"Ugh."
After experiencing teleportation for the first time, I decided that I would much rather travel by carriage.
Sure, it’s slow and uncomfortable, and it can make you feel queasy, but at least it’s bearable. Now that my body has grown stronger, it’s not as torturous as it was the first time.
Teleportation, however, is on a whole different level.
This method feels like it compresses the agony of a month-long carriage journey into an instant, providing an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to others what I’ve eaten today.
This isn’t a means of travel; it’s a means of torture.
As I barely managed to lift my head, memories of my time at the academy came flooding back, and I swore I would never use teleportation again.
If I ever have to endure this again, I’ll just take the longer route by carriage.
If even that’s too much, I’d rather walk.
I don’t want to go through this horrible experience ever again.
“But, my dear child, you’ll have to use that spell again on your way back, won’t you?”
Grandpa, get a clue.
I’m trying so hard to deny reality, and here you are reminding me of it!
“Are you alright, my lady?”
‘Yes, and you?’
“Of course, how about you, weakling?”
“This is nothing.”
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Watching Karl laugh it off as if it were nothing, I couldn’t help but feel once again how disgustingly strong he is.
I’m jealous.
If I keep training, will I eventually be able to withstand this pain too?
‘Knights are really something.’
“Is it because your brain is made of muscle? Impressive.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I managed to collect myself and followed Alsatian's guidance toward the Newman family estate.
“Welcome, Lady Allen.”
The moment I arrived at the entrance of the estate, the butler of the Newman family greeted me as if he had been waiting for me.
Wasn’t he the one who used to stand in for Kurtz Newman?
“Please, come in. The master is expecting you.”
‘Alright, I understand.’
“Got it, creepy butler.”
I really wanted to go inside and sit down as quickly as possible.
No matter how tough the training was, I had never felt this exhausted before.
As soon as I get back to the dorm, I’ll collapse onto my bed and close my eyes.
I might actually get a good night’s sleep for once.
“But first, may I take your weapon and shield?”
‘I don’t think so.’
“Creepy butler, what are you planning to do by taking my weapon? Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable, so no thanks.”
Unless it’s somewhere I feel completely safe, I don’t want to let go of my mace and shield, especially in a place I still don’t fully trust.
No way.
“You needn’t worry. We only wish to relieve you of the burden—”
“I said no, didn’t I?♡ I’m not sure what perverted urges you’re trying to fulfill by taking my weapon, but I’ll pass♡ It feels like it’ll get a weird smell♡”
I noticed the butler’s eyebrow twitch slightly at my words.
Oh, so he is human after all.
I guess even he can’t always keep a perfect poker face.
Then why try to take my weapon?
Don’t even think about taking Grandpa away from me, you smelly old man.
Sorry, but I’m not into BL or NTR, okay?
If something unexpected happens and I die because Grandpa isn’t there, will you take responsibility? Huh?
“My lady—”
“That’s enough.”
Just as the butler was about to say something more, Kurtz Newman appeared from behind.
“Lady Allen, allow me to escort you personally.”
‘Yes, please lead the way.’
“I’ll follow, oh lowly head of the household.”
Ignoring the butler, who stepped aside and bowed his head, I headed inside the mansion.
As he led me, Kurtz Newman explained how he had obtained the healing potion.
Just as I had instructed, he found the miraculous elixir in that place.
At first, he was skeptical, but after having it appraised, he confirmed that it was indeed genuine.
“I was truly amazed. Lady Allen, you must be blessed by the gods.”
His voice, usually so calm, was tinged with an unusual excitement.
Could it really be that he’s so overjoyed at the thought of being able to heal his son?
He’s quite the doting father, isn’t he? I wonder if he’d give Benedict a run for his money in a doting parent contest.
No, probably not.
Benedict isn’t just a doting father; he needs a word that’s far harsher and more serious.
“Technically, there was no need to call for you, Lady Allen, but I wanted to be sure. The oath was a bit vague, and I didn’t want to risk any harm coming to you.”
Kurtz claimed he was worried about me, but that was obviously a lie.
This man isn’t the type to care about anyone outside his own bloodline.
He must have some ulterior motive.
Even if I just think about it, there’s the advantage of passing Agra’s curse onto me.
Since it benefits me too, I’ll play along, but I am curious.
What exactly is Kurtz aiming for?
“This is the room. Please, go in.”
As the door opened, I saw a child lying on the bed.
Long, black hair that had clearly not been cut in a long time draped over his shoulders.
His skin had turned unnaturally pale from lack of sunlight.
His small frame was unusually delicate, even for a boy.
This is Chester Newman.
Normally, I don’t shy away from characters in Soul Academy, but he’s an exception.
I dislike Chester.
Why? Because he’s a damn b****u.
Back in the day...
Shortly after Soul Academy was released, Chester was an unknown character.
If you didn’t break Agra’s curse on him before the start of his second year, he would simply die quietly without anyone noticing.
I was the first to discover that Chester Newman could become an NPC at the academy.
At the time, I was so obsessed with Soul Academy that I was practically shaving years off my life playing it, and I accidentally figured out the conditions for Chester Newman to enter the academy.
Excited by the fact that I had found a hidden element no one else knew about, I immediately decided to target Chester Newman.
And at the end of it, I discovered the hidden twist.
That this bastard wasn’t a girl in disguise but just a damn b****u.
You have no idea how shocked I was.
The illustrations were nice, his personality was good, and his character stats were decent. I thought he could be my favorite character, if not as much as Joy, but it felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
Despite being a high-performance character, I barely touched Chester after clearing that achievement.
Even in real life, he’s annoyingly pretty.
It’s not his fault he looks like a girl, but after having my heart betrayed once, I really hate it.
“Father, who is this?”
“This is Lady Lucy Allen of the Allen family. She’s here to cure your illness.”
“Is that so?”
With a resigned smile, Chester looked at me and bowed his head.
He doesn’t seem to believe he can be cured at all, does he?
Seeing that expression, I almost felt sorry for him.
I handed the potion Kurtz Newman had given me to Chester.
“What is this?”
‘Drink it.’
“Drink it. Even a weakling like you should be able to manage that much, right?”
“Is this the cure? Haha. If it were that simple—”
‘Could you wait until after you’ve drunk it to speak?’
“Less talking, more drinking. Why is a weakling who looks like he could be snapped in half with one hand talking so much?”
Why is he still talking even when I’m about to cure him?
If he keeps blabbering, should I provoke him into drinking it?
I was considering it, but thankfully, I didn’t need to use my Mesugaki skills.
He opened the potion and started drinking it.
Even though there wasn’t much potion, it seemed difficult to down in one go. He had to pause several times, but eventually, he managed to drink it all.
“See, nothing’s changed... Oh?”
As soon as Chester Newman’s eyes widened in surprise, several message windows popped up in front of me.
The first one wasn’t from that useless deity.
[Agra is glaring at you.]
Oh, as if you weren’t already glaring at me.
You’re always watching me whenever I enter the dungeon, trying to figure out the best way to mess with me.
If my deity is a useless fool, then you’re petty. So petty. Petty evil god.
And then came Armathi’s message.
How can you, a supposed deity, be slower to respond than an evil god?
I really don’t get you.
You’re always watching me, thinking about how to make my life miserable, you pervert.
You may be more incompetent than the evil god, but at least show that you’re diligent.
I have a lot to say, but I’ll let it slide this time because who knows what you’ll do if I keep criticizing you.
You’re not going to take it out on me...right?
If you sulk just because I grumbled a little, you’re no better than that petty evil god.
Cautiously, I checked the message Armathi had sent.
[Armathi watches you with satisfaction.]
Right? I did well, didn’t I?
I just stuck it to your rival!
So, give me something good! Something really good!
[The functionality of Ruell’s Mace has been unlocked.]
[The mace is imbued with divinity. This feature will grow stronger as your divine power increases.]
Holy bonus damage?!
Wow! This is amazing!
No, seriously, this is incredible!
Normally, you have to reach level 60 to unlock this special feature in Ruell’s Mace, but you’re unlocking it now?!
Wow. I was worried about my lack of damage, but with this, that problem’s solved!
Being able to imbue Ruell’s Mace with divinity will not only increase its base damage but also give me a significant advantage over anyone associated with the evil gods I’ll be facing.
Nakrard, just you wait.
I’m going to train hard and come smash your skull.
An apostle of the evil god? One divine mace will leave them helpless!
I was already satisfied with this, but the message window wasn’t done yet.
Seriously, Armathi, why are you being so generous?
Are you sure you can afford this?
Is my deity crazy?!
Someone, close the shop!
[The ‘Log’ function has been unlocked.]
Log?
Do you mean like a rogue, as in the class?
But then it doesn’t make sense to say the function has been unlocked.
So that leaves...
No way.
I activated the log function like I would open the quest window.
A blue window appeared before me.
It contained the conversation I had just had with Chester and the messages from Armathi and Agra.
Oh. That kind of log.
I thought Armathi was just showering me with rewards, but you’re giving me a thrilling mix of benefits and limitations.
Well, I guess you shouldn’t be too generous all at once.
You’ve got keen insight.
It’s not that I’m afraid of retaliation or anything; I’m just really impressed by Armathi’s wisdom.
I should be happy just to get the holy bonus damage, but why do I feel so conflicted?
It’s almost like I’d rather not— No, never mind. Forget it.
It’s nothing.
I closed the log window and saw Chester getting out of bed, looking around his body in amazement.
“Chester, how do you feel? Are you alright?”
“...It’s incredible. My body feels strangely light.”
“Oh, thank the gods!”
Watching Kurtz embrace his son, I realized that even a cold-blooded noble from the underworld is still a father in the end.
In the past, I would have felt envious, but now I have someone who would do the same for me.
Maybe I should leave them to have their emotional moment.