Chapter: 432
In this world where it still feels like a game to me, being a second-year at the Academy was the most chaotic time for the users.
First-year students are just focusing on strengthening their characters within the Academy.
Third-year students are wrapping up the game, only needing to pay attention to the outside world.
But the second-year students, stuck in the middle, have to juggle tasks inside and outside the Academy, which can’t help but make them feel overwhelmed.
Especially for newbies entering the second year, the hardest part was dealing with the outside world.
They had to strategize dungeons outside, chat with NPCs, and complete quests, all while worrying about the little details outside and still managing their Academy life, which must be a huge headache.
Of course, once you get used to these elements, it’s also the most fun part of being a second-year.
With their individual stories progressing with other characters, it’s enjoyable. Plus, since the Evil God’s plans are still underway, they don’t have to worry too much about the main story, allowing them to do whatever they want.
I myself had detailed plans for what I needed to do in my second year.
Now that I’ve entered this game world, there are too many fun things that I don’t want to miss out on.
Well, of course, to do these fun things, I first need to deal with the immediate tasks at hand.
The next day after telling my friends that I’d be heading out, I joined them early in the morning and made my way to the Academy street to use the translocation magic circle.
“Are you sure we don’t need to prepare anything? Even if we’re coming back right away, we should have several things ready.”
“The Pitiful Prince really lacks autonomy, huh? If you’re going to say that, shouldn’t you have prepared beforehand? How long will I have to spoon-feed you?”
“No. I…”
“Don’t worry. Unlike you, the Pitiful Prince, I don’t cling to other people’s pants. I’ve gotten everything ready, so just follow along while whining, okay?”
As I casually turned my gaze back, I spotted Arthur biting his lip.
Familiar with such sights, the other friends just smiled softly, but not Visi.
She was somewhat forced to join our party since Adri needed her, and she was sweating coldly seeing Arthur getting angry.
For Visi, Arthur was a powerful royal descendant, after all.
“Visi, you don’t need to be so nervous. This is just an everyday occurrence for us.”
Noticing Visi’s anxiety, Phoebe gently spoke up, but her consideration backfired.
Even if she was just a frail Necromancer, trusting that the Saintess of Jushin Church, Phoebe, was much tougher than Arthur was.
“Um? Why do…?”
“…It’s kind of sad that this is considered normal life.”
When Phoebe saw Visi’s face turning pale and was about to say something, Arthur let out a deep sigh, causing Joy to giggle lightly.
“It’s not just the Prince who feels that way, you know?”
“Right. It’s not just the Prince being sloppy. It’s a bit too much to pretend you’re being bullied.”
“That may be true, but is it really reassuring to know I’m not alone in this? Doesn’t it feel like something’s wrong?”
“Yeah. It seems like it’s only the Pitiful Prince feeling that way. You’re the only guy in the party, and yet you’re the most petty? I guess that’s what they mean when they say you’re pathetic.”
“Got it. I’ll just shut up, so please chill a bit.”
Seeing Arthur raise his hands in defeat, I stifled a laugh when I heard a grinding voice beside me.
“You’re such an idiot that you don’t even know how good it is to receive.”
The Sloppy Fox, perched on my shoulder, was burning with jealousy.
Heh heh at her blunt feelings, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I grabbed her scruff and tossed her to Karl.
Caught in Karl’s grip, she struggled to escape, but it was futile.
The loyal Shoddy Dog’s paws were way too big to wiggle out of.
Before long, we left the Academy street and headed toward the external dungeon.
The motion sickness caused by the Translocation Technique still lingered, but it wasn’t enough to knock me out.
I took a deep breath to calm my churning stomach, leaving the staggering friends behind as I stepped outside the building.
The scenery of a small territory ruled by a baron was much closer to a tranquil countryside than a city.
It felt like if someone confessed to someone else in town, the rumor would spread throughout the whole city by the next day.
Whether accepted or rejected, by the next day, a familiar aunt would likely come around saying, “Oh dear!” while patting someone on the shoulder.
As I took in this scene, thoughts of various quests and events existing in this city crossed my mind, but I shook my head.
I could easily see what would happen as soon as I started talking to people.
My presence here would feel overly burdensome in such a small, quiet place.
“Hey!”
Just as I was contemplating stepping back, a group of kids came galloping toward me from afar.
What’s this? What’s going on? Why are they racing towards me?
Is it because of the Sloppy Fox?
Regardless of how I felt, the outside was pretty cute, so they must’ve come to pet the Sloppy Fox!
That’s the only reason I could think of, so I zipped my lips and prepared to present the Sloppy Fox in front of them.
“You are here, right!”
That bold way of addressing me made me freeze for just a moment as I spotted the pendant held up by the boy in front, featuring a picture of me, and understood the situation.
So, they saw someone looking just like the picture in the accessory and rushed over without knowing who I was.
That’s why they could look at me so excitedly.
…What am I supposed to do? This situation is so new to me, I’m so overwhelmed!?
Am I just supposed to ramble on like I usually do?
I’m a bit of a trashy human, but I’m not the type to lash out at such innocent kids!
Thinking I couldn’t shatter their illusions, I mumbled to myself as the kids started babbling randomly.
“Of course! There can’t be many beautiful people like this!”
“But why isn’t she saying anything?”
“She’s probably just shy.”
“No way! She’s prettier than in the drawing!”
Not knowing what to do truly, I could only think about escaping when I saw an aunt running over from a distance, horrified.
“I’m sorry! Noble person! My kids are so foolish!”
“Mom! Look! This person!”
“You kids should apologize quickly! Hurry!”
After forcing the kids to apologize, the aunt kept glancing at me nervously.
Can’t she just take them away? Why keep repeating her apologies?
[How can a noble move when they haven’t shown mercy to commoners?]
‘…Do I have to speak up in this situation?! It feels like it’ll just make it worse!?’
Whether I kept my mouth shut or opened it, I was in a no-win situation, and beads of cold sweat began forming on my forehead when footsteps were heard from behind.
“Please leave. I don’t wish to hold the children accountable for their mistake.”
With a noble and stiff voice, the aunt bowed her head again and quickly departed.
Haaah. I really thought I was going to choke to death from the suffocation.
Thankful for the help, I turned my head to find Joy full of bright smiles, making me bite my lip.
“You’re soft on the kids, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I guess so. It’s unexpected.”
“Unexpected? Well, considering the Prince, it makes sense given the Young Lady’s character.”
“Character?”
…Didn’t they just look like they were groaning on the ground from sea sickness moments ago?
How long had they been watching? Since when had they been watching this closely?
“But hey, Lucy.”
“…What is it, you dumb swordsman.”
“They called you ‘you’, which must mean they thought of you as a kid, huh?”
“Grr.” Phew. “…Chuck.” <...Pffft.>
Hearing the laughter coming from all around, I tightened my fist and grabbed the stupid-looking guy’s cheek.
“Aha! Aha!”
“I have no idea what you’re saying~ but the dumb swordsman must be too stupid to talk properly, huh?”
After the little commotion, we immediately set off toward the dungeon.
We didn’t bother getting transportation. We had all experienced Allen’s forced march with our own bodies, so why would we bother with that?
Right now, we were faster and more efficient just running on our own legs!
Ah. Of course, Visi didn’t count. This typical Necromancer was as weak as could be, after all.
So, I just handed her over to Karl. I figured carrying her would only be awkward.
But she looked super cute with a dainty expression when being carried by Karl.
When I thought it through, it made sense. If you didn’t know the Shoddy Dog’s true nature, Karl seemed like the epitome of a knight. If he concealed the Shoddy Dog’s essence, that would be true.
Just as I was considering telling him about Karl’s real nature, Visi’s blushing face was too cute to ignore, so I decided to let it be.
After all, wandering through the forest with me will reveal the truth naturally, so why spoil it early?
…Besides, it’ll be more fun to see their reaction when his true nature is revealed if I say nothing.
Thus, we began racing toward the dungeon, and within less than an hour, we could take in the scenery of the mountain where the dungeon resided and the forest lurking below.
“Is it really okay to go in there? It seems like the perfect place to get lost in.”
The scenery of the dense forest looked so treacherous, that even someone like me could lose their way if I slept there.
“Do I look that foolish to you?”
But it’s not the same for me. I knew all the geographical details of the Soul Academy world, and I had perfectly memorized the path through that dense forest.
‘Grandpa.’
[Can you feel it too?]
‘Of course, how could I not?’
Furrowing my brows, I gently turned my head to the side, nodding in agreement with Phoebe.
It was evident.
A sinister energy was subtly emanating from the depths of that forest.
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