The place Luca took me to was one I vividly remembered.
Luca's office.
The room, filled with books and papers scattered chaotically, gave the impression of disarray, and it was just as I had known it to be.
As I scanned the room, Luca, with an awkward smile, pulled over a chair from somewhere and sat down. He then invited me to take a seat in the office chair.
“I can’t have a lady sitting in a chair like this.”
If that’s the case, wouldn’t it have been better to call me after tidying up?
He should have had me sit on the perfectly fine sofa instead of using it as a document holder.
And hey, if you brought me all the way here, shouldn’t you at least offer me some tea?
I was curious about how terrible the tea would be since it was infamous for being bad. I wondered how serious it was that even Joy couldn’t maintain her expression.
As I quietly looked at Luca with various complaints, he merely stared back at me, as if to ask why I wasn’t sitting.
His carelessness was just like in the game.
Confirming such things made me feel at ease.
Even if he was a mentally unstable lunatic, it was better that he was like the game. If I could predict the thoughts and actions of my opponent, I could prepare for the dangers.
Look at the first prince. I can’t predict what he’s thinking or how he acts at all.
He seems to have changed in many ways, but I don’t know in what direction! What really frustrates me is that no matter the direction, it seems he won’t like me.
I thought staring at Luca wouldn’t change anything, so I sat in the office chair, and only then did Luca open his mouth.
“I don’t know if you are aware, but I have a fondness for talented individuals. I’ve often been told that my favoritism is quite pronounced when I’m still inexperienced as a teacher.”
I know very well.
Luca believes he is a jeweler, crafting talented individuals into jewels.
In a long-ago past before the game even started.
The moment he saw a jewel shining brilliantly in front of him.
And the moment he realized he couldn’t shine like that jewel.
Luca decided to become a jeweler.
If he couldn’t become a jewel himself, he resolved to create jewels that shone more brilliantly than anything else.
‘Many people don’t know this, but the value of a gem is determined before it is even crafted. If the raw stone is beautiful, then the gem will be beautiful, and if the raw stone is ugly, then the gem will also be ugly.’
You can hear this line while progressing through quests related to Luca.
This is his belief.
Thus, Luca loved those with talent. He believed that to leave behind a jewel that would go down in history, he needed talented individuals.
“And you possess a talent that shines brighter than anyone I have seen.”
Luca says he will craft me, that he will turn me into a jewel brighter than anyone else.
He promises to etch my name in history, not just for my family, but for the kingdom, no, for the entire continent.
“I will assist you. So your talent can be completed.”
I sat on the leather chair and examined Luca’s face.
I can’t read thoughts and emotions just by observing like Karia does.
But I can understand Luca’s thoughts.
Why? Because I remember the words flowing into my ears.
I know in what context he speaks those words.
Right now, Luca is longing for me.
He believes in the talent I possess, genuinely thinks I can shine brighter than anyone, and believes he can fulfill his wish through me.
The relationship between us mirrors the positions we are sitting in.
While I was significantly shorter sitting down, I was looking down at him, and he was looking up at me.
In that moment of certainty, I felt that this situation was unfolding as I had hoped.
When it was just a game, it ended with Luca persistently asking me.
I couldn’t propose anything to him in return.
But now, it’s different.
This is reality.
There’s no such thing as impossibility.
‘You’re wrong, Professor Luca.’
“Pedo professor. I know you’re happy to have a cute girl like me in this dull and smelly room, but you still need to think.”
I leaned back against the chair, resting my chin on my hand.
‘You’re not helping me.’
“Are you saying that a foolish little brat like you is going to help me? Ha! There’s a limit to ignorance.”
“I am?”
‘I’m the one allowing you to help.’
“Let me explain in a way even a foolish pervert can understand. You’re not helping me; I’m allowing you to help me.”
Bring me something that would benefit me. Then I will allow you to teach me.
It was an arrogant and haughty statement, but Luca didn’t get angry upon hearing it. He merely stared blankly at me.
He seemed to have forgotten even to create a trustworthy expression. He looked at me with bewildered eyes, leaning forward.
Though slightly overwhelmed by his deranged appearance, the mesugaki skill did not allow for any confusion.
The emotion I displayed outwardly was not fear but rather mockery.
Seeing me, Luca chuckled in response. It wasn’t his usual friendly smile, but rather a deep, deranged laugh that hinted at madness.
“Indeed. I understand now, Lady Alrn.”
With that, Luca swept his face with his hand.
When his face was revealed again, it was so calm. It was as if the madness from just moments ago was merely an illusion.
“It’s almost time for the professors to head to the classroom. For now, please return and come back after school.”
My plan was as follows.
If Luca sees Lucy Alrn as the jewel that can fulfill his wish, he will never let go.
He will cling to me in any way possible. He is a desperate man wishing to achieve his desire.
In that case, I would use that emotion to my advantage. I would stand in a position of power and choose the trials I would face. I would find a way to grow as stably and efficiently as possible.
Through him, I would make the incompetent god, who wishes to oppress me, pay dearly.
So far, my plan seems to be progressing well.
Luca’s deranged gaze and laughter proved that. If things continue this way, I could go in the direction I desire.
Thinking this, I picked up the steak I had sliced with my fork, and at that moment, someone slammed their palm on the desk.
Who is this uncultured person?
Don’t ruin my peaceful and enjoyable mealtime.
“Lucy Alrn.”
I lifted my head with displeasure and saw Arthur standing there with one eyebrow raised.
If he wanted to come, he should have come a bit earlier. Why is he causing a ruckus while I’m trying to eat? I was looking forward to the academy meal after such a long time.
‘What’s up, Prince?’
“What’s up, pitiful prince? Are you proudly puffing up your small stature? Should I compliment you on being cute?”
Arthur, who was pointed out for his small stature, flushed crimson and opened his mouth to shout something, but instead let out a sigh. Then, without seeking permission, he sat down in front of me.
“I heard that Professor Luca spoke to you.”
‘Yes, that’s right.’
“How did you know? Are you trying to stalk the lonely prince?”
“...I happened to overhear.”
Has it already spread as a rumor?
Wow. It’s definitely Lucy. With such notoriety in a bad way, news travels fast.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.
“Anyway, congratulations. They say that most people who receive help from that guy succeed.”
That’s true. If you don’t succeed, you die.
Luca is a player in an RPG game that preaches average regression. Regardless of the likelihood of success or failure, he pushes the enhancement button and sees what happens.
He thinks that if it’s destined to become an item, it will succeed in enhancement.
What if it fails? That means it was never meant to be.
Luca would get annoyed by bad luck and go off in search of other gear.
That’s why I was thinking of refusing Luca’s proposal, and why I didn’t want to lose the initiative to him.
I find it creepy to think of myself as the equipment inside that enhancement device.
“Let’s put aside the niceties for now. The reason I disturbed your meal is that I have something to ask.”
Arthur shrugged and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, presenting it to me.
“You mentioned that when the second semester starts, I should ask what classes I should take.”
Ah. I see now. He wants me to help him choose classes.
This is urgent. I pushed my plate aside and took the paper Arthur handed me, pondering.
Let’s see. Arthur is a sword mage, so he needs to take this. And this too. And this.
“...Hmm?”
Wait, why is there a limit on the number of classes I can take in a semester? At this rate, I’ll have to give up several!
Ugh. For now, I should prioritize swordsmanship. If I train my body along with swordsmanship, my stamina will increase. That’s more efficient.
“...Lucy Alrn?”
I’ll skip this one and this one. This one...
Sigh. I have to drop this? Really?
I absolutely need to take this! But if I don’t drop this, I can’t meet the limit.
What should I do? What should I do?
Oh, wait. Should I ask if he can waive the limit with his prince privilege?
Even if he is far from the line of succession, he’s still a prince. I wonder what would happen if he used his status to push through.
As I lifted my head to ask him, I was met with Arthur’s exasperated expression.
“Do you want me to drop dead from overworking during class?”
Oh come on. That’s such an exaggeration.
People don’t just die from this.
From my training in the Alrn family’s knight order, I’ve realized that humans in a fantasy world are incredibly sturdy.
Yeah. I’m in a good mood! I’ll drop one more.
How’s that? Isn’t this enough?
“...You’re trying to assassinate me under the pretense of helping me. What have I done wrong? Just tell me.”
So even if he wouldn’t die, he’d be like that.
No way.
Don’t change it.
Go back.
“I’ll curse you from hell, Lucy Alrn!”
This is the help you chose.
Hold out against the adversity, Arthur!
After finishing the first day of the second semester and completing the course selection, I headed to Professor Luca’s office as promised.
‘Professor Luca?’
“Pedo Professor?”
However, Luca was not present there.
There was only an open door that seemed to invite someone to steal things and an empty office.
Seeing that scene, I recalled a strange sense of déjà vu and memories from the past.
One of the quests related to Professor Luca. And the quest I had been waiting for.
I didn’t expect to make a decision this quickly.
That’s great. Professor Luca is indeed overestimating me.
<Girl, you shouldn’t go in there. There’s something strange inside.>
‘I know, Grandpa.’
I know what is prepared inside there. I know what Luca is trying to do with it. I know it all.
I am the rotten water of Soul Academy.
Ah, Professor Luca. Thank you so much for being exactly like in the game!
If you had some kind of variable, it would have given me a real headache!
Ignoring the old man’s warning, as I stepped inside the room, the door closed behind me without being touched, and a magic circle shone beneath my feet.
This was something I was familiar with. Perhaps it was often used when the petty dark god toyed with me.
The truth of teleportation.
Now.
It’s time to let Professor Luca know the value of this rotten water.