Mille-feuille von Sabre.
The owner of pitiful stats and treated as Zefflin’s inferior student—she was born as the eldest daughter of a baronial family in a quiet rural village in the east.
Their only specialty product was milk, and just sending their eldest daughter to Zefflin was enough to strain the territory’s budget—yet Mille-feuille loved her hometown dearly.
So she thought she could just stay there. She was confident she wouldn’t feel any dissatisfaction living that way for the rest of her life.
However, her parents established a policy: “Since you’ll eventually inherit the territory, you need to meet many people while you’re young and broaden your horizons.” And so, Mille-feuille headed for Zefflin.
‘As my parents said, let’s meet many people! Among them… there might even be my destined partner!’
Dreaming that dream, she headed for the artificial island of Zefflin.
But Zefflin was far too vast—and far too great.
Gathered from across the entire continent were prodigies, geniuses, masterminds, talents, and savants—there was no place for an ordinary person like Mille-feuille to fit in.
She made friends, but she had to tremble in fear of when she might be expelled from Zefflin.
She could also tell that she had been selected to be sacrificed for the sake of pushing one student forward.
A sacrificial lamb for the genius boy named Kelterus.
At that moment, Mille-feuille gave up on her dream.
The lost little lamb, thinking she would just return home like this, met a savior.
The savior was a wolf.
Wolfram von Lohengrin.
The seniors were worried at first.
Because the wolf’s rumors were so terrible.
But the Wolfram she actually met was someone who made her think, “Rumors are just rumors after all.”
It became an opportunity for her to think, “Don’t believe anything unless you see it with your own eyes.”
A possessor of the Lohengrin bloodline—unparalleled in human history.
Yet his stats were pitiful. Stamina 2. Mana 3. Apart from his bloodline, he didn’t even have the qualifications to be in Zefflin.
His younger sister took the student council presidency from him, dropping him to the level of an ordinary student—and even though the majority of a hundred thousand students turned against him, he didn’t retreat a single step.
His eyes were dreaming.
His hands were shaping dreams.
Even if a hundred thousand turned against him—what hesitation could there be in his steps?
“There’s a person like this too,” she realized.
“The caliber of his character is extraordinary,” she learned.
She received countless amounts of help. From a body on the verge of expulsion, she had somehow risen to the position of grade top student.
When she sent a letter to her parents saying she’d received a full scholarship, they were happier about her being grade top student than about the scholarship.
“Now that you’re top student, can’t you dream even bigger?”
“You can get a job in the capital too. Don’t worry about the territory!”
It was only after receiving that reply that Mille-feuille von Sabre realized—becoming top student was a ticket that allowed her to achieve dreams one step higher.
For Mille-feuille von Sabre herself, the meaning of being top student was merely a qualification to call herself—with no shame—that person’s junior.
Of course, her parents need not worry.
She, too, had found a proper dream.
Standing by that person’s side.
If she were greedy—being looked at before others.
If she were even greedier—being looked at by that person alone.
How many steps higher of a dream would that be?
Everyone around her is a good person.
The senior directly under the Knight Department says she’ll become that person’s Royal Guard. In romance novels that imitate the Imperial Family, there are many cases of royalty ending up with their Royal Guards.
There’s a third-year from the Magic Department—a famous assassin senior. In terms of stats, she’s overwhelming.
And there’s also that incredibly beautiful senior—that person’s fiancée—who takes good care of her.
Honestly speaking, Mille-feuille von Sabre’s winning odds are far too low.
But “environment” and “circumstances” are never “reasons” to give up.
Just as she’s done so far—she simply believes in herself and walks forward.
Mille-feuille, today as well, quietly resolved herself among the seniors she likes, respects, and at the same time considers rivals.
It’s okay. Because at least her heart won’t lose…!
“Don’t you think going outside to play on an adventure with Wolfram Senior is more fun than you expected?”
“…Hmm. The Sleeping Mountain Range, the Eastern Forest, and the Heavenly Altitude… Rudika likes them too.”
“Ah, I’ve been to the Sleeping Mountain Range before. I remember watching the stars with Wolfram. Chirpy, have you ever been on an expedition before?”
…
…
“…I haven’t.”
Her heart didn’t lose.
Her heart didn’t…
“I… I haven’t…”
Her heart didn’t lose.
But—she couldn’t let things stay like this!
This was the trigger that made Mille-feuille von Sabre raise her hand and say she wanted to follow Wolfram on his expedition.
—
Shock!
For Wolfram von Lohengrin, heat and cold are directly connected to life and death!
“That’s only natural. This body has Stamina 2, after all.”
This cursed body can’t endure either cold or heat.
It’s spring now, but when summer arrives, it’s over. Summer comes suddenly—so countermeasures must be taken while it’s still warm.
“That’s why we need to head north.”
However, the north—the Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows—is an absolutely garbage map.
The monsters that appear are fierce, and the map’s own characteristics are terrible.
“That’s why I need to choose the Act 2 reward items carefully.”
With that, I began selecting the Act 2 clear items.
The item you can consistently get in Act 2 is, without a doubt, the Jomani Gloves Set.
Therefore, among the Act 2 rewards, you can get one additional item from the Jomani set.
With the pair of gloves plus one additional item, the full Jomani set is complete.
Plus some lin, recovery items, and an 8-tier skill selection ticket.
Lastly, the clear bonus privilege is truly sweet—what is it?
**[Act 2 Clear Reward Distribution!]**
**[Random Stat Growth Ticket!]**
**[Randomly increases one stat by 1, excluding Mana.]**
**[Would you like to use it?]**
I wiggled my fingers several times.
This is it. This is what I wanted. As expected, it came into my hands.
Of course, I know—just like the Random Acquisition Ticket last time, this also favors stats you use frequently.
Most likely, the stat that will rise the highest is Dexterity.
So Wolfram has a high chance of going from Dexterity 9 to 10.
I have Skill Cancellation.
Surpass the limit.
For ordinary Skill Cancellation users, even veterans can only do it three times.
But who am I!
Surpass the limit and descend here!
“Ah…!”
And it was consumed.
I trembled with a sense of omnipotence.
I definitely tapped it five times.
That means—five stats will rise!
**[Dexterity increases by 1!]**
**[Dexterity increases by 1!]**
**[Dexterity increases by 1!]**
**[Dexterity increases by 1!]**
**[Dexterity increases by 1!]**
“…?”
Is this for real?
—
Dexterity 14.
As I said, Dexterity had the highest probability of rising.
The stats I always use are either Dexterity or Mana—but Mana was explicitly stated not to rise.
Still, at least Strength and Will didn’t rise halfway along with it—the worst case would be Dexterity +1 and Will +4. That would truly make a garbage character.
Still—couldn’t it have given me at least Stamina +1? Isn’t there such a thing as humanity?
But well, it’s not bad. A half-baked hybrid is usually a shortcut to a failed character.
If I raise Dexterity by one more, I can get additional skills too.
Besides, Dexterity alone is now a stat that wouldn’t be embarrassing to show anywhere.
That is—it’s at the level of “with Dexterity alone, you’d barely scrape into Zefflin.”
And since there are many useful skills obtainable at Dexterity 15, I’ll have to console myself with that.
But I can’t hide the disappointment. If only it had given me even Stamina +1.
“What are you making, Wolfram?”
“…Nothing. Just preparing for the expedition.”
“Senior, what are you making right now?”
“A mini campfire set.”
“A campfire set?”
“Hmm.”
**[Based on your Dexterity, the items craftable with Handy Worker have increased!]**
**[Based on your Dexterity, Shining Patissiel’s success rate increases!]**
**[Based on your Dexterity, Accessory Crafting’s success rate increases!]**
The interesting thing was that the Dexterity 14 stat was clearly paying off.
“This box has ignition stones and fuel distributed inside—just pull this cord, and it’s a campfire set that will burn for ten hours on its own.”
“…That can’t be easy to make, right? What if it catches fire on the way by mistake?”
“I’m making it so that won’t happen, so don’t worry.”
Actually, if my Dexterity were even slightly lower, crafting this item itself would be impossible—so safety is guaranteed.
“Besides that, I’ve dried portable emergency rations and leaves that repel monsters, and tents, hand warmers, spare clothes… The preparations are almost done.”
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a day trip?”
“I-I heard that too. It’s a bit disappointing, but… a day trip…”
Though they were wearing sturdy gear, the two who hadn’t properly packed were slightly flustered.
Ah—did I not explain?
“It’s not a day trip. We’re scheduled to return tomorrow.”
“O-oh. Is that so?”
“…Fufu. I see. Yes!”
“Also, don’t underestimate the snowy mountains. The Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows drives a person’s five senses mad. And it’s a region where the weather can change at any moment.”
“…Ah. Then I should have prepared more too.”
“…Oh no, what do we do, Ayla Senior?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I loaded the luggage onto the cart Patrasche was pulling.
A total of three backpacks. The white one is mine. And there’s a pink one and a purple one.
Mille-feuille and Ayla looked at me with wide eyes.
“Wolfram, there are three backpacks—could it be…”
“Surely…”
“That’s right. These are for you two.”
Actually, whether you pack one backpack or three, it’s all the same. It’s like a lunchbox.
“Ah…”
“Senior…”
The two of them looked at me with sparkling eyes, but I had no time to bask in that feeling.
The Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows is originally a map that opens in Act 4.
Going there means that even with maximum preparation at our current specs, it’s barely enough.
I really hope nothing happens…
“We’re leaving. Get on the cart.”
“Yes! Wolfram! Let’s go!”
“Yes, Senior!”
—
The cart carrying the three of us slowly headed north.
A few people glanced at us along the way, but no one dared to stop a cart pulled by a red wolf, carrying two grade top students and a member of the Imperial Family.
Passing through the defensive barrier that surrounds the northern region—we arrived at the Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows.
An overwhelmingly massive barrier.
It divides the residential district created by the first emperor from the outside—and while monsters cannot enter the residential district, curiously, there is a gate that allows one to go out.
The first emperor hoped students would go out through this gate and challenge themselves—but well, that dream seems to have remained unfulfilled.
That’s why both the Eastern Forest and the Sleeping Mountain Range are uncharted lands.
At least the entrance of the Eastern Forest is something the Knight Department actively explores, I’ve heard.
And this northern snowy mountain—officially named the Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows—the moment you step outside, it offers a completely new vista.
“…Wow!”
“This is…”
All you can see is snow.
Truly living up to its name as a snowfield—nothing but snow is visible.
As you follow the snowy horizon with your eyes, there are snowy mountains that seem equally made of snow.
This is the branching point that divides the middle of the story.
More than that, let’s see… Ah, there it is.
Two incongruous ice trees stood a short distance from the entrance.
“You see those trees? Inside there is the Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows.”
“Finally, my adventure with Senior begins.”
Mille-feuille, unable to hide her excitement, looked at me.
“What are you saying? We’re absolutely not going in. Don’t even go near them.”
“…Eh, eh? Aren’t we going to meet monsters, have adventures, and build camaraderie?”
“No. First, we pitch the tent here. Don’t even think about taking a single step further.”
Mille-feuille and Ayla quickly pitched the tent.
Ayla, as always, used black crystals to fix the tent perfectly solidly, and laid a bunch of thermal stones inside.
Of course, Patrasche handled setting up my tent.
Thanks, Patrasche. I’ll give you some dog treats later.
“Wolfram, why aren’t we going inside?”
“…The Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows wraps people in bubbles and shadows—literally. If you go inside, your five senses will begin to run wild.”
Inside there is a puzzle field.
In classic RPGs, there are those square rooms with exits up, right, left, down—and if you don’t escape following the guide, you’ll wander forever, right?
To put it more simply—it’s like the first-generation Pokémon Celadon City Gym.
But… there’s a trick to this too.
If you camp on the Zefflin residential district side without going between those trees, you can experience all the events and field effects without encountering any monsters!
This is the boundary trick.
“U-ugh. That’s scary. I’ll be careful. Aight.”
Ayla erected a massive barrier of black crystals between the trees, then let out a “hoo” and nodded.
That’s certainly safe.
“So now we can build a giant snowman around here, right!?”
“…Do as you please.”
“Come on, let’s go! Patrasche!”
“Hmm!”
And so Ayla and Patrasche ran across the snowfield together, starting to roll snowballs.
A kid and a puppy, both loving the snow like that.
Leaving the kids to play, I gazed at the snowfield.
When I was in the military, I hated snow so much—but just looking at it like this isn’t so bad.
As I was absorbed in my appreciation of the snow, Mille-feuille spoke to me.
“Senior, you’re truly knowledgeable.”
“…Not that much.”
“Then is there anything else we need to be careful about here?”
“Monsters won’t appear. However, the weather effects still apply, so be careful.”
“What do you mean by effects?”
“Among the things that drive the senses mad in this Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows, there’s also climate change. A blizzard could happen at any…”
I cut myself off and looked up at the sky.
You know—when snow clouds grow massive, the sky turns purplish.
Just as I was thinking that, snow began to fall.
Tch. Damn map, seriously.
This is big. Something big is coming.
“E-eh?!”
“Ayla! Patrasche! Get into the tent! Don’t come out until I give the order! Understood!”
“Y-yes!”
“Understood, Master!”
After relaying that quickly and confirming the two had entered the tent, I and Mille-feuille also threw ourselves into the nearby tent.
“Mille-feuille. Follow me in!”
“Y-yes!”
I grabbed Mille-feuille’s hand and entered the tent—*whoosh!*—the wind howled.
My body flinched at the skin-piercing sound, but I know what this is.
“S-senior, a-are you okay? Shouldn’t we run back to the residential district?”
“What are you saying. The tent is sturdy.”
“Won’t we get buried if that much snow falls?”
Ah, a reasonable concern. As expected, she’s smart.
“The blizzard itself probably won’t be that big.”
“I-is that so? But earlier you said it was big…”
“The Snowfield of Bubbling Shadows uses even the weather.”
“Wh-what?”
“In other words—it mixes illusions into the blizzard. It’s common for them to make you mistake sweeping snow for a blizzard and scare you prematurely. The problem is that prolonged exposure to this climate erodes your mind. You lose the ability to distinguish what’s real and what’s false.”
“…Ah.”
Who would charge into such a insane map with their bare body—you might wonder, but thankfully, once this kind of climate effect occurs, it won’t happen again for a while.
So as long as we stay inside this tent and don’t look outside, we can safely farm for a while.
The problem is that we don’t know how many hours this climate effect will last.
At most, twelve hours, but still.
Roused from the peculiar silence, I looked at Mille-feuille—and she was staring intently at me.
A hesitant expression.
“Sorry for bringing you to a place like this. I could have come alone, originally.”
“Ah, no. I don’t resent you at all. I’m the one who asked to come along. Besides, this is the first time I’ve even known such a place existed.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Are you feeling anxious?”
“…Anxious? No. Ah… Aha. Hmm. A-a little? I’m a little anxious, yes?”
“I see.”
“Yes. Yess. Ah, I think my anxiety is growing a bit more, Senior. So, about that—”
Mille-feuille quietly slid her body closer to me and continued.
“Senior—may I lean closer to you?”
