<829 – Unforeseen Trouble (4)>
I realized that I liked Ishtar more than I thought I did.
Once I figured it out, the epiphany came naturally.
If the beloved Ishtar were to be murdered by professors right before my eyes, even if it were just a Spirit Body, could I really accept it?
No way.
In another round, I might have willingly submitted to the professors, thinking a Spirit Body was no big deal.
This round was different.
No, it was special.
A passing round.
A round with a predetermined failure.
A round that had given up on a happy ending.
This was not that kind of round.
This time, let’s see a true happy ending.
There was no way I would allow myself to lose my friend, my person, right before my eyes in this round I had vowed to protect.
Jonnas was right.
In the rounds where I had to seal my love for everyone and desperately jump into annihilation endings, the mindset of those rounds had disappeared as I busily moved around this real game world with this small body.
“Thanks, Jonnas!”
“Your eyes have cleared of anguish. I’m glad my advice has helped you, Lady.”
“Do you want anything? I can get you something in return!”
Jonnas refused, saying it was nonsense.
“I just need a large amount of various rare metals for the development of new materials for research. I’ve already dragged in fourth-years and students on leave to bring back rare materials. In return, I’m giving them extra lectures or making weapons and armor from metals that have reached their transformation limit. Even without your consideration, I can gather materials just fine.”
“Don’t you have any hobbies at all?”
“Developing combinations of new rare metals is both my research task and hobby.”
Ah.
Jonnas is a blessed person who has achieved a balance between work and passion!
So he probably wouldn’t need help.
“Then I’ll bring you a ton next time I come!”
Coincidentally, Jonnas also knew a place where I could gather an abundance of ultra-rare metals that could even tempt him.
It was the exam venue of the professors who conduct tests for the Spirit Bodies of the special class.
Gear that has a deep bond with its wearer or has been worn long enough to become familiar would come out equipped even in Spirit Body form.
What would happen if I were to steal such Spirit Body gear?
I already know from the times before mana became all-in.
When a Spirit Body dies, the damage can cause a person’s memory to vanish, and if the gear linked by Soul Link is severed, its essence gets stolen, lowering its rank.
And thus, this stripped Spirit Body gear turns into soul metal, a special soul equipment that can be granted to existing gear or used as protective gear for Spirit Bodies!
‘A ton would be enough!’
That way, I wouldn’t have to worry about giving Jonnas a gift that feels too small or embarrassing!
*
The night I had been waiting for had finally arrived.
“Everyone, let’s survive this…”
“I’m definitely waking up with memories today!”
Most of the special class students, who had experienced memory loss due to my constant poking around throughout the day, had now realized the secret of the Spirit Body’s demise.
This time, most were ready to resist and not let themselves fall easily like last time.
Hoooyy!
To avoid collapsing on the warm floor from the overwhelming drowsiness, everyone took the initiative to subjugate the enemies in the Dormitory Dungeon and set up warm bedding with pillows to comfortably lay down.
Rather than recklessly resisting the inevitable sleep, they chose to conserve their strength and enter a sleep mode that would allow for a full recovery.
This even helped reduce the total amount of disappearing memories, no matter if death was imminent.
If the body is uncomfortable, it’s only natural that it would take more energy to heal.
Which also means the scope of memory loss would widen.
If they could gain insights on what tests they took and how they overcame or were defeated, they would surely endure the next day’s tests better.
There were many professors and many tests.
If one death piled up per test, students would have to face an average of 15 deaths to finish all the tests.
That’s because there were that many benevolent professors.
Fwaaaah!
The students who had fallen asleep in their bedding gathered in the Spirit Summoning Room.
On the previous day, students had appeared in pajamas, casual clothes, or at most school uniforms, but today they arose fully equipped in combat gear.
It was a declaration of their resolve not to fall victim to the professors again like before.
“Wow, good learning ability. To prepare this much even with gaps in memory. You all certainly have what it takes to be in the special class.”
“Then, let’s have the continuation of the test we couldn’t finish yesterday. You will experience death once again today, but don’t worry. We will be able to obtain precise information about what your shortcomings are.”
“And… Dark Princess Oknodie. It’s time for you to take a special test again within the special class.”
In the professors’ eyes lay an eerie mix of tension, fear, and hostility.
“Professors, you conducted an experiment yesterday where other students could die in front of me, didn’t you?”
“As we mentioned yesterday, the death the Spirit Bodies experience is not true death. We will provide a customized curriculum for each professor to perfectly respond to what weaknesses your Spirit Body possesses, what mechanisms and functions are vulnerable.”
“I understand the excellence of your methods! But what if I refuse because I believe there’s a possibility of permanent damage, big or small, to my Spirit Body and formally report you to the Student Council?”
Not going to do this.
No way!
After openly defying the professors’ educational policy, they grimly grasped their Soul Weapons as if to say things were about to take a turn for the worse again.
“In that case, we have no choice but to repeat what happened yesterday.”
“Oknodie, please leave the special class. We won’t force education on a student who doesn’t wish to learn.”
“Did you hear that? Everyone, let’s stop this lecture!”
There are plenty of ways to enhance mental power without resorting to these methods.
You could endure pain by applying mustard under your nose, or create many happy memories to alleviate stress while doing something unpleasant, or gain a positive self-awareness and assurance about the world through unique experiences others can’t easily encounter.
It’s okay if it takes a bit longer.
I just need to get stronger than everyone else.
At this moment, I have enough knowledge and strength to do that.
“Sorry.”
“We’re going to challenge it.”
But in reality, everyone in the special class refused my proposal.
Despite fully understanding how reckless this lecture was, they expressed their willingness to continue attending.
“Ishtar?”
“Sorry. I feel the same way.”
Surprisingly, even Ishtar, whose favorability had risen considerably, didn’t take my outstretched hand.
“Why…?”
“We are weak. And we’ve felt that weakness deeply. There have been several incidents, and while we’ve done our part, it’s only thanks to you, the seniors, and others’ support that we’ve achieved anything. I feel that inadequacy day after day.”
“I can show you other ways to grow strong!”
“That’s what I dislike the most.”
“You don’t like my way?”
At that moment, my mind went blank.
Ishtar hesitated, biting her lip, but soon regained a firm resolution.
“You’ve displayed the courage to stand against family for our sake. If we admit that we can only grow stronger with your help, it would mean we can never repay our debt.”
It’s not because I dislike it.
On the contrary, it’s because I feel deeply grateful.
“Do you understand our feelings?”
“Oh, and just so you know, we don’t particularly feel indebted. It’s more about our pride being hurt.”
“It feels odd to be taught by someone younger than me.”
As a fourth-year senior spoke up with no sense of tact, Ishtar shot him a glare like a disappointed aunt, ruining the mood.
When men shrink before a beautiful woman, the seniors awkwardly turned away from Ishtar’s fierce gaze, as though they were about to get hit.
Anyone would feel like that under the blazing stare of Ishtar, who seemed ready to unleash her wrath.
“It’s not real death; it’s the death of a Spirit Body. We have the right to bear that much by our own will.”
“You were afraid of memory loss during the day!”
“But now it’s different. Since coming to this space, some of my memories have returned. I recall my resolve to take the test, and how I felt while going through it. I have no regrets. I won’t have any regrets this time either.”
There are times when memories that temporarily evaporated due to accidents can be returned through certain triggers.
This must be Ishtar’s sincere feeling.
“If that’s Ishtar’s wish, I won’t deny that wish being in vain.”
“Thank you.”
“But I won’t back down from my wish either. If our wishes oppose each other, then I’ll force it through!”
The professors seemed to nod in agreement as they spread out their domains.
Seventeen benevolent professors of the special class vs. the veteran player.
The second match of an unyielding showdown began.
“Dark Princess. This time, I won’t waver even if you try to threaten me with our family affairs or research projects!”
“Heir of the Foundation! I will definitely kill your Spirit Body until only pure curiosity and the desire to cherish friends remain in your mind!!”
But what’s with the professors burning with such passion?
It’s as if there are no perpetrators, only victims; the atmosphere on their side felt peculiar.
Did I mess up somewhere? I did a self-check of my conscience.
Checking…
Check complete.
There’s a saying: only those ready to be shot should fire a gun.
Isn’t it only natural that those who abuse students should be ready to be abused themselves?
In conclusion, no problem!
I felt no scruples of conscience as I boldly began my mental assault.
