Chapter 14 - Goal
Goal
-Rustle.
The sound of cool wind.
Today is the first day of lectures at Lachesis Academy, and my eyes opened more easily than expected.
Bright sunlight streams through the curtains.
Until yesterday, I could rest because it was course registration day. But with so much to think about and aftereffects making my body unwell, I had no choice but to focus on recovery.
-Ding.
[Current Blood: 42]
Indeed, it seems blood increases by 1 per hour.
-Gulp. Gulp.
As soon as I got up from bed, I drank a glass of water first.
And while putting on the neatly folded student uniform, I organize my thoughts.
“Hah……”
Everything that happened over the past few days feels like a dream.
First, Floria.
Last night, there was a letter and a small bottle that looked like medicine in front of my dormitory door.
———————————-
Are you feeling well?
There’s a bird that flies to my dormitory.
Its chirping is so beautiful.
I’d love for Ha-yu to hear it too.
Don’t forget to take your medicine!
———————————-
The ink stains scattered throughout made me think they might be tear marks.
“Hmm.”
I don’t feel entirely good about this. She sacrificed her room to save me, and I couldn’t even say thank you.
She’s in Third Class and I’m in Quarter Class, so we’ll rarely meet from now on.
But I made up my mind yesterday.
Not only do I need to clear this damn game, but I also need to eliminate the weakness Arein has on me.
Even if I try to collect Seven Deadly Sins points, there are too many limitations because of being a vampire’s servant.
Therefore, I need to find a way to break free from being a servant first.
“I’ll thank Floria next time.”
Now that I’ve made up my mind, I don’t want to create unnecessary connections.
In fact, being involved with me could put her in danger.
As explained in the tutorial, I should strictly manage relationships only with characters whose favorability needs to be managed, and just extract Seven Deadly Sins points from Arein.
“Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points.”
——————————-
Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points: 6
Strength: 5
Mental Power: 9
Intelligence: 5
Magic Power: 10
Flexibility: 8
Luck: 1
——————————-
“Oh.”
There were 6 points accumulated.
I remember collecting about 3 points, but when did I get the rest……
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter as long as I collect them.”
This time, it’s finally time to test the stats.
The question of what happens when a stat reaches 10 points can finally be answered.
I shouted with enthusiasm.
“Invest 5 points in Strength.”
[※Strength 5->10 completed.]
[Strength rises to level 2!]
[Physical attribute skills are enhanced]
‘Physical attribute skills?’
First, I immediately try the bed-lifting show.
“Ugh!…. Hah. Well.”
As expected, I can lift it, but I can’t say it’s easier than before.
The physical attribute skill enhancement doesn’t seem to refer to my physical abilities.
“What about skills…?”
*ding*
——————————-
[Equivalent Exchange (Physical) – Active]
Using n% of Blood enhances your body by 3n% (enhanced!)
Activation phrase: ‘I shall pay the price with blood’
——————————-
“Ah.”
The coefficient was definitely 2 before, but now it’s changed to 3.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t enhance physical abilities directly, but it seems to be meant for strengthening skills that fall under ‘physical’ category.
Whether the calculation is compound or simple interest is unclear, but if spell maximization triggers, the effects could be tremendous.
‘If strength enhances physical skills, then what does mental power do?’
——————————-
Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points: 1
Strength: 10
Mental Power: 9
Intelligence: 5
Magic Power: 10
Flexibility: 8
Luck: 1
——————————-
One point remaining. Wouldn’t it be perfect to invest in Mental Power?
“…One point to Mental Power.”
[※Mental Power 9->10 complete.]
[Mental Power rises to Level 2]
[Blood recovery cycle accelerates -> Recovers 1 every 57 minutes]
[Blood penalty is alleviated]
[Blood -5 -> -6 is where the penalty starts to apply]
[※]
Oh ho.
If I had known this, I would have invested in it yesterday.
Blood recovery speed increased by 5 percent, and though minimal, the penalty conditions have been slightly lowered.
Not a bad return on investment for just one point.
If I had to guess, while Strength improves physical skills, Intelligence would improve magic skill coefficients, and Mana would create new skills, then I only need to check Flexibility and Luck.
‘Hm?’
But inevitably, there’s that warning that pops up to disturb one’s peace of mind.
[※]
‘What’s this now?’
When I focused my mind, a line of text popped up.
[※Warning]
[Over-investment in Mental Power is not recommended.]
‘Over-investment is not recommended?’
It doesn’t seem like there could be anything wrong with raising Mental Power, so I don’t understand why.
‘Is it saying it would be wasteful to use 10 points?’
Anyway, I should find meaning in having grown even one step forward.
-Crunch.
I organized my clothes and left the dormitory with a mouthful of cabbage.
The first lecture was ‘The Art of Being a Cultured Servant,’ which I had confirmed first yesterday.
It’s a specialized course for Magic Department servants, held at the Servants’ Hall right next to the Quarter-class dormitory.
-Bustling with activity.
The building, about half the size of the dormitory, was already busy with many students hurrying to their respective classes.
It felt like returning to university.
“Room 105. This is it.”
-Creeak.
When I pulled the large door with brown cushioning, the interior of the fan-shaped, sloped lecture hall appeared.
-Is that the one?
-Who is it??
The moment I entered, everyone’s attention focused on me.
-I heard they left Eliana’s servant nearly unconscious…
-They don’t look that dangerous though?
-Unexpected.
Like a third-rate game, I’m the transfer student who disrupts the class’s peace. This reaction was expected.
Then someone slapped my back.
“Hey, friend!”
It’s the tanned pervert with brown hair whom I met on the airship.
Why is this person, who was supposed to be the student council president, here?
“…Weren’t you in a higher grade?”
“Hm? Ah, that was my older brother. Well, there are various circumstances. Anyway, speak comfortably! Friend!”
So what if the older brother is the student council president while the younger sibling is a commoner?
My mind is already complicated just thinking about how to survive.
And behind that, I saw a girl with purple hair.
“Good morning.”
A mechanical, stiff tone. Not even a hint of change in her expression.
“Oh, yeah.”
I feel like I’m responding stiffly as well.
…
We started by introducing ourselves to each other.
The perverted guy’s name was Harold, and the girl’s name was Seta.
They were both servants of the Magic Department and my classmates.
-Murmuring whispers.
“As expected, you’re the storm transfer student. There’s quite a buzz about you today too, huh?”
“I guess so.”
Somehow I feel like this guy spread half of those rumors.
He grinned at me and whispered.
“You rejected the vice president’s offer to be the freshman representative, and then you beat up a noble. You’re definitely marked now.”
Come to think of it, that’s… wait, what?
From others’ perspective, there was plenty of room for misunderstanding, as if I had done something to Eliana.
“But you’re our future?”
“What?”
“You, you’re strong. They say you’re the top of our Quarter Class.”
Harold makes a fist gesture.
Does this world have bullying too?
“If that’s what this is about, I refuse.”
“Again, can’t you take a joke…? Ow, ow!”
Seta grabs Harold’s head from behind and yanks it back.
“Ha-yu. You can ignore what this trash says.”
To call someone trash to their face without changing expression – they must be quite close.
Harold, despite being in pain, looked at me and said:
“It hurts…! But I’m not completely talking nonsense? Now that the semester’s started, the promotion duels will begin too.”
“Duels?”
“So the rumors are true – you really came here knowing nothing. Lachesis Academy has a traditional event that takes place at the start of each semester.”
The pervert straightened his posture with a proud expression and began his explanation.
Since it’s information, it wouldn’t hurt to listen.
“Quarter Class, Third Class, and Half Class students can change classes through duels held every quarter.”
“Change classes?”
“Yes! It’s the only chance to advance to a higher class.”
Clearly, Quarter Class is, to put it bluntly, a gathering of slaves. But there’s a system that allows advancement regardless of social status?
“Hey, hey, don’t get your hopes up. From Quarter Class, there’s been what, maybe one person who advanced? And that was in the Knights Department. It’s really just a system that looks good on paper for us. But this big bro here saw some potential in you.”
He grabbed my shoulder and spoke solemnly.
“You’re the only one who won against a noble, after all. That’s probably why the other students are whispering about you now.”
So that was it. Indeed, if there’s such an event from the first day of school, it could be interesting from a new student’s perspective.
“Advanced placement…”
Arein belongs to the highest Royal Class. Does this mean I could potentially reach that level?
“So you are ambitious after all? You’ve got aspirations.”
Harold began explaining to me in detail.
To summarize, this nominal competition was actually an event that benefited the nobles as well.
He said it was an occasion for nobles to cement their position by crushing their servants in front of numerous spectators.
For Quarter Class students, it was naturally a humiliating experience. That’s why most students don’t participate and forfeit instead.
Well, that’s how they’re conditioned as servants.
If anyone here were to apply, they would certainly lose, one hundred times out of a hundred.
But what if someone challenged them to upset the hierarchy? It could provide sufficient vicarious satisfaction for others.
Would there be any advantage in my participation? In this context, one question came to mind.
“You said the Royal Class doesn’t participate. Does that mean advancement to Royal Class isn’t possible?”
“……Kuh-hahahahahahakakkyakhyakhyukkuhukhukbukhukhuk.”
Harold was silent for a moment before breaking into laughter so hard it made me embarrassed.
“Ahahahah. You’ve really lost your mind? The Royal Class is on a completely different level. Those students will become influential figures just by waiting a few years. Just among this year’s new students, there’s the 6th Imperial Princess of the Peros Empire, the only daughter of the Imperial Mage, the noble lady of Duchess Izanek, the legendary magic bow user…”
-Ding.
A status window suddenly appeared while Harold was speaking.
[Main Quest has been unlocked]
[You can receive rewards that help with game progression by gaining 3 affection points from major characters]
‘Now the affection system starts…?’
This was a phrase I’d briefly seen in the tutorial.
The problem is that all the major characters, except for the Saint, are locked away in the Royal Class.
Among them, I at least know about Duke Izanek.
I know that the Duchess is a scholar who researches demon-kind. She had visited the Asphodel mansion in the past.
What did she say to me, being among the demons? I remember she mentioned having a daughter around my age.
Anyway, I remember that while she couldn’t save me, she observed me with considerable interest.
Though it might just be my wishful thinking… even if it’s through her daughter, couldn’t I find some clues about breaking the familiar bond if I reach 3 affection points?
This system wouldn’t exist for no reason. It clearly stated it would help with the game.
‘So then, how to win them over…’
Putting aside the affection points, there’s absolutely no point of contact between the Quarter Class and Royal Class.
‘In other words, the top priority is class advancement.’
It felt like the game would only progress if I somehow managed to advance my class.
So instead of living quietly like a commoner, I should make myself known and become the talk of the town.
-BANG!!
Then there was a sound like someone kicking the door from behind.
Everyone’s attention turned to the back.
“I am Dame Patrick, in charge of student management and temporary instructor of the Magic Department.”
Murmuring.
Everyone looks at each other at the sudden appearance of a bald man.
“You worms! Come out starting from the far left! We’re conducting a mana sensitivity test now.”
?
I… I came here for the Refined Servant Whatever class?