I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

19

Milije blankly stared at the man’s back in front of her.

A very thin back.

A back that seemed like it would break if you just flicked it with your fist.

Facing that monster.

The moment Milije saw the figure of that monster conjured by her inner fears, she felt her head go white.

She couldn’t move her body, couldn’t think at all.

The fear she vaguely imagined became real and appeared, making it even worse.

Not only was the size one that required her to stretch her neck up, but the whole body was covered in thick fur and hide.

It had four arms, three heads.

The elongated three mouths revealed vicious teeth one after another, and the long, approaching claws scratching the ground seemed like they would tear her body apart if they touched her.

So when it got close, she thought she was dead.

There was no escape.

She closed her eyes.

Pathetically, this is where it ends for me.

That’s what she thought.

“Wake up. What are you going to do if you stay stupid like this?”

He muttered protectively as if nothing was wrong.

Standing in front of the huge monster, he felt no fear.

Look at him facing a monster so terrifying that it could make one’s legs tremble just by looking at it, without hesitation, enjoying this fight.

Watching the battle, Milije thought.

‘That person… Adrian Rothenchild de Repelheight.’

Now driven out of the family and fallen into disgrace due to various unsavory incidents, Milije lowered her head.

Adrian was her benefactor.

At the moment when she was criticized by others and about to leave school, he held her back, telling her not to give up.

With gratitude and a heavy feeling of indebtedness on her shoulders.

She was determined to repay this debt.

That’s why Milije thought.

“I, I will raise that person in the name of Repelheight once again.”

Perhaps it was because of the goal to acquire oneself… or to make use of oneself.

It might be an absurd goal.

To raise a person expelled from the family to the top of the family.

Everyone might ridicule and call oneself a fool.

But if you don’t try, how would you know.

To achieve that.

I cannot just stand by and watch from behind.

It may look terrifying, and the steps may not come off easily.

You must move.

You must overcome the fear, advance, and conquer it without stopping the unwavering steps.

Defeat the fear that was weighing you down, stand confidently by his side.

“Now it’s your turn, Milije.”

Covered in sweat, the senior in front of her said.

“Face your fears.”

“Yes, senior.”

Emotions unknown to a young girl yet, she overcame the fear and made the girl move.

***

This monster may look hideously vicious on the outside, but in reality, it cannot harm me at all.

It’s like a ghost, so even if it takes an attack, it just passes through. The problem is, while there may be no physical damage, there might be some mental damage.

So in this battle, ‘willpower’ replaces the original character’s ‘health.’

“Milije.”

“Yes, senior.”

Upon hearing the voice, I couldn’t help but smile.

Milije stood by my side with a dagger in hand and a determined expression.

…She must have made up her mind.

She has made up her mind to face ‘fear.’

If that’s the case, the only way ahead is to pierce through that fear and move forward.

“Did you win?”

“Yes, thanks to you, senior, I was able to win.”

The look in her eyes as she looked at me was somewhat strange… but as long as she was able to win, that’s fortunate.

“You only have one chance. Can you do it?”

“Yes.”

“Channel all your strength into that dagger and pierce the heart.”

“Yes!”

Milije, with a nod, was no longer trembling.

The monster did not move.

With three hands on the ground, it blankly stared ahead.

The owner of that gaze was not me.

I took a few steps to the side, and Milije, with her dagger gleaming brightly, approached.

“Thank you, everyone. For lending me your strength.”

Speaking to the empty air.

No way.

Already?

My sensitivity was somewhat unusually high, but did I really communicate with spirits in that short time?

A brilliant iridescent light shimmered from the dagger.

At the very least, there were five visible elements.

Milije stared at the monster, then said, “Good job. But now, goodbye.”

*Creak.*

“Because I decided to stand by my senior.”

Whether it meant ‘hurry up and kill me’ or not, the monster offered no resistance.

That’s the characteristic of this dungeon.

If you are already in a state of having ‘completely overcome’ fear or trauma, monsters won’t do anything extra.

Approaching the monster cautiously, Milije drew her dagger.

“Yahh!”

With a cute sound, she thrust the iridescent dagger into the monster’s chest.

Then.

The monster’s body strangely swelled up, emitting light, and burst open.

*Boom!*

Stardust sparkled in the sky, and a message appeared before my eyes.

[Congratulations! You and 1 other have successfully cleared the character event dungeon ‘Trial to Overcome’.]

[‘Milije Halo’ has overcome her fear and emerged victorious!]

[As a reward, ‘Milije Halo’s mental state abnormality ‘trauma’ disappears!]

[You are filled with determination! You feel a slight change in your willpower!]

[It seems like ‘Dagger Skill: Basic’ will be awakened.]

[You have cleared a character-exclusive event dungeon. ‘Souffle’ is aware of your existence.]

Good…

It’s done now…

[By clearing the trial, your affinity with ‘Milije Halo’ has greatly increased!]

[Milije Halo considers you as a ‘person she wants by her side’ and feels strong trust in you.]

[Current affinity level: LV.5]

[Affinity level 5 achieved! You can now access more detailed information about Milije Halo!]

Affinity level raised by five at once?

I suddenly felt anxious.

This is the characteristic of characters with low willpower.

Excessively low self-esteem.

A sudden surge in affinity.

I’ve never experienced this except when taking the ‘that route’ while playing the game.

That route.

Suddenly, a shiver ran down my whole body.

“Uh, Senpai.”

“……Mm.”

“I, I’ll work hard, even though I’m still lacking, I’ll work hard. I’ll stand proudly by your side.”

With a flushed face, I shyly spoke, looking in this direction.

Why is that?

Goosebumps ran down my back.

* * *

“Well then, Senpai! See you next time!”

After returning to Selenium.

After saying that, Milizé waved her hand and went back to the dormitory.

Each step seemed light enough to take flight any moment, and she was even humming a tune, showing a joyous expression as if her trauma had been completely resolved.

“……No, it can’t be anything but good.”

The fellow who couldn’t bear the torment and was on the verge of dropping out.

The trauma that had been holding him back was now completely released, and being a child brimming with talent, he would now spread his wings further and soar.

Yes, grow swiftly like that.

“Well, then, shall I do what I have to do?”

Murmuring to myself, I returned to my room.

It seems Kalen is still at the training ground.

“Mm.”

Sitting at the desk, I casually picked up a piece of paper and pulled out a fountain pen.

Leaning my chin on one hand, I began to write one letter at a time.

“Mm……” About 10 minutes passed, and I lightly tapped the end of the pen on the floor before looking at it.

“This should do.”

Remember this when facing the scarecrow captured by darkness.

As the battle continues, the scarecrow will surely rise into the air, and eight hands of common magic will rise from the background.

Dark magic is extremely deadly just by touching the body, so it must be avoided at all costs.

Also, be aware that the host can freely use elemental magic, so be cautious of the two magics combining when raising both arms.

If time passes with the darkness still clinging, the host will eventually go berserk.

Be extremely careful as both magic and the host’s attacks will be mixed.

If you get hit once, consider it as good as death.

Additionally, to face the scarecrow, one must be more upright and just than anyone else.

Furthermore, another person is needed.

She is the key to this strategy.

I should go convince her to join personally.

May luck be with you.

Reyna von Wolfgang.

May the glory of the West be with you.

Adrian.

“Mm, truly perfect.”

What I wrote was a strategy guide.

A guide that detailed all the boss patterns.

I packed it with just the essentials, which should be enough.

If Reyna, who is skilled at gathering information, were here, she would have likely identified the culprit by now.

Although in the original work, it was Erhan who gathered clues to find the culprit and led the punitive force.

In truth, the clues he gathered were all intentionally scattered by Reyna, who had already deduced the culprit.

By repeating Act 1 Scene 2 several times, one could naturally figure it out, so it will likely be the same this time.

Moreover, he will surely try to recruit Erhan.

Regardless of following the original flow, Reyna seems to have a high regard for “Erhan.”

Now, all that’s left is to deliver this to her tomorrow.

Having as much strategy information as possible is good, even for just in case.

Come to think of it, I have a duty to ensure that no one dies.

The moment one of the named characters dies, a bad ending is almost certain.

To prevent that, I must generously lay out the information in my mind.

As I pondered whether there was anything else to add, the door suddenly creaked open.

Turning around, there she was.

“You’re here.”

“Oh, Adrian, you’re here early. I was just about to go wash up.”

“Wait, Kalen. Come here for a moment.”

“Yes? Oh… yes.”

Kalen approached at my words, tilting her head.

“What’s the matter?”

“Is your arm okay?”

My gaze fell on her red right arm.

The bandage was removed, but the arm was not fully healed yet.

“Oh, this? Yes… It stings a bit, but it’s not a big deal.”

I see.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Yes?”

“…about the ‘demon summoning incident’ that happened recently.”

“Yes.”

“If the culprit is found, what will you do?”

“The culprit?…”

Kalen’s eyes widened as she looked at me.

“We’ve identified the culprit behind the demon summoning incident. We’re going to go catch that person now. I’m asking if you’d like to join us. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“I will, no, I want to.”

Kalen responded without a moment’s hesitation.

Then, she looked at me with a serious expression.

“Please let me help you with your work, Adrian.”

“Then, tomorrow morning, go find Reyna von Wolfgang.”

Calen scratched his cheek as he asked, “Ah, is Lord Adrian not participating?”

“No, he is participating.”

I must do it.

But there seems to be quite a lot to do on this end.

While I was pondering this, something unexpected happened.

“Lord Adrian.”

“Speak.”

“Thank you.”

He bowed.

“…I am truly grateful. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to survive at that moment.”

“I just did what needed to be done. That’s all. There is no need for further thanks. I genuinely feel relieved that you are unharmed.”

“Really…?”

“Not a hint of falsehood. I could even swear on it.”

“Ah…”

He had a dazed expression.

And then.

[Your affinity with Hyelin Snow White has greatly increased!]

[Hyelin Snow White considers you a ‘comrade who has faced adversity together’ and feels strong trust in you.]

[Current affinity level: LV.5]

[Having reached Level 5, you can now access more detailed information about Hyelin Snow White!]

I finally achieved Level 5 affinity with another character.

After hesitating for a moment, he brought up another topic.

“…Ah, Lord Adrian, are you aware of this? Evnis Sohofjakk had a sparring match with Erhan, a 1st-year knight apprentice today.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

It seems to have already begun.

The time to transition from Chapter 1 to Chapter 2 and the end of the week.

‘That incident’ seems to have already happened.

During the sparring match, Evnis unexpectedly allowed Erhan, who had unwittingly acquired the [Hero’s Sword] during a battle with a demon, to strike back.

“‘What kind of trick did you use! This cannot be allowed!'”

Originally, Erhan was supposed to refuse the strike, demand a rematch, chase after the culprit, get involved in the investigation, and eventually expose my Melwood as the real culprit, leading to a battle between him, Lumen Reavens, and others against Melwood.

“So, who won…?”

“Evnis Sohofjakk once again defeated all the 1st-year students with a fiery look in his eyes. Hmm, it seemed like there might be a twist this time, but as expected, there was no such thing.”

…What?

…What did you say?

No, really?