Chapter 6

### Chapter 6: Rumi

Especially being in the same group as Nam Da-eun, who ranked first in the practical exam, is quite advantageous, but it seems to be because of me and Lee Byung-hoon, who are a burden.

Since we were told to gather in our groups, I moved to where Group 7 was.

“Hey, really? I'm from there too.”

“Let's do our best from now on. I'm a melee fighter...”

The surroundings were chaotic as everyone tried to build rapport with their group members. After all, we would be together for at least a semester, and the more comfortable we became, the more we could trust each other.

“Wow, I've only heard about you, Nam Da-eun. It's really an honor to be in the same group.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Oops, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm the eldest son of the prestigious Warrior Guild...”

But why is our group like this?

After forming the group, Lee Byung-hoon has been talking non-stop, and he's only looking at Nam Da-eun, not even glancing at me or Rumi.

“Alright, that's it for today's class. As I mentioned earlier, the first assignment is to have a meal with your group members and take a photo. A pro hunter needs to quickly adapt to working with new people.”

I don't know how much this has to do with eating and taking photos, but since we received the assignment, we have to do it. What should I do?

Other groups are already gathering in twos and threes, deciding what to eat or heading out for a meal.

Lee Byung-hoon keeps talking to Nam Da-eun, who is ignoring him and packing her bag.

Rumi, unsure of what to say, keeps turning her head back and forth between Lee Byung-hoon and Nam Da-eun, hesitating.

And Lee Ho-yeon is watching the situation in real-time.

‘Should I say something?’

After some deliberation, I decided to speak up.

“Um, guys? What do you want to eat?”

Thump.

I chose the safest thing to say after much thought, but before I could finish, Nam Da-eun got up, slung her bag, and headed for the classroom door.

“Nam Da-eun. Do you know any good restaurants?”

“... I don't want to play along with kids' games.”

“Huh?”

She really left with just those words. What kind of person is she? I mean, it's a group assignment, not kids' games.

Lee Byung-hoon, after Nam Da-eun left, glanced at us and said, “Ahem, actually, I have an appointment,” before disappearing.

“...”

The other students had already left with their group members, and only Rumi and I were left in the classroom.

———————-

『A side quest has been transmitted.』

Rumi's ambition to make her debut at the academy has been shattered!

But it's not too late. Comfort Rumi and improve her mood!

– Reward: 1 random stat point

———————-

At that moment, a quest appeared before me.

Comfort the dejected Rumi?

“Making my first friend, it failed... This idiot, why couldn't you say you like tteokbokki. Sniff.”

Looking to the side, Rumi was muttering strange things with a dejected expression.

Thinking about it, it might not be so bad. After all, Nam Da-eun can only be persuaded after the mid-term, and that guy whose name I can't even remember can be ignored.

“Um, Rumi? Since they're gone, let's go eat together.”

“Yes... Yes? You want to eat with me?”

“Yeah, the assignment was to eat and take a photo with our group.”

“But... Nam Da-eun is gone.”

Why are you bringing up Nam Da-eun now? And you're not even paying attention to that Lee Byung-hoon guy.

“Those who left are gone. Do you like tteokbokki? I know a great tteokbokki place. Do you want to go together?”

“Yes... Yes! I want to go!”

*

In front of me, Rumi is sitting with her cheeks puffed up, her eyes wide open, and her mouth full of tteokbokki. Her cheeks are round like a squirrel eating acorns.

“Take your time, I won't take it away.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry...”

“No, no, don't apologize. It's nice to see you enjoying your food.”

“Hehe... But it's really delicious! How do you know such a great place as a freshman like me?”

Because in the game, this tteokbokki place was a must-visit when dating Rumi. I watched to see how long she would eat, and she kept eating tteokbokki until the end of the game. It's that good, so of course it's delicious.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Rumi]

– [Affection: 35]

– [Lust: 30]

– [Hunger: 15]

– [Fatigue: 40]

Her affection increased by 20. If she eats tteokbokki four more times and completes the quest, it would be great, but it's a bit disappointing.

Her hunger dropped from 40 to 15, so she must be full.

“Looks like you're almost done. Should we take a photo? My phone's camera isn't good, so can I use yours?”

“Ah, yes. Take it!”

I took Rumi's phone and moved to a different spot.

Then I stood right next to Rumi.

“Eh, eh? T, too close?”

“We need to be in the same shot for it to count.”

Click!

“Two out of four are missing, but the photo turned out well.”

The subject is so good that even a casual shot looks like a photo spread.

“Ah, yes. It turned out well...”

If the photo turned out well, why are you bowing your head so low?

Anyway, now that there's no more reason to hold back, I need to start the operation.

While handing Rumi her phone, I casually brought up a topic.

“Eh? Rumi, isn't that an idol party phone case?”

“Yes... Yes? How... How did you know?”

“Well, I like that too. Do you like it?”

“Yes! I really, really like it! I got the last limited edition, watched all the anime, and... even the movie!”

The girl who was stuttering so much suddenly started talking very fast when the topic turned to anime.

I don't really understand what she means by getting the last limited edition, but my goal is different anyway.

“Then, do you want to go see the new movie together? I was just thinking about it since I don't have anyone to go with.”

“Ah, a... movie?”

“Yeah, if it's too much, I can go alone, so don't worry.”

“No, no, I want to go with you!”

“Then let's go this weekend. Can I have your number?”

“Yes... Yes!”

I handed my phone to Rumi, who took it with trembling hands.

Rumi, determined not to make a mistake, slowly dialed the number while repeating, “Exchanging numbers... exchanging numbers with a friend...” It's kind of cute.

“Here... Here you go.”

“Thanks. I'll contact you later. Since we're done eating, shall we get up?”

“Yes!”

*

Tuesday evening.

After parting ways with Rumi, I went to the training center to practice.

I need to assess my level since we're starting proper classes tomorrow.

I put on my smartwatch and entered a private room.

In the original game, the protagonist's stats are specialized based on the training they receive.

For a mage, it's magic power. For a swordsman, it's stamina and strength. For an assassin, it's agility. You can focus on specific stats to develop the character.

The most orthodox and easiest route is to be a swordsman.

The reason is related to the protagonist's unique ability.

A unique ability is a special power that only the individual possesses.

Most people can't manifest a unique ability, but as the protagonist, Lee Ho-yeon has a pretty good one.

───――「 Combat Sense 」───――

▶ Unique Ability

▶ Receives a bonus for all actions deemed as 'combat.'

The more dangerous the 'combat,' the greater the effect.

───――───――───――───

‘Combat Sense’

A combat-related unique ability that allows the manifestation of innate combat sense and instinct in all combat-related actions.

Since it provides bonuses for all combat-related actions, it is advantageous for close combat, which requires the most combat sense.

Moreover, as the game progresses, there are many instances where you have to fight humans or human-like monsters, making a swordsman the best choice for close combat.

However, I chose to be a mage for two reasons: first, I received the special ability [Mana Sensitivity], giving me a significant advantage in mana management, and second, I know how evil the villains in this world are.

Fighting them up close with a sword? That's just asking for trouble. Since there's no retry like in a game, it's best to hit them with magic from a distance.

“Testing magic proficiency.”

I need to know my level to determine my future actions.

The training center's proficiency test uses the Victoria Academy's database to comprehensively evaluate my strengths, weaknesses, and current level.

As the system voice spoke, thin walls of mana appeared around me.

It seems they are measuring my mana.

‘Radiate mana thinly and widely?’

I've never tried it, but it doesn't seem too difficult. I raised my hands and imagined mana spreading out like calm waves.

Hum- Hum-

Blue mana radiated from my hands. The thin mana waves made the training ground's floor visible underneath.

After about a minute of radiating mana, a completion sound was heard.

A target appeared on the track in front of me.

“Shouldn't you give me time to prepare?”

Despite my complaint, the system continued its countdown emotionlessly.

‘What's the fastest spell to destroy the target among the ones I can think of right now?’

There's no time to think. I recalled the wind arrow I read about in the book yesterday.

The mana rising above my head transformed into wind, and with a strong gust, it condensed into the shape of an arrow.

Zzzzzzzz-!

The arrows seemed ready to shoot out, creating a wind.

The wind arrows, swirling above my shoulder, shot towards the targets.

Crack!

One, two, three, four, five... ten.

The ten arrows, flying fiercely, shattered the targets with a loud noise and then dispersed into mana.

“Wow.”

No targets remained on the track.

“This is fun?”

*

“Hmmm...”

After parting ways with Lee Ho-yeon, Rumi returned to the dormitory and was deep in thought, looking at her phone on the desk.

‘Should I send a text to see if it went well?’

“Since we ate together and exchanged numbers, we must be friends, right...? But we just met today... Is it too soon?”

Rumi, who has been introverted since childhood, preferred staying at home to going out. She felt uncomfortable with people's gazes due to her mature chest, and her shy personality made her a homebody.

Her twin sister, Lucy, always protected Rumi, which reduced the number of strange people approaching her, but she never managed to make proper friends before entering the academy.

After overcoming those gloomy days and aiming for a great debut at the academy, Rumi's group assignment went awry, and she was about to become depressed again when Lee Ho-yeon appeared!

“He definitely said we should see a movie this weekend. We must be friends, right? Ugh, I don't know. Should I search for some advice?”

Rumi turned on her phone and searched the green search bar with “A guy asks me to see a movie.”

“Ah! This is it!”

Someone had the same dilemma.

Q. [A guy asks me to see a movie. Does it mean he likes me? Or does he just want to be friends?]

A. [It seems he doesn't dislike you since he asked you to see a movie. You can get to know each other better by watching the movie and having a conversation. The fact that you're curious about whether he likes you suggests that you have some feelings for him. It's a good opportunity, so let's hope it leads to more mutual affection. ^^]

“L... Likes?”

Rumi, who has never had a proper friend, let alone a romantic relationship, found this question and answer to be the truth of life.

“Right, thinking about it, I wouldn't go to a movie with someone I dislike. Ugh, does Ho-yeon like me?”

Lee Ho-yeon. It was the first time she had a meal with a guy alone, and she was so flustered that she couldn't have a proper conversation. Even when he tried to make the conversation easier, she felt too nervous to do so.

“But why would such a good-looking guy want to be with someone like me... Ah, I'll just send a text.”

Thump thump.

It was just a simple reply, but Rumi was excited about texting a friend.

“Ugh, what should I say in the reply? Should I search again...”