Chapter: 214
“Employer. If an opponent is not even a threat to an average person, then whatever they do, you wouldn’t care.”
It wasn’t a complex story. Even if they’re the same person, significant differences exist.
There are those who are praised like gods, and then there are those who are treated like bugs despite being the same human.
Imagine a person you see as a bug struggling to climb up in front of you. Who would feel threatened by that?
No matter how desperately they squirm, they’re just a bug. People will chuckle at that sight.
“And you, Employer, have been treated like that by others until now.”
Lucy has been treated like a bug by everyone until now.
The moment that monstrous Benedict lurking behind fades away, they’ll be crushed beneath human feet, just like a bug.
Look at the contempt and disregard prevalent in the social circle. In that place, Lucy was not considered human.
“Not anymore.”
But since entering the academy, the story has changed.
With overwhelming and unprecedented grades, they entered the academy.
They defeated Frey, who stood high among the divine beings of the continent.
As if their entrance scores were no coincidence, they snagged the top spot in midterms.
For the first time in academy history, they seized the title of the first conqueror right after enrollment.
Aside from that, I engraved numerous achievements at the academy.
Not just achievements, but in terms of human relationships, I grew to an incomparable level than before.
Joy, the noble lady of the Partlan family. Though distanced from succession rights, she undeniably carries the bloodline of a king as the Third Prince.
Frey, a prodigy born from the renowned Kent family in swordsmanship.
Phoebe, the symbol of the Jushin Church, is someone with a reputation that even a king cannot treat carelessly.
Though the number may not be large, the size of those connections is something an ordinary person cannot even dare imagine.
Holding both talent and connections in my hands, I became too significant to be disregarded as a bug.
“Congratulations, Employer. Now you are a being that no one can ignore or dare to disregard.”
The reason people can laugh at a bug’s squirming is solely because they believe that bug cannot pose a threat to them.
If that bug grows too large to threaten human lives, people will no longer look at it with laughter.
“And be careful, Employer. Those who hate you will define you as an enemy and will send serious hostility your way.”
To summarize the lengthy discussion simply:
My reputation has risen, which has increased the number of those who consider me an enemy.
It’s not that the Shoddy God couldn’t do the job; it’s because the Shoddy God did his job too well that such things occurred.
How unfair! Why do I have to feel this way about my reputation rising?! Can’t I experience it in a good way?!
Is it too much to hope for something like a typical isekai story, where it’s all “Yay! Lucy’s great!”?
I was internally screaming, and Karia burst out laughing.
She reads other people’s emotions as if she has mind-reading abilities. She must have caught onto my embarrassment.
“Lastly, be grateful for your luck, Employer. The person you’ve blessed is someone far more capable than you can imagine.”
As she spoke, Karia handed me another notebook.
What now? The last one had the weaknesses of several bishops written in it. If I think about it, this one might be similar.
– House of Duke Jod.
One of the few duke houses in the Soladin Kingdom. Currently nominated the First Prince as the next heir…
My guess was spot on. This notebook contained information about a family likely to become my future enemy.
“Right now, the status and connections you hold are considerable. Thus, few dare to oppose you.
To put it differently, those who can directly confront you or are prepared to do so will actively threaten you.
Those affirming the First Prince as the successor. Those wary of the resurrection of the Allen family. Those scowling because of the things you’ve done in the past.
I’ve compiled a list of people you need to be cautious of from now on.”
However, unlike the previous notebook, this one wasn’t as detailed.
It only contained content about the family and the people there, without any weaknesses or corruptions mentioned like the last notebook.
When I asked curiously, Karia smiled wryly.
“It’s the same as before. I didn’t have time to investigate. Sorry, I’m an incompetent aunt. If there’s someone who poses a threat, I’ll make sure to supplement my investigation then.”
That was completely understandable.
My rise to prominence began with the Partlan Festival. There’s a possibility that Karia, who was conducting investigations related to the church, began to inquire about the deeds I performed, but time constraints were inevitable.
[You're lying.]
However, Grandpa declared Karia’s words as false.
[That guy was called the Shadow of the past kingdom, right? He was the one doing undercover work as the king's shadow. He wouldn't be clueless about powerful families like dukes, even if he disregards common nobles.]
‘…That’s true, isn’t it?’
In retrospect, while working as the king’s informant, he wouldn’t be uninformed about the nobility within the kingdom.
In some sense, understanding the dynamics within the kingdom is likely more critical than understanding an enemy nation.
Wondering why that would be, I tilted my head, but no suitable answer came to me. I wasn’t adept at speculating on things like this.
‘Why is that?’
[Who knows? I can’t read minds like someone else.]
So I asked someone skilled in this area, but even Grandpa couldn’t provide a definite answer. Sometimes, Grandpa isn’t all-knowing.
‘Should I ask someone?’
[There’s no need. They wouldn’t respond anyway.]
‘Huh?’
[Think about it. That guy’s ability. Even if they notice your question, they’ll pretend not to know. Would they actually answer your inquiry?]
That makes sense. Karia had been picking up on my thoughts even without me saying them until just now. It’s understandable that she would know my doubts now.
[Besides, they’ll tell you later if you ask. Don’t worry about it.]
Since I wouldn’t be able to get the answers I hoped for, it wouldn’t mean anything to press the issue. Following Grandpa’s advice, I replied to Karia that I understand, and she smiled.
“Thank you for trusting me, Employer.”
*
It didn’t take long to sense the hostility Karia had warned about.
As soon as the second semester of the academy started and I stepped into the classroom, sharp glares flew at me from all directions.
This was different from outright accusations as it carried a dark and insidious hostility.
This semester wasn’t going smoothly either. When would I be able to enjoy a relaxing school life?
If I earned a title equivalent to a hero that saved the world, would I be able to become someone everyone admires, even with the Mesugaki Skill?
Would that happen? Somehow, even if I beat the Evil God, it feels like enemies would still be created because of the distortion of skills.
“Hello.”
While pondering such thoughts, someone called out to me. It was Frey.
She wore a calm expression as if she didn’t even care about the surrounding hostility.
She never used to acknowledge me except during duels, so has there been a change in her mindset?
“Let’s duel after this. I’ve become stronger. This time, I’ll win.”
Of course, it’s always been about wanting to duel again.
Seeing Frey, who was so honest about her thoughts with no care for others, made my worries fade away.
“It’s been a while, Lady Allen. Have you been well?”
Not long after, Joy came over to greet me.
She was the noble lady of the Grand Duke Partlan and led a faction of noble ladies.
The fact that she smiled and greeted me was enough to draw the ire of several noble ladies.
I could feel the classroom’s animosity sharpen compared to just a moment ago. But hey, this is nothing new.
It’s not like earning the disdain of others is an issue that just started. More importantly, I’m glad Joy warmly greeted me, so there’s no problem!
While I was thinking like that, another person approached me. Phoebe, with a smile that could purify even the Evil God, greeted me.
“It’s been a while, Lady Allen.”
Phoebe, the symbol of the Jushin Church, was a sort of idol. The fact that she was the first to greet me was bound to provoke the jealousy of many.
I sensed the amount of hostility directed at me increasing even more.
…This was starting to feel a bit burdensome. However, considering that the Saintess thought of me as someone close, this degree of hostility is nothing, right?
“Lady Allen.”
Who now?!
Was it Arthur? Three others have passed, so it has to be Arthur!
I hoped that just because Arthur greeted me, the hostility wouldn’t increase again?! After all, he’s just a prince without any real power!
If more hostility was piled on top of this, no matter who I am, it would feel burdensome! Please let nothing happen!
Just as I thought, when I looked up, it wasn’t Arthur who greeted me.
It was Luca. The academy professor and the troublemaker. A madman with a belief that one must stand before death to bloom their talents.
“Could you step outside for a moment?”
His expression looked like that of a kind and friendly teacher, but I knew better.
I realized the madness underlying that request.
‘No, thanks.’
“Why should I obey the words of someone like you, a nobody professor? No way.”
The answer to that was obviously rejection.
Getting involved with this lunatic brings no good!
Of course, I was confident I could handle whatever assignment he threw at me.
I also knew of ways to accelerate my growth through him!
But utilizing this man was a choice where a single mistake could lead to death!
If this were a game with a save load feature, I might have considered it!
But this is reality! There’s no save function! If I die, it’s over!
Betting my life on this nasty Evil God is more than enough to be considered a bad idea!
Therefore, regardless of whatever nonsense this troublemaker babbles on about, I will ignore it! I don’t want to die!
I had thought that this lunatic would eventually show interest, but I didn’t expect it to happen right as the second semester started.
Is this all because the Shoddy God raised my reputation?
Hey! Shoddy God! If you’re gonna raise my reputation, at least do it properly!
Why do I have to suffer just because my reputation went up?
Do some decent work!
This is why people call you the incompetent God!
– Ding!
Frustrated and yelling internally, a familiar yet ominous sound reached my ears.
That’s when I remembered.
The Shoddy God said he would be issuing quests after the start of the second semester.
[The second semester of the academy has begun!]
[Automatic growth has concluded.]
[You can now raise your stats through training.]
[Quests have been issued!]
[The grace of the master is as profound as the heavens.]
[Clear all the trials given by the young professor Luca!]
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