After that.
I lay in the convenience store for three days.
—
When I finally got up three days later, the first thing I did was review the battle.
“Who would have thought that a single ejection would drain my stamina completely.”
Can’t be helped. I launched myself far above Rudika’s body, landed back in front of the throne, and even pushed Rudika away in the process. I paid the price for it handsomely.
In other words—
I took fall damage.
With my Stamina of 2, it’s only natural that a single point of fall damage would leave me near death.
What a trash game…
Anyway.
Since I have time, let’s go over the battle.
—
“…Hm.”
To be honest, if you asked me whether that battle a few days ago was a complete victory, I’d have to hesitate.
Of course, I have my excuses.
I’ve never played the game as Wolfram instead of Kelter. I’ve done what’s called a “garbage run”—collecting weak characters and clearing the ending—but that wasn’t a run I particularly enjoyed.
There were also maps where Eve and Kelter absolutely had to deploy.
Anyway, apparently the match was officially recognized as my victory in the final exam venue. Why do I only know this by hearsay? Because I was unconscious, and Patrasche collected the rumors while delivering the regular news.
But I can’t puff out my chest.
Even after doing everything a veteran player could do, I nearly lost in the end.
And more than anything…
“Rudika Hassan Shadow never once showed her true intent, except for the final strike.”
I know that, of course.
How many times do you think I’ve faced “Professor Rudika” while deliberately committing evil deeds as Kelter?
Over three thousand times.
And the result?
I died over three thousand times. In the first year, Rudika is “absolutely” unbeatable.
First of all, Rudika’s biggest problem is that you can’t read her “preparatory motions.”
For example, if someone swings down an axe, you see the lifting motion; if they thrust a sword, you see the pulling-back motion. But Rudika Hassan Shadow, with her overwhelming Agility stat and her plain twin daggers, makes motion reading nearly impossible.
Actually, that’s correct. Assassins have no reason for big movements, nor do their daggers need to be flashy. A true assassin wields two dirks and goes *shing, sh-shink, shing*.
That doesn’t mean I just took hits and survived, though.
From the start, I devised countless strategies to completely shut down her offense. As Kelter, I once analyzed her patterns rather than her motions and managed to last over two hundred exchanges.
But even so, Kelter always dies.
There is only one single strike whose motion I can read.
That is, the boss’s “instant-death attack”—her sure-kill move.
That is Rudika’s Tier-3 skill: *Zero-Back Zero*.
She pulls her body far back, preparing to dash. This takes about two seconds.
Then she launches—and I get cut down. Rudika appears dozens of paces behind me.
She flicks her dagger, and with a *thud*, I collapse and die. Terrifying. Truly terrifying.
But in the main game, I had a question when I saw the motion for Zero-Back Zero.
*”Why does she appear dozens of paces away? It’s flashy, sure, but it looks like she can’t control her own body. Is that a ‘proper attack’ for an assassin?”*
And after raising Rudika myself and using her, my prediction was correct.
Even Rudika herself can’t control it. Especially when combined with Berserk—she sometimes crashes into walls.
Now that D/Z SAGA has become reality, I thought I might be able to make use of that. So I caught the only readable motion, asked Filtia to increase the ejection speed, and… anyway, it was a huge ordeal.
Anyway, I’ve digressed—but aside from Zero-Back Zero, which I can read, she never launched any other offensive. And even with Zero-Back Zero, she didn’t combine it with Berserk—she charged in with Agility 21.
I can guarantee: Berserk Zero cannot be stopped by something as trivial as an ejection seat.
Still, a win is a win.
No matter how much my opponent held back, winning is winning.
When that demonic general from the demon realm who shouted *”Kyahaha! How weak, humans!”* gets taken down by the hero’s awakened holy sword, no one cares about the backstory. A loss is a loss, and a win is a win.
“But it wasn’t a complete victory. I’ll have to try harder.”
After all, my traits as a character are set.
Probably a max-Agility build. Not a cursed build. Well, actually, I am cursed too.
“If you try any harder, my heart might give out, you know?”
“…Hm?”
“Take it easy. Really.”
At first I thought it was the curse I’d stored in the warehouse acting up again, but no.
There stood Ayla.
“Ayla? When did you come in?”
“You said the convenience store is open 24 hours, didn’t you?”
“Hm.”
Right, I did say that.
Ayla walked over and crouched in front of me.
She crossed her arms and looked at me.
Worry. And… was she a little sulky? Pouty?
“Wolfram. Do you know how worried I was? I came to the convenience store every day, but you were always asleep. I even checked your breathing to make sure nothing was wrong.”
“……”
I never noticed at all.
That means she could have strangled me at any time. That’s terrifying. Ayla is genuinely terrifying.
“We said we’d both win and talk with smiles, didn’t we? But winning like this just makes my heart ache.”
“…That’s right.”
Ayla, who normally never speaks reproachfully, has me at a loss for words.
No, I do have something to say.
How was I supposed to know that launching myself just a little bit higher and taking fall damage would leave me near death?
“You’re really okay… right?”
“Hm. I’m fine.”
But if I complained, I’d probably get scolded even more.
What can I do? I’m a trash character.
“It’s not just me, you know. Everyone was worried.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes. Everyone.”
Where Ayla’s index finger pointed, there truly was “everyone.”
“Oh, senior. You’re awake?”
“…Are, are you alright, Wolfram?”
“Se, senior, are you okay?”
Ah.
I see.
So they came to teabag me while I was lying there pathetically.
How heartless this world is.
Stop the Stamina 2 killing!
But I know that’s not the case.
Their “friendship” and “trust” toward me—perhaps I can start believing in it now.
Thinking that, my nose tingles.
We’ll be friends even after graduation!
Grateful for my friends’ kindness, I shrugged.
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t seriously injured—just a little unsteady.”
“And that person sleeps for three days straight?”
“Wolfram…”
Ayla was still looking at me with a dissatisfied, worried expression, and the others nodded as well. Rudika’s expression was particularly serious.
Really now, don’t worry so much.
Why are you blushing and looking at me like that—
“I’ll shake it off soon enough. Especially you, Rudika. It’s not your fault, so don’t worry too much.”
“Uh, yeah. I understand. Fufu. Good. That’s how a man who defeated Rudika should be.”
A faint blush crept onto Rudika’s cheeks. Is she cold? The weather isn’t that chilly.
Ah… maybe the status effects I inflicted haven’t fully worn off. She did take direct hits while charging in.
“Rudika. Thank you for indulging my reckless fight. I offer you my respect.”
“…Fufu. No, not at all. Rudika enjoyed it immensely. Just knowing that there is a man in this Zefflin that Rudika cannot cut down is enough. I felt my first thrill since coming to Zefflin.”
Even though she didn’t go all out, she still says such things.
What a good kid.
Just as Rudika and I were smiling at each other, a voice slid in from the side.
“Ahem. Speaking of which, senior. Congratulations on your final exam victory.”
“Hm. Thank you, Millefeuille. How did you do?”
“I, I also had a perfect record. I won… all of them.”
“Is that so.”
That’s truly impressive.
In the first-year final exams, as Kelter, you have to defeat the 2nd through 6th place contenders consecutively. If you beat all five, the next semester’s tuition is fully waived—you become the grade’s top student.
You also get a bunch of equipment bonuses and items.
Honestly, it’s a life-changer.
There’s a reason why in Kelter’s playthrough, I always wrote in the beginner’s guide to maintain the top rank.
“Good work.”
“…Yes. Thank you, senior. So, about that… you remember our promise, right?”
“Promise? …Ah. Of course I remember. Going out together, just the two of us, wasn’t it?”
“……Yes!”
Well, sure.
I can’t refuse a junior’s request to go sightseeing at Zefflin’s hidden gems.
“Senior and Junior Millefeuille… just the two of you, touring Zefflin?”
“…Wolfram. What’s this about?”
“Millefeuille and I agreed that if she maintained the top rank, we’d tour Zefflin together.”
“…I’ve never heard about that.”
“There was no particular reason to mention it.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
The eyes of the three except Millefeuille turned cold. Did I do something to offend them?
…Hm. No, nothing comes to mind.
“W-well, I’ve also gone on various adventures with Senior Wolfram and Senior Rudika.”
“Ah… yeah, that’s right. The Eastern Forest, the Sleeping Mountain Range… we even went to the sea, didn’t we?”
At Nefty and Rudika’s words, this time Millefeuille and Ayla’s eyes turned cold.
“Well… still, Wolfram and I overcame the Dragon’s Trial together, just the two of us. We crossed the line of death together—we’re the strongest, aren’t we? My Magic Power 20 is also thanks to Wolfram. If anything, we’re the ones who best suit rebellion, wouldn’t you say?”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Finally, Ayla stepped forward with an *ahem*, placed her hand on her chest, and declared proudly. I’m not sure what she’s so proud of, nor do I understand why the atmosphere has turned so chilly in the first place.
“Then I will go and ‘indulge’ with Senior Wolfram, just the two of us, in Zefflin.”
“Say ‘tour.’ Your word choice is inappropriate, Junior Millefeuille.”
“Yes, yes, Senior Nefterian.”
“Wolfram, are you going on another adventure with Rudika and Nefty?”
“Not a bad idea.”
“I welcome it, Senior Wolfram!”
“Wolfram, are there any other rebellious challenges besides the Dragon’s Trial?”
“Of course. This world is vast, and adventures are many.”
“I see!”
The gazes of Rudika, Nefty, Ayla, and Millefeuille crossed in midair.
The atmosphere suddenly feels cold, but what could be the reason?
Ah.
I see.
Haha. I knew you guys would be like this.
Come on, we’re not children here.
“I understand your grievances. I understand that academy life can be boring.”
“Yes?”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
“Wolfram?”
These girls must be restless.
Every single one of them—even Millefeuille now—has specs that wouldn’t be embarrassing to show anywhere.
“Black Crystal,” “Abyssal Dagger,” “Conviction,” “Iron Fist.”
Each bearing their own title, these girls are essentially seeking greater adventures.
Ah, I understand. I truly understand.
I was the same way. Honestly, if I had your specs, I’d be running straight to the Act 5 boss right now, taking its head and looting the items. I would.
“Of course, it’s true that because I led you, you were able to step into new worlds and experience many adventures.”
“…Wolfram, what are you talking about?”
“W, was that what this was about?”
“…Senior?”
“But even so, competing over who has gone on more adventures with me and turned the unknown into the known—doesn’t that seem like five- or six-year-old children squabbling over who is closer to whom? As students of Zefflin, such childish competition doesn’t suit you.”
“………”
“The snowy plains are the snowy plains, the Sleeping Mountain Range is the Sleeping Mountain Range, and the Dragon’s Trial is the Dragon’s Trial—I simply chose the most suitable companions for each. So let’s not compete over who has had more adventures.”
Oh my, look at those eyes.
Why are you glaring at me so coldly?
With eyes like serial killers from that movie I watched as a kid.
“Fine. Let’s do this instead. The finals are over, and if we get through a few social events before the closing ceremony, summer vacation will be here soon.”
“…That’s right?”
“But why are you bringing that up now, Wolfram?”
“So I’d like to make a proposal for those who haven’t gone yet.”
“…What proposal?”
“What else? Let’s all gather and go see that beautiful sea at the heaven-blessed heights.”
Classes are over, and it’s a good opportunity for bonding and activities.
Sounds good, right?
“Truly excellent, senior. I’ve been there before, so I will ‘again’ protect you.”
“Is that so. Rudika also approves.”
“Yay. Sounds good. Let’s go, Wolfram.”
“Fufu. Yes. That’s right. And there…”
But why are you still smiling like that?
