My stomach growled loudly, a reminder I hadn't eaten since dawn. "Let's find some lunch," I muttered, scanning the forest. At the Royal Pioneer Academy, self-sufficiency meant procuring your own food.
Living in the "Garbage Dump" forest plot was proving advantageous. The woods teemed with edible plants, nuts, and game. I ventured deeper, my Ninja agility making each step light and swift.
A tree laden with nuts caught my eye, its branches heavy with promise. "Good find," I said, grinning at my luck. As a Ninja, I climbed the tree effortlessly, nimble as a monkey.
I plucked the nuts, filling my uniform pockets with the nutritious haul. These would keep for weeks, perfect for a survivalist's pantry. Continuing deeper, I spotted mushrooms in the shade of dense trees.
My Ranger skills kicked in, assessing their edibility. To be certain, I switched to Appraiser and used Appraisal. non-toxic, edible raw, cooking bonus with salad preparation.
"Raw mushrooms? Let's try one," I said, intrigued. I bit into a fresh mushroom, its crisp texture crunching with each chew. "Not bad, but it needs seasoning," I noted, squinting in the dim light.
Mushrooms dotted the forest floor, a buffet waiting to be harvested. "Today's lunch: a mushroom feast," I decided, energized. I crafted a bag from a large leaf, weaving a handle with plant ivy.
Appraisal: Leaf bag holds up to 50kg with durability bonuses. Slinging it over my arm like a shopping basket, I roamed the forest. Each edible mushroom I appraised went into the bag with a satisfying toss.
Then, I stumbled upon an extraordinary mushroom, camouflaged among the foliage. Appraisal: Mimics the deadly poison mushroom but reveals its delicious form for one minute under a full moon. Quality Level 30, super rare. "Jackpot! Let's find more!" I exclaimed, hooked on the hunt.
In a sun-dappled clearing, a carpet of red and blue mushrooms sprawled like a mosaic. A group of students stood atop it, led by a girl in a purple robe. She held a mushroom, tilting her head in confusion. "Is this edible?"
A small boy, Sheevus, piped up confidently. "Akemi-san, red ones are poisonous!" "Trust my thief instincts, the blue mushrooms are safe!" "Really, Sheevus?" The girl, Akemi, asked, uncertain.
I stepped forward, unable to stay silent. "Wait a minute." All eyes turned to me, some narrowing in recognition. "You're… Leopin, right?" Akemi said, her voice soft but curious.
Her purple hair framed snow-white skin, her lashes long and lips glossy. Her tearful eyes locked onto mine, making my pulse quicken. She looked too mature for a first-year, radiating an otherworldly charm.
"The blue ones are Harakudashidake—poisonous, causing stomach pain and hallucinations," I explained. "The red ones, Haranoboridake, are safe to eat." Sheevus bristled, his face twisting with indignation.
"Akemi, don't listen to this loser!" "He's just trying to sabotage you to drag us down!" "He's been spouting nonsense since middle school!"
Sheevus, a Class 1-20 classmate, was a self-righteous pest. His goody-two-shoes attitude grated on everyone, including me. Akemi hummed thoughtfully, her gaze flicking between us.
"I'll choose the red mushrooms," she decided, winking at me subtly. Sheevus's eyes widened. "No way! You trust that failure over me?" "I see truth in Leopin's eyes," Akemi said calmly.
"I'm grabbing the blue ones!" Sheevus snapped defiantly. "If you regret it, don't blame me!" Akemi shrugged. "It's the fate I've chosen."
She turned to her group. "Help me gather the red mushrooms." The boys around her sprang into action, eager to please her. Akemi, unbothered by their labor, approached me with a smile.
"I'm Akemi Leroux Valance, Class 1-06. Just call me Akemi." Her charm made me self-conscious, but I nodded. "Your robe you're wearing. You're an alchemist, right?" I asked.
"Exactly! I need mushrooms for potions, so I'm foraging for lunch." "I've used them for medicine, but eating them is new. Thanks, Leopin." She tilted her head, offering a favor in return.
"No need to thank me," I said. "I couldn't let you eat poison." "You're strange," she laughed. "Most would lie to boost their class's rank." "I'm Special Training Class. I'm guessing rankings don't matter to me."
Akemi's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Which do you prefer?" She pulled a salt pouch from her robe, then pointed to her lips. "Salt or… this?" She teased, her voice playful.
"Salt," I said without hesitation, needing seasoning for my mushrooms. Akemi blinked, then giggled. "You're hilarious!" "Every guy chases my lips, but you choose salt?"
She handed me the pouch, her fingers brushing mine. Then, with a sweet, floral scent, she leaned in. Chu~ Her lips grazed my cheek, leaving me stunned.
My face flushed as she stepped back, smiling mischievously. "You're the first to surprise me, Leopin." I stammered, clutching the salt, my heart pounding.
As Akemi's group gathered red mushrooms, Sheevus stormed off with blue ones. He'll regret that, I thought, returning to my foraging. My leaf bag brimmed with mushrooms, enough for a feast.
Back at my forest house, I set up a cooking station. Using my Blacksmith skills, I crafted a stone griddle from forest rocks. Appraisal: Griddle with enhanced heat distribution.
I sautéed the mushrooms with Akemi's salt, their aroma filling the air. The crunch of each bite was satisfying, the flavor rich and earthy. My Endurance kept hunger at bay, but this meal was pure joy.
Meanwhile, in the castle, the principal and vice principal plotted anew. "That trash keeps winning, our supporters will lose faith!" "We need a contest that demands sheer numbers," the principal said.
"The 'Best Class Resource Stockpile' award," the vice principal suggested. "Classes must gather materials for a week's survival." "No lone outcast can match a team's output," they agreed.
I overheard their announcement as I ate, my mind already working. Resources? My forest plot is a goldmine. Switching to Ranger, I mapped out the forest's bounty.
Using Ninja agility, I gathered herbs, fruits, and more game. My cart groaned under the weight of nuts, berries, and venison. Appraisal: Resource stockpile sufficient for a month.
Back at the compound, other classes struggled with sparse hauls. Class 1-20, led by Weiss, bickered over a handful of bitter roots. Sheevus, doubled over from blue mushrooms, groaned in agony.
Monaka spotted me, her eyes lighting up. "Leo-kun, you're thriving!" "I'm just using the forest's gifts," I said, unloading my cart. Her class joined mine, sharing a meal under the kinohi trees.
The principal arrived, his face souring at my stockpile. "This… cannot be!" he sputtered, clutching a certificate. "An outcast outperforming other classes? Unacceptable!"
I stood tall, my house and workshop gleaming behind me. They call me trash, but I'm building a life they can't touch. With every skill, every level, I was rewriting their rules.
A glow enveloped me: Level 6! New skill: Resource Preservation. This would keep my stockpile fresh for weeks. The forest was my ally, and I was ready for their next challenge.