I Obtained The Absolute Garbage Skill At The Academy

Chapter 11 – The End of Childhood Narrative (2)

Several hours passed after the lady and Hana left.

A quiet night was visible, with two moons rising together as a pair.

‘Seeing things like this really makes me feel that this is a world inside a game.’

Hey, friend who used to shout ‘When are we going to another world~’, are you watching?

Your big brother got to the isekai first, that’s what I’m saying.

I giggled mindlessly.

I opened the message log that was making all kinds of commotion.

[You have defeated Acrea(Immature) alone]

[ Your exploits will be recorded in history]

[You have obtained ]

[The maximum number of unique abilities and traits you can possess has been permanently increased by +1]

[You have obtained Shop Points: 15000p]

[You have obtained 20 Gacha Tickets]

[You have obtained a C-grade Trait Selection Ticket (1)]

[Your potential stats have been permanently increased by 3]

[You have obtained some of Acrea’s byproducts]

‘Oh… they gave me a lot?’

Well, I defeated a boss monster that even the protagonist kids couldn’t catch, so I guess it’s natural in a way.

‘This is why achievement hunting is so satisfying.’

I truly felt that risking my life was worth it, especially since I received a title and potential stats, which are said to be difficult to obtain.

[You have engaged in a fierce battle that transcended the framework of existence]

[Your physical body has undergone repeated massive destruction and regeneration]

[Some of your stats have been permanently increased (the amount of increase varies for each)]

[You have formed a deep connection with the mid-tier hero ‘Yu Mihee’. You have acquired the hidden narrative ]

[Your body is suffering from extensive aftereffects. All stat growth rates are reduced by 50% during your childhood narrative]

[Your mind is suffering from extensive aftereffects. It will be very difficult to acquire new abilities during your childhood narrative]

‘Ah, this is troublesome.’

The stat increases and narrative acquisition were good, but…

‘Those last two lines are a bit…’

I alternated between joy and sighs like someone with bipolar disorder.

‘No, if it had been the protagonist kids, they would have died already. Even if they had survived, they would have suffered permanent aftereffects. I should consider myself extremely fortunate that it ended like this.’

I looked at the last message that appeared.

[A very small number of Ma-ins instinctively sense the advent of their king]

[If your identity is discovered by them, the Ma-in King main quest will be forcibly executed]

“Damn it”

I couldn’t help but curse.

Ah, this is why I didn’t want to use Omen!

Ernel Saga basically has multiple endings.

Among them, there are naturally good endings, but there were also endings commonly referred to as bad endings.

The ‘King of Ma-in’ quest is commonly classified as a bad ending, with a conclusion where the playable character becomes the Demon King and wreaks havoc on the world.

‘Actually, even if I choose not to wreak havoc… those Ma-in are the real problem.’

Those who have been waiting for their king for a long time will surely detect my ‘signs’ and resume their activities that had been halted.

In that process, the activities of some evil entities could cause massive casualties.

‘It’s a problem if I’m discovered.’

Even if they welcome me with ‘Oh, our Demon King has arrived!’ it would still be a headache.

There would also be those with different motives who would try to use me or kill me.

This connects to why I was upset when the Heir of the Stigma’s rank increased.

A rank increase means my presence becomes stronger, making me more easily detectable by the Ma-in.

Anyway, the conclusion is that I’m screwed.

It means a ton of variables will be added to the upcoming main story,

which could hinder my ‘Great Performance with Original Knowledge!’ – essentially my exclusive privilege.

“Whatever, things will work out somehow.”

As long as I’m not discovered, it’s fine.

If I’m determined to hide it, how could I possibly be found out?

Having reached that conclusion, I examined the message labeled ‘Childhood Narrative.’

‘Family… this is the first time I’m seeing this. But thinking about it, it makes sense. All the protagonist kids are silver spoons; how could they have this kind of narrative that seems to be obtained by being an orphan?’

Playing Ernel Saga basically follows three major flows: starting with the childhood narrative, then the main story, and finally the conclusion.

Actually, the main story and conclusion can be left unfinished if you choose to, and since there’s not much forced progression except for a few parts, it doesn’t matter much. But the childhood narrative was important.

‘It’s a time progression feature.’

When first playing, you play as protagonists under 10 years old,

and through the activities and processes shown, you can obtain narratives with various backgrounds.

And with the chosen narrative as background, you grow for as short as 5 years or as long as 10 years,

allowing you to further develop desired stats or gain new traits before entering school.

Most gamers followed established strategies, choosing the optimal narrative for each character.

‘Or they would just buy the premium narratives that were subtly being sold.’

If you want to grow stronger without much trouble, that’s the best way.

After defeating Han Aejeong and having the narrative option added, I originally planned to spend all my points on premium narratives.

‘First, I need to check the effects.’

I clicked on the reward window to check.

──────────────────

【Hidden Narrative 】

Background:

[Despite starting as an orphan who lost your family, you have succeeded in saving others who are not related by blood. They will treat you as a member of their family.]

Effects:

[Your trait slot is definitively increased by +1.]

[You randomly gain one C-grade trait]

[You gain and maintain high affinity with members bound as family]

──────────────────

‘That’s good?’

Although the random trait aspect bothered me, even considering that, there weren’t many narratives that showed this level of effect.

‘I guess the only comparable one would be .’

was a paid narrative that allowed you to meet masters of specific fields and gain experience.

You could obtain related traits or constitutions proportional to your potential ability,

Many gamers would open their wallets to gain abilities that actively helped in combat with swords, spears, bows, and such.

‘With my rock-bottom potential ability, meeting a master wouldn’t have yielded much anyway’

Still, there wasn’t much else suitable, so I was contemplating when luck favored me beyond expectation.

[Hidden Narrative has been set]

[The narrative background will proceed exactly 5 days and 10 hours later]

[The elapsed time is 9 years]

‘Until I’m 17, the minimum age to enter Ernel Academy….’

[Setting up… Please select an additional growth method]

Among various options, I selected physical first.

‘First, body training, and if possible, systematic muscle training and proper eating habits….’

[Physical training has been set]

Additionally, I searched the knowledge section.

‘Ernel Academy is mostly practical exams, but that doesn’t mean there are no written tests.’

Most newbies who didn’t know better would put in basic education courses here.

‘But that’s what amateurs do.’

[Encyclopedic knowledge has been set]

No matter how hard you studied, it was difficult to score high on written exams.

Rather, reading various books to gain miscellaneous knowledge was more helpful.

After that, I selected the remaining minor settings and finished.

[Current final status window is revealed]

▼

[Name: Yu Siwoo (Ryu Seha)]

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Stamina: 14

Mental: 19

Psychic Ability: 5 (15)

Potential: 3

◈Unique Ability(1/2)

Terrible Adaptability(C)

(Sub-skills: Regeneration(C), Pain Resistance(E)

◈Traits(0/2)

Descendant of the Stigma(B)

◈Constitution and Qualities

Extremely Untalented(A+)

Face is Plausibility (B)

My name is Siwoo (C)

Affiliation: Triple Helix (SS-)

Title: Effect activates when equipped (1 owned)

Shop points: 15000p

▲

‘This should be enough to pass the entrance exam without any issues.’

I looked at the satisfying stats that I had worked so hard to raise, then closed the window.

*

*

*

Time passed faster than I thought.

A few days after being discharged from the hospital, I ended up living in a fairly large house with Yu Mihee and Yu Hana, mother and daughter.

“Come to the dining table when you’re done unpacking. We’ll eat together.”

I responded to the aunt’s words while looking at the timer visible to the side.

[Time remaining: 18 minutes]

‘Sigh, now that it’s actually happening, I’m a bit worried.’

I understood most of what would happen at ,

But honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could navigate through it well and reach the ending.

‘Still, I have to succeed’

To the place where I need to be,

For the sake of those waiting for me

I had to return.

Knock knock

At that moment, I heard a knocking sound,

Creeak

Hana with her chubby cheeks entered, swinging her signature silly hair like a tail.

“?? Hana, is something wrong?”

Does she need something?

Come to think of it, we’ll be living together now.

I wonder if it’ll be okay during our puberty years?

While I was lost in these random thoughts, Hana had already approached me and held out her hand.

“Huh?”

“Mom said so! That we should get along well, and rely on each other.”

After saying that, Hana nodded enthusiastically and said,

“I’ll help Siwoo when you’re in trouble! So Siwoo has to help me too, okay?”

She spoke with a slight lisp and smiled brightly.

Then, extending her pinky finger,

“Pinky promise, okay~!”

I could see her urging me to do the same.

Pfft, hahaha!

Why are you laughing!

Sorry, sorry, it’s just that Hana is so cute.

I burst into laughter at Hana’s actions,

and made a pinky promise while facing each other.

Yes, I promise. I’ll help Hana too when she’s in trouble.

Yes! Hehe.

The two of us smiled brightly at each other.

[Setting time is up. Your childhood has concluded]

[Hidden narrative will proceed]

[We wish you luck in your future ahead]

Looking at the familiar announcements,

Zzzzing!

The surrounding area accelerated rapidly.

A blackout unfolded before my eyes.

Losing consciousness, I surrendered my body to the darkness.