I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy

Chapter 42: See You on Friday (1)

Traits can be acquired randomly, but they may also be obtained through diligent training.

In both cases, the probability of gaining one is quite low. Even among the most talented students in the hero department, only about one in fifty may acquire a useful trait in a year.

Setting aside traits that appear by chance, others are gained through training.

The exact process of obtaining these remains unclear.

However, a credible hypothesis exists.

It is believed that traits are obtained after reaching a certain level of understanding through repetitive practice.

Cases of gaining traits like [Observer's Eye] were more common among people who constantly observed others, while traits like [Sage's Brain] primarily manifested in professors or postgraduate students in labs, supporting this hypothesis.

Moreover, possessing a good trait in 'Kyren Zena Chronicles' doesn't guarantee absolute strength.

People with user-level traits could defeat those with expert-level traits, and sometimes, those with expert-level traits could overcome individuals with master-level traits.

However, based on the rank of a trait, one can generally gauge strength and potential.

While not all students at top universities are necessarily intelligent, they tend to possess a high potential for intelligence.

The following day, Friday, I headed to the hero department instead of the knight department.

I observed the students' skills during the practical evaluations, and I was already familiar with the theory lectures.

Of course, if I attended again today, I would see even more diverse techniques, but the efficiency would be much lower compared to yesterday.

It would be better to familiarize myself with the techniques I witnessed yesterday.

'I should visit Mari's office today.'

Mari's ongoing research was challenging for her to complete alone.

There was a high probability that she desperately needed my assistance.

Our meeting back then must have touched her heartstrings.

The timing seemed fitting.

As soon as I arrived at the practice arena, I set up a mock battle.

Naturally, I didn't use Overload, but yesterday, I had been significantly pressured by a magic doll modeled after Julia.

My goal for today was to hold my own against it.

***

Some time has passed since I began the mock battle.

I was deeply immersed, I barely felt the passage of time.

"Phew"

My entire body was drenched in sweat but, it didn't feel bad.

That state of immersion is a delightful experience.

After sparring multiple times against the same opponent, I started to get a feel for how to handle them.

'Of course, if it were the real Julia instead of the magic doll, I would have been knocked out long ago.'

Wiping my sweat with the towel I had brought, I took a brief break.

[A new trait has been acquired.]

···Oh.

Finally, my training paid off.

***

Gaining a new trait is always thrilling.

When I played 'Kyren Zena Chronicles,' the character Neike, whom the user-controlled, occasionally acquired new traits.

Of course, he didn't obtain any useful traits.

Neike was a protagonist wrapped in master-level traits from the start.

The most useful trait he ever acquired was [Merchant's Eye], obtained after appraising various items during the merchant route.

The trait I obtained now was [Sword Beginner].

This trait, worth about five gold coins in the marketplace, is the lowest-ranking sword-related trait.

However, the important thing is that I acquired it after birth.

And the fact that all the training I've done so far hasn't vanished, but remains within my body, is crucial.

Even the lowest-ranked trait is advantageous compared to having none.

If I diligently train, I may be able to evolve this Sword Beginner trait into higher-ranked traits—Sword User, Sword Expert, Sword Master.

For example, Irene's [Sword Expert] trait will change to [Sword Master] as the story progresses.

'Either way, it's a significant windfall.'

I had been expecting little from Theo due to his incompetence, so this is an impressive harvest.

At this rate, I might be able to compete with the likes of Neike and Piel... perhaps?

Grinning, I left the practice arena.

"Phew..."

Outside the arena lay the dueling ground, an oval-shaped stadium.

Piel stood there with her eyes closed, gently moving her practice rapier.

'What kind of training method is that?'

Is she battling her inner self?

Well, it's not my concern.

'I should do some stamina training.'

As I contemplated that and walked toward the exit of the dueling ground,

"...Hey."

I heard Piel's voice from behind.

"What?"

"Are you busy?"

"No."

"Let's duel."

Piel bluntly challenged me to a duel.

'She's truly fixated on dueling.'

I'm still scarred emotionally from being defeated so mercilessly.

Why does she want to beat me again?

Of course, I'm different now.

"Alright."

It's an excellent opportunity to test my newly acquired trait, [Sword Beginner].

Besides, I watched Irene fight against a magic puppet based on Siena yesterday.

Irene's primary weapon is a longsword, Siena's a rapier.

My main weapon is a longsword, and Piel's is a rapier.

The situation aligns perfectly.

'I've even got a dedicated trait now. I should at least graze her.'

I stood opposite Piel, wielding a practice longsword.

Our eyes met. She wore a faint smile.

'That psycho.'

It's said that experts can discern their opponents' emotions just by looking into their eyes.

Those eyes signaled for me to make the first move.

'This is going to hurt.'

I immediately charged at her.

***

Damn.

As expected, there's no answer.

Just like on Monday, I became a punching bag.

I got up nine times and continued charging at her, but I still couldn't even brush against Piel's clothes.

How is she this skilled at this age?

Did she train in a time chamber or something?

"Whew."

Lying on the ground, I exhaled a long sigh.

I lacked the energy to attempt another try.

For now, Piel remains an insurmountable obstacle.

'Yet... I've made progress.'

On Monday, I hadn't managed to surpass three hits, but today, without using Overload, I achieved four.

I even caught a glimpse of techniques she hadn't used last time.

This is enough for me.

"Hey, you," Piel said, looking down at me.

"What?"

"During Wednesday's magic dungeon incident... you were the leader, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

So, the rumors have spread in just one day.

My spirits lifted.

I can practically hear the sound of my reputation rising.

"How did you manage that?"

"It's simple. In an emergency, someone had to lead the group, and I happened to be the most suitable person for the job."

"You're unlucky. Get up now. You've rested enough."

Piel pointed her practice sword at me.

Has this duel-obsessed individual lost her sanity?

I'm on the brink of collapse.

I'm no monster like her and Neike.

"Let's call it a day. I have other plans."

Saying that, I stood up and brushed the dirt off. Piel narrowed her eyes.

"What are you up to?"

"It's personal."

With that, I walked toward the training hall exit.

'She must have vented her stress by now, so she won't suddenly attack me from behind... right?'

Piel's questioning gaze followed me, but I did my best to ignore it and left the training hall.

***

The current time is 11 AM—an awkward time to eat.

In other words, perfect timing.

After leaving the training hall, I headed straight to Professor Mari's office.

Knock knock-

I knocked on the office door.

I heard a voice inviting me in, so I opened the door and entered.

As before, I found Mari engulfed by a stack of books.

She greeted me with a smile.

"Welcome, Theo. No, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."

Today, she looked different.

Mari wasn't in her usual casual attire; instead, she was dressed up.

She wore a white shirt that accentuated her curvy figure and a tight skirt.

Beneath the skirt were legs clad in coffee-colored stockings, and her face displayed carefully applied makeup.

'That's the same outfit she wore during the practical evaluation explanation.'

Was she going somewhere?

Regardless, the fact that Mari called me by my full name, not as a student, meant...

"Nice to see you, Mari Jane."

It was a sign that she wanted to talk as equals, not as a student and professor.

She was quite a clever woman.

"Take a seat anywhere you feel comfortable."

After sitting on a sofa, I asked:

"Any progress in your research?"

"There's been some progress, but... no breakthroughs. Let's have some tea and talk. What kind of tea would you like?"

Mari got up and walked over to a magical induction device.

"I'll leave it up to you. Just not mint tea."

"Alright. Just wait a moment~."

Soon, Mari made me a mint chocolate latte.

"······."

I really hated it.