"The headmaster asked me to deliver this to you, my lady."
The morning after we drove off Nacrad.
Karl came to see me early, pulling a box from his chest and handing it to me.
At this time of year, there could only be one thing the academy would give as a gift.
It was the reward given to the top student at Soul Academy.
"I heard that there's an elixir inside."
The reward for ranking first is an elixir.
The type changes depending on the student's class, so for someone like me, it's likely to be an elixir that enhances strength and stamina.
Normally, this would be an item that forms the foundation for rapid growth at the start of the academy, but for me, it's useless right now.
It's not even been a year since I consumed three elixirs.
However, it’s still a valuable item, so there’s no reason to refuse the reward.
I’ll just store it in my inventory for now.
I’ll find some use for it eventually.
And if not, I can just drink it down in a few months.
Karl had delivered the reward, but he hesitated, clearly wanting to say something, watching me nervously.
What's wrong with him?
‘What is it?’
"Hmm? What’s wrong, you useless knight?"
"It’s about yesterday’s incident. I made a mistake because I wasn’t strong enough. If I were just a bit stronger, I wouldn’t have let that man escape."
‘Didn’t I tell you not to worry about it?’
"You should clean your ears, you useless knight. I told you it’s fine."
Although we tormented Nacrad yesterday, in the end, we failed to capture him.
But there was nothing we could have done.
With the power of darkness at his disposal, once Nacrad decided to escape, we didn’t have the means to stop him.
Even in the game, we couldn't kill Nacrad without obtaining the staff that could bind the darkness.
And now, in reality, we still couldn’t take him down.
I had intended to merely torment him and drive him off anyway.
Yesterday's events were satisfying enough.
Seeing Nacrad scream in frustration, his face flushed red as he fled without any recourse, was enough to clear all my stress.
There was no need for an apology, but Karl clearly couldn’t get it out of his mind.
"Ahh, as expected, my lady, you are truly merciful!"
That’s not it—really, it’s fine.
I appreciate the sense of duty in a knight, but shouldn’t you at least pretend to listen to your master?
Even the Chihuahua my friend used to raise was more obedient than this.
Damn knight!
If I leave him alone, he’ll keep digging himself deeper, so I’d better change the subject.
Fortunately, I have the perfect topic.
‘By the way...’
"Hey, why didn’t you bring the sword I gave you yesterday?"
"The cursed sword? I hung it up in my quarters."
...What?
"How could I dare to use a gift from you, my lady? What if it gets damaged?"
Are you serious?
"I’ve currently placed it in a glass display, but I plan to have preservation magic cast on it later..."
‘Why are you putting it on display?!’
"You useless mutt! I gave it to you to use!"
"But, my lady..."
I don’t care about 'but'!
That’s a pretty good item!
In the game, it was usable well into the mid-late stages!
It’s leagues beyond the sword you're using now!
So why aren't you using it?
Is it because someone you like gave it to you, and you want to cherish it forever?
Why are you fangirling over your master, you stupid mutt?!
I felt a storm of words rising within me, but I suppressed them, fearing that once they were out, there’d be no going back. I ran a hand over my face to calm myself.
Then I sighed and spoke to Karl.
‘Later...’
"You useless mutt, I’ll give you a collar to hang on display later. But for now, use the damn sword."
"Really?! I would be eternally grateful for such a gift!"
As I watched Karl's bright smile, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong.
Has he always been this weird?
Or did he become like this after meeting me?
It’s probably the former.
There’s no way he’d be spouting such craziness unless he was already like this.
Watching Karl skip away with a spring in his step, I collapsed onto a nearby bench and let out a long sigh.
I’m exhausted.
I didn’t even do much, but I feel more drained than when I stayed up all night clearing a dungeon.
Is this what it feels like to be the owner of an unruly large dog?
"Lady Alrn?"
While I was slumped in exhaustion, a voice called out to me, and I turned my head.
It was Faybi.
She stood there with an awkward smile, so obvious that anyone could notice.
She’s never come to see me first before—what could it be?
‘What is it?’
"What is it, useless priestess?"
"Ah, um. It's about the upcoming field trip."
Does Faybi have something troubling her regarding the field trip?
Anyone who’s played RPG games knows that clerics, who provide healing and buffs, never have trouble finding a party.
Every party needs at least one, and since the number of clerics isn’t that high, people would beg them to join.
This principle applies even within the academy.
The number of clerics in the academy isn’t large, but every party wants one.
And this is reality, so it’s even more important.
Who wouldn’t want someone who could heal them when they’re injured?
Even an average cleric would have people pulling all sorts of tricks to get them into their party, and Faybi, who has exceptional skills, is no exception.
She’s beyond noble—she’s practically royalty. No, she’s worthy of being called a goddess.
If she wanted, she could join any party she desired, and she could gather any members for the field trip.
Isn’t a rare tank that can out-damage DPS valuable?
Of course they are.
If this were the game, I’d probably rank higher than the priestess.
But this isn’t a game.
In reality, reputation is extremely important.
You have to stick with your party members for the whole three-night, four-day trip. Would anyone want to be stuck with someone whose reputation has gone down the drain?
Even I would refuse.
But Faybi is different.
She’s loved by everyone, no matter their gender or age, so she’s completely free from such issues.
Her spotless character is even a bonus.
There’s no way she’d have trouble forming a party.
So why is she talking to me?
"Have you put together a party, my lady?"
‘More or less.’
"It’s mostly set."
Zoi had already agreed to join my party long ago.
And Frey, who, like me, doesn’t have many friends, naturally joined my party as well.
So now there’s just one spot left.
I originally planned to ask Arthur.
Someone who could switch between frontline and rear guard roles was rare.
But he refused the moment I brought it up.
He said he couldn’t win if he was in the same party as me.
Arthur declared that he’d defeat me during this field trip, leaving me puzzled.
In the game, Arthur wasn’t such an intense character.
If I had to say whether it’s a good change or a bad one, it’s a good change, but there are still some concerns.
If he sees me as a rival, there’s no way he’ll ever be able to beat me.
No matter how talented Arthur is, there’s no way he could defeat me.
How is he supposed to win against someone who’s invested tens of thousands of hours into this game?
If it seems like he’s heading toward a dark path, I might have to let him win on purpose.
But if he finds out I let him win, will he get even angrier?
Whatever. Anyway, after Arthur refused, I chose Bisi as a replacement.
It seems like she’s already decided to team up with her friends, but does that matter to me?
I’m her benefactor, and I hold a secret over her, so I’m basically her master.
When a slave is ordered, they obey. Who cares about her personal plans?
Avery?
Nah, not her.
I have no issue giving orders, but spending three nights and four days with her? No thanks.
I’m a really kind and nice person, but having someone who talks behind my back nearby is a bit much.
"Just out of curiosity, would it be possible for me to join your party, Lady Alrn?"
‘...What?’
"What?"
I asked again, unsure if I heard correctly, and Faybi flinched before repeating herself.
"I’d like to join your party, Lady Alrn."
Faybi?
Why?
She could join any good party she wanted.
She’s not the competitive type, so she could easily join a comfortable group, enjoy some peace, and do just fine.
Why ask me?
Oh. Is it because of Zoi?
That must be it.
Faybi and Zoi are close friends.
It makes sense if she’s asking because she wants to be with Zoi.
"Is that okay?"
‘Of course!’
"How could I refuse when the useless priestess asks me so nicely?"
There’s no reason to refuse a Tier 1 healer joining my party!
She’s taking the spot of dead weight like Bisi!
And it’s not like this will mess up the party dynamics.
Zoi would welcome Faybi, and Faybi has the mental fortitude to handle whatever crazy antics Frey and I get up to.
Who knew that winning the affection of the dimwitted noble lady would be so useful!
This is a great chance to build rapport with Faybi during the field trip.
Since we both deal with holy powers, we can form a strong bond through shared experiences.
Faybi’s favorability is relatively easy to raise to 70, so maybe I can hit that target during the field trip.
If I succeed, not only will I clear the useless god’s quest, but I’ll also secure a professional healer for the party!
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.
Alright, I was planning to just coast through the field trip and take first place, but I’m changing the plan.
I’m going to give this everything I’ve got.
Let’s break the academy records.
"Then I look forward to working with you."
‘Likewise!’
"Yes, useless priestess. I hope you don’t drag us down."
"Haha, I’ll try my best."
As I exchanged pleasantries with Faybi, one thought crossed my mind.
I’ll have a priestess as a party member.
Does that mean I can use the trick from the Soul Academy dungeon I used to pull off in the game?
‘Hey, Faybi.’
"Useless priestess, are you free this Saturday?"
"Huh? I don’t have anything important. I could make time."
Is that so?
Perfect.
I needed to finish the Soul Academy dungeon anyway.
I grinned as I plotted in my head, causing Faybi to flinch and take a step back.
What’s with her?
Was my expression strange?