In this world, things never go exactly as planned. Of course, if you look at the big picture, it may seem like everything is going according to plan. But it's impossible to control every single little detail. There are countless variables. Sometimes, things don't go as planned due to bad luck, and other times it's because predictions are off. "Rudy Astria." Such variables can be dealt with by adapting to the situation. However, the outcome may change depending on how one adapts. Still, efforts will be made. To produce the best possible result. "Help me out a bit."
***
The sound of students chattering filled the classroom. "Did you hear that a commoner named Evan fought with the son of Baron William?" "Apparently, Baron William's son started the fight?" "Evan... I've never heard of him before... Well, anyway, it feels great that the jerk got what he deserved." After making a pact with Luna, I started focusing on my studies. Even though I was only studying quietly, the main storyline was progressing. Evan gained attention from a professor during magic practice, and he even got into a fight with some punks. He slowly started to make a name for himself at the Academy. When I heard the news, I felt relieved that Evan was growing well. But the news that followed gave me a headache. "Rudy Astria, can you come to the guidance office for a moment?" A student called me. A green scarf. A second-year student. And on their arm was a bracelet with the word "guidance" on it. The guidance department. The Liberion Academy's guidance department was quite different from a regular guidance department in name only. The guidance department is usually a part-time job for students in the swordsmanship department who have average skills but no money, to earn tuition. But they also manage crimes that occur at the Academy. Well, they only deal with minor disputes, and in case of serious incidents, the Empire sends investigators, or professors take care of it. They were like powerful neighborhood watchmen. But why would they call me? I had no clue. I hadn't done anything bad, just quietly studying as usual. They could have given me a good student award, but there was no reason for them to take me in. As I arrived at the office with my suspicions, I saw the red-haired punk from before. "Rudy Astria ordered me to do it..." "…?" The punk pointed at me and spoke. I was puzzled by what he was saying. "Rudy Astria, is this true?" "I don't even know what the situation is. What's going on?" When I asked, the guidance counselor stroked his chin. Ah... I thought I knew what was going on. The red-headed punk had fought with Evan, and he was now pointing at me as the mastermind behind it. This situation wasn't just my prediction. In a normal situation, things should have unfolded like this. However, the current situation was a little different. "I don't know anything about this." The student council explained the situation briefly, and I denied any involvement. However, that was the problem. In the game, Rudy Astria was known for causing trouble and then dodging responsibility. The in-game situation overlapped with my current predicament. Even though I hadn't done anything, people thought I was trying to cover my tracks. It was simply unfair. How do I even explain this...? "Hmm..." The student council members cast doubtful glances at me. But nobody outright accused me of anything. Instead, they just observed me with suspicion. This headache. In the game, Rudy Astria hung out with that guy, but I had told him to leave me alone. Ever since then, I hadn't even met the guy, yet they were suspicious of me, which only made my headache worse. I just wanted to leave this place like the in-game Rudy Astria. "Why are you still holding on to someone who says they didn't do it?" A man with his hands in his pockets approached. Dressed casually like a neighborhood uncle, wearing glasses, and with a scruffy beard that looked like he hadn't shaved for days. He looked like an uncle who stepped out to buy some liquor at a local store. "Ah... Professor." "What are you doing holding on to someone who says they didn't do it? Do you think you're some kind of investigators? You're just students." The professor called an uncle muttered some curses and left the student council room. The second-year student who had brought me here then spoke. "Go on." As soon as I heard that, I chased after the professor I had just seen. I wanted to at least thank him for helping me while I was being falsely accused and to ask for his name. "Excuse me... Professor?" I tried to talk to him, but the professor ignored me and kept walking. "Professor." "Professor?" "Professor? Can you hear me?" Finally, after I kept calling out to him, the professor turned around. "Why do you keep bothering me?" "Thank you for helping me." As I thanked him politely, he waved his hand in annoyance. "Fine. Now go." "May I ask for your name, please?" Then the professor replied curtly. "Robert." With that, he walked away in a cool manner. "Understood. Thank you." I didn't want to be a nuisance anymore, so I backed off. "Robert..." I mulled over the professor's name as I headed to my next class.
***
Raei Translations
***
After all the classes had ended, I was organizing my books. "Rudy!" From afar, Luna approached with a worried expression. "Rudy, are you okay? I heard you went to the student council room." "Yeah, it seems like nothing major happened." I couldn't believe they'd call me again without any evidence and try to interrogate me. If that happens, I'll have no choice but to respond firmly. Just thinking about that red-headed guy made my blood boil. He must have known what he was getting into, right? When he used my name, he knew my reputation as Rudy Astria wasn't great, so he figured he could use me. In his own way, he tried to avoid punishment as much as possible and take revenge for me telling him off last time. However, he spoke without thinking. What could a third-rate thug like him possibly be thinking? I had no intention of letting this slide. If I let it pass here, such incidents would occur again in the future. "I'm glad nothing serious happened." Luna spoke, hiding her emotions. “Ah! Are you going to the library today?” Luna asked me with a bright smile. Two students were glaring at me from behind her. Luna either knew about it or was just innocently smiling. “I don't think I can go today.” "Really?" Lately, Luna and I had been studying together at the library. Of course, when training magic, we went to separate labs, but for theoretical studies or other general education, we went to the library. I had no choice but to join her since she asked me to go every day. “Luna, class is about to start. Shall we go?” “Huh? Oh, right! Let's go.” When studying in the library, it wasn't just the two of us. Luna's friends were there every day as well. Riku, her friend, was openly showing his dislike towards me, while Ena tried to read my mind like Princess Rie. Their gazes were burdensome. However, they didn't bother my studies or harm me, so I just ignored them. After all my classes, I headed to the top student research room in the dormitory basement. “Status Window”
Name: Rudy Astria Age: 17 Abilities: Basic Magic: LV 6 Fire Attribute Magic: LV 5 Wind Attribute Magic: LV 4 Earth Attribute Magic: LV 2 Swordsmanship: LV 2 Spirit Magic: LV 2
I acquired Earth attribute magic while studying magic on my own. Honestly, I didn't think I would use it much, but it was a necessary step to raise my magic level. Level 5 Fire attribute magic would become more powerful as it grows, but its growth rate is slow. So, I'm using a trick. Instead of delving deep into one magic, I learn multiple magics to quickly acquire intermediate magic. Basic attribute magic becomes less used in battles as time goes on. Of course, it could be useful if applied well. However, I'm just an ordinary modern person. I'm someone who has never fought with anyone and doesn't have the capacity to think of various strategies and apply magic while fighting. Therefore, crushing my opponents with overwhelming power is the best way to fight. First, my goal is to quickly develop basic attribute magic and reach intermediate magic. And I'm going to learn dark magic among the attribute magic. The perception of dark magic isn't so great. This is because of the risk of mental contamination if the magic fails, and the perception that dark magic is ominous. However, one thing is certain. The power of dark magic. Everyone acknowledges this fact. Dark magic boasts a much stronger force than magic of the same level. High-risk, high-return magic. That was dark magic. "I was going to ask Professor Cromwell for help, but..." Robert. He is one of the few dark magic professors at the academy. Also, he was peculiarly a professor without a family name. I didn't know much about him as he wasn't in the game. All I knew was that he was close friends with Professor Cromwell. So, I was going to ask Professor Cromwell to introduce me, but luckily I was able to meet him. "But why was he there?" There wasn't much reason for the professor to be in the guidance room. "Ha... let's worry about that later." I gathered mana in my hand and spoke the activation words. "Water Ball." As I spoke, small droplets of water gathered in front of me. "Is it working now? Status window."
Name: Rudy Astria Age: 17 Abilities: Basic Magic: LV 7 Fire Attribute Magic: LV 5 Wind Attribute Magic: LV 4 Earth Attribute Magic: LV 2 Water Attribute Magic: LV 1 Swordsmanship: LV 2 Elementalist: LV 2
Finally, my basic magic reached level 7. It was a sweet accomplishment. It was rewarding to study hard while attending Professor Cromwell's classes. Knock knock Just as I was feeling the joy of achievement, I heard someone knock. "Who is it?" "It's Housekeeper Azela." Housekeeper Azela. She is the chief administrator managing the dormitory. We had encountered each other, but this was the first time we had spoken directly. "Come in." "Hello." Azela greeted politely with a perfectly straight posture. It was a textbook-like greeting fitting for a chief administrator. "What's the matter?" "It's dinner time, and since you haven't come out, I came to inform you." Has it already been that long? The research room had protective magic on all the walls, so there were no windows. That's why I didn't even notice the sun setting while practicing magic. But do maids usually inform you of this? I didn't know because I usually went to eat right on time. Well, she is a maid managing all the students in the dormitory, so it's possible. I didn't need her help as a guy, but I heard that female students get help with their hair or makeup. "And?" "…?" "Miss Astina Persia said if you haven't eaten, she would like to have dinner together." "What?" So that's why she came. Why is she calling me again? Isn't leaving while having a meal considered a polite refusal? I thought she would take it as a sign that I didn't want to be friends, but…. I thought she wouldn't pay any more attention to me since I hadn't been conspicuous for a while, but it seems that wasn't the case. The student council president election is next week, so that person must be busy. However, I don't understand why she's bothering with me. Should I tell her outright not to approach me? Even if I avoid eating here, she'll approach me again, so it seemed better to meet her in person and talk. "Tell her to meet me in front of the dorm in 10 minutes." "Understood." I tidied up my books and went out to the dormitory entrance. A red-haired woman was standing there. "It's been a while, Rudy Astria." "Hello." Astina usually had her hair tied up, but today she let it down. Her overly tidy appearance used to feel suffocating, but today she looked a bit more relaxed. Astina's usual image was that of a rigid female knight. Although she belonged to the magic department, her atmosphere was no different from that of a female knight pursuing rigidity. "Is it okay to keep your senior waiting?" Astina spoke with a slightly irritated expression. "I apologize. The sudden appointment caught me off guard, and I wasn't fully prepared." You were the one who asked to meet so suddenly. I came out within the 10 minutes I said. I kept the appointment. But with that remark, I felt only wronged. Then Astina opened her mouth with a playful smile. "I'm joking. Let's go eat." Were we close? If Astina were genuinely angry, I could at least understand, but her friendly demeanor made things even more awkward. What pace should I match? "Hello, Astina senior." "Right. Hi." As Astina walked, nearby students greeted her. As the top second-year student and a leading student council president candidate, she was the object of admiration for everyone. Moreover, she approached everyone warmly and received their greetings without exception, making it impossible not to like her. "Let's eat." Astina received greetings from everyone, and due to the greetings, our mealtime was slightly delayed. And then... "Who's that?" "Isn't that Rudy Astria? Why is he with Astina senior?" Everyone's attention was on me. It was a headache. I had tried my best to avoid people's attention. People's evaluations don't change when they keep seeing someone they dislike. Because it constantly reminds them of their dislike. So, I planned to hide until people forgot about me. Of course, I had to stimulate Evan's competitive spirit and encourage his growth. However, I didn't have time to boost his growth with my insufficient abilities. "I've heard you've been studying hard lately. How is it going?" Astina continued the casual conversation, not knowing my thoughts. I answered her questions while looking for the right timing. The timing to tell her not to approach me anymore. "Isn't it boring to study all the time? Don't you have any other hobbies?" "Studying is my entire life." It wasn't a lie. If I don't study now, I'll die later. "Really? So you don't have any hobbies then?" "Yes. That's correct." As we continued with the casual conversation, I started to wonder. Did she call me for this kind of talk? Astina has friends, unlike me. Why is she talking to me like this when she should be having these casual conversations all the time? As we talked, Astina's expression changed slightly. "You know I'm running for the student council president election soon, right?" "There's probably no one in the academy who doesn't know." Astina then spoke with a somewhat different atmosphere. "Rudy Astria." Her expression turned serious. "Help me out." "…" What nonsense is this?
***
"Rudy Astria's absence makes my heart feel lighter." "Rika! Don't be so harsh on Rudy!" Luna and Rika were studying in the library and were now going to eat. Ena said she had an alchemy experiment, so they were eating separately. Luna had been eating lunch with Rudy these days. However, they didn't have dinner together unless they specifically arranged it. "Uh…?" Luna spotted a familiar face while getting her meal. "Rudy?" It was undoubtedly Rudy Astria. However, she saw him in an unexpected situation. He was having a meal with someone else. And that someone else was a girl.
RECENTLY UPDATES
