ALL NOVEL Chapter 84
Main event of Chapter 3.
The time for [Beast Descent: Gate of the Underworld] is approaching.
Today is the eve of the Holy Fire Festival.
And I’m receiving magic tutoring from Yeriel in the Hall of Struggle.
As a representative student of the second-year Magic Department, she’s busy with festival preparations, looking a bit tired.
– No! I want to train with Lev…
My mana has sufficiently increased, so I figured I could take a break on the mid-day.
Anyway, despite her busyness, she just got out of the shower, and her transparent skin is full of a fresh and fragrant aroma.
“Lev…”
“?”
“What happened yesterday?”
Yeriel checks the mana detection device and looks at me seriously.
It’s rare to see her, the smiling bunny merchant, wearing such an expression.
“Yesterday?”
The only events of yesterday are her testing me on magic, clearing the Trial 3…
And the memories I received from Aria during purification…
It’s somewhat significant, but they’re things I can’t really explain.
“Um… I don’t know?”
Fortunately, I didn’t need to concoct a proper answer.
“The amount of magic power has clearly increased… I thought 4 circles would be your limit.”
“Really?”
– Ding ding!
—————————————————
Status
[Strength]: 3.4
[Stamina]: 3.5
[Dexterity]: 3.6(4.68)
[Magic Power]: 3.2(3.52)
[Mana]: 3.75
[Mental Strength]: 2.7
[Empathy]: 2.4
[Luck]: 4.0
[Specialization]
Circle Magic (4)
Crossbow – Proficiency (7)
Curse Resistance (4)
Fire Resistance (3)
Physical Resistance (4)
—————————————————
I guess it’s because I cleared the trial and my overall stats went up.
“Indeed… It seems it’s because I like my master…”
As I quietly mutter while watching her,
“Are you doing this again?!”
Yeriel gives me a look as if she’s teasing me again.
“Just kidding, just kidding. So, is that it for today’s lesson?”
“Um…?”
In that moment, panic crosses Yeriel’s face.
The Gathering of Social Events is the day after tomorrow,
Tomorrow is McClone’s welcoming magic performance and a treasure hunt organized by the student council.
And when all the students scatter around the academy due to this treasure hunt event, the Gate of the Underworld and the beasts will open.
Thus, today can be considered a relatively safe day until then.
“Good job.”
“Lev!”
“?”
As I start to pack up to leave, Yeriel calls out to me.
“Did you practice dancing for the social gathering…?”
“Ah.”
If I were the original Lev Denec, I would have learned to dance as a noble, but in South Korea, I was a complete clutz.
As I ponder whether this event is necessary,
Yeriel tightly closes her eyes and says to me.
“They say we can practice dancing in the Hall of Culture in advance…! I was going to practice with other students, but if you’re okay with it, I can help you as your partner!”
– Hooray! It’s okay! I was the same, so let’s do our best together!
Definitely, other students unknowingly described her as a pure fox wearing a bunny mask because of her winks and kind tone, but I still don’t understand why she’s so shy.
“Weren’t you busy?”
“I wrapped everything up and came… it’s fine!”
“Hmm…”
Yeriel repeatedly touches her fingers, making a face that says, ‘Could it work…?’
It feels like a strangely planned situation, but I guess there’s no harm in learning.
“Sure.”
*
– ♪♩♪
The classical ball music spreads throughout the Hall of Culture, tinted in red.
Of course, it’s a smaller version compared to the main hall of Claris where the ball will be held, but maybe they made it this way consciously, with the high ceilings and chandeliers hanging, it feels quite realistic.
“There are a lot of people.”
“Right? More than I expected…”
When Yeriel and I arrived, many students were already practicing in the Hall of Culture.
In fact, it should be considered a partner search under the guise of practice.
Entering the Gathering of Social Events at Claris Academy is a principle that mandates having a partner.
Of course, it doesn’t mean you can only dance with your designated partner.
Claris Academy superficially pursues equality.
So, as a matter of etiquette, if you’re invited to dance, you typically accept.
The principal’s intention was to create a place of harmony where everyone can connect and mingle.
Anyway, in cases like this, it seems more appropriate for the man to lead,
So, I took Yeriel by the waist and the opposite hand.
“!!”
Yeriel was suddenly surprised by the skinship, her waist muscles tightening.
Even though she’s in uniform instead of a dress, I could feel the contours quite deeply.
And rather than looking at my face, Yeriel pressed closer against my chest.
‘This is not good…’
It’s tough to see her in such tension, who is usually so gentle.
There’s a risk of injury.
To ease her nerves, I said a word.
“Aren’t you supposed to be teaching me?”
“…I said I would help, not teach…!”
“Fine, start by relaxing your hands.”
“…Lev! You seem more experienced than me…”
“I am a noble after all.”
“True…”
But that was all.
As I maintained my posture without moving,
“What’s this…!”
With a chuckle, Yeriel’s dance lecture began.
.
.
.
– “Be careful, match your feet.”
– “Yeah, slowly like that.”
– “What’s this, Lev? Were you pretending not to know…?”
– “……”
Yeriel’s dance teachings were as detailed as her magic lessons.
Of course, as my proficiency was boosted by the game system adjustment, I quickly became accustomed to it.
Gradually, without even being aware of it, I found myself leading Yeriel and stepping in rhythm.
She, too, was completely surrendering her body to me at this point.
.
.
.
– “Lev! Yeriel!”
– “…?”
Suddenly, the person who interrupted us was the knight, Aveline.
“It is truly an honor to meet you here.”
She elegantly greeted us and approached me.
“I also need some practice, would you dance with me?”
Caught off guard by her uninvited friendliness, I replied shortly.
“No thanks.”
“…!”
When I replied honestly, Aveline’s expression turned sour.
Then, Yeriel tugged at my sleeve.
She seemed to be worried for me.
Well, this is the Hall of Culture, so there are many eyes watching.
“Just five minutes.”
“…Thank you.”
.
.
.
– ♪♩
When the dance with Aveline started, a somewhat faster tempo of music began to play.
“Why did you avoid me in Hwangdo?”
“We’re not that close, and it’s uncomfortable.”
“…That’s true, but!”
If I were to argue further, it’s because I know what happens in the story afterward.
According to the fanfic, even if Caeran wasn’t parasitically attached to me, he’s absent during the holidays.
This is the author’s tactic to suppress the power inflation of Caeran to some extent, and it was due to the narrative about the villain guild Crow Pay.
At this timing, the relationships of Melissa, Aveline, and Edwin gradually recover.
The three of them practice together and form a party, but…
The problem lies in Chapter 4 of the second semester, the main episode, the Hero Selection Test.
– “Sorry, Edwin! I think I’ll quit this party… Do you understand my feelings?”
– “I feel the same. You’ve worked hard. I wish to see you at a higher place…”
– “Ah, Edwin, could you leave…? I think that might be more comfortable…”
When Caeran returns and demonstrates his overwhelming skills,
Aveline and Melissa abandon Edwin.
To summarize, Melissa made the decision for the revival of her duchy,
And Aveline’s ambition was to prove her worth and the feelings toward her brother.
‘Does this make sense?’
The rest is simple.
Although the fundamental heroines still don’t have much screen time, Edwin doesn’t give up and continues to grow.
By the way, this plot about growth and academy life is described in great length.
So, naturally, I anticipated the regrets of Melissa and Aveline over Edwin,
And how Edwin would soar with the fundamental heroines, which I had been holding back waiting to see…
But what awaited me in the latter half was,
– “Edwin, do you want to join my party? It seems like a lot of annoying things will come up… If you don’t want to, just say so.”
It was Caeran’s proposal.
Ultimately, Edwin, who had only looked forward to one hero, put everything aside and decided to take on the role of the dishwashing boy in Caeran’s party.
Skipping all the annoying events that happen during the journey…
The last task entrusted to him was to become a martyr on the bridge…
“Looking back at it now, I’d cough up blood.”
“What did you say?”
Anyway, in such a situation, I can’t like Aveline and Melissa.
“Why do you keep coming to me?”
“…”
– Shiver.
She seems polite on the surface, but she’s the type to act before she thinks.
I don’t know the exact reason, but it feels like I’m the one in control now.
With my impolite tone, Aveline took a deep breath and forced her emotions back to say,
“Sir, I have a good proposal for the nobleman with ‘B’ rank….”
“Summarize it in one sentence.”
“Uh… Summarize in one sentence? Ah, to cut to the chase, I want to recruit you into Divine Valhalla.”
“Decline.”
“W-What did you just say…?”
“It means I refuse.”
“…!”
– Shiver…
‘Good value for money, huh?’
It seems my nerdy way of speaking has begun to heat her up.
She forced a smile with a slightly agitated face.
“Now, I’m not joking!! Divine Valhalla is a large guild recognized by the royal family. Therefore, I thought it could greatly assist your family, the Denecs…”
Her tone sounded like she was revealing a trump card.
Is this it?
I’ve been expelled for a long time.
I’m just busy trying to make a living.
“That’s not my business.”
“What…? What do you mean…?”
Aveline stuttered in disbelief.
I guess she couldn’t accept it since her life revolves around her family’s honor.
“You’re not from the Denec family, are you?! I heard there’s a marriage proposal coming. If you understood my words, then why say such a shameless thing…!”
“Is there anything else to say aside from that?”
“L-lev! Please wait a moment…!”
I pushed Aveline off to a group of other men seeking partners.
“Aveline wants an escort!”
– Aveline!
– Please have a dance with me!
“Wait a second!”
As I turned back to Yeriel, I could hear her small shouts behind me.
.
.
.
While Lev momentarily mingled with Aveline,
Yeriel was recalling their dance.
To her surprise, he led quite well, leaving her astonished.
The past of acting without decorum might simply be a rumor.
Anyway, it was a short time, but it felt nice.
Surrendering her body to the music, leaning on him,
With each step, they exchanged feelings.
Then,
“Hmm?”
A familiar face.
Yeriel spotted Aria.
.
.
.
– “Aria, I’m sorry. I was so selfish….”
Aria came to the Hall of Culture at Melissa’s request.
– “I’m really sorry. I’ll bring Edwin, so please wait here!”
And Melissa seemed to be trying to dance with Edwin, stating she would bring him out of the Personal Training Room.
– ♪♩♪
As the two beauties faced each other,
The eye game began for the male students to invite them to dance.
“Yeriel! Nice to see you again.”
“Yeah! Aria, you’ve been well, right?”
“Yes.”
Aria thought she’d become friendly with Yeriel since the ceremony in Hwangdo.
Definitely…! That’s true.
But Lev Denec was sneaking out again…
Yeriel set out to find him.
Even though Edwin warned that it was dangerous, she said she’d just check around and would be back,
And then, after quite some time, the two returned to their dorm.
‘That was all…’
This fact lodged itself quietly in Aria’s heart.
The two, with starkly different personalities, surprisingly seemed to fit well together.
– Hooray! It’s okay! I was the same, so let’s do our best together!
Yeriel, kind to all like an angel and wildly popular among the academy’s crowd.
– “Aria, for today, let me be your master.”
And there was Lev Denec, who sometimes seemed to go off the rails but had a caring feeling for others.
Because of this, he caught her attention.
How can the relationship between the two be defined?
But asking directly what happened that day wouldn’t be polite.
“Really an annoying person….”
– !!
While Yeriel and Aria contemplated their own thoughts, Lev, the focal point of it all, returned.
“Lev, what happened with Aveline…?”
“Oh, it was nothing… you scared me.”
“…”
As Lev discovered Aria late, Yeriel spoke to him.
“Aria should dance with Lev too! I taught him well…!”
“I’m fine…”
“Don’t say that! Quickly!”
As Yeriel pushed the two of them toward each other,
A shining object around Aria’s neck caught Lev’s eye.
“Um…?”
Feeling somewhat helpless, Aria accepted Lev’s escort, saying,
“Since you have points, please help me.”
“…I’ll try.”
As the two began to move together,
‘……Why is that…?’
It was definitely that pure white ring he had seen before when he opened his backpack to assert his innocence in Hwangdo…
The engagement ring of the Denec family that he thought was around his neck now hung around Aria’s.
– ♪♩♪
As they slowly swayed in rhythm,
Yeriel’s eyes began to waver.