I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City – Chapter 85

[Shop list has been updated]

Everyone had it, but I was the only one missing out.

No space to stash cash or special currency, no clue how to even get it.

[Shop ─ Lv.2]

◇ Exclusive Weapon – 30,000P (One-time purchase)

◇ Unique Skill Level Up – 20,000P (One-time purchase)

◇ Low-grade Health/Mana Potion – 100P

◇ Dining Hall Reservation Ticket – 50P

◇ Focus-Enhancing Incense – 50P

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◇ Samhwa Kingdom Fruit Set – 10P

◇ Rainbow Macaron Set – 8P

◇ Chicken/Pizza – 8P

◇ Bulk Combat Rations – 5P

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[Remaining Points – 16,098P]

‘···Exclusive Weapon!’

Finally, the long-awaited item has appeared.

The Shop skill seems to be gleaming, or maybe it’s just my imagination.

‘This update is really generous, huh? Not just one item, but multiple.’

Just the exclusive weapon alone is enough to make my head spin, and now there’s even a unique skill level-up.

The price has skyrocketed compared to the first level-up, but it’s still beyond expectations.

“What are you spacing out for? Class is starting.”

Noah poked Rohan’s arm with her tail as she passed by, snapping him out of his daze.

Thanks to that, Rohan snapped back to reality and wandered back to the classroom. Sitting down, he carefully continued his train of thought.

‘Points…’

Thanks to the rewards from completing quests related to Sion, his remaining points are quite hefty. Just a little more, and he’ll have enough.

He’s torn between buying the exclusive weapon or the skill level-up first, but no matter what he chooses, both have their merits. And the goal of buying both doesn’t seem too far off.

Opportunities to earn Shop points will keep coming in the future.

After all, the practical exam is coming up, where they’ll be sent to an uninhabited island teeming with monsters and ecosystems. For Rohan, who can convert monsters into points, it’s basically a festival.

‘If it’s like before, there’ll be quests during the practical exam too.’

The written exam is a chance to breathe life back into his dried-up image.

The practical exam is an opportunity to score points and earn rewards simultaneously.

As he seriously laid out his plans,

just as he was trying to figure out the best course of action,

“Young man… Do you have worries? Suffer more. Deep contemplation is the essence of human excellence.”

“Ah, this crazy guy.”

Gilbert’s shadowy face shattered the moment.

Rohan, leaning away from the pressure, watched as Gilbert freely expressed his inner thoughts.

“Rohan, what do you think about the changes to this practical exam?”

“Not much.”

“Is this your bold attitude of accepting fate as it comes? A refreshingly straightforward answer.”

“This guy’s at it again…”

Whether Rohan made a sound of annoyance or not, Gilbert crossed his arms with a stern face.

The Academy uniform let out a *squeak* as it tightened, accompanied by a muffled scream.

The pressure from his massive frame made it seem like his clothes would burst at any moment, but the durability of the Academy uniform was such that even this expansion couldn’t tear it apart.

“Though it’s a change brought by an unfortunate calamity, in a way, we first-years are blessed cadets for being able to prepare for this in advance.”

“I know. Don’t go picking up weird stuff to eat if you get stranded on a deserted island.”

Given Gilbert’s colorful history with bizarre food, that was the first thing that came to mind.

Dick Wikitree, who had been sitting and organizing his notes, naturally chimed in.

“Even if the instructor saves us from monsters, it’ll be hard for them to save us from willingly picking up weird stuff to eat.”

“But the Academy wouldn’t let cadets go alone, right? They always emphasize teamwork in class, and it’s easier to manage if we’re in teams of at least two.”

When Rohan spoke with quiet confidence, Gilbert shot Dick a threatening look.

“Breathing glasses rack, if you end up on my team, I’ll toughen up your weak stomach with three meals a day of rock stew and mud cookies.”

“If I end up on a team with a caveman, I’d rather just go alone.”

Dick defiantly pushed up his glasses using only his middle finger, and Rohan prayed that these two would somehow end up on the same team, just to end their tiresome standoff.

‘Whoever I end up with, I hope it’s someone halfway decent.’

In Abyss City, you choose your characters to team up with, but right now, it’s completely unpredictable, and it all comes down to pure luck.

So, for a moment, Rohan became an instant believer and sent a prayer skyward.

*****

“…”

Sion, seated on the sky train, hugged her bag as the train rattled.

People passing through the train car kept glancing at her, but she didn’t mind. It was fine.

She was in a good mood because she managed to snag a seat where she could sit alone.

‘I hope I can sit alone on the way back too.’

With that thought, she turned her gaze out the window. They were lower than the clouds but still quite far from the land.

She could see the sea and, scattered here and there, mysterious structures or buildings.

There were many strange things Sion was seeing for the first time, but without a companion to discuss them with, she just stared blankly.

‘Is it really going to be an 11-hour flight?’

Staying still definitely wouldn’t make the wait any easier.

Sion turned on her smartphone to review the geography of Tigroba and brush up on etiquette for the remaining time.

While meticulously reading through the information, she received a group message from Clara.

[Clara: Are you doing okay, unnie? I’m on the bus now! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ]

“Hmph…”

A smile bloomed on Sion’s lips at Clara’s message.

How on earth did she manage to combine emoticons like that?

After fiddling with the keyboard for a while, Sion gave up and decided to just take a photo of the view outside and send it.

*Click!*

When Sion sent the awkwardly taken photo, Clara responded with a cute reaction.

[Clara: I’m a bit scared of the cold, but… I hope we get a chance to go together next time… ( ⸝⸝˘𖥦˘⸝⸝)]

Sion was thinking the same thing.

They were chatting while Rohan, who couldn’t join because of class, was on their minds.

[Rohan: This body has just survived the relentless storm of theory.]

[Rohan: Photo]

It seemed like one class had ended.

Rohan sent a photo where barely half his face was visible, probably trying to show where he was.

Of course, the background was the academy classroom.

‘His face isn’t really visible…’

As Sion was lamenting that she wished his face was clearer instead of the background…

*Buzz! Buzz!*

A call came through on her smartphone.

[Rohan]

“!”

Startled, Sion glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then moved to the hallway to take the call.

“Ahem, ahem!”

After clearing her throat and preparing herself, the girl finally answered the call.

It wasn’t her first call with Rohan, but for some reason, her heart was racing.

“…I answered.”

─ Were you sleeping? Did I wake you?

“No, it’s not that. It just took me a while to get out of the room.”

─ Ah, that must’ve been annoying. I should’ve just texted.

“It’s fine. I still prefer calls over messages.”

The reason Rohan called wasn’t anything major.

It was just a simple check-in to see if she was doing well and if everything was okay.

─ If you get hungry on the way, make sure to eat properly. Don’t go for cheap stuff just to save money.

“…”

He completely read her actions and thoughts. Yet, instead of feeling creeped out, it made her feel good.

It felt like Rohan really understood her.

─ And don’t forget to stick to the main roads. Don’t travel late at night just to get there faster. Once the sun sets, find a place to stay and get some rest early.

“You’re treating me like a child.”

Sion chuckled, focusing on Rohan’s voice.

It was amusing how he treated her, but it felt oddly nice.

─ Ah, the instructor’s coming. Anyway, call me if there’s any problem. Even if there’s no problem, keep in touch.

“Okay… got it.”

After the call ended, she looked at the screen.

[00:…]

[06:28]

[Call recording file will be saved.]

Thanks to Rohan and Clara’s settings, the call recording proceeded automatically.

What a delightful feature.

‘If I listen to it 10 times, that’s an hour. If I repeat it 100 times, I should arrive by then.’

Seems like the trip to Tigroba won’t be boring.

*****

Meanwhile, another girl was on her way.

Clara, who was on the bus heading back, was startled by a message.

‘Oh, oh, oppa’s photo…?!’

She had always wanted it, but what a sudden gift.

Even though Rohan wasn’t the subject of the photo, Clara liked the photo just because he was in it.

First, she saves it to her gallery. Then moves it to a hidden folder.

Just in case, she even sets a password.

“…”

Now that the process is done, it’s time to leisurely admire it.

The girl, leaning her head against the window, quietly gazed at Rohan’s photo.

And then she remembered.

What Sion had done in the dormitory and on the bus.

‘…I’m jealous.’

Her achievements in such a short time were impressive. Even without self-awareness, her transparent and confident expression of desire was enviable.

How nice it would be if she could do the same.

‘Should I… try it too?’

She always hesitated, but seeing Sion doing it so boldly right in front of her.

The girl’s rationality began to waver against her instincts. It felt like a loss not to do it.

Of course, she doesn’t have Rohan’s clothes like Sion does.

She just ponders while looking at the photo Rohan sent.

“…”

Clara checked the sparsely populated, quiet bus again.

She bent down in her seat, out of sight from the driver.

Then, she stuck out her tongue like a cat.

Clara lightly licked the screen displaying Rohan’s photo.

“Haah…”

Of course, there was no taste.

But the realization that she had done something outrageous was undeniable.