Chapter: 510
As Lucy finished up at the clock tower, Arthur dashed down Academy Street, his legs moving just fine—unlike in that world of trials.
No need to worry about Joy and the Saintess. Sure, others might have their doubts, but would Lucy Alrn put those two in danger?
However, his brother was another story. Lucy Alrn isn’t the type to hurt someone intentionally, but that doesn’t mean he would go out of his way to protect those he has a history with.
After their last conversation, Arthur had developed some ties with the Second Prince, so he hurried along, considering the possibility that something might have gone wrong.
“Brother, are you alright?”
“I’m perfectly fine, as you can see, little brother.”
The Second Prince, Cecil Soladin, who was surrounded by a crowd, replied with a smile at Arthur’s voice.
“Honestly, I didn’t even feel like anything happened. It felt like waking up after a nightmare where you fought until you dropped, only to find everything’s already over.”
As Cecil shrugged, the people associated with him nodded along.
It seemed they all felt somewhat similarly. Watching this, Arthur concealed his mixed feelings and managed a smile.
So, is it true? To those in a slumber, the chaos at the Academy seemed like mere minor disturbances washed away with the darkness.
In his head, he understood it’s better than hearing someone scream, but in his heart, it was hard to accept.
“It seems you aren’t like that, Arthur.”
“…Huh? Brother, what do you mean?”
“Now, everyone, go back to your tasks. I have something to discuss with my brother.”
“But, Your Highness—”
“What? Are you suggesting I should get up and stretch after so long?”
“N-not at all! I’ll take my leave!”
Cecil dismissed the crowd and made sure they were gone before giving a knowing look to Arthur.
“Is it okay to let Young Lady Kent go?”
Frey, who was gazing enviously at the fleeing figures, tilted her head when Cecil called her name.
Her demeanor showed no hint of politeness, but having observed Frey’s character for a while, he chose to smile instead of complain and turned to Arthur.
“Yes. We shared the dream together after all.”
“Did we?”
“And leaving this troublemaker unguarded could lead to some chaos.”
Frey had almost charged the knights she spotted on their way here. If left unchecked, she might create another uproar.
“My evaluation is too harsh!”
“It’s your own behavior that led to that evaluation.”
Arthur interrupted Frey’s grumbling, causing Cecil to chuckle. He gave a discreet nod towards Arthur’s finger.
Understanding the hint, Arthur cast a barrier to mute the surrounding sounds.
“I know it’s fresh, but it’s quite neat. Looks similar to how you used to set up barriers.”
“Thanks for the compliment. But I still think I have a long way to go to match big brother.”
“No need to be that humble, but let’s move on to the main topic. What happened?”
After pondering for a moment, Arthur decided to only disclose what was apparent.
If Lucy Alrn wanted to be noticed, she wouldn’t have gone about it like this.
She didn’t want her name thrown around.
So, it’s only right to respect her wishes.
“In short…”
Arthur’s explanation was concise.
Chaos had erupted during the semester break as the followers of the Void invaded the Academy, aiming to strike during the midterms. Fortunately, the Sword Saint had visited, and along with the Saintess, they repelled the intruders.
“Was the hero of that strike the Sword Saint? I mean, who else could take a dragon’s head with a single slash?”
Cecil accepted Arthur’s story without hesitation, the overwhelming power of the Sword Saint and the uniqueness of the Saintess making it impossible not to agree.
“What an impressive pair! The Saintess and the Sword Saint!”
Seeing Cecil nod seriously, Frey couldn’t hold herself back any longer and opened her mouth to say something.
But before she could utter a word, Arthur’s spell to silence her took effect faster.
With her mouth sealed, Frey glared at Arthur, who returned the look with a fierce stare of his own.
Does she think I’m not unsettled too?
I feel uncomfortable about it as well.
When I remember how Lucy Alrn fought bravely, risking her life in a way that no one else acknowledged, it stings.
It makes me furious to think of her being seen only as a troublemaker!
Yet, is this not the path Lucy Alrn has chosen for herself?
So, I have to respect that!
Unless she says otherwise, I must hold my tongue!
If I don’t, it’ll reflect poorly on Lucy Alrn!
Did Frey sense something in Arthur’s gaze? After blinking several times, she quietly stepped back.
“I’m releasing the barrier.”
“…Huh?”
“Looks like Her Majesty the first queen is here.”
Arthur was startled and turned his head sharply, just as Cecil mentioned.
There, in the distance, the First Queen of the Soladin Kingdom approached them, a smooth yet chilling smile on her face.
*
Hmm. Not quite sure why, but if Arthur’s favorability went up, I suppose that’s a good thing—let’s roll with it.
I’ll be sticking around with Arthur for a while, so it’s nice if he thinks well of me.
Once I dismissed the thoughts about Arthur’s favorability, a flood of messages detailing the fierce mental battle between Armadi and Agra filled my screen.
Thinking of it as something in the past, I swiped through it like spam until I spotted the message I had been searching for.
[Quest Cleared!]
[You have turned Professor Luka’s trial into an experience instead of a trial!]
[Successfully prevented the Evil God from resurrecting!]
[Successfully repelled the intervention of Agra the Evil God!]
[Mythical Achievement!]
Alright, Armadi! Show me what you’ve prepared this time!
I’ve got a hundred ways to praise you ready in my head!
Oh, and I also have another hundred ways to mock you, so keep your guard up!
Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. The perverted masochist might just be itching to see how I ridicule him.
[The God of Martial Arts is impressed by your efforts!]
Seeing all this, my next message was completely out of the blue.
Oh. Um. Suddenly?
I mean, I appreciate that you’ve softened your dislike for me, but what did I even do?
I just played it like I usually do, right?
[The God of Martial Arts gives you advice!]
[Smoothness and strength are not opposites!]
Whoa, even giving advice means I must’ve pleased him with something.
But still, why the sudden change of heart? And what do you even mean by that advice?
Is it too much to ask for you to just say it plainly?
Why speak in such cryptic language?
Couldn’t you just say, “If you do this, you’ll be better off”?
I wondered if my grandfather might understand what the God of Martial Arts meant when I shared the advice with him.
His reaction was a loud gasp.
[…Indeed! Is that so!]
‘What does that even mean?’
[Don’t bother me for a moment. I’m busy organizing the enlightenment that just came to me. I’ll explain it later when I’m done.]
I still couldn’t understand, but seeing how my grandfather was practically bursting with excitement, it seemed significant.
When I finally hear the explanation from him, maybe I’ll grasp its meaning.
[Thanks to conquering Luka’s trial, several stats will rise!]
[Strength has increased slightly.]
[Agility has increased slightly.]
[Holiness…]
Then came the next notification about my various stats rising.
As usual when overcoming trials related to Luka.
I’m used to seeing the same message saying, “You have increased your intelligence.”
“Wait, what?!”
I was taken aback by a message I never expected.
“What’s with the sudden outburst, Employer?”
“Uh, nothing, don’t mind me! I just don’t want to earn any more gray hairs like a single, old lady!”
“…Hmm. Got it for now.”
After hastily brushing off the startled Karia, I wiped my face and checked the messages again.
[Your intelligence has increased!]
Is this for real? My intelligence actually went up?! And it’s not just a slight increase; it’s a full-on boost!
Wow! This is huge! I might have actually crossed the 70 mark for intelligence!
Could I finally escape my total dimwit era? Is that actually happening?!
Armadi! I believed in you! You truly understand what your apostle desires!
If you had shown me this magnificent side of you sooner, I would have genuinely believed in you!
No, wait! Forget that nonsense!
From now on, I’ll have a deep conviction in you and sing your praises!
Ahhhh! I believe! Armadi!
Caught up in the joy of rising intelligence, my enthusiastic prayers resonated in my ears as a notification chimed.
Is there more? There must be more left! Armadi!
[Armadi, impressed by your great achievements.]
[The blessing of the God settles within you.]
[You can now perform the miracle of purification!]
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