Chapter 95

"Any score will do. Anyway, this is compression. It’s not a great technique, and it’s not very efficient, so I don’t recommend it."

From the looks of it, quantity is more important than quality right now.

"Zig, are you really not going to present? You’ll probably get an award?"

If someone was attracted to that, they would have done it long ago. Besides, I’m working on and researching a lot of other things. Should I show you the remote control helicopter that Helen shot down out of habit?

"No. If you want to, you do it. But don’t mention my name under any circumstances."

"Why? It’s a huge honor?"

"I don’t need it. If my name is mentioned, I’ll definitely be called to the academic conference and asked to give explanations and write papers. I’ll also be dragged into research and criticized. People’s time is limited, and I won’t waste my time on such things."

Going fishing with Leonora would be a hundred times more meaningful.

"What a waste."

"I don’t know if there will be a time to use it, but if you want to use it, go ahead. But, as I’ve said many times, don’t mention my name under any circumstances. Also, use the extractor to turn the iron ore into iron and make ingots. It will be faster than doing it yourself."

"Okay."

Therese puts the iron ore into the extractor.

"I’m hungry."

When Helen said that, I looked at the clock and saw it was already past 12.

"Once the iron is done, let’s go get some food. Dorothea, are you coming? I’ll treat you."

I feel sorry for this guy, who’s depressed because he can’t meet Chris.

"Thanks. Zig, your humanity score is now 35."

Just 5 more points...

"Are you guys coming?"

I ask just in case, for the sake of improving my humanity score.

"Sure, sure."

"I’ll pass; I have a bento."

"Me too."

It seems Marta and Senpai won’t come. Honestly, it would be a bit awkward if they did.

"Bento? Do you cook?"

"No, I live with my parents, so my mom makes it for me."

"I make mine. I have a husband, you know."

Oh...

"Okay, Therese, Dorothea, let’s go."

"Wait a moment. I’ll quickly turn the iron into ingots."

Therese takes it out of the extractor.

"Therese, I’ll make the ingots. You go have lunch. It’s a rare chance to have a junior disciple here."

Senpai encourages her to go.

"Is that okay?"

"Turning iron into ingots is quick."

"Thank you."

What a good senpai...

"Zig, that’s a high humanity score."

Hmm... It’s real.

It feels different from the superficial charm I’ve practiced from my pickup artist books.

"But Chris doesn’t do that, does he?"

"Excuse me, but Chris-sama does. He’s a bundle of kindness."

That’s why I feel like he’s being taken advantage of by his disciples...

No, that’s not a good way to think.

"I’m studying properly... but whatever. I’m hungry, let’s go."

"Where to?"

Where... I think there’s a place nearby, but I can’t remember.

"Any recommendations? I’m not familiar with the area."

"Oh, right, you only eat bread and nutritional supplements. I’ll show you. Then, Collina-senpai, I’ll be back for lunch."

"Sure thing."

We leave the room and walk down the hallway.

"Zig, you seem to have rounded out a bit."

"Right? I’m trying to get my humanity score to 40."

My goal is 50, though.

"I think it’s a good thing. The old Zig would never have talked to Marta or Collina-senpai and would have ignored them."

That’s true...

"Marta is in a different class but is a classmate."

"Is that so?"

"I asked Adelheid beforehand. I don’t remember her face at all."

Considering I don’t even remember Adelheid, who was in the same class and I saw every day, it’s no surprise I don’t remember Marta, who’s in a different class.

"Wow... It’s impressive that you can talk as if you know her."

I think I managed to cover it up well.

"There’s a book like this."

I show them the book that Leonora and I read.

"Um, can you become friends? How to talk to women? What’s this?"

"A pickup artist book. I also have a version for how to talk to men."

I also have a book on workplace relationships with juniors. I’m thinking of buying one on workplace relationships with superiors next.

"Oh... So that’s why you invited us to lunch... I thought it was strange."

"Strange?"

"Inviting me is one thing, but inviting those two is too much. It’s just not your character."

What do you mean by character...

"I’m trying to change my character that people don’t like."

"I think the way you were just now is fine. If you keep inviting people to lunch, you might actually be seen as a pickup artist."

Hmm...

"Helen, Dorothea, what do you think?"

"It’s better not to. Only those three who know your good points will be happy."

"A bad pickup artist would have a humanity score of not just 0 but negative. I’m not saying it to be mean, but it’s better not to do things that don’t fit your character."

I see...

"Therese, that’s why you should eat alone."

I’ll eat with the cat and the crow.

"That’s harsh..."

"Zig-sama, that’s not what I meant."

"As a senior disciple, I won’t tell you to respect others, but we’re like family, so don’t say such silly things."

Dorothea is really scolding me.

"It was a joke..."

I’ll eat with you, of course.

"It’s so boring!"

"Zig-sama, you must never make such jokes to those three."

The pickup artist book says that sharp and witty jokes can be useful, but...

"Sorry... Therese, I’ll treat you."

"No, I’ll pay. I’m the older sister."

Older sister...

She is a senior disciple and older, but I don’t feel any sisterly vibe...

As we continue talking and walking, we reach the stairs and start to go down. Then, a short-haired man comes up the stairs.

"Ah..."

I noticed Therese made a small sound but kept walking down. When we passed the short-haired man, he looked at me intensely. But I can’t remember him at all. He’s probably someone I’ve upset.

"Good work."

I thought it’s important to greet people, so I bowed slightly and continued down the stairs.

"Hey..."

For some reason, I was stopped.

"What...?"

"Why are you here?"

What’s with this guy? I should mind my own business, but watch how you talk to people.

"Just a small job."

"Nice to see you here."

Is it that bad, me?

"Leave it. I don’t know who you are, but don’t get in my way. I’m busy."

"“““Huh?”””

Not just the man, but for some reason, Therese and Dorothea are also stunned.

"Huh?"

"...Zig-sama, it’s August."

What?

I have a new work posted.

I would be grateful if you could read it. (Link below)

Thank you.