Chapter 84

“No, it can’t be!”

The man, who resembled a snake with his appearance, raised his voice.

He who had denied reality then pointed a finger at me and shouted.

“W, well! I don’t know where you found that insignia, but you can’t fool me-”

“It seems your eyesight is poor; does this look like something that was picked up somewhere?”

The insignia, looking as if it had just been made, gleamed brightly.

Upon pointing out this fact, I could see the man’s mouth shut tightly and his lips dry.

The man resembling a snake with his darting eyes.

“If not, then it doesn’t make sense! For a first-year academy student to be a major is ridiculous! What nonsense-”

“It is indeed a parachute position.”

“What?”

“But, what does my being a parachute major have to do with the situation?”

I slowly cornered him, not physically, but mentally.

“That… well. No, even so, it’s excessive for a first-year student to have such a rank-”

“If you don’t like it, then file a protest directly with the president or the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Reclamation Forces.”

I cut off his words and declared.

Ah, what are you going to do if I annoy you!

“Shall I arrange the contact for you?”

“A, that… that’s…”

The snake-like man’s tone rapidly became respectful as Ryuje and Freya were mentioned.

And he surrenders.

“I, I’m sorry!!”

Straightening up, with a tense face, he salutes and raises his voice.

But to just accept his salute here would be amateurish.

“Your voice is too low. Are you feeling comfortable?”

“SORRYAAAAAAH!!!”

“Hmm? Strange, I can’t hear it.”

“SORRYAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

The man with the snake-like demeanor screams as if tearing his throat out.

And that air of arrogance that overflowed just moments ago was nowhere to be found in his actions.

This is the power of rank.

No matter what thoughts may be swirling in that head of his, knowing the enemy and oneself prepares one for a hundred battles without defeat.

Challenging someone without properly investigating them, one must reap what they’ve sown, indeed.

“Now, that’s an acceptable voice. So, what’s your name?”

“Uh, that’s….”

“Ah come on, answer promptly.”

“Lalik! It’s Indebal Lalik!”

Indebal Lalik, certainly a name I’m hearing for the first time.

And what a unique name.

“Alright Lalik-san, but moving on-”

I turn my head to look at the unresponsive trio.

“Why aren’t you three saluting? Can’t you see this?”

I point to the insignia gleaming on my chest.

“Huh?”

“Ah?”

“Whaaaaat?”

The unresponsive trio, taken aback by the unexpected situation, let out dumbfounded voices.

“Can’t you see the insignia? You’re a couple of privates, aren’t you?”

“Rank is-”

The big guy starts to protest loudly.

At that moment, a sharp sound is heard, and the big guy’s face twists to the right.

“How dare you answer back to a major officer, you privates!!”

Lalik shouts loudly.

The sudden betrayal makes uneasiness ripple across the trio’s faces.

“Sorry, sir. I’ll ensure these ruffians are well educated….”

Lalik rubs his hands together frantically, flashing a foolish smile.

The sight of his cringing form can’t help but evoke a hollow laugh.

“Hmm, well, I’ll let it slide this time. But you know what happens if it happens again?”

“Yes! I will ensure this never happens again!”

Lalik once again salutes sharply.

I casually accept his salute and check the time.

There wasn’t much time remaining until the start of the practical class.

“Well, Nisia, let’s go. We’ll be late.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“Come on Bungbungi.”

[Beep.]

….

After Edu and Nisia disappeared into the distance, the stiffness in Lalik’s rigid body finally melted away.

“Phew…”

A sigh of relief.

Simultaneously, boiling anger began to rise in Lalik’s heart.

He abruptly turned around to glare at the unresponsive trio.

“What did you say to me exactly?”

The trio visibly flinched.

Didn’t you say it was just a matter of pushing down some nobody?”

Saying this, Lalik leaned his head towards the large man.

“Well, it was…”

The bulky man, cautiously checking the situation.

His gaze turned towards Punji and Bambbat, but the two of them quickly averted their eyes, refusing to meet his.

“Don’t look away!”

Lalik grabs the collar of the bulky man roughly.

Under the fiery gaze of Lalik, a natural apology slid from the bulky man’s lips.

“I’m sorry…”

“You see, this is exactly why we fail to uphold traditions, and end up looking like fools. Next time, investigate before speaking, understood?”

“Y-yes…”

Lalik abruptly releases the bulky man.

Losing his balance, the bulky man lands with a thud on his buttocks, but no one pays him any attention.

“Let’s go.”

Lalik strides towards the academy, leaving the trio behind.

“Ah, yes!”

The 2nd and 3rd year students, who had been standing idly and watching the drama unfold, quickly follow him in a rush.

“Ch.”

“Idiots.”

The upperclassmen sneered as they passed by the three.

Each word of disdain plunged into the hearts of the unresponsive trio, the contempt in the words making their shoulders droop.

That’s how everyone left, leaving the three boys behind like loners.

“Hoo, come on, get up.”

Finally, Bambbat extends a hand towards the bulky man.

But the bulky man swats away the offered hand and struggles to rise alone.

“Snobby brat…!”

The bulky man’s eyes glimmered with anger.

Despite all the events being his own doing, his anger and resentment were directed entirely at the young girl.

“Edu…!”

“…”

“Then, shall we end today’s class here? Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

As Airina spoke, Clarissa quickly stepped forward.

Her voice resounded throughout the training ground.

“Attention! Salute the teacher!”

““““Thank you for your hard work!””””

At that moment, an alert sounded in my mind.

– Achieved: Beginner Mana User.

Ah, it’s finally working.

Among the early achievements, this one is fairly efficient for an INT-specialized character.

Thinking back, I recall not checking the stats after leveling up last time.

‘Shall I check it briefly?’

Just as I thought that, I saw Airina clearing her throat and focused on her words instead.

“Yes, thank you all for your hard work. Do you remember what I mentioned last time? Starting next week, we’ll be progressing to more practical training.”

She clapped her hands.

“And everyone, are you forgetting something? A few weeks from now, the academy’s biggest festival, the Friendship Tournament, will take place.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“It’s already come to that?”

The classmates murmured at Airina’s announcement.

“There’s no need to practice so soon, but if you’d like to show your best, don’t skip personal training! If you need help, feel free to come by.”

““““Yes, teacher!””””

“Great, then thank you all.”

Airina clapped her hands again, signaling that it was time to dismiss.

As the students started leaving the training ground, I was about to head back to the dormitory with Nisia when…

“Edu, can I have a word?”

Airina’s voice rang out.

“Bungbungi, stop.”

[Beep.]

Halting on the spot, Bungbungi smartly turned his body towards Airina.

Airina approached me quickly, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“What is it?”

“Just a moment.”

Saying this, she glanced around briefly and, confirming that there was no one listening, pointed her finger at my chest.

“So, is that… a rank insignia?”

“Ah.”

Only then did I realize I hadn’t removed the insignia I had pinned on earlier.

Though I unexpectedly earned a high rank, I certainly didn’t want to flaunt it around the academy.

So, I turned to Nisia.

“Nisia, could you help take it off?”

“Sure.”

Nisia moved closer to unpin the insignia for me.

I accepted the insignia she handed me and tucked it into my inner pocket.

“Thanks.”

Having thanked Nisia, I bowed my head to Airina too.

“Thank you, teacher.”

“Oh no, how did you get that insignia?”

“Ah, well…”

Hmm, since Airina is also from the Ground Reclamation Forces, it should be fine.

After checking my surroundings, I roughly explained how I came to earn the insignia.

“Ah, the Commander-in-Chief…”

The moment Freya’s name was mentioned, Airina immediately understood.

“Yes, that’s how it happened.”

“Edu must have gone through quite a bit of hardship.”

Gently patting my head.

“Even though always striving is commendable, remember not to forget that relying on someone else when you’re stressed or in need of help is also a good approach. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Then see you next week. Great work, you two.”

After parting ways with Airina, I headed back to the dormitory.

“Well, then Edu, good job today.”

“Yeah, good work, Nisia.”

After exchanging pleasantries with Nisia, I entered the room.

Bungbungi moved to the front of the bed to help me get down comfortably.

“Good work, Bungbungi.”

After saying this and giving Bungbungi a pat, he responded with delight.

[Beep.]

Meanwhile, the hands gently moved to place my body onto the bed.

After confirming that Bungbungi and the hands were resting, I summoned the ID.

“ID, show me the stat window.”

[Code verified, visualizing the status.]

In response, the stat window appeared in front of my eyes.

——————————————————–

LV. 32 Edu Number Birthday *(■)

[HP 73 / 73] *(■)

[MP 1085 / 1085] *(■)

[ST 75 / 75]

ATK 40 *(■) / DEF 35 / RES 40

STR 6 *(■)

DEX 8 *(■)

INT 328 *(Growth Bonus x6)

CHA 206 *(Growth Bonus x6)

CON 16 *(■)

LUK 171 *(Growth Bonus x6)

SP 0 / SK 42 / EXP 44146

Physical Characteristics *(■)

Character Traits *(■)

Bonuses *(■)

Achievements *(■)

——————————————————–

“Ooh-”

The significantly enhanced stats compared to before brought a natural smile to my face.

Most noticeable were the growth restrictions previously constrained by traits being unlocked after reaching level 30, and the solid MP nearing 1000.

Moreover, reaching level 30 meant the unlocking of the armor tree.

Though there was no immediate need to unlock it, from now on, I could call upon armor units and use them as power whenever I wanted.

A very smooth growth process.

‘Speaking of which, besides leveling up, I’ve acquired quite a few achievements as well?’

Although all stats gained through achievements are already summed up in the overall status, I thought I should check anyway, just in case.

I touched the ■ next to the achievements window to display the detailed information.

——————————————————–

Achievements

——————————————————–

Janitor – ST +5 / STR +5

Resistant – DEF +5

Star Dust – ATK + 5

We’re Not Strangers – INT + 20

Shooting Star – ATK + 10

Giant Slaying – HP + 50 / MP + 50 / ST +50

Beginner Mana User – INT + 5 / MP + 10

——————————————————–

The first two achievements, Janitor and Resistant, were obtained earlier, and the ones beneath them were recently earned.

Skimming through the list, the AOE’s achievements system didn’t seem much different.

Easier or staged achievements tend to have modest stat bonuses, while hard-to-earn achievements have higher stat bonuses.

Among the numerous achievements, one stood out conspicuously.

The Giant Slaying, obtainable from defeating a raid-type boss for the first time.

Thanks to this, my initially weak physical capabilities improved significantly.

‘Hmm? Could this be it?’

I suddenly sat up.

Indeed, I could feel the enhanced physical strength in my body and legs.

“Oouuu?”

Buoyed by newfound confidence, I tentatively took a step on the bed.

Sak.

A soft step.

After awkwardly standing upright for a while, waiting for some time, the alert for activation of clumsiness never came.

Did I succeed?

“Wow!”

Just as the feeling of achievement welled up, my vision suddenly swayed.

“Did I succeed…? HUEEENG?!“

And then, the alert sounded in my head.

– The effect of the negative trait ‘clumsiness’ imposes a significant penalty on movement!

– The movement action has failed.

Poof.

I softly tumbled back onto the bed.

An overwhelming sense of embarrassment washed over me.

“…”

Edu curled up like a shrimp, facing the wall.

His slightly protruding ears turned as red as a ripe tomato.

Hands, Bungbungi, and Nightmare watched his entire episode through the sensors.

And the lines of sight from all three of them met in the air.

[[[…]]]

A brief silence.

Though no words were exchanged, the three quietly closed their sensors and gently closed their eyes in support of their master’s dignity.