<386 - Outcome of the Expedition>
After the Organization that Plays with Oknodie returned from the library, Jezel obtained several pieces of information.
━━━
Report containing Dorothy’s tips on the path to the library and breaking through the gate.
Knowledge assessment report on how to borrow fairy tale books from the library, as stated by Arcadia and Irene.
Report on types of functional skill books that can be obtained from the library, as informed by Oknodie.
━━━
Among the three types of reports, the most necessary information was the first one. The library was a place where many first-year students felt the need to go but couldn’t find.
“Izabel, what do you think?”
“What about?”
“The information regarding the library. I have many questions, but the biggest takeaway from reading this report is that the outside world’s system has been unnecessarily introduced in a similar way.”
“My head isn’t as smart as yours. I’m good at chopping and frying.”
“… So you’ve completely transitioned into a chef?”
“Surprisingly, it suits my talents.”
Izabel’s subtle smile was quite pleasing to Jezel. People who are absorbed in something are impressive.
“This Academy definitely has a clear purpose as an educational institution.”
“What a pointless statement! Saying my birthday is the day I was born isn’t groundbreaking.”
“It’s important information. At the very least, I’ve been able to somewhat speculate on the difficulties that may exist in this Academy in the future. Just like our little lady.”
At least to some degree, Jezel could demonstrate an unfathomable information-gathering ability similar to Oknodie.
“With that, what do you think our clever mature student is speculating?”
“Haha. What ancient nickname is that? It’s been quite a while since the entrance exam ended.”
“Just. I still can’t believe how much time has passed since we enrolled.”
“You’ve gotten much stronger, haven’t you?”
“That’s true. In the second semester, I’ve been attending lectures and enhancing my flame resistance, allowing me to cook dishes with a richer flavor than before.”
‘… That’s not the kind of strength I was complimenting, but you’re really into cooking, huh?’
Anyway, every questioner has the duty to reveal the answers if they posed questions.
“I’m guessing the role of the ‘Student Council.’ Including what kind of ‘Student Council Room’ they’ll possess.”
“Student Council? That feels so far from us. I heard that the top student of the second year, Mandela Castera, entering the Student Council was already the youngest case.”
“Really? From the professors’ reactions, you’d know too. Our cohort is rather special.”
A generation exists with Warrior Ishtar and the Dark Princess Oknodie, who surpasses her potential. The entry into the Student Council might come far sooner than Izabel thought.
“So what is the Student Council an equivalent of from the outside world? The library is, in fact, a library, but there’s no Student Council outside of the Academy.”
“However, among numerous students… if there exists an administrative organization that represents the competent people of each occupation and class, it must be there. We call that organization a nation.”
“What? So the Student Council is…”
Jezel nodded.
“A nation at the center of world domination. An entity corresponding to the Empire’s system. If we could join the Student Council of Gift Academy, we could understand how the Empire is operated and what weaknesses it has.”
“!!”
Izabel jumped up in shock.
[Detection Scroll (25m radius)]
[Mana Detection Scroll (25m radius)]
To speak of the rise and fall of the Empire in front of an imperial citizen is strictly forbidden.
Swiftly tearing the two scrolls, Izabel checked for any information around her. The response was clear, but overly so; sensing no presence, she pulled out an adventurer’s baton and struck the ceiling with a thud.
Vibrate Mode ON
Thud, thud.
Shaking violently, sensations connected to the space linked with the ceiling flowed through her fingertips.
She took out a case from her clothing, grasping a meat knife, realizing that she couldn’t be late to act against any potential threats.
“Izabel, what are you doing?”
“There’s someone eavesdropping.”
With all her might, she plunged the meat knife into the ceiling, breaking the lock.
Boom!
The ceiling lid collapsed, and she swiftly followed up with a multi-use knife, cutting the connection parts.
Crash.
Amid the rubble that showered down, Izabel narrowed her eyes and assessed the dust cloud, quickly grabbing a peeler, a potato knife, and scissors to throw.
Clang, clang!
The loud sounds echoed as the thrown blades ricocheted.
Izabel remained unbothered.
The throws were merely a means to force the enemy to engage instead of fleeing, closing the gap.
[Izabel's Culinary Swordplay]
[Demonic Beast Bone Cutting Knife]
She swiftly swung the culinary knife, capable of cutting through large and solid demonic bones, directly at her opponent’s waist.
Craaack!
For a decisive strike, it was extraordinarily simple to read Izabel’s trajectory, and her opponent adjusted their stance to parry, trying to disarm her with a counter.
The fierce retaliation caught Izabel off guard, but the strength packed in her strike hit her enemy’s weak spot as well.
“Impressively strong.”
“Jiang?”
Instead of [Disarming], it merely resulted in [Stun] from Jiang’s attempt at a counter.
Izabel felt a significant shock towards Jiang, whom she had merely thought was just someone who cooked.
“What were you doing in a place like this? Why were you eavesdropping on our conversation?”
“I was asked by your employer to lounge around on my ceiling when I had nothing to do. Just to keep nosy rats away.”
“Jiang is right. I never imagined Izabel would be able to sense Jiang’s presence, so I didn’t mention it, which was a mistake.”
Both Jiang and Jezel had underestimated Izabel’s combat capability.
Even as a chef, she held a surprising level of strength that Jezel hadn’t anticipated, considering her role as a prospective leader of the Esornia Expedition Team.
Izabel, in turn, found their reactions quite amusing.
“What do you think of someone coming from an expedition? I’ve roamed through dangerous places that even regular mercenaries wouldn’t dare to step into, so I should have at least this much skill.”
Though it seemed her skills were influenced more by her primary specialization than her secondary one, Jezel chose to remain silent about that fact.
No need to provoke someone wielding sharp blades when they’re not cooking!
“Jiang should be fine. You’re Oknodie’s friend. Still, be careful. If a person as openly suspicious and scheming as you starts talking about threats to the Empire, anyone would take it seriously.”
“Oh dear. My evaluation is quite harsh.”
“What about that squinty-eye of yours? To anyone, you just look like someone hiding their power, and it sometimes gives me the creeps!”
Especially when students from the Empire, like those from the Three Great Meritorious Families or the Masugaki Princess, hear of it, it would definitely cause significant problems.
After all, if they just send a letter to their respective families or the imperial family, it wouldn’t be odd for the Empire to exert real pressure.
“That talk about the Student Council came up because of me, you know?”
“Jiang, you?”
“Oknodie and I received something like this.”
A [Student Council Visit Permit] which must be used within 30 days of receipt.
The opportunity to indirectly encounter the reality of the Student Council corresponding to the Empire was moving much closer than expected.
“Thank you to Dobi-kun, who won’t be enough to express my gratitude for this huge gain.”
While cleaning up the debris from the collapsed ceiling with a broom and dustpan, Izabel suddenly felt curious.
“So, what ever happened with that Dobi-kun?”
Thanks to the follow-up team Jezel sent to the library, Dobi was able to acquire another fairy tale book.
Having fulfilled the morning gift agreement with the spirits, Dobi successfully preserved their life.
[You assisted in the survival of the poor Dobi.]
[You have gained 1500 points.]
[Good Child Experience +3]
Wrapping up the series of events, the rewards gathered were quite nice.
Just helping out a student trapped in the Professor’s Research Lab netted this much reward.
They should continue to demonstrate kindness by periodically assisting various professors in their labs!
[Good Child Experience is just about to surpass a certain amount.]
[If you continue to perform good deeds, the Good Child function may evolve.]
However, a rather interesting function appeared.
Hmm.
The scary state of Bad Child had an immense penalty as a function.
I wonder how lucrative the rewards of Good Child’s evolved state will be?
“Dobi, how’s reading the fairy tale book going?”
“I get beaten every day for having insufficient knowledge of spirit language, so it’s horrible…”
In the end, the poor Dobi’s daily life remained unchanged!
“Well then, since it’s a rare occasion, would you like me to help with skill training as an aftercare service?”
“No, that’s a bit…”
“I mean, if you don’t want to train when you can earn points while getting hit, it’s better to face as much pain as possible without dying, right?”
“…”
Helping with the training surely would make a newbie happy, right?
Or what can you do about it?
Choose between getting hit for toughness training or fairy spirit function training!
It’s either that or the training course of veteran players slipping things in!
