Episode 3: Fishing Rod! A Great Way to Have a Conversation
The sudden notification caught me off guard, but it wasn’t particularly surprising, given that it’s a common system in “Devil Lord Academy.”
The “credits” function serves as both skill points and in-game currency. However, converting it into cash immediately is impossible.
As characters repeatedly train in their respective specialties, they gain many merits. Not only does their experience and skill level increase, but they also acquire skills related to their specialties or even new ones.
“So, making a mistake and being treated as a lie increases the proficiency of the occupation,” I mused.
The entire student body of the academy must have seen that newspaper. Even if they hadn’t, they would have heard about it over their shoulders. I spread the false rumor.
In short, the tabloid nonsense gave me strength.
When experience points exceed a certain level, you can increase the desired attribute by 1. For someone like me with mediocre abilities, it’s quite a positive system.
Strength is fundamental in combat. The higher a versatile attribute like this is, the better.
The morning after the false information was spread, even though it was a holiday, I had to wake up early.
There was nothing to eat in the room. Perhaps because it was the weekend, even the campus cafeteria wasn’t open.
Yet, there was no money to buy food either. Given the financial situation at home, it seemed difficult to support my child’s living expenses. So, I resorted to primitive methods.
Splash! –
“Right. One catch!”
I pulled a fish from the beautiful lake.
“Devil Lord Academy” is both an academy and a large-scale city. All the surrounding shops and villages can be considered part of the academy.
Beyond the village rises a volcano, attracting countless tourists, but there were also quiet places, just like this lake.
The scenery here is not bad at all. The sunlight shining directly on the surface in the morning was endlessly beautiful.
It’s just that the overwhelming presence of the volcano made it go unnoticed.
Thanks to that, I could enjoy fishing without attracting attention. It was a two-for-one deal, being able to relax in this peaceful atmosphere.
Splash! –
“Another one.”
Apart from financial issues, fishing went quite smoothly. Since it’s a lake connected to the sea, there were plenty of fish to catch.
It wasn’t illegal, so catching as many as I wanted was fine. Rumor had it that giant carps inhabited this lake, making catching one a thrilling prospect.
With each crucian carp added to the basket, a sense of achievement arose. This was the secret to my smooth fishing.
Among the skills I possessed, fishing boasted the highest level. I hadn’t learned it directly; it was something innate within me.
This seemed to be Radon’s true specialty. Indeed, when I searched his dormitory, I found numerous fishing rods.
But it was strange. Was the feeling of the fishing rod in my hand akin to wielding a sword because of my mood? Casting the bait felt like executing a precise sword strike.
Could it be that this guy’s fishing talent was inherently high? I pondered silently.
“Even with such talent, it’s buried. It seems brainwashing is the cause.”
Once brainwashed, normal thinking becomes impossible, like not being able to distinguish between mud and soybean paste.
In such a state, realizing one’s own talent would be impossible.
It would make sense if it were my father’s intention, but it’s ironic no matter how many times I think about it.
Splash! –
I fixed a new bait and with a flick, I threw it towards the lake. It was a moment of quiet enjoyment as the bait sank into the water, accompanied by a gentle sound.
“Radon Crowler?”
Someone called my name, and I turned my head. There stood a girl with blue hair in gym clothes.
“Jenny Chainsilver?”
We both were surprised.
Before I could ask why she was here, Jenny spoke first.
“Why are you here…”
“…?”
The calm atmosphere was replaced by silence.
It was like yesterday when we met, but now, I had an even worse feeling than before.
“Did you forget what you said yesterday?”
“…?”
“If we meet again, you’ll die.”
Her stern voice made my whole body stiffen. She happened to be holding a dagger in her hand.
– Was she training since early morning? And why here of all places?
Apart from being the daughter of a noble, Jenny was an incredibly hard worker.
Even in the main story, you could tell she woke up early on holidays to train.
The locations varied. It could be an open field in the city or deep within the forest.
Around the academy, there were more than a few suitable places for training. This lake was one of them.
– Among so many places… why here of all places?
Could I escape using the same ‘deception’ skills as yesterday?
No, it seemed like it wouldn’t work a second time.
“It seems like it’s just the two of us here. What could this mean?”
A moment between Jenny and me. She slowly approached me, clutching the dagger tightly.
Right now, I, Radon Crowler, am nothing less than an enemy who stole something precious from Jenny.
How could she withstand seeing her mother’s pendant destroyed before her eyes? Even when playing as Jenny, I was moved by that desperate scene.
“Don’t misunderstand. I came here to fish. You can see that just by looking.”
As I spoke, Jenny stopped walking.
Surely she wouldn’t interpret my fishing here as some elaborate plan to confront her?
“I know. Everyone fishes on weekends.”
Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t jumped to such conclusions.
“But did you forget? Yesterday’s newspaper article you spread.”
“Huh?”
As soon as I heard her words, I sobered up. I realized… that the situation now was even more dangerous than yesterday.
The false rumor spread by Radon also included an article related to Jenny. It stated that due to Jenny’s rigorous training, Radon couldn’t make it to the promised meeting place.
Radon had never once skipped training with Jenny. How would Jenny feel seeing that article, knowing this fact?
– I wanted to just grab her by the collar right now, but I thought of a better way.
After the false article spread, an event occurred where Radon coincidentally met Jenny. And what did Jenny do then?
“To ensure you never set foot in class again, I’ll shave off all your damn hair.”
That’s exactly what happened. The vivid memory of that scene still lingered.
In a secluded spot, Jenny brandished her dagger and swung it. Just grazing it shaved off Radon’s hair.
It was one of the most memorable scenes in the game, so impressive that it circulated around the community as a meme.
And now, that event was happening right at this moment!
Ripple –
Suddenly, the fishing rod jerked roughly. At the same time, waves rose in the middle of the lake, causing Jenny to turn her head in that direction.
Splash! –
Jenny was slightly startled by the sound of rushing water from the lakeside. As she grabbed the fishing rod to see what was caught, her hand moved automatically to reel in the rod.
“Are you ignoring me now? This is no time to be distracted…”
“Wait! Please, just hold on! I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t want to talk to you. If this is what I think it is, it’s not an ordinary catch!”
Jenny attempted to tackle, but I deliberately ignored her.
The force pulling from the water wasn’t trivial. From the hand that caught it, I could feel the weight of the catch. Undoubtedly, it was a giant carp!
“Don’t mess around. I’ll…!”
“I said wait! It’s an important moment!”
As I inadvertently raised my voice, Jenny stood still for a while. It wouldn’t be too late to confront the catch after pulling it out of the water.
So, it seemed like she wouldn’t interfere for now.
But then, I had to figure out how to handle the situation afterward.
“Arrghhh!”
The force pulling from the water and the force pulling from the ground interacted with each other.
A tug-of-war began, with the fishing rod repeatedly being pulled and tugged. The fishing rod bent tightly like a drawn bow.
Whether you win or I win, let’s find out!
“Come on out!!”
As I shouted with all my might, the force leaned towards me. The surface of the water rippled fiercely.
Finally, the defeated creature began to thrash and was pulled towards me.
Seeming to refuse to admit its defeat, it caused a ruckus even as it was pulled towards me, splashing water everywhere.
If it had just accepted its defeat humbly… I raised the fishing rod with all my might.
“Stay still!”
With a whoosh, the creature soared into the air. Its size was perfectly revealed.
Can a fish be as big as a tiger?
But more importantly, what am I for lifting such a huge creature over ten meters into the air? It couldn’t be just because my strength stat increased by 1, right?
With that achievement just now, I acquired a new skill. And there seemed to be something else.
No, more importantly… that wasn’t the important thing.
Thud! –
With a loud noise, the giant carp crashed down. And of all places… right onto Jenny’s head.
“Ah…”
Jenny, caught off guard, was crushed under the giant carp.
Beneath the wriggling carp, Jenny lay sprawled out.
My face immediately turned pale. Could she really be okay after taking such a blow from that huge creature?
Swish! –
Suddenly, a blue light enveloped the dagger Jenny held.
With that mysterious power, she struck the carp she was being crushed by into two halves with a single blow.
Although her clothes were soaked, she stood up again unscathed.
“Of course. That monster-like Class A…!”
And she turned her gaze back towards me, exuding a menacing aura.
“So that’s how it is…”
“What?”
“I thought I was going to suffocate and die because of that just now. Did you really hit me with that blow?”
“No… That wasn’t my intention…”
“It’s my turn this time.”
With a fierce blue glare, Jenny now aimed at me.
She intended to make me feel the full extent of the pain I almost suffered. This wouldn’t end with just my hair evaporating.
Thwack! – Jenny’s figure blurred for a moment. With her aura-draped dagger, she swiftly closed the distance.
Of course, I couldn’t defeat her with my strength alone.
Oh gods… I swung the fishing rod while bracing myself for the survival instinct. It was do or die.
The blue dagger clashed with the clumsily wielded fishing rod.
How could a stick like this compete with a dagger?
Crack! –
At that moment, the dagger broke. The fishing rod, still intact, struck Jenny’s ribs forcefully.
“Huh?”
Jenny gracefully flew into the lake with a splash!
As she floated listlessly on the water… I just stared blankly at her.
