[The shop list has been updated]
The one thing that everyone else had, but I didn’t.
The thing I had no clue how to obtain since there was no way to throw in cash or special currency to obtain it.
<Shop ─ Lv.2>
◇ Unique Weapon – 30,000P (One-time purchase)
◇ Unique Skill Level Up – 20,000P (One-time purchase)
◇ Lowest-grade Health/Mana Potion – 100P
◇ Restaurant Reservation Ticket – 50P
◇ Concentration-Enhancing Incense – 50P
··
··
◇ Three Nations Alliance Wagashi Set – 10P
◇ Rainbow Macaron Set – 8P
◇ Chicken/Pizza – 8P
◇ Large-Capacity Combat Rations – 5P
··
··
[Remaining Points – 16,098P]
…Unique weapon!
At last, the long-awaited item had appeared.
The shop skill even seemed to gleam in Rohan’s eyes, as if to celebrate.
This update is seriously stacked. And it’s not just one thing, either.
The unique weapon alone was enough to make him lose his mind, but there was also the unique skill level-up option.
The price had skyrocketed compared to the first level-up, but this was more than he had hoped for.
“What are you spacing out for? Class is starting.”
Noah gave Rohan’s arm a quick poke with her tail as she passed by.
Thanks to that, Rohan snapped out of his daze and absentmindedly made his way back to the classroom.
Taking his seat, he continued to ponder carefully.
Points…
Thanks to the rewards he had received from completing the quest related to Sion, Rohan’s remaining points were now quite substantial. He only needed to save up a little more.
He debated whether to purchase the unique weapon or upgrade his skill level first, but each option had its own advantages. Besides, the goal of acquiring both no longer seemed too far off.
Opportunities to earn shop points would continue to come his way.
After all, wasn’t the upcoming practical exam set to take place on a deserted island teeming with monsters and a thriving ecosystem? For Rohan, who could convert monsters into points, it was nothing short of a festival.
If it’s the same as before, there should be quests tied to the practical exam as well.
The written test was a great opportunity to breathe life into his dried-up academic reputation.
Meanwhile, the practical exam was a chance to rack up both scores and points at the same time.
As he seriously laid out his schedule, carefully planning within the realm of possibility…
“Young man… do you have concerns? Ponder them even further. Deep contemplation is the mark of human excellence.”
“…Ah, this lunatic.”
Gilbert’s shadowed face shattered his train of thought.
Rohan, feeling the weight of his presence, instinctively leaned his upper body away. Meanwhile, Gilbert freely expressed his thoughts.
“Rohan. What do you think about the changes to this practical exam?”
“Don’t really care.”
“So, you have the boldness to accept fate as it comes? A most refreshing answer.”
“…Here he goes again.”
Whether Rohan voiced his exasperation or not, Gilbert simply crossed his arms with a solemn expression.
The academy uniform—squeak, creak!—tightened around him.
The sheer bulk of his body made it seem as though his uniform might burst at any moment, yet the fact that it could withstand such expansion was proof of the academy uniform’s durability.
“It’s an unfortunate disaster that brought about these changes, but in a way, we first-years are lucky to have the opportunity to prepare for it in advance.”
“I know. Just don’t go picking up and eating weird things when we’re stranded on the island.”
Given Gilbert’s notorious history with bizarre foods, that was the first thing that came to Rohan’s mind.
Dick Wikitree, who had been organizing key points at his desk, naturally joined the conversation.
“The instructors might save us from monsters, but if you go out of your way to eat something strange, you’re on your own.”
“Still, I doubt the academy will let students roam around alone. They always emphasize teamwork in lessons, and for management purposes, teams of at least two are the minimum standard.”
Rohan spoke with quiet confidence.
At that, Gilbert turned to Dick with a menacing look.
“You glasses oxygen thief. If we end up on the same team, I’ll train your feeble stomach with rock stew and mud cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
“If I get teamed up with a caveman, I might as well go solo.”
With a pointed gesture, Dick pushed up his glasses using only his middle finger, making sure Gilbert saw.
Rohan who grew tired of their endless battle of wills could only hope they would end up on the same team.
I don’t know who I’ll be paired with, but it’d be nice if it’s at least someone normal.
In the Abyss City game, he could choose which character to partner with, but this time, there was no way to predict the outcome. It all depended on luck.
So, for a brief moment, Rohan became an instant believer and sent a silent prayer to the heavens.
***
“….…”
Sion who was seated on the sky train hugged her bag tightly against her chest as the compartment rattled beneath her.
As people passed by her train compartment, they glanced in her direction, but she paid them no mind. It didn’t bother her.
After all, she was in a good mood. She had managed to find a seat all to herself.
I hope I can sit alone on the way back too.
With that thought, she turned her gaze out the window. Though lower than the clouds, the train was still quite far from the mainland.
The ocean stretched out beneath her, and here and there, she spotted unfamiliar structures and buildings whose purpose she couldn’t guess.
There were so many fascinating sights she had never seen before, but with no companion to share the experience, she simply stared in silence.
Eleven hours of flying like this, huh?
Sitting still and waiting wasn’t going to be easy.
Determined to make good use of the time, Sion pulled out her smartphone to review Tigrova’s geography and brush up on proper etiquette.
As she carefully read through the information, a message from Clara popped up in their group chat.
[Clara: Unnie, are you traveling safely? I just got on the bus! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ]
“Heh…”
A smile bloomed on Sion’s lips at Clara’s message.
How had she even managed to combine the emoticons like that?
Curious, Sion fumbled with her keyboard for a moment but soon gave up. Instead, she decided to take a quick photo of the view outside and send it to Clara.
Click!
Her awkwardly taken photo was soon met with Clara’s playful response.
[Clara: I’m a little scared since I can’t handle the cold well… but I hope we get the chance to go together next time… ( ⸝⸝˘𖥦˘⸝⸝)]
Sion wholeheartedly shared the same thought.
As they continued chatting, the conversation naturally turned to Rohan who couldn’t join them because he was stuck in class.
[Rohan: I have emerged… from the merciless storm of theoretical lectures.]
[Rohan: Photo.]
Had his class just ended?
Rohan sent a photo, seemingly intending to show where he was, but more than half of his face was cut off.
Naturally, the background was an academy classroom.
I can’t even see his face properly…
As Sion dwelled on her slight disappointment, thinking it would have been nicer if his face was clearer than the background—
Bzzz! Bzzz!
Her phone started vibrating with an incoming call.
[Rohan]
“!”
Startled, Sion instinctively glanced around to see if anyone had noticed, even though there was no reason to.
She then moved to the aisle to take the call.
“Ahem-hem.”
After clearing her throat with a sip of water, she finally answered.
It wasn’t her first time talking to Rohan on the phone, yet for some reason, her heart pounded.
“…Hello.”
– Were you sleeping? I didn’t wake you up, did I?
“That’s not it. It just took a while to step out of the compartment.”
– Ah, that must’ve been a hassle. Maybe I should’ve just messaged you instead.
“It’s fine. I still find calls more convenient than messages.”
The reason Rohan had called wasn’t anything special.
It was just a simple check-in to see if she was traveling safely and if she was feeling okay. It was just a casual conversation.
– If you get hungry on the way, make sure you eat properly. Don’t try to save money by picking the cheapest thing.
“….…”
His actions and thoughts had been completely seen through. And yet, rather than feeling chills, she felt good.
It only made her more aware of how well Rohan understood her.
– And don’t forget to stick to the main roads as much as possible. Don’t try to move around late at night just to get there faster. Once the sun sets, find a place to stay and get some rest early.
“You’re really treating me like a little kid.”
Sion chuckled and focused on Rohan’s voice.
The way she was being treated was funny, yet she didn’t mind it at all.
– Ah, the instructor’s coming. Anyway, call me if anything comes up. Actually, even if there’s no problem, keep in touch.
“Mhmm… got it.”
After the call ended, she glanced at the screen.
[00:06:28]
[The call recording has been saved.]
Thanks to the settings Rohan and Clara had arranged, the call had been recorded automatically.
It was a feature she was quite fond of.
Listening to it ten times would take an hour. If I replay it about a hundred times, I should arrive just in time.
The journey to Tigrova didn’t seem like it would be boring.
***
Meanwhile, another girl was also riding a vehicle.
Clara who was on a bus heading home gasped when she saw the message.
O- Oppa’s photo…?!
She had always wanted one, and now, out of nowhere, it had arrived like an unexpected gift.
Rohan hadn’t taken the picture of himself, but just the fact that he was in it was enough for Clara to love it.
Without hesitation, she saved it to her gallery. Then, she moved it to a hidden folder.
Just in case, she even set a password.
“…..…”
Now that the procedure was over, it was time to sit back and enjoy.
The girl rested her head against the window and quietly stared at Rohan’s photo.
And then, she recalled—
What Sion had done earlier at the dormitory and on the bus.
…I’m jealous.
In such a short time, Sion had done so much. Even if she wasn’t fully aware of it, the way she expressed her desires so transparently and confidently was something to admire.
If only she could do the same.
S-Should I try it too…?
She had always hesitated, but after watching Sion act so boldly right in front of her, her reason began to waver against her instincts. It felt like she was missing out by doing nothing.
Of course, unlike Sion, she didn’t have Rohan’s clothes.
All she could do was stare at the photo he had sent.
“….…”
Clara glanced around the quiet bus, noting the empty seats here and there.
Then, making sure she was out of the driver’s line of sight, she lowered her upper body into her seat.
Slowly, she stuck out her tongue like a cat.
And lightly licked the screen displaying Rohan’s photo.
“Haa…”
Of course, there was no taste.
But the overwhelming realization that she had just done something unbelievable was more than enough.
Leave a Reply to EvsA Cancel reply