I glared at the letter in my hand.
It bore the seal of the Caldwell Academic Team, so it had to be genuine. Its mana imprint would be near impossible to forge.
The problem wasn't the authenticity—it was the content.
[ Student Adrian Merrick's class is not yet available for viewing. ]
[ The Academic Team is working on a project to produce the best results. ]
[ You can expect good news. ]
Nope. I don't want to expect anything.
Can't they just assign me a normal class and leave me alone? I have zero clue what kind of "grand project" they're cooking up.
'In the first place…'
It felt weird for the academy to send me a personal letter out of the blue.
Sure, there had been that little accident, but it was resolved smoothly. That should mean class assignments went back to normal.
Elize and the rest of my party had already taken their tests after the chaos and were assigned to a 'special class.'
Why can't I get the same streamlined treatment? Why am I the odd one out?
"…I don't know."
I muttered, sliding the letter back into my pocket. No use dwelling on something with no answers.
Then the system chimed in:
< System Message >
[ Confirmed completion of class assignment after admission. ]
[ The first main quest has been completed. ]
[ Updating additional information! ]
So, technically, I'd done everything I was supposed to.
But, of course, this still felt like a problem.
[ Main Quest ]
[ Successfully solve the incident that will happen at the freshmen welcome party! ] [ D-3 ]
[ Reward: Exclusive Equipment Material ]
The freshmen welcome party marked the start of Sera's 'Quarter.' And somehow, I was now stuck being part of it.
To be precise, it's about choosing which character path I would take.
Their would-be 'profession' is determined by what sparks my interest.
Ranged marksman, melee warrior, support priest, or wide-area mage… the usual "pick your flavor" nonsense.
Maybe giving me materials for 'Exclusive Equipment' was part of that.
Exclusive Equipment is gear that can be developed by specializing in a field. Once fully enhanced, its power is ridiculous. In the beginning, though, it barely does more than hold up my dignity. Perfect. Exactly what I needed.
In other words, if I pick a main profession, I get specialized growth equipment. Lucky me.
"…"
But also terrifying.
My mouth went dry just thinking about it.
Because, most importantly, it's tied to this.
< Gift-related Character Notification >
▼ Lirielle Elissandre La Caldwell
[ Trust Level 2 ] >>> [ Trust Level 5 ]
[ Favorability has increased significantly in a short period of time! ]
[ Special Rewards Available! ]
[ Close to favorability status change! ]
[ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ]
[ D-3 until related events occur ]
▼ Elize Kingsley
[ Curiosity Level 5 ]
[ Rewards Currently Unavailable! ]
[ Close to favorability status change! ]
[ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ]
[ D-3 until related events occur ]
I see.
Main character and final-boss-related events happen simultaneously, overlapping with the start of the main quest.
This meant one thing.
'A big wave is coming…!'
Weren't there professional assassins, including Hanzo, during Lirielle's first event?
If these two events hit at the same time, things are going to get chaotic fast.
Fortunately, unlike the first time, I have a three-day grace period instead of two.
"…"
No, actually, I don't think that's a relief at all.
Two or three days? Same difference—still a nightmare.
I swear the academy is gaslighting me. "Oh, here's a grace period!" Yeah, thanks, that makes me feel sooo much safer… not.
'I have no choice but to do what it demands me to do.'
I sighed, scratching my head.
What can I do? Choices don't exist in this game called life.
Even a ghost looks better on a full stomach, so might as well grab Lirielle's reward first.
[ Received Gift Reward from 'Lirielle'. ]
[ Received 1x 'Skill Copy Ticket'. ]
[ You can copy 1 of the target's skills! ]
"…Wait, what the actual hell?"
Skill Copy???
'…This is insane. Like, are we even following rules anymore?'
No explanation needed. No. Way. I can literally swipe the final boss' skill.
'But now's not the best time…'
Using it now would be like eating dessert before the main course—you ruin the fun.
Like the main character, Lirielle would also "grow" into her final boss form.
Sure, she's already the top predator of the academy, but why waste it now? Better to wait until I can snag skills that actually make me look like I planned all this.
"…"
But now I have to prepare for the event in 3 days without my shiny new toy.
Fortunately, I know where to grab the stuff that'll keep me from dying horribly.
"Huu…"
I let out a long exhale and faced my very intimidating goal.
I breathed out a long exhalation and faced my goal ahead.
It was an old warehouse, a long walk from the academy building, because of course nothing in this story is ever conveniently close.
For a rundown place, it screamed irony. Not a single reason for it to be covered in layers of defensive magic, perception-damping spells, and probably a cursed "don't touch" sign somewhere.
The faculty called it the 'supply room.'
Veterans of Sera, however, called it the sacred "Item Farm."
Sure, it was mostly for storing educational materials and equipment, but Caldwell's history was long, twisted, and apparently hoarder-level insane. Mountains of unique relics filled the place, including things only players who had actually played the game would immediately recognize as valuable.
And me? I only cared about one thing.
'Holy Expanse.'
An early survival item capable of hitting like a meteor if properly used.
Originally belonging to the second chapter boss, 'Yseria Grantham'—aka the 'Madblade Maiden,' a completely unhinged bi*tch who sliced anyone who wandered too close.
"…"
Yeah, I was legitimately reconsidering my life choices. Snatching an item from a chapter boss in advance probably has some heavy consequences.
But, hey, I had three days to prepare for the event, so… priorities, right?
None of this is my fault, but why does it feel like the universe decided to personally insult me today?
Yseria's strong, obviously—that's why she's a chapter boss. But as long as she doesn't grow, maybe I can survive. Maybe.
"Alright then."
Time to farm some items and head back.
Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?
●
Five minutes later.
Ha. Ha. Haaaa… yeah, things were going wrong.
I looked at the black-haired girl silently swaying in front of me. Tears glimmered in her eyes, making her look like a child. I could almost call her cute… if it weren't for the tiny detail of her pointing a sword at my neck.
[Can you please stay still?]
Yeah, she doesn't bother with words. She just throws her demands into your brain like a polite telepathic hostage negotiator.
"…So it's easier to slice?" I asked, because apparently sarcasm is my coping mechanism.
[Yes.]
You absolute psycho.
This wasn't just any girl—it was Yseria Grantham, Chapter 2 Boss, the nightmare everyone in this chapter gets stuck with.
And here I am, starring in my own personal "how quickly can Adrian die" show.
"…Why can't anything ever go smoothly?"