“Master. Normally, if a person isn’t even a threat, we wouldn’t care what they do.”
This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.
It wasn’t a complicated story. Even among the same kind of people, there exist differences in status.
While some are praised like gods, others are treated like bugs, even though they are essentially the same human beings.
Imagine someone you think of as a bug struggling desperately to rise above you. Who would feel threatened by that?
No matter how desperately they wriggle, a bug is still just a bug. People would only chuckle at such a sight.
“And you, Master, have been treated like that by others until now.”
Lucy was treated like a bug by others all this time.
The monster named Benedict lurking behind her would soon crush her like a bug beneath his feet.
Look at the animosity and disdain rampant in high society. In that space, Lucy wasn’t regarded as a person.
“Not anymore, though.”
However, since enrolling in the academy, things changed.
She entered the academy with an unprecedented level of overwhelming grades.
She defeated Frey, who was at the top of the continent’s hierarchy.
As if her entrance grades weren’t a fluke, she grabbed first place in the midterms.
For the first time in the academy's history, she became the first conqueror immediately upon admission.
In addition to that, I etched numerous achievements in the academy.
Not just achievements. I’ve also grown to a level in relationships that can’t be compared to before.
Joy, the daughter of the Partlan family. Though distanced from the royal succession, she is undeniably the blood of a king, being the third prince.
Frey, a prodigy born into the swordsmanship family of Kent.
Faybi, a symbol of the current Church of the Holy Spirit, whose fame is such that even a king wouldn’t dare to treat her lightly.
Though they may not be many, the connections they offer are of a scale that ordinary people could hardly imagine.
Having both talent and connections, I have become a being too great to be dismissed as a bug.
“Congratulations, Master. Now, you are a being that no one can disregard or dismiss.”
The reason people can laugh at a bug’s wriggling is that they think that bug can’t pose a threat to them.
If that bug grows so large that it threatens a human's life, people will no longer look at it with amusement.
“And be careful, Master. Those who dislike you will now define you as an enemy and send serious hostility your way.”
Though it was a long explanation, to sum it up simply, this is it.
Because my reputation has risen, more people think of me as an enemy.
It wasn’t that the incompetent god did a poor job. This happened precisely because the incompetent god did too good of a job.
How unfair! Why should I feel this way because my reputation has improved?! Can’t I experience it in a good way?!
Can’t I hear something like, “Wow! It’s definitely Lucy!” like in a typical isekai story?!
As I silently screamed inside, Karia burst into laughter.
She had a knack for reading others' emotions as if she had telepathy. She must have caught on to my embarrassment.
“Lastly, be grateful for your fortune, Master. The person you have favored is incredibly competent beyond what you could possibly imagine.”
As Karia spoke, she handed me another notebook.
What now? The previous one had the weaknesses of several bishops written in it, so if I think of it like that...
My assumption was correct. Inside was information about a family that could likely become my enemy in the future.
“Your current position and connections are considerable. Therefore, ordinary people would hardly dare to oppose you.
To put it differently, those who could confront you head-on, or those who are prepared to do so, would actively threaten you.
Those who see the first prince as the heir. Those wary of the revival of the Alrn family. Those who frown upon you because of what you did in the past.
I’ve compiled a list of people you should be careful of in the future.”
The difference from the previous notebook, however, was that the contents of this one were not as detailed.
The notebook only contained information about the family and the people there. Unlike the previous one, it didn’t have any weaknesses or negative details written in it.
When I expressed my confusion, Karia smiled wryly.
“It’s the same as before. I didn’t have time to investigate. I’m sorry. I’m an incompetent lady. If there is a person who poses a threat, I’ll supplement the investigation then.”
It was entirely understandable.
I had become noticeable starting from the Partlan festival. If Karia, who had been investigating the church, began to hear about what I had done, there would naturally be time constraints.
<You’re lying.>
However, the old man dismissed Karia’s words as lies.
<Isn’t that the one referred to as the shadow of the past kingdom? The one who worked in the shadows as the king’s shadow. It wouldn’t make sense for her not to know about powerful families like dukes, even if it’s about minor nobles.>
‘...That makes sense, doesn’t it?’
Come to think of it, she wouldn’t be ignorant of the nobles in the kingdom while working as an informant for the king.
In some sense, knowing about the kingdom’s forces would be even more essential than information on enemy nations.
I tilted my head, wondering why that was the case, but no suitable answer came to mind. I wasn’t adept at making such speculations.
‘Why would that be?’
<Who knows? I can’t read minds like someone else.>
So I asked someone skilled in this kind of thing, but even the old man couldn’t come up with a satisfactory answer. There are times when even he isn’t all-knowing.
‘Should I ask?’
<No need. They wouldn’t answer anyway.>
‘Huh?’
<Think about it. Given her abilities, would she answer if she noticed your question even if you hadn’t said it out loud?>
That was true. Karia had been able to sense my thoughts without me saying anything until just a moment ago. It wouldn’t be surprising for her to be aware of my doubts right now.
<She’ll tell you later if you ask her. Don’t worry about it.>
There’s no point in pushing for an answer when I won’t get what I want anyway. Following the old man’s advice, I replied to Karia that I understood, and she smiled.
“Thank you for trusting me, Master.”
It didn’t take long to feel the hostility Karia warned me about.
As soon as I stepped into the classroom after the start of the second semester, sharp gazes flew at me from all directions.
This was different from the open criticism I faced before; it was a gloomy and sinister kind of hostility.
This semester wasn’t going to be smooth either. I wondered when I would be able to enjoy a comfortable school life.
Would I become a being that everyone admires with a title on the level of a hero who saved the world, even with my mesugaki skill?
Or maybe not? Somehow, even if I defeated a dark god, it feels like enemies would still emerge due to the distortions of that skill.
“Hello.”
As I pondered those thoughts, someone spoke to me. It was Frey.
She had an expression as if she didn’t care about the hostility around her.
She hadn’t acknowledged me before except during sparring, so I wondered if something had changed in her mindset.
“Let’s spar after this. I’ve gotten stronger. This time, I’ll win.”
Of course. It was once again an invitation to spar.
Watching Frey, who was brutally honest about her own thoughts regardless of her surroundings, made my worries disappear.
“It’s been a while, Lady Alrn. Have you been well?”
Not long after that, Joy approached me to greet me.
She was the daughter of the Duke of Partlan and led a faction of noble ladies.
The fact that she greeted me with a smile was enough to draw the ire of several other ladies.
I could feel the hostility in the classroom sharpen compared to just a moment ago, but that was fine.
It wasn’t new to incur the hatred of others. More importantly, I was happy that Joy greeted me warmly, so there was no problem!
As I was thinking that, another person approached me. Faybi, who seemed capable of purifying even the dark gods with her smile, greeted me.
“It’s nice to see you again, Lady Alrn.”
Faybi, a symbol of the Church of the Holy Spirit, was a kind of idol. The fact that she was the first to greet me was enough to stir up jealousy among many.
I could feel the amount of hostility directed at me increasing.
...I think it’s starting to feel a bit burdensome. Still, considering that the saintess thinks of me closely, this is nothing, right?!
“Lady Alrn.”
Who is it this time?!
Is it Arthur? Since three other people just passed by, there’s no one left but Arthur!
I hope that Arthur didn’t greet me, which would only add to the hostility! After all, he’s a prince, but his power is far from that!
If more hostility adds here, no matter who I am, it would feel burdensome! Please let nothing happen!
As I thought this and looked up, it wasn’t Arthur who greeted me.
It was Luca. A professor at the academy and a troublemaker. A madman who believes that one must stand before death to blossom one’s talent.
“Could you come outside for a moment?”
His expression looked like that of a very kind and gentle teacher, but I knew better.
What lay beneath was the thought of a lunatic.
‘No, thanks.’
“Why should I listen to the words of a minor professor like you? No way!”
Of course, my answer would be a firm rejection.
Getting involved with this lunatic would bring no good!
Of course, I’m confident that I can pass whatever assignment he gives me.
I know how to use him to accelerate my growth!
But choosing to use him is a choice where one mistake could mean death!
If this were a game with a save-load feature, I would have considered it!
But this is reality! There’s no save feature! If I die once, that’s the end!
Betting my life is enough when the petty dark god throws a tantrum!
So I’ll ignore whatever nonsense this troublemaker spews! I don’t want to die!
I had thought that this crazy person would eventually show interest, but I didn’t expect it to happen right after the start of the second semester.
Is all of this because the incompetent god raised my reputation?
Hey! Incompetent God! If you’re going to raise my reputation, do it properly!
Why should I suffer just because my reputation has risen?!
Do your job properly!
This is why people say you’re the incompetent god!
Just as I screamed in my mind, a familiar and ominous sound rang in my ears.
Only then did I remember.
The incompetent god had decided to give quests after the start of the second semester.
[The second semester of the academy has begun!]
[Automatic growth has ended.]
[You can now raise your abilities through training.]
[A quest has been issued!]
[The grace of the master is like the heavens.]
[Clear all trials given by the young professor Luca from the academy!]