Aftermath
Right.
I couldn't stop myself from grinning as I stared at the list of names in the Gift-Related Character window.
Maybe [Irresistible Allure] had something to do with it, but honestly… just blasting Elize across the courtyard like a ragdoll had to count for something. A spectacle like that deserved recognition.
I took a deep breath and started sorting through their information.
Likeability seemed to climb in the order Curiosity → Interest → Trust, with five levels in each stage. Unsurprisingly, the top spot was already taken: Lirielle at Trust Level 2.
'…Weird.'
The "important villains" of the story should have noticed me by now, yet none of them appeared. Only minor characters—the near-extras—were listed.
Some clearly didn't care. Others were born with a built-in chaos mode.
The real problem?
The final boss—the one who should hate me most—was already showing trust. At Trust Level 2, no less, while everyone else hovered somewhere between curiosity and interest.
"Why?"
I had no idea. Absolutely none.
Lirielle's "related event" was scheduled for tomorrow. Well, there's no reason to refuse a reward walking straight into your hands.
After all, I'd just taken down the main character with one of the two skills she gave me.
[ Received Gift Reward from 'Lirielle' ]
[ Attribute Acquired: Caldwell-Style Swordsmanship ]
< Mastery Info >
[ Attribute: Caldwell-Style Swordsmanship ] [ Grade: Basic ]
[ Duke Caldwell's legendary swordsmanship. ]
[ ■ Can exert notable power regardless of the weapon. ]
[ Raise your attribute level to unlock greater benefits! ]
"…here we go again."
Not bad.
As expected from a reward tied to a final boss. First, she gave a skill that shot straight to EX Class, and now this—an overperforming attribute.
Duke Caldwell is one of the top swordsmen in the empire. Basically, this thing already comes with a built-in guarantee of deadly efficiency.
"…yeah, yeah, I get it."
Of course, there's a catch. Most things linked to the Caldwell family tend to be tied to… darker stuff. Devils, weird contracts, moral nightmares—you name it.
Right now, it's just swordsmanship, but the deeper I dig, the weirder it gets. Who knows what kind of headaches this will bring later?
'Ah, I don't f_cking know.'
But since it's here, might as well use it. Options are for rich nobles, and I'm not one of them. Capabilities > hesitation.
The rest of the rewards? I grabbed them with the same "why not" attitude.
[ Received Gift Reward from 'Baron Armut'. ]
[ Acquired 100 points! ]
[ Received Gift Reward from 'Viscount Lupen'. ]
[ Acquired 50 points! ]
Somehow, the rest of the gift rewards had been replaced with something called points.
What is this?
[ Points can be used in the item shop! ]
Ah, I see.
So extra villains just hand out lump-sum rewards. Got it.
Naturally, I'm familiar with this system. It's basically a vending machine—you buy consumables or buffs to make the game a bit easier.
[ Current Points: 3,500pts ]
…but isn't this too much?
3,500 points is something you'd normally grind for over a long stretch in the original game. No matter how effective Irresistible Allure was, could it really boost villain favorability this much?
"…Well, good is good."
I lowered the window all the way down.
Gathering this much was still a huge win. At least my options for tomorrow's event just got a serious boost.
However, just as I was about to close the window, something greyed out caught my peripheral vision at the bottom.
< Gift-related Character Notification >
▼ Elize Kingsley
[ Curiosity Level 4 ]
[ Rewards Currently Unavailable! ]
"…"
Why is she here?
"Hmm."
I thoughtfully stroked my nonexistent beard.
Pretty sure gift-related characters are supposed to be villains who favor me.
"…Hmm."
No, seriously—why is she here?
Doesn't she meet none of the conditions?
Before I could brainstorm further, a sudden knock cut me off.
"Ah, is this Mr. Adrian Merrick's room?"
"…"
Oh, that voice.
"This is Elize Kingsley. May I come in?"
"…"
I scowled and let out a long, defeated sigh.
So apparently, she's not a good person.
No idea why she just decided to drop by, but I could only hope that if I stayed silent, she'd give up and leave.
"I've already asked the teacher—I know whose dorm this is. If you don't answer, I'll break in myself."
This f—ing b¡tch…!
"…I pray for whoever that teacher is to spontaneously combust."
"Oh, so you are in there."
Despite my sarcastic muttering, all I got in return was that annoyingly clear, calm voice.
"Could you open the door? There's something I want to tell you."
"…Talk about what?"
"Well… maybe we could get to know each other a little?"
"…"
My head throbbed.
Facepalming, I groaned like a man already halfway to insanity.
Adrian Merrick. Day two at the academy.
And just like that… my fate started intertwining with the main character.
I'm losing my mind.