You must already know that the character Lucy treats students like gacha tickets. I've explained that ad nauseam.
But there’s still a part I haven’t mentioned: how the users treat Professor Lucy.
Surprisingly, the users’ treatment mirrors how Lucy treats the students.
Gacha.
From the moment it's involved, the risks skyrocket endlessly, but the returns are high for this NPC.
If you want to play at a high level, you’ll inevitably encounter her at some point.
If there are complaints on the bulletin board, she accounts for about a quarter of them.
That is the identity of Lucy.
Lucy continuously presents crises to the users.
She might throw them into dangerous dungeons, subject them to threats from contractors, or create surprise encounters through unfortunate accidents.
In a game where growth time is limited, an increase in encounters means a higher growth cap, so from the users’ perspective, it should be welcomed.
The problem arises when crises appear that cannot be solved physically.
For instance.
Right. The dungeon where the alchemist appeared.
I memorized all the information about that dungeon, but I couldn’t clear it. At that time, it wasn’t a dungeon I could conquer.
All I could do was try my best to survive.
I nearly died failing that and barely saved my life by being leashed by a shabby boss.
From the moment Lucy is involved, users have to deal with such situations frequently.
Just after saving, when Lucy throws a curveball your way, and the previous save file is from a long time ago.
Do you know how that feels?
I do.
When I had the grand goal of creating the best character for each job, I faced Professor Lucy's face repeatedly.
I had even posted strategies for the events you could see when meeting Lucy, indicating how much fun I had with that bastard.
I have memorized her patterns of behavior perfectly.
I’m thankful that Lucy is exactly like the character in the game.
If Lucy is identical to the character in the game, I can induce her actions.
After countless attempts, I succeeded in controlling my actions even in a game with limited choices. So what if I could choose options in reality?
That would be easy.
The surrounding blue light disappears, revealing the scenery around me.
Trees that are thin and bare, unable to bear leaves.
The parched and cracked ground.
The few leaves scattered on the ground seemed like they would turn to dust the moment I stepped on them, and the energy in this death-filled forest felt heavy and gloomy.
A place where, if a sword were to come, it would surely scream and turn red in shame.
A dead forest.
A field filled with various dangers, not a dungeon where a petty evil god can intervene.
I never thought that I would choose a place where I couldn’t use my blessings regarding the dungeon.
What luck.
“You matched the appointment time well. I thought I’d have to wait longer,” said a voice from behind me, revealing Professor Lucy’s figure when I turned my head.
“Are you trying to act calm? Or are you composed because you predicted this situation?”
‘Should I pretend to be surprised?’
“Why, you perverted pedo? Do you want to hear the screams I let out? Ha ha! Then just confess it. I could have shown you a scream filled with sincerity.”
“...Well, either way works. Both sides seem extraordinary.”
Lucy pretended not to hear my voice and continued.
“I consider myself a person who polishes jewels. Finding shining raw gems and beautifully processing them is my lifelong goal and ambition. Since I have been doing this for a long time, I take pride in this profession of craftsmanship.”
A line I had heard somewhere.
I expected this line to come out when I told her to help or support me.
Hearing that line made me chuckle at how the situation was falling into place.
Alright, Lucy. You’re about to say that the jewels must obediently follow the craftsman’s touch.
“Jewels must not speak. They must follow the craftsman’s touch obediently.”
Ha ha!
Yes, that’s how it should be.
I am a rotten being from the Soul Academy who has possessed this body.
Isn’t it normal for things to align perfectly when planning something? Why does it always turn out in a direction I never anticipated?
“A gem that adds various whims to the craftsman’s hand is unnecessary. However, it would be too wasteful to discard you, Lucy. The light of you as a jewel shines too brightly. So, I decided to test whether you have the ability to polish yourself.”
After finishing her speech, Lucy slowly stepped back.
“I promise. If you show results here, I will allow you to polish yourself.”
As she repeatedly stepped back, her form gradually blurred, and before long, she completely vanished.
And so, I was left alone in this forest.
<So, is this what you planned?>
‘Yes.’
<Is it a prophecy?>
‘Something like that.’
Usually, I would recklessly blame the shabby god, but not this time.
After all, it was the shabby god who told me to receive trials from Professor Lucy. I was merely executing what the god said diligently.
<It looks like you’re not willing to explain properly.>
‘Not particularly...’
<Enough with the unnecessary talk. Just answer my questions. Is it dangerous?>
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
‘No. Not at all.’
I can assert that confidently.
No matter what variables arise in this situation, I won’t die.
How can I be so sure? I wouldn’t just throw away my precious equipment without any preparation.
Lucy exposing her intentions openly means she wants me for a reason.
Whether I pass the trial or not, she won’t let me die in such a shabby place.
Someday, she will prepare a grand stage with much effort for enhancement and throw me there.
However, the moment I fail this trial, Lucy will do something to manipulate me for her own taste and to silence me.
That’s how it went in the game.
Once she revealed her true intentions, she would use some magic to silence me, right?
After using that, I wouldn’t be able to refuse what Lucy says.
To counter that, I would need a mental-type skill or to visit an NPC who handles it well, but I have the fool fox.
Even if Lucy pulls a trick, I can resolve it.
<Will there be anything gained from this?>
‘Yes. A lot.’
I can easily clear the quest that the shabby god handed to me, and I can also accelerate my growth.
Dungeons that are hard to enter as a student. Normally, I wouldn’t be able to enter this area at this point. Combat experience I can gain through fighting strong opponents.
If I succeed in taking the initiative against Lucy, I can choose all of this to my liking.
It means I can choose what I had to compromise after an infinite reset in the game at my own will.
Of course, Lucy will interfere and make a fuss, but since the shabby god issued the quest, that can’t be helped.
<Do you know what to do?>
‘I know that too.’
The answer to that is simple.
Survive.
Endure until the next morning in this field.
That’s the requirement Lucy demands when throwing users into this place, so it’s likely to be similar this time.
<Lastly, are you confident?>
‘Is that even a question?’
The situation is flowing exactly as I planned.
The petty evil god's intervention is impossible.
Since it’s a place that people are reluctant to visit, there are no variables from adventurers.
Moreover, the field itself is compatible with me.
The main monsters appearing in this dead forest are evil spirits. Monsters possessed by evil spirits. And the undead.
Either way, they are vulnerable to the holy.
And I am a saint, a servant of the god with strong holiness.
‘I can do anything here.’
I’ve already confirmed where I am right now.
If I wanted, I could escape from here by my own power and return to the Soul Academy.
But why should I worry?
<Then it’s settled.>
The old man replied and took a long breath, grumbling that I should tell him in advance when planning something like this.
<Haven’t you experienced sudden crises one or two times? My heart nearly skipped a beat.>
‘You don’t have a heart, old man.’
<It’s a metaphor! Just understand it vaguely!>
While I was bantering with the old man, I felt an ominous energy approaching from a distance.
Was it because I practiced with the old man and the energy of the holy during the break? My body keenly sensed the energy of death, which is the opposite of the holy.
<Haah. It’s settled. Consider it an opportunity to practice in the field. Young lady, prepare yourself.>
‘Yes.’
I took a deep breath and spread the holy energy from my heart throughout my body.
The basics of Ruelly’s holy two-element technique. Strengthening the body by circulating the holy energy through the blood.
I can’t yet spread the holy energy to my fingertips and toes like the old man, but I can at least imitate that.
I feel the vitality surging through my body, enhanced by the holy.
Just as I practiced in the Arln family.
Seeing the ominous energy step back in fear from the holy I exhaled, I smiled and prepared for battle.
I took out my shield from my inventory and detached the mace, which I had made smaller to hang around my neck, and enlarged it to fit my hand.
I would love to wear armor, but I don’t think I have the luxury for that right now.
- Kieeeek.
Things that desire the vitality of the living reveal themselves.
Those who once frolicked among flowers when the forest was beautiful. However, as the forest filled with death, they grotesquely transformed to survive.
Banshees.
I laughed as I counted the number of eyes filled with ugly greed.
Three of them? That’s enough for a warm-up.
“Ugh♡ You look disgusting♡ Smells like a corpse♡ Is this what a fairy is?♡ I’d probably exterminate the fairy queen without knowing she’s a fairy!♡”
With the excitement rising in my body, one of the banshees rushed at me.
These beings are closer to death than life. They are nearly formless, like ghosts.
Thus, they cannot be harmed by normal attacks, but that is of no concern to me.
A mace imbued with holy energy does not overlook those who embrace death.
Boom! With a satisfying sound, the mace struck the banshee's head, and as it couldn’t withstand the shock, its body scattered.
This is a bit troublesome.
They’re too weak. They should at least put up a fight for a warm-up.
Perhaps frightened by their companion’s tragic demise, the banshees began to back away, but I wouldn’t allow that.
“Where are you going, old hags?♡ Are you running away because you’re embarrassed about your wrinkly faces?♡ Ha ha♡ Sorry?♡ Because I’m prettier than you ugly ones?♡”
What are you thinking, trying to run away, you experience points!
Die quietly after being my warm-up partner!