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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: 8. Sword God Maniac
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"It's total chaos out there."
A muffled groan leaked from Beatrix, who had her head buried on the desk.
Given the mountain of documents piled up everywhere, it wasn't hard to understand her reaction.
Elpante's dean was absolutely furious about the bloodshed that had erupted inside the academy—right in the middle of an official event, no less.
The fact that an official notice had come down less than a day after the incident, demanding the ringleaders be identified at all costs, said it all.
The real issue was that the assassins' entry route and timing screamed "inside job."
That must have played a big part in why the dean was so enraged.
Beatrix lifted her head just a fraction, squinting as she spoke.
"Still, all the guys who were with you are slated for commendations. Taking down that many armed intruders without a single casualty? Impressive."
"Is that so."
Her soulless reply made Beatrix's face twist a little.
"...The problem is that guy. Dawood Campbell. He's not on the commendation list. No reason not to give him one, so I have no idea why. Feels like they're deliberately keeping him out of the spotlight."
"Is that so."
"They're definitely plotting something in the academic affairs office. Looks like they're prepping something big with him at the center."
"Is that so."
"Say that one more time and I'll hit you?"
"Is that so."
Elnor, slouched in her chair and staring blankly at the ceiling, snatched the incoming ink bottle out of the air without even turning her head.
Sure, it was classic Tristan Duchess—such feats were par for the course—but that didn't make Beatrix any less pissed.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Wrong how?"
"You've been like this all day. Where'd you sell your soul?"
"..."
"Political schemes targeting you aren't exactly new anymore, but this one feels different. Two blatant assassination attempts in quick succession? Whoever it is, they're dead serious."
"Probably."
"Probably? Don't brush it off with that crap, you brat. You think someone that obsessive is gonna quit after one failure? They're definitely gonna pull something else."
She was ranting away, but Elnor's gaze, which had flicked toward her for a moment, drifted right back to the ceiling.
Beatrix could only let out a heated sigh.
"...Fine. I don't know what's going on, but if you won't talk, I won't help."
"Beatrix."
"What."
"I think I have someone on my mind."
Beatrix deserved credit for not flipping the entire desk over.
Anyone who knew what kind of person Elnor was would have reacted similarly.
"...What?"
"I said, I think I have someone on my mind."
She hadn't misheard.
No way.
"What do you mean by that?"
"..."
No answer, but she was staring at the ceiling even more intensely now. Like she was hiding embarrassment.
Beatrix spotted the tips of her ears turning faintly red and felt a cosmic level of dread.
This woman, of all people, acting like some lovesick schoolgirl?
The one who butchered people without batting an eye?
"...Who?"
"Didn't he just come up?"
She was even skirting around it with a grumpy tone because saying it outright was too embarrassing.
"Dawood Campbell?"
"..."
"Wait, hold on."
A pounding headache hit her like a freight train, and Beatrix clutched her head before sinking back into the desk.
Come to think of it, ever since that duel with the next Savior candidate, she'd been acting a bit off whenever he came up.
But this reaction? It was totally...
Yeah. That.
"You like that guy?"
"...I didn't say that yet."
Well, well.
"Yet?"
"..."
Elnor clamped her mouth shut again. Her ear tips looked even redder.
Beatrix felt her headache intensify as she spoke up once more.
"You do know how massive the fallout from that would be, right?"
Every move the Tristan Duchess made was prime tabloid fodder.
It had more to do with the Tristan Ducal House's sheer influence than Elnor herself, but still—her getting involved in romance would turn into gossip central.
It wouldn't be a huge problem if it became fodder, but there was one person who wouldn't take kindly to it.
"If the Tristan Grand Duke sees that—"
Beatrix shut her mouth.
The room's temperature had dropped several degrees the instant she said it.
"...Yeah. That old man would hate it."
Elnor replied in a voice like icy frost.
It hardly sounded like how one spoke to their own father, but Beatrix had no desire to poke at it.
The man hadn't so much as checked in on his daughter after two assassination attempts.
Their relationship was obvious enough without asking.
So, she changed the subject.
"And this whole situation feels... off. I don't know how that guy reeled you in, but—"
"I said I'm not reeled in."
Beatrix let out a chuckle at Elnor's petulant nitpicking.
Sure you aren't. The type who wouldn't care either way normally.
"Anyway. If that guy's showing you any favor, your usual self would suspect his motives first."
Position makes the person.
Sadly, being the Tristan Duchess optimized you for assuming hidden agendas over pure goodwill.
But this woman was buying his favor at face value, which was weirdly out of character.
Like something had forced her to skip that step.
"Fair enough."
Considering her usual mindset, someone worming their way in this fast and deep was unprecedented.
At the very least, Elnor was aware the pace felt off.
So.
"Why not test it out?"
"Test what?"
"Observe him up close, and it'll sort itself out."
"...What are you talking about?"
Beatrix got chills all over at Elnor's faint smile in lieu of an answer.
A dreadfully ominous premonition gripped her.
Whenever this woman wore that expression, things never passed quietly.
"Hey. What the hell?"
"Let's go eat. It's about that time."
"Don't change the subject—!"
●
I glared at the letter in my hand with clear displeasure.
The seal on the envelope was the academic affairs office's insignia from Elpante. Magical authentication made it impossible to fake, so it was genuine.
The contents were the problem.
[ We cannot yet inform you of Dawood Campbell's class assignment. ]
[ The academic affairs office is running a project for optimal results. ]
[ Expect good news. ]
No.
I don't want to expect anything.
Can't you just shove me in some random class and forget about me?
What's with the grand project?
'To begin with...'
It's weird that the academy sent me a personal letter like this.
Sure, there was that incident, but it got handled smoothly enough. Normally, we'd retake the placement exam.
I know the protagonist's party—including Eliya—did exactly that after the incident and got grouped into a special class together.
Shouldn't it work the same for me? Why single me out?
"...No clue."
I muttered as I tucked the letter back into my pocket.
No point obsessing over something with no answers.
Better focus on this.
[System Message]
[ Enrollment and class assignment confirmed. ]
[ First Main Quest completed. ]
[ Updating additional information! ]
The first Main Quest was "Complete enrollment and class assignment."
Guess hitting that milestone triggered the update.
But the new content was the issue.
[ Main Quest ]
[ Successfully resolve the incident at the Freshman Welcome Party! ] [ D-3 ]
[ Reward: Exclusive equipment material ]
The Freshman Welcome Party kicks off Sera's "branch" storyline.
More precisely, it determines how the protagonist gets specialized.
His interest in a "class" here sets his career path.
Ranged DPS, melee fighter, support priest, AoE mage... you pick your main build from the orthodox options.
Probably why they're dangling "exclusive equipment" material for me too.
Exclusive gear specializes in one function for ongoing growth.
Max it out, and you're overwhelmingly strong in that niche—but early on, it's basic at best.
In other words, pick a main build like the protagonist, and get starter gear tailored to it.
Fine, that's nice and all.
"..."
But it's dangerous.
My mouth went dry just looking at it.
Not a problem on its own, but linked to something else.
[Gift-Related Character Alert]
▼ Elnor
[ Trust Stage 2 ] >>> [ Trust Stage 5 ]
[ Affinity surged dramatically in a short time! ]
[ Special reward available for collection! ]
[ Affinity status change imminent! ]
[ Important character. Special events on successful change! ]
[ Related event in D-3 ]
▼ Eliya
[ Curiosity Stage 5 ]
[ Reward collection not yet available! ]
[ Affinity status change imminent! ]
[ Important character. Special events on successful change! ]
[ Related event in D-3 ]
Yeah.
Events tied to the protagonist and final boss kicking off "simultaneously"—and overlapping with the Main Quest start.
Only one thing that points to.
'Big trouble incoming...!'
Elnor's first event alone brought Hasmed and a squad of pro assassins out of nowhere.
These two linking up at once? Can't be minor.
At least they gave three days' grace instead of two like before.
"..."
Nah, doesn't feel like much relief.
Two or three days—still brutal either way.
Feels like gaslighting with how tough the starting point is.
'Whatever. Gotta deal.'
I sighed and scratched my head.
No choice. Not like I have options.
They say even a ghost who died after eating looks content, so might as well claim Elnor's reward first.
[ Collecting 'Elnor' Gift reward. ]
[ Acquired 1x 'Skill Copy Ticket.' ]
[ Copy 1 desired skill from the target! ]
"..."
What the fuck is this.
Skill copy???
'...This is insane.'
No need for explanations—straight-up intuitive and busted.
Copying the final boss's skills?
'But that's exactly why...'
Using it now would be a waste.
Like protagonist Eliya, Elnor is a "growing" final boss.
She's top predator in the academy now, but she'll snag OP skills left and right later. No reason to blow it prematurely.
"..."
Means prepping for the event in three days without it.
Luckily, I know where to grab survival gear.
"Whew..."
I let out a long breath, eyeing my destination.
A rundown warehouse far from the academic building.
Deceptively, it's plastered with perception blockers and every guard spell imaginable.
Staff call it the "supply room."
Sera players knew it as the "goldmine honey pot farm spot."
Stores teaching supplies, but Elpante's history means relics piled like mountains. Some only vets recognize.
I'm after one thing.
'Ultrim of Divinity.'
Mix the recipes right, and it's the best early-game survival bang-for-buck in all of Sera.
Normally goes to chapter 2 boss Yuria Grayhauncher.
Player nickname: Sword God Maniac. Slashes anything in range like a psycho.
"..."
Snagging an important NPC's scenario item early might bite me later.
But for three days from now, no choice.
Not my fault—the world's squeezing me too hard.
Anyway, Yuria's a monster who solos a chapter as boss. Missing this won't break her.
"Alright, then."
Grab the item quick and bounce.
What could go wrong?
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Five minutes later.
I was cursing myself for saying that.
I stared at the trembling black-haired girl in front of me. Tears welled in her eyes.
Petite build, barely up to my neck. Cat-like upturned eyes. Overall, very childlike figure.
If not for the sword at my throat, she'd probably be cute.
[Stay still, please?]
Such "text" floated in the air. She doesn't speak—communicates like this.
And if she's saying that...
"...Makes it easier to slice?"
[Yes.]
This bitch is nuts.
I know who she is.
Yuria Grayhauncher. Chapter 2 boss.
And right now, she had my life in her hands.
"..."
Why does nothing ever go smoothly for me?
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