ALL NOVEL Chapter 44
I think about it.
Was there a good person in the [Reincarnated Academy]…?
By the time we get to the latter half of the story, Edwin and the main heroines are the heroes, while the author’s characters, including Caeran, are the villains…
In my standards as a fundamentalist, that’s how it goes.
So where does Lev Denec fit in?
And why did Aria ask me if I was a good person?
“Well, I act according to what attracts me.”
An ambiguous answer slipped from my lips.
In a way, I’m the third party in this story, someone trying to interfere and change things.
Maybe I’m not a bad person to Edwin, but to Caeran, I might be seen as one.
Aria lowered her gaze slightly and replied.
“…Is that so…”
And again, the familiar silence returned.
In this awkward atmosphere, shiiik.
Only the sound of my crossbow echoed, and for some reason, Aria was still holding her ground.
And it wasn’t long before she opened her mouth again.
“I’m looking for the Great Demon Andras.”
“…Really?”
That’s someone I’ve killed, right?
I bit down on the words that almost popped out.
It’s still too early to say.
Because I can’t prove that or explain the process.
But I was surprised. Aria talking about her past usually happens much later.
“Can you help me find him?”
“…”
I was at a loss for words.
The reason was the status window that popped up alongside her words.
Chiarang!
————————————-
[Supporting Role Quest]
[Main Event 3]
[Mission Object: As a supporting role, you know the answer. Please tell healer ‘Aria Bluebell’ the whereabouts of Andras.]
[Reward: Supporting Role Points 300]
[Remaining Time: None]
————————————-
In fanfics, characters always have awakening chapters and main events.
Among those, Aria’s awakening will happen when she faces off against Andras.
Ultimately, if it’s about Andras’s whereabouts, it’s not simply that he’s been obliterated; I have to say I inherited his power.
And in this world, inheriting the power of a demon is clear in its implication.
Unlike the necessary evils in the original game, it would be defined as ‘absolute evil’.
Aria’s eyes trembled ever so slightly.
This is her way of testing me.
She tends not to ask for favors so easily.
It’s not a straightforward request for help in finding Andras.
It was more like a plea if I know anything or if I’m related to him, to say it now…
“Is it the 300 points in front of me, or Aria’s favor…”
I had to admit again.
This world isn’t a game.
She and I are living beings.
And the direction I need to head towards is to prevent the Caeran ending.
That’s all there is to it.
I made my decision. I looked at Aria and said.
“I’ll help you.”
Aria smiled lightly as if she expected that.
“…I misspoke. Please forget it.”
*
After finishing the conversation with Aria in the shooting range, I checked the reward for winning the bet in my dorm room.
————————————-
[Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Rarity: S]
[Crossbow imbued with the thoughts of the Great Demon – Leragie. Cannot be used as it has no string.]
[Cannot be equipped]
[Detailed effects unknown]
————————————-
A crossbow tinged with a reddish-black hue.
Perhaps because its abilities are not unlocked yet, it doesn’t show any particular features.
If it weren’t for its dark color, it might seem rather ordinary?
Diana worried about it being difficult to use since it lacks a string and is a demon’s item…
————————————-
[Water Dragon Poseidros’s Tendon]
[Rarity: S]
[A tendon that belonged to Poseidros when he existed in physical form. It’s said to have properties like it can be grasped like water, yet it can’t be broken easily.]
[Combining item]
————————————-
With my gamer traits, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem.
‘Crafting.’
————————————-
[Craft]
[Skill Level: Lv.1]
[Craftable Items]
[Recipe – Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Gray Ashen Bolt 1/1]
[One string of S-rank or higher 1/1]
[Reward: Gray Ashen Bolt]
Would you like to craft?
[Craft Success Rate: 1%]
————————————-
In the [Reincarnated Hero] closed beta, to facilitate smooth testing and progression, they made it so crafting doesn’t have to be done only at crafting tool locations.
So, to raise my skill level, I’ll simply do it myself, but the problem is the success rate.
It’s an S-rank item, but my skill level is at 1, giving me only a 1% chance.
‘But this…’
————————————-
Status
[Strength]: 2.9
[Health]: 3.25
[Dexterity]: 2.6 (3.38)
[Magic Power]: 1.9 (2.09)
[Mana]: 2.5
[Mental Strength]: 2.45
[Perception]: 1.7
[Luck]: 3.4
[Specialization]
Circle Magic (1)
Crossbow – Proficiency (7)
Curse Resistance (3)
————————————-
[Remaining Supporting Role Points: 5]
With the luck I’ve worked hard on and the first crafting bonus from the test server, plus the crafting potion I brought from the black market for 3,000 gems…
Ding!
————————————-
[Base Crafting Success Rate: 1%]
[Blacksmith Dwarf Potion: +8%]
[Increased success rate due to mystical luck!: +34%]
[Test Server First Crafting Bonus!: Success Rate +50%]
[Crafting Success Rate: 93%]
————————————-
Seven percent short…
If I fail, would I want to kill myself?
I’m not really the gambling type.
I still have one last move.
Let’s show true desperation.
‘Demonization.’
————————————-
[Demonization] [Lv.1] (Active) (Ultimate Skill)
: Control the power of the demon and become engulfed by darkness for a certain period.
(Current Stat +.5) x1.05 Status Bonus.
Current Mana maintainable time: 26.877 seconds
Exp: (0/300)
Acquisition Difficulty: Extremely High
————————————-
I’ll pump my luck one more time.
Is Lev a good person?
For a moment, Aria’s words came to mind, but there’s no helping it. Just bear with me this once…
As I concentrated my mind and used Demonization,
Hwiioo!
An ominous magic began to cling to my entire body.
Ding!
[Luck: 3.4 → 4.09]
It’s definitely an ultimate skill.
The beloved skill that completes the last puzzle when you’re always left wanting.
Ding!
————————————-
[Base Crafting Success Rate: 1%]
[Blacksmith Dwarf Potion: +8%]
[Increased success rate due to mystical luck!: +40.9%]
[Test Server First Crafting Bonus!: Success Rate +50%]
[Success Rate: 99.9%]
————————————-
Now, I have completed the button that has a one in a thousand chance of suicide.
Without hesitation, I shouted.
“Craft.”
…
*
…
*
-VROOOOM!!!
[Crafting was successful!]
[Gray Ashen Bolt]
“Phew.”
A sigh escaped me.
What’s the big deal about being so nervous…
As I let out a breath of relief, the status window began to pop up like water flowing.
————————————-
[Crafting Proficiency has increased!]
[Equipment Crafting: Lv.1 → Lv.6!]
[Luck Activation! Random Stat increased by 0.3!]
[Mana 2.5 → 2.8]
[Item Achievement Cleared!]
[Legacy of the Great Demon]
[Reward: Supporting Role Points 100]
[You have obtained Supporting Role Points!]
————————————-
A perfect score of 100 for the main quest.
The speed at which I’m combining items at this stage is ridiculous.
————————————-
[Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Rarity: S+]
[Crossbow imbued with the thoughts of the Great Demon – Leragie. It is said that only those chosen by demons can possess it.]
[*Effect of Water Dragon’s Tendon: Allows water attribute attacks.]
[Equippable]
[Unique Effect Unusable]
————————————-
I’ve created an S+ rated item.
In the game, it’d be a fantasy rare item that you’d only make a couple of times at the end of the story.
But high-rank items can’t use special abilities if the wearer’s stats don’t match.
It’s a natural balancing mechanism.
If item power was possible, I would have spent all my gems to equip items from the start.
Ultimately, with my current stats, wearing this would only be slightly better than what I’m currently wearing.
However, the reason I chose the demon weapon, Gray Ashen Bolt, is precisely because of this.
‘The tooltip says, chosen by the demon.’
In other words, if I use Demonization, I can use all the abilities of Gray Ashen Bolt.
I want to test it immediately, but if I use Demonization twice, not only will my mana run low, but both Aria and Yeriel will notice.
‘Preparations are complete.’
Anyway, with this, I’m all set to face off against raid-level demon creatures.
*
As time passed, the day of dungeon practice arrived.
Each party was headed to dungeons of similar difficulty but located in different places, causing the magic tower responsible for the portals to be bustling with students.
“Thank you, Yeriel-senpai. I couldn’t even find a party…”
“From now on, don’t call me senpai! I prefer casual talk!”
Edwin was expressing his gratitude to Yeriel, who had suggested a party.
“Ah, got it… got it, Yeriel.”
“Let’s do our best, Edwin!”
“Um….”
As Yeriel smiled and extended her hand, Edwin looked dazed as if he had encountered an angel.
‘He’s already fallen hard…’
That’s fine. Just like in the original.
This is where their connection begins.
At that moment, Vice Instructor Bella approached us with a student.
“Team 16, you’re all gathered.”
Since each class must have one of each class, our party ended up like this…
————————————-
Party Leader: Yeriel
Frontline: Edwin, Lily
Midline: Aria, Yeriel
Backline: Me
————————————-
Thus, our party was formed.
Vice Instructor Bella began explaining the current situation.
“If all went as planned, an S-rank frontline would be suitable for your party, but due to the mismatch in numbers, we’ve formed the team this way.”
Ahem!
With brown twin tails…
A wide-brimmed magician’s hat.
For some reason, it was Lily Forget, the Dragon Tamer, whom I had launched a confession attack against, being our frontline.
That’s not unreasonable.
Originally, Lily is a summoner. Since she can summon golems, she’s capable of tanking summoners.
Becoming a Dragon Tamer occurs after her awakening, so this fits the timeline.
Moreover, she’s a prospective member set to rise to S-rank. There’s no significant issue with her skills.
“Ahem Thanks for coming! This was all for your support… ah, I mean, it was requested by Yeriel-senpai!”
So it was because of Caeran…
In [Reincarnated Academy], Melissa, Aveline, and Lily all find themselves seduced by Caeran.
I had seen Caeran work his charm during the culture seminar, where they were all bickering to party with him.
“The information about the dungeon has already been conveyed to Elder. Yeriel, you will follow her instructions. The evaluation is also up to Elder, so don’t show any subpar performances just because the professors aren’t here.”
“One more thing, the place you’re going isn’t a dangerous dungeon, but it’s definitely a real battle. Don’t let your guard down. That’s all.”
Bella vanished swiftly as if she had to explain to the next group.
It’s clear that this academy aims to prepare for real battles.
Now it was left with just our party; Lily started glaring at me.
“Ugh, why are you here?”
Is it finally time for me to be ignored by this third-rate cliché after such a long time?
With her hands placed on her waist, she started to pick on me with her petite stature.
“Seriously, with Lily in the frontline, and this is how the backline looks? Do you not realize you’re a burden to the others?”
She’s cute, in a way.
Even when she’s speaking in the third person, it oddly suits her.
“Lily. We’re about to begin evaluation. Can you refrain from provoking a divide?”
“Sure~. Besides, it’s the duty of the midline and backline to follow the frontline, right?”
Even with Yeriel’s restraint, Lily wouldn’t back down.
“I won’t take orders from someone like you. If you’re in the backline, just shoot arrows. You know the saying, ‘If you stay quiet, you’ll do okay,’ right? Don’t say unnecessary things. Understand?!”
“……”
“Answer!!!”
In this dungeon investigation exercise, there will be a raid-level demon appearing.
And the awakening of Edwin and Yeriel.
The beginning of an important event, and yet I was trying to keep it civil…
No, it won’t do. That bratty girl needs to have her tears wiped from her eyes.