I Level Up With In-app Purchases

I Raise With In-app Purchases – 42

EP.42 Before the Semester Starts (2)

“Not bad at all.”

I was curious to see how Rebecca would view Shine. While a 2nd-tier might not seem like much, that’s something you can say in a game, not in reality. Even as a 2nd-tier, her origin was SSR. Being an SSR meant she was a genius, and Shine’s abilities were enough to make anyone envious.

“You think this is just ‘not bad’?”

“Hey, do you know how hard it is to get a ‘not bad’ from me? This is a big deal!”

“Really?”

In reality, Shine was blushing and shyly happy even with the ‘not bad’ evaluation. She was always so cool and easygoing in front of me, but in front of Rebecca, she was the epitome of a refined lady. A strange sense of betrayal washed over me as Rebecca’s teaching began in earnest.

“Come over here. Try spreading it out slowly.”

“Yes!”

Her response was solid. Watching Rebecca and Shine’s lesson, I soon lost interest and started my own workout. All I could do was connect the two of them.

‘Since she started the lessons early, her skills should improve, right?’

I also experienced unexpected skill growth with Rebecca’s help. If Shine, who was rapidly improving, trained with her, she would undoubtedly see even greater results.

“That’s right! You’re doing well! If you knew how to do this, why didn’t you?”

“Wow, this is so much easier. I can put in more strength.”

“Just a slight change in posture makes a big difference, right?”

“Yes. It’s amazing.”

“That’s what technique is.”

Both Rebecca, who was teaching, and Shine, who was learning, were excited. Their synergy was much better than I had anticipated.

“I used to wish the semester would start soon, but now I kind of wish the vacation would last longer.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to attend my formal classes? You said you wanted to take my classes once you reached A-rank.”

“Oh! That’s true. But there will be other students then, so you won’t be able to focus on me one-on-one.”

“That’s true. But group classes have their own benefits.”

“Yes!”

“Shall we try again?”

“I’m ready.”

…I realized that their synergy had exceeded my expectations only a day before the semester started.

“How about aiming for S-rank instead of A-rank?”

“What?”

“Your skills have improved faster than I expected. It’s like a dam that was blocked has burst open. You said you struggled at B-rank for a long time, right?”

“Yes. My skills didn’t improve for a year.”

“You must have trained diligently during that time.”

“Of course. I had to reach A-rank.”

It’s common for those who are considered geniuses and praised by everyone to feel frustrated when they hit an unexpected plateau. It’s not that geniuses don’t work hard, but the constant fuss made by those around them makes it difficult to stay grounded.

‘That’s why so many promising athletes end up failing.’

Despite the changing perceptions of those around her, Shine continued to train diligently. That was not something just anyone could do. She must have felt anxious and upset inside, but she never wavered from the fundamental principles she had to uphold.

“The hard work you put in back then is now paying off in a big way. It’s impressive and commendable.”

“Ah…”

“The basic skills you built up during your stagnation are now giving you wings.”

Shine covered her mouth with her hand. But that didn’t stop the tears from flowing.

“Sniff…”

“Whoa, why are you crying all of a sudden? I’m not good at comforting people!”

Rebecca signaled to me for help, looking desperate. But was I any good at comforting people? I had already assessed the situation and was focusing on my workout, pretending not to see Rebecca’s pleading eyes.

“Hey, hey, hey. Oh dear… oh dear…”

Rebecca made strange sounds, trying to comfort Shine. But Shine, once she started crying, couldn’t stop and sobbed loudly. Feeling sorry for the flustered Rebecca, I reluctantly approached and grabbed her arm.

“Just leave her be.”

“But we should comfort her! She’s crying so sorrowfully. I’m not even the type to be harsh, so why is she crying?”

“She’s just overwhelmed by everything. When someone cries like that, it’s best to leave them alone.”

Rebecca nodded, albeit uncertainly, agreeing to my advice. Shine cried her heart out until she felt like stopping, then washed her face and returned. She looked more spirited than before, as if a weight had been lifted off her chest.

“Wow, I don’t think I even cried this much when I almost died during the internship. It feels like a blockage has been cleared.”

“Are you okay?”

Rebecca asked with a worried look, and Shine nodded.

“Yes! I’m completely fine! Thank you. I wouldn’t have grown this quickly without your help.”

“You would have grown the same way if you attended my classes. It’s nothing special, so no need to thank me.”

Rebecca probably didn’t realize. While it was true that Shine would grow by attending classes, the timing of her growth was crucial. Winning the 1:1 duel against her rival was a highly challenging task, and the rewards were accordingly significant.

‘The reason Shine became a 2nd-tier character was because it was difficult to beat her rival in the scenario.’

Rebecca suggesting that Shine could attempt the S-rank test meant that Shine was unlikely to lose or draw in her duel with her rival. Successfully clearing the second scenario would elevate Shine beyond a 2nd-tier character.

‘She could be at least a 1.5-tier, and potentially even a 1st-tier character.’

Compared to Fran, Shine was a character I hadn’t invested much in, just giving her some unique equipment and not paying much attention. Yet, with this minimal investment, the possibility of her becoming a near 1st-tier character was now open, making me feel quite alert.

‘Introducing her to Rebecca has yielded such great results; it’s like hitting the jackpot.’

Having achieved such good results, it wouldn’t be right to just sit back and do nothing. For the future, I thought it was necessary to get a bit closer to these characters.

“You probably can’t train more, right? You’re exhausted from crying. I’ll treat you all to dinner tonight, so go wash up and come out.”

“Huh? You’re treating us?”

“Yeah, I’m treating. What do you want to eat?”

It’s a bit disappointing that we can’t have alcohol because there’s a minor, but Rebecca enjoys good food, so it’s not a problem.

“I’ll go wash up too, so you two decide where to go.”

I told them to decide on a place and moved to the shower room.

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***

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Because the training ended earlier than expected, Sasha decided to close the private training facility once all the customers left and join us at the restaurant. We entered a restaurant famous for its delicious food and ordered a lot of dishes.

“We trained hard, so we should rest hard too, right? Let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content.”

“Wow~! Today’s treat is awesome!”

– Clap, clap, clap! –

“Mister, you’re the best~!”

– Clap, clap, clap! –

Thunderous applause erupted. We then focused on stuffing our bellies with food. When it came to eating, there were no friends or colleagues; it was first come, first served. After filling our stomachs, we finally came to our senses, and the two of them were also patting their full bellies.

“Sure enough, a famous restaurant is different. Hehe.”

“I need to come here often. The food is amazing.”

“It’s only this empty because it’s vacation. Once the semester starts, it’ll be so crowded you won’t be able to come easily.”

When the academy semester starts, many people will flood into the city. Nobles will come, their servants will double in number, and merchants will try their hardest to enter the city to sell their goods to everyone. Naturally, famous restaurants won’t be easy to get into just because you want to.

“We should enjoy it while we can during vacation.”

Shine smacked her lips regretfully, seemingly regretting not having come here sooner.

“But hey, you.”

“Hmm? Me?”

“Yeah, you!”

“Why?”

She pointed at me with her finger, even though she wasn’t drunk.

“Why are you so kind when you talk so rudely and act so tough?”

“…Me?”

“Yes!! Mister, you’re so kind! You’re awesome!”

“I don’t know about awesome, but hmm… I think you’re too kind. You met her as a customer at the general store, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What kind of store owner goes this far for a customer? Honestly, if it weren’t for your request, I wouldn’t have helped her. You know that, right? Even though she’ll soon be my student, she’s not yet.”

Even if she were her student, there was no obligation to teach her during vacation. But timing is crucial for growth.

“Especially at a time like this, when she’s just starting to spread her wings, every day is precious.”

In reality, Shine was growing day by day. It was a meeting that started just a few days before the semester began.

“I don’t know how to repay this kindness. I’ve already been indebted to you, mister.”

Shine looked distressed. Worried she might say something unnecessary, I spoke up.

“What’s so hard about repaying a favor? This is enough for me.”

I made a circle with my thumb and index finger, a gesture meaning money.

“Hey! Don’t lie. You don’t need money.”

Shine denied it, saying I was lying. In reality, I didn’t need money; I needed monster byproducts.

“If you really want to repay me, bring me any mysterious items you find that haven’t been discovered yet. I like collecting various odd items.”

I had set up a few alibis to continue providing unique equipment to the characters I summoned. One of those alibis was my supposed love for collecting unknown items like a junk dealer.