is designated, it flies on the next turn.

However, the trade-off is that you also consume your turn, but if it can block 'Casting' type skills, it's not a loss.

'There are artifacts that don't consume turns, but they are very hard to obtain.'

'As far as I know, Silver Flash is a B-grade artifact that requires 1 turn to use.'

However, the 'Silver Flash' in my hand is estimated to be an A-grade artifact that doesn't consume turns.

This means that on the turn I use Silver Flash, I can perform additional actions.

'The cooldown is 5 turns, but that's a reasonable penalty.'

Moreover, it's still early in the game, and this is an incredibly good artifact.

But.

"...It's not as good as giving it to Miss Luna."

"Ahem..."

A 'Breath of the Spirit' that allows you to escape death once per battle.

It can't compare to that.

Even if I had five Silver Flashes, they wouldn't be as valuable as one Breath of the Spirit.

Unlike in the game, I only have one life now, so its value is even higher.

"You're not very smart, are you? This one suits you better."

No, the Breath of the Spirit is the artifact I really need.

I puffed out my cheeks again.

Then.

"...Do you want to die?"

Karoon's eyes narrowed sharply.

I immediately deflated my cheeks.

It seems the reward I can get from this transaction is limited to this.

He didn't fall for my cuteness (?), so I was certain.

'Well, it's not bad.'

One S-grade and one A-grade.

Not only the grades, but both artifacts have immense practical value.

The pocket watch shape is also good.

I can hold it in any situation without arousing suspicion.

"Are there any other special features?"

"Hehe, no."

"...Arrogant brat. The next password is 'Brown Snake.' Remember it well."

Wait, a password?

At that moment, I remembered. There was a special feature.

The 'Desolation' password that prevented my body from being desolated.

Moreover.

-There's only one way to calm me down. Make a restaurant reservation immediately! I must eat this weekend!

If I can't make a reservation, Luna might pull out all my hair.

As I mentioned earlier, weekend reservations are already full.

But there is one person who can solve this situation.

Right in front of me.

"Hehe, respected Mr. Karoon. There's one thing I'd like to ask of you."

"...What is it? That annoying tone of yours."

"Hehe, isn't it okay to ask a simple favor between us?"

"...What kind of relationship do we have?"

"A very sticky relationship, sharing secrets, isn't it?"

"..."

"Have I ever told you that I always love you?"

Karoon slowly backed away, heading towards the window.

To refuse a request from a beloved student. It's hurtful.

"Don't come closer! Speak from there."

Karoon shouted, half his body out the window.

Can he even hear me from this distance?

Well, I'm the one who's disappointed, so I have to cater to his mood.

"This weekend, I need a reservation at the restaurant in the square. Two tickets would be great."

"Can't you just make a reservation?"

"Hehe, the reservations are already full."

"...I can't do anything about that. How do you expect me to get them?"

Well, if I threaten to break his neck, he might do it.

I looked at Karoon with bright eyes. Well, I can't see them with my eyes closed.

He sighed deeply.

"Ha... I understand. It doesn't have to be that specific restaurant, right?"

As far as I know, there's only one restaurant in the square.

Is there a hidden gem?

Karoon's hidden gem. It's an intriguing piece of information.

"Now, are there any other special features? I'll be on my way."

Karoon leaned out the window.

His actions seem unusually weak. He usually disappears like the wind.

'Battle with the Mad Creator, witnessing the bodies of people, torturing a black mage for days. It's more surprising that he's not exhausted.'

I should give him a small favor.

I'm a good kid.

"Oh, by the way, I have one more piece of information."

"What is it?"

I puffed out my cheeks and said.

"Hehe, it's a recent emotional expression of Miss Luna. Isn't it cute? Well, not as cute as me."

"...Useless information. And if you do that again, I'll break your neck. I'm not joking, so remember it well."

Karoon disappeared with a chilling warning.

* * *

On the rooftop of the boys' dormitory.

Karoon organized his thoughts in the cold wind.

'High-level black mage, Carlos, and a walking corpse...'

I didn't notice it earlier, but now it seems suspicious.

I still have doubts about the usefulness of a walking corpse.

Black mages. Those lunatics think and act.

If they were capable of proper thinking, they wouldn't become black mages in the first place.

'...Arrogant brat.'

Karoon recalled his earlier encounter with Zero.

The incident in the Galata region.

He shared information, mostly true, except for a few details.

It was also a way to extract more hidden information from Zero.

'Building trust.'

To increase Zero's trust in him.

Why?

'He's a desirable one.'

While Zero was surprised by his story, he didn't seem overly shocked.

As if...

'He had predicted all of this.'

Based on information, reasoning, and logical prediction.

Three powers that form insight.

'At first glance, it seems easy...'

If it were easy, there would be no need for intelligence agencies in every country.

From Karoon's perspective, Zero's insight was terrifying.

'If Luna's safety is secured... it would be fine to make him the Emperor's servant.'

Zero is talented, but he's only fifteen.

He's just a first-year student at the academy.

There's plenty of time.

Time to secure Luna's safety and time for the 'education' to make him a puppet.

'I'll gradually instill it and take him away as soon as he graduates.'

He's arrogant, but his talent is overflowing.

It's as if he was born to be a puppet.

Well, with that level of audacity, he can probably handle anything.

Even his request for a restaurant reservation at the end.

'Restaurant... '

Taking over a full reservation isn't difficult.

A light conversation with the owner would do.

But.

'He wants to go with Luna, right?'

It's probably not a date.

Zero's intention is likely...

'Arrogant brat. Using Luna to threaten?'

Zero needed the restaurant reservation to survive, but Karoon interpreted it differently.

From his perspective.

-Hehe, giving such a small price. I need to remind him that I hold the leash of Miss Luna's life.

Showing that Luna is in his control.

That's how it looked.

A mutually beneficial transaction.

If he doesn't get a satisfactory benefit, he'll reveal that Luna is from the Lester family.

That was the final reminder.

'Killing him is easy. But the aftermath is the problem.'

Given his dirty nature, he must have prepared for the possibility of assassination.

That's why he made such an arrogant provocation.

-Hehe, can you see it? Miss Luna can't live without me.

The image of Zero putting a leash on Luna's neck and wagging his tongue faintly came to mind.

'...I'm sorry, Luna. I have to entrust you to such a person.'

He knows that Luna relies on Zero.

But it's just Zero exploiting her tender heart.

How much that fragile child must be suffering.

Karoon couldn't even imagine it.

He said he needed a restaurant.

"There's a better place."

A very interesting and excellent meal.

A place where even a little tension can't be relaxed.

A sinister smile appeared on Karoon's lips.

Misunderstandings about Zero were piling up.

* * *

"Mr. Rion, I have a question."

"What is it, Yuridia?"

"Why is the Lester family's 'One Slash' famous? They have many other techniques."

Sigh.

Three sighs came out simultaneously.

From me, Terion, and Rion.

"Yuridia, that's a question completely unrelated to the current lesson."

"But I'm curious."

"...I will give you 1 penalty point for disrupting the class, Yuridia."

"Then you'll answer my question, right? Since I got a penalty point."

"..."

This wasn't just today's story.

Even if the class atmosphere was ruined, even if Rion frowned, even if she received penalty points.

Yuridia didn't back down and continued to pester Rion.

As if determined to find out everything about One Slash.

"I really can't stand it. Fine, I'll tell you. But this is the end. Don't disrupt the class from now on."

Yuridia nodded, and Rion sighed deeply.

The atmosphere became awkward, and everyone was on edge.

But there was one person who welcomed this situation.

Scratch, scratch, scratch!

Luna's pen moved frantically, writing down Rion's words.

"The reason One Slash is famous... Not only because it leaves a sword mark without being cut, but mainly because it's the only offensive technique."

"The only offensive technique?"

"Yes. The rest are defensive techniques and counter-attacks."

"Isn't it too disadvantageous to have only one offensive technique? You just need to be careful with One Slash, right?"

"That's not the case. Regular attacks are powerful enough."

Well-trained muscles, specifically trained for 'One Slash'.

"Each attack is explosive. The disadvantage is that it can't be chained... but you'll feel it if you experience the attack directly."

There's no need to attack in succession.

"I see. The others weren't offensive techniques. That's why it was different from what my mother showed me..."

Muttering.

Luna muttered with her eyes closed.

Recalling the Lester family's sword techniques from her memory.

Well, her head tilted to the side after a minute.

"Mr. Rion, do you know the other techniques?"

"...I already told you. Don't disrupt the class any further."

"Isn't solving a student's curiosity part of the lesson?"

"Yuridia! I told you to stop!"

Finally, Rion exploded.