"You've worked hard."
I took the black leather bag, the size of a child's fist, handed to me by Amy.
The true identity of this item was an artifact known as the [Subspace Bag], stored in the Waldeurk family's treasure vault.
Anything placed inside this bag is stored in a subspace.
Furthermore, no matter the volume or weight of the contents, the size and weight of the bag remain the same.
Due to its overwhelming convenience, [Subspace Bag] is quite expensive in this world.
However, just being expensive isn't enough to earn a spot in the grand Waldeurk family's treasure vault.
This [Subspace Bag], being an item registered in the Waldeurk family's treasure vault, boasts a generous size that could store about three queen-sized beds.
Thus, this small bag is an artifact of Hero grade—in the order of common*, rare, hero, legend, and myth.
I began to take out artifacts from the subspace bag.
I had brought other artifacts besides those I would use immediately, so their number was not small.
I started arranging the artifacts neatly on the floor.
"Hmm. Nothing is missing. Everything's here."
Amy's work was thorough.
As I had instructed, she brought as much as was appropriate and reasonable.
Even though I am a direct descendant of the Waldeurk family, I'm not the head yet, so I had to be somewhat discreet in using the 'true' treasure vault.
I smiled slightly, looking at the artifacts spread on the floor.
Among them, I picked up a longsword.
Just like what I had seen in the game, there was a round hole in the center of the crossguard.
"I used this a lot when playing the game... and now I see it here."
The name of this sword is the artifact [Elemental Sword].
It's a Hero grade artifact, but depending on how it's used, it can be more useful than many Legend grade artifacts, making it a dutiful artifact used in the game until obtaining the endgame Myth grade artifacts.
True to its name, this sword allows the use of the four elemental magics: water, wind, earth, and fire.
Inserting a mana stone of the desired attribute into the round hole enables the use of magic.
There's no need to use my mana.
The cost of using [Elemental Sword]'s magic is borne by the mana stone.
Of course, mana stones aren't cheap, but compared to my wealth, it's a trifle.
"Good."
Besides the [Elemental Sword], I brought many other artifacts, so powering up my teammates will be quick.
Using customized artifacts suitable for the user is the best means of powering up.
After finishing my inspection and repacking the artifacts into the [Subspace Bag], Amy, who was standing beside me, spoke.
"Young master, may I ask a question?"
Well, why not.
"Sure."
"...While gathering the artifacts, the treasure vault managers subtly asked about why we were taking such a diverse range of artifacts. I didn’t give them an answer... May I know the reason?"
Amy looked at me with a somewhat anxious gaze.
Well, there's nothing I can't say.
"Some are for my use, and the rest are to be distributed to those who assist me."
"···I see."
Amy nodded quietly in response.
Ah, I almost forgot.
Now that it's come up, I should take care of it.
I pulled a dagger from the [Subspace Bag].
The name of the dagger is [Sixth Sense].
It's a Hero grade artifact.
This dagger amplifies the user's senses, making it especially efficient for Amy, who already possesses keen senses.
I handed the [Sixth Sense] to Amy.
"Take this, Amy. It's an artifact for you to use. Do you need an explanation of its functions?"
"······No, I'm already aware of its functions. Thank you, young master. I'll do my best to repay your trust."
Amy bowed her head to me.
"Just keep doing as you are now."
I smiled faintly.
The next day, Tuesday.
As Rok had said, all academy students were granted permission to use artifacts.
The unprecedented incident of armed intrusion had prompted the decision, with the primary aim being self-protection, but no student took it at face value.
That's because, depending on its grade and how it is used, an artifact can overwhelmingly enhance the user's abilities.
And such artifacts are generally expensive.
"Wow! Finally, the day has come when I can use the heirloom of our family! I must contact my father right away!"
"Yay~ I got an artifact as a gift for my last birthday. I should try it out."
Students from well-to-do families cheered.
"Ah, suddenly allowing artifacts... It's really favoring the nobility. This is so frustrating."
"Right. What does 'protect yourself' even mean? Increasing the academy's defense force is the real solution. After all, students using artifacts can't beat the professionals."
"Ah~ I was already struggling with my grades, now I'll fall even further. Sigh, my poor luck."
Students from less affluent families complained.
Watching these students, Theo, a silver spoon in his mouth, felt a sense of guilt rising within him.
'If they're so jealous, why don't they also get stuck in a body like this?'
And with that, Tuesday's lectures came to an end.
After the lectures, in an empty classroom.
"······."
Aisha, left alone in the classroom, packed her bag with a vacant look in her eyes.
Her hands, usually quick to move, were significantly slower today.
It was because of the incident that had occurred, granting students permission to use artifacts.
'That bow... I can't have it.'
The artifact [Still Life] that Aisha desired was stored in the Waldeurk family's 'true' treasure vault.
Although there were various artifacts, none were as appealing as [Still Life] in terms of maximizing her strengths and minimizing her weaknesses.
'It's been a while since I've felt so bitter about being born into a collateral line.'
Aisha is a member of the Waldeurk family, but not a direct descendant, rather a collateral one.
Aisha doesn't have access to the Waldeurk family's 'true' treasure vault.
The vault accessible to the collateral lines only contains items that are somewhat lacking to be called treasures of the Waldeurk family.
Therefore, despite currently maintaining a top-ranking position, she couldn't afford to be complacent.
With the authorization for artifact use granted, students who find perfectly suited artifacts will rapidly rise in ranking.
'Theo will soar high with wings.'
The rankings hadn't changed yet, as the scores from the last practical evaluation and midterm exams were not yet reflected.
However, Theo had secured first place in the last practical evaluation and had attended academic seminars as a student, indicating his profound theoretical knowledge, which surely meant he did well in the midterms.
It was expected that he would comfortably enter at least the middle rankings.
'Sigh, I'll have to look for other items.'
With her belongings packed, Aisha was about to leave the empty classroom when suddenly,
Swoosh.
Theo appeared in front of her.
'Ah, that startled me!'
Surely, he hadn't heard her thoughts.
Startled, Aisha asked,
"Wha, what do you want, Theo?"
"Follow me for a moment. I have something for you."
"What, what is it? You can just give it here. I don't have time."
Theo didn't reply but turned and left the classroom.
"······."
Blinking in confusion, Aisha followed him.
In a forest within the Hero Department, far from the classrooms.
It's a secluded spot rarely visited even for leisurely walks.
Theo stopped in his tracks after confirming there was no one around.
"How do you know such a creepy place?"
Aisha grumbled, following Theo closely.
Theo, without a word, pulled out a bow from the [Subspace Bag].
"!!"
Aisha's red eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
The bow was [Still Life], a Legendary grade artifact from the Waldeurk family's 'true' treasure vault, the very item Aisha had longed for.
Theo, with an indifferent expression, handed the bow to Aisha.
"Take it, Aisha."
"······!"
Shocked, Aisha, instead of taking the bow, alternated her gaze between Theo and the bow, her mouth slightly agape.
Theo urged her again,
"My arm's getting tired. It's yours, take it."
Still, Aisha remained wide-mouthed.
"······."
Several thoughts raced through her mind: Theo providing her with meals and a place to sleep when she was tired from secretly following him, joining the same club as her, being the first to aid her team during practical evaluations, sparing time from his busy schedule to teach her swordsmanship, always seeking her help when needed.
······Theo was unusually generous and trusting towards her, wanting to spend time with her.
There were many other instances, but even recalling just these made one thing clear.
It was more than just looking after someone from the same house; it was blatant favoritism.
At this point, one would have to be a fool not to notice.
'Theo, Theo likes me. He...'
It was love.
*221 ???? (1) the chapter title is the album name of a kpop group called LABOUM (2015). Uh don't think it means anything in english... they have the words AALOW AALOW in round brackets next to the title. Might be something specific in their fandom?
*The first grade I originally translated as ordinary. But I think in games it's usually called 'common'
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